Hi everyone! I want to say sorry for the long delay but school has to take priority at the moment and there are a few personal problems that I'm facing at the moment, but all in all everything is good. I'm afraid that I wont be able to update for a while after this and that is why it's an extra long chapter! Once again, I would like to thank all the lovely reviewers and to all that is reading this story I hope that you are enjoying it and if you could please review! I have a poll on my homepage regarding this story so please feel free to go and do that! That's all or now I think! Enjoy!=D
Harry Potter not mine!
Chapter Twenty-Eight Lioness
"Merlin no!" Sirius cried as he watched his cousin raise her wand once more to torture Hermione. Sirius stepped forward, trying to get to Hermione. Before he could take another step he felt a hand on his arm.
He turned to see Astoria holding onto him. Draco was standing behind her, but his eyes were locked on the disturbing scene before them.
"There's no point Sirius. This is a memory, you can't do anything about these events anymore than we can." Astoria said sadly, as her gaze went back to Hermione.
Sirius too turned back to see Bellatrix screaming at Hermione before she yelled, "Crucio!"
Hermione withered in pain and her tortured scream filled the room and chilled Sirius' heart.
I can't just sit here and do nothing. Sirius thought madly as he saw Hermione tortured once more.
Sirius stepped forward again but this time Draco stopped him.
"Sirius you can't do anything! Take it from someone who was there." Draco said angrily. Sirius shook off the young wizard's hand.
"You were there and you didn't stop it! How could you just stand there and watch this?!?" Sirius yelled.
"What the hell was I suppose to do? My family was already being threatened with our lives. When Greyback and the snatchers brought her and the others in I tried to deny it was them. I barley looked at them, but I knew it was them and I took the risk." Draco yelled at Sirius. Astoria tried to calm him down, but it wasn't working. The pain and disgust at his actions left Draco feeling awful. Seeing his closest friend being hurt like this was enough without Sirius making him feel guiltier.
"It nearly worked to until my parents recognised Weasley. That bloody hair! You think if he went into hiding he would have thought of dying it!" Draco muttered to himself.
Sirius looked closer at the young wizard and he was amazed to see that he had tears in his eyes. Eyes that were full of guilt and disgust. Sirius knew the feelings all too well and he realised that no matter why Draco and his family had pointed out Hermione's presence, they still regretted it to this day.
"I'm sorry. I never knew, it's just so hard to see her like this." Sirius said sadly.
"I know. That's why my father didn't stay when I suggested this idea of punishment." Draco said calmly. Sirius' head shot up at this.
"What?"
"Well Hermione is like a daughter to him and mother. The mere thought of her being hurt, not to mention by their own doing, causes them to feel immense pain and guilt too." Draco said sadly. Astoria reached for his hand and this time he gratefully took it.
"I'm sorry." Sirius said softly.
"That's ok. You didn't know and I'm assuming you were not expecting to see something like this." Draco said softly.
"No I certainly wasn't." Sirius said. The three turned their attention once more back to the young woman that they all cared about being tortured.
"What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!" Bellatrix screamed as once more Hermione was cursed.
Sirius noticed that despite the ruthlessness Bellatrix was showing, Hermione was still remaining strong. He could see her anger and defiance in her eyes and despite the immense pain she was clearly in, she was still able to talk.
"How did you get into my vault? Did that dirty little goblin in the cellar help you?" Bellatrix screeched at Hermione.
Sirius saw a flash in Hermione's eyes and a slight smirk appeared on her face. It was gone as quickly as it appeared Sirius noted and he wondered what brought on such a reaction.
"We only met him tonight." Hermione sobbed. "We've never been inside your vault…it isn't the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!"
Sirius saw that look in Hermione's eyes during her confession again. He recognised it from the many times her eyes would light up in Grimmauld when she figured something out.
"Draco, is Hermione telling the truth?" Sirius asked calmly.
"Yes and no. It's true that she and the others only met Griphook that night and that they were never in my lovely aunt's vault." Draco grimaced at admitting any connection to such a mad woman.
"However, the sword was the real thing and thanks to Bellatrix's constant yelling about her vault Hermione figured out that there was something in her vault that she was very protective of. The fact that she wouldn't call the Dark Lord until she found out if they had been in it or not, highlighted how important whatever the thing was."
Draco was smirking as he thought of how obvious his aunt had been that night. She had clearly assumed that Hermione and the others would be killed and so found no need to conceal anything. Little did she know that in a few minutes all their prisoners would be gone.
Sirius turned back to the scene with a slight smile. He knew what he was witnessing was a disgusting and cruel thing, but the fact that Hermione had lived through it to get one over his dear cousin made him smile a little.
Bellatrix was in the middle of cursing Hermione when Lucius spoke up.
"But we can find out easily. Draco, fetch the goblin, he can tell us whether the sword is real or not!" Sirius watched as the younger Draco left the room. The memory than began to blur and fade.
"What's going on?" Sirius asked.
"Where leaving this memory and going to another." Astoria said.
"Why? What happened that night?" Sirius asked as he looked around, trying to see any hint of the Manor.
"Hermione and the others escaped thanks to our former house-elf Dobby. Turns out he died because of it, Bellatrix threw that knife of hers at Potter and it hit him instead." Draco said sadly, still felling guilty for the way he had treated the kind elf all those years ago.
"And?" Sirius asked.
"And what? Hermione figured out there was something of great importance in Bellatrix's vault and she, Potter and Weasley used Polyjuice Potion and broke in. Bellatrix went into a blind rage that night." Draco shuddered at the memory of his aunt going around the house cursing and breaking everything in sight.
"I mean, what about Hermione? What happened to her? Obviously she lived but I know Bellatrix, I know what she puts people through." Sirius asked Draco, as he looked him in the eye.
Draco sighed again and met Sirius' gaze.
"She cut her neck with her knife, only slightly, but enough to leave a scar. It's faded now but it's still there if you look closely." Draco said sadly. "She also suffered some after-effects of the crucio."
Sirius stiffened when he heard this. He knew that not many could walk away from the curse unscratched, especially from the likes of his cousin Bellatrix who was a true mistress of torture. Sirius was about to ask more questions when suddenly they found themselves in another room.
This time the room was much bigger and brighter. Sirius noticed that Lucius, Narcissa and Draco were the only ones present. Before Sirius could comment Narcissa spoke.
"Lucius are you sure we can't stay here another week?" Narcissa asked her husband worriedly.
"No my dear, you know we can't risk being found. No it's decided! Tomorrow we leave for another of our families old safe houses." Lucius said as he took his wife's hand.
Draco reached out and took his mother's other hand.
"Don't worry mother. We'll figure something out." Draco squeezed her hand reassuringly before he let go and walked over to the sofa next to the table that his parents were sitting at.
Sirius noticed how young looking this Draco was. He could be no older than seventeen. He realised that this wasn't long after the last memory they had seen.
Before Sirius could ask his companions how long ago this memory was, there was a loud bang and the door on the farthest side was blown open. Ten wizards in Death Eater robes entered the room. They all had their wands out and directed at the three Malfoy's, who were now on their feet and had their own wands out.
"Well, well, well. What have we got here men? Looks to me like a bunch of traitors!" The Death Eater in the front called out.
Because Sirius was so close to the three Malfoy's he could hear Lucius as he spoke quietly to his family.
"Draco take your mother and leave through the back door. The house in France should be safe enough for a few days." Narcissa and Draco both looked at him in horror at what he was saying.
"Father I am not leaving you here to deal with these animals alone. We all go together!" Draco said forcefully.
Lucius looked angered at this. "Think boy, not of yourself, but of your mother! It's our duty to protect her!"
Narcissa stood up taller and looked her husband in the eye.
"I am standing right here, and I am not some helpless muggle! I am not leaving either of you here! We did not defy the Dark Lord only to be caught by some pathetic wizards!" Narcissa said venomously. Lucius saw the determination in their faces, as did Sirius. Sirius felt a sharp sting of pride for his cousin as she took her stance next to her husband and son.
Unknown to the Death Eaters the three Malfoys were slowly walking backwards to the only other door. Before they could reach it, there was another bang and the door was thrown open. As the dust cleared Sirius saw half the Order and some unknown wizards in Auror robes.
"Lucius Malfoy! You and your family are under arrest for partaking in the use of dark arts, the use of unforgivables and for being in alliance with one Tom Riddle." Kingsley clearly called out.
Kingsley and the others stepped forward, to make their arrest Sirius assumed, when they stopped. They had noticed the Death Eaters on the other side of the room, who now had their wands directed at them.
Both sides stood frozen, staring coldly at the other. Sirius noticed that the Malfoy's were trapped in the middle of the two and he wondered how the hell they got out of there alive.
Sirius turned to ask Draco, but before he could there was a flash of light and the battle was on. One of the Death Eaters had fired at Kingsley but he easily blocked it. Now both sides were more preoccupied with protecting themselves and so paid little heed to the Malfoys.
Not that it mattered, Sirius noted. The two fighting sides trapped the three. He saw Lucius and Draco stunning a few Death Eaters and Aurors who were going to curse them. Narcissa was waving her wand but Sirius didn't notice anyone falling. It was when a stray Death Eater curse bounced off a magical wall he realised that she was in charge of the shields.
Sirius watched as the battle raged and more and more were falling. Only a few Death Eaters and Order members remained standing. Sirius watched in shock as Ron Weasley fired a curse at Draco Malfoy. The young Malfoy easily dodged it but it hit Narcissa instead, apparently her shield was too weak to block it.
"No!" Draco and Lucius screamed as Narcissa fell at their feet. Sirius began to move over to them to see the condition his cousin was in. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of brown.
When he looked up he saw Hermione standing defiantly in front of Narcissa and Draco who was holding onto her, trying to keep her conscious. Hermione was quickly moving her wand and fighting alongside Lucius as they tackled the remaining Death Eaters.
Harry hit the last one with a simple stun. Sirius looked around as the dust from the battle began to settle. He saw that the Order was also supporting some minor casualties.
"Hermione! What the hell do you think your doing?" Sirius turned quickly to see Ron running towards Hermione. Hermione was bent over Narcissa waving her wand over her, trying to access her condition.
"What does it look like Ronald? I'm once again trying to fix something that you screwed up!" Hermione said coldly. Ron went to grab her but was pushed back by an invisible force.
"What in Merlin!" Ron yelled. Harry and the other remaining Order members, including Kingsley had gathered around.
"Hermione what are you doing?" Harry asked quietly. Sirius' heart broke as he saw his best friend's son standing right in front of him. Sirius reached out to touch his godson, but his hand went right through him.
"It's a memory, remember?" Draco said coldly. He still hadn't forgiven Potter and the others for what they had done to Hermione and he had no plans on doing so anytime soon. Astoria placed a gentle hand on Draco's arm to silence him. She then walked up to Sirius.
"It must be hard to see him. It's understandable that you wish to touch him, hold him. You weren't here, you didn't see how he cruelly abandoned Hermione and Ted. You must understand though, Draco and I were! We had to watch our best friend fall to pieces and we had to help pick them up, all because of that man before you." Astoria's eyes were alight with a burning hatred Sirius didn't think would've been possible for the petite witch.
"I understand it's just…I would never had thought it possible of Harry to do something like that. He loved his friends more than anything else." Sirius said softly. Before Harry or the others go do anything a few of the Death Eaters they believed were knocked out attacked them.
Sirius watched in shock as Hermione began to wave her wand around herself and the Malfoys.
"What the hell do you think your doing Granger?" The young Draco spat.
"What does it look like Malfoy? I'm trying to save you and your family. Now shut up and help me get your mother up!" Hermione said quickly. Draco lifted his mother as Lucius deflected any curses that came their way.
"Unless you have a plan to get us out of here Miss. Granger, I'm afraid we're not going anywhere!" Lucius called as he stunned an Order member who was trying to attack Draco.
Sirius watched as Hermione looked around her before pulling out a necklace.
"Quickly! Grab on to this! It's a porkey! It will take us to a safe place!" Without question Draco grabbed on to it, holding his mother's hand on it. Lucius grabbed it too before there was a flash of bright light. Sirius watched as he saw the shocked faces of the remaining Order members before everything went dark.
"What happened?" Sirius asked as he looked wildly around him.
"Hermione did what she said she would. She saved my family and me by taking us to an old holiday home of her parents. We hid there for a few weeks, best quality time our family ever had I believe." Draco said calmly, as he and Astoria walked over to Sirius.
Sirius noticed that their surroundings were beginning to get brighter, until they found themselves in a kitchen. Sirius looked around curiously, not recognising where they were.
He noticed that although the kitchen was small, it was bright and cheerful. At the sink invisible hands were washing dishes, while over in the corner potatoes were peeling themselves.
"Where are we now?" Sirius asked.
"The Burrow." Draco said with a sneer on his face.
Sirius nodded his head, knowing now that he was standing in the Weasley's home. It looked like the Weasley's home all right, from what Harry had told him about it all those years ago. One thing that Sirius noted though that didn't make sense was that the house was quite. Too quite to belong to the Weasley's. Sirius turned to see Astoria and Draco starring at the door and Sirius realised why it was so quite.
Sirius hadn't noticed that the living room was full of Order members, he could see Kingsley, McGonagall and Harry standing in the front of the room while the rest of the Order sat in various chairs. Everyone's attention, however, was directed at the people gathered near the door.
Sirius was amazed to see Lucius, Narcissa, Draco and Hermione standing before the Order as proud as royalty. He couldn't believe that they were able to act so calm around the very people that, a few weeks before, had been hurling hexes at them. Once again though Sirius' attention was diverted to the bushy haired witch. She stood defiantly in front of the Malfoys, like a lioness protecting her cubs, as if daring anyone to try anything.
"Hermione what……what's the meaning of this?" Harry asked Hermione, shock evident in his voice. Before Hermione could reply Ron had stood up and said.
"What does it look like Harry? Hermione's finally seen sense and has decided to turn ferret face and his Death Eater family over to the Ministry!" Ron looked around triumphantly, happy to have his girlfriend back home and away from the Malfoys.
"Actually Ronald I am not here to turn over the Malfoys to the Ministry. In fact I'm here in order to arrange a court date with Kingsley so we can clear their names." Hermione's statement, said so calmly, brought more shock to the room.
"What?!?" Harry and Ron yelled.
"But Hermione! Why on earth would you do that? I mean its bloody Malfoy, you of all people know what he's like! How can you……" Before Harry could say anymore, Kingsley put up his hand.
"Hermione why do you believe that the Malfoy's should be pardoned?" Kingsley looked at the young woman before him calmly, while he and the rest of the Order waited for her answer.
"Because Minister, they cannot be truly held responsible for their actions. Yes they have done terrible things but they really had no choice." Hermione stated calmly.
Sirius noticed that the Malfoys hadn't spoke yet. As he looked more closely he saw that Draco appeared to be quiet nervous, despite his best efforts to appear nonchalant. Narcissa too was weary, her gaze was locked on someone that Sirius couldn't see properly. Lucius was the only one who showed no emotion towards the scene before him.
"I see, and how do you come to that conclusion Hermione?" Kingsley asked.
"It's quite obvious for anyone with eyes to see that this is a very close and loving family. Everyone in this room knows what it means to go to extreme lengths for those they care deeply for. That is what the whole purpose of the Order really is, to protect those that we love, our family. Why is it so hard to imagine that the Malfoy's can do the same?" Hermione looked around at her fellow Order members, imploring them to give the people standing behind her a second chance.
Sirius saw Bill Weasley and his wife Fleur nod their heads, as well as Luna Lovegood. The others showed no sign of agreeing though. Hermione sighed and directed her attention at one person only.
"Harry, please! You know as well as everyone else, that if it weren't for Narcissa Malfoy risking her life and telling Voldemort that you were dead, you really would have been. Without her help, we may not have won the war." Hermione said quietly as she looked at her best friend.
Harry sighed before he met Hermione's eye.
"Hermione, you of all people know what the Malfoys are like! It was you that Malfoy tortured verbally for nearly six years and yet your standing here defending him and his family, a family that stood back and watched as you were tortured right before their very eyes!"
Sirius heard a loud gasp and turned to see a very pale Molly Weasley grasping onto Arthur, who had also paled and closed his eyes at Harry's words.
Apparently Hermione had decided to keep the Order's information on her capture limited. Why on earth would she keep something like that to herself? Sirius wondered.
He found his answer as he looked around at the gathered Order members. Molly and Arthur were not the only ones to have gone pale at Harry's words. Many had looked sick or in shock and Sirius realised that Hermione hadn't kept the information between herself and those at the Manor that fateful night for her own benefit. No, she did it to protect her friends and family from learning of the horror she was subjected to.
She wanted to protect them! She is only a child yet she strives to keep men and women years older than her safe from the horrors of war. Sirius starred at the young witch in front of him in amazement.
Hermione closed her eyes at Harry's words and took a deep calming breath before she looked at him again.
"Harry, as you have so kindly pointed out, I am the one standing in this very room that has suffered the most at the hands of the people standing behind me, yet I am the one willing to forgive them. Why on earth can you not?"
Sirius looked closely at the two, waiting to hear Harry's response, he could clearly see the conflict the young man was feeling. Harry sighed before he spoke and in a small voice said.
"How?"
"By looking at them Harry! Surely you can see how they would do anything for each other……" Hermione said before Harry interrupted.
"No, I mean how can you? How did you forgive them?" Harry asked Hermione true wonder and curiosity lighting his face. Hermione's features softened as she looked at Harry.
"I just…did. I can't explain it Harry. All I know is that I trust these people with my life, just like I trust you to make the right decision and not let your anger and prejudice blind you!" Hermione said louder and with more confidence as she looked back at the Malfoys, a warm smile on her face.
Sirius saw pain cross Harry's features before it quickly disappeared and before he knew it Harry had nodded his head in agreement and a blur pushed him aside before they tackled Narcissa.
"Oh Cissy! My Cissy! It has been far too long! Oh my darling sister. Finally, finally you are back! Back where you belong!" Sirius was slightly amused to see a sobbing Andromeda tightly latched onto an equally sobbing Narcissa.
"Oh Andy! Please forgive me. After all these years, and all those nasty hurtful things I have said to you can you ever forgive me?" Sirius saw Andromeda nod her head as the room began to darken.
"We're leaving this memory now." Draco said calmly and Sirius nodded his head. Before the darkness completely consumed them he saw Hermione over in a corner talking to Harry and Kingsley and a still sobbing Andromeda hugging a shocked Lucius tightly.
"So I guess it's safe to say that whatever Harry said or did worked and you were all pardoned?" Sirius asked as he turned his direction back to Draco and Astoria.
Draco nodded his head but didn't comment further. Astoria just looked at him before turning to Sirius.
"He doesn't mean to be rude, but that's kind of a touchy subject for Draco and the family." Astoria said calmly.
"Why?" Sirius asked confused, he knew what it was like to be convicted of some awful things and to finally be pardoned was indescribable.
"Draco and his family hate feeling like they are indebted to Harry, which they are not, as Hermione and I have repeatedly told them." Astoria looked at her fiancée sternly before her features softened.
"Anyway, it's in the past. We should be entering the next memory soon." Sirius turned to see any hints of what the next memory would contain. All he saw was darkness.
After a few moments the darkness was still there and he turned back to Draco and Astoria who were holding hands tightly.
"Is it not working?" Sirius asked, wondering why the next memory was not appearing.
"No, it's working perfectly. We're in it now." Sirius turned once more to find the same darkness, only now realising that there was a different shade of darkness flicking around. He realised that it was due to the candles that now appeared, hanging from the stonewalls.
"Where are we?" Sirius asked softly.
"Hogwarts." Draco said sadly.
Sirius looked more closely and realised that the walls were indeed the ones of his former home. Before he could ask why they were there, he heard a soft cry of pain.
Sirius turned to see Hermione gripping onto the cold wall as her body shock with pain.
"What the hell?" Sirius cried, not realising he did so.
"The after effects of the Crucio." Draco said sadly as he watched Hermione bite her lips from screaming in pain.
"Why isn't she calling for help? Why isn't anyone with her?" Sirius asked loudly.
" The reason she isn't calling for help is the same reason for why no one was with her. No one knew." Draco said sadly.
"What?" Sirius asked in shock.
"Hermione never told anyone. The only reason any of us knew was because I was the one that found her that night. This is my memory." Draco said softly. Astoria wrapped her arms around him, trying to bring him some comfort.
Sirius turned his attention back to the brave girl in front of him.
No! Not a girl, a young woman, one of the most bravest and strongest I have ever seen. Sirius thought.
They watched in silence as Draco stepped out of the shadows and forced Hermione to lean on him before talking her into taking some pain relief potion.
"Thanks Malfoy." Hermione whispered softly as she leaned on him.
"It's Draco Granger." The younger Draco said equally as soft.
Sirius saw a small smile appear on Hermione's face as they began to walk down the dark corridor.
"My friends call me Hermione, Draco."
Draco looked down at the young witch in surprise.
"And am I a friend now Granger?"
Hermione looked up at him from his shoulder and she smiled.
"Well you can be if you help me finish my rounds, I swear this corridor has got longer from the last time I was here." Draco chuckled at her attempt to lighten the mood despite her nearly passed out due to the pain.
"Come on Hermione, why don't we sneak into the kitchen and grab some food to…" Draco's voice faded as the memory changed into another.
Sirius watched Draco as he smiled softly. He was amazed at the strong and strange bond the Slytherin had with his Gryffindor lioness.
Wait! Since when is she mine? I'm the least worthy of someone like her. Sirius thought sadly.
The memory cleared until Sirius saw that they were standing in a neat graveyard at night. He heard a soft sob and moved to follow the sound. Astoria and Draco followed until all three stood next to a trio of dark shadows standing before a recently dug grave.
"They didn't remember me! They died not knowing they had a daughter, one who loved them very much!" A soft broken voice said from the figure closest to Sirius. Sirius realised with a pang that it was Hermione's broken voice and that she had just buried her parents.
"Hermione it's not your fault! Honey, you did your very best to make sure they were safe. To do what you did shows complete love and devotion to your parents." The figure next to her said as the small frame wrapped an arm around the shaking Hermione. From the light of the moonlight Sirius could see a teary Astoria.
"They loved you Hermione and right now I know they are proud of you." The last figure said softly.
Sirius saw Hermione's tear-streaked face nod before she said in a broken voice.
"What do I do now? I have no family. Of course there's the Weasleys but………" her voice died out as she starred at her parents grave. Sirius watched as Draco walked over to her and pulled her into a warm hug.
"We're your family now, whether you like it or not, you're a Malfoy and your stuck with us!"
The memory faded as the trio huddled closer together. Sirius turned to see Astoria had tears in her eyes and Draco was comforting her. He didn't speak, none of them did as they waited for the next memory.
Once again Sirius found himself in Malfoy Manor, this time in the study of which they had entered the pensive. Before Sirius had adjusted to the memory Lucius came storming in and lifted a whiskey glass before throwing it against the farthest wall.
"Where the hell is she?" he roared. Before Sirius could ask Narcissa ran in.
"Lucius, we don't know! We've been looking for her ever since I got the letter concerning Andy's…passing." Narcissa held back her tears as she tried to calm her husband. Lucius saw the struggle his wife was facing and immediately reached fore her, hugging her close.
"I know Narcissa, I'm sorry. I'm just worried. First her parents and then that Weasley boy." Lucius spat and Narcissa just hushed him softly.
"She's alone Narcissa. She's out there right now all alone with an infant, not knowing where to go or who to turn to."
"Draco and Astoria are still out searching, they will not stop until they find her. If anyone can find her they can. She's not alone, not really, she has us and we'll be there every step of the way for her." Narcissa said softly as Lucius stroked her back.
A tap at the window brought the couple back to their surroundings and Sirius watched as Lucius let the brown owl in. he quickly grabbed the letter and opened it, reading it quickly before releasing a sigh of relief.
"They found her. The Three Broomsticks, they'll be arriving shortly and I'm afraid my dear that all that we have heard is apparently true." Narcissa sighed softly before both exited the room and the memory faded.
Sirius turned to face Astoria and Draco who both looked as bad as he felt. He realised with a start that seeing these memories would be truly awful for them as they had already lived through it and to do so again was cruel.
Astoria looked at Draco who nodded his head. Astoria sighed before turning to face Sirius.
"This next memory was just added today. It's from the party last night and I hope it gives you a clear indication about how your careless behaviour affects other people."
Sirius looked at the serious couple before him before he found himself in an elegant ballroom that was decorated beautifully. Sirius turned to see Hermione kneeling next to an upset Ted and as he walked over to hear them his heart broke.
"But mommy why isn't he here? Did I do something wrong?" Ted asked in a small voice, his tears evident in his big eyes.
Sirius saw a flash of anger appear in Hermione's eyes, realising that it was directed at him, before they softened as she answered her son.
"Oh baby, no! It's not your fault don't even think it! Sirius had………other things that were more important to deal with. Maybe he'll be home waiting for us." Hermione said hopefully although Sirius saw that she clearly doubted so in her eyes.
"Really? Well can we go home mommy? Can we? It's not fair if we keep him waiting." Ted said excitedly and Sirius felt ashamed at knowing that he let the child down again, dashing his hopes, as he would still be at Rosmerta's.
Sirius saw the teas in Hermione's eyes as she nodded her head and forced a smile.
"Of course angel. Lets go say goodnight to Uncle Draco and Aunt Astoria." With that Astoria, Draco and Sirius were pulled from the pensive and lying on the floor of Lucius' study.
As Astoria and Draco got up, aided by Narcissa and a returned Lucius they heard a sob. The four of them turned in surprise to see Sirius still lying on the floor, tears running freely down his face.
They stood and watched and waited as Sirius cried. He cried for the people in the room with him, for all the hardships they faced, he cried for Harry, his godson who lost his way. He finally cried for his cousin Andromeda and Tonks and Remus. But most of all he cried for Ted, innocent Ted and the fierce and beautiful Hermione, the lioness who he had let down. That very thought was enough to cause his body wrack with sobs as he saw the beautiful lioness crying in his mind, breaking his heart with every tear that fell.
