A/N: Well, hello there, viewers of this incredibly strange story about love, bebies and… Ah, nevermind that. I hope that you are all enjoying the new chapters that are up? I've been working on them, and I've been striving to make them good for your reading pleasure… and I hope that my work is reaching your approval. I think that I have been rushing through the story thus far, and I've been wanting to slow it down, so the story might get a little dull at points, if it hasn't been already. I'm not so sure on how many more chapters are in store - probably quite a few more, and I'm working on them as we speak, dear child. Enjoy!
Snuffles' Stay
Chapter Twenty
Like her mother had promised, Hermione was able to name two of the babies - one of the baby boys, and the little girl. Hermione was extremely excited; she had always loved picking names out for her baby dolls and for her stuffed animals. Now, she was able to give a name to a real living being that was comprised of the same flesh and blood as herself.
Her parents had named the little boy with the birthmark on his thigh Jordan, after Hermione's cousin who had passed away a few years before. Jordan Anthony Granger reminded Mrs. Granger of her nephew and decided that the name was highly appropriate. Mrs. Granger's sister gave Mrs. Granger permission to use the name.
Hermione felt the pressure of having to name the babies. Of course, she had picked out names with Sirius a while back... but her parents wouldn't understand the significance behind those names. Besides, Hermione decided, she could use them for her own children, someday.
So she picked different names for them, instead.
Her little sister was, in Hermione's mind, absolutely gorgeous. She was born with a light dusting of freckles along the bridge of her little nose, and dark coloured hair was spread across her soft head. Her eyes weren't open yet - none of the babies' were, so Hermione couldn't name them on looks…
The little girl had tendency to start crying only after the boys had. She wasn't a leader, Hermione figured. But then again, at this age, you couldn't honestly tell. Hermione smiled in spite of herself. What to name these babies?
James Nikolas Granger and Jaden Marie Granger were the name choices of Hermione. Her mother fell in love with them - all three of the newborn babies would be named with the same first letter. Of course, in the first few years of their life, it would be slightly difficult, but after a while…
Jordan, James, and Jaden were quite a trio. Hermione laughed while thinking of them. They reminded her of Harry, Ron, and herself. They got along, but they argued quite a bit… the whines and groaning from the nursery concluded that. Jordan had tendency to play the "dominate" role. James just remained calm, most of the time.
Hermione sung to them various lullabies that she had learned when she was younger. She would sit in the nursery and sing to them - it seemed to work, too. When Hermione was in the nursery, the babies were calmer; they didn't cry as much. The lullabies soothed them and lulled them to sleep. Hermione's parents were eternally grateful. Both of them needed as much rest as they could get to ensure their sanity for the upcoming weeks of raising the children, as Hermione would be back at school.
Sirius, earlier, had told Hermione's parents that he was a chaperone from Hogwarts and was required to stay with Hermione through the duration of her visit. The Grangers were relieved that someone else was there to help them out. They didn't mind Sirius's presence at all - there was something about him that they liked, something that they recognized, but they weren't at all sure what it was.
Sirius slept on the couch, in the lounge. The guestroom had been transformed into the nursery, and letting him sleep in Hermione's room was simply out of the question. He didn't mind, though - the couch was very plus and pleasant. It wasn't like he slept a lot, though.
On the contrary; Sirius spent most of his time with Hermione and the babies. Every time a baby would cry, he would be alert and help out as much as he could. He loved watching them; they were so small and so adorable…
The babies fueled his want of a family.
Hermione would sometimes catch Sirius watching her… the look in his eyes was intense and thoughtful. She wondered what he was thinking. Was it something good? Was it bad? She honestly didn't really know.
Sirius was good with the babies, she thought. He was gentle and caring and tender, and… Hermione giggled inwardly. Sirius was immature, but mature - all at the same time. It was a seemingly odd mixture - one that she saw, often times, in Ron. It was nice to see the depths of Sirius, though.
There was so much to Sirius that she hadn't known, so much that she learned in her times with him. From the outside, you would never guess that he was the gentle creature that he really was - maybe that was one of his advantages, as he often came off as fearsome, but…
Hermione shook her head. Sirius was such a mystery, shrouded in a cloak of questions and unseen answers. Maybe that was what drew her to him? No, she told herself. That wasn't it. It was Sirius, himself.
Jaden whined a little and snuggled up close to Hermione. Hermione clutched her little sister close and massaged her little hand with her fingers. Sirius put his head on Hermione's shoulder and watched her hands.
The baby fell asleep. Hermione stood up and gently placed Jaden into her baby bed. Sirius stood behind Hermione with his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. Hermione leaned her back against his chest for support and warmth. She was feeling a little cold.
"They're so beautiful," Hermione whispered. She didn't want to wake the babies.
"Yeah, they are. I think Jaden's going to look like you when she's older. Poor Jaden!"
Hermione shook her head and gave a low, soft chuckle. "I agree with you. Poor Jaden."
The two of them walked out of the nursery and into Hermione's bedroom. Hermione's parents were fast asleep and they had no quarrels with Sirius being in Hermione's room - they trusted their daughter. They had never doubted her before, so why should they start now? They had raised her good and true and she would never do something bad in their presence.
Sirius looked at Hermione. "I was only joking, you know." Hermione nodded. "You're gorgeous. If Jaden grows up, looking like you, your parents will have boys swarming the house. Jordan and James might beat them off for her, though. I know I would."
"You're probably right." Hermione giggled and laid back on her bed. Sirius sat on the end of it and watched her. "They're going to be the protective brothers that I always wish I had when I was younger."
"You don't have to wish for it now, do you? You don't, 'cause I'm here for you. I'm here to protect you and watch over you and… all that good stuff."
Hermione put her feet on Sirius's lap. "Of course."
They sat in silence for a while, listening for any sound coming from the nursery. The babies were sound asleep for the time being - none woke and started a fuss. They would be waking soon, however, for a feeding.
Hermione stared up at the wall. "Watching them makes me feel like I want to have a big family when I'm older. I don't know why, but I do. They're so fragile, so beautiful… It feels like you could break them if you hold them wrong."
Sirius didn't say anything. He just watched Hermione.
"Why didn't you settle down like Harry's parents did, after school?" Hermione looked at Sirius.
"Uh…" Sirius scratched the back of his head. "You know, I don't know. Besides the fact that there was no one for me at Hogwarts for me to get together with… I guess that's why."
"Don't you want a family someday?"
Sirius looked away from Hermione. He stared at the wall, instead. He could feel Hermione's gaze on him, though; it was piercing through him, like she could read his thoughts and feelings.
"Yeah, I do. I miss not having my family with me… I mean, Harry's a part of my family. He's my godson. But I want my own family - something I can call my own flesh and blood. My own doing, you know?"
Hermione smiled and nodded. She sat up on her bed and scooted close to Sirius. Sirius wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight against him.
"I -"
The babies had started crying. Hermione could hear Jordan's loud bellowing and Jaden's shrill whine. Hermione groaned and pulled away from Sirius's warmth.
"I'd better go feed them before mum or dad gets woken up."
*****
Hermione had said goodbye to her family and left on Sunday's evening. She was returning back to Hogwarts with Sirius through the family's fireplace by Floo Powder. Dumbledore had written Hermione the day previous and told her to say "Hollow Grotto" when she stepped into the fireplace - that would lead directly to Dumbledore's office.
There was a lot of tears shed on the night of Hermione's departure. Jaden wailed loudly - it was almost as if she could sense that her sister's presence would be gone soon. Hermione's mother was well rested and had small tears running down her face.
"Take care of yourself, Hermione," Mrs. Granger had said. "You too, Sirius."
After the goodbyes, Hermione and Sirius left the Granger's home and found themselves in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was extremely pleased to see them, and was holding a small "Welcome Back!" party, along with Harry and Ron.
Hermione was a little emotional. She gave Dumbledore, Harry, and Ron large hugs and cried on their robes fronts. Ron laughed at her, and Hermione smacked his shoulder. Sirius laughed at Ron getting smacked, and Hermione smacked Sirius, too.
Just as the party was ending, and Hermione was walking out of Professor Dumbledore's door, she remembered her Scultore project with Professor Snape.
Hermione stopped dead in mid-step. "Professor!" she yelled, and ran back up the steps to Dumbledore's office. "Professor… my project… you said…"
Dumbledore raised his hand for silence. Hermione silenced herself and listened to him. "Miss Granger - Professor Snape has seen to it that your potion is being taken care of, with great care. He is attending to it as we speak."
Hermione nodded and ran out of Dumbledore's office. She had muttered him a fast "thanks" and dashed down the hallway to the Dungeon corridor.
When she reached Professor Snape's office, she was out of breath and sweating. Professor Snape seemed to know that she was there, and opened up the door without it having been knocked on. He scowled down at her in distaste.
"So nice of you to join me, Granger." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Now that you have returned from your lengthy visit home, you may continue your project which I have," he glared at her, "taken care of for the past week!"
Hermione stared up at Professor Snape. "Professor, let me explain… I'm -"
"That is enough! Do not give me excuses - I've heard them all. Get to work on your potion, Granger, before I discontinue this assignment!"
Frightened, Hermione entered Professor Snape's office and looked upon the Scultore. The potion was bright green and was bubbling fiercly. Hermione glanced back at Snape. "Where at are we?"
"Maybe if you were here to pay attention more often, Granger, you wouldn't have to ask questions with blatant answers."
Hermione nodded and looked through the instructions. The list was long and complex. She skimmed through it…
By adding the figwigs and bottlefibers, the potion shall turn green…
Ah! So that's where they were with the potion…
Hermione added a lethifold cloak to the potion and jumped away as it began spitting out sparks. Snape glared at her from the side of his eye. How much longer was this going to take?
After the session, Hermione went up to her dormitory. She glanced at a calendar next to her bed and glanced at the marked days. Only 2 more months to go before the potion was complete.
Two more months until she became an Animagus.
Chapter Twenty
Like her mother had promised, Hermione was able to name two of the babies - one of the baby boys, and the little girl. Hermione was extremely excited; she had always loved picking names out for her baby dolls and for her stuffed animals. Now, she was able to give a name to a real living being that was comprised of the same flesh and blood as herself.
Her parents had named the little boy with the birthmark on his thigh Jordan, after Hermione's cousin who had passed away a few years before. Jordan Anthony Granger reminded Mrs. Granger of her nephew and decided that the name was highly appropriate. Mrs. Granger's sister gave Mrs. Granger permission to use the name.
Hermione felt the pressure of having to name the babies. Of course, she had picked out names with Sirius a while back... but her parents wouldn't understand the significance behind those names. Besides, Hermione decided, she could use them for her own children, someday.
So she picked different names for them, instead.
Her little sister was, in Hermione's mind, absolutely gorgeous. She was born with a light dusting of freckles along the bridge of her little nose, and dark coloured hair was spread across her soft head. Her eyes weren't open yet - none of the babies' were, so Hermione couldn't name them on looks…
The little girl had tendency to start crying only after the boys had. She wasn't a leader, Hermione figured. But then again, at this age, you couldn't honestly tell. Hermione smiled in spite of herself. What to name these babies?
James Nikolas Granger and Jaden Marie Granger were the name choices of Hermione. Her mother fell in love with them - all three of the newborn babies would be named with the same first letter. Of course, in the first few years of their life, it would be slightly difficult, but after a while…
Jordan, James, and Jaden were quite a trio. Hermione laughed while thinking of them. They reminded her of Harry, Ron, and herself. They got along, but they argued quite a bit… the whines and groaning from the nursery concluded that. Jordan had tendency to play the "dominate" role. James just remained calm, most of the time.
Hermione sung to them various lullabies that she had learned when she was younger. She would sit in the nursery and sing to them - it seemed to work, too. When Hermione was in the nursery, the babies were calmer; they didn't cry as much. The lullabies soothed them and lulled them to sleep. Hermione's parents were eternally grateful. Both of them needed as much rest as they could get to ensure their sanity for the upcoming weeks of raising the children, as Hermione would be back at school.
Sirius, earlier, had told Hermione's parents that he was a chaperone from Hogwarts and was required to stay with Hermione through the duration of her visit. The Grangers were relieved that someone else was there to help them out. They didn't mind Sirius's presence at all - there was something about him that they liked, something that they recognized, but they weren't at all sure what it was.
Sirius slept on the couch, in the lounge. The guestroom had been transformed into the nursery, and letting him sleep in Hermione's room was simply out of the question. He didn't mind, though - the couch was very plus and pleasant. It wasn't like he slept a lot, though.
On the contrary; Sirius spent most of his time with Hermione and the babies. Every time a baby would cry, he would be alert and help out as much as he could. He loved watching them; they were so small and so adorable…
The babies fueled his want of a family.
Hermione would sometimes catch Sirius watching her… the look in his eyes was intense and thoughtful. She wondered what he was thinking. Was it something good? Was it bad? She honestly didn't really know.
Sirius was good with the babies, she thought. He was gentle and caring and tender, and… Hermione giggled inwardly. Sirius was immature, but mature - all at the same time. It was a seemingly odd mixture - one that she saw, often times, in Ron. It was nice to see the depths of Sirius, though.
There was so much to Sirius that she hadn't known, so much that she learned in her times with him. From the outside, you would never guess that he was the gentle creature that he really was - maybe that was one of his advantages, as he often came off as fearsome, but…
Hermione shook her head. Sirius was such a mystery, shrouded in a cloak of questions and unseen answers. Maybe that was what drew her to him? No, she told herself. That wasn't it. It was Sirius, himself.
Jaden whined a little and snuggled up close to Hermione. Hermione clutched her little sister close and massaged her little hand with her fingers. Sirius put his head on Hermione's shoulder and watched her hands.
The baby fell asleep. Hermione stood up and gently placed Jaden into her baby bed. Sirius stood behind Hermione with his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. Hermione leaned her back against his chest for support and warmth. She was feeling a little cold.
"They're so beautiful," Hermione whispered. She didn't want to wake the babies.
"Yeah, they are. I think Jaden's going to look like you when she's older. Poor Jaden!"
Hermione shook her head and gave a low, soft chuckle. "I agree with you. Poor Jaden."
The two of them walked out of the nursery and into Hermione's bedroom. Hermione's parents were fast asleep and they had no quarrels with Sirius being in Hermione's room - they trusted their daughter. They had never doubted her before, so why should they start now? They had raised her good and true and she would never do something bad in their presence.
Sirius looked at Hermione. "I was only joking, you know." Hermione nodded. "You're gorgeous. If Jaden grows up, looking like you, your parents will have boys swarming the house. Jordan and James might beat them off for her, though. I know I would."
"You're probably right." Hermione giggled and laid back on her bed. Sirius sat on the end of it and watched her. "They're going to be the protective brothers that I always wish I had when I was younger."
"You don't have to wish for it now, do you? You don't, 'cause I'm here for you. I'm here to protect you and watch over you and… all that good stuff."
Hermione put her feet on Sirius's lap. "Of course."
They sat in silence for a while, listening for any sound coming from the nursery. The babies were sound asleep for the time being - none woke and started a fuss. They would be waking soon, however, for a feeding.
Hermione stared up at the wall. "Watching them makes me feel like I want to have a big family when I'm older. I don't know why, but I do. They're so fragile, so beautiful… It feels like you could break them if you hold them wrong."
Sirius didn't say anything. He just watched Hermione.
"Why didn't you settle down like Harry's parents did, after school?" Hermione looked at Sirius.
"Uh…" Sirius scratched the back of his head. "You know, I don't know. Besides the fact that there was no one for me at Hogwarts for me to get together with… I guess that's why."
"Don't you want a family someday?"
Sirius looked away from Hermione. He stared at the wall, instead. He could feel Hermione's gaze on him, though; it was piercing through him, like she could read his thoughts and feelings.
"Yeah, I do. I miss not having my family with me… I mean, Harry's a part of my family. He's my godson. But I want my own family - something I can call my own flesh and blood. My own doing, you know?"
Hermione smiled and nodded. She sat up on her bed and scooted close to Sirius. Sirius wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight against him.
"I -"
The babies had started crying. Hermione could hear Jordan's loud bellowing and Jaden's shrill whine. Hermione groaned and pulled away from Sirius's warmth.
"I'd better go feed them before mum or dad gets woken up."
Hermione had said goodbye to her family and left on Sunday's evening. She was returning back to Hogwarts with Sirius through the family's fireplace by Floo Powder. Dumbledore had written Hermione the day previous and told her to say "Hollow Grotto" when she stepped into the fireplace - that would lead directly to Dumbledore's office.
There was a lot of tears shed on the night of Hermione's departure. Jaden wailed loudly - it was almost as if she could sense that her sister's presence would be gone soon. Hermione's mother was well rested and had small tears running down her face.
"Take care of yourself, Hermione," Mrs. Granger had said. "You too, Sirius."
After the goodbyes, Hermione and Sirius left the Granger's home and found themselves in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was extremely pleased to see them, and was holding a small "Welcome Back!" party, along with Harry and Ron.
Hermione was a little emotional. She gave Dumbledore, Harry, and Ron large hugs and cried on their robes fronts. Ron laughed at her, and Hermione smacked his shoulder. Sirius laughed at Ron getting smacked, and Hermione smacked Sirius, too.
Just as the party was ending, and Hermione was walking out of Professor Dumbledore's door, she remembered her Scultore project with Professor Snape.
Hermione stopped dead in mid-step. "Professor!" she yelled, and ran back up the steps to Dumbledore's office. "Professor… my project… you said…"
Dumbledore raised his hand for silence. Hermione silenced herself and listened to him. "Miss Granger - Professor Snape has seen to it that your potion is being taken care of, with great care. He is attending to it as we speak."
Hermione nodded and ran out of Dumbledore's office. She had muttered him a fast "thanks" and dashed down the hallway to the Dungeon corridor.
When she reached Professor Snape's office, she was out of breath and sweating. Professor Snape seemed to know that she was there, and opened up the door without it having been knocked on. He scowled down at her in distaste.
"So nice of you to join me, Granger." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Now that you have returned from your lengthy visit home, you may continue your project which I have," he glared at her, "taken care of for the past week!"
Hermione stared up at Professor Snape. "Professor, let me explain… I'm -"
"That is enough! Do not give me excuses - I've heard them all. Get to work on your potion, Granger, before I discontinue this assignment!"
Frightened, Hermione entered Professor Snape's office and looked upon the Scultore. The potion was bright green and was bubbling fiercly. Hermione glanced back at Snape. "Where at are we?"
"Maybe if you were here to pay attention more often, Granger, you wouldn't have to ask questions with blatant answers."
Hermione nodded and looked through the instructions. The list was long and complex. She skimmed through it…
By adding the figwigs and bottlefibers, the potion shall turn green…
Ah! So that's where they were with the potion…
Hermione added a lethifold cloak to the potion and jumped away as it began spitting out sparks. Snape glared at her from the side of his eye. How much longer was this going to take?
After the session, Hermione went up to her dormitory. She glanced at a calendar next to her bed and glanced at the marked days. Only 2 more months to go before the potion was complete.
Two more months until she became an Animagus.