            "Oh, Sirius," Hermione whispered. The realization of who he meant had been dawning on her since he began the story, but now it smacked into her with the full force of her long-buried grief. She blinked back tears as she held tighter to his neck, drawing herself closer to hide her face against his shoulder. He grasped onto her, holding her like she’d float away if he let go for even a second. "Remus loved you," Hermione told him, pulling slightly back so she could card her fingers through his curls. "I know he did." She could tell Sirius was fighting back tears, and she sank back down to let him bury into her arms. "I know he did," she soothed, stroking down his spine.