Meet You There
Chapter 6
Hermione and Harry were staring at the photo, their eyes glued to the page. "I can't believe this Harry" she said suddenly. "She must be a witch, how could she have known your parents? And Sirius too?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't know, I'm more surprised that I didn't even remember we've been best friends since we were born" he said, looking down at his mother holding a small version of himself in her arms as she laughed and talked with James and Sirius.
"Well we only knew each other for a year, you left when you were one" she said looking thoughtful.
"There has to be more photos that belong in this album, I mean honestly, your mum must've taken some of me and you" he said, flipping through the album, making sure they hadn't missed any. "I wonder why she wouldn't want you to know about all this stuff." He added, but Hermione wasn't even paying attention.
"None of this makes any sense...my mum better have some bloody good excuses when she gets home." She started angrily.
"Clearly she's a witch, which she's been hiding from me for nearly 16 years now, I mean how could she keep something like that from her only daughter?"
Harry looked at her helplessly, not having the foggiest idea of what to say. He doubted it would make any difference anyway. "She's kept so much from me! I mean did it just slip her mind that she used to know my best friends parents?"
Hermione continued on, leaving Harry no room to interrupt even if he'd wanted to.
"…and why the bloody hell are there absolutely no photos of my dad in here, it's like he didn't even exist…" she appeared to be finished ranting, but a new emotion was flickering in her eyes.
Hermione looked at him as if struggling to accept something, "What, why are you looking at me like that?" Harry said, almost worried.
"Harry…I don't think the man that's been living with me for all these years is my real father" she told him quietly.
Harry stared at her, completely nonplussed. "Why on earth would you think that?!" he asked in shock, "Of course he is, I mean…how could he not be? Your mum wouldn't keep something that big from you Hermione I'm sure of it" Harry was surprised at how confident he'd sounded, especially since he'd thought her query actually made a bit of sense.
"Harry…there isn't a single photo of him in here from when I was younger, don't you think that means something?" she asked, heavily.
"There's got to be a better explanation Mione…maybe someone just misplaced them" he offered, not wanting her to actually believe that she'd never even known her own father.
"But that's not the only thing Harry…every time I talk about my childhood, or anything even closely related to it he always gets so awkard…that's not normal!" she said, continuing to prove her theory right. "…and while I've tried not to notice it, I have to face the truth…he's not like me at all! I'd even go as far to say as he's the complete opposite of my personality" she said clearly getting quite panicky.
"Listen Hermione, try to calm down…we can ask your mum all about it when she gets home" Harry said, trying to be comforting, "I'm sure she'll be able to explain everything."
The problem was, Hermione's mum didn't exactly come home that night. Around half past seven Mr. Granger walked into the living room, where Harry and Hermione were watching a movie on the television.
"Mum and I are going out tonight Hermione, here's some money to order a pizza" he said placing a couple of 5 pound notes on the coffee table.
Hermione looked up at the man she had thought was her father, surprised. "What? But mum hasn't even come home yet!!" She said annoyed that once again she was being avoided.
"We're meeting at the restaurant" he said simply ignoring the look on her face as he put on his jacket.
"Well when are you going to be home?" she asked, looking like she was about to start yelling.
"I'm not sure Hermione, probably pretty late" he said calmly. "Why are you getting so upset about this?" he added, noting her angry tone.
"Because I want to ask mum about these photos!" she yelled, jumping up off the couch and wincing as her injured foot hit the floor.
"I already told you sweetheart, I must've taken all of them." he said, impatiently.
"Well how do you explain never telling me you knew Harry's parents, or the fact that mum is in fact a witch!!" she shouted, choosing not to mention her feelings about him not being her real dad.
"What are you on about Hermione?" he asked, looking slightly nervous now. "You're mum isn't magical, you know that"
Hermione picked up the photo album and flipped through it roughly. " Look at this picture dad, first off, clearly there is a wand in mum's pocket" she started, as her father cleared his throat anxiously.
"…and see these people here?" she said pointing to the Potters, and Sirius. "Those are Harry's parents, that's Harry, and this is his godfather Sirius. They are all witches and wizards, mum couldn't possibly of been such good friends with them if she was a muggle!" she said, sounding perfectly confident.
Mr. Granger stood there helplessly, a blank look on his face as Harry and Hermione stared at him, willing him to give them an answer.. Suddenly, he turned around and walked towards the door, "DAD!?!' Hermione yelled outraged.
"I don't have time for this Hermione, I'm late" he said shortly, slamming the door behind him.
Hermione sat back down on the couch fuming, "They're definitely hiding more than one thing from me Harry…and I must know what it is" she said her eyes flashing angrily as she watched the television.
"Well they can't avoid us forever, we'll just ask them when they get back" he said trying to be helpful.
Hermione sighed and nodded, "Let's just order the pizza" she said picking up the phone.
"Hey how about we go pick it up this time?" Harry suggested before she started to dial.
"What would you want to do that for?" she asked, looking at him curiously.
"Well we could go get a movie to watch while we're out, since this one is over" he said gesturing to the screen, which now had tiny white credits scrolling up it. "And we could get loads of muggle candy, it'll help get your mind off of this, I promise" he said standing up and offering her his hand. Hermione looked up at him and smiled, it was cute really how he always wanted to make her happy.
"All right, you've convinced me" she said happily taking his hand, as he pulled her up off the couch and headed towards the door, Hermione limping along beside him.
"Wait a sec" Harry said as she shut the door behind them. He stooped down into a squat, as Hermione looked at him oddly. "Get on" he said laughing as he looked at her face over his shoulder.
"That's okay Harry, I can walk" she said, but he simply looked at her stubbornly.
"Harry! Really, I can…" she started.
"Would you please just get on so I can stand up" Harry said interrupting her, with a classic puppy face that he knew would sway her decision. "Please?" he added, and Hermione melted as he flashed her the famous Potter grin he'd inherited from his father.
She sighed dramatically; trying not to smile as she climbed on to his back. Harry gave a triumphant 'hah!" as he stood up and started to walk down the path.
Hermione started to laugh. "What?" Harry asked, crossing the road.
"Nothing Harry, you're just so cute" she said, and he grinned over his shoulder. "Well thank you, but I already knew that" he said, laughing as she slapped him upside the head. They were just walking into the tiny little town when they heard some one call their names in a very familiar Irish accent.
"Harry!! Hermione!" Seamus Finnegan came running up to them, holding the hand of a rather gorgeous looking girl.
"Hey Seamus" they said together, Harry rather surprised at seeing his housemate in Hermione's neighborhood.
"I forgot we lived so close, we should get together sometime" said Hermione grinning.
"Yeah we should, shame this summer's nearly over." He said, looking gloomy about it and they nodded.
"I totally understand" Hermione said laughing.
"Well who's this then Seamus?" Harry asked, smiling at the girl next to him.
Seamus grinned at her, forgetting about school altogether. "This is Kate" he said, clearly infatuated with her. "And these are my friends Hermione Granger, and well everyone knows Harry Potter of course" he added chuckling, as Harry felt the familiar stab of annoyance when the pretty blonde's eyes did the expected flick towards his forehead.
"Nice to meet you two, I'm coming to Hogwarts next year" she said in a, surprisingly, southern accent. as she shook their hands excitedly. "I've just transferred from my old school in the states" she finished and Harry and Hermione's surprised expressions at her accent, cleared.
"Oh well that'll be great to have a new person around, I hope you're in Gryffindor, like the rest of us" Hermione said friendly.
"Yeah I hope so too" Kate said smiling at Seamus.
He grinned, but then looked curiously at Harry, "Wait a minute, Harry, what're you doing here, you live in Surrey don't you?" he asked, looking at him questioningly.
"I'm staying at Hermione's for the summer" Harry replied looking a bit awkward, remembering why she had invited him.
"Well where's the other member of the trio then?" Seamus said laughing, Kate looked curiously at him and Hermione rolled her eyes at being called 'the trio' but Harry just laughed.
"Ron's on vacation in Hawaii, a treat from Fred and George" he said, as he re-adjusted Hermione on his back.
"You're all alone then are you?" Kate spoke up, raising her eyebrows suggestively.
Hermione, Harry and Seamus all laughed at the innuendo, "We're actually just really good friends." Hermione told her still laughing, and Harry nodded.
"Or that's what they tell everyone anyway" Seamus muttered in Kate's ear and she giggled.
"I'd slap you if I didn't think I'd fall off!" Hermione said jokingly as Harry laughed again.
"I'm just joking…but why are you up there anyways?" he asked chuckling.
"She sprained her ankle" Harry replied for her.
"And my wrist" Hermione added.
Kate looked like she was trying not to laugh but Seamus openly roared with laughter, and Harry joined him. "How did you manage that?" he choked out.
"She tripped over a tree root" Harry said in between laughs, which made Seamus laugh harder, holding his sides, Kate couldn't hold it in any longer, and even Hermione started to laugh as she tried to defend herself. "I was wearing high heels!"
Harry stopped laughing and spoke up loudly, "All right enough tormenting Hermione, we have to go get our pizza"
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that" Hermione said, looking down at Seamus and Kate.
"Okay, we'll see you later then, are you going to Diagon Alley next week?" Seamus asked, taking Kate's hand in his, ready to leave.
"Yeah we are, you?" Hermione responded.
"I think I am, yeah." Seamus said.
"You'll be going too then, will you Kate?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, I have to get new robes and everything" she said, looking almost excited about it.
"Well maybe we'll see you next week then?"
"Yeah I hope so, see you later Harry, Hermione" Seamus said, as he left, with Kate giving a quick wave to both of them.
"Bye" Harry and Hermione said in unison, as Harry walked across the street to the pizza place.
"I have no idea why I – AAAAAHHH!" Hermione screamed and threw herself onto Harry as he put his arm around her laughing his head off.
"It's just a movie Hermione" he said chuckling. "It's not real or anything!"
"Is it gone yet?" she asked whispering.
"Yes it's gone but why are you whispering?" Harry responded amusedly.
Hermione let out a deep breath, sat up straight, and Harry tied to take his arm away, but she grabbed it, "Don't, that...thing...might come back" she said, looking disgustedly at the television, making Harry laugh again. He wasn't protesting however, he rather liked 'protecting' Hermione like this.
"Like I was saying before I was scared out of my wits, I don't know why I let you get this movie" she said, not even looking at the screen anymore, but choosing to look at him instead.
"Because you just love being protected" Harry said smirking, and bringing her closer to him with his arm, enjoying himself thorougly. Hermione rolled her eyes at him…but didn't try to get away.
Half an hour later, the movie ended, and Harry looked down to see Hermione asleep against his chest. He chuckled at the fact that she could be so terrified of a scary movie, but still manages to sleep through one. Harry turned off the TV, and carefully gathered her in his arms, walking slowly up the stairs, and into her bedroom. As he put her down on the bed, he heard the front door open from downstairs. He quickly crept out of her room and into his own, trying to ignore the loud chatter from downstairs.
It sounded like Hermione's parents were rowing, and he didn't want to get in the way, but when he heard Hermione's name, he couldn't help himself. He walked quietly out of his room and sat down on the top stair, easily listening to their conversation as they were talking extremely loud.
"I just don't think it would be good if she found out Annie, all right?" came Mr. Granger's voice from the family room.
"But she has a right to know Michael, I've always wanted to tell her!" Mrs. Granger said shrilly. "And it sounds like she's figuring it out anyway, by what you told me today." She added.
Harry jumped as someone touched his shoulder, "Harry! What are you doing?" Hermione whispered fiercely.
"They're talking about you Hermione, I think you might be able to find out about your dad and all that stuff without even asking." He responded in a whisper, looking pointedly at the spot next to him.
Hermione frowned at him but sat down anyway. "I don't like eavesdropping on people Harry." She whispered, "What if we get caught?"
Harry rolled his eyes, "Hermione you deserve to know about all this, let's just listen all right?" he said, turning away from her. She fell silent, and Harry smiled to himself.
"She'll forget about it eventually!" Mr. Granger was saying hopefully.
"Michael, you really don't know her at all do you? Hermione is very stubborn, and when she wants something she'll get it."
Harry snorted, "That's the truth" he whispered, and Hermione slapped him on the arm, although she knew it was true.
"Okay Annie, suppose we do tell her, how do you think she'll react?!" he said, sounding irritable.
"I…well…I think she'd be all right" she said, sounding like she didn't have much faith in what she was saying.
"Oh, yeah it'd go great, 'Hey Hermione, I'm actually not really your father, but don't worry your real dad is a real nice guy. Sure he's an escaped convict from Azkaban, and he did happen to murder 13 people but hey, that's life for you!'
"WHAT?!!" Harry said loudly in disbelief.
"Oh my god" Hermione said softly, looking at Harry's stunned face fearfully before fainting. Harry caught her reflexively, as his brain attempted to process what had just happened. He was so dazed that he'd forgotten how loud he yelled and didn't get up fast enough.
"Harry? Hermione?!" Mr. And Mrs. Granger had appeared at the bottom of the stairs, obviously having heard him yell.
"Erm…" Harry didn't have the slightest idea of what to say, as he picked up Hermione properly and started to walk down the stairs.
"What happened?" Mrs. Granger asked, looking worried.
"She fainted" Harry said, unable to think of an intelligent response.
"Well that's obvious. Why?" Mr. Granger asked rather rudely, but he was looking anxious.
"Well...Uh…she just heard what you said…" Harry responded awkwardly.
Hermione's mum's eyes widened, "Oh dear, that really isn't how we would've liked her to find out" she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her daughter's face.
"I told you she wouldn't take it well." Mr. Granger said to his wife.
"Could you take her up to bed please Harry?" she said, sighing sadly.
"Don't you think you owe her an explanation?" he said incredulously.
"I don't think you should be telling us how to raise our daughter Harry" Mr. Granger said coldly, but his wife frowned at him.
"Don't talk to him like that Michael, he's right, she deserves to know everything…they both do." she said, gesturing for Harry to follow her back to the couch.
"I'll leave you three alone" Mr. Granger said, and walked up the stairs, slamming his door angrily.
Mrs. Granger rolled her eyes, and sat down by Hermione's feet, who was still being cradled in Harry's arms.
"Hermione? Hermione wake up sweetheart" She repeated, patting her daughter on the shoulder but it didn't work.
"Try kissing her, Harry" she said, looking up at him.
"What?" he asked surprised. "How would that help?"
She smiled, "It works all the time on my husband" she said, and Harry looked at her strangely, surely she was joking.
Despite that, he kissed her softly on the lips, feeling awkward in front of Hermione's mum. Miraculously, a couple seconds after he'd pulled away, Hermione's eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes.
She looked up into Harry's smiling face, "Did you just kiss me?" she asked, her cheeks flushed.
Harry and Mrs. Granger laughed, "Yeah I did, your mum said it would wake you up" he looked over at her, "I thought she'd gone mad but I guess not!" he said.
Mrs. Granger smiled, but quickly turned serious. "Do you remember what you heard before you fainted, darling?" she asked, as Hermione crawled off Harry's lap and onto the couch next to him.
She glanced at Harry, who looked like he was dying to hear what had been going on, and took a deep breath. "Yes…" she said, not wanting to say anything else.
Her mum nodded, "All right, just let me go get some things, it'll help explain the story." She said, getting up and walking up the stairs.
Hermione was silent the whole time until her mum got back, sitting on the couch in between them, carrying a large cardboard box. "Okay well I don't really know where to start but…I am a witch Hermione, I'm sorry I never told you but after…Si- er…I mean Black left I decided to live as a muggle" she said, looking like she found it hard to say Sirius' name like Harry did nowadays.
"Wait a minute…so, Sirius Black…he's Hermione's dad?" he asked unable to believe what he was saying. She nodded sadly, and
Hermione looked like she was going to faint again. "Wha…how..I..that's so…weird! and really hard to believe"
"I don't understand…" Harry muttered to himself.
"I'm sorry I never told you Hermione, I just didn't know how you'd react to knowing your father was a…well a murderer." She said quietly, unfortunately not knowing the truth.
Hermione looked at Harry, who'd looked more than annoyed at her sentence. "He wasn't a murderer" he said, looking away as she glanced at him curiously.
"What do you mean Harry of course he…" Mrs. Granger started but Harry cut her off.
"Before we keep talking about this Mrs. Granger, there's something you need to understand…Sirius was innocent." He started.
Mrs. Granger looked at him strangely, "That can't be possible" she said disbelievingly.
But Hermione spoke up, "Listen to him Mum, it's true, Sirius never killed anyone" she said quietly.
"How do you two even know him?" Her mum asked and Harry began to explain the long story about Peter betraying his parents, and faking his own death, how Sirius had escaped to kill his so called friend, how Harry was his godson…everything. Except the one fact that he still had trouble facing, and just couldn't bring himself to say…
Mrs. Granger's face was unreadable for a moment, "Sirius is innocent…" she whispered to herself as if to confirm it, and Harry nodded. "He…He never betrayed Lily and James?" she said again, and Harry shook his head, finding it odd that she'd mention his parents.
She put her head in her hands, "And I believed he was guilty all these years…I feel so awful" she said, starting to cry softly.
"Did you know my mum and dad?" Harry asked, feeling a lump rise in his throat, as Hermione patted her mum on the back.
She nodded, looking up at him with shining eyes, "Lily was my best friend since first year, James too, although Lily wasn't too keen on him then" she said, actually managing a small laugh through her tears.
Harry smiled; but he had a gnawing feeling of guilt in his stomach; he still hadn't told her what had happened to Sirius.
"And Sirius…I had the biggest crush on him since fourth year…when he asked me out in sixth year I was so amazed." She said, smiling to herself, clearly remembering the moment.
Hermione looked at her mum, "Did you ever get married?" she asked curiously.
She shook her head sadly, "We were engaged when I became pregnant with you sweetheart, we were going to get married when you were about one years old but…" Harry looked away painfully as she paused "well there's no need for me to tell you what happened on Halloween" she finished, her voice cracking with emotion.
A few tears fell down Hermione's cheek as she looked at Harry, who was determinedly looking at the floor.
"Anyway" Mrs. Granger said suddenly, clearly trying to change the subject as she wiped away her tears, "I guess I still have some other things to explain" she said.
Harry and Hermione looked at her expectantly, Harry extremely glad they were away from that subject. He wanted to tell her about Sirius, but he just couldn't get the words out.
"Well I guess its obvious now why there are no photos of you and your father in here Hermione" she said gesturing to the photo album on the table.
"Did you know that you two used to be best friends when you were first born?" she asked, and they both nodded.
"You forgot about one of the photos Mrs. Granger, that's why we started asking questions in the first place." Harry said, flipping through the album and showing her the photo.
"Oh, how silly of me…" she said, shaking her head, "Well…actually in a way I'm rather glad you found it" She closed the book and turned to the two of them. "I've wanted to tell you this for ages Hermione, especially that day when you came home for Christmas during your first year, telling me all about your new friend" she said smiling at Harry, and they both laughed lightly.
"I was so surprised when you told me his name…all the memories from our days at Hogwarts came flooding back." She said laughing, "I always love it when you come over Harry, it feels exactly like I'm with James again" She added giving him a warm smile, which he returned.
"I'm sure you're tired of everyone telling you how much you look like your father, though are you?" she asked, but he shook his head.
"I like hearing it actually" he said truthfully, and she grinned.
"Yes, you look just like him…except your eyes…" she looked at the dazzling green orbs, "You've got your mother's eyes" Harry and Hermione recited with her, making them all laugh.
"Everyone always says that" Hermione said, grinning at him. "They're gorgeous" The moment she said it, she regretted how stupid it had sounded. "Well…uh you know what I mean" she muttered awkwardly as her mother had smirked at her and Harry had laughed. "So mum, what's in the box?" she said, getting the spotlight off of herself.
"Oh, these are the photos I had to take out of the album, would you like to see them?" she asked them both.
"Yeah sure!" Hermione said happily, but Harry didn't share her feelings. There was bound to be tons of photos of Sirius in there, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep it together. Unfortunately, her mum had already picked up a large stack and placed them on her lap, passing them to Hermione, who passed them to Harry.
Luckily, the first bunch were just of Harry and Hermione when they were little. "Awww, look how cute this is!!" Hermione said, showing Harry and absolutely adorable photo of Harry and Hermione asleep on a chair, looking like they were nearly a year old.
Harry smiled rather falsely, dreading the photos that he knew were coming. After many snaps of baby Harry and Hermione in cute little outfits, Sirius showed up. The first one seemed to remind Hermione of what they hadn't told her mum, as she looked sideways at Harry, quickly wiping a tear away from her cheek. It was a young looking Sirius in a healers robe, holding a new born Hermione. He looked entranced as he stared at her in awe, playing with her tiny fingers. Harry sighed as he put it on the coffee table; this was going to be rough.
As the last few photos were passed around, Harry and Hermione had reached their limit, especially Harry. The last one was the one that got Hermione…Sirius and James were sitting by the fire, grinning and laughing as they held their children. James and Harry were both wearing matching black t-shirts that said 'Prongs' on them, and Sirius and Hermione were wearing similar ones that said 'Padfoot' on them.
Hermione suddenly let out a sob, letting her tears flow freely, which wasn't much help to Harry. He took her hand in his, but made sure not to look at her.
Mrs. Granger looked between them both but her eyes rested on Harry, "Oh my…I'm so sorry dear, I shouldn't have showed you all these photos of your parents" she said quietly.
Harry shook his head, "It's not just that" he managed, without sounding too choked up.
"What do you…" Mrs. Granger quickly glanced at Hermione, "Why are you so upset sweetheart?" she asked, totally at sea.
Hermione glanced at Harry, who felt her eyes on him. "Can you tell her please" he said quietly, and Hermione nodded, trying to wipe away her tears but they just kept coming.
"Mum…Sirius…" she began, her voice breaking already, "…Sirius isn't…he's not with us anymore" Hermione said delicately but her mum looked at her slightly confused.
"What do you mean he's not with us…" she said questioningly.
"Mum he died" Hermione said in a hoarse whisper, not bothering to wipe her tears away anymore.
Mrs. Granger simply stared at them for what seemed like ages before it hit her. Tears started to fall silently down her face, but before she could ask any questions Harry stood up quickly. "I'm sorry, I have to go" he said quietly, returning to his room as fast as he could.
Okay I know the idea of Sirius being Hermione's father is kind of strange but…whatever! If you didn't like it you can stop reading, and if you did please review! I greatly appreciate it.