"What will we do with her?" Severus observed the order meeting, black eyes focused on the person who spoke at any given time. He had very carefully avoided young Hermione Granger, an attempt not to feel like a disturbed man.

He couldn't fathom seeing her as a child. Still, they were involving him in their decision-making process. She was the love of his life, after all.

"She is living with Minerva for the moment but she has no living family." Albus spoke, fingers hooked together in front of him as he spoke. He looked particularly tired, a side effect of taking care of a young child at an old age. Severus could have laughed, if this wasn't his Hermione who was going through this all.

"She could live with us." Molly Weasley chimed, her soft motherly face focused on her husband Arthur beside her. They were already in possession of a plethora of children. Their hands were full with six boys and a young girl. It wouldn't be logical to thrust another child upon them.

"No." A voice interjected and all eyes turned to Remus Lupin, sat at the end of the table. He was infamous for not speaking at the order meetings, not being someone who desired the attention. Sirius gave a nod beside him, the two lived together, bachelors in the large Black manor.

"He's right, Molly, you already have so much on your shoulders. You are a wonderful mother but it would be unfair to both yourself and Hermione to thrust her into such a large family." He glanced to Remus who gave a small nod, they were thinking the same thing.

"If Severus has no objection," Remus glanced to the man in question, he was watching him with narrowed black eyes, "we will take her in. Sirius can give her the proper education until she is ready to attend Hogwarts and I will be available to care for her when classes are not in session. I will simply stop occupying my rooms at Hogwarts during off hours and arrive however Albus sees fit to teach."

Severus watched the two closely, it was as if they could see the dark wizard thinking, mulling over their idea.

"She is already familiar with us, as she so bluntly said when we arrived at the Headmaster's office." Sirius nodded. "She will grow up with Harry and his siblings as friends. I'm certain it is what she would want as well."

Albus looked to Severus and then Molly who was giving them a wide smile. Lily gave a small nod, her fingers entwined with James'.

"We'll give them any help they need but I think they'll do just fine raising her by themselves."

"I will not be able to visit with you when she is there, and what of your condition, Remus?" Severus was thinking it over, trying to decide if it was for the best.

He could certainly see the logic in it. Remus knew her better than anyone besides himself before she'd moved on. She had recognized the two as well.

She would trust them, they could take care of her.

"I would never put her in danger, Severus." Remus held his gaze, firm eyes on the man. Severus gave a little nod.

"I know you wouldn't, I just needed to be sure." He exhaled, the three locked eyes on Dumbledore.

"You will have an opportunity to focus all of your energy on your skills in Occlumency and Legilimency as well as your Potion career. I see no harm in this arrangement Severus. I only ask that you do not fall out with your friends because of her presence." Albus cocked an eyebrow. Minerva gave a nod.

"She wouldn't have wanted that."

Lily smiled at her friends, Remus and Sirius looked a little ill. Immature as they were this was an enormous task to take on.

"Well, have fun being dads!" Arthur Weasley laughed, the tension in the room immediately subsided as the two gave nervous laughs and the group began to discuss their plans for the future, and what they would do about the newest threat to the muggleborn members of their society. It appeared the Ministry would be all but useless in this.

SSHG

"REMUS!" A ten year old Hermione came darting into the room, her amber eyes wide with mirth as she darted across the floor and slid, unceremoniously into the sofa with a crash.

"What on earth are you doing child?" He cocked an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling as he smiled at the girl. Her wild brown hair was piled in a bun on top of her hair and she was bright red, from laughing, or running, or the combination of the two he was unsure.

Sirius slid into the room, the figure of a large black dog with a bright smile on its face and in its eyes as he skidded into the room with a coy bark. Remus shook his head.

"I should have known you would have something to do with this." Hermione let out a loud giggle when he licked her foot.

"You are so gross!" She screeched and jumped over the back of the sofa, darting from the room.

Sirius laughed as he morphed back into the form of a man and settled beside Remus, who was reading peacefully on the sofa.

"That girl is mad, absolutely batty."

"I'm only glad she's doing so well, she's nervous about beginning school next year, you know."

"I know, she'll be fine though, she has Harry and Ron starting with her, she already knows them. Have you heard from Severus?" Sirius tipped is head back as he questioned and Remus shook his head.

"Not since he sent word he was officially a master of potions. He has been burying himself in his work to be distracted." Sirius gave a little nod.

"Lucius is fighting for blood purity to be a requirement to enter Hogwarts." Remus shook his head as he spoke, eyes glazed and no longer focused on the book in front of him.

"I know, ridiculous laws they are trying to pass. It's lucky they think Hermione was killed before Greyback escaped."

Remus swallowed.

"Lucky she knew how to play dead, smart girl she is, for one so young."

"Her soul is old, we both know she's retained at atleast some of her memories before she was gone."

"I know." Remus gave a nod before they settled into peaceful silence. Hermione joined them not long after they'd settled. She curled between them on the sofa with a book in her hands and earned a kiss on either side of her head.

She no longer had her parents, that was true, but she still had a wonderful family.