A/N: Oiy! I'm sorry about the wait, everyone… I really, really am. I just haven't had the patience to sit on my lazy ass and think about things to continue on with the next chapter of the story and all. ~Grumbles~ I tell you what, after writing somethin' for so long, your mind just goes in different directions and you then you lose your train end up messing things around and then everything goes haywire and of thought because you end up going with the thing that you have only previously written down and then everyone hates you for it AND YOU HATE IT YOURSELF!! ~Deep breath~ Honestly, I am so very sorry for delaying this long. At some point in time, I forgot about Snuffles' Stay - along with suffering from a deep loathing for Fan Fiction from the banning of NC-17 fics. Therefore, I cannot turn Snuffles' Stay into a Smutty fic, or it will be cut off from FF.net, and we wouldn't want that, would we? I've already had one fic kicked off.
Anyways, I'm still apologizing for this lack of updates, guys, and I hope that you will still continue to read Snuffles' Stay. Right now, I'm having a Spring Break holiday, so I might be able to update twice this week, alone. I hope you all go out and buy the Chamber of Secrets on the 11th, and if you can, attend a Barnes and Noble Midnight Party… I know that's where I'll be!
I apologize, again, for long Author's notes, and for a complete lack of updates. I hope you enjoy this chapter - it may be a bit dull, because I still have to read my whole story over again to get the jest of it back. Really, I hope you like it.
Snuffles' Stay
Chapter Eighteen
"I don't know what you're thinking about, but you'd best be telling me of it too," Sirius said, groaning as he sat up in the large velvety chair. "C'monnn… What're you doing with that greasy git, anyway?"
Hermione huffed. "I'll tell you when I'm closer to completing what I'm aiming to complete. No sooner, no later… I promise."
Sirius whimpered, turning his lips into a frown. "Pleeeaaasssseee?" he pleaded, staring at her with what he figured were large puppy-dog eyes. "Pretty pleeeeaaaaassssseeeeeee, with Butterbeer and Fizzing Whizbees on top!"
Suppressing a giggle, Hermione placed her hands on Sirius' chest. "No, and that's that. You'll find out sooner or later! Just be patient. I want this to be a surprise."
"So you're saying that it's going to do something?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't put words in my mouth."
"But I wasn't!"
Hermione sat up, back turned towards Sirius. "I really should write my parents. I want to know how my Mum is… she hasn't written me yet. And I could tell her about the potion! Oh, she'll be so proud!"
"You'd rather tell your parents than me?" Sirius asked, hiding the agitation that he felt.
"Well, it's not like they're going to know about it, otherwise, are they?"
Standing up, Hermione turned her back toward Sirius and walked to her desk. She picked up a roll of parchment, her lucky quill, and the nice fluorescent ink that she purchased in Diagon Alley not too long ago, and began to construct the letter to her parents.
Dad and mum,
How are you doing? Are you feeling all right? Have you gone to the doctor's lately? What have they said? I've been doing quite a bit of reading on the subject, and I've found that a pregnancy with more than one child in the womb often causes premature births. Many times, when mothers have triplets, the babies are so small, that they could fit in the palm of your hand. No worries… The babies will be fine. They're Grangers, after all.
Hermione felt Sirius standing behind her, and she turned around. As she suspected, Sirius was peering over her shoulder, down at the letter.
"Is that true?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Yes, it is. The information's over there in that book - The Children of Our Lives. You can view it for yourself, if you wish," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "Now, if you'll please allow me some space? I've got to write my letter, and I can't very well do it when you're peering over my shoulder like a curious bird."
Sirius put up his hands in defense and backed away. Hermione continued with her letter.
There is a potion that a Witch or Wizard can make, that will allow them access to transforming into a single animal. It's a very complicated potion, and requires much concentration and skill… and I have been granted access to create it. With the help of Professor Snape, I've been brewing this potion for two days now, and in about four months, it will be complete, and I will be able to transform into an animal at will. I'm so excited, but scared.
Classes are as interesting as ever. I'm enjoying every second of it… but I still miss being at home. Keep me informed about the babies… and yourselves!
Much love,
Hermoine
Hermione rolled up the parchment and tied it close with a ribbon that was lying on the edge of her desk. To send out the letter, she would have to use one of the school owls, but she didn't have the time at that moment to run up to the owlry to send one out. Hermione put the letter in a drawer of her desk and locked it with a spell - just in case. When she looked over her shoulder, she noticed Sirius giving a pained look to her.
"Don't you trust me?" he asked.
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "Of course I do!"
"Then why did you have to lock the drawer?"
"Sirius, it's complicated. I don't want you to know about the potion yet… I want it to be a surprise… Please, don't be mad at me. No, don't give me that look." Sirius had begun making a pouty face, tinted with slight anger and hurt. "Listen, Sirius. Listen to me! I will tell you - you'll know it sooner or later. Just not now. Respect my privacy, please? Let me have some sort of secret to hold against you for a while."
Sirius sat down on Hermione's bed. "You know… I feel bad, actually succumbing to you. Here I am, old enough to be your father -"
"What did you just say?" Hermione's face was red and her eyes were slanted when she looked at Sirius. Sirius arched an eyebrow. What was this about?
"Excuse me?"
"Don't ever tell me that, Sirius. Don't ever say that, please."
"But it's true…"
"I don't care, Sirius. Just don't…"
"Yeah, okay."
Sirius rubbed the back of his head. Hermione was being awful touchy today… maybe it was from a lack of sleep? Yes, that's what it was, Sirius told himself. She was just moody because she had a hard time sleeping last night…
Indeed, that could have been a factor - Sirius had slept next to her in his dog form and felt her constant movements. She seemed to be in constant search of solace that night - something that she hadn't done for a while. Sirius had felt horrible - he had assumed that his presence would be comforting, if even slightly, but it turned out to be of no use.
But then again, how would it have been if I weren't there? Probably a lot worse.
*****
Harry woke up to the feeling of sunlight warming his face. Ron was still asleep in Harry's bed, snoring and grunting at periodic intervals. Harry groaned and rolled out of Ron's bed.
He had always thought of Ron as the brother that he had never had - someone that he could always share things with, and take things from, and not be expected to give anything back. Yeah, that's what Ron was to him. A brother. A brother who would always be there for Harry, no matter what.
The Weasley's were all a part of him. The Weasley's and Hermione… but especially Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. And Sirius. And Remus J. Lupin.
Last night, Harry had asked Ron if he could sleep in his bed, because he was used to sleeping next to the window - and for once, Ron got the window bed. Harry felt a little out of place, sleeping by the brick wall - he had the entire school year, and he had finally worked up the courage to ask Ron if they could trade spaces for the night. To his surprise (not really), Ron had said yes, and allowed him to sleep in his bed.
Ron smelled like the rest of the Weasley's - that was his distinct smell. The smell of the Weasley's brought Harry a sense of solitude and happiness and everything that you could feel with your family. Harry felt totally at home, sleeping there, smelling his family.
Ron woke up. He gave a very loud groan as he stretched out the stiffness of the morning, and an even louder squeal when he stepped out of bed onto the cold flooring.
"Where are my slippers? Where am I? Oh my… My slippers, where are my… Oh, hey, Harry. G'morning. What time is it? We haven't missed breakfast have we?"
Harry began laughing hysterically. Leave it to Ron to make the morning hysterical.
"It's only 7:30, Ron. We still have time to get ready and go to lunch and then to class. Oh, your slippers are right here-" Harry picked up Ron's slippers from the side of Ron's bed and threw them at him. The slippers, blue and fuzzy, hit the wall behind Ron. Ron laughed at Harry.
"No wonder you never made Chaser. You throw like my Aunt Gergie. Mind you, she couldn't throw. Seriously."
"Yeah, I get what you mean. C'mon, lets go down."
The two of them got dressed and walked down into the Common Room. Hermione was already there, accompanied by a very calm Snuffles. She waved and Snuffles gave a bark in greeting.
"Alright, Snuffles," Hermione said to the dog. "I guess we're going down to lunch. You want us to bring something back up to you?"
Snuffles nuzzled Hermione's leg. She took that as a yes.
After a heavy breakfast consisting of eggs, toast, bacon, fried potatoes, hotcakes (pancakes) and sausages, the trio went upstairs to drop off Sirius' breakfast, and then to their first class.
Classes were long and horridly boring. Hermione hardly paid attention - only enough to scribble down important notes that she figured that would be needed in the near future. Her mind was on the Scultore.
Hermione could just imagine all the fun things that she could accomplish as an Animagus… not only by herself, but with Sirius, as well.
In spite of herself, Hermione smiled and clutched her arms close around her. Sirius. He was always on her mind, no matter what. She was creating the Scultore, not only for herself, but for Sirius as well. He meant so much to her, that she wanted to share just… something more with him.
At lunch, Hermione pulled the letter from her desk drawer and sent it home with a school owl. Harry and Ron accompanied her in the task. They each attached little side-notes that said things such as "hope you're well," and "I'll be a godfather if you want me to…!"
Boys, Hermione thought. Always so immature…!
After classes and after dinner, Hermione found herself back in the dungeons with Professor Snape, working on the Scultore potion. Hermione added a large number of concoctions to the brew - the sludgy brown had turned into a fiery orange colour that reflected the light and contorted it to seem more brighter, somehow. Hermione was in awe of her project. It was coming along nicely - Professor Snape said so, himself.
"You will need to keep an eye on that potion of yours, Granger," Snape said. He was speaking through her teeth as Hermione dragged the wooden spoon across the sides of the cauldron. "You are beginning to get to the crucial point in its creation."
She looked the instruction list over again - the potion called for certain times of cooling and reheating and… sigh. Hermione whimpered. This potion was going to take so very long to create.
Had she really known what she was getting in to?
That night, as she crawled into bed, Hermione was comforted as she noticed Sirius's presence. He was in his human form tonight - lying naked underneath the covers of her large four-poster. Hermione was a little exhausted after her session with Professor Snape, but now she felt awake. Her body was slowly heating up.
Hermione climbed into the bed next to Sirius. He was partially asleep. Hermione laid her head on Sirius's chest, wrapped her arms around his body, and gently kissed his flesh. Sirius kissed the top of Hermione's head.
"I'm sorry about this morning, 'Mione," he said. His voice was low and filled with drowsiness.
"Don't be, Sirius. I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't've snapped at you like that."
Sirius gave a soft chuckle and ran his fingers through her hair. "Goodnight, Hermione," he whispered.
When the soft sounds of Sirius's snores filled the room, Hermione kissed his soft flesh again and whispered back, "Goodnight, Sirius."
Anyways, I'm still apologizing for this lack of updates, guys, and I hope that you will still continue to read Snuffles' Stay. Right now, I'm having a Spring Break holiday, so I might be able to update twice this week, alone. I hope you all go out and buy the Chamber of Secrets on the 11th, and if you can, attend a Barnes and Noble Midnight Party… I know that's where I'll be!
I apologize, again, for long Author's notes, and for a complete lack of updates. I hope you enjoy this chapter - it may be a bit dull, because I still have to read my whole story over again to get the jest of it back. Really, I hope you like it.
Chapter Eighteen
"I don't know what you're thinking about, but you'd best be telling me of it too," Sirius said, groaning as he sat up in the large velvety chair. "C'monnn… What're you doing with that greasy git, anyway?"
Hermione huffed. "I'll tell you when I'm closer to completing what I'm aiming to complete. No sooner, no later… I promise."
Sirius whimpered, turning his lips into a frown. "Pleeeaaasssseee?" he pleaded, staring at her with what he figured were large puppy-dog eyes. "Pretty pleeeeaaaaassssseeeeeee, with Butterbeer and Fizzing Whizbees on top!"
Suppressing a giggle, Hermione placed her hands on Sirius' chest. "No, and that's that. You'll find out sooner or later! Just be patient. I want this to be a surprise."
"So you're saying that it's going to do something?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't put words in my mouth."
"But I wasn't!"
Hermione sat up, back turned towards Sirius. "I really should write my parents. I want to know how my Mum is… she hasn't written me yet. And I could tell her about the potion! Oh, she'll be so proud!"
"You'd rather tell your parents than me?" Sirius asked, hiding the agitation that he felt.
"Well, it's not like they're going to know about it, otherwise, are they?"
Standing up, Hermione turned her back toward Sirius and walked to her desk. She picked up a roll of parchment, her lucky quill, and the nice fluorescent ink that she purchased in Diagon Alley not too long ago, and began to construct the letter to her parents.
Dad and mum,
How are you doing? Are you feeling all right? Have you gone to the doctor's lately? What have they said? I've been doing quite a bit of reading on the subject, and I've found that a pregnancy with more than one child in the womb often causes premature births. Many times, when mothers have triplets, the babies are so small, that they could fit in the palm of your hand. No worries… The babies will be fine. They're Grangers, after all.
Hermione felt Sirius standing behind her, and she turned around. As she suspected, Sirius was peering over her shoulder, down at the letter.
"Is that true?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Yes, it is. The information's over there in that book - The Children of Our Lives. You can view it for yourself, if you wish," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "Now, if you'll please allow me some space? I've got to write my letter, and I can't very well do it when you're peering over my shoulder like a curious bird."
Sirius put up his hands in defense and backed away. Hermione continued with her letter.
There is a potion that a Witch or Wizard can make, that will allow them access to transforming into a single animal. It's a very complicated potion, and requires much concentration and skill… and I have been granted access to create it. With the help of Professor Snape, I've been brewing this potion for two days now, and in about four months, it will be complete, and I will be able to transform into an animal at will. I'm so excited, but scared.
Classes are as interesting as ever. I'm enjoying every second of it… but I still miss being at home. Keep me informed about the babies… and yourselves!
Much love,
Hermoine
Hermione rolled up the parchment and tied it close with a ribbon that was lying on the edge of her desk. To send out the letter, she would have to use one of the school owls, but she didn't have the time at that moment to run up to the owlry to send one out. Hermione put the letter in a drawer of her desk and locked it with a spell - just in case. When she looked over her shoulder, she noticed Sirius giving a pained look to her.
"Don't you trust me?" he asked.
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "Of course I do!"
"Then why did you have to lock the drawer?"
"Sirius, it's complicated. I don't want you to know about the potion yet… I want it to be a surprise… Please, don't be mad at me. No, don't give me that look." Sirius had begun making a pouty face, tinted with slight anger and hurt. "Listen, Sirius. Listen to me! I will tell you - you'll know it sooner or later. Just not now. Respect my privacy, please? Let me have some sort of secret to hold against you for a while."
Sirius sat down on Hermione's bed. "You know… I feel bad, actually succumbing to you. Here I am, old enough to be your father -"
"What did you just say?" Hermione's face was red and her eyes were slanted when she looked at Sirius. Sirius arched an eyebrow. What was this about?
"Excuse me?"
"Don't ever tell me that, Sirius. Don't ever say that, please."
"But it's true…"
"I don't care, Sirius. Just don't…"
"Yeah, okay."
Sirius rubbed the back of his head. Hermione was being awful touchy today… maybe it was from a lack of sleep? Yes, that's what it was, Sirius told himself. She was just moody because she had a hard time sleeping last night…
Indeed, that could have been a factor - Sirius had slept next to her in his dog form and felt her constant movements. She seemed to be in constant search of solace that night - something that she hadn't done for a while. Sirius had felt horrible - he had assumed that his presence would be comforting, if even slightly, but it turned out to be of no use.
But then again, how would it have been if I weren't there? Probably a lot worse.
Harry woke up to the feeling of sunlight warming his face. Ron was still asleep in Harry's bed, snoring and grunting at periodic intervals. Harry groaned and rolled out of Ron's bed.
He had always thought of Ron as the brother that he had never had - someone that he could always share things with, and take things from, and not be expected to give anything back. Yeah, that's what Ron was to him. A brother. A brother who would always be there for Harry, no matter what.
The Weasley's were all a part of him. The Weasley's and Hermione… but especially Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. And Sirius. And Remus J. Lupin.
Last night, Harry had asked Ron if he could sleep in his bed, because he was used to sleeping next to the window - and for once, Ron got the window bed. Harry felt a little out of place, sleeping by the brick wall - he had the entire school year, and he had finally worked up the courage to ask Ron if they could trade spaces for the night. To his surprise (not really), Ron had said yes, and allowed him to sleep in his bed.
Ron smelled like the rest of the Weasley's - that was his distinct smell. The smell of the Weasley's brought Harry a sense of solitude and happiness and everything that you could feel with your family. Harry felt totally at home, sleeping there, smelling his family.
Ron woke up. He gave a very loud groan as he stretched out the stiffness of the morning, and an even louder squeal when he stepped out of bed onto the cold flooring.
"Where are my slippers? Where am I? Oh my… My slippers, where are my… Oh, hey, Harry. G'morning. What time is it? We haven't missed breakfast have we?"
Harry began laughing hysterically. Leave it to Ron to make the morning hysterical.
"It's only 7:30, Ron. We still have time to get ready and go to lunch and then to class. Oh, your slippers are right here-" Harry picked up Ron's slippers from the side of Ron's bed and threw them at him. The slippers, blue and fuzzy, hit the wall behind Ron. Ron laughed at Harry.
"No wonder you never made Chaser. You throw like my Aunt Gergie. Mind you, she couldn't throw. Seriously."
"Yeah, I get what you mean. C'mon, lets go down."
The two of them got dressed and walked down into the Common Room. Hermione was already there, accompanied by a very calm Snuffles. She waved and Snuffles gave a bark in greeting.
"Alright, Snuffles," Hermione said to the dog. "I guess we're going down to lunch. You want us to bring something back up to you?"
Snuffles nuzzled Hermione's leg. She took that as a yes.
After a heavy breakfast consisting of eggs, toast, bacon, fried potatoes, hotcakes (pancakes) and sausages, the trio went upstairs to drop off Sirius' breakfast, and then to their first class.
Classes were long and horridly boring. Hermione hardly paid attention - only enough to scribble down important notes that she figured that would be needed in the near future. Her mind was on the Scultore.
Hermione could just imagine all the fun things that she could accomplish as an Animagus… not only by herself, but with Sirius, as well.
In spite of herself, Hermione smiled and clutched her arms close around her. Sirius. He was always on her mind, no matter what. She was creating the Scultore, not only for herself, but for Sirius as well. He meant so much to her, that she wanted to share just… something more with him.
At lunch, Hermione pulled the letter from her desk drawer and sent it home with a school owl. Harry and Ron accompanied her in the task. They each attached little side-notes that said things such as "hope you're well," and "I'll be a godfather if you want me to…!"
Boys, Hermione thought. Always so immature…!
After classes and after dinner, Hermione found herself back in the dungeons with Professor Snape, working on the Scultore potion. Hermione added a large number of concoctions to the brew - the sludgy brown had turned into a fiery orange colour that reflected the light and contorted it to seem more brighter, somehow. Hermione was in awe of her project. It was coming along nicely - Professor Snape said so, himself.
"You will need to keep an eye on that potion of yours, Granger," Snape said. He was speaking through her teeth as Hermione dragged the wooden spoon across the sides of the cauldron. "You are beginning to get to the crucial point in its creation."
She looked the instruction list over again - the potion called for certain times of cooling and reheating and… sigh. Hermione whimpered. This potion was going to take so very long to create.
Had she really known what she was getting in to?
That night, as she crawled into bed, Hermione was comforted as she noticed Sirius's presence. He was in his human form tonight - lying naked underneath the covers of her large four-poster. Hermione was a little exhausted after her session with Professor Snape, but now she felt awake. Her body was slowly heating up.
Hermione climbed into the bed next to Sirius. He was partially asleep. Hermione laid her head on Sirius's chest, wrapped her arms around his body, and gently kissed his flesh. Sirius kissed the top of Hermione's head.
"I'm sorry about this morning, 'Mione," he said. His voice was low and filled with drowsiness.
"Don't be, Sirius. I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't've snapped at you like that."
Sirius gave a soft chuckle and ran his fingers through her hair. "Goodnight, Hermione," he whispered.
When the soft sounds of Sirius's snores filled the room, Hermione kissed his soft flesh again and whispered back, "Goodnight, Sirius."