Teddy was sitting cross-legged on the ground with a book in his lap. Severus was scowling over his book at the child who was seated next to Sirius. Remus was shifting on the loveseat as he fought through the discomfort. He still was incredibly sore from last night, which is why Sirius decided to climb on the floor with Teddy while Remus could recover.
"What are you studying?" Severus finally asked.
Teddy glanced over at the man with a tilt to his head. "Swelling Solution. Aunt Hermione told me we will learn that after I return from holiday."
Sirius was glancing through the photo album Teddy had and smirked at him. "You study ahead of the lessons, Moony Jr.?"
"Yes, she told me that's the best way to get decent O.W.L.S. and best for points. Hufflepuff might win the cup this year," Teddy said with a nod.
Severus grimaced and huffed. "That book is outdated. There are four better ways to use ingredients than those school books."
"Mhm, Uncle Harry told me he found your old book in school. Even Aunt Hermione was impressed. Personally, I prefer learning about defense against the dark arts. She promised if I was well behaved this summer, she would convince Headmistress McGonagall to let Uncle Harry teach a dueling class after he gets magic back!"
"Who's teaching it now, Teddy?" Remus asked.
"It's being substituted while Professor Thomas is in dispose," Hermione declared as she entered the room.
Teddy grinned back at his father. "Aunt Hermione said you were her favorite D.A.D.A. professor."
Hermione groaned and strolled over and slumped next to Remus. "You were."
"Well, your aunt likes to talk all about us, doesn't she?" Sirius snickered.
Remus breathed and wrapped his arm around her. "You're too generous."
"Not really," Hermione laughed. "I'm just honest."
Teddy set his book down and scrunched his nose. "Dad, do you think Headmistress McGonagall would let you come teach again?"
"No, I don't think so, Teddy. People with my condition aren't very sturdy professors."
"I thought you were very decent," Fred declared as he slipped into the room. "Aren't you two cute? When are you planning on telling my mum when your wedding date is?" He teased.
Hermione was blooming with color. "Fred!" She hissed.
"No one's getting married, Fred," Remus sighed.
"Needless to say, I doubt you would let them walk down the aisle alone, Black," Severus mumbled.
Sirius crawled over to the witch and smirked. "My beautiful darling witch, Snivellus makes a good point," he teased with a wink.
"Sirius," Hermione growled through her teeth.
Teddy's eyebrows rose as he glanced at them. "Is that true?"
Remus scrubbed his face and breathed. "No."
"So, does that mean you aren't planning on having my wee Blacks?" Sirius laughed.
Remus kicked him in the side. "Sirius!"
Hermione covered her face.
"Aunt Hermione?"
"Yes, lovely?" Hermione sighed while she scrubbed her face.
"I don't mind as long as you're happy," He said with a nod.
Sirius was nursing his injured abdomen with a wince. "That's sweet, kid."
Fred collapsed next to the inquisitive boy and smirked. "Hey, kid, how's it been hanging with them today?"
"Quite well, Uncle Fred. I got to show my dad all the photos Grandmother took of me as a baby and that Aunt Hermione took during parties at the Burrow."
"I'm surprised his tolerance is so high," Severus mused.
Remus rubbed Hermione's shoulder. "I think I'm going to go get that bath now," he murmured.
"Alright. You'll let us know if you need anything?" Hermione asked.
"Hey, Dad, do you think we can read a bit before I go to sleep tonight?" Teddy asked.
Remus tilted his head. "Aren't you a bit old for that?" He asked as confusion littered his face.
Hermione nudged him. "He wants to bond," she hissed.
"Oh, alright," Remus chuckled. "Give me a little time, and I'll be ready," He declared and stood up.
The werewolf turned a little and reached for Hermione's hand. There were no words spoken as he ran his thumb in her palm. She smiled and bounced her head before he released her fingers. Fred grinned and waved at Remus, leaving the room. "He's far more interesting when he's fancying someone, isn't he?" Fred asked when the door shut.
Severus stood from his chair and moved to the loveseat. Highly uncharacteristic for the wizard, but as he sat down, he handed Hermione a letter. "Draco sends his regards and gratitude," he announced.
Hermione smirked and glanced over the letter. "I'm glad we could work that out for him."
"Did you help someone, Aunt Hermione?"
"Well, Severus helped," Hermione said.
"Uncle Harry said you were a great wizard when you were here last time," Teddy declared as he glanced at Snape.
Fred yawned and led across Teddy's lap. "He was also a real arse when teaching."
"Fred, language," Hermione snapped.
Sirius maneuvered to lean against Hermione's legs. "It's going to be a fun day tomorrow."
Hermione patted his shoulder and breathed. "Of course."
"I can't wait to see my cousins," Teddy sighed.
"Listen, kid, we're going to fix this," Fred insisted.
Severus nodded. "That he is correct about."
Teddy smiled as he glanced at Hermione. "You really think so?"
"Yes, lovely. We are getting a better idea of how to solve it."
Sirius grinned. "You mind us sticking around for quite a few years, Moony Jr.?"
"Not at all," Teddy laughed.
Hermione waved the boy over, and Fred sat up. "Come here and give me a hug before you get in your pj's, alright?"
"Aunt Hermione, it's not even nine o'clock yet," Teddy groaned as he stood up.
"Now, you know I want you to be settled before your father finishes," Hermione chided.
Teddy grinned as his hair changed to bubblegum pink. "I know. I missed you," he sighed as he embraced the witch.
"That's my Teddy Bear. I'll come say good night before I go to bed," Hermione murmured as she kissed his cheek.
The boy waved and strolled out of the drawing-room, shutting the door behind him. Hermione was thankful for his perspective nature. She turned to Severus and glared. "Please don't promise him things that aren't quite true. That goes for all of you," Hermione huffed.
"It's true," Snape responded.
"You don't know that! I don't know what I need from any of you yet," Hermione hissed.
"You silly witch, of course, you do," Severus retorted with a slight frown.
Sirius shifted from leaning on Hermione's legs. "Love, before you seeth, he's right. You need us, that's all that should matter."
"This isn't normal!" Hermione exclaimed. "None of it," she clarified.
Fred scratched his head and shrugged. "I think there are worse crimes out there, Hermione."
"Your ex-husband is coming tomorrow," Severus said as his eyes narrowed.
Hermione's breath left her as stiffened. "What?" she whispered.
Sirius pursed his lips as he touched her knee. "Love, we were worried about you."
Her nose twitched, and she took a large inhale. "Alright, then everyone is coming?"
"Yes," Severus said with a nod.
"And no fighting?" Hermione asked.
"No," Sirius grumbled.
Hermione rocked her head and rolled her shoulders. "Well, I suppose that's why George wanted me to wear something pretty tomorrow."
"Oh?" Sirius hummed with a smile.
"I'm going to go have some tea," Hermione voiced as she stood up.
"Want me to come join you, love?" Sirius asked.
"No, that's fine. I just need a moment."
Severus thinned his lips as the witch retreated. It was plenty to take it but needed.
"Good choice, mate. She didn't need another blindsight," Fred mumbled as he stretched out on the rug.
"Well, she has the natural ability to resist everything good for her. It's unfortunate, but we can strategically release information as needed," Severus declared.
"I'm beginning to see that," Sirius mumbled.
Fred scratched his chin. "She's quite nurturing with Remus's son."
"I noticed," Severus agreed. "Do you believe she's satisfied?"
"Hardly," Fred voiced. "But she does what she can with what she's allowed."
Severus nodded. "I can understand that," he said before standing. "Come with me, Black. We need to solve this."
Hermione was stretched out on her bed and reviewing the last week. So much had happened. She went from being alone, struggling, and gutted emotionally, to this. Emotionally supportive men surrounded her. Wizards who… well, they all touched on feelings she had buried. Now, she was going to have to see Ron again.
It was so much.
There was a knock at her door, and Hermione sat up. "Come in."
Sirius popped his head inside. "Can I come join you?"
Hermione patted the bed. "Alright."
The animagus sautered inside and stretched out next to her body. "Come snuggle a bit, love?"
"Sirius, you smell like smoke," Hermione huffed as she relaxed next to him.
"I'm sorry," he chuckled.
"If we plan on living together, then you best quit," Hermione warned.
Sirius stroked her hair and nodded. "If you want, I'll attempt it, but I need a bit of a compromise."
"What?" She groaned.
"If you would trust me with something," Sirius murmured as his grey eyes searched hers.
Hermione looked between the stormy orbs and pursed her lips. "What exactly?"
"Be the wizard you come to when you need to be held," He whispered as he touched her cheek.
"I'm worried, Sirius. I don't know what to expect from all of this."
He brushed his thumb against her cheekbone as his lips grazed her forehead. "That doesn't matter. None of that matters. Only your happiness and heart does."
"You would tell me if you thought I needed to do something? I just feel like there's something I don't know," Hermione breathed as he doted on her.
Sirius pulled away enough to look her. "Do you really want to know? They asked me not to tell you until Teddy left."
Hermione's brow pinched as she narrowed her eyes. "Tell me what?"
"You promise me that you'll think hard on this before I tell you? Do you want this over your head before you see your ex?"
"How bad is it, Sirius?" Hermione whispered.
He ran his thumb over her creased forehead. "It isn't bad. It's just a permanent change. Once everything is said or done, you will have to accept the life you chose."
"And this can wait until after Teddy leaves?"
The animagus nodded with a sigh. "It can, and I will tell you once he leaves if you will allow it."
Hermione exhaled and tugged herself close to him. "Just hold me? I need you, Sirius."
"I know," he breathed. "You're my strong little deity."
"I'm not a goddess," Hermione snorted.
"You're mine," he chuckled.
She ran her fingers over his chest, nuzzled his jaw. "You're exactly what I needed, Sirius."
"If you decide you ever want to get married again, would you marry me?"
Hermione jerked from him with a scowl on her face. "Is that your backward way of proposing?"
"No," he laughed. "That's my way of seeing if you ever would. It would make my mother turn in her grave if the inheritance of the might House of Black went to you."
"I won't get married again, Sirius. I can't have children, so there wouldn't be a use to it," Hermione voiced while shaking her head.
Sirius smirked as he tugged one of her curls. "Then if children ever became a point? Adoption or otherwise?"
Hermione moaned and kissed his lips. "If I ever get the urge, then yes. I'll marry you for them," she giggled while shaking her head.
His smirk evolved into something mischievous. "You remember that promise, alright? I'm going to make you the prettiest Black there ever was."
"Keep dreaming, Sirius," Hermione snorted. "It will be beneficial on sleepless nights."
"Now, if you only let us shag you, we'd be set," Sirius winked.
"I'm not letting all three of you have your way with me. I already have enough to worry about without arguments."
Sirius arched an eyebrow. "Three. Quite the concept. I was just referring to Moony and me."
Hermione groaned and shoved him in the slightest. "Don't."
"Love, I'm in full support of you treating yourself to as much happiness and contentment as you can."
"Let's avoid this subject," Hermione mumbled.
"What exactly did Snape do that has your knickers in a bunch?"
Hermione's cheeks were flaming. "He has an intensity that is parallel. I understand it."
"Well, I don't judge you," Sirius laughed.
"Will you stay with me tonight?"
The animagus rocked his head while climbing toward the pillows. "I sleep naked."
"That doesn't surprise me," Hermione said while rolling her eyes.
He shifted and tore off his black t-shirt. "It shouldn't."
Hermione crawled to the pillows and snuggled under the blankets. Sirius soon followed suit and wiggled his eyebrows as he shifted under the sheets. His pants soon were tossed aside, and Hermione gasped. "I thought you were joking, Sirius!"
Sirius bent to her face and kissed her temple. "I never lie about nudity, love."
"Well, fine," Hermione huffed as he moved closer.
"I'm big spoon, Hermione. Curl up so we can have some pillow chatter."
Hermione giggled while shaking her head. "You're too much."
"Not the first time I've heard that from a pretty witch."
She groaned while lying on her side, elbowing his side. "Don't you dare bring up past shags as you're starks in my bed."
He pressed his chin over her shoulder as his arm curled around her body. "I promise, I'll keep it sweet and vague."
"Let's get some rest. I have a feeling it's going to be insanity tomorrow," Hermione voiced as her fingers ran over his.
"I'll keep you above water, Hermione. You need to trust me."
"You have it, Sirius."
