Author's Notes: I'm sorry for not updating yesterday; something came up, and I only had time to add 'Overcome' to FF.net - It's a song fic, and it's very pretty… but, you know. So, here is Chapter three of Snuffles' Stay.
Snuffles' Stay
Chapter Three:
Hermione shifted in her sleep, feeling the steely body beneath her, but not cracking open her eye just yet. I think I'll just savour this moment a while… she told herself, snuggling further into Sirius.
Sirius had woken already; his eyes were pointedly watching Hermione's sleeping form, his left arm wrapped around the sleeping girl's shoulders. A soft sigh escaped his lips, and he rested his chin on the bushy haired girl's head, murmuring softly.
"…I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts… deedlydeedee… There they are, a-standin' in a row…"
Bushy-haired Hermione stirred once more, turning her head toward Sirius. With a grin tugging at her lips, she opened her eyelids, revealing the deep brown-orbs. "What are you on about?"
"It's a song I learned back in Azkaban."
"Oh? How'd you learn it?"
"Well, at night, when everyone was supposed to be sleeping, some would be shrieking, going out of their minds, most likely. One night, some bloody loon started going on about this song, and since it had a ring to it, and in the essence that it would pass time, I learned it." He grinned cheekily, scratching the back of his head.
A light rapping on the door, and the twist of the doorknob came so suddenly, that Sirius had barley the time to transform back into Snufles before Mrs. Granger barged into her daughter's bedroom. "Hermione, dear… Something… seems different in here…"
Snuffles leaned against Hermione's headboard, Hermione resting her head upon the shaggy black dog. She hadn't noticed this, however, and her mouth was left open in surprise.
"Oh, Mum, hello." She scratched the back of her neck. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Hermione, dear! Good morning, Snuffles!" Mrs. Granger cocked an eyebrow at the large dog resting on her daughter's bed, with her daughter resting on top of it. "What is Snuffles doing in your bed like that?" She bustled over, pulling Hermione's curtains wide open. "Look! The sun's out, it's beautiful! I was thinking, that since I have the day off, we could take the animals to the park today… Or you could have your little friends come over, and we could spend a day in London."
Hermione regarded her mother with a gaping mouth. "Ron and Harry, to London? Are you serious, Mum?"
Mrs. Granger began to scowl. "And why would I, Hermione? Why do you always have to make me look like the bad guy, here? All I wanted, was to spend a little quality time with my daughter, and get to know her friends a little better. Is that too much for a mother to ask for?" She bit her bottom lip, eyes tearing up slowly.
"Oh, no, Mum, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that, honest! It's just that you surprised me! I'm sure Harry and Ron would love to come with us… but I don't know how Harry would get here!" Hermione gave her mother a warm smile.
Oh god, she also thought. Mum's hormones are going berserk. I'd better be careful.
"That's a simple solution, dear. I've had your father only just go pick him up!" Mrs. Granger chuckled. "He'll be back in just a little while, so, while we're waiting, contact your Ronald friend, the little red-headed dear. I've always liked that boy!"
The bushy-brown-haired girl blinked slowly, trying to down the information she was just receiving from her mum. I guess I'd better write Ron… but how'll I get… wait, wait! Mum bought Floo powder while we were in Diagon Alley… Hermione swallowed.
"Mum? Didn't you buy Floo powder when we were in Diagon Alley last year? Could I use some to get ahold of Ron?"
"Yes, Hermione, of course you can!" Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands to her mouth. "It's up on the hearth. Go on, now, get ahold of him!"
*****
Hermione took a pinch of Floo Powder and threw it into the growing flames inside of their fire-place. The fire's radiant orange-red flicker switched to a deep green, and Hermione stepped within the boundaries of the flame. "The Burrow!" she shouted, mouth free of the creeping ashes riding on the flame.
It happened in a blur of seconds; Hermione flew from the exit of the chimney and flew, with her elbows tucked in, mind, through the open skies of the city. The next thing she knew, she had landed in the Weasley fire-place; she could tell, as there were three red-headed figures sitting in front of the landing-space.
George, Ron, and Ginny were there when she entered, turning to view the incomer from their fire-place. Ginny squealed, noticing that it were Hermione, and ran to help her out of the sooty, glowing pit. Ron stared at her in amazement, and George just cocked an eyebrow.
"Didn't fancy seein' you here, you know?" said George, eyes widening. "Ickle Ronniekins was just talking about you, too. OY, FRED! 'MIONE'S HERE…"
Ron's ears were visibly reddening, as Fred ran down the stairs and into the living room, spotting Hermione. "I reckon I figured that, George, good man!" Fred pushed his way past George, Ron, and Ginny, puffing his chest out incredulously. "Fred Weasley, most annoying chap in all of England, holder of the most -"
Fred couldn't finish, as George pushed his way past him, holding his hand out pompously to Hermione. "There's a good mate. Fred is lying, of course. I am George Weasley, most annoying chap in all of England…"
"What are you two on about, now?" Ron asked, cocking his auburn eyebrow up at his twin brothers, who were currently making fools of themselves. He noticed, though, that Percy had been sitting in the next room, acting as pompous as usual, in front of a mirror, turning only to scowl at his brothers mocking him.
"Well, um, Ron, could I ask you a question? In the other room, of course…" Hermione's eyes flickered toward Ginny, who was watching them intensely. She grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him into the kitchen.
"What, Hermione?"
"My mom, well, she's pregnant, you know? She asked if you and Harry were up for going out in London today, quite out of nowhere, mind you, and she asked me to come and fetch you… Oh, I do hope you'll be able to come. Mum'll be having a cow if you don't. Please ask!"
Ron's eyes widened a little. "I didn't know your Mum was having a baby. Well, I'll ask. MUM! CAN I GO TO HERMIONE'S FOR THE DAY?"
"Oh, alright, dear. Be careful though!" Mrs. Weasley came bustling down the stairs, looking at the two under-age wizards before her. "When do you plan on being home, dear?"
Hermione flashed Mrs. Weasley a warming smile. "Well, my Mum's been having these strange hormonal imbalances; she's pregnant, you know…" Mrs. Weasley nodded while returning a smile. "So it's really up to how she's feeling, I suppose…"
"You'll be traveling by Floo powder there, dears?"
"Yes, Mum," Ron managed.
"Go on then, the two of you! Have fun for heaven's sake. You've been cooped up in this house all Summer, Ron…" Mrs. Weasley pushed them into the living room, where she grabbed a pot from the hearth, exposing loose powdery bits in the shade of light green. "Go on then, go on!"
Hermione left first, followed by Ron, and the two of them landed into Hermione's living room, where there stood Mrs. Granger, and a bewildered Harry Potter.
*****
Mrs. Granger chippered madly, bustling around the house until Hermione notioned that they were supposed to be going into London and not staying home. Mrs. Granger took the hint, and loaded the teens into the car, and the four of them, along with Snuffles (who was hanging out of the window) and Crookshanks, made their way into London.
Harry clung to Snuffles, and Ron was so amused with the car's electric abilities, that he kept rolling the car window up and down in pure ecstasy. "Will you look at that!" he said, pointing to the switch that rolled down the window. "That's odd, it is."
"You're starting to remind me of Mr. Weasley, Ron!" Hermione said, chuckling.
"You kids, I'll let you walk around by yourselves for a while, okay? I have to look around for some baby things…" Mrs. Weasley inquired, taking a hand off the steering wheel to pat her stomach. "And we'll just meet up at the ice-cream parlor… Alright, Hermione?"
"Alright, Mum." Her mother shoved a credit card into her hand. "What's this for?"
"Oh, like I'm not going to let you three buy anything! That'd be rude of me!" She grinned into the rear view mirror to the two boys behind them. "Just don't max me out, okay? I want you to have fun! You're children…" she added, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. "I want you to be happy, like children should be! You shouldn't have to worry about things so much… You're just babies for heaven's sake… Oh, my… We're here…"
The three teenagers stepped out of the vehicle, Harry pulling on Snuffles' leash, Hermione petting Crookshanks and cooing to him softly. "No, Crookshanks, stay with Grandmum… you can't go into the stores with us… we can't tie you up like we can with Snuffles, now can we? Be a good kitty Crookshanks!" With that, she closed the door of the car.
*****
Hermione, swaying slightly, glanced at Ron, and at Harry, blushing softly. "I'm sorry about that… My Mum's… a little off."
"Isn't that the truth?" Ron added, unblinking.
"Well, I say we go get Sirius, and you two some Muggle clothing; you'll fit in a little more… Oh no… What size do you wear, Sirius? You'll have to remain Snuffles while we pick you something out, so you can transform and put on Muggle clothes to not look so suspicious," said Hermione.
Snuffles gave Hermione an un-mistakable grin. "Mediums; I'm not too bulky, since I haven't been eating right until I got to your house."
Hermione informed Ron and Harry, and the four of them set off in Muggle London, searching through windows for the right department store to search for clothing for the three guys. Hermione led them into a seemingly-good one, and showed the boys the selection; they had tethered Snuffles up outside.
Ron picked up a pair of khaki zip-offs and glanced incredulously at them. "Muggles wear some strange things, don't they, Harry?" He looked at the price tag, and his ears bloomed into an unmistakable blush. He put them back on the rack.
"Oh Ron, I think they'd look good on you; they go with your hair quite well. Get them! Oh, Harry, get these, get these!"
Harry picked out Sirius a pair of pants, while Ron picked out a shirt for him, clothing which they thought would fit his slender frame, as well as their own clothing, and the three went to cash out. Hermione handed the clerk the credit card (a child's Visa Card (it's everywhere you want to be)) and the three of them left off again. Hermione didn't buy anything, as she had bought Sirius' clothing out of her share.
Ron hadn't said much; Hermione felt that he was embarrassed that she had bought him something, when his family couldn't have really afforded it. She wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulder, gave him a pat on the bicep, and pulled her arm off again.
Harry took Snuffles into a Muggle-men's bathroom, and, in an empty stall, had him transform into Sirius; he threw him the clothes they had bought over the door, telling him to change.
"You know, Harry," Sirius said from inside the stall. "I'm as comfortable as I've ever been staying at Hermione's. Too bad, though, that I couldn't stay with you at the Dursley's… They're treating you right?" He walked out of the door, wearing the clothing, which fitted him perfectly.
"Yeah," Harry answered. They walked out of the bathroom, Sirius holding his dirty robes. Hermione took them from him, and stuffed them into her bag.
They passed a formal-looking store; Hermione had stopped and pressed her face to the glass. "I… um… Do you mind if we go in here for a few minutes? I want to see something…" Her cheeks tinted a light pink.
Without questioning her further, they went into the store, which was filled with many elegant dresses and accessories. Hermione sifted through the store; glancing at beautiful garments, and holding them up to her body. She grabbed two off the racks, and asked them if they would mind if she would go and try these on; as they said no, she went ahead, and went into a dressing room.
She slipped into the first one, a navy blue dress that swept the floor; spaghetti straps that little fringes were attatched to, that swept from one side of the strap, to the other. Hermione fidgeted, trying to zip up the back of the dress, but figured that she was having some problems.
The bushy-brown-haired girl, who had her hair tied up in the back, tied into a messy-nest slipped out of the dressing room, her back facing the wall still. She blushed strongly, facing the three guys that were gaping as they looked at her in the dress, and asked…
"Would someone... zip this up for me?"
Hermione shifted in her sleep, feeling the steely body beneath her, but not cracking open her eye just yet. I think I'll just savour this moment a while… she told herself, snuggling further into Sirius.
Sirius had woken already; his eyes were pointedly watching Hermione's sleeping form, his left arm wrapped around the sleeping girl's shoulders. A soft sigh escaped his lips, and he rested his chin on the bushy haired girl's head, murmuring softly.
"…I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts… deedlydeedee… There they are, a-standin' in a row…"
Bushy-haired Hermione stirred once more, turning her head toward Sirius. With a grin tugging at her lips, she opened her eyelids, revealing the deep brown-orbs. "What are you on about?"
"It's a song I learned back in Azkaban."
"Oh? How'd you learn it?"
"Well, at night, when everyone was supposed to be sleeping, some would be shrieking, going out of their minds, most likely. One night, some bloody loon started going on about this song, and since it had a ring to it, and in the essence that it would pass time, I learned it." He grinned cheekily, scratching the back of his head.
A light rapping on the door, and the twist of the doorknob came so suddenly, that Sirius had barley the time to transform back into Snufles before Mrs. Granger barged into her daughter's bedroom. "Hermione, dear… Something… seems different in here…"
Snuffles leaned against Hermione's headboard, Hermione resting her head upon the shaggy black dog. She hadn't noticed this, however, and her mouth was left open in surprise.
"Oh, Mum, hello." She scratched the back of her neck. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Hermione, dear! Good morning, Snuffles!" Mrs. Granger cocked an eyebrow at the large dog resting on her daughter's bed, with her daughter resting on top of it. "What is Snuffles doing in your bed like that?" She bustled over, pulling Hermione's curtains wide open. "Look! The sun's out, it's beautiful! I was thinking, that since I have the day off, we could take the animals to the park today… Or you could have your little friends come over, and we could spend a day in London."
Hermione regarded her mother with a gaping mouth. "Ron and Harry, to London? Are you serious, Mum?"
Mrs. Granger began to scowl. "And why would I, Hermione? Why do you always have to make me look like the bad guy, here? All I wanted, was to spend a little quality time with my daughter, and get to know her friends a little better. Is that too much for a mother to ask for?" She bit her bottom lip, eyes tearing up slowly.
"Oh, no, Mum, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that, honest! It's just that you surprised me! I'm sure Harry and Ron would love to come with us… but I don't know how Harry would get here!" Hermione gave her mother a warm smile.
Oh god, she also thought. Mum's hormones are going berserk. I'd better be careful.
"That's a simple solution, dear. I've had your father only just go pick him up!" Mrs. Granger chuckled. "He'll be back in just a little while, so, while we're waiting, contact your Ronald friend, the little red-headed dear. I've always liked that boy!"
The bushy-brown-haired girl blinked slowly, trying to down the information she was just receiving from her mum. I guess I'd better write Ron… but how'll I get… wait, wait! Mum bought Floo powder while we were in Diagon Alley… Hermione swallowed.
"Mum? Didn't you buy Floo powder when we were in Diagon Alley last year? Could I use some to get ahold of Ron?"
"Yes, Hermione, of course you can!" Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands to her mouth. "It's up on the hearth. Go on, now, get ahold of him!"
Hermione took a pinch of Floo Powder and threw it into the growing flames inside of their fire-place. The fire's radiant orange-red flicker switched to a deep green, and Hermione stepped within the boundaries of the flame. "The Burrow!" she shouted, mouth free of the creeping ashes riding on the flame.
It happened in a blur of seconds; Hermione flew from the exit of the chimney and flew, with her elbows tucked in, mind, through the open skies of the city. The next thing she knew, she had landed in the Weasley fire-place; she could tell, as there were three red-headed figures sitting in front of the landing-space.
George, Ron, and Ginny were there when she entered, turning to view the incomer from their fire-place. Ginny squealed, noticing that it were Hermione, and ran to help her out of the sooty, glowing pit. Ron stared at her in amazement, and George just cocked an eyebrow.
"Didn't fancy seein' you here, you know?" said George, eyes widening. "Ickle Ronniekins was just talking about you, too. OY, FRED! 'MIONE'S HERE…"
Ron's ears were visibly reddening, as Fred ran down the stairs and into the living room, spotting Hermione. "I reckon I figured that, George, good man!" Fred pushed his way past George, Ron, and Ginny, puffing his chest out incredulously. "Fred Weasley, most annoying chap in all of England, holder of the most -"
Fred couldn't finish, as George pushed his way past him, holding his hand out pompously to Hermione. "There's a good mate. Fred is lying, of course. I am George Weasley, most annoying chap in all of England…"
"What are you two on about, now?" Ron asked, cocking his auburn eyebrow up at his twin brothers, who were currently making fools of themselves. He noticed, though, that Percy had been sitting in the next room, acting as pompous as usual, in front of a mirror, turning only to scowl at his brothers mocking him.
"Well, um, Ron, could I ask you a question? In the other room, of course…" Hermione's eyes flickered toward Ginny, who was watching them intensely. She grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him into the kitchen.
"What, Hermione?"
"My mom, well, she's pregnant, you know? She asked if you and Harry were up for going out in London today, quite out of nowhere, mind you, and she asked me to come and fetch you… Oh, I do hope you'll be able to come. Mum'll be having a cow if you don't. Please ask!"
Ron's eyes widened a little. "I didn't know your Mum was having a baby. Well, I'll ask. MUM! CAN I GO TO HERMIONE'S FOR THE DAY?"
"Oh, alright, dear. Be careful though!" Mrs. Weasley came bustling down the stairs, looking at the two under-age wizards before her. "When do you plan on being home, dear?"
Hermione flashed Mrs. Weasley a warming smile. "Well, my Mum's been having these strange hormonal imbalances; she's pregnant, you know…" Mrs. Weasley nodded while returning a smile. "So it's really up to how she's feeling, I suppose…"
"You'll be traveling by Floo powder there, dears?"
"Yes, Mum," Ron managed.
"Go on then, the two of you! Have fun for heaven's sake. You've been cooped up in this house all Summer, Ron…" Mrs. Weasley pushed them into the living room, where she grabbed a pot from the hearth, exposing loose powdery bits in the shade of light green. "Go on then, go on!"
Hermione left first, followed by Ron, and the two of them landed into Hermione's living room, where there stood Mrs. Granger, and a bewildered Harry Potter.
Mrs. Granger chippered madly, bustling around the house until Hermione notioned that they were supposed to be going into London and not staying home. Mrs. Granger took the hint, and loaded the teens into the car, and the four of them, along with Snuffles (who was hanging out of the window) and Crookshanks, made their way into London.
Harry clung to Snuffles, and Ron was so amused with the car's electric abilities, that he kept rolling the car window up and down in pure ecstasy. "Will you look at that!" he said, pointing to the switch that rolled down the window. "That's odd, it is."
"You're starting to remind me of Mr. Weasley, Ron!" Hermione said, chuckling.
"You kids, I'll let you walk around by yourselves for a while, okay? I have to look around for some baby things…" Mrs. Weasley inquired, taking a hand off the steering wheel to pat her stomach. "And we'll just meet up at the ice-cream parlor… Alright, Hermione?"
"Alright, Mum." Her mother shoved a credit card into her hand. "What's this for?"
"Oh, like I'm not going to let you three buy anything! That'd be rude of me!" She grinned into the rear view mirror to the two boys behind them. "Just don't max me out, okay? I want you to have fun! You're children…" she added, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. "I want you to be happy, like children should be! You shouldn't have to worry about things so much… You're just babies for heaven's sake… Oh, my… We're here…"
The three teenagers stepped out of the vehicle, Harry pulling on Snuffles' leash, Hermione petting Crookshanks and cooing to him softly. "No, Crookshanks, stay with Grandmum… you can't go into the stores with us… we can't tie you up like we can with Snuffles, now can we? Be a good kitty Crookshanks!" With that, she closed the door of the car.
Hermione, swaying slightly, glanced at Ron, and at Harry, blushing softly. "I'm sorry about that… My Mum's… a little off."
"Isn't that the truth?" Ron added, unblinking.
"Well, I say we go get Sirius, and you two some Muggle clothing; you'll fit in a little more… Oh no… What size do you wear, Sirius? You'll have to remain Snuffles while we pick you something out, so you can transform and put on Muggle clothes to not look so suspicious," said Hermione.
Snuffles gave Hermione an un-mistakable grin. "Mediums; I'm not too bulky, since I haven't been eating right until I got to your house."
Hermione informed Ron and Harry, and the four of them set off in Muggle London, searching through windows for the right department store to search for clothing for the three guys. Hermione led them into a seemingly-good one, and showed the boys the selection; they had tethered Snuffles up outside.
Ron picked up a pair of khaki zip-offs and glanced incredulously at them. "Muggles wear some strange things, don't they, Harry?" He looked at the price tag, and his ears bloomed into an unmistakable blush. He put them back on the rack.
"Oh Ron, I think they'd look good on you; they go with your hair quite well. Get them! Oh, Harry, get these, get these!"
Harry picked out Sirius a pair of pants, while Ron picked out a shirt for him, clothing which they thought would fit his slender frame, as well as their own clothing, and the three went to cash out. Hermione handed the clerk the credit card (a child's Visa Card (it's everywhere you want to be)) and the three of them left off again. Hermione didn't buy anything, as she had bought Sirius' clothing out of her share.
Ron hadn't said much; Hermione felt that he was embarrassed that she had bought him something, when his family couldn't have really afforded it. She wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulder, gave him a pat on the bicep, and pulled her arm off again.
Harry took Snuffles into a Muggle-men's bathroom, and, in an empty stall, had him transform into Sirius; he threw him the clothes they had bought over the door, telling him to change.
"You know, Harry," Sirius said from inside the stall. "I'm as comfortable as I've ever been staying at Hermione's. Too bad, though, that I couldn't stay with you at the Dursley's… They're treating you right?" He walked out of the door, wearing the clothing, which fitted him perfectly.
"Yeah," Harry answered. They walked out of the bathroom, Sirius holding his dirty robes. Hermione took them from him, and stuffed them into her bag.
They passed a formal-looking store; Hermione had stopped and pressed her face to the glass. "I… um… Do you mind if we go in here for a few minutes? I want to see something…" Her cheeks tinted a light pink.
Without questioning her further, they went into the store, which was filled with many elegant dresses and accessories. Hermione sifted through the store; glancing at beautiful garments, and holding them up to her body. She grabbed two off the racks, and asked them if they would mind if she would go and try these on; as they said no, she went ahead, and went into a dressing room.
She slipped into the first one, a navy blue dress that swept the floor; spaghetti straps that little fringes were attatched to, that swept from one side of the strap, to the other. Hermione fidgeted, trying to zip up the back of the dress, but figured that she was having some problems.
The bushy-brown-haired girl, who had her hair tied up in the back, tied into a messy-nest slipped out of the dressing room, her back facing the wall still. She blushed strongly, facing the three guys that were gaping as they looked at her in the dress, and asked…
"Would someone... zip this up for me?"