Unfortuently, I don't own anything. It'd be kinda nice to have Sirius, but somehow I don't think that's really possible.

This is my first story, and pretty much an AU. Sirius is alive, as are most people. And I'm not really sure if it's good enough to continue or not. But let's hope so! It's a Sirius/Hermione.


1984

"But mummy! It's early!"

"It's not, Hermione. And I can't read you anymore fairytales! Besides, you've heard this one a million times."

"But I love it! The handsome prince is so romantic when he poroses to his princess!"

"Proposes, honey. Look at your eyes! Your tired... sleep time now."

"Okay, okay. Mummy?"

"Yes darling?"

"Is daddy your prince?"

"Of course he is."

"Will you be together forever? Just like in the books?!"

"Of course we will. I promise."


1985

"Mummy, I wrote my list for Santa!"

"Oh? What'd you write? Yet another fairytale book?"

"No... I asked that you and daddy would be happy forever."

"Oh, Hermione. That's very sweet, but Santa might not be able to grant that one wish this year. Is there anything else you'd like?"

"Not really. But I bet Santa will give me my present! I bet he believes in fairytales and true love forever just as much as I do!!"


1986

"But… but… mummy..."

"I'm sorry darling."

"But I asked Santa for it! And Santa should've made it come true!!"

"Baby..."

"How long will he be gone?"
"Forever, sweetie. Daddy was sick. But he's happy now. He's with your grandmother and grandfather in heaven."

"But the fairytale said you'd be together forever!"

"I know, Hermione. I know."

That was the year six year old Hermione Granger stopped believing in Santa. If she'd waited another year, she would've found out he wasn't real anyway, from her cousin Jeremiah. But 1986 was also the year Hermione stopped asking for fairytale books for presents. The year she asked for books about history and places around the world. The year she asked to stop being called princess. In a few more years, she'd believe in magic again. But something had changed dramatically. She'd mentally aged so much. Everything was so serious and planned. There wasn't a hint of the old carefree Hermione in her.


2001- present day.

"Hey Hermione." Grinned Harry from his spot on his godfathers house (now also home to himself, Ron, Ginny and Hermione) at Grimmauld Place. "We were just wondering where you were."

"I had a few errands to run." Hermione sat on the couch next to Harry, waving and grinning at Teddy Lupin; Remus and Tonks' two year old son, and Harry's own godchild.

"Yeah. Teddy wants someone to read Cinderella to him. God knows why, when he's a boy." Ron grumbled. "And Harry and I haven't really got good story-telling voices. Would you read it to him?"

Hermione frowned. "Sorry boys, but I've got far more important things to do then read stupid, inane fairytales." She stormed off, leaving her two best friends in shock. Ron was the first to speak.

"Wow, imagine what she'd do if we asked her to read Snow White."

In her room upstairs, Hermione was searching through her drawers to find the dog-eared book from so many years ago. She finally found it. Her very first copy of Cinderella. She hadn't looked at it in years, throwing it in her desk drawer and covering it with books and papers. She ran a finger over the spine, letting a small smile cross her face at the thought of how she used to beg her parents to read her the book when she was younger. She opened it up, looking at the engraving on the inside cover.

Hermione-

I hope you love your very first fairytale book. I loved fairytales when I was little, and it's something I've always hoped to pass on to my child. Cinderella is an especially magical tale. It proves that magic is everywhere you look, love. All you have to do it believe in it.

Love always,

Daddy.

"I wish I still could believe." Hermione whispered to herself.

All of a sudden, thunder cracked at the sky. Hermione went over to the window to see what was going on… it was supposed to be quite a hot night. The last thing she remembered was a blinding flash before it all went dark.


So, that's the prologue. It'd be great to get some feedback! Thanks, hope you enjoyed it.