I have no excuse for the long...long wait. Enjoy!
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Chapter 10
Sirius Black scrubbed his face as he walked down the narrow flight of stairs to the basement kitchen. As he walked, he listened to the whispers of the portraits as he passed. Since his pardon from Fudge a few weeks ago, his life had been on a whirlwind. Instead of having one kid to live with him, he was in charge of his godson and daughter. It surprised him at the rate of getting custody of both kids. Both sets of guardians were quick to sign their names on the dotted line, giving Sirius the chance to do the right thing for his children.
As he neared the kitchen, he could smell the aroma of food coming from the room. His mouth watered as he wished for a hot cup of tea to wake him up. Pushing the door open, Sirius squinted against the bright light of the kitchen and saw Molly sitting at the long table already. She was nursing a cup of tea and nibbling on a scone. Giving her a wave, Sirius walked around and took his spot at the head of the table.
Within minutes after he sat down, there was a rumbling noise of feet pounding against the stairs. The door burst open revealing the twins, happily grinning with a mischievous look on their faces. Sirius sighed in remembrance of all the mischievousness he used to get into. Another minute later, Ron stumbled in, yawning, followed by Ginny, who glanced longingly at Harry before sitting down beside her older twin brother.
Molly moseyed around, setting plates in front of people before bustling back toward the kitchen. A steaming cup of tea appeared beside his plate and he greedily grabbed it. Sirius grabbed his fork to stab the scrambled eggs when owls flew through the magical window, delivering the mail. A regal looking black owl landed beside him and stuck its leg out.
He frowned at the owl and set his fork down with a sigh. His grey eye caught the Wizengamot seal on the medallion the owl wore and grimaced. Before he could rip the letter open, the owl barked at him angrily and flew away. A black eyebrow rose in annoyance at the bird. Padfoot turned back to the letter and cracked the Wizengamot seal.
Unrolling it, he leaned back against his chair. The kitchen door opened, revealing Remus and Harry talking about Defense. Sirius ignored them, turning his attention back to the scroll. His grey eyes scanned the parchment and winced, seeing it was about the upcoming session in September. As he continued reading, he noted there was a special session in a few days concerning a revision of the Muggle Protection Act and increasing the Anti-Werewolf laws. He frowned at the last statement.
"Morning, Padfoot," Harry said, gaining the Marauder's attention.
Sirius set the parchment beside his cold cup of tea and turned his attention to his godson. He looked the boy over with a critical eye and noted that Harry seemed healthier than he did when he arrived a few weeks ago. The lad didn't look starved anymore. Padfoot knew Harry wasn't sleeping well, but he was sleeping better.
His Mind Healer sessions were going well, according to the Healer. Twice a week, Healer Schultz worked with Harry and Sirius for an hour at a time. Sirius worried Harry might need more time a day with the Healer, but in vague terms, Healer Schultz said that Harry was slowly progressing.
Hermione and Neville left the day after the combined birthday party to spend more time with their family. If Sirius understood right, the kids planned to spend a week at Hermione's and a week at Neville's during August. Despite Dumbledore's meddling, Sirius wholeheartedly approved of his kids spending time with their friends.
"Morning, Harry," Sirius said, giving the lad a smile.
Sirius reached for his cup of tea again and was pleasantly surprised to see it hot again. He took a sip and pulled his plate back to him with one hand. Setting the cup down, he grabbed his fork again and grabbed a warm scone.
"When are you going to Hermione's?" Sirius asked, slicing open a scone.
"Probably tomorrow for a few hours," Harry replied, pushing his eggs around on the plate.
Sirius frowned at Harry's actions and remembered that today was a Healer session. He cursed under his breath and hurriedly finished his breakfast. Before he could rise from his chair, Remus snatched the parchment from the Wizengamot office and read over the letter.
"Are you going to the special session in a couple of days?" Remus asked, lowering the parchment from his face and setting it on the table.
Sirius scowled at his lupine friend, "I'm going too…"
"Might be best if you claim the Black seat, you know?" Remus interjected.
Harry looked up from his plate and stared curiously at Remus for a second. Remus cleared his throat, ignoring the scathing look Sirius sent him. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back into his chair.
"The Black Family, much like the Potter Family, has a seat on the Wizengamot. The British Ministry's version of a governing body. Once you claim your title, you will have a proxy sit for you until you turn twenty-one."
Sirius frowned, remembering the conversation at Gringotts a few weeks ago. He remembered how Harry panicked, learning that he was going to become the Head of the Potter family in a few short years. That was something Sirius hoped Healer Schultz would help Harry come to gripes about.
"I thought about it. Me stepping out as Lord Black will have the desired effect of the entire Wizengamot panicking or trying to get cozy with me," Sirius answered, rolling his eyes.
Sirius turned away from Remus and concentrated on Harry. The lad was still pushing his food around on his plate despite Cassie prodding him to eat. He'd been so focused on Harry, he didn't see his daughter walk into the room. It was still strange to see his daughter sitting at his table after so many years of not seeing her.
"Cassie," Sirius called for her, gaining her attention away from Harry. "Are you going to Hermione's tomorrow?"
"Yep. I can't wait. She has a swimming pool that I plan on pushing Neville into," she beamed, and nudged Harry with an elbow.
"He'll scream like a girl, you know." Harry joked before grabbing a piece of toast to butter.
"Then I'll have to bring a camera."
"Do you have swimwear?" Sirius asked. He really didn't want to shop for his daughter. In his mind, she was still a baby that unfortunately grew up while he was imprisoned.
"I do," Cassie spoke up, setting her glass of orange juice down.
"I don't. The Durselys never taught me to swim," Harry said softly, pushing his plate away from him.
"Then you and I can go after your session today," Sirius said, placing his hands on the back of his chair.
"Do—do you think it's appropriate for the kids to be at a Muggle home unsupervised?" Molly spoke up, unable to keep her opinion to herself any longer. Sirius knew Molly didn't approve of him being a parental figure in two teenagers' lives.
Sirius turned his head to Molly and glared at her. "Of course, I think it's all right. The kids are old enough they can hang out at a friend's house without parents. I'd be more worried if they snuck out without telling me."
He turned back to Cassie and Harry, ending the conversation with Molly quickly. "Are you spending the night at Hermione's and Neville's?"
Both teens nodded their heads, staying completely out of the upcoming argument between their dad and Mrs. Weasley. Harry tossed his napkin on his plate and pushed his chair back. It was nearly time to go for his session.
Sirius kissed Cassie on the top of her head as the man and son walked out of the kitchen and upstairs to the first floor Floo. When they arrived at Healer Schultz's office, Sirius gave Harry a tight hug and told him he would be back in an hour to grab him. Harry sighed, lowering his eyes and walked into the office alone.
Sirius hated to see his son downtrodden. He wanted Harry to become better, just as much as he wanted himself to become better. He knew it would take time for them to fully heal, but for now, this would do. Padfoot tossed the powder into the Floo to head back to Grimmauld Place. There were things he needed to do before the upcoming Wizengamot session.
An hour later, Sirius floo'd back to Healer Schultz's office to pick Harry up to take him to Muggle London to buy swimwear. It became necessary for him to spend as much time with his kid's individually according to Healer Schultz. When he took Harry to his sessions, Padfoot spent time with Harry afterward. When Sirius was done with his own session, he would spend time with Cassie.
The pain was still there after many years of emotional suppression, but he felt lighter every time he left the Healer's office. Once he was healed, he could be a better parent to his children. Sirius entered the waiting room and took a seat outside the door to Healer Schultz's office. It wasn't long before the door opened as Harry stepped out. Quickly, he rose and embraced his son in a tight, reassuring hug.
He seethed internally, feeling his son shake from the emotional upheaval of the session. It was always like this afterwards. Healer Schultz kept everything confidential but would tell Sirius if something was serious.
"You all right?" he whispered in Harry's messy black hair.
The lad shook his head no but didn't move from Sirius' embrace. It was comforting to the boy and he wouldn't deny him the comfort. Merlin knows Harry didn't get it from the Dursely's. After a long minute, Sirius stepped back to look at Harry. He could tell he'd been crying a little, and it hurt Padfoot's heart.
"Let's go shopping. We'll stop by Floren's for ice cream afterwards, yeah?" Sirius prompted with a smile.
Harry nodded his head and with a last lingering look at the door to the Healer's office, the Padfooted one and the Pronglet walked out and into the busy summer London.
An hour later, they were sitting at Floren's, destroying the second round of ice cream sundae. The shopping wasn't horrible when it was something simple, like grabbing a few pairs of swimming gear. Harry had a closet full of new clothes that Sirius had bought him a few weeks ago, but nothing to swim in. Occasionally there would be someone that would stop by and gawk at the Boy-who-Lived, but after a loud complaint to Floren, the gawking ceased immediately.
Once they were stuffed with sugar, Sirius led Harry back to Grimmauld Place, where the boy immediately disappeared up to his room for an afternoon nap. Sirius watched with a heavy heart as Harry climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. Cassie appeared by his side a minute later and looked at her father.
"His session did not go well?"
"I think it did. I know it's hard for him to talk about what happened in those ten years with those monsters. I still want to curse and hex them until they go mad," Sirius said, turning to his daughter and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You don't need to talk to Healer Schultz, do you?"
"Don't think so. I mean, it's weird that I know who my parents are and that I have a family that my guardian never told me about. It's an adjustment," she mummered.
Sirius nodded his head in understanding. "I completely understand, but if you need to talk to Healer Schultz, please tell me."
She nodded her head at him and gave him a hug before disappearing up the stairs to her room or the library. Sirius watched as she disappeared and followed up to the second floor where the Head of house study was. Gaining entrance a second later, he walked into the cold room and took a seat in the chair.
It was time to reclaim his Lordship with the Wizengamot and remind everyone why the Blacks were a force to be reckoned with.
The day of the emergency session of the Wizengamot, Sirius floo'd into the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. He stepped aside, using his wand to clean himself of any soot, and tucked his wand back into his robes. He would have to have it checked before they would let him proceed any further.
Checking his pristine and expensive robes, he made sure he didn't look like he had escaped from Azkaban before walking over to the line of magicals to have their wands checked. After he was finished, Sirius Black walked toward the lifts that would take him to level 2 of the Ministry. As he stepped inside the lift, the few magicals stepped back from him as if he would murder them in the lift.
Sirius scowled at the ignorant fools and looked away. As he stepped off the lift, he saw two plum colored robes and ducked behind a column to hide. He wasn't ready for the world to see him just yet. Fidgeting, he played with the three buttons at the top of his robes, his fingers brushing the sewn emblem of his family's crest.
He could do this.
"Sirius Black!" a feminine voice called out from behind him. Sirius winced and turned around to see who had found him.
Walking toward him in stately plum robes and hat, Augusta Longbottom strode toward him. The scowl on her face reminded him of his former Professor McGonagall.
"Augusta Longbottom!" Sirius said cheerfully, giving her a nod of his head before lifting her hand to give it a quick kiss on her knuckle. "How are you this fine morning?"
She snorted at his antics. "Don't flatter yourself, Black. My Neville told me you'd be here to claim your seat today, even if it's an emergency meeting of the Wizengamot."
"Yes, that's true," he replied with a cheeky smile.
Augusta arched an eyebrow at him, simmering Padfoot down a little. His smile faltered as he realized she meant business between them.
"Why not wait till the Autumn Equinox?" she inquired, motioning for him to walk.
He stepped to the side and offered his arm to her, which she took. "Harry and Cassie will be back at Hogwarts. I want this done before then."
"I see." she pursed her lips and maneuvered around a wizard who was standing in their way. "If you do this, you'll make a splash. Though I don't see Albus welcoming you warmly."
Sirius scowled fiercely as they slowed their step. The large double doors were in front of them, and Sirius could see inside the Wizengamot room. It was shaped like a horseshoe with members of the Wizengamot sitting behind a podium that he knew the Chief Warlock would sit. He gulped, pushing down a fear, and turned to see Augusta glance at him before she walked inside the Wizengamot.
He peered into the room again and saw it was mostly full. There was a smattering of seats that were empty, including the Black and Potter seats. That would change today when he claimed the seat and began taking over Harry's care publicly. Steeling his courage, Sirius walked into the room, hoping no one saw him yet.
Unfortunately, there was a sparkling blue set of eyes that saw him walk in. When Sirius' grey eyes landed on Dumbledore's, the old man's eyes widened dramatically. Sirius stood on the top step, his robes pristine, his back straight as he stood there waiting for the Chief Warlock to call the emergency session to order.
"Seal the doors!" Albus intoned, coughing slightly against his pause.
A loud acknowledgment from behind Sirius concurred by sealing the doors with magic. Heavy iron chains crisscrossed the ancient wooden oak doors, locking everyone inside until they were finished. Sirius clasped his hands behind his back and waited patiently for this show to begin.
"The emergency August session of the Wizengamot is called to order," Albus stated, looking around at everyone, his eyes lingering on Sirius.
The Wizengamot clerk cleared his throat and stood up. Unrolling a sheaf of parchment, his eyes flickered down to ready his order. "Unfortunately, before we begin the emergency session, there is a petition to the membership of the Wizengamot. The Ancient and Noble House of Black has a new Head of House. Lord Black, will you please rise and take your oath?"
Hushed mummerings washed around the room for a moment, everyone looking around to see where the new Lord Black was. Sirius smirked when no one realized it would be him. His fierce hatred of the Lord Black title was well known.
Sirius inhaled quietly, mustering up the courage, and quickly stepped down the steps until he reached the floor of the Wizengamot. Not a word was said as Sirius stopped in front of a stone table. On top of the table sat a ritual bowl and a knife beside it. Padfoot smirked, catching Dumbledore's eye as the man gaped in front of him.
When the silence stretched for several minutes, Sirius cleared his throat loudly, pulling Albus from his staring. Dumbledore shook his head and opened his mouth to protest, but realized the error if he did. Regardless of who the new Lord Black was, Albus couldn't deny the wizard to take his place among his peers.
Albus cleared his throat and looked down at the parchment for a second before looking back at Sirius, hoping the young wizard would have disappeared. When Sirius stood before him still, Albus sighed and gave into the inevitable.
"Your oath, Sirius Black," Albus intoned.
Sirius smiled thinly at his former Headmaster and reached for the ornate ritual knife. Gently, he pressed the sharp tip against his left pointer finger and winced at the sting. Setting the knife down, Sirius placed his bleeding hand over the ritual bowl.
"I, Sirius Orion Black, Head of the House of Black, swear to uphold the laws and decide with fairness and honor with each judgement. I accept the title of the House of Black by blood, law, and oath. I have sworn this oath truthfully."
Behind him, a grey smokey cloud settled over the Black Seat confirming its acceptance of its newest Head. Albus smothered his anger and nodded toward Sirius. "Your oath has been accepted, Lord Black."
Sirius grinned and quickly spelled the blood from the knife and healed his finger before turning around and climbing back up the steps to the third row where the Ancient and Noble Houses sat. Taking his seat, Sirius inhaled deeply and placed his wand in the small hold on the arm of his chair.
The emergency session turned out to be rather boring, and Sirius refrained from speaking the entire time. While everyone argued amongst themselves, Sirius took notes and voted against increasing the Anti-Werewolf laws. Soon after, the session came to a halt as the chamber doors unsealed, letting everyone leave.
Sirius ducked out of the Wizengamot and quickly made his way back to the lifts, where he would catch the Floo home. He didn't want to stick around to talk to Albus, who he knew had many questions. Questions that would most likely lead to an argument. He would have a home field advantage if Albus came to Grimmauld Place.
As he stepped into the Atrium of the Ministry, Sirius sighed in relief at seeing the Floo's. He was halfway across the Atrium when he heard his name being called. He stopped, closed his eyes, and tried to ease the aggravation on his face. When he felt himself calm, he turned to see Albus stomping over to him.
"Ah, Sirius, may we speak?" Albus began with his customary 'grandfather' tone.
"What about Albus?" Sirius asked, ignoring the surrounding people.
"About Harry and his safety."
Sirius raised an eyebrow at his former Headmaster, "What about it?"
"You see, Sirius," Albus began, looking around to see the crowd of people watching. Frowning, he stepped close to Sirius and lowered his voice. "Is there somewhere we can talk privately?"
Sirius thought for a second and decided against it. He would have the safety of Grimmuald Place but publicly he could inform everyone of damaging information and not have it misconstrued in the Daily Prophet.
"No, this is fine," Sirius said, reaching for his pocket watch to check the time, "but it will have to be quick. I have other things to do."
Albus glared at him for a second before smoothing his face behind the politician. "Very well. Harry Potter needs to return to Privet Drive for his protection."
"No."
"Wh—what do you mean 'No'?" Albus sputtered.
Padfoot cleared his throat. "No means no, Albus. My son will not be going back to Privet Drive. You left him there and the things they did to him….." Sirius trailed off, seeing the magicals watching the charade.
Albus stared at Sirius in shock. He was actively defying the Chief Warlock. No one did that. Albus knew that sending the Potter heir to live with his Muggle guardians wouldn't be the best idea, but it was where the boy was safest. He needed to convince Sirius of this knowledge.
"But Sirius….."
"It's Lord Black," Sirius interrupted rudely.
Albus sighed dramatically. "All right, Lord Black. Harry Potter must go back to his relatives."
Sirius snorted, clasping his hands behind his back. "And I'll tell you again, my answer is no. I am his guardian in the Muggle and Magical world, and there isn't anything you can do."
"But your stay at Azkaban…."
"I've been seeing a Healer and a Mind Healer all summer. Neither of my Healers think I am a danger to my child. I could always have them owl you of my health."
That wasn't good enough for the Chief Warlock. "But Lord Black, surely…"
"My answer is final, Albus," Sirius snapped, finally tired of the conversation. "Good day to you."
With those last words, Sirius spun around and stomped to the Floo. The crowd of magicals parted for him like an ocean. Grabbing a pinch of Floo powder, he stepped into the green flames and with a flash, Lord Black was gone, leaving a befuddled Albus Dumbledore at the hands of the British magicals.
Much to her word, Hermione Granger stepped into the silent kitchen at Grimmauld Place minutes after her parents left for their dentist practice. She promised Harry she would come by during the day while her parents worked. Setting her book on the worn table, she busied herself at the stove to make a small pot of tea. When it was ready, she took a seat and opened her book.
It wasn't long before the door banged open, startling her. Twisting her head to the noise, she saw Sirius Black shuffling into the kitchen. He didn't see her, but grabbed his mug from the hook and shuffled over to her small pot of tea. Without realizing it, he poured himself a cup and took his own chair. A few quiet minutes went by before the caffeine did its job.
"Good morning, Hermione," Sirius said politely.
"Morning, Sirius," she replied, closing her book. As she did, she heard another set of feet on the steps.
Her heart leapt in her chest seeing Harry stumble in much like Sirius did a few moments ago. After their almost kiss in the library, she realized she was more self-aware of Harry Potter. When he sat down beside her, she nudged his shoulder lightly.
"Morning, Harry," she whispered before taking a sip of her tea.
Harry turned his head and gave her a lopsided grin. "Morning Hermione, when did you get here?"
"Half an hour ago. It seems everyone at Grimmauld Place sleeps in." She smirked, setting her tea down.
Harry nodded his head as he yawned, earning him a chuckle from her. A minute later, Molly Weasley entered the kitchen and started pulling out pots and pans to fry up breakfast. Hermione's stomach growled, smelling the aroma of bacon. Opening her book again, she tuned out the conversation with Sirius and Harry.
When the owls swooped in for the morning, it surprised her to see one land at Harry. A second later, a plain brown barn owl dropped off her copy of the Daily Prophet. Shoving her hand in her front pocket of her trousers, she procured the three sickles and placed them in the small brown bag attached to the leg of the owl.
She set aside the newspaper as Mrs. Weasley sat a breakfast plate in front of her. Surprised, she gave the woman a smile before grabbing her fork. A low whistle interrupted her thoughts of breakfast as she turned her head to see Sirius reading the Daily Prophet.
"Looks like Rita heard about what Albus and I said the other day," he said quietly, reading over the article.
"What happened?" Harry asked, seeing Hermione snatch her copy of the Prophet and unrolling it.
"Albus confronted me after I took my seat for the Wizengamot and told me you needed to go back to Privet Drive." Sirius explained as Hermione read.
"But you told him no, right?" Cassie spoke up from her spot across from Hermione. Hermione lifted her head long enough to hand over the Prophet to her best friend.
"I told him no. I wanted to tell him to go fuck off, but it wasn't the right place to tell him that," Sirius said, smiling at them.
"Do you think he's going to bother us about it?" Hermione asked, waving her hand between the three teens.
"You know he will say something as soon as we return to Hogwarts," Harry said quietly, lowering his fork.
Hermione frowned, placing a comforting arm on her best friend's arm. She truly hoped that wasn't the case, but he was Harry Potter. She sighed and turned back to her breakfast, picking at it. The table was quiet for a few minutes when she overheard Sirius ask Harry if he wanted to join him today. Hermione watched as Harry eagerly agreed to go with his Godfather. Her heart warmed seeing her best friend happy. She only wished that Ron hadn't interrupted them several days ago.
Just then, the door slammed open as Ron rushed in and took his seat. He didn't have his mouth open long enough before Mrs. Weasley sat a large plate in front of him. Ron dug in the meal, eating as fast as he could. Hermione suppressed a chuckle as Cassie looked at the redhead in horror as she tried to scoot away from him.
"Harry, are you ready?" Sirius asked, pulling Hermione's attention back to the rest of the table.
Harry nodded to his Godfather and shot her a smile that made her belly do flips. She watched as Harry followed Sirius out of the kitchen, not realizing her best female friend was watching her with interest.
The next day, Hermione arrived at Grimmauld Place. She found Harry awake early and sitting alone in the kitchen. She paused and turned to sneak out of the kitchen when he noticed her.
"Hermione, you can sit," he mumbled, his hands wrapped snugly around his mug.
She nodded and gingerly sat down beside him and watched as he used his wand to pluck a mug from the shelf and gently placed it in front of her. Hermione smiled gratefully and happily noted that his wand skills were improving.
"You all right, Harry?" she whispered, wrapping her hands around the hot mug.
"Not really. I have a Mind Healer session today," he grouched.
Hermione paused, her heart breaking for her best friend. She knew it was healthy for him to speak to someone about his life, but it didn't mean that it made her happy to see him sullen. It would be another afternoon of a brooding Harry Potter and she vowed to help him when he came back. Sirius could do only so much for him and Cassie would be more than happy to sit and listen to him, but he always sought her out.
It didn't start happening when he began his Mind Healer sessions. No, Harry always sought her out when he needed comfort or someone he knew he could trust to talk to and keep his secrets. Her heart warmed, knowing how much trust he gave her.
"You'll be alright," she said. "You can always find me later when you return. We can do something or nothing."
He shot her a grin and reached over cautiously to squeeze her free hand. The gesture startled her, but she said nothing. Harry wasn't normally the one to initiate human contact. Hermione frowned when he pulled his hand away just as the kitchen door burst open, revealing the twins followed by their mother.
From the corner of her eye, Hermione watched as Harry sighed before fiddling with his tea. Fred and George took a seat across from them, whispering furiously to each other. Hermione frowned, seeing them up to no good this early in the morning. Molly bustled in the kitchen, cooking a large breakfast for the occupants in the house.
As people trickled in, the noise level became louder, which annoyed Hermione greatly. She was half a step away from sneaking to the library when Harry caught her attention. She watched as he pushed his food around with a fork, forcing himself to take bites of food just to please watchful eyes.
Scooting closer to him, she ignored the look Ron gave her from down the table. Their fractured relationship with Ron pained her greatly. He had spoken little to any of them since the school year ended. Harry and Ron's fist fight shocked her, resulting in Hermione refusing to go anywhere near their former friend.
Hermione listened as Harry sighed quietly beside her. Catching Sirius's eye, the former prisoner gave her a nod, understanding of what she was trying to convey. "I can't eat anymore," Harry whispered to Hermione.
"Are you sure, Harry?" she questioned him quietly.
He gave her a tiny nod as he pushed away his half-eaten plate of breakfast. Hermione hid a scowl upon seeing the remaining scrambled eggs and toast. She really wished he would eat more. It wasn't as if he were still skin and bones, but he did need more food.
"Are you ready to go, Harry?" Sirius piped up, wiping his mouth with a napkin before tossing it on his empty plate.
Harry looked up suddenly, shock written on his face as if he hadn't realized everyone had gathered in the kitchen to eat breakfast. Hermione frowned, wondering if her Harry was so into his mind that he didn't recognize the loudness of the Weasley clan. She bit down on her lower lip and watched as Harry and Sirius rose from the table, making their excuses.
Her best friend gave her a pained smile before Sirius ushered him out of the kitchen, the door closing quietly behind them. Hermione turned back to her half-eaten breakfast and wondered when Harry had become her Harry. It wasn't as if she had a claim on him, but his behavior toward her since the end of summer had her thinking.
Harry wanted her always around. She could understand that, given what had happened to him earlier this year. He relied on her for, well… almost everything. It made her smile, feeling needed by someone who cared. Picking up her fork, she stabbed her remaining eggs and contemplated her relationship with Harry.
She cared about him. That much Hermione understood about her feelings. Her feelings for him changed over the course of their Fourth Year. The second Ron refused to believe his best mate about the Goblet of Fire was the moment Hermione realized Harry needed her more than ever. She had thrown herself into helping him all year, recruiting Neville and Cassie when she needed more help.
With the help of the three of him, Harry survived the Tournament, even facing off with Voldemort in the graveyard. She shuddered, thinking about the night her best friend could have died. Hermione stabbed the last of her eggs and forced them into her mouth. The once succulent buttery eggs tasted like sawdust in her mouth, thinking about Harry's near death. Mrs. Weasley's screech at the twins brought the smartest witch from her somber thoughts, and she pushed away her plate before rising from the table. Thanking Mrs. Weasley for breakfast, she hurried out of the kitchen before anyone could stop her.
Climbing the narrow black staircase to the second floor, Hermione pushed the large double doors open to the library and sighed happily at the silence. She entered cautiously, having been forewarned that many of the books in the library were not safe for her to handle. It disappointed her immensely, but Sirius directed her toward a shelf that wouldn't curse her.
Finding that shelf, she wandered down the aisle, reading over the obscure titles before plucking one carefully off the shelf. Cradling the book in her hands, Hermione curled up on the worn dark green couch, sighing contently as she slipped into learning mode.
A startling noise from the front of the library caught her attention half an hour later. Hermione sighed and lowered the book to see Ron and Ginny entering the library. She watched from her hidden view as they looked around the library. She quirked an eyebrow, realizing they were looking for someone. Ignoring their sniping at each other, Hermione turned back to her book.
"Hermione," Ginny called out, seeing the smartest witch on the sofa. "Have you seen Harry?"
"Yea, where's Potter?" Ron demanded, coming to stand beside his younger sister. Hermione raised an eyebrow at his tone but said nothing.
Hermione hid a scowl that threatened to show on her face. It wasn't any of their business where Harry was. Since the fight between Ron and Harry earlier in the summer, neither Weasely spoke to Harry. It seemed strange they would ask about him now.
Hermione sighed, lowering her book to rest on her lap. "Why do you want to know?"
"He's always coming and going," Ginny said cautiously. "He's gone twice a week, Hermione. We just want to know where he is."
"Like today," Ron added, glaring at his former friend. Hermione supposed that was his way of trying to indirectly threaten her to talk.
"What does it matter?" Hermione asked, closing the book, her nails tapping gently on the worn book cover. "He's with Sirius."
"Mum says that Sirius is too unstable to take care of Harry. That he doesn't know what Harry needs," Ginny protested, her eyes darkening a little.
Hermione wanted to huff at Ginny. Sirius's stay in Azkaban didn't make him mentally sound, but the man was trying. He submitted himself to a Mind Healer and a regular Healer. Now that Sirius had Harry and Cassie, the man would do anything to make things right.
She found herself not liking Mrs. Weasely at that moment. Since her arrival at Grimmauld Place, her confidence in the Weasley attitude sunk to new levels. While she appreciated Mrs. Weasley's punishment for Ron, it irritated her how pushy the woman was. Hermione knew Mrs. Weasley carried a strong resentment against Sirius.
Why? Hermione couldn't figure out. Maybe Mrs. Weasley saw her as Harry's parental figure instead of Sirius. That thought truly irritated the smartest witch.
"Sirius is seeing a Mind Healer," Hermione began, looking between the two redheads. She hoped this knowledge was public.
Ginny scoffed, rolling her eyes slightly. "Even so. It would take years before Sirius was mentally stable. He was in Azkaban for twelve years, Hermione."
"At least he's trying." Hermione twisted her body around to climb off the couch. The library's atmosphere ruined her good mood. The longer she stood there, the worse her incoming anger was. She couldn't believe these people. Ron opened his mouth to retort, but Hermione held up her hand, stopping his diatribe. "Sirius is trying very hard to do right…. what has anyone else ever done right by Harry?"
With that, she clutched the book tightly to her chest and stormed out of the library. She only resisted slamming the door behind her. Scowling, she turned to walk up the stairs to the room she and Cassie shared. Entering the quiet room a minute later, Hermione sighed and took a seat in the comfortable chair and reopened her book.
"COME BACK HERE!" Hermione looked up from her book, hearing someone yell in the hallway.
Closing her book, she rose from her chair cautiously. She placed the book on the bed and pulled her wand from under her pillow. Hermione cursed herself for her lack of constant vigilance.
"No, I won't, Ronald Weasely!" Cassie's voice echoed down the hallway. Hermione frowned and moved across the room, and jerked the door open.
"You tell me where he is!" Ron's face reddened further as Cassie stepped back.
"Why?" Cassie demanded, pulling her wand out. "Why should I tell you? You're the one who bailed on him, Ron."
"He's the one who decided to hang out with that fucking squib," Ron shot back hotly.
"And that gives you the right to treat him like you do?!" Cassie snapped.
Apparently, neither Cassie nor Ron noticed Hermione standing there watching. Hermione stood at the door, ready to assist her best friend if Ronald tried to do something stupid. She remained silent, wanting to hear what Ron had to say since Hermione had cut him off earlier.
Ron sneered, worthy of Malfoy at Cassie. Then he took a step toward Cassie. "You will tell me what I want to know."
"No."
Hermione fingered her wand, ready to hex Ron if he took another step toward Cassie.
Ron glared at Cassie for a long minute before his face curved into a dark smile. "I'll tell everyone how you and the squib came out of one of the upstairs rooms."
Hermione thought his threat was unusual. It was more of Ginny's tactic to sabotage someone's reputation. Hermione vaguely recalled a fourth year Hufflepuff girl who got on Ginny's bad side. The poor girl still wouldn't look anyone in the eye.
"Don't call Neville a squib! He's not a fucking squib, Ronald, and you know it!" Cassie seethed, pointing her wand at Ron. "You're so unpleasant, Ron. Just go away. I don't care who you tell."
Ron glared at Cassie once more and stormed off. Hermione sighed in relief and pocketed her wand carefully. The smartest witch wished Ron had tried flinging a hex at Cassie. It would take days before Mrs. Weasely set him right if he did.
Hermione turned to Cassie, who had pocketed her wand. "He bother you too?"
"Found me coming out of the downstairs parlor. He chased me up here, demanding I tell him about Harry."
"He and Ginny did the same to me in the library earlier. I didn't tell them anything. It's not any of their business. If Harry wants them to know, he'll tell them."
Cassie nodded in agreement. "If this is all over, will you help me with my Potion's essay?"
Hermione gave her best friend a smile. "Of course I can. Let me get my notes."