Look at the Stars

Sirius had been somewhat distracted during the day by his teaching, but nagging thoughts of Harry's danger kept seeping into the back of his mind. And, of course, he seldom stopped thinking of Hermione.

He was surprised that it didn't seem odd that he should have such feelings for his godson's best friend. As he thought the situation through, it seemed almost comically absurd. But despite the superficial appearance of romantic prospects between a 43-year-old and a 22-year-old, it felt right. To me, at least, he thought.

The students had been restless all day; Dumbledore had announced that morning that a ball would be held on Halloween Night. Hardly anyone could talk of anything other than who was going with whom.

"Professor Black, are you going to the ball?" a few fourth-years had asked him.

"Eh, I don't know," he'd answered absentmindedly.

"You should take Professor Granger," one of them had said, provoking a wide grin on his face, quickly followed by a self-conscious need to find a particular book. Had the students picked up on something? Or were they simply matching him with the only female professor under the age of eighty? He sincerely hoped the latter was the case.

"What, Professor Black, don't you like her?" He hadn't answered.

As he sat alone at the faculty table eating dinner that night, he seriously contemplated asking her to the ball. Perhaps it would seem a little school boy-ish. . . but then again, they were good friends.

He looked over at the Gryffindor table. Hermione caught his eye and flashed him a huge smile. Ah, at least she's not avoiding me anymore, he thought. I wonder what's been up with her for the last few days?

Hermione motioned for Sirius to join her at the house table.