Authors Notes: I hope you enjoy reading this! To fit in my favourite characters I've ignored the Tonks/Remus pairing (sorry to any fans) from the novels and also in my story Sirius, Lavender, Snape, Fred, Tonks and Remus did NOT die!
The sun was scorching, burning down on the pupils of Hogwarts as they lazed aimlessly on the grounds around the school or hid inside in attempt to not be caught by the strong rays. Hermione, Ron and Harry however were lazing casually outside their friends hut. It was a peaceful Sunday afternoon and with it being the start of term after the summer the students were glad to have time to settle back into their rooms and meet with old friends before lessons began. The sorting ceremony had taken place the previous night so all new first years were busy finding their feet in the school while the remaining pupils enjoyed the warm weekend.
The quiet serenity was broken with a loud thump as Hagrid pushed open the door to his hut and joyfully walked down the steps carrying four large jug sized cups of cold butterbeer.
"Thank you Hagrid," Hermione said politely taking a large cup from his hands and earnestly sipping from it to cool herself.
"Yeah thanks Hagrid, I'm sweating," Harry said also taking a cup and wiping his sticky brow.
"Than.." Ron attempted before letting out a loud yelp as Fang came crashing into him, knocking him over and began licking happily at his face. "Get off you big monster!" Ron shouted angrily as his friends laughed.
"Fang'll be enjoying your salty sweat Ron," Hagrid reasoned not seeing anything wrong with the slobbering dogs' behaviour. "I'll just hold onto your mug fer now."
Harry laughed at his friend's misfortune but neither tried nor thought to help. Hermione on the other hand quickly took out her wand and whispered a small spell to cease Ron's perspiration. If they were going to sit outside all day she'd rather not have it with Fang constantly attacking Ron causing him to shriek like a girl.
Within a minute Fang was off Ron and lying exhaustedly beside him. "Bloody mutt," Ron huffed before taking his jumper and rubbing his face clean. The foursome sat contentedly taking in the sun and talking about passing thoughts, catching Hagrid up on their summers.
After the war, Harry had been allowed to stay at the Burrow with the Weasley's and Hermione before returning to school to start their seventh year. The summer had been one of the best the trio had ever had with the Wizarding world being at peace once more after the defeat of the Dark Lord. Hermione and Ron broke up quickly, agreeing that their feelings had grown out of adrenalin and desperation from the time of the war: both stating it felt weird to be going out with someone who had always been a sibling to them. Ron moved on and found himself back with the excitable Lavender Brown who recovered quickly from her war wounds with his dedication to her and soon found their love blossoming.
Harry and Ginny were by each other's sides so often that Hermione had struck up a strong friendship with the fiery, independent female Weasley child and the pair often spoke about things Hermione had found too embarrassing to bring up with Harry or Ron. Within a week or two at the Burrow with The Weasley's Hermione had caught Ginny up on every moment, feeling and thought she had experienced that could never be stated to her adopted brothers over the course of their adventure for the Horcruxs.
Yes. Sumer had been fantastic.
Being back at school had of course created a feeling of going home in all the pupils' hearts. Professor McGonagall had made sure the Hogwarts building was fully recovered and back to its usual standing over the summer before allowing all the teachers to return to their teaching posts and the pupils to come back. The trio were more than happy to have Professor McGonagall as Headmistress and were told on their first day back to the school that if they ever needed any sort of guidance or help, her office doors were always welcome to them.
Lying in the sun, Harry, Ron and Hermione heard footsteps approaching. The loud barking laughter of a man could be heard followed by the slightly quieter, better spoken tone of another. Harry sat up and looked to see none other than his godfather, Sirius Black, and old friend, Remus Lupin approaching. They were talking animatedly but both broke into huge grins as they caught sight of the trio outside the hut.
"We were sure we'd catch you three here!" Sirius laughed embracing Harry who had bounded up to hug him. Ron and Hermione both stood and made their way over to the two men.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had been equally excited to hear of the return of their favourite DADA professor to Hogwarts. However, what made the employment even better was knowing that Sirius Black was also coming to the school. Remus hadn't had the chance to see the three friends before the sorting ceremony last night but had instead sent them a message that morning stating a certain untrained old mutt would be coming to the school. The two older friends were bound to bring excitement and mischief back to the school as what else was expected with the return of half of the legendary Marauders.
"Sirius what are you actually going to be doing here?" Ron asked taking Sirius' hand and shaking it enthusiastically.
Sirius chuckled, "all will be revealed at the great hall tonight," he said with a wink before closing the subject and grasping Hermione in a tight hug, lifting her from the ground. "Hermione Granger! What an honour!" he laughed jovially.
"Sirius Black you put me down!" she screamed and hit him playfully. Sirius complied and placed the young witch back on her feet before taking her hands and leaning back to take a good look of her.
"You're looking fantastic 'Mione," he smiled, a glint in his eyes. She laughed, used to the older man's harmless flirtations. Over the summer the Burrow was used to all sorts of visitors coming to congratulate the effort and determination of Harry and his friends. Sirius had found himself there almost every week talking and enjoying time with his Godson and friends. It became the first time that a family unit had been created with Sirius being a strong part of it, something he had never experienced even from his own family.
Releasing her hands from his she turned to Remus and extended her hand. Remus looked down disappointedly, "what, don't I get a hug?"
Smiling, Hermione wrapped her arms round the old werewolf and hugged him tightly. She felt him sigh slightly against her hair and blushing she released him to turn and look at the other three who were pushing and shoving each other boisterously.
"Really children," Hermione said mock sternly placing her hands on her hips. The three looked up at Hermione and released each other from their vice like grips.
Sirius, who was now lying on the ground, nudged Ron's knee and laughed, "Don't you love it when she's angry."
"Sirius Black I will hex you to hell and back if you don't behave!" laughing she helped him up and suggested a return to the castle.
"Sounds great Kitten," Sirius said happily. "Dinner in the Great Hall and maybe a small revelation." With another wink he led the group back towards the castle, Harry and Ron muttering to each other trying to work out the older man's secret.
Remus stopped and turned to see Hagrid slumped against a tree trunk snoring peacefully, a surprise he hadn't noticed the giant man earlier but his mind had been elsewhere: on a certain member of the Golden Trio. Shaking his head he levitated the mugs of Butterbeer through the huts window and into a large sink.
"Stay guard Fang," Remus chuckled before turning and walking quickly to catch up with his friends. His thoughts lingering slightly on his brief reunion with the ever talented witch who had captured his thoughts over the summer. Oh he was glad to be back at Hogwarts. He was glad to be home.