After many heated debates on where their first date should be the boys were ready to kill each other. James wanted to do the proper thing by taking her to best restaurant in the wizarding world, effectively making her fall madly in love with them and accepting their hand in marriage. Sirius turned his nose up at James's love struck plan. He wanted to take Hermione to see his favorite band play, effectively making her see that their great taste in music show her what excellent fathers and husbands then they would run off to Gretna Green.
"Perhaps, you boys should see what Hermione would like to do?" Dorea said from the door way with an amused smile on her face.
"Isn't it the wizard's job to plan the first date?" James asked arrogantly, making his mother smack him upside the head.
"I've talked to Hermione and her sisters on the subject, muggles have very different courting rituals than us." Dorea said slowly, looking between the eager boys shrewdly.
"Like what?" Sirius asked curiously, excited for more insight on the world that was kept away from him. His only real source for the last five years was Remus because his mother was a muggle but he still had more ties to wizarding community.
"Well, not many first 'dates' end up with an engagement for one. I have been talking to her parents to ease them into the courting tradition but you should keep in mind that she was raised muggle." Dorea explained patiently, placing comforting hands on their shoulders. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing at their obvious disappointment. James was so like his father, the ridiculous Gryffindor was so brash when she caught his eye, going so far as to march right up to her father looking for an agreement without so much as a formal introduction.
"So, what should we do for a first date? How do we get her to accept our suite? She has done an exceptional job of ignoring us for the past 4 years." James sighed dejectedly, his lower lip jutting out in a petulant pout.
"She recognized something in you just like you did her. Keep that in mind, get to know her. Right now, it all hormones and your magic reaching out...you must make an effort and keep your hands to yourselves." Dorea told them with a pointed glare. "I have taken the time to beat manners into your skulls, I expect you to behave like gentlemen."
"We still don't know what to do..." James fidgeted under his mothers stare, twisting the worn bit of parchment in his hand. Sirius was quick to snatch the list away from his best friend, it had all of their ideas for seduction.
"Well, there is a carnival going on in Ottery St. Catchpole this week. It's a lovely mix of magic and muggle." Dorea smiled wistfully, thinking back to the times Charlus brought her when they were young.
A plan was set into action, it would be the first time they would be alone with her since she stayed at Potter Manor and they were excited to have an entire day with their witch away from Petunia. They thought that the twins were exaggerating about their sister being violent but they had bruises from their night in the muggle theatre to prove otherwise. Currently, they were trying to look laid back and nonchalant, leaning up against a wall next to the entrance of the carnival. James would subtly lean over and brush some invisible lint from Sirius's shirt while Sirius would make sure James's glasses were on straight. Anything to distract themselves from their first date with the witch they've been chasing since puberty.
"Hello Sirius, James." Hermione approached them slowly, nerves and anxiety exploding inside her. They looked amazing in muggles clothes, both wearing tight bell bottom jeans, Sirius wore a Pink Floyd shirt and James had a The Who shirt. It wasn't fair and she suddenly felt self-conscious in her flowy sundress, wondering how she would look beside them.
"Mya!" They called, both sporting matching grins, it looked like their faces would split in half at any moment.
"You look gorgeous, my lady" James said gallantly, kissing her on the cheek.
"Yes, absolutely ravishing." Sirius agreed and kissed her other cheek, making the anxiety in her chest lessen slightly.
"You both look smashing." Hermione smiled shyly, her cheeks tinged with pink. She took their hands as they made their way into the fair. It was amazing, almost like a muggle carnival except, it was brighter somehow, more colorful. Hermione guessed it had to do with the magic imbued on the wards.
They spent the next few hours playing games and just enjoying each others company, there was never a lull in conversation. If at any moment James were to falter, Sirius was just behind to bring up a new topic or start some kind of wager on the games then the bespectacled boy would do that same. They sampled every kind of food available, played all the games, and even got on a few of the rickety and dangerous rides. James and Sirius won her a large black stuffed dog and stag. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at them, picking out names for her new stuffed friends. James scowled at the pretty pink flower that was tucked into the stag's antler before roughly ripping it off and throwing it away before handing the stuffie over.
"Yes, Padfoot and Prongs. You'll keep them on your bed, right? Sleep with them at night to keep you nice and warm?" Sirius asked slyly as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"No, I think this one is Bambi..." Hermione grinned wickedly at James affronted expression. "And this one will be...Shaggy." She continued, making Sirius sputter indignantly.
"Shaggy?" "Bambi" Sirius and James cried out at the same time, looking gravely insulted.
"You obviously missed that the stag is a virile and powerful creature, deserving of a much more masculine name than...Bambi." James said arrogantly, his chest puffing out in obvious pride.
"Yeah, you can't just rename a vicious canine like Padfoot here." Sirius whinged petulantly with his lower lip jutted out, making Hermione giggle.
"Excuse me!" A small voice behind them interrupted the trip. There stood two ginger boys, looking to be about five or six. "Would you like to ride the Ferris wheel with us? Mummy doesn't like heights and Percy would only cry the whole time." The smaller of the two smiled innocently and grabbed Hermione's hand.
"Oh? Where is your mummy?" Hermione turned to boys with a smile, looking through the crowd for anyone searching for them.
"Mummy is looking at the sweets." The older boy nudged James out of the way and grabbed her other hand, a sweet smile on his face. Sirius graciously took the stuffed animals from Hermione so she could focus on the two small boys at her sides.
"I'm sure she's worried, we should go find her." Hermione smiled warmly at the boys as James and Sirius pouted behind her, not appreciating their date being stolen.
"You're pretty, are you a muggle?" The younger boy asked shyly, tugging at his short orange curls.
"No, I'm not a muggle, are you?" Hermione asked slyly.
"Of course not, I'm Charlie Weasley." The boy stated as if that was explanation enough.
"And I'm William Weasley, I'm the oldest." The other said as he puffed out his chest in pride.
"Well, I'm Mya Evans and these are my friends, James Potter and Sirius Black." Hermione told the children, jerking her head vaguely to the boys trailing behind them.
"Billy! Where did you run off to? I told you stay by me and keep an eye on your brother!" A short, voluptuous woman with a screaming baby in her arms came running towards them.
"Mummy, look we made a new friend! Her name is Mya and he's James and he's Silus." Charlie said smugly, pointing to each of the teens in turn.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry if my boys have been a bother." The red haired woman said as she looked over the boys uneasily before offering her hand and readjusting the screaming child on her hip. "I'm Molly Weasley"
"It's lovely to meet you, I'm Sirius Black, this is James Potter and this lovely lady is Hermione Evans." Sirius stepped forward, kissing her knuckles. Molly turned as red as her hair momentarily before looking at Sirius closely.
"Black?" Molly asked, snatching her hand back quickly as if it were burned. Hermione frowned as the red haired woman subtly moving herself so that she stood between her sons and Sirius.
"Yes, Sirius is the white hippogriff of the Black family. The Potters have pretty much adopted him." James cut in quickly with a charming smile, watching Hermione glare at the woman in confusion from the corner of his eye.
"C'mon Mya, ride the big wheel with us!" Charlie's innocent laughter broke the awkward tension. Billy grabbed Hermione's hand tighter and started to pull her towards the Ferris wheel, leaving no room for argument.
"Weasley men love redheads." Molly chuckled as James and Sirius watched their dated get stolen, again.
After Hermione got off the Ferris wheel with the boys, Percy was still wailing at the top of his lungs. Molly looked like she was about to burst into tears due to stress while James and Sirius stood just behind her, unsure how to help. Hermione automatically reached forward to take the baby from her arms and hold him close, patting him lightly on the bum. She pulled her house keys from her pocket and dangled them in front of his face. Without hesitation the little red haired child grabbed shiny keys and stuck the large rubber Scooby-Doo keychain in his mouth to chew on. His screams were instantly silenced as he just stared up at her, his big brown eyes watching her curiously. Hermione smiled down at the little boy, humming as she rocked him gently. Molly threw her arms around the girl, careful not to squish her son between them.
"Oh, thank you! He's teething and all he does it cry!" Molly half sobbed as she hugged the startled teenager.
"It's nothing really, you just seemed..." Hermione trailed off guiltily, biting her lip.
"I was hoping to wear the boys out with a day at the fair so maybe I could sleep. I must look a fright." Molly chuckled uneasily as she patted her frazzled hair, her eyes wet with unshed tears.
"Any time you need any kind of help...I mean I don't want to be presumptuous but my sisters and I love kids so..." Hermione trailed off shuffling her feet, glancing at James and Sirius with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah! Mya can come home with us and she can shut Percy up!" Bill cried happily. James and Sirius exchanged uneasy looks, their witch was getting stolen right from under their noses.
"Well, I suppose dear but I can't offer much in..." Molly blushed trailed off, obviously uncomfortable.
"Oh, no Molly, you misunderstand. I'm not asking for money, I just want to help." Hermione said quickly as she gently placed the babbling toddler back in his mother's arms, slipping the keys back in her pocket. Molly stared down at her youngest son as he happily chewed on his fist and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Yeah, we can help too!" James offered, ignoring the incredulous look Sirius sent him.
Molly looked at each of them in turn before smiling warmly and resting her free hand on Hermione's arm. "Well, that is very nice of you. Not many teenagers want to sit around with children when they could be out causing mischief."
"Well, I honestly don't have many friends in the magical world...so, I'm always up for more." Hermione smiled warmly as James and Sirius moved to stand at her side, looming over her.
"Well, I will definitely send you an owl then. We must be going, though. I need to make dinner for Arthur. If you ever need us, come to the burrow. It's just up the hill there." Molly smiled brightly, running her fingers through the now sleeping toddlers hair.
"Mya is coming home with us right?" Charlie asked with a frown as he moved to stand at her side, rudely nudging Sirius out of his way.
"No, not tonight Charlie. Sorry, I've got to babysit these two." Hermione said with a wink as James and Sirius sent her identical and unnoticed scandalized looks.
"Are they your boyfriends?" Charlie asked with an adorably pout, glaring at the teenager boys.
"Well-" "YES!" Hermione was cut off by both Gryffindors shouting over her.
"Well, no. Seeing as neither of them have asked me." Hermione's eyes narrowed as she looked over her shoulder at the boys.
"Good because your hair is red." Bill piped up with an innocent smile.
"That's enough, boys. It was lovely meeting you, I'll owl you and you must come for dinner sometime, bring your sisters." Molly smiled warmly at the petite redhead and kissed her cheek before ushering the boys away.
"So, worried I'm going to run off with a couple of red headed children?" Hermione turned on James and Sirius as soon as the Weasleys were out of hearing range.
"Uh...we...er." James stuttered, shocking Hermione. Seeing as they always seemed to have so much confidence in front of the great hall. When they were alone, they showed much less bravado, which pleased her greatly.
"What we mean to say is...umm." Sirius blustered as he shuffled his feet, looking to James in confusion.
"Eloquent, as ever." Hermione said dryly with a small smile.
"Well, we would like you to be our girlfriend. We would like to court you." James said nervously as Sirius nodded emphatically next to him.
"Well, I dunno. I mean did you see Charlie? He's going to be quite the heartbreaker..." Hermione trailed off as she could suddenly see a tall stout figure with long red hair and tattoos, smiling easily as he levitated a table. She shook her head and burst into laughter, focusing on the shocked Gryffindors in front of her. "Really, you numpties! Considering your competition is a 6 and 7 year old, I think you're safe."
"You still haven't answered if you would be our girlfriend, yet." Sirius said as he stepped forward, staring down at her earnestly.
"Well, I suppose I would like that." Hermione smiled shyly, standing on her toes to kiss him lightly on the lips quickly. She turned to do the same to James but he already reached for her, dipping her back and covering her mouth with his own. It was quick but passionate and made her blood boil instantly.
"That's not fair!" Sirius cried as he reached for her and did the same, he wrapped a hand in his hair to cradle her head as he kissed her roughly. Hermione shivered as she grabbed his arms tightly to keep her balance.
"Well, then." Hermione blinked rapidly as she stepped back, finding herself unable to think coherently all of the sudden. James and Sirius were both smiling smugly at her flushed face. They were chaste kisses, really but she could feel her face burning. It wasn't fair that they were so unaffected by her.
"What would you like to do, now?" James pulled her between them and whispered in her ear huskily.
"I want candy floss." Hermione smiled sweetly. Three could play it that game, she could be just as unaffected, play it cool just like Petunia. Then Sirius gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Whatever you wish." Sirius whispered against her skin, making her heart pound erratically in her chest.
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Thank you for all the reviews and your opinions!
Plot bunnies...are annoying
I've been trying to finish one chapter of Growing up Weasley for a month, a month! Granted I think it will be the longest chapter yet, that's not the point. A month! Stupid teenage angst, I'm ready to resurrect Voldemort but no, a month.
Anyhow, to thank everyone for their speedy answers, I've decided to upload a few more chapters!
James and Sirius will not be together, I'm glad to be pushed off the fence. Rewriting and adding slash scene she would have been a pain. So, instead I started a new story with Harry/Hermione/Draco...because there just aren't enough of those floating around :)