Chapter 10-

Wow I finally got the chance to update this. I just hope you guys enjoy it.

Harry stares at the beautiful woman next to him while his godfather looks between James, Harry and Hermione patiently waiting for some sort of reaction to what he just revealed to them.

All men turn to the young woman as a small sound emits from her tightly close, plump lips; her hands, balled up on her lap.

"Are you serious," Lord James Potter finally says looking straight at his best friend, Lord Sirius Orion Black.

"Do you think I would make that up," Black asks through gritted teeth.

He is angry that his best friend would actually think he would lie about something so serious.

"Its just…" Harry says trying to explain his father's first reaction to the news. "It's mum. Of course he would want to make sure. She is after a muggleborn herself."

"Just in case you'd think Jane would lie, she didn't tell me anything. She didn't want to talk about it. She didn't even told her own daughter. I saw it with my own eyes," Sirius says standing up and running his hand through his long, dark hair. "I witness those harsh words," he looks over at his best friend. "She insulted the woman I love, James. Not only that, the young woman I see as a daughter just as much as you do."

They all turn to the still quite woman in the room.

"Hermione," Harry questions touching her elbow.

"That…" Hermione begins but stops to shakes her head from side to side, as in clearing her mind from an angry tirade that is probably swarming through her head. "That… woman. James…"

"I am so sorry Hermione," James begins.

Hermione shakes her head once again while racing both hands to shoulder height, efficiently cutting him off.

"My mother will never again set foot in your home, my lord. I will go pick up her things in a few hours. I don't want that… I don't want Lady Potter near my mum unless my mother approves of it, and Lady Potter grovels at her feet. My mother is a saint," Hermione emphasizes her words by dropping her hands hard on the man's solid desk. "She did the best she could considering our circumstances. Who is Lady Potter to judge us, my family?"

"I am with Hermione," Sirius says standing next to bright witch. "Jane is a wonderful woman, and I love her. She might even be the next Lady Blac…"

At that, they all turn to the man that usually has a huge grin on his lips and a mischief twinkle in his eyes, who at the moment his features were all serious and hard. You can see the checked anger in his eyes.

"Sirius," Hermione says softly to the older man while softly touching his arm. "Do you really feel that way about mum?"

"You betcha kid," he says tweaking her chin. "She is my everything. My world, and I will do anything for her."

Hermione nods before getting out of her chair.

"If you'll excuse me misters Potter," Hermione says bowing to both. "I have to get back to work. I also want to let you know, Lord Potter, I will be leaving early today for personal reasons."

"There is no problem Hermione," James answers.

"Hermione," Harry says turning to her before she reaches the door. "Please, I hope this doesn't effect…" he stops blushing before looking down.

"Harry," Hermione says making him look up at her. "This will not affect our friendship," he frowns at her words. "Anything else…well we know how that is."

Both older Marauders look at their interaction.

"No I don't," he begins grabbing her hand once he reaches her.

She simply pulls her hand away.

"Harry, this is not the time for this. I have a lot to think about, not to mention do. So if you'll excuse me."

….

"What is the story between you and Hermione," James asks his son as they sit facing each other at James' huge home office.

"What do you mean, sir? You already know our story. We were friends when we were small, and then grew apart when I started hanging out with Ron and Malfoy," Harry says giving a small shrug of his shoulders.

"Yes, I know that story. I am talking about the other one you are trying to hide from all of us," he says looking intensely at his son. "Whatever you say here, son, will not leave these walls. I promise, Harry."

Harry lets out a breath before looking down once more only to raise his head to look out the window.

"Our story, sir, our story starts in my seventh year at Hogwarts. That year Hermione came back but as a teacher's assistant," he looks at his dad for a second before looking away once more. "You need to realize that we… I… was a dumb kid back then. Well… since sixth year we- Ron, Malfoy, and me- use to make stupid bets."

Harry pauses there for a few seconds.

"What kind of bets," James says in a low dangerous voice.

"Nothing that bad dad," Harry says defending himself while looking at his stern looking father. "All we did is bet each other if we can go out with a certain girl and for a certain amounts of time," he shrugs a little before taking a deep breath, to then continue his story. "Most of the school thought that Hermione was an ice queen ever since first year, and it looked like she haven't change much since she left Hogwarts. It was rumor that no one can get her to go out with them, because of her 'superiority' attitude. I honestly thought she was cute and nice. A bit hard though. Then one day my friends heard me comment on her cuteness and Malfoy dared me to ask her out. I suppose to try and take her out for at least three dates without her dumping me, or my sorry ass according to Malfoy and Ron."

"What would you get if you were able to succeed," James asks more calmly, though you can hear a bit of anger still on his voice.

Harry blushes before answering.

"I honestly don't remember," James gives his son a small disapproving glare as the younger wizard just shrugs. "After a few weeks of my persistence she agreed to go with me to Hogsmead weekend. To be honest, dad, it was the best day of my life. It was just amazing, and I knew she felt the same when at the end of the day she started talking about the Yule Ball. It took all the courage I had to ask her to go with me to that ball. She said yes. She actually said yes.

Then at the Yule Ball," Harry sighs a bit dreamily. "I still remember it as if it was only yesterday we went. She looked so beautifully amazing. I was as breathless as I was in our most recent ball. Maybe even more. That night it all finally click for me. I had fallen head over heels in love with her, and there was no turning back," Harry stops to lick his lips.

"What happened," James asks looking at his son with a little bit of pity.

"I didn't want to ruin our budding relationship. She felt the same. I could see it in her eyes. And when I kissed her that night for the first time," he open his eyes, the ones he had close as he started going down memory lane. "It was magical. We went out in private after that. The others thought that I only went out with her twice. So in their eyes I lost, but I knew better. I won something so much better," Harry licks his lips once more. "She eventually found out, by the end of the year. She then disappeared before I could explain."

"Did you… you know," James asks his son afraid of what he'll find out.

Just before Harry can answer they hear loud voices coming from the kitchens.

…

(A few minutes before out in the hall leading to the helps rooms)

"Hermione, it's such a pleasure to see you here, and Sirius what are you doing in this part of the house," Lily asks her guest with a kind smile.

"Just here picking up mum's stuff," Hermione says coolly.

"But why," Lily asks surprise. "Is she not coming back?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Sirius says, anger evident on his voice.

Lily steps back at the glare both are giving her.

"If you'll excuse me, my lady," Hermione says mockingly with a small bow. "I need to get this finish soon. Don't want to worry mum."

Hermione goes in but before Sirius can follow her Lily stops him by grabbing his arm.

"What is going on Sirius," he asks looking into his eyes.

"We know the truth, Lils. I saw it from one of Jane's memories," the older red head witch pales at his proclamation. "How could you? She is suppose to be your best friend."

"I…" Lily begins.

"Don't try to defend yourself," he almost barks out. "I saw it all. I just don't understand how you can be like that. YOU OF ALL PEOPLE."

At this point James and Harry gets there.

"What is going on," James asks his best friend.

"I am just here helping Hermione get Jane's stuff," he says nodding to the two Potter men.

"Is she really leaving," Harry asks a little sad.

"Yes she is," Hermione says sticking out her head from her mother's old room. "I don't care if she kicks and screams but I will not allow her to take another step in here."

"Don't you think you're overreacting," James asks.

"Overreacting," Sirius says cutting in before Hermione can answer. "I would think you'd understand more than anyone, James. You used to hex people until they were unconscious just because they would look at Lily in a bad way."

"Yes, I know, but…" James begins.

"What mum said and did was horrible," Harry cuts in. "I understand what you guys are doing. Come Hermione lets finish packing," Harry says leading Hermione by her arm.

Once the elder wizards and witch is left alone they all look at each other before James leads them into the kitchen.

….

"Hermione," Harry says after he finishes clearing the last bookcase.

"Hum," is her distracted answer.

Harry turns to see Hermione sitting on the closet's spacious floor looking at something quietly.

"Hermione," he asks getting closer to her. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

Hermione looks up at him with teary eyes, and that is when he sees a picture of her father in her hands.

"I miss him, you know," she says wiping her eyes. "I don't think this messed up thing would have happened if he were here."

"Hermione," Harry says kneeling in front of her before taking her in his arms and placing her head to lean on his chest. "I miss your dad too. He was a great man."

"Do you," she asks looking up at him. "Do you even remember him, Harry?"

Harry gives her a small smile before she buries her face on his chest.

"A little, but what I do remember is that he was a wonderful man," he says tightening his arms around her small waist and burying his nose on her brown locks. "You remind me so much of him," he says with a small laugh. "You are like the perfect combination of both your parents. You got all their great attributes."

She gives a muffle snort before answering.

"Are you sure about that Harry? Most people can't tolerate me," she finishes by looking up at him. "If I remember correctly, you couldn't stand me in our early years at Hogwarts."

"That is because they cannot see the beauty in you. I couldn't see myself in the beginning. Yes, you have their great attributes, but you are your own person too. Most people don't understand your greatness Hermione Jane Granger, and they overlook you, but I now know better," Harry says removing the hair sticking to her face before softly caressing her cheek. "You are so beautiful."

"Harry," Hermione says as his face leans towards her.

Before Hermione knows it Harry's lips descend on hers and they are now sharing a sweet short kiss.

A few moments later their foreheads are resting against each others.

"Hermione, I…"

"Like hell I won't yell," they hear the loud, angry voice of Sirius Black. "She doesn't see how wrong she is, James."

"Sirius…"

At that moment Harry and Hermione is now standing in the kitchen looking at the trio.

"Are you two finish," Sirius asks looking at the flushing couple.

"Just about," Hermione answers.

"Well we must hurry and get out of here," Sirius says standing up from the barstool he is now occupying. "I don't think I can be here any longer."

"Hermione," Lily says making the younger witch stop in her tracks. "You must understand that I didn't mean to hurt you guys," Harry now glares at his mother. "You are a wonderful young woman, and…"

"Witch, mother, a wonderful young witch," Harry interjects and Lily gives him a strain smile.

"Yes, a wonderful young witch," Lily says before continuing. "and you will do a lot, but you will be ridicule if you become a lady of a noble house. It's not easy to do that. I am just looking out for you and Harry, not to mention your mother. I know how it is," she finishes taking a heavy seat on the barstool Sirius just left.

"I just don't understand what made you think I would be the next Lady Potter and hate that idea. If anyone would become a Lady that is my mother. She is dating a Lord," Hermione says as Sirius nods.

"Which makes your words to my girlfriend and my future step daughter unacceptable," Sirius says glaring at the red head woman.

"I have seen the way you two look at each other," Lily finally says in a small voice looking at Harry and Hermione now. "A blind person could see what's there," she then looks up at her friend. "I didn't mean to disrespect her, you know. I love Jane, and Hermione, is just sometimes…" she stops and shakes her head. "I worry for them that's all."

Harry, Sirius and Hermione looks at Lily and James with a sad glint in their eyes.

"I have to finish packing," Hermione finally says, turning away from the Potters.

"I'll help," both Sirius and Harry say in unison.

When they're gone James turns to his wife with a disappointed look.

"I'm sorry," Lily says looking down. "I really am sorry James."

….

That night the two Granger women were making life altering decisions.

"Yes, I will," she answers with tears in her eyes.

…

"So it's a deal?"

"It's a deal," he says before shaking hands with the woman in front in him.

"LETS CELEBRATE!"

So there is the confrontation you've all been waiting for. Sorry again for the long wait, but don't forget to review and tell me what you think.