Chapter 12: Christmas Surprises and Insights
Molly was the first one up Christmas morning and was running around in a mad state making sure breakfast was ready for the gang when they woke. One by one they came down the stairs and into the basement for breakfast. Ron was the last to arrive. "Good now that everyone is here, we can finish breakfast, then go up and open presents." Molly said as she added more bacon to the already heaping pile.
The group was in the midst of finishing their morning meal when the doorbell rang. Remus excused himself and said he'd meet them upstairs. Answering the door, he found Dumbledore and McGonagall with loads of glittering boxes. Remus smiled when he saw one very special gift Dumbledore was holding on to. They went into the living room and placed the packages under the tree.
Dumbledore heard the noises of the Weasley's, Harry and Hermione as they made their way up the stairs. "Would you please stay right here for a minute, while Remus and Minerva finish placing the gifts where she would like them to be." There was something different about the Headmaster this morning Harry noticed but he couldn't place his finger on it.
After several minutes Minerva came to the door, "Thank you for waiting, I think I have everything where I want it."
Slowly they made their way into the room stopping abruptly as they looked at what McGonagall had done. Hermione was the last to enter, as she did, the group stepped aside so she could see what the others were staring at. Sitting in a chair next to the tall, full fir was the one man no one expected to see. A small cry escaped her lips and her hand covered her mouth as she saw him. Sirius tried to standby himself, but needed assistance from Remus who was stationed next to him. He still had the bruises and cuts from the battle that had been fought just a couple days ago, and he was extremely sore, but he was there. He took a step forward, but Hermione was faster. She ran to him, jumping into his arms, knocking him back in the chair. As much as that action caused his battered body to scream in agony, it felt wonderful to have her in his arms. He held her and whispered words of comfort as she sobbed, but this time they were tears of joy. Finally she raised her head and kissed him. He quietly told her they would talk later. Hermione smiled at him, a smile no one had seen in weeks. She stepped out of his embrace and stood behind him with her hand on his shoulder so the others could greet him. Harry was next; he embraced Sirius almost as tightly as Hermione. Again he thought the pain was worth it. He'd missed these people, all of them.
One by one they greeted him as Dumbledore explained how the Minister of Magic owled him yesterday. "He asked if I'd like to have my DADA professor back. He told me how the mission had been successful and Sirius had done a wonderful job on getting in, getting the information and informing the Ministry. He said Sirius was a little banged up and needed someone to help take care of him, but being as head strong as he is…"
"He gets that from his Grandfather." Minerva interrupted and everyone laughed.
Albus Dumbledore smiled at his wife then his Grandson and continued. "… As I was saying. Being as headstrong as he is, he wouldn't go to the hospital to stay. He kept telling Fudge he wanted to be home with his family for Christmas. Fudge said he was impossible to be around until the ministry agreed he could come home for Christmas." He walked closer to his grandson and placed his hand on his shoulder. "The members of the Order and I are very proud of him and I've told him. He's pretty banged up and needs a lot of rest to heal properly, so I'm counting on all of you to help Minerva and I keep him in line. No overdoing it." He winked at Hermione who was still smiling from ear to ear and now holding the hand of the man she loved.
Everyone settled into his or her places, either on furniture or the floor. Remus pulled a chair up so Hermione could sit next to Sirius and Harry sat on the floor next his godfather. Ginny sat next to Harry. Minerva and Albus sat across the room, but where they could both keep an eye on their Grandson. Molly sat on the piano bench ready to jump if anyone, especially Sirius needed anything.
As presents were passed around Sirius looked over at Ron who seemed a little lost and unhappy. "Ron?" He said. It was the first time anyone had actually heard him speak out loud. He sounded tired. "Why didn't you invite Alyssa for Christmas?"
Ron looked at him and shrugged. "I guess I thought she would be spending it with her family."
"We'll wait." Sirius said looking around the room. "Why don't you go send her an owl? Maybe she could come in time for dinner. She could use floo powder. This fireplace is hooked to the floo system."
Smiling at his family and friends he ran to get his owl, but heard Harry yell for him to use Hedwig, he was faster. In less than 10 minutes Ron was back having sent the note looking happier than he had in days. "Okay I sent it, I told her she could answer by Hedwig or she could fire talk. I gave her your network number." He saw Sirius nod.
It was now time to open the over abundance of spectacularly wrapped gifts. Everyone watched as each person opened something. Sirius observed those around him. He was glad to be back. He squeezed Hermione's hand and ruffled Harry's head as he looked at them. Harry had just opened his present from Sirius. It was a book. When he opened to the first pages he saw it was filled with photos and stories from the Marauders' adventures. Sirius had spent the last year writing it all down and having it put together for him. Harry turned page after page, tears welling up as he saw segments of his parents' lives with Remus and Sirius.
Harry turned to his godfather and hugged him gently this time. "Thank you." He said. "This took a lot of time and love to put together. I'll treasure it. You are the greatest." These comments brought a smile to Sirius' face.
He then turned to watch Hermione open some of her gifts. She got the traditional sweater from the Weasleys, Ron gave her a scarf, Ginny awarded her some perfume, and Harry presented her with a book on magical history from one of her favorite authors. She received some small trinkets from others, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall gave her a pendant that had been Sirius' mothers. It was a round silver locket with a blue stone. When you opened it, one side would show you a picture of the person you were thinking about and the other side would show you, where they were, and, if they were all right. Minerva explained it to Hermione as the entire group listened, how they had given it to Mrs. Black when she was a teenager. How she had loved it until she had Regulus. Then Leo Black decided it wasn't good enough for his wife, and she gave it back. Minerva decided that day; she would save it for someone close to one of her grandsons who would appreciate it. She told Hermione that she and Albus could see how much she loved their Grandson; and, they wanted her to have it. This was a way she could always know if he was well or not. Hermione stood, went to where they sat, and hugged them both, thanking them.
Sirius told Hermione he remembered his mother wearing it, he said his fondest memory was sitting on her lap when he was a child looking at the pretty blue stone. When he was a little older, he would play with it when she wasn't around. This brought a raised eyebrow from Minerva. Sirius just smiled and blew her a kiss.
Hermione sat back down next to Sirius and picked up the three presents left. They were from him; she had intentionally saved them until last. The first one was a very pretty and delicate white cashmere sweater, with pink buttons in the shape of tiny flowers. It was long sleeved and short, like she loved to wear. She kissed him on the cheek as she placed the garment back in the box and picked up present number two. Tearing the wrappings from it, she pulled out a collection of muggle DVDs. Her mouth dropped open when she saw he had gotten her the entire collection of "Sex and the City". It was her favorite show when she was at home, but she'd missed so many of them, being at school over the years. She placed them on the floor and picked up the last package. It was smaller than the others. She wondered what it could be. She ripped the paper to find a velvet box, long and slender. Opening it she gasped, inside was a beautiful gold chain. On the end of the chain was a heart etched with her initials. On the back of the heart was engraved, "Can't fight these feeling. Love SB". Hermione held up the necklace for all to see. She then leaned over and kissed him, taking extra care not to apply too much pressure on his cut and swollen lips. "Thank you, I love everything." She told him as she kissed him again.
"Your welcome. I love you," he said as everyone watched. When she leaned into him for another gentle hug, he whispered in her ear, "I have one more gift for you, but I want to give it to you when we are alone." She smiled and nodded her understanding.
Sirius tried to open his Christmas gifts, but after the first one, which was a sweater like Hermione and Harry's from the Weasleys he decided he needed help, it had been a long night. He knew rightfully he probably should be in a hospital, but he needed to be here. Harry and Hermione helped him opened them. Sirius would smile and thank the giver. Harry gave him a wonderful moving scrapbook filled with all the fun things they'd done in Greece. In it was a before and after picture of Harry and himself. He was amazed at the difference in both of them. Moving on, he received two new books from Remus, a wizards chess set from Ginny and Ron, and his Grandparents gave him; several family heirlooms, new clothes both muggle and wizard, one of the items was a very expensive set of dress robes. He remembered seeing one like it in Diagon Alley before school started. When he came to Hermione's gifts, Sirius decided he could do those alone. Hermione told him shyly that she wasn't sure what to get him. He kissed her softly and told her no matter what it was he'd love it. Opening the first gift, he found a bottle of his favorite cologne. She had Tonks take her to get it. The next present was a muggle book; he'd told her a long time ago he'd always wanted to read. She also gave him a new wizard wireless to listen to his favorite wizarding station on. Lastly, he opened a new watch, like her necklace, she had I love you engraved on the back. Sirius hugged Hermione and thanked her for his gifts. He then thanked everyone.
When all the gifts had been opened Molly spoke up, "Ladies, I am going to go work on dinner, would some of you like to join me?" All of the women stood and made their way to the kitchen. Hermione told Sirius she would come check on him in a few minutes, while Glenna told Charlie he was in charge of Trace for a while.
Arthur told the boys to get all the packages and deliver them to the owner's room. Sirius started to stand but was gently pushed back into his chair by Remus. "You're not going anywhere, except maybe over to that sofa to lie down," His Grandfather told him. "The only way I could get Fudge and the Doctors to let you come was to promise you wouldn't do anything for at least a week." Sirius looked at him with an expression of a little boy being scolded by his favorite person.
He and Arthur walked out of the living room leaving the others to do what had been requested of them. Remus and Harry helped Sirius stand, they stayed with him as he slowly walked to the sofa and sat down. Charlie handed him Trace, "Play Uncle for a few minutes, while we take these things upstairs will you?" Not waiting for him to answer they left the living room leaving Sirius sitting on the couch holding a sleeping infant. It had been a long time since he held a baby, Harry was the last newborn he'd held and that was 18 years ago. Unsure what to do, Sirius slid around on the sofa so he was lying on his side and placed Trace next to him. Holding him close so he didn't fall off. It wasn't long before both were asleep.
Several minutes later, Hermione and Glenna came back into the room to check up on Sirius. Charlie had met them in the hall, telling them Sirius was watching the baby. What they saw brought a smile to both their faces. Glenna ran back into the hall to see if Remus or someone had a camera. Returning with the camera, she took several pictures of the two sleeping cuddled together. Molly strolled in to ask if anyone needed anything, but stopped when she saw what the other two girls were watching. It amazed her that this man, whom she loved, but infuriated her more than any other person she had ever known, could display this kind of tenderness with her grandson. She turned to Hermione, "As much as I hate to admit this and I'll deny it if it ever gets back to him, but I think he's going to make a wonderful father someday."
Hermione smiled. The noise of the women talking must have disturbed them, Trace started crying and Sirius opened his eyes, murmuring to the infant. Glenna went to the sofa and took the baby, explaining he was probably hungry and needed to be fed and changed. She took, Molly, the baby, and left. Hermione knelt down in front of Sirius, kissing him lightly. "How are you feeling? Is there anything you need?" She asked, pushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. She thought how he needed a haircut; it had grown out while he was away.
He smiled up at her. "All I need is you."
"Well handsome, you have me. I'm all yours." Hermione answered laughing, while helping him sit up and sitting next to him. She saw him wince a couple times, that told her how much pain he was really in. Not that he would let anyone know. He was one who didn't want to burden anyone with his problems. She'd seen it several times over the past few years.
"Sit and talk with me for a while?" Sirius asked. Hermione scooted closer to him. It had been so long since they'd been able be together. He tried to put his arm around her, but she saw the pain it caused and took his hand instead.
"I missed you." Hermione said softly, looking at their joined hands while rubbing his hand with her own.
He lifted their joined hands kissing the back of hers, "I missed you too. Everyday I thought about you. I wrote you a letter at some point each day. I have them all; it was just impossible to mail anything. Especially when the underworld was supposed to think I was new here and didn't know anyone." He shifted a little more. "Tell me about what you've been doing while I was away."
Hermione snuggled closer and told him about the weeks he'd missed. Filled him in on all the Hogwarts gossip. Told him about Snape being nice to her and her friends, she mentioned the way Harry and Ginny and Ron and Alyssa had gotten closer. She told him how all of them had helped her get through the weeks, and how his Grandparents had been so supportive of them. Then she turned so she could look in to his eyes, those eyes would usually let her see what was in his soul. "Sirius, how badly are you hurt? Please be honest with me." It seemed to her from just setting there that he winced ever so slightly where ever she touched him.
Sirius looked down at their joined hands. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell her, but he knew she'd be able to tell if he was keeping something from her. She had begun to know him much to well. It had been a long time since someone cared enough to remember little things. "Well, the ministry wizards did a real number on me. From what I've been told three of them didn't know I was one of the good guys. I have 4 broken ribs, several cuts and contusions on my back, chest, and stomach. I had a partially collapsed lung, but they fixed that at the hospital, and you can see the cuts and bruises on my face. Oh and I have a splitting headache, but can't take anything for it. They wanted to keep me in the hospital for a few days, but I wanted to be here with you, Harry, and the others for Christmas."
Very quietly Hermione said, "We could have had Christmas in the hospital. It's not worth you risking your life to be here today. I couldn't take it if something happened to you."
Sirius saw the concern in her face. He pulled her slowly onto his lap, placed a finger under her chin, and tilted her head so they were looking eye to eye. "Hermione, we could have had the holiday in the hospital, but I've been away far too long. I wanted to be here, with you, with Harry, with Remus, in my home. As much as I hate this place sometimes, it is mine. No one can take it away from me," He then gave her that famous mischievous grin. "Besides, in the hospital they wouldn't let you sit on my lap like this." That brought a giggle out of her. Sirius stifled it with a searing kiss. It was the first real kiss they were able to share since he returned a few hours ago.
Hermione broke the kiss fanning herself. She wanted him so badly. "I've missed kissing you," She looked at him earnestly, making sure she had his full attention. "I know we decided that nothing physical was going to happen between us until I graduated, but for the record, I want you to know, I want you so badly right now. I want you to take me upstairs and make mad slow passionate love to me." She saw the look in his eyes. It was a combination of love, animal lust, and utter regret.
"Hermione…" he started, but she cut him off.
"I know… we can't… you're a professor and I'm a student. We are risking a lot just loving each other right now. You are too much of a gentleman to let me get hurt. I just want you to know that I do want you. I love you so much. I don't think you have any idea the depths of my feelings," she said. When he looked at her, she had tears in her eyes.
"Actually, I think I might," he answered pulling her into an embrace. They sat this way for several minutes. Sirius shifted and she pulled away just a bit. "Hermione, I told you I had another gift for you, I want to give it to you now."
She started to move off his lap, but he stopped her. He gingerly reached into his pocket, pulled out a small round box, and handed it to her. She looked at him questioningly, and opened the box she found a delicate silver and gold ring, with two small hearts joined together with her birthstone in one heart and his in the other. Inside it was engraved I Promise. "This isn't?" She asked.
Sirius knew what she was asking. "Not yet." He hoped she understood the YET part. The look in her eyes told him she did. "This is…" he said taking the ring from the box and placing it on her finger. "… a promise. I promise to protect you, but not be overprotective, to be there for you when times are good and bad, and to hold when you need holding. I promise you a hand to hold when you need it, a smile to chase away the clouds. I promise to be the one you laugh with, scream with, and cry with. I promise to be completely faithful to you, saving myself for your pleasure only. I promise to support you and walk with you in whatever road you choose, win or loose. Most importantly, I promise to love you always."
Again Hermione's eyes filled with tears. These were tears of joy. She knew the words were words from his heart. No one had ever made her feel so loved. No one had ever loved her the way Sirius did. She hugged and kissed him. "Thank you, the ring, and the words are beautiful. I promise all these things to you as well." She looked at her ring, shining on her finger.
"You know you don't have to wear it if you don't want. You may get lots of questions at school." He said gently stroking her finger and the ring, secretly hoping she wouldn't take it off.
"What do you mean not wear it? I don't plan on ever taking it off. I'll deal with questions when they come along. I'll tell them the love of my life gave it to me. They just won't know who." They both laughed and settled in for more quiet conversation. Sirius was getting tired, Hermione could tell. She finally got him to lie down by promising she would cuddle up next to him on the couch. She had decided as soon as he fell asleep she would go back down and help Molly. She fell asleep before he did. He kissed her hair and drifted off into dreamland. Neither one noticed the cat that had been sitting in the corner.
Remus and Dumbledore had been about to re-enter the room when they heard Sirius and Hermione talking. They decided to sit in the chairs outside until the young couple had finished. While waiting for the two to finish their conversation, Molly and Harry joined them. They heard Sirius' promises to Hermione. Molly whispered, "I was against this relationship when Hermione's parents told me. I was against it when we were at Hogwarts and I was against it when I walked in and saw him this morning, but from listening to them, maybe I need to rethink things."
"Molly, my dear. I know my Grandson can be insufferable, arrogant, meddlesome, and outrageous sometimes and I know you and he have had your share of differences; but, I also know he would never do anything to hurt Hermione or Harry. As far as that goes, he would never hurt Ron or Ginny. Sirius really loves the kids and he is in love with Hermione. If I didn't think that the feelings he has for her were real, very real, I would have put a stop to this relationship long ago." Dumbledore stated absent mindedly reaching down and petting the feline that now sat next to him. It wasn't long before it transformed back into Minerva McGonagall.
"Albus is right. I know I shouldn't have been watching, but I spent many years not being near him, you can guarantee I am going to make sure he is okay now. If you could truly see the way he is with Ms. Granger, I mean really see them when they think they are alone, loving each other, you would know what they have and feel is the real thing." Minerva took the chair Harry had been sitting in. He loved them both and was happy they were together but he didn't want to hear this conversation. "Molly, Remus, did you know that the plan of no physical intimacy is Sirius' idea? Hermione wants the physical, but he won't until she graduates. She told me one day when we were talking, that he didn't want anything to interfere with her education. If he felt their relationship was getting in the way of her studies or her N.E.W.T.S, he would pull back and not see her at all until after graduation. She's explained a number of things about Sirius to me while he was away." Molly seemed to understand what they were saying.
Remus remained quiet through the entire conversation. Finally he added his remarks. "I don't have a lot to say on this subject, their relationship isn't my business, but I can tell you this. I've not seen Padfoot this happy since before James and Lily died."
At that very moment Hermione came walking out of the room, and Ron and Harry came running down the hall yelling something incomprehensible. Hermione held up her hand. "Boys will you please be quieter. Sirius is asleep and he needs to rest. This morning took a lot out of him and if he doesn't recover from that he wouldn't feel like having dinner with us. If he doesn't get enough rest to heal, he may not be able to resume teaching after the holiday. "
"Sorry Hermione," Ron shouted. "He's going to awake up in a minute anyway. Alyssa is about to come through the floo network." As soon as the words were out of his mouth everyone headed into the living room. Suddenly there was a loud noise and Alyssa came out of the fireplace. Ron and Harry ran to help her up. At the same time Sirius who had been awaken by the disturbance, sat up to quickly, he became dizzy and his upper body was screamed in excruciating pain.
Molly, had been watching him instead of Alyssa's entrance, saw the look of unreserved agony. He was turning white and looked as if he might pass out. She grabbed Hermione and they sat on either side of him. "Put your head between your knees." She gently rubbed his back and lowered his head. "I know it's going to hurt, but passing out and falling on the floor will hurt much more." A few seconds later he raised his head, Hermione was watching him, concern in her eyes.
What Hermione saw made her heart ache. Here he was the man she loved, in so much pain. When he raised his head, there were unshed tears in his eyes. At that instant, she knew how much pain he was in and how strong he was to try and hide it from her… from all of them. She reached for him as she leaned back into the sofa, resting his head on her shoulder. Hermione turned to Professor Dumbledore, "There must be something we can do to ease some of the pain, Professor."
"I'm sorry, I wish there were. If I could, I'd take it on myself, I would, but the pain relieving ingredient in all the potions are a derivative of the same plant and Sirius is extremely allergic to them. He's lived his whole life not being able to take things for pain." Albus Dumbledore said, reaching to touch his grandson's handsome face.
Sirius sat up again and looked around as every eye was now on him. "I'm fine. I just moved wrong. Please don't worry about me, enjoy your holiday." He then turned to the new arrival. "Merry Christmas, Alyssa. Welcome, please make yourself at home, since I won't be a very good host, Ron, will show you to your room."
"Thank you Professor, I'm glad to see you back, I know what a relief it is for Hermione, Harry, and the others to have you home." She responded.
"It's nice to be home, and please when we aren't in school, you can call me Sirius." She smiled at him and turned to Ron who was pulling her out of the room, followed by Harry and Ginny. He looked back up to see Hermione, his Grandparents, Molly, Remus, and the others gazing at him again. Charlie, Glenna, and Bill hand come in at some point. "What the hell are all of you staring at?" Sirius asked trying to sound annoyed.
"Sirius Black, I do not believe you." Yelled Molly. When she saw him begin to say something but stop looking more than a little confused she continued. "Here you are hurt and in pain, telling us not to worry about you, being more concerned about Ronald's little girlfriend than you are yourself. I do not understand you at all."
"Someone had to welcome her. No one else was doing anything but staring at me." He started to get up, but couldn't at least not by himself. "Remus, please, would you help me?" Remus walked over and gave him his arm for support. Helping him lift up off the sofa. Once standing and steady, Remus let go. Sirius looked at everyone in the room. "Listen. I know you all care about me, even you Molly, but I'm not going to die on anyone. I'm going to be fine. Yes, I am sore and sometimes the pain can be unbearable, but as Grandfather said I have to live with it. I can't take painkillers and these injuries have to heal naturally. So please stop trying to coddle me and stop fussing over me. If I need something and I can't do it myself I'll ask for help." Everyone in the room had no choice but to agree. Sirius turned to Hermione, pulling her to his side and kissing her softly, "I mean you too, okay?" She nodded her agreement. He then walked over to the bassinette in the corner and picked up the squirming Trace. "Little man you and I need to have a talk. If they treat you like they've been treating me, it's no wonder all you do is sleep." To everyone's astonishment Sirius then took the infant, sat in the rocker by the window and began softly singing a wizard lullaby.
Remus walked up behind Hermione, putting his arms around her neck, "He's gonna make a great dad someday." Hermione couldn't do anything but nod her agreement and watch the sight in front of her. This was a side no one, except maybe James and Lily Potter had ever seen of Sirius Black.