Sorry, it has been so long Potterheads! I had to take a wee break from writing and get some life stuff done. Now that the adulting has progressed, I can go back to my passions with pure glee! I hope you enjoy it!
Sam
Harry and Kevin showed up while Remus and Hermione were still curled up in bed. Sirius was waiting for them outside of her tent and had sniffed around, but it was the work of a wizard who knew them. The air was cleansed, there was nothing left behind for him to pick up. Her tent just smelt of her… her bed he had to resist rolling in; whatever she did to give off that sugar sexed smell, he wanted to experience for himself.
The aurors gave the tent a once over and checked the boundaries of the wards. Nothing was out of place. Kevin finally rounded her tent again before shrugging. "I think I should talk with her, Harry. Someone she may not be too close with that could get uncomfortable information from her. It is evident that someone is trying to scare her," Kevin stated, making Sirius frown.
"She tells us everything, Entwhistle. Whatever she doesn't tell Harry, she tells me and Remus," Sirius snapped.
Draco emerged from the tent, covering a yawn. "What is going on out here?"
Kevin strode over to the Malfoy with his wand out. "How long were you with Hermione last night!" he snarled, wand pointed at the Slytherin.
The Malfoy gave him a cool stare. "Oh, Entwhistle. It is lovely to see you. I was with her late into the morning where we almost fretted the silencing charm on the tent was going to collapse… she is such a talented screamer," he said with a smirk.
"Malfoy don't lie to them," Hermione sighed through a yawn. "I was with him, but we weren't shagging as he insinuated. We drank, and I fell asleep after a long while of talking. I woke up this morning to find that in my tent." Hermione murmured and approached the auror with his wand out.
She had frizzy hair and it looked as if it was the first time she had slept in weeks. The creases by her eyes were absent and her eyes no longer looked like someone punched her face. "Come on, Hermione. We need to talk about possible motives," Kevin offered, putting his wand away.
The witch nodded and wrapped Remus's sweater closer to her form. "Alright, but not around the children. They will be up at any time."
Kevin moved to greet her and waved her along. "Come on, we will take a walk."
The auror and witch left the camp area, that only made Sirius frown after them. "What is his problem, Harry?" the animagus barked as Remus emerged from the tent.
Draco shook his head, clearly unamused and ruffled his own hair. "What exactly happened?"
Remus arched an eyebrow at the Malfoy. "Someone stabbed a swan with an arrow and left it on her bed. Any significance to you?"
Draco's face stayed stoic, but his heart couldn't help but to speed up. "No, not a clue."
Before Remus could question him further they heard laughing and the boys emerged from the smaller tent. "Good morning, dad!" Scorpius shouted and run up to his father.
Draco scooped the boy up and smirked. "Good morning, did you have a great time?"
Scorpius nodded and Draco walked the child back with him into his own tent. Teddy glanced at Hermione's tent and then back at the two underdressed marauders. "Dad, where is Hermione?" he questioned.
Harry smiled and walked up to the boy. "She is talking to my partner. How about we get the food together from your dad's tent and cook breakfast. I have a few spells I want to show you," Harry offered and the boy clapped.
"Sure Uncle Harry!" He clasped the Potter's hand and dragged him away.
Remus raised an eyebrow and glanced in the direction the witch and auror went. "I don't like this. I think Draco is hiding things as well. This isn't going to be safe…" Remus grumbled, running a hand through his hair.
Sirius tilted his head in thought before giving him a nod. "I think you should offer her to stay with us when we finish up the castle. I don't want her to be alone," the animagus finished.
Remus didn't answer right away as he sniffed the air. "Do you think that Malfoy could do such a thing?"
"No, I do not," Sirius replied as he turned toward the elaborate tent of Draco's.
"Maybe she is hiding something from us, Pads," Remus finally admitted with a shrug of his shoulders.
Sirius scrunched his nose and shook his curled mane. "I don't think so, love. She is almost too honest with us. Ultimately it leads to some rather uncomfortable tension," the Black teased while shifting on his feet. "After all, neither one of us were rather proud of the witch shagging that Wood fellow."
Remus couldn't hide the mild distain on his face. "Well, she couldn't very well tell Harry or Ronald." He mumbled, rubbing his stubbled cheek.
Sirius slunk over to the werewolf with a guilty smile. "You know, she was pretty cute curled up in your arms."
Remus straightened his posture and glared at his animagus. "Don't, Pads."
Hermione stomped into the clearing and passed them swiftly. "Harry! Your partner and you have some business to attend to- now." Her raised voice caused the marauders to glare at the opening of the tent.
Harry stepped from the tent and gave the two wizards a look of guilt as Kevin approached. The auror had scrunched eyebrows with tight lips as he waved Harry to follow him. The whiplash Sirius and Remus suffered was shortly lived as she came out with Teddy. They had plates in their hands and she was smiling at the boy.
"Uncle Sirius, Mr. Dad, breakfast is served," Hermione said playfully as Teddy handed them the plates.
Sirius gave Remus a glance as they took their breakfast in hand and the witch took her wand out after Teddy took his smaller plate from her. Hermione flicked her wand and the large logs sitting next to the glowing ember campfire turned into benches. The silence was deafening.
"So, kitten, what did Kevin have to say?" Sirius asked gingerly as he feigned interest in his breakfast.
Hermione knew for a fact that he rarely used that childish nickname. He started toying with the concept after he found out what her animagus form turned out to be. It went from pussycat to lioness to kitten pretty quick in those first few months. However, when she managed to come up with clever canine nicknames… he ceased fire and settle for the occasionally chancing.
"Well, he started making sharp accusations and assumed I needed some sort of permission to stay somewhere else. Some ridiculous ideas about witches needed protection." Hermione grumbled, ignoring his bait for the most part.
Remus had set down his plate and went to retrieve the tea, but when he came back his face contorted. "He propositioned you?" The werewolf inquired while handing her a teacup.
"Honestly, it doesn't even surprise me. Entwhistle always had his head up his arse," Draco's voice entered the clearing.
"Dad, that's a bad word," Scorpius retorted as they walked into their small gathering.
Teddy made room on his bench for the small Malfoy and Hermione reluctantly made space so Draco could sit next to his son. Draco handed the boy a plate and Hermione's eyes grew at the substance of their breakfast.
"Merlin, Draco, did you make that yourself?"
What Hermione suspected as a routine, was a lovely breakfast of an omelet, fresh fruit and toast. What was unusual is that she had no clue as to how he produced such a beautiful meal. Draco tilted his head slightly and an amusing smile played on his face. "Granger, did you not think I knew the means on how to construct breakfast for my son?"
She sipped her teacup and glanced over at Sirius. "I only assumed you were just as useful in the kitchen as your relative. Sirius either undercooks or burns half the things he makes." Hermione said and a curvature reached the corner of her lips as she spoke.
Scorpius leaned toward Teddy with a hint of mischief. "My mummy made my dad learn how to cook right," he told the older child who laughed.
"Now, son, don't be so harsh. She did not make me learn- she just made me apply myself," Draco grumbled.
Remus chuckled gently and shrugged his shoulders. "If it wasn't for James and Sirius I probably would have held off the skill myself. They were quite the bunch and out of school if Lily was away, neither one of them would bother. I tend to be quite grouchy without something to eat," the werewolf announced making Hermione grin brilliantly.
"Harry and Ron were quite similar to that affect. I don't think I would have minded not being so keen on the skill, but that helped us survive in the Forest of Dean." Hermione dropped her gaze after declaring such; she clearly said too much.
"Don't be ridiculous, Granger," Draco snapped and Hermione jerked in surprise. "You would have learned it regardless. There isn't a bit of magic you don't do well."
"Mhm, that's what my dad said. We were packing up and he told me you could build the entire castle yourself if you wanted." Scorpius concurred with a nod.
Teddy mimicked the Malfoy but his smile reached his eyes when he took in the witch. "They are correct, Hermione. You are bloody brilliant. Uncle Sirius says that all the time."
The witch by then was the color of tomatoes. "Thank you, I do have my limitations, however…" Hermione murmured as she poked at her eggs.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you run for Minister of Magic," Draco mused and the Marauders nearly dropped their plates.
Her posture changed again and she chewed her bottom lip. "Well- it- I- Kingsley asked- I am not certain," she stammered, causing the Malfoy father to flash her a smirk.
"Granger, I remember you being so much more articulate in school." He baited further and her eyes shifted to the marauders.
Sirius retained an arched eyebrow with a lopsided smile to tie his whole mischievous expression together. Remus, however, seemed distinctly unamused with an appearance Hermione knew all too well. His shoulders were squared and his lips were just ever so tightened; but the witch knew he was clearly annoyed. It caused even more discomfort to creep into her posture and flashes of her illicit dream taunted her.
"I think we should finish the foundation today," she declared and bunched her body closer to the edge of the bench.
Draco glanced at the werewolf and noted his appearance. It was as if a lightbulb flashed on in his mind. He saw it clear as day now… and the Slytherin in him was baited. "Hey, Granger, do you think you can go over the plotting with me again? I would like to pitch in and be more hands-on with the dirty details." Draco said, a smile curled his lips pleasantly.
Hermione's eyes shifted toward his face and her cheeks bloomed with color. "Dirty details?" she echoed with large eyes.
The moment hung a fraction longer than deemed necessary as the Malfoy shrugged dismissively. "You know, the building. I can't expect you to do all the work. I enjoy a bit of labor."
"I want to help," Teddy interjected, and it caused the witch to shake the potent feelings.
"You can help, Teddy, my boy. We need someone to keep score on who builds fastest," Sirius snickered while pointing his fork at the children. "You both have to help with that."
"I am going to finish my tea and get dressed," Hermione murmured softly, setting her plate down.
Draco glanced at the half-eaten contents as she stood, and he hemmed. "Granger take your food in there. You aren't going to pass out on my watch. We aren't picking flowers, we are building a school. Eat your bloody food." He snapped, and her eyes grew.
"Watch how you speak to her," Remus warned.
She swiped the plate up and huffed heavily. "Alright, if this will prevent an argument I am going to eat. Please, not in front of the children, wizards. Sirius might cry…" she grumbled and stomped off to her tent.
Teddy nodded slowly, glancing over at the older Malfoy. "My dad has a point. No one is allowed to talk to Hermione like that. Not even my dad when he is in a bad mood."
"Anyone else note she has to always take a jab at my expense?" Sirius mused before sipping his cup.
Draco smirked, ignoring the glare of the angst-ridden werewolf. "It's because you're so pretty, cousin."
Remus turned his gaze to the animagus who shrugged his shoulders. "Moony, you cannot be mad at a face that looks this good, can you?"
The werewolf exhaled deeply with a nod. "Sometimes, Padfoot." He grumbled and a small smile crawled to his lips.
"Scorpius, why don't you go get ready? I have a feeling today might be a bit long," Draco finally spoke.
The blond child placed down his empty plate and nodded. "It's going to be so much fun! Teddy, we are going to build a castle!" He exclaimed and the little Lupin followed suit.
Soon the empty smaller plates were all that were left of the boys as they raced into their tent. Draco wasn't dim; he knew that the werewolf was angered by his tone to the jittery witch. Remus directed his attention the Malfoy and glared at him.
"I don't think we need to tell you that you are not welcome to speak to her like that. That woman will receive nothing but respect from here on out, do I make myself clear? She appeased you out of sake of not causing a scene in front of our sons, but do not mistake her kindness for subservience." Remus declared with a firm, but non-threatening tone.
Any other time, Draco might have challenged the werewolf further. However, he could understand that they were concerned with her treatment. It was somewhat eye-opening to bear witness to the mild scolding of his attitude. "Alright, you have my word," Draco replied with a nod.
"Excellent," Remus said as he pulled out his wand, flicking it at the smaller plates. "Now, let's get to work. It is going to be a long day." He finished as the dishes traveled into their designated tents.
Sirius bobbed his head with a sneer. "I also want to leave a nasty little present for our unwanted guest should he come poking around again," the animagus mumbled lowly.
Remus nose flared lightly. "I concur. Seems we need to be a bit more proactive on keeping him out." He responded with a sharp nod.
"I do have to wonder what this cat killing moron has to gain by scaring her," Draco declared as he scratched his chin. "Almost seems too careless."
"Careless flew off the broom when he surpassed Moony's wards," Sirius snarled with a shake of his head. "No, not careless. Whatever he is doing he is toying with her first and that pisses me off."
"I have to agree. Starting now, she doesn't go anywhere without one of us. Do we understand each other?" Remus questioned, glancing between Sirius and Draco.
"Agreed. I volunteer for bathing," Sirius snickered with a bright grin.
"Sirius," Remus snapped and the animagus chuckled.
"You said one of us, I figured you wouldn't mind, Moony," He teased, causing the werewolf to groan.
Draco set down his plate and exhaled. "You both argue this much all the time? Might be a good time for marriage counseling." He snickered with a small grin.
"It's all foreplay, cousin. Moony can't live without me," Sirius declared with a jovial tone.
The werewolf flicked his wand in Sirius's direction and his plate flung at his face, causing the animagus to howl in surprise. "Moony! Bloody fuck," he hissed and Remus smirked.
"Foreplay, love," the werewolf retorted before standing. "Let's secure camp and get started."