October's crisp air was lovely on nights before the snow falls and declares winter. Hermione loved those evenings just as much with a cup of tea and her best friend. Ginny had not been able to steal from the witch what happened to her and the marauders. Why they all seemed so fissured. If only it were explainable…
Harry had tucked the children into bed as Ginny was sipping her cup. "So, how's it been?"
Hermione winced and moved in her chair. "Fine, just fine."
"One more and I might actually believe you," Ginny grumbled.
Harry entered the room with a tray. "Anyone for some cake? Molly sent so much for the children from Albus's birthday party," he grumbled and set it down.
Hermione groaned and patted her stomach. "I've been uneven since yesterday. I can't eat any more cake."
"How about a drink?" Harry offered as he set down the tray on the table.
"No, no, thank you. Honestly, I've just been working so much I don't think my stomach is made of goblin steel any longer. I think I might go healthy for a while," Hermione sighed before sipping her tea.
Harry glanced over at his wife with a scrunched brow. "Remus was asking about you today," Harry attempted.
Hermione tilted her head with a risen eyebrow. "About me, how?"
"He was wondering how you're doing, what you're working on. The usual," Harry said.
Hermione tossed a hand and drained her glass. "He can write if he's that interested. I have to get home. Early day tomorrow helping mum," she announced, standing from her chair.
Harry launched to his feet and huffed. "Hermione."
"No, Harry," she said with a wave.
Ginny launched up and tapped her neck with her readied wand. Hermione jerked, but Harry held her still, watching the revealed bite form. "I knew it! You've been either covering it up or concealing it with a charm," Ginny hissed.
Hermione pulled from them and covered it with her hand. "That's just rude," she spat.
"He bit you and you left?" Harry asked.
Hermione glowered as she shifted on her feet. "Listen, it's absolutely none of your business. Neither of you knows what happened nor why. I would appreciate it if you left this one alone."
"Does Sirius know?" Ginny questioned.
The curly-haired witch thinned her lips and scrunched her nose. "I'll not be talking about this. Do you understand? What's done is done, and I'd prefer that at dinner we can all be civil."
Ginny moved to say something, but Harry halted her. "Alright, Hermione."
"I'm going to bed, see you both tomorrow night," Hermione sighed and moved to the fireplace.
Harry watched his friend leave through green flames and exhaled. "How are we going to tell her?"
"That they still aren't okay without her? I haven't a clue. Why isn't she speaking to them?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know, neither of them will tell me," Harry sighed.
"This is quite the drama without the plot, Harry," Ginny murmured.
Harry just nodded and massaged her shoulder. "Let's figure out a way."
"Fucking ballocks, Moony!" the werewolf snarled and tossed a cup. "I don't want to spend my birthday as you!"
The animagus ducked and winced. "Pads, I promise we'll switch before then," Remus sighed.
Sirius was pacing the floor of the drawing-room as Remus was reading. They had switch again for the third day in a row. Things were definitely not going as planned.
"Let's just shag and get this over with," Sirius snapped.
Remus glanced up from his book and sneered. "Acting like that won't get us anywhere. I told you, I'm doing some research before bed."
None of it made any sense. Neither of them had switched with the witch since their night together. However, about three weeks ago, things changed. They started swapping bodies again, and it hadn't stopped. It was either abstain and figure it out, or keep switching.
"She's never coming home. She won't even talk to us. This is such utter dragon dung," Sirius spat as he paced.
The animagus exhaled as he shut the book. "So, we need help. I could ask her, but it might be poorly received."
"What does the bloody book say?" Sirius snarled.
Remus patted the volume and shifted in his chair. "Nothing we don't already know. We tried the coupling, and as far as we know, it's solved on her end. If it weren't, she'd be switching with us."
"Solved? No, I don't believe it. Magic doesn't just pick and choose who it works for and who it doesn't," Sirius said, shaking his head.
"Then what are you suggesting? She obviously hasn't swapped with either of us," the animagus replied.
"We need her to come home. Nothing is going to make sense until she does."
"Okay, I'll ask her at dinner tomorrow," Remus said with a nod.
Hermione was marching from her sitting room to her bedroom and back. Now she was nervous. This was the third time in three days. Had she really no idea that she was late? Shaking her head, she glanced at the bathroom before passing it again. If she walked in there and saw what she was dreading, it might just ruin her.
How? How could she have been so bloody stupid? She had even remembered it sloppily drunk, but not after a mindblowing threesome? Merlin, she was the stupidest smart witch she ever knew.
The witch finally struck up the courage to walk into the bathroom and grab the plastic object. Her eyes were shut as she debated when to open them.
"Hermione?" George's voice entered the flat.
She gasped and pocketed the item before walking out to greet him. "Georgie, you scared me. What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
The redhead grimaced as he shut the door. "I was wondering the same thing. You've been stomping around for an hour."
"Oh, I'm just about to head to mum's to help her with some chores. I was cleaning up a bit," Hermione lied as she smiled.
George approached her and thumbed her cheek. "Did you do something different with your hair? You're looking so beautiful today."
Hermione giggled and shook her head. "No, just sleeping a bit more these days. How's Angelina?"
"She's good. Missing you like a barmy barn owl. When are you coming by for dinner?"
"This week."
"Good, well, we'll see you tonight. Charlie's in town and mum wants us all to come," George responded and stepped from the witch.
"See you tonight, try not to work too hard," Hermione piped up with a smile.
"Don't punch holes in the floor with your cleaning," George grumbled and moved to the door.
Hermione inhaled and hemmed. "George, if I asked you to keep a secret for me, would you?"
That stopped him, and he glanced at the paled witch. "What's wrong? Of course, but you aren't dying, are you?"
"No, but it's a hard thing to explain," Hermione sighed.
"I promise, mum's the word, Hermione."
She stepped toward him and pulled out the test. "I'm so bloody scared, would you look at it?"
George's eyes grew, but he rocked his head. "Okay."
Hermione shut her eyes and opened her palm. "I, it, well, it's such a long story," she huffed.
"Does that mean it's good or bad?" George whispered.
Her eyes shot open, and she stared down at the plus sign. She lost her legs, and George caught her just in time. "Oh, for the love of magic," Hermione gasped.
"Not good, got it. Well, you have a few weeks yet until you have to explain it," George sighed and stroked her hair.
"George, I can't be, this can't be his. What am I going to do?" Hermione was close to hyperventilating.
"Calm down, Hermione. Just breathe." She breathed in and out quite a few times before George had her steady on her feet. "What happened? Who's the father?" He asked.
"It's Sirius's," Hermione whimpered and covered her eyes.
"What? As in bloody Sirius Black? You shagged Sirius Black?"
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers. "I shagged them both, but Remus was Sirius at the time. I didn't think I could get pregnant, ever."
"Well, obviously you can, and now you have to tell them both," George groaned and helped the witch to a chair.
She glared up at him and shook the test. "You try explaining this to them. Or mum for that matter," she spat.
George snorted and took the test from her. "Well, tell me why you decided to shag em then."
"That stupid magic," Hermione grumbled.
"I thought they were still dealing with that? Sirius was Remus just yesterday."
Hermione's face lost color. "What?"
"Yeah, they've been dealing with that for weeks. Every time they shag they change. It's been rather bumpy for their relationship."
"You're telling me I shagged them and it didn't even work?" Hermione asked.
George chuckled and waved the test. "Well, it worked for you. You're up in the duff and haven't been changed since."
Hermione groaned and took the plastic stick. "Why didn't they tell me?"
"Probably didn't want to bother you. That's a big ask for a witch to shag two blokes for a magical reason," He snickered.
"Merlin, what happened?"
George pulled up the ottoman and sat down. "So, you're positive it's Sirius's? Why not Remus's?"
"I didn't," she paused as her cheeks bloomed with color. "You know."
"Well, you have your work cut out for you this time."
Hermione exhaled and shook her head. "Don't I know that. George, you can't say anything. I don't know how I'm going to tell them."
"Don't worry, Hermione. I'll help you, but we can only hide it for so long. Sooner rather than later mum's going to be asking who's the father."
"You help me dodge mum's questions, and I'll figure out how to tell them," Hermione sighed.
"Time's ticking, Hermione," George said as he erected from the furniture. "Oh, by the way, congratulations," he finished and walked to the door.
"Thanks, Georgie. I'll see you tonight," Hermione murmured, and the redhead left her alone.
How was she ever going to explain this?
When the marauders popped in front of the Burrow, they glanced at each other and exhaled together. They weren't sure how to approach the witch about their problem. It was a rough concept to even ponder about, and they had attempted to go about asking.
Remus touched Sirius's shoulder. "You let me do the talking. She's not going to be easily swayed."
Sirius nodded. "Okay, Moony. I don't know if I can keep doing this. We can't shag, we can't fool around, we can't even enjoy some mutual bonding. This is destructive."
"I'll approach it delicately."
They walked to the door and opened it to find pure chaos. Bill and Charlie were throwing things at George, who was laughing near the clock. "You bloody wanker. He just fell asleep," Bill snapped.
Charlie was just grinning and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just looking for an excuse to bludger you, brother," he teased.
"George Weasley! You know how hard it is to get an infant asleep!" Molly screamed from the kitchen.
The marauders stepped into the house and George tucked himself behind Sirius. "What's wrong, Georgie?" Sirius asked with a smile.
"I woke up Billium's baby," he chuckled.
Remus sighed and shook his head. "Where is he?"
"Oh, Hermione took him up the stairs," Charlie said with a tilt to his head. "Giving Fleur a bit of a rest."
The werewolf glanced at the animagus before walking toward the kitchen. "Remus!" George huffed and skipped next to him. "Why don't you go see how Harry is coming along with the boys outside?"
"I was just going to the restroom," Remus lied with a scowl.
"No, go see the boys, I think Harry was looking for you."
Sirius walked over and exhaled. "Why would he be looking for Moony?"
Charlie set down the pillow in his hand and stretched. "Something about werewolves. Seems Harry was inquiring about them to Hermione, but she disappeared with the baby."
"It was serious enough for that moron to wake my son," Bill groaned.
Remus nodded and moved through the kitchen. Molly was busily waving her wand about as she noticed his presence. "Remus, I have a question for you. I was wondering if you would speak to Hermione. She seems to be under the weather today, but when I asked, she refused to tell me what she's ill with."
"Why would you assume she would tell me?" Remus asked.
"Because she respects you," Molly said with a flick of her wand. "Harry told me she is struggling. Please say something. She doesn't listen to anyone. I'm worried she's over-working."
Remus exhaled- oh, she had no idea what she was asking him. "Of course, Molly. I'll see what's wrong."
Molly smiled with a nod. "Good, I'm glad someone she looks up to is here to help. Merlin knows that girl is too smart for all of us. She could outthink Godric."
"Harry needed to speak to me. I'm going to go check on him," Remus grumbled as he moved to the back door.
"Come in and have some tea after. I'm sure it's chilly out there," Molly sighed. "It's so nice to have someone around the children look up too."
Remus felt his cheeks fill with heat as he walked out the door. Look up to? After these last few months, he wasn't confident that he fits that criteria, especially with the witch on everyone's tongue today. He wandered out to where the Potter was standing on the crisp lawn. Harry was watching his son's play with the fireflies he conjured.
"Hello, Harry, how are you this evening?"
Harry folded his arms without looking at the werewolf. "When did you bite Hermione?"
Remus blinked and cleared his throat while tugging at his jumper collar. "Well, there's a story to that."
"I like stories, Remus. I have to know what's going on with you both. She's acting very strange these last few weeks. I'm concerned."
"Well, technically Sirius bit her," Remus sighed.
Harry squared his shoulders and exhaled. "So, what's truly going on? What happened that she just left."
"She made us promise to keep that between us all."
"Did, Remus, did you hurt her?" Harry whispered.
The werewolf shook his head. "Not physically. I think she's a bit emotionally disengaged with us now. It wasn't the easiest to go through together, and she felt she was stuck between us. Hermione kept our secret of being former partners so that we could have privacy. Sirius never wanted to announce it when we were younger because he was afraid of what that would mean. The judgment of a sour type lingered then about how we felt. So I agreed, and we kept it silent like it was shameful."
Harry finally turned to him and exhaled, touching Remus's shoulder. "Remus, I had no idea. She kept that secret for what reason?"
"Because she caught us in the act while she was staying there, Harry. Nothing graphic, but it was evident what was happening after the fact."
"Oh," Harry said with a scrunched brow. "Oh!" He repeated as his eyes widened.
"What?"
"Remus, Hermione had a hopeless crush on you. She and gin used to talk about you marauders plenty."
Remus winced and breathed. That was not something he wanted to hear. He had dug at her pride more than just a bit with choosing the animagus. "I feel that might be some of her issues. She left to get out of our way."
"How was it fixed for so long?"
"Sirius and I can't figure that out."
"What did you do to fix it the first time?"
Dangerous territory. "I can't tell you," Remus sighed.
"Well, we can't fix it if we don't know how it was temporarily," Harry growled.
Remus nodded and scratched his chin. "You let me worry about that bit. I'm going to go find her."
"Don't make her angry, Remus. She's testy today," Harry sighed and turned back to his children.
"I won't. I promise."
