Hey everyone sorry for not updating sooner. Things have been super busy in the RL. But without farther a due here is the next chapter. Much beta love goes to NetsirkElocin.
As always I do not own Harry Potter.
P.S Read the bottom author note.
It was New Year's Eve. Hermione and her mother spent the whole day getting ready together. Hermione for the Ball with Sirius and her mother for her date with her father.
"So, Mum. What are you and Dad going to be doing tonight? Don't you normally like just staying in?" Hermione asked as she was getting her nails done.
Alexia laughed. "Yes, I do. But you will be turning 17 soon and graduating. Then you will be moving out. I figure that your father and I deserve to go out once in awhile. We have raised four beautiful children. Each one of you has your own lives. It's time that your father and I close that chapter in our lives and start a new one. We love Molly's children and love being around them, but I think it is time your father and I do something for us. I thought that after you graduate and start your own life, your father and I should travel. Maybe go back to Paris or even go to Egypt. I would love to see the pyramids. Maybe I will even get your father on a camel!" Alexia said as both women started giggling at the thought of Percival Prewett on a camel. "In any case, it is time for us to start our own new adventure while you kids are living your first ones. I think your father is planning on taking me out to that fancy new restaurant and then heading over to Diagon Alley to see the fireworks."
"I think that sounds lovely, Mum. When you guys are on your adventures, you will send pictures, right?" Hermione asked.
Alexia smiled. "Of course, Pip. We will send tons of pictures."
Hermione smiled at the thought of her parents traveling. This would keep them out of the way of Voldemort once things started getting bad. Plus, they would be having a good time.
Once Hermione's nails had dried, she sat in a chair to get her hair put up for tonight's Ball.
After she was ready, Hermione slipped into her dress. She walked out of the bathroom to show her mother.
"Oh, Pip," her mother said as she raised her hands to cover her mouth. "You look wonderful. Just like I knew you would. My baby is growing up," Alexia said as she tried to fan away the tears gathering in her eyes.
Hermione walked over to her mother and very carefully as not mess up her hair or makeup gave her mother a hug.
"I may be grown up, but there is no way I could have gotten here without you and Dad. I love you both."
"And we love you too, Hermione darling," Alexia said as she placed a gentle kiss on top of Hermione's head. "Have you seen yourself in a mirror yet?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Well, that just won't do!" Alexia said and with a wave of her wand, a large full-length mirror appeared and was in front of Hermione.
Hermione looked into the mirror and could not even recognize herself.
Her hair was piled on top of her head in an elegant pin up. There looked to be little flowers made of her hair scattered throughout the back of her head. In the center of each one, there was a small glittering jewel. Her makeup was gorgeous. She had a dark eyeliner on that brought out the chocolate color of her eyes and was highlighted by the light colored eye shadow on the top.
The dress was perfect. It seemed to hug Hermione's curves in all the right places. Hermione was correct on the slit as it ended at her mid thigh. Higher than all of her other dresses. With each step, it would flutter giving Hermione a peek of her beautiful shoes.
Her mother's jewelry was proudly placed on Hermione. She had never felt prettier.
"You don't look like a princess, Pip. Tonight you are the queen. I doubt anyone will be able to hold a candle to your beauty. Not just from the dress, but from the beauty that comes to a young woman when she is in love," her mother said coming up behind her. "We better hurry. Sirius should be here soon, and we do not want your father to scare him too terribly."
Sirius was flooing into her living room to pick her up. They would be taking the Portkey invitation back to the ball.
After he had arrived, Sirius sat nervously in the Prewett family living room across from Hermione's father.
"Sirius, I have known you for years now. I know that I don't have to tell you how to treat my daughter. I also don't feel like I should warn you about what will happen if you don't treat her correctly. Whatever is left of you after Hermione is done with you, will be given to her brothers and sister, and then finally to myself and my wife. I am pretty sure Dorea and Charlus would be the last ones to have at you. But in any case, I want you to promise me you will never hurt my precious baby girl," Percy said as he held a glass of Firewhiskey in his hand and stared at the young man who was there to pick up his daughter.
Sirius thought for a moment before speaking. "Sir, with all due respect, I won't make a promise I don't know if I can keep. I'm still young. I'm sure Hermione and I will fight on occasion. And I'm sure I will hurt her. However, I can promise you this. I will never knowingly or maliciously hurt her. That is the best I can do. I know if I mess this up I not only lose her, but I will also lose everyone I care about. While I know I can handle losing everyone else, I know I wouldn't be able to live without Hermione. She is everything to me. I hope that's enough for you," Sirius said as he looked at the man in front of him.
Percy smiled and held out his hand to the young wizard. "Terrific answer," he said shaking his hand.
Just then, the doors to the living room opened, and Hermione and Alexia came in.
Sirius could not see anyone but Hermione. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He felt all the air leave his chest as she made her way towards him.
"You are stunning," he said when he was finally able to catch his breath.
Hermione smiled and blushed. "Thank you. You look wonderful as well."
"Well Princess, your mother and I will probably not be here when you get back. So have a wonderful time and you can tell us all about it in the morning," Percy said as he watched the two teenagers.
Hermione walked over to her father and gave him a hug. "I love you, Daddy," she said.
"I love you too, Pip. I can't believe you are all grown up now," Percy said as he returned his daughter's embrace.
"I may be grown up, Daddy, but I'll always need you," Hermione said smiling.
Hermione stepped back towards Sirius, who was holding their invitation.
"Have fun, darling," her mother called. Hermione waved one last time to her parents before the now familiar tugging began on her navel.
Sirius and Hermione had a wonderful time at the Ball. Alice was there with Frank, as was Marlene with her boyfriend Eric, a very nice sixth year Hufflepuff. Lily was even there as James' date, this time knowing that before arriving.
Lily told Hermione that she had enjoyed the Ball so much last time she wanted to come again. She agreed to go with James on the condition that he didn't prank her or any of the other girls for a whole month. James was so excited she said yes that he agreed without a seconds hesitation.
Hermione truly was the Queen of the Ball that night. She danced with James, Remus, Frank, even once with Eric, and once with Charlus. However, Sirius had claimed most of her dances. Everyone watched as they gracefully glided around the dance floor.
When the announcement was made that the fireworks were about to begin the teens all grabbed their drinks and cloaks and made their way to the now familiar spot in the gardens. Even though they would all be able to see on the terrace, there was something special about being there alone with your friends.
"So Lily, do you have a resolution for the new year?" Hermione asked her friend while they were waiting for the countdown to begin.
"Yes, I'm determined to become Head Girl next year."
Everyone laughed, and Lily looked offended.
"I'm sorry, Lils. It's just that's not something new. You have had your eye on that badge since your first week at school," Hermione said as Sirius held her while she laughed.
Lily smiled. "Yes, well now I can actually taste it. What about you? Any new resolutions for you?"
Hermione smiled "I really don't know what else I could want. I have an amazing family, terrific friends, a wonderful boyfriend. I think I just want to get through these last two years of school without going crazy."
"GUYS! THE COUNTDOWN IS STARTING!" James yelled, stopping all conversation.
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"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone shouted.
Hermione ended turned toward Sirius. He held her gently on each side of her face and pulled her in to kiss her.
Now Hermione knew why they say you saw stars the first time you are kissed by the one you love. She had kissed Jean-Pierre, but it was not the same. Sirius' lips were soft as satin and yet were firm.
Hermione could not think that moment could get any better.
"Hermione, aren't those your brothers coming over here?" she heard Remus ask. Hermione broke the kiss and looked towards where Remus was pointing. Sure enough, she saw Gideon and Fabian walking towards them.
"Gid! Fab! I thought you were on duty tonight! Come over here and watch the fireworks with us."
Just then, a bright white firework went off, and Hermione saw the twins were dirty from head to toe. Their robes were ripped, and she could still make out the tear stains on their faces.
Hermione stood up and faced her brother.
"Why do you look like you have been in a fight and crying? Tell me now!" she said her voice starting to shake.
"There was an attack," Gideon said.
Hermione started to breathe heavily. "Tell me that Molly and the boys are alright! Gideon! ARE MOLLY AND THE BOYS FINE?" she yelled.
"They're fine, Pip. It was Mum and Dad who were attacked as they were walking towards the fireworks in Diagon Alley. Mum is in a coma in the hospital," Fabian said as his brother could no longer speak.
Hermione thought for a moment before asking, "What about Dad? Is he okay?"
Fabian looked at his sister with sad eyes as the tears started collecting again.
"Hermione, they killed Dad."
So I normally don't do this, but I will say the more reviews I get the sooner I will post the next chapter. I do have it back from my beta and finished but I really want to give people a chance to read this one first. More reviews mean more people have read it and are ready for the next chapter.
Till next time lot of love from the Bookworm
