Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter….
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Chapter 13: In These Arms
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Hermione stood at the end of Harry's bed looking down at her unconscious best friend. His face was pale and gaunt aside from the black eyes and minor burns that also littered his body, he was going to be alright. His chest rose and fell slowly as the oxygen charm Madame Pomfrey had performed helped his scorched lungs take in air.
Hermione shuddered involuntarily as she stood alone with her arms crossed in front of her. Sirius, Remus and Tonks were with Dumbledore trying to piece together the night, though, Hermione pondered, they wouldn't get very far without Harry or Ginny.
Looking to her left a few meters away Hermione took in the small figure lying on the bed. Ginny's fiery red hair was spread out on the starch white pillow that mirrored the colour of her normally rosy cheeks. Madame Pomfrey was currently busying around the young Healer in training, trying to keep her breathing and her heart rate steady. The school nurse would be more than happy to send her off to St Mungos to get proper care but Dumbledore had said no and was planning to keep the entire ordeal quiet…hence the present discussions with Sirius, Remus and Tonks, which for once, Hermione was glad not to be a part of.
Switching her gaze back to her best friend Hermione's thought wandered back to her house… their home. The blackened shell, the choking smoke that still lingered in the air, the smell of the Death Eaters….the small once white cot that lay broken, out of place, in the middle of the living room.
Hermione fought back the tears at what could have been a tragic night had her and Sirius not been invited out by her parents, having initially planned to spend the entire weekend at home. As it was though it was just two of her best friends, one unconscious while the young woman whose life he'd saved, hung onto that last thread that kept her in this world.
"Stop it," came a soft voice from behind her.
Hermione turned to see Sirius walk into the room, his grey eyes concerned as he moved towards her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Stop what?" Hermione asked, as she allowed herself to be enveloped in her husband's arms.
"Thinking."
"I can't help it, what if…"
Sirius hand over her mouth stopped Hermione from finishing her sentence. Leading her over to the soft couch that had been positioned next to Harry's bed Sirius shook his head.
"Don't, what ifs don't help, believe me I know. What happened happened, Poppy said they should both be fine."
Hermione looked to Ginny, lying still on her bed. "But, look at her Sirius, she's barely with us."
Sirius' stormy eyes followed Hermione's and he took in the frail form over the other side of his godson, "Ginny's strong, she'll pull through."
Hermione soaked in the confidence in Sirius' voice and wished she could be as optimistic as he was.
"What about Arthur and Molly?" Hermione asked, settling back down into Sirius' side, not taking her eyes off Harry.
"Dumbledore's flooed, they're on their way."
Hermione allowed her eyes to fall shut before they flew open again.
"Where's Elizabeth?" She asked, sitting up slightly.
Sirius sent her a small smile. "It's ok, she's with Draco. He told me to tell you you owe him big time for babysitting two nights in a row."
Hermione settled back down once again and closed her eyes, "He doesn't mind, I think he's become rather fond of Elizabeth."
Sirius smiled as exhaustion overtook the woman in his arms, "I think your right love, I think your right."
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"Hermione…"
Hermione woke as someone gently shook her shoulder.
"Hmmm?" she murmured groggily opening her eyes to be greeted with an amber pair at eye level, "Remus?" she asked, before the previous days events came back to her.
Sitting up and waking Sirius in the process Hermione's eyes found Harry in the same position he was in when she'd dozed off.
"He hasn't changed," Remus said softly from in front of her, "Poppy says Ginny's improving slowly though, she isn't critical anymore."
Hermione felt Sirius run his hand comfortingly down her arm as he sat forward blinking away the nights sleep.
"If you're up to it we need to go back to your house and sort through some stuff. Tonks' team will turn up tomorrow on an anonymous tip about a possible muggle attack," Remus said, addressing the couple in front of him, "Anything personal that can be salvaged needs to be removed."
Hermione glanced at Sirius who met her eyes.
"I can go through it if you want," Remus offered.
"No," Hermione stated, turning back to her friend, "It's ok, we can do it. It would be nice for some help though."
Remus smiled slightly and nodded, standing from his crouched position, his joints clicking as in the process, reminding Hermione and Sirius that it had been the full moon just days before.
"How are you feeling Moony?" Sirius asked, getting to his feet and stretching.
Remus smiled slightly, "I'm fine Padfoot, thanks."
Sirius nodded, "Well," he started, "Might as well get this over and done with, you sure you want to come?" he asked Hermione.
Hermione nodded, "I'm just going to speak to Madame Pomfrey, let her know to contact us if there is any change."
Sirius watched Hermione wandered into the main portion of the hospital wing before turning to Remus, "Reality really hit me yesterday Remus."
Remus raised an eyebrow, "Surely the war already did that…"
Sirius shook his ebony head, "Not that, they found our house Remus…Death Eaters, if a scattering of Voldemorts minions can find us just think of what the ministry can do."
Remus then realized whom Sirius was actually talking about, "We at least have people on the inside at the ministry; we should have at least some form of warning if word gets out about Elizabeth."
Sirius eyes were more troubled than Remus and ever seen them before and the werewolf opened his mouth to continue but thought better of it when Hermione walked into the room.
"Ok," she said to the two wizards, "Let's go."
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Sirius, Hermione and Remus stood outside what was once Sirius and Hermione's home. Black, burnt wood covered the once comfortable cottage, the windows were all but completely gone, the rain that had fallen had lessened the damage but it was obvious the house could not be saved.
"Oh Sirius," Hermione breathed staring at the house where she had married the man beside her, the house that served as an escape from normal everyday life…their home.
Sirius slipped his hand into Hermione's and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Come on," he murmured, leading the way to the house.
Remus lingered behind, deciding to start on the exterior, leaving Sirius and Hermione with some time alone.
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"Careful," Sirius warned as they bypassed the living room and made their way directly up the stairs.
Still clasping Sirius' hand Hermione followed silently her eyes dancing over framed pictures, barely recognizable, that she knew had to eventually come down and, unsalvageable, even with the best charm work, would have to be discarded.
Sirius led Hermione past the nursery which was now in the living room, a gaping hole having swallowed up their daughter's room, and into their bedroom. The pair stood in the doorway and looked around, so many memories made in a now unrecognizable environment. The large four poster bed was no longer standing, the legs on the left side having collapsed, the soft white drapes were completely gone…almost nothing was left.
A small sob escaped Hermione's lips and Sirius pulled her into his arms as she began to cry freely into his chest.
Sirius stroked his hands through Hermione's long curls comforting her, "It's just a house," he murmured, knowing full well it was more than that.
"But…but we've lost so much we can't replace."
"I know," Sirius murmured, as Hermione's tears subsided slightly, "But it could have been worse…it could have very easily been worse."
Hermione sighed against Sirius' chest, "I know…it's just so hard."
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Remus wandered over to the small shed beside the house and muttered and unlocking charm before pulling the door open and allowing himself a much needed grin as the sunlight streamed in to the small room illuminating the contents.
"Well Padfoot, you'll be happy about this."
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Hermione pulled down her wizarding books off the bookshelf and deposited most of them into the large box she had transfigured and marked as 'rubbish'. Lying on the other side of her was a box marked 'keep'. In it lay one item, her beloved first edition Hogwarts: A History having been given to her with all the necessary preservation charms including fireproofing.
Sirius was over next to the large closet, depositing raggedy remains of robes into a similar box to Hermione's and leaving the assortment of muggle clothes where they were. Unlike Hermione, Sirius' 'keep' box still lay empty.
Pulling down a pair of unrecognizable dress robes, Sirius gasped and stared at what was in front of him.
"Sweetheart, come over here for a second will you," he called out to Hermione across the room.
Standing from her crouched position Hermione cocked her head and wandered over to where Sirius was standing.
"What is it?"
"Look."
Sirius gestured into the closet and Hermione stepped around him, gasping in the same fashion that he had.
Hanging in front of her was her wedding dress as perfect as it was on her wedding day. Reaching out and sliding her hand down the soft white silk Hermione felt tears spring to her eyes again as she gently lifted the dress off the rack and neatly folded it before putting it in the 'keep' box.
Sirius grinned at Hermione when she stood back up, "See, we didn't lose everything," he glanced over at Hermione's box. "Did you get anything else?"
Hermione smiled, "My Hogwarts: A History"
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When Sirius and Hermione had finished upstairs all of the 'keep' items were now contained in just a single box, including Harry's Firebolt which rested on top. Four boxes were filled with unsalvageable wizarding material, the muggle items remaining where they were.
Downstairs Remus was in the living room clearing another bookshelf of wizarding material. The stench of the bodies that lay in there were charmed with a temporary anti-smell repellant and had been covered while the trio worked around them.
Remus lifted up a photo album and brushed the soot off the top before gently opening it, its contents falling out in a pile of ashes at his feet.
Looking up the amber eyed wizard noticed both Sirius and Hermione staring at the object in his hands.
"Which one was it?" Remus asked quietly, knowing he had copies of at least their wedding day and ones just after Elizabeth was born.
"Hermione's pregnant album," Sirius murmured, "All the ones I took before Elizabeth was born."
"Do you have copies?" Remus asked, placing the album in the box with the rest of the rubbish, Hermione's eyes following its descent.
"Some," Sirius said, turning away trying to hide the break in his voice, "Not many though."
Silence descended the room and the group worked in silence until all traces of the wizarding world, apart from the dead wizards lying in the middle of the floor, was gone from the house.
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"It was in the shed."
Sirius barley heard Remus as they exited the house and noticed the gleaming motorcycle on the front lawn.
"I'd forgotten about it," Sirius replied, a grin forming on his face as Hermione smiled next to him, glad Sirius was able to salvage something as well. "I'll take it back to Hogwarts," he turned to Hermione, "Want to come for a ride?"
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Remus stepped into the hospital wing after having dropped off the box of salvageable belongings in Sirius and Hermione's room.
Looking around him Remus was greeted by the sight of numerous heads of red hair as Ginny's remaining family members gathered in the private room off the hospital wing.
Looking over to the side Remus spotted Tonks with Elizabeth and headed towards her.
"You know I usually don't mind your hair colours, but mustard Tonks?"
Tonks looked up shocked as Remus approached, her spare hand going to her head.
"Mustard? Stop playing with me Remus, it should be pink."
"Afraid not," Remus replied, taking Elizabeth from her arms and allowing the metamorphmagus to conjure a mirror.
Tonks frowned at her reflection and changed her hair back to its vivid pink with a satisfied smirk.
"How are they doing?" Remus asked, glancing over at the beds.
"Harry woke up for a few minutes about an hour ago, asked how Ginny was but fell unconscious again before he heard the answer." Tonks turned to look at Ginny, "Ginny's improving fast, Madame Pomfrey was surprised but she should be ok, we just don't know when she'll wake up," Tonks paused and turned to Remus who still held Elizabeth in his arms, "How'd it go at the house?"
Remus grimaced, "Not good, Sirius and Hermione managed to save a box of belongings including Hermione's wedding dress, but almost everything else was destroyed, they lost a lot Tonks, stuff that can't be replaced."
"Why cant we just have a little peace?...Where are they by the way?" Tonks asked, looking at the door expecting the couple to walk in.
Remus glanced back down at the witch beside him, deciding not to mention the fact that her hair was now a slime green colour, "They're bringing Sirius' bike to store here."
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Sirius let the motor of his bike die down and waited for Hermione to dismount before swinging his leg over and leaving his bike in one of the un-used garden sheds.
The couple walked in silence, hand in hand, around the edge of the castle towards the Entrance Hall.
"Sirius, did you hear that?" Hermione asked, coming to a stop.
"Hear what?" Sirius asked, looking around, his hand going instinctively for his wand.
A small sob sounded from behind one of the large stone pillars in the small courtyard.
"I heard that one," Sirius stated moving off in the direction of the sound.
Sirius and Hermione moved around the pillar and was greeted by a small bundle of black, red and gold robes. The young students knees were pulled up and her head was buried in her arms as they trembled.
Sirius crouched down beside the figure and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Hey…"
The student's head shot up and she jumped as Sirius and Hermione looked at her in concern.
"Melanie?" Hermione asked, joining Sirius beside the young witch who'd sprained her ankle in the corridor two nights ago. "What's the matter?"
Red eyed and blotchy the first year shook her head, "It's nothing."
Sirius frowned slightly, "You can't be crying over nothing, what has got you so upset?" he asked growing concerned about the welfare of one of his students.
"I…I…its just…I don't think I'm in the right house," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes again
"What?" Sirius asked, slightly shocked, "Do you not like it in Gryffindor?"
"NO! I love it in Gryffindor…its just…aren't Gryffindors supposed to be brave?"
Sirius shared a glance with Hermione who was now on the other side of the first year.
"Why do you not think you're brave?" Hermione asked, gently stroking Melanie's straight brown hair.
"I had a detention and I didn't go to it."
Sirius frowned again, "That doesn't mean you're not brave," he paused and sent Melanie a wink, "It means you're a little rebel."
"Sirius," Hermione admonished.
Melanie looked between the two, "Its not that I wanted to rebel, I was too scared to go."
"To detention?" Sirius asked, growing more confused, "Its not that bad, at least they don't hang you up by your ankles in the dungeons anymore."
"Sirius!" Hermione reprimanded again when Melanie cast a fearful look at her with the mention of the dungeons, "Why were you afraid of detention Melanie, who gave it to you?"
"Professor Snape," the small witch answered looking down at her hands, "I accidentally spilt my potion in class in our first practical and he yelled at me, said I was a stupid clumsy muggleborn and had to come to detention today to fix my clumsyness…"
Sirius stared down at Melanie in shock as Hermione pulled the young girl closer. He met Hermione's eyes and knew she was thinking the same thing, why give a detention for an accident like that?
"…a-and that's why I don't think I should be in Gryffindor, I'm too scared to go to a detention."
Sirius sent Melanie a smile, "That's ok, I'm scared to be in a room with Snape alone too, his greasyness might be contagious," Sirius' grin grew when Melanie let out a small laugh in the midst of her small sobs.
"Hey," Hermione started, "Have you heard of Neville Longbottom?" she asked quietly to the girl in her arms.
Melanie nodded, "I read about him when I first got my Hogwarts letter, and his name is in the Entrance Hall. He fought along side Harry Potter in the war."
Hermione nodded, "Did you know he was a Gryffindor?"
"Yes, all the older students that remember him said he was brave," Melanie looked back down at her lap, "Like what Gryffindors are supposed to be like."
Hermione laughed, "Well, he was one of my closest friends and do you know what his biggest fear was when he first started Hogwarts?"
Melanie shook her head.
"Professor Snape," Hermione answered.
Melanie looked up at Hermione then to Sirius, "Really?" she asked, "Neville Longbottom was scared of a Professor?"
"Sure was," Sirius answered, remembering Remus' tale of Neville's boggart, "But he found his bravery, the Sorting Hat knows what its doing. You're very brave Melanie, you just have to find it."
"How?"
"Don't let Snape's remarks get to you. He's a sour old man whom no-one loves."
"Sirius!"
"What?"
Melanie looked at Sirius, "Didn't you go to school with him?"
"Yes, why?"
Melanie grinned, "You just called him old." She answered before blushing, realising she'd just insulted her Professor.
Hermione however burst out laughing and stood, helping Melanie up and ignoring Sirius affronted look at just being called old.
Heading back to the castle Hermione turned to Melanie who was walking between her and Sirius, "So you read all about Harry Potter before you came here?"
Melanie nodded, "I wanted to know as much as I could about magic before I started, and it seemed like he was pretty important, it wasn't till I'd read about him that I realised he was like a superhero."
Hermione grinned and Sirius chuckled as Melanie continued to talk, revealing herself to be quite the jabber box when she wanted to be.
"…all the older students said he was at the castle a lot before I started because he was dating Ginny Weasley, but I haven't seen him yet. I guess he doesn't come now that Ginny isn't here."
Sirius glanced at Hermione, "You know she does have a valid point, Harry doesn't come to visit as often as he used to."
"That's probably because of his training" Hermione answered, rolling her eyes at Sirius' put out look.
"You know Harry Potter?" Melanie asked in awe.
"Sure, he's my best friend, and Professor Blacks Godson."
"Really?" Melanie seemed to think to herself for a moment, "Hermione…Hermione Granger? Harry Potter's best friend?"
Hermione nodded making the young witch more confused.
"But…the books said you went to school with him…you're like…married and have a baby."
"That," Sirius answered, as they approached the doors, "Is a very long story, perhaps one for another time."
Melanie looked slightly disappointed but nodded.
"For now, you can go back to the tower if you want, I'll talk to Professor Snape."
"Thank you Professor Black," Melanie smiled, before turning and walking briskly off.
"And Melanie..."
The young witch turned back around.
"…I'll see if Harry will visit sometime."
"Really?" she asked, her eyes growing wide.
"Promise, he's a little busy at the moment but I'll let him know."
"Thank you Professor Black," she said, beaming and waving goodbye before turning down the hall.
"I'm going to kill Snape," Sirius growled, as he and Hermione made their way to the hospital wing.
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The first thing Sirius noticed when he walked into the private room was Tonks' hair, currently flashing between mustard and slime green, the others in the room attempting to hide their amusement as the Auror remained oblivious to her wild hair.
The first thing Hermione noticed when she walked into the room was the object on Tonks' finger.
Grinning she bounced excitedly over to Tonks and wrapped her arms around her friend in a hug. "Congratulations," she exclaimed not noticing the confused looks she was getting from the rest of the room.
Walking over to Sirius, Bill sent Hermione a weird look, "I think your wife has lost it mate."
Sirius watched Hermione and Tonks with a bemused expression as they both started to talk rapidly, their hands moving in quick succession, "I think you may be right about that." He turned to Remus, who was sitting beside Harry's bed with Elizabeth playing at his feet, "Hey Moony, our woman have gone nutters."
Remus chuckled, "No Padfoot, Hermione's just very observant."
"WHAT?" Tonks' exclamation brought the rooms attention back to the two witches, Tonks was standing with her hands on her head, glaring at the rest of the room, Remus in particular. "Why didn't you say anything?" she said, panically attempting to keep her hair a nice vibrant colour.
"Try morphing you natural look," Hermione suggested after unsuccessful attempts at pink, blue and orange.
Tonks scrunched up her face and long black hair cascaded down her back. Cracking open her violet eyes she raised an eyebrow at Hermione who nodded.
"It's not changing."
"Good."
With that Tonks spun on her heel and strode over to Remus and whacked him upside the head.
"Ow Tonks! There's a room full of Weasley's who didn't say anything."
"Yes but they aren't my fiancé are they?" she retorted, whacking him across the head again.
"Fiancé?"
The room, shocked at Tonks' statement were even more shocked at who had spoken.
"HARRY!"
"MOONY!"
Remus grinned sheepishly at his best friend as everyone else gathered around Harry's bed.
"Ginny?" he rasped out quietly.
"She'll be ok Harry," Molly answered, "She's still unconscious but Madame Pomfrey said she's doing well."
Harry nodded, closing his bruised eyes again, "Sirius? Hermione?"
"We're here mate," Sirius answered as Madame Pomfrey bustled in to check on her patient.
"Elizabeth," Harry murmured
Madame Pomfrey turned to the group, "Space, now," she ordered.
Everyone bar Sirius and Hermione stepped back, the couple earning a glare from the school nurse.
"Harry…what about Elizabeth?" Hermione asked, glancing at her daughter presently in Remus' arms.
"Please, Sirius, Hermione, he needs air, step back."
Remus gently pulled Hermione back but left Sirius beside Harry's bed.
"Harry mate, what about Elizabeth?"
"They know."
Hermione's eyes widened and she scooped her daughter up into her arms as Sirius paled and stared down into his Godsons green eyes that were filled with guilt.
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IMPORTANT: It's been suggested to me a few times now to just use a spell to change Elizabeth's eye colour….this would be the easy way out…so it cant be done, otherwise I would have no plot as most of it is based on her appearance…and I want a plot…its kinda useful…..;)…