I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 42 – AU: A Book Wyrm's Hoard, Part 1
Starts in Harry's third year.
Alicia blinked a few times. She looked at Katie who looked back with equal astonishment. After another moment they both looked at an increasingly nervous and embarrassed Hermione. "I'm sorry," Alicia said slowly. "I must have misheard you. Could you repeat that?"
Hermione, face bright red, turned to leave. "Never mind, this was a bad idea, forget I said anything."
"Hermione, wait." Katie reached out and gently took the younger girl's hand. "We were just a little surprised."
"Of course you were. Why on earth would I possibly want to learn," she said bitterly.
"Oh drop it Hermione," Alicia sighed. "I promise we aren't mocking you. You caught us by surprise. You would have the same reaction if I said I wanted to learn caring for a dragon or if Katie wanted to learn how to sew."
"Hey, I know how to sew," Katie protested. She colored at Alicia's look. "Not well but never mind." She looked back at Hermione. "But sure, we'll teach you."
"You're not looking to try out for the team, are you?" Alicia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No! I mean, I just want to try and broaden my horizons or something," Hermione mumbled.
"Right," Alicia said with considerable disbelief. "Well, let's go."
"Now?" Hermione asked, voice squeaky with panic.
"Yes, now. Go change into something athletic and meet us back here. Go on." She watched Hermione climb the stairs to the girls' dormitories with the gait of someone dreading what was to come. "What on earth is going through that girl's head?" she murmured softly.
"Maybe she really does want to try something different," Katie suggested.
"For her, trying something different is reading a book on a subject she had not read before. This is well beyond her comfort zone," Alicia replied.
"You think she has an ulterior motive?"
"I do, the question is, what?"
"Well, maybe she'll tell us once she gets more comfortable."
Alicia rubbed her face. "This is going to be horrific; you know that right?"
"It won't be that bad…right?"
-0-
"Oh my goodness, this is amazing," Angelina said. She grunted when Alicia kicked her in the leg. "Ow hey!"
"Be nice," Alicia said. "I know you don't love her but she's trying something new and I won't have you making fun of her." Alicia winced at a loud screech. "Even if it's really easy to do right now."
Hermione was sitting on the broom, her hands clenched tight enough to be strangling the broom if it breathed. Her legs were clamped as tight as a mechanical vise and she trembled as she tried flying about. The broom shook too, as if it shared her terror. Katie had one hand on her arm and was trying to guide her around but it was not going well.
"Okay, let's get back to the ground," Katie said even though they were not very high in the air. "Come on." She led Hermione down and the second Hermione's feet touched the ground she collapsed flat onto the earth.
"Flying on a broom is mad," Hermione panted.
"Don't you ride in airplanes?" Katie asked.
"I'm sitting in a very large vehicle with lots of safety measures! It's very different!"
"Okay, fair. Come on Hermione, up you get. The ground isn't comfortable." Katie helped Hermione up and guided her to the benches, helping her sit. Alicia sat beside her, rubbing her back comfortingly while shooting Angelina an ugly look.
"That was…a good try," Angelina said, more than a little insincerely.
"You don't have to lie to me," Hermione said frostily. "I'm rubbish on a broom and I know it. I had hoped it was something I could learn and overcome but it appears I can't."
The three Chasers looked at each other awkwardly.
"Hermione, why the urge to learn how to fly on a broom and play Quidditch?" Alicia asked.
"You wanted to learn how to play Quidditch?" Angelina asked incredulously before grunting when Alicia kicked her in the shin. "Ow! You kicked me in the same spot!"
"And I'll do it again!"
Katie glared at her two friends and they stopped bickering sheepishly. "Are you okay?" Katie asked Hermione, noticing her how she looked.
"I'm fine," Hermione said. "I just realized my shortcomings and are coming to terms with them."
"That's a trifle dramatic and I should know," Alicia said. "Come on, tell us what's going on."
"I just found myself doing something I swore never to do." Hermione began to tear up slightly. "Try to do something for someone's attention and I can't even do that right."
"Hermione, don't cry. Tell us what's wrong," Katie said, fishing a handkerchief out.
"Oh Merlin," Angelina groaned.
"Shut your mouth you Amazonian-"
"I'm not being rude," Angelina said, glaring at Alicia. "I know what she's talking about and I'm commiserating. It's like when I did that extra Charms stuff with Oaken," she sighed.
Katie and Alicia looked at each other with a dawning realization before they turned back to Hermione. "Oh, you wanted to learn how to fly and play Quidditch for someone?" Katie asked gently.
Hermione nodded miserably.
Alicia smiled knowingly. "Is it for baby bird?"
"I don't know who that is," Hermione said evasively, her face turning bright red.
"Yes you do," Alicia retorted.
"Aww, you like Harry?" Katie asked with a wide smile.
Hermione buried her face into her hands. "No," she ground out.
"That no sounds like a yes," Angelina observed with a small smile.
Hermione bent completely over, hiding her face completely and her hair went every which way. "No it didn't," she said, her voice muffled.
"I mean, it makes sense. You're with him a lot and you two are best friends," Katie said. "Either him or Ron."
"Not Ron," Hermione said, still muffled.
"Hermione, sit up. Show some spine and some spirit. Come on, protégé of mine." Alicia tugged on Hermione's shoulders until she slowly unfurled like a reluctant sail that resented the breeze. "There we go. Now then, why did you think you had to learn how to fly and play Quidditch to get Harry's attention?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Hermione asked.
"Is it?" Katie looked at Angelina who shrugged.
"He loves flying and he loves Quidditch," Hermione said. "And he is really close to your three and he listens to you and he…" she made vague hand motions and her face went red again. "Is very close to you."
"You said that," Alicia said.
"Like…physically," Hermione said, face somehow redder.
"Ah, so you thought that he had a type then," Alicia mused. "Not completely unfounded for you to think that."
"None of us see Harry like that," Katie said. "And as far as cuddling and hugging goes, it's definitely a familiar friend thing. Or a little sib thing."
Hermione looked faintly relieved.
"You don't need to go through all that for him," Katie continued. "Harry likes you for you. He willingly does homework with you and it's clear that he likes hanging out with you."
"I just thought it would be easier if we shared more interests but flying is terrifying," Hermione said in a very small voice.
"It's not for everyone," Angelina said agreeably. "But, I mean, Rabbit isn't that shallow. He wouldn't want you to go through that kind of effort for him. He'd rather you be happy, you know."
"I know, I just don't know what to do," Hermione said. "I tried to look for books in the library but I couldn't find anything."
"The library is ancient and you wouldn't want to look up ancient courting rituals and customs," Alicia said firmly. "Those are truly terrifying. Hermione, you have all the help you could ever ask for with us."
Hermione looked at the ground. "You three are terrifying too and I didn't know if you'd…approve. I know how protective you are of him."
"True," Katie said as she patted Hermione's back. "But as long as you're sincere and Harry likes you back, we'd root for you. I happen to think you're a great girl Hermione and we'll help you. We all have experiences we can share. Advice to give."
"First, don't tell Harry all the things you don't like about him before you ask him out," Angelina smiled. She jumped when Alicia kicked her in the shin very hard. "Bloody hell! You bitch! Come back here!" She chased after Alicia who took off running.
"Angelina wasn't wrong," Katie giggled and even Hermione joined in as they watched Angelina chase after her friend. "Don't kick him like that either."
"Noted," Hermione giggled. She sighed, her momentary humor fading. "I hate this, feeling awkward and not knowing what to do. I always know what to do or do research to know what to do."
"Some things you just can't prepare for but we're here for you. We witches stick together." She watched as Angelina tackled Alicia and proceeded to try and make her eat grass. "You know, usually." She turned back to Hermione and smiled. "So, Harry huh?"
"I guess," Hermione said, looking away.
"Sounds more than a guess. Mind if I ask why?"
Hermione sighed. "He listens when I talk. He doesn't disregard what I say, he doesn't argue with me to argue. He's patient with me when I'm being especially stubborn and overbearing." Her features softened. "He's very sweet."
Katie's smile turned softer as she saw how Hermione's face transformed. "Yeah he is. Very considerate. Not to mention saving you from the troll first year."
"That too." Hermione looked up. "And…you know last year when I was petrified?"
"Yes," Katie winced. "He took it really hard. I was with him when we found out."
"I know he blamed himself and it wasn't his fault at all. But when I found out that he visited me often, brought me things and made sure I was okay, it made me feel really special you know? And I wish I was more aware of it. Like, I don't really remember what was going on when I was petrified, my mind was funny too but I think I could hear him talk and well…it made me feel special. Still does," Hermione confessed.
"He's good at that, making you feel important and wanted and cared for." Katie patted Hermione's hand. "I can see why you've fallen for him."
"I don't know if I'd go that far," Hermione stammered. "But I do…like him. I think."
"Sure," Katie said with a knowing smile.
"Do you know if he likes me?" Hermione asked in a very small voice.
"To be honest, we don't talk about stuff like that. Do you want me to ask?"
"No!"
Katie laughed. "Okay, I won't, I promise. But, I know he cares a lot about you and he very well could like you more. Just, be yourself around him, okay? If it's meant to be, it'll grow from there. You can still get close to him and get to know him more and share more of yourself with him. Take it easy."
Hermione nodded. "Take it easy. I can do that. Thank you so much Katie." She hesitated for a moment, looking torn.
Katie hugged her gently. "Of course. We're here for you, both of you."
Hermione hugged her back and walked off back to the castle, feeling better.
Katie watched her go fondly and then smiled when Alicia and Angelina returned. Angelina rubbed her side and Alicia kept spitting, blades of grass falling whenever she spat. "Got that out of your system?"
"For now," Angelina said.
"This isn't over," Alicia growled. She spat again. "Anyways, so Hermione and Harry huh?"
"Yeah, she's got it pretty bad even if she tries to ignore how bad," Katie smiled. "It's really cute."
"I guess they're worse girls," Angelina sighed.
"You have got to let it go. At least with her standing up to you means she'll stand up for him," Alicia scolded.
"You're right," Angelina sighed once more. "I mean, they could be good together. He calms her and she stands up and encourages him."
"Plus she isn't one of the ones that likes him for his fame. She likes him for how he makes her feel." Angelina and Alicia sighed softly at Katie's words.
"Well, let's just watch and see for now," Alicia said. "Won't push one way or another. Besides, Hermione's smart. She'll figure it out."
"If she makes Rabbit happy, then I'm for it," Angelina said. "I guess I can learn to like her for his sake."
-0-
Hermione took Katie's advice to heart and was herself to the best of her ability. Unfortunately, she was usually torn on how much of herself she should be. She knew how much she could act, given having no friends at all when she was younger. A part of her thought she was mad in doing this. What if things went wrong? Would she survive not having Harry as a friend?
She knew she would not but that tiny kernel deep in her chest that wanted more with him could not be completely silenced.
She also took Alicia's advice to heart, to reach out and take what you want. To find your self-worth. Instead of looking on longingly at Harry cuddling and hugging the Chasers, she started to make her own attempts at being close. She scooted a little closer to him on the couch in the common room. Leaned against him at times. Tried to hug him more.
It made her heart sing when he did not question it. She thought she could not stop smiling when she realized how comfortable he was around her, when he leaned against her too and hugged her back.
The looks she got from the Chasers she could do without however. Katie was always so encouraging but looked at them as if she was older than just one year. Angelina was trying to be kind, something Hermione was grateful for and she tried to return the sentiment. Alicia was far too smug however but Hermione could forgive that. For now. Despite being horrifically embarrassed.
-0-
"Are you sure Harry wants something like this?" Jean asked as she looked at the cookbooks in the basket.
"Yes Mum," Hermione said as she inspected the shelf critically. "Cooking is a hobby of his, surprisingly."
"Why surprisingly?"
"I mean, it's not like we have ways to do it at school easily. But he knows a lot about cooking for someone his age. Not to mention he's said a few things that are rather…odd." Hermione frowned.
Jean hummed softly. "Well, we can always ask him about them later. But as long as you say he likes them, I'm sure he will."
"I do," she replied confidently. After a moment she looked up and frowned at her mother. "What?"
"I haven't seen you this nervous about picking out a gift before."
"I'm, just, trying to make up for my abysmal gift the first Christmas," Hermione stammered.
"Hmm, I thought you did that for his birthday and last Christmas." Jean's eyes widened as she saw how evasive Hermione acted, how she looked away. "Oh my goodness. It's more than picking out a good gift, isn't it?"
"I don't know what you mean," Hermione said, looking away and sweating slightly.
"I think you do. Are you sweet on him?" Jean asked with barely restrained delight.
"Mother!" Hermione nearly shouted in the packed bookstore.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Jean said, nearly laughing. "Honestly dear, you're at the age where you start finding people attractive and the like. Not to mention you talk about Harry all the time in your letters home. All the letters you send courtesy of a very sweet owl that is very sweetly loaned by someone you may or may not be sweet on."
"You use sweet too much for a dentist," Hermione sniffed, ignoring Jean's giggling.
"Hermione, this is a mother's right and delight, to tease her darling daughter over things like this. One day you'll have the same hopefully."
"We are far too young for that!" Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth, mortified.
"Oooh, but you have thought about it?" Jean asked with glee.
"I'm not talking about this anymore," Hermione said, grabbing the basket and fleeing for the counter.
-0-
"Are you sure it's safe?" David asked. "Aren't magical places not great for us Muggles?"
"Magic does funny things to electronics but not to people, unless you literally have a spell cast on you," Hermione said. "And that won't happen, I'm fairly sure."
"And his godfather was exonerated, yes?" Jean asked.
"Yes Mum, wrongfully accused and imprisoned and completely cleared of all charges."
"Still, being in prison with those ghastly sounding guard things for so long can't be good for a person," David said.
Hermione shrugged, a little uneasy. "Well, Harry said he's been getting better over the summer and there'll be other adults there. Katie's mum will be there, and Ron's parents and Harry's…I guess god-aunt and family will be there too."
A light knocking could be heard and after a look, David went and opened it. "Hello…Mister Black?"
Sirius smiled broadly at them. He looked much better compared to the last time Hermione saw him. His skin was no longer waxy and deathly pale. He had some flesh on his bones, his hair long but stylized. His eyes, while still a bit manic, were warm and kind. He was dressed in a Muggle style leather jacket and pants. "Please, call me Sirius. Nice to meet you, Doctor Granger."
David smiled easily, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you. Thank you for coming all this way and be willing to ride with us to your home."
"No trouble at all! I want Harry to have the best birthday and he can't have it without his best friend there. Plus I don't mind Muggle traveling. I have a motorbike of my own."
"Oooh what kind?" David asked eagerly.
"You're not getting one," Jean said severely to her husband. "Nice to meet you too, Sirius." She blushed when Sirius made a courtly bow and shook her hand gravely.
"Sorry, couldn't resist," Sirius laughed. "Hey Hermione! Good to see you. Let's get going. You guys are going to like the place and Harry'll be happy to see you."
On the car ride to Grimmauld, Sirius answered all sorts of questions the Grangers had with good cheer and frank honesty. By the time they arrived, he had them all laughing at his stories and they felt very at ease with him. When Harry greeted them in the foyer, she gasped at how healthy and normal he looked, a far cry different from the other times she saw him after the summers. She leapt at him, hugging him hard and smiled into his shoulder when he reciprocated in kind.
"You look incredible," she gushed, trying to ignore David's suddenly concerned look and Jean's wide smile, trying to ignore Sirius dancing eyes.
"Thanks! It's been good being here. You look great too," Harry said, pink-cheeked.
Despite the looks from her parents, she was incredibly happy.
-0-
"I'm glad he looks so much better than the last time we saw him," Jean said as the Grangers were driving away that night.
"Seriously, it's a huge difference." David narrowed his eyes playfully, winking at his wife and looking into the rear-view mirror at Hermione in the backseat. "Now, do I have to worry that both my wife and my daughter both like how he looks?"
The parents chuckled as their daughter huffed loudly at them.
"Still, I really am glad we came along. Having Sirius being a magical co-guardian will be amazing. Now we have people to answer questions and keep us in the loop," David continued.
"I really liked Andromeda and Samantha too," Jean said. "Magical healing is fascinating. And they are really kind and their daughters are lovely. Plus with Ted also being Muggleborn, it will make things easier for us too."
"I told you Sirius wasn't that bad," Hermione said a trifle smugly.
"Oh you didn't hear the stories about his younger years," David laughed. "I hope Harry won't learn from him."
"He won't," Hermione said firmly.
"But you're right," Jean said soothingly, "he is a kind man. Remarkably well given him being so fresh out of prison. Takes his duties quite seriously. Have you tried the Fooey thingie they were talking about?"
"Not personally but if it's like magical transportation, rather annoying." Hermione shrugged. "But it'll be nice to have our homes connected by Floo to make things easier."
"And we can use it too as long as we have someone magical with us, that sure is handy," David said.
"Harry did like those cookbooks, you were right," Jean said, her smile turning teasing. "Quite the hug you got."
"He hugged you too," Hermione said tartly.
"I really feel like I should be concerned," David mused. He snorted at Hermione's look. "I haven't seen that look since you and I had that discussion on the merits of Tolkien literature."
"Gandalf isn't a very powerful wizard if you compare him to what I know now," Hermione deflected.
"Is Harry a powerful wizard?" Jean asked too innocently.
David snorted, seeing Hermione glare at her mother while making odd head gestures at him. "Hermione, it's rather obvious you might have a crush on Harry. I may be old and male but I'm only occasionally oblivious and stupid."
Hermione buried her face into her hands, lamenting the fact that she was trapped in the car with her parents. "It's not that obvious…is it?"
"To us because we know you. The last time you were this infatuated it was with that new book series and even then you didn't look at them quite as…adoringly," David smiled.
"I hope you two are enjoying torturing your daughter," she said, her voice muffled.
"Quite, it's delightful," Jean smiled. "Again, this is a parent's right Hermione and now that we've spent more time with him, he seems like a nice young man."
"I'm withholding judgement currently," David said hurriedly.
"Wake me up when we get home," Hermione said, closing her eyes tightly.
"He does seem to treat you very nicely too," Jean observed. She sighed softly at the smile that grew on Hermione's lips.
"I'm deeply concerned," David murmured before flinching when Jean pinched him.
-0-0-0-
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - How did the chapter retcon other chapters? I usually try to be careful with the details and the like.
iamchaos98 - Thank you. I thought this would be a good way to get the team together professionally once more besides Team England.
alix33 - That was one of my more favorite insults.
diffident-serpiente - Thank you. I'm glad you still enjoy reading it, still enjoying writing it. And yes, I thought this was a nice way for them to be on the same team once more.
guest - Thank you.