Summary: It all started as one big embellished farse. Not because anyone needed a lie, or even that the tale mattered… at least until the Weasley family grew engrossed. It started off to a letter to Ginevra Weasley's advice collum, What's the Dish, one morning. The entertainment was only the beginning…


Ginger Snaps,

I have a huge misconception that I need to rectify. I have utterly been in love with a friend of mine for years and only have grown so as time passed. The tormenting condition isn't an uncomplicated one either. She isn't even aware of my passions, and my morose emotions to being hidden could perhaps annihilate my very heart.

There are many motives why I would feel this way. She is intelligent, masterful in her duties to the public and the world, but she is my captivator always. It's true; they haven't always stemmed from a romantic air- after all, she is as close to family as one can get.

What I am trying to say most inarticulately is that I'm devastatingly in love with Hermione Granger. How can I convince her that I mean what my words so plainly say?

Always,

Sherbet Ice Cream

Ginny tapped the table as Hermione finished the letter. It was going to be published tomorrow with her reply, but she wanted the witch to see it first. When her honeyed eyes glanced over at the Potter, she snorted… yes, a loud and unattractive snort.

"This is clearly a hoax or even Sirius being unapologetic about his pranks," Hermione responded as she pushed the page from her.

"I would have thought so too," Ginny started. "But I don't see Remus letting him do such a blundering joke."

Hermione scrunched her nose with a head shake. "I don't know, Gin. A drunken night could lead to atrocious jokes being had."

Ginny picked up the fake wand on the table with a glare. "Remus would never do something like this to you. If anything he'd stay silent and suffer another decade."

Hermione's fingers ran over the letter, and she scowled. "Who would be so cruel?"

"Let's call it what it is- an opportunity. They're going to publish it tomorrow, and people are going to remember your name. A bio piece will likely follow and a list of your bills. This person could easily make your run for Minister that much easier," Ginny insisted.

Hermione tilted her head and exhaled. "Yes, maybe. Ron is going to flip a lid," she said.

"How long does he have the kids?" Ginny asked.

"I told him he could for the next two weeks. He's been staying at the Burrow with mum and dad," Hermione responded and lifted her teacup to her lips.

Ginny rose one of her eyebrows and a smile evolved on her lips. "It could be a blessing, you know? Maybe it's someone who truly has feelings for you and knows that you're finally available."

"Don't sound like Harry, Gin. This isn't someone who has been hiding unrequited love, this is a joke," Hermione said in a dull tone.

"It could be. It could be someone madly in love with you and couldn't hold it in any longer."

Hermione shifted in her chair and read the invisible lines on the wall behind her friend. She couldn't figure out if any of this could be real. Who it might be or who would be the culprit to such a thing.

"It is a nicely written letter," Hermione noted.

"It is. And the penmanship is impeccable. Are you positive Remus doesn't see you that way?"

Hermione's cheeks darkened as she cleared her throat. "I go over there enough for him to have any opportunity in the world to say something. He isn't someone who hides behind a pen name in hope for advice on how to tell me things. Sirius wouldn't let him. He would have outed his friend a long time ago."

"Maybe Sirius stole a letter of his and rewrote some of it so he could announce Remus's feelings?" Ginny offered as she swished the fake wand about. "A way to get the werewolf out of his comfort spot?"

"I don't see how that would help him. None of this makes sense. If this person really felt that way about me, they would know I would hate that they wrote you instead of writing me," Hermione groaned.

Ginny smirked and shrugged her shoulders. "Why not write back? Nothing says witty as an answer to the letter that gives you more personality."

Hermione's lips stretched, and her eyebrows inched toward her hairline. "Yes, that does sound like it could be a way about it. So let me write out a reply, and you can post it the next day."

Ginny clapped and laughed before she spoke. "Oh, this is going to be wicked fun. If it's a joke, then he has another thing coming to him."

"If it is Sirius, well, he'll regret ever poking fun at my expense," Hermione grumbled with a sneer.


Dear Ginger Snaps,

I have to say in reading your letter and advice yesterday; I was unaware of Sherbet's interest. My life as of recently has changed and with it, perspective. That being said, I can only hope that Sherbet takes your advice and approaches me with his wishes.

The courage to write a letter isn't easily grasped. I can understand first hand, but how must I handle such a situation? I have two little sweets that I must factor into such a decision, but Sherbet, I am positive is well aware of that. Do I welcome the affection, or remain a most loyal friend?

Any suggestions would be a pleasant invite to factor in- thank you.

Always,

Cherries Jubilee

Remus read on as Ginny gave her advice to the assuming Hermione Granger. He glanced over the page at his companion after finishing and huffed. "You really are the worst, Pads," he grumbled.

Sirius waved his hand with a bright grin. "Well, she replied. I didn't see that coming at all. Are you going to say anything?"

"Sirius, you know I'm not going to. Why did you even want to do this in the first place? Are you that bored with domestic life?"

The animagus tapped his cheek as his smile remained. "Moony, I initially did it as a joke, but after your reaction yesterday, I assume some of those silly love poems you write are about her. She's divorced now; why not say anything?"

The werewolf groaned loudly and reached for the teapot to refill his cup. "You are the absolute worst friend, Pads. Why do I even tolerate your invasive nature?" He asked as he dressed his cup.

There was a long pause as Sirius examined his friend. They had been talking about Remus's love poems for the last month, and Sirius was on a hunt to who they were about. At first, it seemed like his late wife played a role, but as the lines grew envious and pining, Sirius noted a theme.

"I'm going to write to her as Sherbet," Sirius announced with a crooked smirk.

Remus bristled and shook his head as he sipped his cup. "You're only going to hurt her," he conveyed after drinking.

"She needs a little fun in her life too, Moony. Whether you like the idea or not."

The paper glided across the table as Remus pushed it away from his side. "I don't want anything to do with this, Pads. Using me as inspiration is enough to make me feel guilty as it is. I refuse to participate in anything further."

"She might like the way you craft a letter, Moony," Sirius said with a toothy grin.

"And she is a former student. I'm ending this discussion- my son is about to come down, and I refuse to wrap him up in any of this."

The pattering of the boy's feet was heard on the stairs, and he soon appeared in the dining room. Teddy was strikingly similar to his father in stature with broad shoulders but a gangly frame. His teal colored hair was a huge reminder of his lineage with it echoing memories framed of the past. It was recent that the boy convinced his uncle to take him to get muggle piercings on his ears, much to Remus's confusion.

"Good morning dad," Teddy said as he hugged the werewolf. "Good morning, Uncle Sirius," he continued as he moved to embrace Sirius.

"Kid, I have a question for you," Sirius responded as he hugged the boy. "What do you think of Hermione?"

Teddy blinked as he stood there, eyebrows stretched toward his forehead. "As in?"

"As in what do you think of her," Sirius repeated.

Teddy shifted on his feet and straightened the band shirt he was wearing. "Well, Uncle Sirius, she was there for me when my dad was still gone. Taught me all about him and mum. Grandmother loves her deeply; I guess that's why she's living with her now, right?"

Remus exhaled and gestured for the child to sit. "Don't you worry yourself with him, son. He's a pox."

Teddy sat but pressed his elbows to the table with a frown. "Dad, you do know she was the one to sneak me into the Ministry to see you before you were cleared, right? But Uncle Harry said he was because she didn't want to seem like she was playing favorites."

"Favorites to who, kid?" Sirius questioned- this new tidbit of information was useful.

"Favorites among us kids. Victoire asked me when Hermione didn't bring Uncle Fred back. I told her Aunt Hermione didn't. No one did," Teddy mumbled as his cheeks tinted and hair changed to orange.

Sirius bent closer to the table, and a smirk grew on his face. "Well, you are her favorite, whether she brought us back or not," he snickered.

Remus hemmed as he emptied his cup. "We have a long day ahead. Why don't we get ready to go visit your grandmother and go shopping for school supplies," he finished and climbed from his seat.

Remus left the dining room, and Sirius flicked his wand to the plate sitting on the counter. It floated in front of the boy, and the animagus arched an eyebrow. "So, tell me, because I'm rather curious, do you think she brought us back?"

Teddy leaned toward his uncle and narrowed his eyes. "Do you, Uncle Sirius?"

Sirius shook his head. "No, she wouldn't have done it without bringing back your mum."

The boy straightened his posture and picked up his utensils before answering. "I think if she had a good reason, she might. By the way, the letter was nice. Was it you or my dad who wrote it?"

Sirius grinned and ruffled the teal colored hair. "You're too smart. However, that's a secret I can't tell you. You have a habit of telling Hermione all our secrets."

"I won't tell her this one," Teddy responded and forked up some eggs. "That's why I'm your favorite."

"You bet your marauder legacy you are," Sirius responded and lifted the paper. "She writes a good letter too. Concise but straight to the point."

"Dad's going to sulk?" Teddy asked before reaching for a fresh teacup.

"Likely. We'll fix that."

"I hope so. I'm going to get some flowers for Aunt Hermione out of the garden when I'm done with breakfast. I'm sure grandmother will like them as well."

Sirius nodded after rereading the letter. "Yes, sounds like a plan."

"Are you going to write to her again?" Teddy questioned before sipping his cup.

Sirius waited a moment to answer as he thought about the different avenues he should take. None of them sounded appealing or correct, so he just nodded. "Yes, I think I will. Don't tell her, kid."

"Okay," Teddy declared.

That was the end of that… well, at least all involved thought. No, it was indeed only the beginning of the chaos.