Truth or Dare ✔️

17

"What would make you feel better Sunshine?"

Hermione fidgeted in his arms and looked away shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders.

"Remember my asking if you rode?"

She nodded. "Yes," she replied after leaving his arms and walking through the house toward the kitchen.

"Well, we're not that far from the stable, if you'd like to do that after breakfast?"

She shrugged her shoulders as she rummaged through the cupboards. One of the kitchen staff approached her and asked if she should like him to prepare something for her. She replied flatly, "french toast?"

The cook looked confused for a moment and nodded his head.

Sirius sat down at the kitchen table and the cook merely stared at him for a moment as if he really had no business being there. "Sir, would you care for something from the kitchen?"

"I'll have what she's having," Sirius replied.

"It would be my pleasure Sir."

Sirius nodded curtly and half-smiled before returning his attention to Hermione. "As I was saying, we're not far from the stable and we could take a picnic lunch if you like? We can tour the main house after supper, or tomorrow if you'd like? What ever you want to do?"

Hermione lowered her head and smiled to herself...she realized that without him coming out and and actually saying it, he was aware that her mother had hurt her feelings and he was trying desperately to soothe her anyway he could. She looked up at him and smiled. "That sounds lovely Sirius. But I haven't ridden since...well, it's been a long time."

"Same for me, but I'm certain they've a few well-ridden, soft horses we could borrow for the day?" Sirius was sitting back in his chair, watching the cook as he went about creating his culinary masterpiece. "You're a muggle, aren't you?"

The cook realized after a moment that it was actually he that was being addressed and he turned to face him. "Sir?"

"You're not a wizard?"

The cook shook his head, his face growing pale. "No Sir. I am not."

Sirius nodded. "And you prepared the dinner last night then, yeah?"

The cook nodded. "I did Sir, yes."

"It was quite delicious. You've learned your craft quite well for being so young."

"Thank you. I attended a culinary university."

Sirius nodded. "Ah."

"Sirius cooks," Hermione offered.

The cook held the bowl in his arm and continued to whisk at the eggs gently. "Do you Sir?"

Sirius nodded.

"Did you attend Uni as well?"

Sirius shook his head. "Nope. Self-taught. Years and years of trial and error."

"That's the best way really," he replied he placed the bowl on the counter top and turned to reach up for the nutmeg and cinnamon and a drawer for a grater. He began to grate the spices into the bowl.

"Tell me, did you salt the eggs prior to whisking them?"

The cook nodded. "I did Sir...didn't you see?"

Sirius shook his head. "No. I was busy...talking."

"Yes Sir."

"What does that do, salting the eggs before beating them," Hermione asked.

"Thins the eggs...makes them less...thick. More liquidy," Sirius said with a flourish of his hand. "Easier to add the spices."

"Oh," Hermione said thoughtfully.  "But I've never seen you do that when you make eggs for breakfast?"

"You like your eggs fluffy like I do. You're good at potions, think about it?"

"What would you like to top the toast with, Miss? I usually top the bread with finely ground sugar."

Hermione nodded. "That will be fine. Thank you."

Sirius rolled his eyes and shook his head. The cook caught on quickly. "Miss, we also have at our disposal, various butters, spreads, and..." he looked around. "I have maple syrup from Vermont," he whispered. "Miss Sue brought it over."

"I'll have some of that," Sirius said quickly, nodding his head. "Amazing stuff, maple syrup is!"

Hermione giggled at him as he looked as if he would start drooling at any moment. "Sounds like it's considered contraband?"

"It is," the cook replied.

"But isn't Sue American?"

"Yes Miss and she and her children are the only Americans in the family. I really shouldn't be gossiping about family matters," he said. "I'm likely to be released from my position."

"I'll not let them sack you," Sirius said. "Go on."

The cook looked around. "Word has it that when Prince Alexander traveled to America to work and returned home with an American wife, the family nearly became unhinged."

"Prince," Hermione exclaimed and looked to Sirius. "Why that would make you..."

Sirius looked into her eyes. "Don't say it."

"KING!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and growled beneath his breath then cut his eyes toward her. "Thanks a lot."

"Of course, your Highness!"

"Hermione. Jean. Granger! I'm warning you!"

Hermione's grin was infectious and Sirius couldn't help himself but to grin too.

The cook presented the couple with their breakfast. "As the French say, Voila! Bon Appétit!"

Hermione smiled and nodded. "If you please, what's your name?"

"Peter, Miss."

Hermione glanced over toward Sirius, who visibly winced. "And where are you from? Because clearly, you're not a Frenchman?"

"No Miss, I'm not a Frenchie. I hail from Helensburgh. Midwest Scotland."

"The yacht basin is there on the Clyde yes," Sirius asked.

"Yes! You know it then Sir?"

"Looked at a house there once in my youth," Sirius said then stuffed his mouth is the syrup-laden bread. "Lots of lovely architecture as I recall?"

"Yes Sir. I would like to apologize for the tenderness of the bread. Had I known you'd fancy  a bit of French Toast, I'd have let the bread out overnight to stale a bit."

"That's alright," Hermione said. "You didn't know. This is delicious by the way!"

"Thank you, Miss. I am pleased you like it." The cook wiped his hands. "If there's nothing else, I'll shall leave you to your privacy then?"

"Thank you Peter," Sirius said.

The cook nodded and bowed a slight bow and left them alone.

"Well, he's a nice fellow," Sirius said.

"Yes he is," Hermione replied.

"So have you given any thought to my proposal?"

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "Proposal?"

"Yeah, you know? Horses, riding, picnic, grazin' in the grass?"

"Grazin' in the grass?"

"Making love in the middle of nowhere under the sun," Sirius replied then stuffed his mouth with the syrupy bread.

Hermione blinked her eyes at him as the color drained from her face.

"Or not?" He looked away and sipped on his coffee and swallowed hard.