Disclaimer: All of the characters and world recognised below belong to the author. I do not own any of it, this is pure entertainment.

And the Fire Bright

Chapter 3: It's Worth It

And it's worth it, it's divine
I have this some of the time.
The way she shows me I'm hers and she is mine
Open hand or closed fist would be fine
The blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine.
Cherry Wine - Hozier

'Nervous Moony?' Hermoine lent against the doorframe of Sirius and Remus' room, watching the latter struggle with his tie. In true Marauder fashion, they had decided on muggle clothes for the wedding, as wizarding robes were too stuffy. Hermione knew a part of it was in honour of Lily and James, who also wore muggle clothing at their wedding, and partly for Hermione and her biological heritage. Remus wore a charcoal grey suit with a pristine white shirt, the black tie in an incomplete knot on his neck.

'Surely there must be a spell for this.' He sighed and she chuckled a little before pushing off the frame and helping her adoptive father out. He turned to face her and she helped with his tie, recalling how her mother used to do it for her father. She took a deep breath, not wanting to cry and ruin the make-up Narcissa Malfoy painstakingly applied to her face at the memory; today was a happy day, her family was becoming more complete. 'I'm kind of nervous, I guess I just never thought this would happen. After all that has happened…' He looked down and Hermione knew he was thinking of Lily, James and the fact that Sirius was in Azkaban for over a decade. Fourteen years ago, Remus' life was so completely different; he could not imagine that one of his best friends would have betrayed him, that two of his other friends would be dead. The wedding that he imagined in his youth was not the wedding he was getting. 'I don't regret what has happened because even though I've lost people I love, I gained you, I've gained a family I never would have had before and I still get to marry the love of my life - fourteen years ago, I did not know if I was going to survive the war, I was a soldier and perhaps did not appreciate what I have, but I do now. And that makes this moment much more special.' She finished his tie and smothered the lapel of his jacket, just like her mother used to.

'Perfect.' She said. Remus smiled.

'Thank you, 'Mione. You look beautiful.' He said, looking down at her dress. It was a burgundy colour that set off her skin nicely, falling down in chiffon waves at her feet. The top was off the shoulders, showcasing her necklace whilst her hair was up in a chignon at the base of her neck, showing off her earrings. Sirius and Remus both wanted to buy her something new for the wedding but Hermione assured them that the dress was enough; she loved her presents from them and wanted to wear them on their special day. However, despite it all, she knew she was not the great beauty others were. It was as though Remus picked up on her thoughts, as he lifted her chin so she was staring into his green eyes.

'Are you okay Hermione?' He asked. She smiled tightly, not wanting him to know that despite her happiness, she was still sad.

'Yeah, fine. Thank you - Narcissa worked hard this morning.'

'Don't put yourself down Hermione, you're beautiful and I'm not just saying that because I'm your dad.' He kissed the top of her head. 'You are so important to me, and I know, to Sirius as well. You're a vital part of our lives, and we know that you are happy with us, but it's still okay to be sad sometimes, especially on big occasions.' Tears stung her eyes again and Remus pulled her in for a hug; she did not want to get tears on his suit. 'It's still okay to miss them.' She nodded.

'Thank you - I love you.'

'Oh 'Mione, I know, and I love you too.' They pulled apart and Hermione made sure she did not leave any makeup or tears on his suit. Magic was amazing as she did not.

'You better go check on Sirius, if I know him well, which I do, he's probably the emotional wreck.' She laughed.

Sirius was in Harry's room, her brother was already greeting the guests and Hermione knew she needed to join him. Sirius was sitting down on Harry's bed, the photo album that Hagrid gave Harry in his first year between his hands and Hermione did not have to see the picture to know that it was probably open to the image of James and Lily on their wedding day. Sirius was in a black suit, bow tie already done up at his neck and his long hair pulled back at the nape.

'You alright Pads?' she asked. He looked up at her, eyes rimmed red with unshed tears. Remus, as usual, was right, Sirius was emotional.

'Yeah, fine.' He croaked. She crossed to room to join him on the bed, placing her hand on his.

'It's okay to be sad,' she echoed Remus' words. He took her hands into his own and squeezed.

'I just feel like I have so much I want to tell them. I want them here.'

'A wise man once said to me that the ones that love us never really leave us, but remain with us in our hearts. They'll be here Sirius.' He chuckled sadly, laying his head carefully on her shoulder. It was an action that reminded her of Harry and it showed how much her family had grown since the four misfits came together at the end of her third year.

'That is a wise man, you should listen to him more often.' He whispered.

'Yeah I love him a lot. Glad he's my dad.' She said. Sirius kissed the side of her head.

'How's Remus?' He asked.

'Same as you. Wreck. Missing them. But also excited. He loves you, you love him, today is a happy day despite the underlying pain.'

'I can't believe I'm actually about to marry him. That it's here - we've waited so long, so much went wrong, and now… now he's going to be my husband.' Sirius whispered the last part reverently. Hermione smiled at how much her dads loved each other and was happy for them.

'It's about time.' She said, patting his thigh. He chuckled and straightened up.

'How's the Mandrake Leaf going?' He asked. She grimaced at the reminder of the bitter leaf that she had charmed to the roof of her mouth. It made eating, drinking and even breathing unappetizing. Herself and Harry had spent the holidays being very serious about becoming an Animagus, having to hold the leaf in their mouth for a month was so far the hardest part. Both Hermione and Harry swallowed at least 2 leaves before Sirius told them to stick it to the roof of their mouths. The plan was to be done at the full moon before the wedding, but the setbacks cost them time.

'Only a week to go.'

'Harry's starting to show some signs.' Harry was clearly an animal that flew; having spent every moment that was not destined for training, homework or wedding preparation on his Firebolt in the air. He was not even flying fast or training for Quidditch, just in the air. 'Have you seen your form?' She shook her head. Although she had been practicing and had gotten better at relaxing enough to meditate, she had not seen her form, although she had feelings.

'I don't see it, but I'm always feeling safe, like I'm at home. I'm definitely an animal that is on the earth though, I've had no desire to fly.' Sirius looked contemplative.

'That's interesting, but to be expected. It took me ages to find the form of dog, I think because it was already part of me, it felt natural. I doubt Harry even knows his forms, but it's just more obvious from the outside looking in.'

'I'm probably something like a house cat or something.' Hermione joked, the anxious feeling in her stomach dissapaiting. Sirius gave a small chuckle.

'If that was the case, Minerva would be very proud. Now, go help Harry, you've left him to the masses.' She rolled her eyes before giving him a hug. Sirius was right, she had abandoned Harry to check up on her dads and was meant to help usher people into the garden. It was a similar set up to her adoption, except more people. As the Den was unplottable, they had set up special portkeys so that people did not know where they were headed that landed outside the property. It was all very specific and thanks to Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour (who have quickly become a great working pair), that they were able to pull it off.

She found Harry talking to Kingsley Shakelbolt. He had become a key contact at the ministry for Sirius and had even helped train her and Harry; she knew that her brother idolised the Auror.

She could see the Weasley's from the corner of her eye already sitting in their seats. Fred caught her eye and smiled, she made her way towards him. He looked dashing in his muggle suit, a dark navy that set off his red hair; George's was a dark forest green. The rest of the Weasley's wore black with the exception of Ginny's peach dress and Molly's lilac skirt; she loved that her boys wanted to be different.

'Mione,' Ginny called out, waving. She greeted all the Weasleys, saving Fred for last, hugging him tightly.

'You look beautiful,' he whispered recently and she smiled. Fred always reminded her how beautiful she was, even when she had little confidence herself.

'You look beautiful too - is this a new suit?' He smiled.

'Well with a former-muggleborn as a girlfriend, I figured a muggle suit would be an investment.' Hermione internally frowned, not wanting to upset Fred with the expression she would have on her face as she felt the fine fabric. Where did he get the money for this? She knew that Bill and Fleur talked about transfiguring their wizarding robes for the occasion, and she had assumed her boys had done the same.

'Hermione,' a voice called out, disrupting her thoughts and she turned to see Tonks, dressed in a red muggle dress that hugged her curves and Narcissa Malfoy definitely did not approve of; apparently Andromeda did not either. Hermione wished she had the confidence of Tonks, she was still self conscious despite the frizz in her hair taming and her fixed, straight, normal sized teeth. Tonks had fashioned her hair into a sleak, blonde bob that was striking against the dress. She hugged the young Auror as well as her parents. 'You look fantastic Tonks.' she complimented and was rewarded with a smile.

'Thanks 'Mione, don't have the chance to wear muggle clothes often, might as well make the most of it - you look great!' She blushed, but remembered what Remus told her and accepted the compliment. She watched as the Tonks greeted the Weasleys and she lent into Fred's arm. She could see Andromeda talking to her sister and Draco looking uncomfortable; they had spent limited time together over the break, only with dinners at the Tonk's house, she got along with her cousin a little - Harry still refused to speak to him largely - but she wouldn't call them friends, however she knew that it would mean a lot to Sirius if she was at least nice to him. She grabbed Fred's hand and went to walk them over to her cousin - it was definitely a lot to get used to - but Harry grabbed her attention; the sun was lowering, the sky turning brilliant shades of pink, purple and blue. The ceremony was about to start.

She made her way to the end of the aisle. Her and Harry were walking together ahead of Sirius and Remus. Her parents had decided to walk down the aisle together; not giving away, but coming together. It was fitting, as neither had any family besides her and Harry, and Hermione knew that Sirius did not want to be given away by Narcissa or Andromeda, no matter how great terms they were on. Hermione was careful to not trip as she was wearing heels; the faces of her friends and family made her nervous, even though they should not have.

Minerva was officiating - it seemed as though she was now an integral part of her family - replacing the role of Dumbledore as a wider, not corrupt leader. She saw Fred from where she was standing and gave him a wink.

'We are here today to unite two souls that have for a long time been apart. I remember Sirius and Remus as students at Hogwarts and witnessed how they found each other. Although so much since then has changed, their love has not.' Minerva McGonagall was not the type of person to get sad or sentimental, but Hermione knew that she had a soft spot for the Marauders; she considered James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, and in some respect, Peter, all part of her family; her cubs. And to see Sirius and Remus get married and have the life together they deserve; well it was enough for Minerva to have glassy eyes. Hermione was not one to talk though, seeing her parents walk down the aisle caused her insides to well up. 'Today we celebrate the love of two people; Sirius and Remus. I have seen your love unfold as teens, and despite the challenges you've faced and the losses you've suffered, you're both here today. To watch you choose each other, over and over again, rekindling your love, and to be here today to join you in the ritual today, has been an honour. You have created a beautiful family.' She nodded to Harry and Hermione. 'And today, your family becomes even more bonded - we should start with the solemn vows.'

Here Hermione straightened; both her dads had been quite secretive about their vows; she had seen Remus scribbling away but Sirius had seemed more relaxed about the whole thing, so when Minerva gestured towards her dark haired father, she was filled with a soft surprise. Sirius cleared his throat, the more emotional of the two, she could see that his eyes were glassy, looking upon his soon to be husband with what Hermione could only suppose was pure love. They clasped hands as Minerva trained her wand on them.

'Moony, all my life I had not known unconditional love, until I met you. You saw through all my pretences, all the lies I had told myself and others to survive, all the dark parts of my life and saw me, the man I wanted to be. You helped me become the man I am today; you stood by me through it all, the mistakes I've made and continued to love me. I solemnly vow to do the same - every day, I want to wake up and be a better wizard for you. I promise to make you tea with too many sugars and to make sure you never run out of chocolate, to hug you and read you poetry, to fight for you and with you, to protect you. I vow to never leave you alone again, to love you in this life and the next.' Hermione shook gently as tears fell down her cheek; almost dropping the bouquet of flowers in her hands. She wished she could hug them, or Fred. Golden sparks shot out of Minerva's wands and encompassed the clasped hands between her fathers, a faint ribbon formed out of it, tying their hands together. Remus cleared his throat.

'All my life, I had been treated like a monster. I had limited experiences with love and acceptance, until I met you Padfoot. You showed me that I was worthy of love, worthy to be a father, worthy to be a wizard. I would not be here today without you, and I love you more than anything in the world. This - our family we have created - means everything to me. You are everything. I solemnly vow to never stop loving you, despite all your wonderful flaws. I promise to wake with you every nightmare and hold you until you fall asleep, to ride on a motorbike with you again and to make sure there's always shortbread biscuits in the house. I vow to make sure you have all the physical space you crave whilst never leaving you alone again.' This time a silver spark shot out of Minerva's wand, forming a ribbon around their clasped hands.

'With all that is magic, I declare you both bonded. You may kiss to seal the bond.' It seemed that more magic filled the air as Remus and Sirius kissed; it was almost as though Hermione could feel the love in the air. She met Fred's sapphire eyes and knew he felt it too. I love you.

Her fathers made their way down the aisle and with a flick of Minerva McGonagall's wand, the neatly placed rows of seats suddenly disappeared to make way for a dance floor, whilst small tables enclosed around it, filled with canapes. They had decided against assigned seating, all four of them wanted people to mingle together and have a good time. Music played from an amplified record player, jazz music akin to what Remus played when they had Defense Against the Dark Arts in third year played, bringing in a feeling of nostalgia for Hermione; a fond memory she had on one of her first meetings with the man that has now become her father.

'May I have this dance?' she heard Fred behind her, she turned and placed her hand in his, returning his smiling expression.

'Of course,' She felt his hands go around her waist, the other leading her left and a familiar sensation washed over her. It felt right. They had not danced like this since Christmas, when everything changed for them and she felt like she was home. The entire party melted away - her parents; Harry dancing with Cedric (it turned out, just like Hermione predicted, Cedric and Harry just needed to talk things through and now they were ridiculously cheesily happy together, Cho apparently having broken up with Cedric at the end of the Triwizard Tournament), Ginny and Luna in the corner laughing with something George said, Neville talking to Percy. It all melted away, all she could see was Fred. She leaned in closer to him, breathing in his warm scent.

'Enjoying yourself?' Fred whispered into her ear; she shivered at the intimacy of it, that dream still repeating in her imagination.

'Yes, it was a beautiful ceremony; are you?' He hummed near her ear.

'Well I have you in my arms, I'm satisfied.' She hummed in delight, reveling in the feeling. 'You look stunning, I had a hard time not staring at you in the ceremony.' He kissed her softly behind her ear. He pulled her closer and she closed her eyes.

'You're bold tonight.' She grinned. Whilst Fred was not a shy person, they both were timid with displays of affection in front of other people; especially if those people included Hogwarts professors, Aurors and Hermione's dads. She almost felt like it was indecent, that she should pull away and have some space, but a big part of her did not want to move, she was safe, she was loved, she was happy.

'There's something in the air.' As he said it, she could feel it herself. She was overwhelmed with love and attraction, wanting nothing more than to kiss Fred and maybe even do more. She looked around to see cheer and couples, realising it was more than just her and Fred who were close. She could barely see Fleur as she was tightly wrapped up in Bill; even Luna and Neville were dancing now. That's new. She thought.

'The marriage bond - it's influencing everyone.' The product of the love between Sirius and Remus was contagious; everyone was feeling the effects of the love - enhancing what was already there. She lent her head forward so her head rested against his chest. She could feel the steady, if not slightly fast heartbeat even over the music. She closed her eyes and they swayed for a little.

'Are you happy Hermione?' he asked, eyes back on her; she smiled, pulling away slightly so she could see him again.

'Yes Fred, I am so very happy - are you?' His lips on hers answered her question.

'We should be out there.' Harry muttered as he pulled a towel over his wet shoulders. It was storming, which was somehow perfect weather for what they had done, which was to collect the ingredients needed for the animagus potion. They had hoped to join Remus on this full moon, the last one before they went back to Hogwarts, but they were delayed. Not just because of the Mandrake leaf, but they had trouble filling the other requirements. Hermione had now felt her form, she knew she was a four legged animal of some kind, whereas Harry had been having dreams of flying, confirming Sirius' theory that he was a bird of some kind. Hermione lit the candle and lay back on the mattress she had transfigured, trying to ignore the taste of the leaf in her mouth. Two more days. They had the wedding a little too close to the full moon, but Remus wanted to have strength. She hoped his recovery from the full moon wasn't as bad now he was bonded, but she was sad that they couldn't have a last hurrah before they went back to school.

'Sirius told us to take the time to meditate. We've collected the ingredients, soon we'll have these things out of our mouth and we can complete the final stages before transformation. We'll be out there soon enough.' Harry groaned.

'I hate meditating.' She hummed in agreement. She was better at it and tried not to be too frustrated but she hated how much she had to work at it. It took a long time for her brain to quieten, but had found some things to help. It was good it was raining, as she could focus on the sound of the rain and she lit a candle so she was not completely in the dark. 'I don't know how Cedric does this before every Quidditch game.'

'Luna does it all the time too, according to Ginny. I'm jealous at how easy it is for her.' Harry groaned again, this time flopping down on the mattress (Hermione, annoyed at how wet he still was, cast a drying charm).

'Let's get it over with. I want to see my form.' Hermione found it easier to lie down on the mattress, whist Harry repositioned himself to sit with his legs crossed. She closed her eyes, seeing the faint glow from the candle behind her eyelids and focused on the sound of the rain. She tried to ignore the prickly feeling she usually felt in her neck and shoulders, and the flurry of thought that entered her head: the letter she needed to write to Fleur regarding ruins, the idea for a prank she wanted to tell Fred and George, wanting to see Fred again, focusing solely on the pitter patter of the rain as it hit the window sill outside the library; until it became… nothing.

Hermione was no longer in the library, she was elsewhere. A forest. She could feel the rain on her, but it wasn't cold, or not as cold as it should have been, almost as though there was a protective layer. She felt close to the ground. It was a familiar feeling, walking on all fours, although she had never done it before. She could smell the rain, the leaves and more than that, hear movements of the smallest insect of the forest. Looking down at her paws. Wow paws. She saw that they were covered in light, almost sandy white fur. Up ahead, she could see a puddle. She trotted along, unbothered by the rain and looked over. She managed to see a dark nose and large, pointy, elf like ears…

'Hermione,' she woke up to the panic in Harry's voice. Shaking off her meditation? Or dream? she saw that the candle had blown out. Harry kneeled close to her, green eyes wide in fear.

'What is it Harry?' she asked, confusion making her voice thick.

'I just got a floo call from Ron… the Diggory's were attacked - by Dementors.'

A/N: I really hope you liked this chapter! Thank you for all the support, continue to let me know what you think! Happy Easter and Passover and all other celebrations that you might have at this time, stay safe all!

Dani xx