Look at the Stars

Sirius wanted to follow her and beg her forgiveness, but he realized it would be best to leave her alone for tonight.

He walked back to his room. He could see now that he had made a mistake. He'd been tempted to tease her as an excuse to be near her, but Hermione must not have been ready to handle that.

Perhaps she was still vulnerable. Whatever it is, he thought, I took it too far. If I love her, and I do, I need to try, above all, not to hurt her.

He wasn't sure what to think of Hermione's reaction to his kiss, but the most logical explanation was that somehow, he'd reminded her of Ron. This was why she'd responded, and this was why she'd cried.

Somehow I have to make it up to her, he thought. I'll put an end to this right now. I'll behave myself, and I'll do my best to sweep her off her feet at that ball.

He lay down on his bed, but he could hardly sleep. He was angry at himself for hurting Hermione, and his heart ached at the thought of her alone in her room, crying because of him. His mind kept drifting back to the momentary ecstasy of that kiss, but these thoughts were immediately followed by a wave of pain and guilt. Glancing at the wrinkles her clutching hands had left on the front of his shirt, he finally fell asleep with uneasy thoughts.