Susannah01

Black Heart

Chapter 4Language Please Mr Weasley

It was a very subdued group that arrived at Grimmauld Place. All Hermione's questions regarding the whereabouts of her parents had been sidestepped and it was with a growing feeling of panic and a terrible sense of foreboding that she followed the others out of the car and into the house. Once inside Sirius directed the boys to leave the luggage in the downstairs sitting room and turning to Harry spoke to him very quietly.

"Harry would you and the others mind going upstairs to the big sitting room with Charlie and Percy?" "I am going down to the kitchen for a quick meeting with the others, and I would be very grateful Hermione if you could join us".

Hermione's head jerked round to look at Sirius. She clutched her stomach at the wave of nausea that overcame her; Mrs Weasley made her way over to Hermione noting the colour drain from the girls face and putting her arm around her shoulders gently guided her along the hallway to the stairs leading down to the basement kitchen.

Harry opened his mouth to question Sirius but upon looking at Sirius's grave expression he quickly shut it again and followed his request.

"Come on guys lets go upstairs" grabbling Ginny's hand he led he way.

Watching Sirius follow the rest of the adults to the kitchen, Ron turned on Charlie and Percy who were starting up the stairs behind Harry and Ginny.

"What the fuck is going on? I know you two know something what does the Order want with Hermione?"

"Not here Ron come upstairs and I promise we will fill you in and for fuck's sake keep a cool head"

Ron snapped his mouth shut at Charlie's hissed reply and followed the rest upstairs to the sitting room taking the stairs two at a time with his long stride.

When Hermione entered the kitchen she started with surprise upon seeing Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall Snape and Remus Lupin already sitting around the large kitchen table. Letting Mrs Weasley guide her she sat facing her professors. Looking round she saw Moody, Tonks, Mr Weasley, Bill and Sirius all file into the kitchen behind them and take seats round the table.

" What is going on will someone please tell me what is happening, where are my Mum and Dad?" Hermione's voice was breaking her breathing was coming in short little gasps due to the fear that was constricting her throat.

Professor Dumbledore spoke, his voice was quiet and gentle and looking over at Hermione she noticed how flat looking his normally sparkly blue eyes are.

"Hermione my dear I am afraid I have some very grave news to give you". Hermione held her breath as she looked over at her headmaster.

"Last night there was an attack on your parents home by a squad of death eaters, I am so sorry to have to tell you my dear, both your parents were killed"

Hermione felt as if her heart had stopped. She looked at the headmaster and slightly shook her head.

"No there must have been a mistake, you have made a mistake, you must have got it wrong" Large tears poured down her cheeks

"I am so sorry Hermione there is no mistake" Professor Dumbledore shook his head in sorrow.

Hermione can hardly comprehend what she is being told. She struggles to breathe, taking large gulps of air, she tries to speak but no words will come out. She tries to stand to leave the kitchen but her whole body is shaking and her legs will not support her. Sirius jumps to his feet and making his way round the table towards her; he wraps her up in his arms. The feel of his strong comforting arms finally breaks Hermione. She sinks to her knees taking Sirius along with her to the floor. Wrapping her arms around her body she leans forward as if she is in incredible pain and starts wailing. Sirius feels as if his heart is going to break for the girl. He looks up towards the table and motions with his head for someone else to help him. Bill Weasley jumps up and coming around the table helps Sirius pick Hermione up off the floor. Once again he wraps his arms around her. Hermione buries her head in Sirius chest and continues sobbing, a lot quieter now. Turing towards the kitchen door they lead the sobbing girl out of the kitchen and upstairs to her friends.

In the first floor sitting room, Harry, Ron and Ginny are told the news of Hermione's parent's murder. Charlie and Percy try to answer Ron's angry questions.

"Look Ron we are telling you all we know at the moment, please calm down and sit bloody down" Charlie ran his hand through his hair and massaged the back of his neck wearily. Ginny started to quietly cry, Harry who was sitting on the couch along with her moved over beside her wrapping his arm around her shoulders to try and offer her some comfort.

They heard a noise out on the stairwell. Charlie crossed over to the sitting room door and pulled it open. He stood back to allow Sirius and Hermione to enter. Ron, Harry and Ginny all jumped up off their seats and moved towards Hermione. Sirius released his hold on her and gently guided her into the embrace of her three friends. He looked on sadly as all four of them held each other, Hermione sobbing her heart out and the other 3 weeping silent tears for their friends heartbreak. Mrs Weasley appeared at the doorway along with Professor McGonagall. Mrs Weasley held up two vials of potion.

"Hermione my dear Professor Snape has kindly provided you with something that may help you cope for the moment".

Hermione did not even ask what they were; she stood up shakily from the sofa and moved towards Mrs Weasley. Taking the potions out of Mrs Weasley's hands uncorked them one at a time and swallowed them over.

"Ginny would you help me get Hermione upstairs to lie down for a while in your old bedroom"

Mrs Weasley gestured over to Ginny with her head at the same time hooking one arm through Hermione's to help her upstairs. Hermione started to weave unsteadily on her feet and Ginny jumped up in alarm to assist her mother with getting Hermione upstairs.

"What the fuck was in these" Ron held up the two empty vials.

"Language please Mr Weasley" Professor McGonagall tutted as she moved back out of the sitting room.

"Can you believe her, after what's just happened she's worried about me swearing for fuck's sake"

"Okay Ron, let it go, she was probably just instinctively reacting to hearing a student swear". Charlie was forever the peacemaker.

"In answer to your question Ron, it was a very powerful calming draught and a dreamless sleep draught that Hermione took" Sirius answered Ron's original query

"I know that it wont be a long term solution for Hermione but she has just received probably one of the worst shocks anyone ever would and her body is going to need a few hours to recover from it"

Sirius sighed and sat down heavily in one of the armchairs. Looking over at Harry and Ron he gave them a grim smile.

"You two are going to have to be really strong for Hermione now, she is going need you both now more than ever"

Harry and Ron both nodded their heads and sat down opposite Sirius on the couch. Harry ran his hand through his unruly hair tears still glimmering on his long eyelashes.

"We will do whatever is needed for Hermione, right" Harry looks over at Ron.

Ron who had been staring into the fireplace looked up

" No need to ask mate, but what I want to know is what is being done to catch the bastards that did this".

Sirius shrugged his shoulders

"I wont lie to you boys, we know and you know who was behind this attack, the fact that they were Hermione's parents and muggles made them very easy attractive targets. We don't know yet of any other motives. It looks as though they were targeted just because Voldermolt and his death eaters could."