Chapter 3. Family Ties
Hermione and Ron had stayed the night; Sirius had taken them into account when looking for a house. Harry woke the next morning however, to discover Hermione lying next to him. "Hermione, what are you doing in here?" "Don't worry I locked the door this time." She mumbled as she snuggled into Harry." Sighing Harry wrapped his arms around her, "you know maybe now would be a good time to have that talk." "What talk is that?" Harry kissed the top of Hermione's forehead, before continuing, "I mean the talk as to what this means for us, for Ron, who I happen to know has an extreme crush on you. And for all of us in general. This changed everything." Hermione sat up, yawned and looked Harry straight in the eye, "It doesn't have to change anything." Harry didn't believe her, "Hermione, I love you, I'm just not so sure that this is something we should be doing. I don't want to ruin our friendship; I'm scared that we may have already done that." Hermione got out of bed and put her robe on. "Harry it only ruins a friendship if you let it. I won't let it; I just don't see why we can't have the best of both worlds. We love one another, and yet we are the best of friends isn't this what it's all about? You are after all supposed to marry your best friend, that's what I was always taught." Harry looked up at Hermione with shock in his eyes, "If you are saying we should..." "No Harry we are too young for that it was just an example." She said laughing "come on get dressed, it's time to get up anyway. I'll meet you down stairs for breakfast." She kissed him on the cheek before sliding out the door and to her own room.
She had just entered her room when she felt a hand, letting out a gasp she turned to see Gwenyver standing behind the door. Hermione let out her breath and smiled, "Good morning, what are you doing in here?" Gwen appraised Hermione for a moment before she spoke, "Do you love him? Or are you just using him?" "Excuse me?" "Do you love Harry?" "Yes I do. I love him a lot why?" "Because if you love him you will let him go." "I'm sorry I can't do that he is my best friend. " "Why do you want him child he isn't meant for you." "You think I don't know that? I know that I'm only borrowing him, but don't I deserve that for just a little while?" Hermione said tears welling in her eyes Gwen looked at Hermione and shook her head, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come in here sounding so cold, I just want to spare you both the pain that will come from this." Hermione grabbed a handkerchief and blew her nose and wiped her eyes. "How do you know that we aren't meant for each other? I mean I knew just because I felt it but how did you know?" "I have the ability, in fact I'm taking over for your divination professor, and Moony set it up for me." Hermione nodded, "Why did you come back? Padfoot seemed pretty cold to you last night." "That Hermione is a story to tell at a later time, perhaps when Harry and everyone else is up. Listen I'm sorry again for earlier, I know you love him, I'm just scared of the pain you two will face." "Don't worry please, we are both stronger then you think." Gwen nodded "I'll see you at breakfast then." Gwen left then and shook her head, 'Those kids don't know what they are in for.' She thought as she headed down stairs where Sirius and Remus where in the middle of a conversation,
"How could you do that Moony, not even give me any warning that she was coming. The only good thing I can say is that you didn't invite that git of a husband of hers." Remus sighed, "Padfoot, you knew that he would ask about other family soon I mean you gave him photo albums for his birthday, and all the other stuff that James and lily put in storage." "Yes but I could have skirted around the issue of her. She betrayed her family for him." He said it with such venom that Gwen nearly shook with the pain of it. Hearing enough she walked in, "No you mean I betrayed you." She said the statement coldly as she walked to the counter and poured a cup of coffee. "You are angry that precious Gwenyver didn't come to heel when you called. You forget Sirius that I always had my own mind. James knew that and at least understood that I had to put loyalty of my husband in front of my friends. God Sirius if I have known what I was getting into." she let her voice trail off as the memories flooded back. "I came back because he did Sirius, Harry is going to need all the help he can get, I would have come back sooner but Albus asked me to stay away that Harry need time. Well the time in now whether you like it or not. SO you and I can go out and have it out just us, or you forget the past and let me help raise my nephew and God son or so help me Sirius you will have a battle on your hands and I will win." Gwen cleared her throat then as she heard someone on the stairs, "Why don't I start breakfast." She said cheerfully as Harry walked into the room. "Harry what would you like?" Harry shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever I'm easy." Sirius white from his conversation with Gwen, Choked on his coffee at Harry's words, "speaking of which, I do believe that you own me a conversation." He said after gaining his composer, "Not now Padfoot, I promise we will talk but right now I would like to learn more about this aunt that I just found out about." "Well Harry what do you want to know?" "Well I'm assuming you are a younger sister since you look younger then Padfoot and moony, but by how much?" "I'm 2 years younger, and let me tell you being the younger sister of James was not fun, he and these two used to tease me unmercifully." Gwen smiled at the fond memory. "I went to school at Hogwarts, I passed with top marks but didn't make head girl since I was worse then the marauders when it came to trouble, wait maybe not worse but got caught more often." "Which house were you in?" "Slytherin actually." Harry looked wide eyed at his aunt, "You were Slytherin." "Afraid so Harry, sorry to disappoint you." "No it isn't disappointment so much as shock." Gwen laughed. "I know you figured that with the family history and all that I'd be in Gryffindor, I would have been but the hat had trouble deciding, said that I was devious enough for Slytherin, but with potter blood should be in Gryffindor, I knew that if given the choice I'd prefer the house that didn't have James so I said not Gryffindor, and so I landed in Slytherin." "I bet he was mad," "SO much so that he said if I was in Slytherin then I must have been adopted." Gwen placed orange juice in front of Harry, "What else do you want to know?" "Where have you been all this time?" "I've been in Germany mostly although I was in the USA for a few years." "Really what where you doing there?" "Well in the USA I went to University got my masters in teaching as well as music," "Then I went to Germany and worked there singing for the opera. "Are you married?" Gwen took a breath, "Yes." She looked at the two grown men in the room. "Enough questions for now Harry. I want to talk about what happened last night?" "What happened last night?" Ron asked coming into the kitchen "Nothing, just an aunt popping up from no where and your sister, Ron I swear she practically said that she would be making me fall in love with her." Harry said quickly cutting off whatever Sirius was going to say. "Well, what you say to her, you didn't lead her on did you." "Ron I'm telling you I told her that I cared for her but not that way and she just said that I will." "Hand in there mate, she'll get over it." "I sure hope so. I mean she's like a sister, I mean I thought about her a lot this summer, but then I saw her at the burrow. And well I saw her as a sister, a grown up sister but a sister." The adults laughed at the conversation in the kitchen, "He is so much like James." Gwen said as she piled bacon on a plate before tossing it in the oven "Isn't he though." Remus said grabbing the coffee and pouring more into everyone's cups. Hermione came down with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You okay Hermione?" Ron asked as Hermione pulled up a seat. "Fine Ron just had a hard time falling asleep last night." Hermione mumbled as Harry handed her a cup of coffee. "So what does everyone want to do today?" Remus asked as he felt the tension is the room. "Quidditch." Ron and Harry said at the same time "Study." Hermione said "Diagon ally" Gwen said Remus laughed at the answers, "While why don't we go to Diagon, then play some Quidditch, while Hermione studies. Everyone satisfied settled into the quiet routine of eating breakfast. All except Gwen who kept staring at Sirius with defiance in her eyes. "Harry, I want to make sure that you understand that I would have been here for you earlier, but you needed to be protected and I would have lead them straight to you, if was only with you being with that good for nothing sister of Lily's that kept you safe." Harry nodded, "I know. I'm just glad that I don't have to be with them any longer. So tell me about Germany." Gwen smiled, "It's beautiful, I was really happy there, I lived as a muggle. I didn't want to be encumbered by having the wizarding community bombarding me with questions about you or your parents so I took a new name even. I was known as, "Gwendolyn von Gottard an opera singer who could carry a mans soul away." "You seem so sad when you speak about that." Hermione piped in her curiosity peeked, "It was a sad time, my whole family gone, unable to speak to my friends. It was a lonely time. But, I think it will be better now." They finished eating in silence, sobered by Gwen's story. "Gwen, do we have any more relatives? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins?" "Afraid not Harry, Mom and dad were only children. And as far as my grandparents as far as I know they weren't close to their family and I wouldn't even know where to go. Grandma was muggle born, and grandfather came from a small family. Padfoot and Moony are the closest we get to having family now I'm afraid liebes (dear or love)" "No they aren't the closer we get to family, they are family." Harry said looking at Sirius and Remus with a warm expression tinged with sadness. "Enough of this sad talk. Let's get to Diagon, before we end up with the worst of the dragon eggshells." "Why would you care about that?" Harry said looking at his aunt strangely. "I just happen to need a few potions brewed, and I'm not about to leave it to anyone but me." Harry nodded, "Be back in a second." He called out running to his room, returning moments later with his money pouch. Everyone quickly finished getting ready. Entering the living room they each grabbed a handful of Floo powder and within moments had all gotten to the leaky Cauldron. "Well need to stop at Gringott's." Gwen said taking her key off her key ring, "I won't be very long." "I'll just wait here." Ron said looking glum. "Hey Ron, Why don't we go to Quality Quidditch" Harry suggested knowing that he didn't need anymore money since his bag was full. Perking up Ron smiled, "Sure mate let's go." "Not so fast you two." Sirius said looking at the two and shaking his head,
"Come on Padfoot, don't you think we can take care of ourselves." " I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself Harry, but if you recall there is a bit of business that we hadn't gotten to yet at Gringott's." Harry's eyes widened "Damn I almost forgot." Harry said looking at Ron he whispered in his ear. "Bloody hell, I'd forgot about that myself." He said shaking his head. Together the three walked quickly catching up with everyone as they entered the bank.
"Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, we've been expecting you." One of the Goblins said from behind the desk, "Then you know that this is to be done with a minimum of fuss and with utter discretion. I mean it no one must know, where the money came from." "OF course, Dumbledore reminded us of it when he set things up. I'll need your keys." Harry and Sirius handed the Goblin the keys, so that is 2 million galleons to be set into the Orders vault. This will be replenished when it is empty until you both say otherwise. Is that correct?" "Yes." Harry and Sirius said. "Very good sirs it will be transferred immediately from the main family vaults of both your families, here are your keys sirs, have a good day." The work done Harry smiled, "Here Ron your first Paycheck." He said pulling out 20 galleons from his pouch. "From now on you'll get paid from the account but here I'll pay you today." Ron gave a half grin "Now that I'm getting my own paycheck I'll never have to use hand me downs again." Harry laughed, "Maybe you can get that new broom you wanted." "I think that would require a lot more then I've got." Ron said laughing. "Well remember that starting today. You're getting paid once a week. 20 gallons a week. Along with the rest of the OP." "Now why did you guys set it up again?" "Because we didn't think that people risking their lives should get nothing." Sirius said adding his two cents into the conversation. "And if you tell me that you are going to keep that slimy gits house from winning the Quidditch and house cup I'll personally buy you that new broom." Ron laughed, "I'd do anything in my power." The three sat and talked while waiting for Gwen and Hermione. When they returned Hermione was as white as a ghost. "I don't think I'll ever get used to those cars." She said as Ron and Harry helped steady her. "I know what you mean." Gwenyver said. As she closed her eyes until she was feeling centered again. "SO where is moony at?" "I believe he went into knock turn Ally." Sirius said "he said he had a few things to take care of." "Why don't we spilt up then meet at the Leaky cauldron for lunch?" Sounds good. Harry don't bother getting your school supplies we'll get them a couple weeks from now." Alright Sirius." Turning the three teenagers took off. What are you brewing Gwen that you need dragon eggshells?" "None of your business Sirius, and quit glaring at me you're supposed to be happy that I'm back." "Not bloody likely Gwen." Sirius took off himself then leaving Gwen to her own devices.
She took a deep breath as she watched his back; "If only you would understand" she rubbed her left forearm absentmindedly as she headed for Slug & Jiggers the apothecary. "Well look what the cat dragged in or maybe that should be dog. Finally decide to come home and be the wife you vowed to be?" She halted in her tracks as she heard the cold calculating voice. Shaking she turned around slowly hoping that he wouldn't be there when she turned around. "What are you doing here?" she asked glaring at the man she had been calling husband for the last 17years. "Is that anyway to talk to your husband Gwenyver?" he said arching an eyebrow "I'm here to help take care of Harry. I'm surprised that you never filed for divorce." "You forget my dear that purebloods don't do that. While you were gallivanting around running from both sides I was waiting for you." "And you forget. I'm not a pure blood." "You know very well that you were born of a witch and a wizard of a pure strong family that traced your roots all the way back to Godric himself. You are as much a pure blood as me." Gwen looked at the man who was her husband, "That's all that ever mattered to you, you didn't care about you. Just the name is that it. You could say that you have a potter as a wife." "You know bloody well that that is nothing but something your brother and those moronic friends of yours concocted to get you away from me." "I'd love to sit here and chat about the old times but I don't have time, I'm sure you don't want your Nephew to know that you are his uncle after all. We can discuss us in more detail another time. Now if you will excuse me." She turned and had started to walk away. "Not so fast Gwenyver" she stopped. "What: she said closing her eyes to stop the tears that threatened to fall. "You will live with me when you are at the school." "How did you know I was going to be teaching?" "Albus was nice enough to inform me about it this morning by owl. One of the reasons I knew you'd be here today. You always make your own potions and that after a long trip you would be in need of the cleansing solution you use to clear your mind." "I can't live with you." You still love me don't you? Don't lie it doesn't become you love." "I will not awnser." "Answer me wife." "Dammit don't do this." She said tears falling from her cheeks "Look at me Gwenyver" He looked at her, her eyes shinning and knew, "Yes Severus I still love you, but that door has closed and so I bid you good day." She ran to the apothecary her tears falling freely. Severus Snape stood silently and watched her run, "Run love but you are my wife and that is how you will remain." He said after her. Before apparating back to the manor which he called home when school was not in session.
The rest of the morning went by without incident. They all met up at the leaky cauldron at noon toting bags and parcels of all sizes. "Gwen are you okay?" Remus said looking at her with concern. Gwen put a smile on her face "Had a run in with Severus, but I'll be fine." She said as she took a sip of the wine that she had asked for. "You're shaking." "It wasn't particularly a pleasant meeting. I'll be fine moony. Please let's not talk about it now." "You seem to say that an awful lot Gweny." "Well there is a lot we don't want Harry to know and if we start talking about it now, it will all come out." "It will sooner or later you might as well just tell him." "How do you think Sirius would react to it? Me telling Harry about what I've done." "Tell him Gwen, it's better that then having him find out on his own. And he will find out." "I'll keep that in advisement but for right now please can we drop it." "Alright." Remus said "Did you get everything you needed?" "Yes, we should all be able to get home and play Quidditch, all though I think perhaps I should run and buy a new broom, my good old nimbus 1000 will hardly do the trick." Gwen perked up as she thought about Quidditch she had played chaser on the team when she was in school and had loved the sport. She had even taken a chance and gone to the word cup game. "Harry, I hear your seeker for the Gryffindor team, Ron you're the keeper right?" "Yup, not many quaffles get past me." "What was your record last year?" "I have about a 90% stopping average, which when you think about it is pretty good." "Very good our keeper when we were in school only had about a 50% average the stupid prat just couldn't get his act together so it was our job as chasers to score more points and luckily our seeker was good but we could never beat Gryffindor while James was on the team. Man he could move." Gwen said smiling for once forgetting her troubles long enough to actually enjoy something. The day moved fast for the group as they headed home and played Quidditch, when time out was called Gwen landed and walked over to Hermione, "Hey kiddo. Mind making room for an old meddling woman, who sometimes says things she shouldn't?" "You're hardly old." Gwen laughed, "Thanks, but I want to apologize again for this morning, take what happiness you can and hold it tight. I'd forgotten that lesson. Maybe you can make him yours." "No we both know that that would never work. I will take what I can, so will he. And in the end I will always be there and support him" Hermione looked at him as he and Ron passed the quaffel back and forth, "I do love him you know. But when it is time I won't hesitate to let him go. I know that when he finds her he won't have a problem either." Gwen smiled, "You're so sure?" "I know it. That's one of the reasons I don't want those that know to blab it around." "The other?" "You know it as well as I do. If word got out he would never accept it and in the end it would ruin everything." Gwen nodded, "you're pretty smart kiddo." Hermione smiled and looked at Gwen, "you have a lot of secrets don't you?" "More then my fair share." "So why did you pick now to come back?" "That's a pretty easy one Hermione the minute the order of the phoenix was reinstated plans were made for my return. I would have been back last year, but Professor Dumbledore asked for the extra year, said Harry needed time to get used to all that was happening before I came into the picture. How is he doing by the way? Remus said that you were the only one he would talk to." "He's doing better but he's still blaming himself, and it is still eating away at him. I'm not sure what to do; I don't think I can heal him." "It's not your job to heal him, just to keep him whole till he finds the one that can." Hermione nodded. "Come on let's go get dinner ready, something tells me when they are done they are going to be hungry." Laughing the two women left the backyard and headed into the kitchen.
Hermione and Ron had stayed the night; Sirius had taken them into account when looking for a house. Harry woke the next morning however, to discover Hermione lying next to him. "Hermione, what are you doing in here?" "Don't worry I locked the door this time." She mumbled as she snuggled into Harry." Sighing Harry wrapped his arms around her, "you know maybe now would be a good time to have that talk." "What talk is that?" Harry kissed the top of Hermione's forehead, before continuing, "I mean the talk as to what this means for us, for Ron, who I happen to know has an extreme crush on you. And for all of us in general. This changed everything." Hermione sat up, yawned and looked Harry straight in the eye, "It doesn't have to change anything." Harry didn't believe her, "Hermione, I love you, I'm just not so sure that this is something we should be doing. I don't want to ruin our friendship; I'm scared that we may have already done that." Hermione got out of bed and put her robe on. "Harry it only ruins a friendship if you let it. I won't let it; I just don't see why we can't have the best of both worlds. We love one another, and yet we are the best of friends isn't this what it's all about? You are after all supposed to marry your best friend, that's what I was always taught." Harry looked up at Hermione with shock in his eyes, "If you are saying we should..." "No Harry we are too young for that it was just an example." She said laughing "come on get dressed, it's time to get up anyway. I'll meet you down stairs for breakfast." She kissed him on the cheek before sliding out the door and to her own room.
She had just entered her room when she felt a hand, letting out a gasp she turned to see Gwenyver standing behind the door. Hermione let out her breath and smiled, "Good morning, what are you doing in here?" Gwen appraised Hermione for a moment before she spoke, "Do you love him? Or are you just using him?" "Excuse me?" "Do you love Harry?" "Yes I do. I love him a lot why?" "Because if you love him you will let him go." "I'm sorry I can't do that he is my best friend. " "Why do you want him child he isn't meant for you." "You think I don't know that? I know that I'm only borrowing him, but don't I deserve that for just a little while?" Hermione said tears welling in her eyes Gwen looked at Hermione and shook her head, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come in here sounding so cold, I just want to spare you both the pain that will come from this." Hermione grabbed a handkerchief and blew her nose and wiped her eyes. "How do you know that we aren't meant for each other? I mean I knew just because I felt it but how did you know?" "I have the ability, in fact I'm taking over for your divination professor, and Moony set it up for me." Hermione nodded, "Why did you come back? Padfoot seemed pretty cold to you last night." "That Hermione is a story to tell at a later time, perhaps when Harry and everyone else is up. Listen I'm sorry again for earlier, I know you love him, I'm just scared of the pain you two will face." "Don't worry please, we are both stronger then you think." Gwen nodded "I'll see you at breakfast then." Gwen left then and shook her head, 'Those kids don't know what they are in for.' She thought as she headed down stairs where Sirius and Remus where in the middle of a conversation,
"How could you do that Moony, not even give me any warning that she was coming. The only good thing I can say is that you didn't invite that git of a husband of hers." Remus sighed, "Padfoot, you knew that he would ask about other family soon I mean you gave him photo albums for his birthday, and all the other stuff that James and lily put in storage." "Yes but I could have skirted around the issue of her. She betrayed her family for him." He said it with such venom that Gwen nearly shook with the pain of it. Hearing enough she walked in, "No you mean I betrayed you." She said the statement coldly as she walked to the counter and poured a cup of coffee. "You are angry that precious Gwenyver didn't come to heel when you called. You forget Sirius that I always had my own mind. James knew that and at least understood that I had to put loyalty of my husband in front of my friends. God Sirius if I have known what I was getting into." she let her voice trail off as the memories flooded back. "I came back because he did Sirius, Harry is going to need all the help he can get, I would have come back sooner but Albus asked me to stay away that Harry need time. Well the time in now whether you like it or not. SO you and I can go out and have it out just us, or you forget the past and let me help raise my nephew and God son or so help me Sirius you will have a battle on your hands and I will win." Gwen cleared her throat then as she heard someone on the stairs, "Why don't I start breakfast." She said cheerfully as Harry walked into the room. "Harry what would you like?" Harry shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever I'm easy." Sirius white from his conversation with Gwen, Choked on his coffee at Harry's words, "speaking of which, I do believe that you own me a conversation." He said after gaining his composer, "Not now Padfoot, I promise we will talk but right now I would like to learn more about this aunt that I just found out about." "Well Harry what do you want to know?" "Well I'm assuming you are a younger sister since you look younger then Padfoot and moony, but by how much?" "I'm 2 years younger, and let me tell you being the younger sister of James was not fun, he and these two used to tease me unmercifully." Gwen smiled at the fond memory. "I went to school at Hogwarts, I passed with top marks but didn't make head girl since I was worse then the marauders when it came to trouble, wait maybe not worse but got caught more often." "Which house were you in?" "Slytherin actually." Harry looked wide eyed at his aunt, "You were Slytherin." "Afraid so Harry, sorry to disappoint you." "No it isn't disappointment so much as shock." Gwen laughed. "I know you figured that with the family history and all that I'd be in Gryffindor, I would have been but the hat had trouble deciding, said that I was devious enough for Slytherin, but with potter blood should be in Gryffindor, I knew that if given the choice I'd prefer the house that didn't have James so I said not Gryffindor, and so I landed in Slytherin." "I bet he was mad," "SO much so that he said if I was in Slytherin then I must have been adopted." Gwen placed orange juice in front of Harry, "What else do you want to know?" "Where have you been all this time?" "I've been in Germany mostly although I was in the USA for a few years." "Really what where you doing there?" "Well in the USA I went to University got my masters in teaching as well as music," "Then I went to Germany and worked there singing for the opera. "Are you married?" Gwen took a breath, "Yes." She looked at the two grown men in the room. "Enough questions for now Harry. I want to talk about what happened last night?" "What happened last night?" Ron asked coming into the kitchen "Nothing, just an aunt popping up from no where and your sister, Ron I swear she practically said that she would be making me fall in love with her." Harry said quickly cutting off whatever Sirius was going to say. "Well, what you say to her, you didn't lead her on did you." "Ron I'm telling you I told her that I cared for her but not that way and she just said that I will." "Hand in there mate, she'll get over it." "I sure hope so. I mean she's like a sister, I mean I thought about her a lot this summer, but then I saw her at the burrow. And well I saw her as a sister, a grown up sister but a sister." The adults laughed at the conversation in the kitchen, "He is so much like James." Gwen said as she piled bacon on a plate before tossing it in the oven "Isn't he though." Remus said grabbing the coffee and pouring more into everyone's cups. Hermione came down with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You okay Hermione?" Ron asked as Hermione pulled up a seat. "Fine Ron just had a hard time falling asleep last night." Hermione mumbled as Harry handed her a cup of coffee. "So what does everyone want to do today?" Remus asked as he felt the tension is the room. "Quidditch." Ron and Harry said at the same time "Study." Hermione said "Diagon ally" Gwen said Remus laughed at the answers, "While why don't we go to Diagon, then play some Quidditch, while Hermione studies. Everyone satisfied settled into the quiet routine of eating breakfast. All except Gwen who kept staring at Sirius with defiance in her eyes. "Harry, I want to make sure that you understand that I would have been here for you earlier, but you needed to be protected and I would have lead them straight to you, if was only with you being with that good for nothing sister of Lily's that kept you safe." Harry nodded, "I know. I'm just glad that I don't have to be with them any longer. So tell me about Germany." Gwen smiled, "It's beautiful, I was really happy there, I lived as a muggle. I didn't want to be encumbered by having the wizarding community bombarding me with questions about you or your parents so I took a new name even. I was known as, "Gwendolyn von Gottard an opera singer who could carry a mans soul away." "You seem so sad when you speak about that." Hermione piped in her curiosity peeked, "It was a sad time, my whole family gone, unable to speak to my friends. It was a lonely time. But, I think it will be better now." They finished eating in silence, sobered by Gwen's story. "Gwen, do we have any more relatives? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins?" "Afraid not Harry, Mom and dad were only children. And as far as my grandparents as far as I know they weren't close to their family and I wouldn't even know where to go. Grandma was muggle born, and grandfather came from a small family. Padfoot and Moony are the closest we get to having family now I'm afraid liebes (dear or love)" "No they aren't the closer we get to family, they are family." Harry said looking at Sirius and Remus with a warm expression tinged with sadness. "Enough of this sad talk. Let's get to Diagon, before we end up with the worst of the dragon eggshells." "Why would you care about that?" Harry said looking at his aunt strangely. "I just happen to need a few potions brewed, and I'm not about to leave it to anyone but me." Harry nodded, "Be back in a second." He called out running to his room, returning moments later with his money pouch. Everyone quickly finished getting ready. Entering the living room they each grabbed a handful of Floo powder and within moments had all gotten to the leaky Cauldron. "Well need to stop at Gringott's." Gwen said taking her key off her key ring, "I won't be very long." "I'll just wait here." Ron said looking glum. "Hey Ron, Why don't we go to Quality Quidditch" Harry suggested knowing that he didn't need anymore money since his bag was full. Perking up Ron smiled, "Sure mate let's go." "Not so fast you two." Sirius said looking at the two and shaking his head,
"Come on Padfoot, don't you think we can take care of ourselves." " I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself Harry, but if you recall there is a bit of business that we hadn't gotten to yet at Gringott's." Harry's eyes widened "Damn I almost forgot." Harry said looking at Ron he whispered in his ear. "Bloody hell, I'd forgot about that myself." He said shaking his head. Together the three walked quickly catching up with everyone as they entered the bank.
"Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, we've been expecting you." One of the Goblins said from behind the desk, "Then you know that this is to be done with a minimum of fuss and with utter discretion. I mean it no one must know, where the money came from." "OF course, Dumbledore reminded us of it when he set things up. I'll need your keys." Harry and Sirius handed the Goblin the keys, so that is 2 million galleons to be set into the Orders vault. This will be replenished when it is empty until you both say otherwise. Is that correct?" "Yes." Harry and Sirius said. "Very good sirs it will be transferred immediately from the main family vaults of both your families, here are your keys sirs, have a good day." The work done Harry smiled, "Here Ron your first Paycheck." He said pulling out 20 galleons from his pouch. "From now on you'll get paid from the account but here I'll pay you today." Ron gave a half grin "Now that I'm getting my own paycheck I'll never have to use hand me downs again." Harry laughed, "Maybe you can get that new broom you wanted." "I think that would require a lot more then I've got." Ron said laughing. "Well remember that starting today. You're getting paid once a week. 20 gallons a week. Along with the rest of the OP." "Now why did you guys set it up again?" "Because we didn't think that people risking their lives should get nothing." Sirius said adding his two cents into the conversation. "And if you tell me that you are going to keep that slimy gits house from winning the Quidditch and house cup I'll personally buy you that new broom." Ron laughed, "I'd do anything in my power." The three sat and talked while waiting for Gwen and Hermione. When they returned Hermione was as white as a ghost. "I don't think I'll ever get used to those cars." She said as Ron and Harry helped steady her. "I know what you mean." Gwenyver said. As she closed her eyes until she was feeling centered again. "SO where is moony at?" "I believe he went into knock turn Ally." Sirius said "he said he had a few things to take care of." "Why don't we spilt up then meet at the Leaky cauldron for lunch?" Sounds good. Harry don't bother getting your school supplies we'll get them a couple weeks from now." Alright Sirius." Turning the three teenagers took off. What are you brewing Gwen that you need dragon eggshells?" "None of your business Sirius, and quit glaring at me you're supposed to be happy that I'm back." "Not bloody likely Gwen." Sirius took off himself then leaving Gwen to her own devices.
She took a deep breath as she watched his back; "If only you would understand" she rubbed her left forearm absentmindedly as she headed for Slug & Jiggers the apothecary. "Well look what the cat dragged in or maybe that should be dog. Finally decide to come home and be the wife you vowed to be?" She halted in her tracks as she heard the cold calculating voice. Shaking she turned around slowly hoping that he wouldn't be there when she turned around. "What are you doing here?" she asked glaring at the man she had been calling husband for the last 17years. "Is that anyway to talk to your husband Gwenyver?" he said arching an eyebrow "I'm here to help take care of Harry. I'm surprised that you never filed for divorce." "You forget my dear that purebloods don't do that. While you were gallivanting around running from both sides I was waiting for you." "And you forget. I'm not a pure blood." "You know very well that you were born of a witch and a wizard of a pure strong family that traced your roots all the way back to Godric himself. You are as much a pure blood as me." Gwen looked at the man who was her husband, "That's all that ever mattered to you, you didn't care about you. Just the name is that it. You could say that you have a potter as a wife." "You know bloody well that that is nothing but something your brother and those moronic friends of yours concocted to get you away from me." "I'd love to sit here and chat about the old times but I don't have time, I'm sure you don't want your Nephew to know that you are his uncle after all. We can discuss us in more detail another time. Now if you will excuse me." She turned and had started to walk away. "Not so fast Gwenyver" she stopped. "What: she said closing her eyes to stop the tears that threatened to fall. "You will live with me when you are at the school." "How did you know I was going to be teaching?" "Albus was nice enough to inform me about it this morning by owl. One of the reasons I knew you'd be here today. You always make your own potions and that after a long trip you would be in need of the cleansing solution you use to clear your mind." "I can't live with you." You still love me don't you? Don't lie it doesn't become you love." "I will not awnser." "Answer me wife." "Dammit don't do this." She said tears falling from her cheeks "Look at me Gwenyver" He looked at her, her eyes shinning and knew, "Yes Severus I still love you, but that door has closed and so I bid you good day." She ran to the apothecary her tears falling freely. Severus Snape stood silently and watched her run, "Run love but you are my wife and that is how you will remain." He said after her. Before apparating back to the manor which he called home when school was not in session.
The rest of the morning went by without incident. They all met up at the leaky cauldron at noon toting bags and parcels of all sizes. "Gwen are you okay?" Remus said looking at her with concern. Gwen put a smile on her face "Had a run in with Severus, but I'll be fine." She said as she took a sip of the wine that she had asked for. "You're shaking." "It wasn't particularly a pleasant meeting. I'll be fine moony. Please let's not talk about it now." "You seem to say that an awful lot Gweny." "Well there is a lot we don't want Harry to know and if we start talking about it now, it will all come out." "It will sooner or later you might as well just tell him." "How do you think Sirius would react to it? Me telling Harry about what I've done." "Tell him Gwen, it's better that then having him find out on his own. And he will find out." "I'll keep that in advisement but for right now please can we drop it." "Alright." Remus said "Did you get everything you needed?" "Yes, we should all be able to get home and play Quidditch, all though I think perhaps I should run and buy a new broom, my good old nimbus 1000 will hardly do the trick." Gwen perked up as she thought about Quidditch she had played chaser on the team when she was in school and had loved the sport. She had even taken a chance and gone to the word cup game. "Harry, I hear your seeker for the Gryffindor team, Ron you're the keeper right?" "Yup, not many quaffles get past me." "What was your record last year?" "I have about a 90% stopping average, which when you think about it is pretty good." "Very good our keeper when we were in school only had about a 50% average the stupid prat just couldn't get his act together so it was our job as chasers to score more points and luckily our seeker was good but we could never beat Gryffindor while James was on the team. Man he could move." Gwen said smiling for once forgetting her troubles long enough to actually enjoy something. The day moved fast for the group as they headed home and played Quidditch, when time out was called Gwen landed and walked over to Hermione, "Hey kiddo. Mind making room for an old meddling woman, who sometimes says things she shouldn't?" "You're hardly old." Gwen laughed, "Thanks, but I want to apologize again for this morning, take what happiness you can and hold it tight. I'd forgotten that lesson. Maybe you can make him yours." "No we both know that that would never work. I will take what I can, so will he. And in the end I will always be there and support him" Hermione looked at him as he and Ron passed the quaffel back and forth, "I do love him you know. But when it is time I won't hesitate to let him go. I know that when he finds her he won't have a problem either." Gwen smiled, "You're so sure?" "I know it. That's one of the reasons I don't want those that know to blab it around." "The other?" "You know it as well as I do. If word got out he would never accept it and in the end it would ruin everything." Gwen nodded, "you're pretty smart kiddo." Hermione smiled and looked at Gwen, "you have a lot of secrets don't you?" "More then my fair share." "So why did you pick now to come back?" "That's a pretty easy one Hermione the minute the order of the phoenix was reinstated plans were made for my return. I would have been back last year, but Professor Dumbledore asked for the extra year, said Harry needed time to get used to all that was happening before I came into the picture. How is he doing by the way? Remus said that you were the only one he would talk to." "He's doing better but he's still blaming himself, and it is still eating away at him. I'm not sure what to do; I don't think I can heal him." "It's not your job to heal him, just to keep him whole till he finds the one that can." Hermione nodded. "Come on let's go get dinner ready, something tells me when they are done they are going to be hungry." Laughing the two women left the backyard and headed into the kitchen.