I'm so sorry about the typos in the last chapter! Please forgive me, I was in such a rush to get the chapter uploaded that I didn't properly check!Sorry!
Does anyone have any advise or pointers on how Fleur talks? I want to make sure I do a good job, but I'm struggling! Any advise or comments will greatly be appreciated!
Enjoy the chapter!=)
Chapter Twelve Promise
Hermione came out of the shower fresh and relaxed. She quickly changed into black trousers and a deep red long sleeved shirt. She left her room and went to check in on Ted who was reading in his room. As she entered the kitchen she smelt a heavenly aroma. There stood Sirius cooking what seemed to be bacon and eggs.
"What's all this for?" Hermione asked as she reached for a glass of orange juice.
"This is me saying sorry for the very rude awaking you got this morning. Am I forgiven?" Sirius turned to her and gave her a cheeky smirk. Hermione smiled back and nodded her head.
"Yes, for now."
Just then an owl appeared at the window and Hermione moved to let it in. The majestic owl flew around the kitchen before landing neatly in front of Hermione. Hermione reached out and took the letter while Sirius fed the bird a bit of bacon. The bird turned and left. Hermione read the letter quickly before speaking to Sirius.
"Kingsley wishes to see us in an hour."
"Won't the ministry be packed?"
"We have expressed permission from him to floo directly into his office, so no one will see us." Hermione turned to the neatly set table and began to eat the delicious breakfast Sirius had prepared for her. As he sat down across from her she noticed that he was wearing the robes that he had fallen though the veil in. They were now clean and neatly pressed after she had washed them and she couldn't help but appreciate how good Sirius looked in them. Sirius noticed her staring and sent her a wink that caused her to blush and turn her head down to her breakfast. Hermione quickly finished and with a flick of her wand sent the dirty dished to the sink where they magically cleaned themselves.
"I've got to drop Teddy off somewhere until we're done with Kingsley, ok? I'll be back soon." Hermione left the kitchen to go Ted ready and soon the two of them had appeared and stepped into the living room fireplace. Before they left Ted gave Sirius a big smile and turned his golden hair black for a moment before changing it back.
Hermione lifted the floo powder and called out in a clear voice.
"Malfoy Manor."
Sirius stood there in shock as he watched the two disappear, disappear into a known Death Eaters home. Sirius was staring to panic when he remembered that Hermione was now good friend with the young Malfoy boy. Sirius decided that he would explore the house some more to keep his mind off the possible danger Hermione might have been in. As he looked around the warm living room, he noticed that it was painted a light yellow and orange. It was like the sun and it instantly warmed you. Sirius noticed more photos, some hanging on the walls while others were on the small table next to the lamp. Sirius hadn't noticed them before and moved closer to the ones on the wall to see them better.
The first big frame held four different photos. The first one was of Hermione dressed in her Gryffindor school robes. Sirius noticed the Head Girl badge on her robes and smiled, remembering the day when she and Ron had got their prefect badges.
Ron.
Sirius felt anger boil within him as he thought of the young red haired man, who had so cruelly hurt Hermione. Sirius took a deep calming breath and looked at the young man who Hermione was standing next to in the photo. He had pale blond hair and was wearing Slytherin robes. He was wearing the Head Boy badge and had his arm protectively around Hermione. They were both smiling brightly and Sirius recognised Draco Malfoy.
Well, at least she seems happy.
Sirius moved onto the next photo and saw a picture of Hermione and some girls. They were obviously out at some club, Sirius just couldn't tell if it was muggle or wizard. Hermione was wearing a tight small red dress that looked liked it was made for her, and her alone. Sirius looked at the girls next to her who she had an arm around. The one on her right had long straight midnight black hair. Sirius recognised her a the Malfoy kid's fiancée Astoria Greengrass. She wore a small dark green dress which matched her emerald eyes perfectly. The girl on Hermione's right had long pale blond hair and a dreamy look on her face. It was the Lovegood girl and she was wearing a blue halter dress. The final girl in the photo was wearing a yellow dress that clashed with her hair. Sirius couldn't remember her name…..Abbott something.
"That's Hannah, Astoria,, Luna and I on graduation night. Who would have thought you would see such school unity, huh?" said a warm voice behind Sirius.
"Hermione, I didn't hear you return."
"That's probably because you were so engrossed with snooping." Hermione said teasingly. Sirius smiled at being caught, but Hermione just walked over to the pictures and pointed out the next one.
"That was my last day at Hogwarts, I got Draco to take the photo. Can you believe he would only do it if he could get a picture with him to?" Sirius looked at Hermione shocked before turning back to the photo. It was of Hermione, Hagrid and Fang. Hermione and Hagrid both had tears in their eyes, knowing this would be the last time she would be at Hogwarts as a student.
The next photo was of Hermione and a petit blond woman. They were both smiling and were hugging each other tightly.
"That's Fleur and me, the night she found out she was pregnant with Victoire. I was the first one, besides Bill, to find out." Hermione smiled fondly at the memory of her dear friend. She can't believe that she thought she was snobbish all those years ago.
"What about these ones over here?" Sirius asked as he pulled her out of her thoughts. Hermione turned to see him pointing out the individual photo frames on the table. Sirius picked up the first one and Hermione smiled remembering the photo that it held.
"That's me and Teddy. That was taken the day after I was made his legal guardian. I was so scared! I didn't have a clue what I was doing." Sirius nodded his head, as he was mesmerised by the lovely witch captured within the frame. Hermione looked no older then eighteen. She was smiling lovingly at the small boy in her arms. Her eyes sparkled as he turned his hair from dirty blond to green and back.
Sirius set the frame down gently as he lifted the next one. Within this one was another picture of Remus and Tonks. Tonks held a newborn Ted in her arms as she and Remus kept looking down at their new son in wonder and awe. Tears treated Sirius' as he watched as Tonks turned to Remus and kissed him lovingly.
Hermione stepped over to Sirius and placed her hand comfortably on his solder.
"I wanted Ted to see their love, the love that they had for him and for each other." Sirius nodded as he composed himself and gently placed the frame down and reached for the next one. Hermione stopped him and picked it up for him. It was a photo of Ted on a small child's broom that didn't go any higher then a few inches. Sirius remembered when he had got Harry one of these when he was a baby. He remembered Lily witting to tell him how the little Prongs had been driving them crazy, as he never got off it.
Harry.
Once again Sirius felt his anger boil and he was trying to control it when he felt a small hand slide into his own. Sirius looked at Hermione in shock. Her hand fit so perfectly into his, it was as if she was made for him. Hermione smiled warmly at him before giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Don't think so badly of Harry Sirius."
Sirius looked down at her in shock.
"How'd you know that I was even thinking of him."
"I remember Harry finding a photo of him similar to that one of Teddy in your room back at Grimmauld Place after you died. We also found the letter Harry's mom wrote, I figured that seeing that photo would remind you of him." All Sirius could do was nod his head.
"He's still in there."
"Who?"
"The real Harry. I believe that he's really still in him, he's just…lost." Hermione said sadly and it was Sirius' turn to comfort her. As Hermione composed herself she looked at the clock and let out a small yelp.
"Oh Merlin! We're late! We were suppose to meet Kingsley five minutes ago!" Hermione quickly moved away from Sirius and reached for her cloak and her bag. She reached the fireplace before motioning for Sirius to follow her.
"I'll go first ok? Don't worry. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise, I will not let anything happen to you." Hermione said to Sirius, as she looked him in the eye before walking into the fireplace and throwing down the floo powder.
"The Minister's office." Hermione disappeared into the bright green flames and Sirius was left alone. He was in shock. Not only had Hermione promised to protect him, but when he looked into her warm eyes he knew that she meant it with all her being. Sirius realised that he was pleased to find that she cared for him.
Oh please, she cares for you like an uncle, a father figure. Nothing more!
Sirius thought as he stepped into the fireplace taking a hand full of powder and clearly called out, "The Minister's office." before he too disappeared into the bright green flames. Little did he know, Hermione's promise was going to be soon but to the test.
