Her mind remained miles away even with how nice the afternoon out was. The witch knew she should be happy that he was out on a date, but secretly she wasn't. At least she thought it was secretly, Remus was quite aware of her distress all day long. It did not sour his mood or change his attitude, but it did make him take note of her wistful characteristic.
Hermione had opted for some time alone once they returned home and did so in her room. She went through the stashed box and found letters from Remus at the bottom, wrapped in a scarf. The witch spent three months in trepidation about going through the other version of her self's things, but now she was curious.
Hermione,
The weather is growing cold again as I make it back into London. Wandering the streets does me little for my piece of mind. We both know I have never been the most ideal wizard to avoid dwelling, but there was something he said to me that has been itching in my ear. 'Don't be a wanker and love yourself as much as I would... at least if I was a witch, Moony.' Somehow that makes things worse. I loved him deeply, Hermione. I loved him like kindred. A beacon in a world too dark and painful.
Sirius Black was one of my favorite people to ever exist on this Earth. He was all heart, if you really ever got to get under those shields. I may have had a troublesome childhood, but he took the cake on abuse. They tried to beat and curse the good out of him. When James died I actually believed they ruined him and it is one of my regrets. I let them... convince me he was a bad person, even in my heart of hearts I knew he was innocent. There was another reason; there had to be.
I have to forgive Peter. Even if it is just so Sirius can have peace in death. I am finding it harder these days and I feel as if only scratching the very anger from my flesh might relieve the pressure built from mourning Padfoot. I want to kill him. I have never wanted to rip someone's throat out more so than the only marauder left who knows my tales of woe. His cousin as well... it would give me large satisfaction to ruin her. I can only hope that my viciousness is quenched through the stages of grief for my pack. My Sirius.
Thank you for keeping in touch with me. I know my letters are a hard read and I appreciate you more than you know.
Always,
Remus
Hermione was holding the letter to her chest after and crying. It was so... so sorrow filled. How beautiful was it that this man loved his friend so much? Hermione smiled and caressed the letters every one of them was a beautiful sentiment. Some of them were sad and others rang of hidden feelings, but all were a binding of sorts.
A knock brought her out of her own head, "Come in," she murmured and Sirius appeared.
"Looking for naughty magazines? I have a few if you like," he teased and plopped on the floor next to her.
"Reading letters Moony sent me," she spoke and he smiled at her.
"Now, if I wrote you letters would you cry over them?" His voice was playful and she laughed and wiped her eyes.
"At your poor grammar and punctuation possibly."
Sirius belted out a lovely low stream of laughter and tucked her under his arm, "That quite possibly is true... I did help James write a few letters to Lily and she loved them..." He trailed off and eyed the witch. "Moony tells me you locked yourself up here. What's wrong?"
"Just feeling out of sorts."
"Sometimes we forget that you are still breakable. You hold this air about you. This poise that is intimidating and fresh, but calm. Must be an animal thing because Remus adores you."
Hermione pulled away from him lightly and gazed over at him, "How was your date?"
"Very nice. I agreed to throw a little party in the near future. I know, quite different for me, but I was convinced it would be a sound event. Andromeda said she would host the event at her estate."
She frowned and tilted her head, "Andromeda? You went to see her today?"
"I went to see my cousins for lunch. Nymphadora has been asking me to come visit and Andromeda has been yearning for company, so I decided to join them today."
"That is nice that you are reconnecting with them, Padfoot," Her voice seemed off and Sirius scowled.
"What is really wrong?"
Hermione made a face, "Is she still pining for Remus?"
Sirius smirked and shrugged his shoulders, "Even if she was, she isn't silly enough to think she has a chance. She is dating some Quidditch beater for the time being and they are going strong from the sounds of it."
He could see her face contort in the way he hated, "I feel like I stole him from her."
"You didn't, Hermione. Remus made his choice and one I couldn't agree with more. You both fit well together. It is almost nauseating. You make pretty decent children together."
"Sirius?"
"Hm?"
There was a pregnant pause that thickened the air. "What did you mean last night?"
"Remind me? I was pretty sloshed so things are a wee bit off."
She lost her nerve and shook her head, "Never mind it then."
"This is good. We aren't saying nasty things to each other. Almost as if you actually tolerate my presence today." He was trying to lighten the mood and succeeded in making her smile.
"Are you going to behave tonight?"
He gave her a head shake, "Absolutely not. I will convince them that you and Moony agreed to let me sneak into your room when I wish." He teased and she turned the color of cherries.
"Sirius Black!"
"Polyandry is a rare but resourceful find in animals," He continued his joking and Hermione shoved him.
"That is not funny. Remus will yank your knob off if you even jest about it. It is bad enough Draco suggested he has multiple partners at once."
Sirius chuckled and shook his head, "Remus and I wrote the book on that one, not much he can tell us that we haven't done."
The witch froze and paled, "What?"
"Occasionally my dear friend Moony liked a bit of... help and I provided it. Usually, it was so he did not get out of hand with delicate young witches at Hogwarts, but we did indeed live up to our names as marauders. James and I gave it a go once with a witch, she was a Ravenclaw, but I found him to be a bit... lazy." Sirius was trying to ignore her shock and felt the warmth tingle against his cheeks.
The woman shoved him and growled, "Sirius! You didn't need to tell me that!"
His grin evolved and he arched an eyebrow, "Why, were you actually fantasizing about it?"
Hermione pulled away and started packing up the box, "No, now would you kindly take your leave so I can get ready for dinner?"
The animagus figured he pressed his luck and moved to stand, "Oh, alright. I will behave myself tonight." When he stood he scratched his chin, "Why does your son want me to have a child so badly?"
Hermione did not look at him as she closed the box, "Because I told him he was my greatest gift his dad ever gave me. He just wants you to be happy too."
"Cute kid. You are wrong though," Sirius paused and she glanced up at him. "He is the best gift you gave Remus. Moony told me that himself. You really are the greatest witch we ever met, Hermione. Even if you don't know it." With that, he left before she could respond.
0o0o
Teddy was skipping as he held the marauders' hands and swung them. Her son was by far the happiest she had ever seen him. Hermione tried to focus on the evening and getting through dinner, but things were nagging at her. How close were the marauders really? Sirius always joked about them being lovers, but she knew better, or at least she thought so.
Draco was standing in the entry hall and running fingers over a sculpture the Malfoy's had. "Always so prompt, I should say I am surprised, but it doesn't shock me anymore." He grumbled and smiled at Hermione.
"Uncle Draco!" Teddy shouted and bolted toward the lanky blond.
Draco scooped the boy up and grinned at him, "Professor Lupin, you have shrunk!"
"Just multiplied," Remus declared and Draco chuckled.
"It is astounding how similar you both look. There is no doubt in my mind she had your child. It is nice to see you, Remus." Draco's voice was friendly and it took the edge off the room.
Sirius walked up to the Malfoy and ruffled his hair, "You have turned into a polite bugger haven't you?"
Draco put down Teddy and shrugged his shoulders, "Granger grew on me. Come on, mother is waiting for us."
The boy was skipping after Draco and the marauders walked side by side with Hermione. She found it endearing that they were so protective of her. The witch knew that's why they were stationed how they were. Maybe they still believed that she was affected as she walked through the manor? There were very few rooms that gave her ill feelings, but the dining room was not one of them.
Narcissa stood up from the table and strolled over, taking the boy in her arms, "Edward! Aunt Cissa has missed you so." Hermione smiled at the older witch who was running her fingers through the boy's hair, "Hermione, it is so lovely to see you."
"Always a pleasure, Narcissa. As you can see I have my bodyguards with me today." Hermione teased and Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Hello, cousin. I am glad to see you convinced your husband to remove the awful art in here." Sirius mused and the older witch nodded.
"I tried my efforts at cooking tonight. Draco has been very supportive of my new desire to do things on my own." Narcissa took the boy's hand and led him over to the table.
"Did you make all the food?" Teddy inquired and Draco laughed.
"My mother is trying to prepare herself for grandchildren I fear."
Sirius sat down next to Draco across the table and Hermione sat down next to Narcissa at the head of the table. Teddy sat in between his parents and was smiling at the steaming food in front of him. The conversation was minimal until Narcissa gasped and held her finger up.
"Cousin, Lucius was going through some of our storage and we found something you might like." She flicked her wand in the air and a small box came flowing toward her. "It is an heirloom. I know how you feel about our house, but I felt that the male of the house should indeed hold the heirlooms."
When she offered Sirius the box, he glanced inside and frowned, "This is a Taaffeite ring, Cissa. Are you quite sure you do not want to keep this?"
She waved him off, "I am quite sure that belongs in your possession, Sirius. The house motto is etched on the inside of the band." His discomfort was plain to see and Draco nudged him.
"It isn't like any of us are hurting for wealth, cousin. Take the ring."
Sirius ran a finger over the silver band, "Regulus received father's ring after I ran away. I was sure that it was the last one before this."
Hermione smiled over at him before speaking, "I think it is a great idea, Sirius. You are the lord of your House now. It is important to have small tokens of it. It doesn't mean you cannot develop a different sense of self for it and its future."
Narcissa glanced at Sirius with interest, "Tell me, do you think you will marry? It has made for an interesting debate."
The animagus frowned slightly after placing the box in his coat, "Well, my initial plans are to shag half of England first."
Draco stifled a laugh at his mother's paling expression, "I told you, he is not interested in petty agreements."
"I don't think Sirius has an idea on what he has to offer a woman outside of the bedroom and his wealth," Hermione mused and Remus shrugged his shoulders lightly.
"He was never one to declare his worth in love for extended periods of time." Remus agreed and Sirius gave them a glare worthy of war.
"Mom told me a long time ago that Uncle Sirius thought no one loves him more than my dad. I love him lots and so does mom."
Draco raised an eyebrow, "She did often speak of him."
Hermione pursed her lips, "I am well aware of what I spoke about, Draco."
"In her defense, she spoke about them both frequently, dear," Narcissa responded and Hermione's cheeks tinted.
Sirius grinned and sighed, "To think that she had been hiding this gem from me... I will never let that go, sweetheart," Sirius snickered and Hermione turned scarlet.
"She does tend to be quite selective on what she tells us, doesn't she?" Remus joined in and Hermione rolled her eyes.
There was a small silence and Hermione was about to reply when another voice entered the room. "Seems my wife forgot to remind me of our guests..."
Hermione's breath hitched and Narcissa was trying to recover from her surprise as she smiled at him strolling over to the table. "Lucius, I invited them over for dinner last minute. I thought you were going to be wayward."
"Wayward... yes, my obligations finished earlier than expected. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin..." Lucius trailed off as he stood next to Narcissa. "It is nice to see you both- alive."
"Uncle Lucius, are you having dinner with us?" Teddy inquired and the older blond man narrowed his gaze.
"I am not your uncle, mutt." He spat and Hermione stood up.
"Lucius, do not speak to my son in such a way," Her voice held a clear warning and the man smirked.
"Father, time and place," Draco reminded him and the older man lowered his demeanor as Sirius's fingers twitched over where his wand was hidden.
Remus was mimicking the act as the man rounded the table and sat down next to Draco. "Seems I have forgotten my manners in Yorkshire. Please, sit down." His voice was a hiss and Teddy patted his mother's arm.
"I expect an apology to my son," Hermione spoke with a pointed voice and folded her arms.
"My apologies, Edward... I was quite rude," Lucius was almost dismissive, but Hermione sat down and the boy smiled.
"It's alright, Uncle Sirius says you sometimes forget to take your medicine."
The older blond was stunned by the boy and Draco started chuckling, "Sirius, you will get in trouble if he always repeats you."
Narcissa flicked her wand and Lucius's plate was soon filled with food, "Now that we have had our little outburst." She stopped and glared at her husband, "I was thinking of a number of witches who would love to hear from you, cousin. They are all well renown and very well liked."
Sirius waved her off and shook his head, "None that will interest me, Cissa. I am quite content in my small engagements."
Draco sipped his glass and glanced over at Hermione, "Now that you both are clearly established, what is the next step for you?"
Remus hemmed and frowned lightly, "We haven't gotten that far yet. Small steps are more progressive than giant leaps. Less whiplash," his voice was very diplomatic and Teddy gave a nod in agreement, even though the conversation was clearly over his head.
"It must be so hard to contend with your own... instinct. I cannot imagine what you have to impose on yourself not to prey on such swift action, being what you are." Lucius murmured and Hermione cleared her throat.
"Clearly that is my cue to take my family home. Thank you for dinner, Narcissa, it was lovely." Hermione said simply and stood up.
"But mom, we haven't had the cake yet," Teddy argued and Hermione gave him a small smile.
"We will bake one at home. Give your aunt and uncle a hug, hop to it." Remus responded and stood up.
The boy did as he was bid and took his mother's hand. "I will meet you back there," the werewolf finished and Hermione took her son from the room.
Sirius stood up and glared at the eldest Malfoy as Remus bared his teeth, "If you ever speak to her or use that tone in front of them again... we won't take social etiquette into account. You have been fairly warned, Malfoy." Remus growled and Sirius sneered.
"I quiver with fear," Lucius hissed with a glower.
"You can run my name through the mud all you like, but that is my family whether you like it or not. We don't lie down and lick boots, Lucius." Sirius snarled and turned to the other two at the table. "I will see you both soon, I am sure. Good evening."
The marauders left the dining room side by side and gave each other a nod; it was true, they both would protect them and each other from that maliciousness. It was a long hard road, but they would trek it together... blood or not, they all were family.
