Dorea had summoned Hermione to join her in the sitting room during the afternoon a few days later. Hermione smiled politely as the woman as she sat down across from her.
"Hermione, sweetheart, we need to talk." Dorea said, trying to make the girl feel comfortable. Hermione shifted nervously and Dorea placed her hands on top of Hermione's.
"When I was healing you dear, I noticed you had several glamour charms placed on you." Here Hermione sucked in a breath, which did not go unnoticed by Dorea.
"I did not remove them, but I must ask if you are hiding any other injuries? I just want to help you Hermione, you are important to the two boys downstairs, and therefore, you are important to me." Dorea urged, squeezing Hermione's hand gently.
"Walburga and Orion did not cause anything that I'm hiding," She said softly, "but I think I would like to tell you why I have the charms there. Sirius can't know about them though! Please don't tell him." Hermione begged the woman as she looked up.
Dorea smiled softly and pulled her into a hug, "You have my word. I am here for you Hermione, now will you let me remove the charms?" Hermione nodded, letting her head fall as she inspected her feet with great interest.
Dorea sighed before waving her wand in a few complicated movements, watching as a silver ripple echoed across the young girls body. The first scar appeared at her neck, a thin line running across the length of her neck. The scar itself was a soft pink, just barely noticeable against her pale skin.
"Is that the only one?" Dorea asked kindly.
Hermione shook her head and rose her shirt up enough to unveil the lower portion of her torso. Starting on the right side of her waist, rising up across her stomach until it just barely licked at the bottom of her left breast was a scar that appeared still a deep red, purple color. Dorea sucked in a deep breath when Hermione raised her right hand to unveil her left forearm. Once she did, jagged letters spelled out the word "MUDBLOOD."
Hermione's eyes burned with tears as she heard Dorea's horrified gasp and suddenly she was crushed against Dorea's chest.
"Who did this to you?"
"It's a very long story."
"Then you should get started." Dorea pulled the girl to sit down with her, waiting for her to tell her story.
It was all that needed for Hermione to break and spill everything she had kept secret for far too long. She told Dorea about being raised by the Grangers, finding out she was a witch. She told her the story of her first year, and second, and third. She spoke of Voldemort's return, Umbridge's reign and the Battle at the Ministry. She spoke about Dumbledore's death, and the inevitable war that ensued, including Hermione being on the run, and tortured, until the final battle came about.
By the end of it all, Dorea was pale as she took in the information, but Hermione herself was sobbing and shaking. Dorea hugged her tightly, and gently stroked her inky curls, trying to soothe the distraught girl.
"You are not alone Hermione. I will help you, Charlus will surely help. You however, will not be another victim of this war young lady." Dorea's voice turned stern, "We will keep you safe, you and your friends will be safe, this is not your war Hermione." Hermione could only nod, silently disagreeing as she leaned into the motherly embrace.
Dorea just held Hermione,watching as the girl shook, but her eyes were lighter. Dorea sighed, she just could not understand why such a young girl was forced to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. Hermione should be worried about boys, and hanging out with her friends, not with how long her brother would live and if she had to defeat a dark lord.
Dorea's eyes darkened and she held Hermione tighter, Dorea would protect this girl.
"Now, dry your eyes, we should find you a dress to wear to the New Years Ball. I'm sure James and Sirius would love to visit Diagon Alley anyways." Hermione smiled shyly,
"That would be lovely ma'am."
"Call me Dorea, or Aunt Dorea dear." Dorea patted her hand affectionately, before sending her off to get changed. Dorea herself rose to find Charlus and inform him of what she had been told and ensure that Hermione would be safe.
Hermione, having fixed all her glamour charms changed into an outfit of high waisted jeans and a snug sweater to go out in.
She found James and Sirius, both changed and pushing each other around in Sirius's room.
"You guys ready to go?" Hermione asked, and when both boys nodded, they looped her arm with theirs and carted her off to the front room.
Dorea and Charlus were waiting for the three teenagers, they already had their black traveling cloaks on, and Charlus had some over his arm for the kids.
Charlus handed Sirius and Hermione some of their own dark red cloaks, that matched James which he tugged on quickly as they prepared to leave by floo for the Alley.
"I will go first, then James, then Hermione, then Sirius, and Dorea will bring up the back." Charlus doled out quickly, before stepping into the floo and calling out "Diagon Alley!" James quickly followed his father's lead.
"Diagon Alley!" Hermione was quickly twisted into a fireplace entrance of Diagon Alley, landing rather ungracefully into James as she did so. James caught her and righted the both of them, however, Sirius's own body slammed into them causing the group to tumble to the ground in a heap of limbs.
"Merlin Sirius how much do you eat?" James groaned at the bottom of the pile, with Hermione pressed into his chest while Sirius was sitting on top of his sister.
"Don't even try body-shaming me mate, I'm quite fit and I know plenty of birds that would agree." Sirius stated proudly.
"They won't agree after I kill you." Hermione mumbled trying unsuccessfully to wriggle out from underneath her brother.
"I can feel the love guys." Sirius pouted but he did get off of them, allowing the other two to stand up. Dorea and Charlus chuckled as they watch the teens brush themselves off.
"Now I am going to take Hermione out shopping for a dress, Charlus make sure the boys have everything they need for the New Year's Ball won't you?"
"Of course love, let's leave the girls to their day boys." Charlus lead the two boys away as Dorea proceeded to drag Hermione around the Alley until they found the "perfect" dress. Hermione was just thankful when she was finally off her feet.
Once they had returned home, Hermione curled up on her bed trying not to think about everything that had happened, trying not to think about all the memories it brought back.
However, she was unable to escape her subconscious in the night, left to her own thoughts.
Like many nights before, she was trapped within her own mind forced to relive the horrors of her childhood, before she would wake up drenched in sweat and her voice hoarse from screaming. The encounter with her uncle and mother only brought these dreams back tenfold.
What she did not expect was her door to open at the early hour in which she was wretched from sleep. Walking into the room was Dorea Potter, what Hermione could not see was Charlus was just around the corner. Having been told about her past, the two had taken to protecting her with a fierce devotion. Hermione's room, as well as Sirius's, had been warded to alert the parents should they be awoken at such early hours after they had fallen asleep.
Dorea came to the side of Hermione's bed and gently sat on the edge and without a word pulled the girl into a tight hug. Dorea pushed the sweaty curls away from Hermione's forehead and ran her fingers through her hair as she watched as Hermione slowly began to calm down.
After a few minutes of letting his wife handle it, Charlus walked in and felt his heart lurch in his chest. Hermione's young face had the signs of fear and pain. She clung to Dorea as her shoulders shook, Charlus sat down next to his wife and came to rest his hand on the young girl's shoulder wanting to reassure her that she was safe.
Underneath his palm, he felt the girl stiffen, before relaxing into the fatherly warmth that he seemed to exude. Dorea and Charlus wrapped the girl into a hug, whispering sweet nothings into her ear in an attempt to soothe her back to sleep.
"You are safe Hermione, Sirius and James are safe." Charlus spoke softly as his wife gently had her lay back. Hermione's silver eyes were wide with fear and she looked so vulnerable that Charlus wanted to curse whoever had put such a young girl under so much pain and pressure.
"Get some sleep, Sirius and James will be there in the morning, you need not worry." Dorea assured, pressing a kiss to her forehead and pulling the covers back over Hermione's body.
Sleep's comforting embrace pulled at Hermione, as Dorea and Charlus watched over her like guardian angels. Once she was safely asleep, the two left to check on the other kids.
The night was the first of many, but Dorea nor Charlus ever brought it up with Hermione. They could tell she hid it well, her room always had silencing charms around it when they walked in at night. Dorea could only imagine how long she had suffered from the night terrors, and shuddered to imagine how long they may remain.
Days passed quickly, as James took to keeping the twins in bright spirits. He did everything to keep them entertained, from trying to goad Hermione onto a broom (which he had yet to do) to playing pranks and planning more with the twins.
Hermione was thankful when Marlene arrived to help her get ready when the New Year's Ball came. Marlene had flooed in at around eleven in the morning, and had promptly whisked off to Hermione's room.
When Sirius and James went banging on Hermione's door asking if they really needed to get ready right now, they told to "Bugger Off" by Marlene. Of course, they were about to keep pushing until Dorea told them to leave the girls alone as Hermione had been with them for almost a week now and she would probably appreciate spending some time with her friend. When paired with Dorea's sharp glare, both boys were scampering off deciding that quidditch would be just as fun as hanging out with their friends.
Sirius sat on James bed, his head hanging off the side as James pulled on his dress robes over the outfit he had put on. James was wearing a pair of black dress pants, a white oxford, black waistcoat and a maroon tie and was currently pulling on black dress robes as well. His hair was still messy in its heartbreakingly windswept way, his glasses perched on his nose.
Sirius was already dressed, his chin length hair hanging down rather elegantly. He himself wore an outfit similar to James's, except for that it was a deep charcoal instead of black, and his tie was a powder blue that brought out his grey eyes even more. Sirius's robes were thrown over the footboard on the bed as he twirled his wand between his fingers.
"Padfoot, you think the girl's are almost done? Dad said we'd be escorting them." James asked as he ran his fingers through his hair again.
"Don't know, I would imagine so they've been getting ready bloody forever." Came Sirius's bored drawl as he pushed himself off James's bed.
James tossed his friend the charcoal outer robes as they walked down to the sitting room where they would meet their two friends for the dance.
Dorea walked over to make sure Sirius and James were both dressed appropriately. She smiled softly,
"You both look so handsome." She hugged them both, "The girls will be down shortly."
Her words were proven true when the group of three heard the soft rhythmic tapping of heels on the floor.
Marlene lead the way, with her blonde hair falling in soft curls down to her back. She was wearing a deep royal blue dress that framed her body gorgeously. It was tight enough to show her athletic figure, while not so tight that it would be considered improper. Her dress fell down to the floor, trailing behind her just a little while there was a slit running up the dress to allow her the freedom that they knew Marlene craved. The dress gave way to show the gentle swell of her breasts, as it hung off her shoulders. The dress was elegant, and her smile lit up her entire face as she descended the stairs with Hermione at her side.
Hermione herself wore a deep red dress. Like Marlene's, it showed off her curvy figure while not being inappropriate. The dress had spaghetti straps that descended down her back, reach the low cut where pearl buttons flowed down her spine where the dress covered it. Her dress had no slit, but it had a small train like Marlene's. Her hair was curled, and pinned to one side of her head. Her silver eyes shone brightly, and her red lips curled into a gorgeous smile.
Sirius eyes were wide as he took in his friend and sister's appearance as James breathed out a "Merlin."
"Hi." Hermione's voice was soft and a bit shy as she looked up at her twin.
Sirius smiled proudly, "You look beautiful Mia."
"You look rather handsome yourself Siri." Hermione responded as she took his offered arm.
James smiled at his friends, "You both look gorgeous."
Marlene chuckled, "Thanks Potter, but tell us something we don't know."
Dorea smiled at the group, "Let's go kids, the ball has started and it's time for you to arrive."
With James and Marlene behind Dorea, Sirius and Hermione took up the back as they walked down to the ballroom. Once entering the large room, many eyes fell upon the group. Sirius suddenly tightened his grip and scowled when he noticed the approving eyes that look upon Hermione, leading her to the table reserved for them.
"Better keep their bloody hands to themselves." He could be heard muttering when they passed a group of wizards who unabashedly stared at both Marlene and Hermione, who were giggling and blushing at the attention they received.
"I would rather they didn't." Marlene's sly voice and confident smile made Sirius clench his hands and glare at the aforementioned group.
Hermione laughed, "Oh nothing's going to happen Sirius." She smiled reassuringly at her brother as they watched as more people arrive as was custom.
Hermione brightened when she saw Fabian and Gideon enter with their parents. The gryffindor twins found their way over to their table.
"Hello ladies." The twins chorused, raking over the girls body. Hermione blushed and murmured her hello back, as Marlene smirked and offered her hand to Gideon who brushed her knuckles with his lips.
"You look ravishing Marlene." He smirked at her, both himself and Marlene ignoring Sirius's "Get a room." Fabian sat down next to Hermione.
"You look amazing Hermione." He spoke earnestly, his brown eyes darkening as he took her in.
"Thank you, you look rather dapper yourself." She spoke shyly, looking over his own black dress robes approvingly, noting just how fit he looked in his robes.
"Care to dance?" He offered his hand to her, and leading her to the dancefloor once she took it. Absorbed in each other, neither noticed how James and Sirius frowned after the two of them.
Fabian placed one hand on her hip, the other holding her hand as he twirled her in elegant circles. Their dance was graceful and drew approving attention from the older purebloods. Throughout the ball, Sirius and James both stole a dance with Hermione, and even Charlus took a chance to twirl her around the room.
All too soon, Hermione and Marlene had their hands entwined as they watched the countdown that had taken place over the center of the dance floor. Once midnight hit, Hermione hugged her friends and kissed Sirius cheek, wishing them all a happy new year.
"This is going to be a good year guys, I can feel it." James announced as he threw an arm over Sirius shoulders.
"Filled with plenty of pranks." Sirius agreed.
"And the quidditch cup." Marlene said.
Fabian and Gideon passed drinks around, to which the group toasted to the new year.
"Are you guys staying the night?" James asked his friends. Marlene, Gideon, and Fabian all nodded yes.
"Why don't we all get changed and we can just hang out?" Hermione suggested as she leaned into Sirius.
"Sounds like a good idea to me, my feet are killing me." Marlene announced, stretching languorously.
James laughed, "I'll go tell my mum and dad, you guys can go get changed."
Hermione and Marlene got up and headed back to Hermione's room to get changed, while the twins left to find the guest room where they had already dropped off their bags.
Within half an hour, the group of six where situated in James room, all curled up discussing the holidays. And it was in this same position, that Dorea and Charlus later found the group fast asleep.
The next day found the group of six standing in the backyard, five of them holding broomsticks.
"Come on Mia, why won't you play?" Sirius begged, looking at his sister with puppy dog eyes.
"Because I prefer my feet on the ground where I can't fall to my death. Besides I'm perfectly content to just watch you."
"But Hermione then we have uneven teams." Marlene complained.
"It's okay, I can sit out and keep her company." Fabian volunteered quickly, almost too quickly in Sirius's mind. However Gideon and Marlene were already mounting their brooms before Sirius could argue the point though.
As the players rose high into the air, Hermione sat against the tree with Fabian sitting next to her.
"Thank you for keeping me company." Hermione said softly, smiling sweetly at him.
"No need to thank me Mione, I'm happy to do it." Fabian said happily, moving closer to her.
Hermione smiled widely at him, making his heart flutter.
"Can you tell me about where you used to live, nothing you don't want to say of course, but what about your friends? What you liked to do?" He asked, not wanting to push her but wanting to know all he could about her.
Hermione smiled as she started to tell him, "Well I was raised as a muggle actually, it wasn't the best because a bunch of kids made fun of me for being different, but my adoptive parents always made me feel better. Then I found out I was a witch and I was ecstatic." She smiled brightly, and it was infectious. Fabian felt a bright smile spread across his face as he listened to her.
"I had a bit of a hard time making friends initially, but I guess somethings just help friendships, like fighting trolls." Fabian laughed thinking it was a joke, and Hermione giggled as well.
"I was very close with my friends, they helped me loosen up. They made me realize that it was important to live my life instead of just worrying about my studies. Honestly I don't think you would believe some of the things we did." She laughed brightly as she looked up at Fabian her eyes shining warmly.
"Sounds like they were great people." Fabian said smiling down at her.
"They were." Hermione agreed.
Fabian grinned, and leaned back, his arms supporting his weight. Hermione leaned closer to him as they spoke, her eyes watching their friends.
"I'm glad you came home though." The words left Fabian's mouth before he could think.
"I am too. I am happy that I met you Fabian."
His mouth went dry as he looked into her eyes, "I am too." He leaned closer to her, feeling her curls brush against his arm.
Chocolate met silver, as they faces drifted closer together. Hermione watched his face, biting nervously on her lower lip, drawing his eyes down. Their faces got even closer. His breath was getting shallow, and her body leaned into his side. Their faces were only inches apart now, and it felt as if they were the only people in the world.
Hermione has finally shared her story! Thank you so much to all who have read, favorited, followed, and reviewed. I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Now that Dorea and Charlus know, what will they do? Will Sirius find out? And how will he feel about Hermione's recent developments. Well, we'll see next time, have fun loves~
