Okay, so I am sorry for not updating sooner. This chapter was complete but I wanted to add some more so I was also waiting for my wonderful and amazing beta NetsirkElocin, to go over the new parts. I hope everyone loves it.

Side note- I have been captured by a wonderful trilogy called My Little Girl by Bpfatcat. It is a Bill/ Hermione story that spans years. So go check it out.

As always I do not own Harry Potter.


It seemed that overnight everyone in the castle knew Sirius Black was dating the only female Marauder. However, to Hermione, it seemed like not much had changed in her relationship with Sirius. True, they did end up on the couch most nights curled up together, but other than a few chaste kisses in her cheeks, nothing else changed. Hermione did not know what to make of this. In every other way, Sirius was the perfect boyfriend. He carried her bag of books, and would run his fingers through her hair when they cuddled on the couch together. But, for some reason, he would not kiss her.

The longer this went on, the more worried Hermione became. Her girlfriends all thought that she and Sirius were the cutest couple ever, so she couldn't ask them. And as much as she loved James and Remus, she would rather fight ten trolls then ask them for advice when it came to Sirius. They would either be grossed out, or tease them mercilessly. She decided that the only option left was to wait until she was home for the holidays and ask her mother.

Thankfully the time passed quickly, and before she knew it, Hermione found herself back in her room at Prewett Hollow.

Hermione had tried to find a way to bring up the topic of Sirius to her mother but found herself very busy with family, friends, and festivities. It wasn't until Christmas Eve when her father happened to retire early, that Hermione was able to ask her mother.

That night, Hermione had found her mother in her sitting room.

"Mum?" she asked as she walked in.

"Yes, Pip. Is something the matter?"

"Well, yes and no. I was hoping I could ask your advice on something," Hermione said as she sat next to her mother on the small couch.

Alexia smiled while nodding. "Of course, Pip. What's wrong with my darling daughter?"

"It's about Sirius. Remember the letter I sent you telling you and dad that we started going out?" Hermione started.

"Yes," Alexia replied smiling even larger. "I had to remind your father and brothers that you were 16 years old and not a little girl."

Hermione laughed, as she could see her father and brothers all wanting to storm the castle in search of one Sirius Black. "Well, that's the thing. Sirius is acting all weird with me. We have been going out now for two months and other than my cheek he hasn't kissed me. Every other girl he has ever been with that hasn't been a problem. He is the greatest boyfriend except that. Do you think he really likes me at all, or do you think he is only going out with me because of some sort of obligation? Is there something wrong with me?" she asked her mother soberly.

Alexia smirked as she stared at her daughter. "Oh, my darling, Pip. I have no doubt in my mind Sirius is head over heels for you. You said the key words though 'with other girls'. You are not just any girl to him. You two have been best friends since you were eleven years old. To him, you are special. The fact he is treating you differently shows just how special he thinks you are. I think he doesn't want to chance ruining anything."

"You really think so?" Hermione wondered out loud.

"Of course. There is nothing wrong with you. You are a Prewett, and Sirius knows this. This means he knows if he did anything to hurt you, he would face the wrath of your father, brothers, and sister. Not to mention myself, and I believe the Potters would come to your defense," Alexia finished as she wrapped her arms around her daughter. "It's there anything else you would like to talk about?"

"No. Well, actually I was wondering about something. You haven't mentioned going to get my dress for the Ball yet. I'm still going, aren't I?"

Alexia smiled. "It seems your father owes me a night out this year to watch the fireworks. He swore you wouldn't ask about that until after Christmas. But I knew you would be nervous and ask before. This is your first Ball going with Sirius. You should look your absolute best. Come with me," Alexia said as she rose from her seat and guided Hermione up the stairs and into her bedroom. "Wait here and I will be right back." Hermione sat on her bed while her mother walked out of the room and came back a short while later with a large square box. Alexia handed the box to Hermione.

"Go on and open it," she said as Hermione looked up at her mother. "I wore this the first time your father took me to a Ball. It is a timeless piece. Fashions go in and out of style, but a dress like this is always sure to knock everyone away."

Hermione opened the box and gasped. Inside was a beautiful white silk dress. It was strapless and had diamonds along the bust line that poured down the entire dress like a waterfall all the way to the straight skirt that fell gently to the floor. Hermione could see there was a slit up the side that would stop, if she had to guess, right at mid thigh. To go with the dress, there were gorgeous strappy white shoes that each was adorned with a couple of diamonds on the straps.

"Mum, this is too much," Hermione said still in shock.

"Nonsense, these are the things a mother does for the children she loves. Molly was never into going to Balls with Arthur, so I never had a chance to do this for her. I want you to have it. And one day, when you have a little girl you can give it to her to wear. If Sirius doesn't know how incredibly lucky he is to have you, after seeing you in that, he will," Alexia said as she pulled back a strand of her youngest daughter's hair and tucked it behind her ear. "Now, there is a second part to this. What princess is complete without jewelry?" Alexia asked as she pulled out another box.

Inside this box was a beautiful necklace, earrings, and bracelet set. The necklace was a diamond necklace that looked simple, but in the back, the end of the necklace was long and would dip down Hermione's spine. The earrings were teardrop diamonds, and the bracelet was a small tennis bracelet made of silver and diamonds.

Hermione was speechless as she stared at her mother.

"Now, I got these from my mother, who got them from her mother. I had two sets. I gave one to Molly for her wedding day. I believe she is saving them in hopes that she has a daughter someday. These, however, are for you. You will be the envy of everyone at that ball, my darling Pip."

Hermione hugged her mother as there were no words to express how happy she was. Not that she could have spoken anyway, since tears were streaming down her face.

Alexia pulled away and looked at her daughter. "Why don't you try that on so I know if we need to make any changes."

Hermione nodded, grabbing the box holding her mother's dress and walked out to her bathroom to try on the dress.

The next morning was Christmas. The twins showed up right before breakfast. Molly and her family didn't end up getting there until they were halfway done eating as the boys were difficult that morning and not even the promise of seeing their Aunt Pip could get them to behave.

After everyone had finished eating the family made their way to the living room to open presents. Bill and Charlie quickly descended into a present induced frenzy. Soon there was wrapping paper all over the floor.

Molly had made Hermione a beautiful coral colored sweater and scarf with the Prewett Crest on them. The twins had gotten her some advanced defense books and a personalized wand holster. From her parents, Hermione received a new winter cloak, fur lined boots and matching gloves.

Hermione had thought that all the gifts had been opened when Bill walked to his mother with a box.

"Mum. Who is Boots?"

Hermione looked up. "What did you ask, Bill?" she asked her eldest nephew.

"I asked who Boots is. This package says to Boots from Padfoot. Is it for me and someone misspelt my name?"

Hermione laughed. "No, sweetheart. Boots is what James, Remus, and Sirius call me. We all have a nickname. Boots is mine and Padfoot is Sirius'."

"Don't they know your name is Aunt Pip?" Bill asked very seriously.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she looked at the twins. "I blame you for this. The poor child does not even know my real name." She turned back to face Bill. "Pip is just a nickname too. Your uncles over there decided I reminded them of a storybook character named Pippy. You have been calling me Pip since you could speak. My full name is Hermione. But you refused to call me anything other than Pip," Hermione said smiling at the young boy.

"I still think that's stupid," he said as he gave his aunt the package.

Hermione unwrapped the box. Inside were four little wooden carvings sitting on top of the letter. Hermione pulled each carving out and grabbed the letter and opened it up to read it.

Boots-

Happy Christmas! So I couldn't think of what to get you this year being without the family vault and all. Ma P and Pa offered to give me the money, but I thought you would like this better. One of the only things about being raised by my family I liked was the different things they made us do when we were younger. In this case, it was woodcarving. I figured, why not make it useful?

These Marauders will be there for you even if we can't all be together. For an extra treat, point your wand and say motus animationem. Charlus had to help me with the spell, but otherwise, this is all me.

Hope you like them and cannot wait to see you at the ball.

Padfoot

Hermione took a closer look at the little carvings. Sure enough, there was a lynx, a stag, a wolf, and a dog.

"Aunty Pip! What's dat?" asked Charlie as he walked over to his aunt and sat down in her lap.

"These are the reasons behind our nicknames, Charlie. See, one day in third year, we started talking about animals and our favorite ones. I love the lynx, and their feet look like boots in the Winter. Sirius made these for me so I would always smile if I was not around them and remember that," Hermione told her nephew.

"I remember hearing that Sirius' grandfather never thought any other wood carvings were good enough for the House of Black and him learning the spells he needed to do it himself. Must have passed that on to Sirius," Percy said as he looked at the little carvings.

"Hey boys, do you want to see something cool?" Hermione asked.

The boys both nodded their heads and smiled.

"Mum, Dad, Sirius said if I say a spell, it will give us an extra treat. Can I do it?" she asked her parents who nodded.

Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at her gift. "Motus Animationem."

Suddenly, the carvings on the floor came to life and were running around chasing each other, just like the Marauders had done every full moon. Bill and Charlie were giggling watching the animals run around. Even little Percy was looking at them with his full attention.

"Wow Pip, those are amazing," said Gideon

"I may have to ask Sirius to make us some for the boys. They sure seem to like them," said Molly.

"I want a dragon!" cried Charlie as he heard his mother say he might get one.

"I want a hippogriff," said Bill.

"Blaaaahhhh," drooled Percy.

Hermione smiled as she settled back to watch the carvings run around. It seemed to her that Sirius had gotten her the best gift of all.


Haha my beta laughed when she read little Percy's line. I figured everyone else gets their moment why not him. Lol.

Until next time lots of love from the Bookworm