August 2nd, 1975
Hermione stared at herself in the mirror, shaking, as she didn't want to leave her bedroom. Tinker the house elf was trying to magically flatten the young witch's hair into a semblance of tame, but by the sound of her constant muttering under her breath, Hermione knew the elf was struggling.
"Tinker, allow me to take over," The elf sighed with relief and took a step back as Dorea began playing with Hermione's mane of hair.
"I like the curls," Dorea told her as she patted Hermione's head. She pointed her wand at the hair and simply tied it up in an elegant bun, leaving some strands to grace either side of her face. She smiled and squeezed the girl's shoulders. Hermione smiled up at Dorea, in the hopes that it would hide the anxiety radiating off of her. Dorea, of course, saw right through her.
"There is no need to be nervous, but I understand."
Hermione looked up at the elder Potter and frowned, biting her lip, saying nothing.
"Tell me about your parents, love. What were they like?"
Hermione looked up at Dorea in surprise. She hadn't mentioned her past life since moving in. Dorea continued to look at her with kind eyes, and an encouraging smile.
"They were Muggles. They were both dentists—they took care of people's teeth," she clarified, upon Dorea's inquisitive glance. "They both embraced what I was from the start. They always knew there was something off about me," she smiled, remembering how relieved they both were when Minerva showed up to her home to explain Hogwarts to them.
"Even though they didn't quite understand everything, they loved to hear about my friends and my classes. Hogwarts was the first place I ever made friends. Eventually, I had to stop telling them about my life. I didn't want to scare them, Vol-" she choked, unable to finish the phrase Voldemort was rising in power. Too big of a spoiler. Dorea reached her hand out and wiped away the tears that Hermione hadn't even noticed falling.
"Charlus and I will never replace them, Hermione. We don't want to. Dumbledore may have prohibited us from knowing all of the details but I do know this: You have lived much too difficult a life. I do not know what is coming, though I have an inkling," her eyes darkened, "and it scares me, but Charlus and I want you to be safe and happy. You will never have to Obliviate us to keep us safe, because we're here to keep you safe. You don't ever have to call us mum and dad," she stroked her cheek, "but you're always welcome to as well. We will be whatever you need us to be."
Hermione choked on a sob. Damn hormones.
"The bonding ceremony will only work tonight if you truly want to be a part of the Potter family. If you don't, I can most certainly send everyone home. This is all your choice."
Hermione took a few deep breaths and looked up to Dorea, who she had already come to love over the summer. Having lost her real family, her friends had truly become her family and Harry had always been like a brother. She knew he would get a good laugh out of her becoming an official Potter if she ever saw him again.
"When you see him again, my dear," Dorea said kindly, taking Hermione's hands in her own, smirking as Hermione stared at her in surprise, having forgotten the older witch's skill in Occulemency. "Now, are you ready?"
Hermione nodded her head, and the two walked out of her bedroom, hands still together as they entered the Potter Great Hall.
The ceremony itself was private, which Hermione was incredibly grateful for. Albus Dumbledore committed the bonding, as it legally had to be performed by a member of the Wizengamot. Charlus and Dorea didn't simply want to legally make Hermione their daughter, but they were willing to dive in to magically making her a member of the family.
The family sat around their dining room table, with Albus standing above them, that familiar twinkle shining brightly. His hands were clasped as he giddily exclaimed, "I haven't been able to do a piece of old magic like this in quite some time. Shall we begin?" The Potters and Hermione all shook their heads. "This is the unpleasant part, stretch out your hands, please."
Dorea stuck her hand out without any hesitation, followed by Charlus. James grinned at Hermione, grabbed her hand, and pulled both hands towards the adults. Staring at their open palms Albus took his wand and intently focused on the hands as he slowly and gently drew it down. As his wand moved, each witch and wizard's hand slowly sliced open. Hermione sent a pitiful look towards James as he winced at the feel of the spell. As drops of blood began to fill each individual's palms, Dumbledore flicked his wand, muttering what sounded like an incredibly old incantation to Hermione. She was mesmerized by the way the drops of blood floated to meet one another in the air in front of them.
"Each of you needs to state your intention, followed by the binding spell- Viculum Familia," Albus stated, not taking his eyes away from the dancing blood drops. Hermione wondered whether he could see any difference between the Potter's pure blood and her own muddy blood. She almost scoffed at the thought, but was interrupted by Charlus clearing his throat.
"I, Charlus Ignotus Potter, vow to treat Hermione as though she is my own. The moment she appeared in our lives I knew that we were a little more full than we used to be," he smiled at Hermione, and she looked back at him with gratitude. "As the sole recorded Patriarch of the Potter family, I intend to bring Hermione into our family through blood and magic. Viculum Familia"
"Just as my husband said, I intend to fill Hermione's life with love and happiness. I welcome her as a daughter—she is more brilliant than I could have ever dreamed of, and she challenges James," she winked at the teens. "I, Dorea Black Potter intend to accept Hermione into all aspects of my familial blood and magic. Viculum Familia"
"I, James Charlus Potter intend to treat Hermione like a big brother should treat his wonderful newly found fifteen year old sister," Hermione scoffed, "and as the heir to the Potter family I gladly invite her to join me through blood and magic. Viculum Familia."
The three Potters turned their heads to face Hermione, excitement on all of their faces. Hermione looked at each of them and felt as though she could cry again over how quickly they had come to accept her as a part of their lives. She took a deep breath in. This is where everything would change.
"I, Hermione Granger, graciously accept the Potter's intentions. I vow to love and protect them," the word protect got caught in her throat as she looked at James, suddenly reminded of the future. She counted down from five in her head and breathed deeply. "I vow to love and protect them as much as I can. Through blood and magic, I wish to become a part of this family."
As she was speaking the blood droplets had begun to spin around in a beautiful dance. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling harder than she had ever seen them. Hermione gathered as much confidence as she could to call out "Viculum Familia."
The moment the words left her lips the blood drops in the air began to collide and swirl together.
"As a member of the Wizengamot I find all parties involved had pure intentions in accepting one another as family."
He pointed his wand at the combined pool of blood and muttered some more incantations under his breath as blood returned to each family member. Hermione was fascinated as the blood went to the cut on her hand seeped back into the skin, healing the wound once it was gone, except for a thin silver scar. She stared up at Dumbledore questioningly.
"Unfortunately, you'll each always have that scar, as blood magic always leaves it's mark—a reminder of its great power."
Hermione looked back down at her hand and closed her eyes. She tried to see if she felt any different. For the most part she felt the same, all except for a different hum in her magic. She had the urge to work some spells, to see if there was any difference. James was looking down at his scar with a smile on his face. Dorea was as well and announced "Well, that was a whole lot more pleasant than bringing you into this family!" She shot a daring look at James. James gaped at his mother.
"Don't talk about my birth in public, mother."
Dorea simply laughed.
"Charlus please tell you've made some of that delightful rhubarb crisp?" Albus called, breaking the moment.
The Potter's ballroom was exceptionally beautiful, with three full chandeliers gracing the ceiling, luminescing their lights on the marble floors that reflected the night sky, much like Hogwart's own ceiling. Despite all of this, Hermione was currently hiding in a coat closet, thankful for the few moments of isolation she had found for herself.
There were just so many people eager to engage the young witch in conversations that she was not prepared to have. Where did you come from? Why are you here? What house do you hope to be sorted in?
"Uh, Hermione?"
Hermione jumped at the sound of James' voice.
"Why are you in a closet?"
"Erm, Bill wanted to play a game."
"Is that why you're crying, too?" James' voice sounded nervous.
Hermione bit her lip, wiped the tears from her eyes.
Hermione had been in a conversation with one of Dorea's friends from work when a new group arrived via the floo. Two teenagers stepped out first clasping hands with one another, followed by a couple of adults and an older woman Hermione vaguely recognized, though much younger than she had ever seen the women, but with the same silly hat that had donned the top of Severus Snape's head in her third year during Professor Lupin's Boggart lesson. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the faces of who she assumed were Frank and Alice Longbottom.
She finished her conversation with the witch in front of her as quickly as she could and observed as James and Sirius went to go greet their friends. James looked over to his new sister's direction and waved her over. Hermione felt as though she were going to throw up. James looked at her in deep concern.
Before Hermione could actually throw up, she felt a tug on her leg.
"Hermie, I'm bored. Want to play a game?"
So now she was in a closet, crying, as James pointed out. When she didn't answer her new brother, she heard some shuffling and suddenly the young wizard was plopped down next to her, his wand tip glowing as he looked at her with such a thoughtful expression on his face that Hermione began to cry even more.
"I know why you're upset, Hermione." Hermione looked at him with surprise. "When you saw Sirius and I saying hi to Frank and Alice, did you miss your own friends?"
Actually I'm crying because I know your friends in the future and all of their lives end terribly, and so does yours! She huffed in frustration, knowing that she obviously couldn't share that information- even if she wanted to.
"Tell me about them," James pushed kindly. Hermione angrily wiped the tears away and looked up at her new brother. His hair was sticking up, and she absentmindedly tried pushing it down.
"My best friend is named Harry," Hermione was surprised she was allowed to share this information. "He's your-" son. Her throat shut as she tried to get the word out. She cleared her throat and continued, "He reminds me very much of you. He was like my brother."
James smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her.
"Where is he now?" His voice sounded nervous, as though he didn't want to hear the answer.
"He's missing," Hermione simply said, frowning, and laying her head against James' shoulder.
"Who is missing? Me? From whatever is happening in this coat closet?"
Hermione jumped as James laughed and called out "Come on in, mate!"
Sirius plopped himself down on the other side of Hermione, a bottle in his hand. Hermione's eyes narrowed, as she smelled his alcohol laced breath.
"What? It's a party," he yelped as Hermione slapped his shoulder.
"You're fifteen!"
"As are we, Hermione," James reached over and grabbed the bottle out of his best friend's hands and took a big gulp. "This is what being fifteen is all about," He stretched the bottle out to her.
Hermione closed her eyes and thought back to her first time being fifteen. For her, being fifteen was all about protecting Harry from Death Eaters, prophecies, examinations, Toad-Faced evil professors, and preparing for war.
The words of Dumbledore's last letter to her rang through her head—Not everyone has quite the second chance in life that you have been granted. Without thinking any further she snatched the bottle out of James' hands and took a small sip. Sirius looked shocked and James cheered.
"There better be a good reason my children are hiding in a closet."
All three teens eyes widened in fear at the voice of Dorea. Hermione threw the bottle at Sirius who threw it at James who threw it at Hermione who ducked, allowing the bottle to fly past her and land at the feet of the Potter family matriarch.
"Sirius Black" She hissed.
"Yes, beloved mother?"
Dorea hissed again and then sighed.
"I'm going to ignore the cheap bottle of fire-whisky lying at my feet for the sake of my lovely new daughter. The Black's are here-" Hermione felt Sirius physically stiffen, "the good ones," Dorea clarified from outside. "Ensure all three of you are presentable and bring Hermione out to meet everyone." She kicked the bottle and groaned, before walking away.
"Ready to meet the only non-crazy members of mum's family?" James asked Hermione excitedly.
"Oi. We've all still got the classic Black Madness streak within us, we just choose to use it for good," Sirius smirked. He then grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her forward with him out of the coat closet. Hermione focused on not blushing at Sirius threading his fingers through hers and grabbed James' collar, pulling him with them as well. Sirius pouted when he saw the whiskey spilled and picked up the bottle, handing it to Hermione. "You'll need this more than me."
Hermione was thankful for the gift Sirius had given her, as she was feeling warm and pleasant, rather than absurdly disoriented, as she reached her arms out to hold a two-year-old Tonks out of Andromeda's arms.
"She has the gift of Metamorph, so she might shift a bit in your arms," the woman, who could have been twins with her younger sister, if not for the kindness written plainly on her face, informed Hermione. Currently the toddler in her arms hair was a bright pink, but when she looked up at Hermione the hair shifted into curls that matched perfectly. Hermione smiled, remembering Teddy doing something similar just a few months ago.
Sirius put his head on his cousin's shoulder and she reached her hand up to stroke his hair. Sirius smiled, and Hermione was once again struck by how much happier this Sirius was, and how clearly he loved having some semblance of a family to be proud of. The peaceful look on his face was shattered when Andromeda lowered her hand and pinched his ear.
"What the bloody hell-"
"You're mother sent us a howler last week accusing of housing you in your runaway! Nymphadora cried for bloody hours!" Ted Tonks looked the other way as his wife inflicted pain on Sirius. After of few more moments of Sirius shrieking, she went back to stroking his head and sweetly saying "But I do love it when you rebel that awful wench."
"Wench!" Nymphadora squealed in Hermione's arms. Ted Tonks tried not to laugh as he pulled the young one out of Hermione's arms and walked her away from the vulgar Black's.
While Andromenda kept interchangeably praising and reprimanding Sirius, Hermione took in the rest of the room.
Charlus was in a conversation with the Longbottom clan, with James chatting with Alice and Frank. Hermione didn't quite have the courage to face them yet. Molly and Arthur looked to be trying to get out of a lengthy conversation they had been stuck in with Arthur's uncle Septimus, along with his wife, Cedrella Black. Cedrella was Dorea's cousin and could talk your ear off more than a person struck by a blabbering jinx, according to Sirius.
Dorea was sitting at a table with two men Hermione had never seen before, but both seemed distinctly Black. They looked deep in conversation, and as if sensing Hermione's stare, Dorea waved the girl over.
"Hermione, this Alphard and Marius. Marius is my brother and got blasted off the tree simply for being my brother and refusing to stop talking to me. Alphard is still on the tree, but has a soft spot for us Black rebels," she winked at Hermione.
Alphard didn't smile at Hermione but did reach his hand out to hers. Hermione shook it and introduced herself. She held her hand out to Marius next.
"The three of us were just betting what house you'll end up in."
"What's the verdict?" Hermione asked. As if they were summoned, Hermione felt the presence of Sirius and James on either side of her.
"Hermione is going to be in Gryffindor with us, Mum," James politely informed the group.
"Heart of a lion!" Sirius exclaimed.
"I don't know, she seems to have the eyes of a Slytherin," Alphard noted. Sirius clasped his chest as though his uncle offended him.
"Hermione has most certainly got the brains of a Ravenclaw," Dorea noted.
"Hufflepuff could use a bright, cunning mind," Marius said gently. Dorea snorted with laughter and took another sip of her wine. Hermione raised her brow at this Black family member she had never seen nor heard of before.
"Uncle Marius is probably the only Black to be sorted into Hufflepuff in the entire history of the house," James explained to Hermione.
"And my beloved nephew Sirius is the only one to end up in the ridiculous house of Gryffindor, much to chagrin of his mother and my poor ears," he glared at the young Black. "Your mother sent me a howler, accusing me of-"
"Housing me in my grand runaway?" Sirius finished for him. Alphard sent a hard stare at the boy.
"I've promised Walburga to bring you home, kicking and screaming if I have to."
"This is my home! Not that shithole called Grimmauld place" Sirius pouted.
Dorea beckoned for Sirius to sit next to her and pet his head soothingly. It appeared Sirius had trained all the witches in his life to do that for him.
"Grimmauld place has been the home for generations of Blacks. Not all of them have been nearly so unpleasant as your mother. You know you're always welcome at Potter Manor, but you're underage and must return to Walburga, love." Sirius whimpered. "You are the heir of the house and could build it back to one that's truly noble."
Sirius looked stiff and more upset than Hermione had seen him since entering this new time. He closed his eyes and abruptly stood up. He marched over to his cousin Andromeda, taking the glass of champagne out of her hand quickly before downing the whole glass.
No one dared to stop him and Hermione squeezed her brother's hand for comfort.
