Title: Home
Summary: After Sirius fell through the Veil life went on. But when he comes back, thanks to Hermione, what will he find has changed? What, unexpected, guests have come back before him?
A/N: I promise this is Hermione/Cedric just can't say it in the summary or I'd give away too much.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I would like to own a few things involved (Cedric, Sirius ect.) but I don't. Promise. I own natta bit. Nothing. But the story line.
Chapter 1
Hermione Granger, now famous historian of both the muggle and wizarding worlds, sat at her desk in Number 12 Grimmauld Place, late at night, writing her latest historical novel. She had already published four critically acclaimed novels documenting the war recently faced by the wizard world concerning the dark wizard Voldemort. This night she was documenting her latest ideas regarding the former English Queen Anne Boleyn when she heard commotion going downstairs.
"What on Earth could be going on at two o'clock in the morning?" she mused aloud to the mostly dark empty room which was lit only by candles surrounding the desk she sat at. Hermione aggregately set her quill down and ventured to door of her library.
She listened at the door as she heard voices. "How are you here? This is impossible!" she heard Remus Lupin say disbelievingly.
"We have been freed from a sort of abyss thing. That's all we know," she heard a male voice she didn't recognize reply.
"Could it have been the defeat of Voldemort?" a female voice asked.
"Not likely," Remus replied. "He was defeated over four years ago. It certainly wouldn't have taken this long."
That's when Hermione decided to continue down to the room that housed the unidentified people and Remus. As she descended the final stair she was faced with the backs of three people and could see Remus over one of their shoulders with Tonks standing right beside him. "Remus, what's going on?" Hermione asked and as she did the three people turned around to face her. She immediately recognized one of them. Sirius Black, a man who had died six years ago, was standing before her. Her face dropped and became impassive. Her expression then quickly turned to irritated disbelief. "Yepp, it's official. I need more sleep," she stated shaking her head. "I'm now starting to hallucinate about dead people," she continued turning back toward the door she came in.
Hermione was just about to walk back upstairs to her bedroom when a hand on her arm stopped her. She turned to see 'Sirius' looking into her eyes. "It's me, 'Mione. I'm back," he told her.
She looked it his eyes searching for some sort of clue as to whether he was really standing there or if she was simply going mad. She then turned to face him fully gently placing a hand on his cheek. Hermione continued her search of his eyes until saw the spark she was so familiar with. "My God. Sirius?" she asked softly. "It can't be."
Sirius smiled softly, "It is possible, 'Mione. It's very possible," he said sweetly. He stepped back and spread his arms out. "It's me in the flesh," he said. When Hermione said nothing he looked worried.
Then Hermione leaped forward and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh God, Sirius!" she screamed laughing happily. "You really came back."
Pulling away he smiled and replied, "Yes, Hermione; I came back." He stepped back a bit again. He put his arms around James and Lily continuing, "And I brought friends. Hermione Granger, meet James and Lily Potter." He smiled.
Hermione's eyes widened and she raised an eyebrow. She looked at them then back at Sirius then to Remus who nodded smiling. Her disbelieving look became one of joy at the conformation.
Hermione stepped toward her best friend's parents. She came to James first extending her hand to him, "It's so wonderful to be able to meet you, Mr. Potter."
James took her hand and pulled her into a hug. Surprised Hermione froze up a bit. "Did you hear that, Lils? She called me 'Mr. Potter'," James laughed. He pulled away from the girl but held her at arms length by the shoulders. "Ms. Granger, I have heard so much about you and been able to watch over you quite a few times, and let me tell you…" he began. "…you are quite amazing, my dear. My son is lucky to have a friend such as you."
Hermione smiled greatly yet just slightly shyly. As well a subtle blush started to creep its way over her cheeks. "Thank you, Mr. Potter but I assure you the luck is equally spread. I am so lucky to have met Harry. He means the world to me."
Lily then stepped beside her husband to greet the lovely young lady. Lily extended her hand to Hermione. "It's amazing to meet the girl who has made such an impact on our son. We have seen and heard so much of you, dear; it's wonderful to finally meet you in person," Lily said sweetly.
Again Hermione smiled as her blush increased but was less shy then Sirius expected having known her before. No one else seemed to take notice of this though. "Thank you, Mrs. Potter, I'm so happy to meet you both. I'm sure Harry will be positively mad with joy when he sees you."
"Yes, where is Harry?" Sirius piped up.
"Harry is most likely at his and Ginny's flat sleeping, like most people do at two o'clock in the morning," Hermione joked. "He and Ginny are married now. They're also expecting a baby pretty soon."
"My son is going to be a father?" James questioned happily. "Did ya hear that Lils? We're going to be grandparents!" he exclaimed.
"As much fun as this is…" Hermione started looking to Remus then back at the Potters and Sirius. "…I believe we should all get some sleep. I'm sure you three are exhausted, I know Tonks should…." She continued only to be interrupted nervously by Remus.
"Should go get some sleep before a hard day at the Ministry." He covered.
"Oh come off it, Remus. They are going to find out sooner or later. Why hide it?" Tonks chastised. "I won't be able to for much longer."
"What are two on about, huh?" Sirius questioned.
"We're going to be having a baby of our own in about six months, Sirius." Remus informed happily but still a bit apprehensive.
"You…knocked up my cousin?" Sirius questioned disbelievingly. He then walked over to his friend patting him on the back. "Good job, mate." He laughed.
"Hey!" Tonks exclaimed narrowing her eyes on her dear cousin then whacked him in the head. When Sirius looked at her questioningly she simply shrugged, "Hormones." She explained simply. "I can't seem to control them sometimes," she continued sweetly.
Rubbing his head, Sirius muttered, "Hormones my ass." Hermione then walked up to him sporting a mock pouty face to match his real one.
"Poor baby." She teased. She patted his shoulder as a slight moment of silence ensued. "Well, good night. I would like to get some sleep before the sun comes up," she said mock perkily. Hermione stepped up on her tip-toes and kissed Sirius' cheek saying good night. Then she walked over to Remus and Tonks.
Tonks engulfed her in a hug and went so say good night to her cousin as Hermione went to hug Remus. Hermione wrapped her arms around him tightly, "You should really get some sleep, Moony. No offence, but you look like you could use it," she smiled. "And I will show everyone to their rooms for the night…however short the night may be."
"You've been writing all night haven't you?" Remus asked knowingly. Hermione had been doing that ever since she began working on novel number three. At her guilty look he laughed and kissed her forehead.
With that Hermione led James, Lily, and Sirius up the stairs. She showed James and Lily one of the larger guest rooms and bid them good night. She then walked Sirius down the hall a bit. Sirius recognized the door she was standing at to be his old room. "With all the people coming in and out of here over the years and then Tonks and me moving in sort of permanently, we changed a few things around the house. First, Remus and Tonks are down the hall second door on the right, the biggest room. And I just recently moved in here," she informed pointing down the hall then to the door behind her. "Since this used to be yours and I haven't unpacked the boxes and such yet, you can either stay in here or wherever you would like. I imagine you'll be moving back into the house so you would probably want your room back."
"Hermione, you pick which room you want. This isn't my house anymore, its Harry's." Sirius said.
"Actually, its Remus and Tonks'," Hermione corrected. "Harry signed it over to them when he and Ginny got their own flat. He said it had too many memories to live in. Also a bit gloomy but we changed that as soon as I could get Remus to let me."
Sirius moved toward the door across the hall. He bowed dramatically saying, "Well, my dear Hermione, I bid a good night and pleasant dreams." She smiled before hugging him again.
"Good night, Sirius." And with that she disappeared behind the bedroom door.
Hermione woke with a start about two hours later. She jumped out of bed and rushed to her bathroom. She turned on the water and splashed water on her face before returning back to her soft bed. She flopped back on her bed closing her eyes peacefully. Unfortunately, after a few minutes of waiting in silence, sleep would not claim her. "Orpheus! Don't just stand there! Take me, I'm yours!" she shouted to the ceiling. Sighing she got up and trudged down the stairs quietly.
Upon entering the kitchen she found a half naked Sirius standing in front of the island in the middle of the floor. Stunned by the fitness of his body she failed to notice him turning to face her with a smirk plastered on his face. She cleared her throat and twitched her nose as she continued into the kitchen. "Um…Sirius, what are you doing up?" she asked as she put the kettle on the stove for tea. "I would have thought you would be out for hours."
"Couldn't sleep. I think it had something to with the whole being trapped in abyss for so long," he joked lightly.
Hermione turned around to face him and locked eyes with him. After a moment, however, she looked away as she passed by him to get two mugs from the cabinet behind him. Before she could open it, her hand was caught by his. He took her hand from the cabinet door and brought it up to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles. "And what, exactly has you up at this early hour, love?" he asked flirtatiously.
"Dreams," she replied nonchalantly. "Not a very unusual thing anymore. Especially not with the things I've seen and done."
Sirius brought his gaze up to her eyes, his laced with concern. "What do you mean, 'Mione?" he asked worriedly.
"A lot has happened over these six years, Sirius," she replied. "Some of it good…and some of it not." She looked up into his eyes trying hard to keep the tears pinging at her eyes from falling. "I've seen so many things I would like to have never seen before in my life."
Sirius pulled her into a warm embrace gently smoothing his hands down her back as the tears she tried so desperately to hold back cascaded down her cheeks mercilessly. "Hermione…I'm so sorry you had to experience things like that. But, as far as I can see…you've made yourself to be…" he said stopping to pull back from her and look in her eyes. "…a beautiful, sweet, funny, famous young woman with a future bright with possibilities."
Hermione looked shocked for a moment to hear the 'famous' part. "You…you know about that?"
"Yes, Hermione. I saw yesterday's paper on the coffee table. 'Hermione Granger: Famous Historian and Writer to Publish her Fifth Historical Novel Soon.' How could anyone miss that plastered across the front page?" he joked lightly. "My question is: what were the other four novels concerning?"
Hermione shook her head before twitching her nose and proudly stating, "The other four novels I have written were about the war we fought with Voldemort and one about the Golden Trio, one on the history of Hogwarts and one about the Marauders. Although, I'm going in a different direction this new one. I'm worried about how it's going to sell." She confessed.
"Well then, here's my next question. Why are living here? You could most definitely afford to live in a huge mansion. Why stay in this gloomy hell hole?" Sirius asked smirking.
"I do have another place to stay but I often stay here to help Remus and Tonks out with Teddy and the new baby coming. And to get away from the damn press. Rita Skeeter is the most maddening woman I have ever had the displeasure of meeting!" Hermione announced loudly. Then realizing she did apologized. "Sorry, that was a bit out there. But Gods I hate that woman." She sighed deeply rising from her seat. "Well, I should probably go get ready to go."
It was only then that Sirius realized that they had been talking for about two and a half hours. It was now a little after six-thirty.
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked letting his curiosity get the better of him.
"Hogwarts, I promised Dumbledore that I'd help with the Defense position as much as possible as well as Muggle Studies. I only agreed because I know how much the classes are needed now. I am sort of a professor but not technically." After seeing the glint in his eyes, that had showed up at the mere mention of Hogwarts, Hermione asked, "Do you want to come with me today? We can stop by Hogsmeade while we're there."
Sirius' eyes lit up immediately. "I'd love to!" he exclaimed rising quickly.
"You'd love to what, Padfoot?" Sirius and Hermione looked behind them to find a very groggy James trudge into the kitchen.
"Sirius is going with me to Hogwarts in about an hour. You and Mrs. Potter are welcome to join us, if you'd like. But I must tell you now, when the school day begins I have to teach the Defense classes. Professor Tanlor is on a mission at the moment so I'm in for him for about a week."
"I'm sure we'd find something to do, don't you, James?" Sirius asked smirking at his old friend.
"No pranks, Padfoot," Hermione warned. "I mean it. If you come you are under my jurisdiction and I am responsible for anything you do." At this statement Hermione's face fell slightly.
"What is it, 'Mione?" Sirius asked as he sobered up. He gently set a hand on her shoulder drawing soothing circles there.
"I…it's a new rule of Hogwarts. 'Any guest to the grounds is to be accompanied by member of the school staff at all times and that staff member is solely responsible for the actions of their charge.'" Hermione stated automatically.
"What is that supposed to mean?" James asked wirily.
"It's a new precaution to insure that no unwanted guests show up at the school again. It's been in affect since Voldemort attacked the school, taking over for a short time. They have yet to get rid of the rule so, that means that you have to be on your best behavior this trip. But, by all means, do whatever you want when you go with Remus."
"What about going with me?" Remus asked entering the room cheerily. He gracefully swept up to Hermione, kissing her cheek. "Morning 'Mione." He then turned his attention back to his long time friends. "Morning Sirius, James," he added with equal perkiness.
"Someone got laid last night," James joked softly to Sirius.
"HEY! That's my cousin you're talking about!" Sirius shouted.
"Look, if you two want to come with me then you better be ready in four minutes or I apparate without you." Hermione declared. "I'm assuming the rest of the world will know by the Prophet today, that you three are alive and well."
"Why would you say that, Hermione?" Remus asked cautiously. They had yet to tell anyone that they were alive and he was not quite just showing up at Hogwarts was the best idea.
"Well, if you hadn't told the world yet, they know now," she replied holding up the morning's issue of the Dailey Prophet. The headline read: 'Sirius Black Returns from the Dead with the Potters'. "I suppose you didn't know. Well, it gets better. Listen to this… 'Sirius Black former Azkaban convicted killer, recently proven innocent, has been spotted back from the dead. He was spotted with his long time mates James and Lily Potter at the Black Home. The House of Black is the current residence of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin with their goddaughter, famous London historian and novelist, Hermione Granger…"
"Wait…" Sirius interrupted. "Did you say 'goddaughter?"