~ When Insanity stops ~
Summary: At the end of Hermione's fifth year, she feels depressed about all the stuff that has happened. One morning upon waking up, Hermione finds someone else in bed with her. And that's the only the start of this interesting tale.
Kitchen
"Interesting phrasing there, Hermione," laughs Remus. Looking at Remus then to Harry, Hermione notices that both men were blushing rather profusely. Huh?
"Enough of that," whispers Tonks clearly exasperated. Striving not to smirk, Remus gently squeezes her hand.
Gazing between Sirius and Tonks, Hermione narrows her eyes. "Interesting phrasing?" Harry and Remus squirm under her scrutiny. "Well?" Turning her gaze back over to Sirius. Bloody hell. He looks amused! What is he so happy about? "Anyone!"
"Calm down," gently instructs Sirius. "You said the exact same thing a few years ago when you first confronted me about the deception."
"So," asks Hermione. That doesn't explain the blushes.
A soft devastating smile blooms across Sirius's face. The twinkle in his eyes intensify, his fingers stroke his jaw. "It led to the beginning of our relationship."
The light reflects off his wedding ring, Hermione blinks in understanding. "Oh." Blushing Hermione whispers, "We're really married then, huh?"
"Guess so," mutters Sirius right before he winks at her.
Damn the man. Why can't he just answer my question? But no! Why does he have to be so handsome when he's being this annoying? Sighing Hermione picks up her hot chocolate, takes a long sip. "So, is anyone going to answer why the kitchen looks like a Slytherin decorated it?"
"That's because a Slytherin did," growls Sirius giving Remus a dirty look. This sounds interesting.
"Oh, don't give me that look," groans Remus. "You're the one who introduced them." Who? Why do I wish I didn't ask about the kitchen? "You can't complain about it now, it's been what two years?"
"What are you talking about?" demands Hermione. "Introduced who? And what does that have to do with the kitchen?" Both Remus and Sirius look abashed. Harry looks highly amused. "What?" whispers Hermione to Harry.
"I missed you," replies Harry smiling brightly. "To answer your question," Sirius coughs loudly; Hermione gives him an incisive look causing him to slightly flinch. That's new. "Sirius introduced Snape to his wife of one year."
"Well that was nice of Sirius," comments Hermione. Why didn't he want me to know that? Humming Hermione thinks on what Harry has said. "Who is Snape's wife?"
"Agh," grumbles Harry giving Sirius a pleading help, which Sirius shrugs indifferently at him.
Hermione catches the silent exchange, and then sighs. Closing her eyes, Hermione counts from ten to zero. "Is there a reason why no one is willing to answer my questions? Are they really that hard?"
"Not at all," comforts Tonks hearing the bleakness in Hermione's voice. "It's just that a lot has happened."
"Don't want to shock you, love," bluntly states Remus. "Some of the answers your looking for are bad, some are worse and others are good."
"Give me the worst of it then go to the bad," calmly states Hermione. "Then I'll take the good." General laughter greets her statement. Feeling foolish, Hermione blinks away sudden tears.
"Hey," whispers Sirius close to Hermione's ear. "Now don't be getting upset. It's just that to give you the information in the order you requested is just plain impossible." A warm hand rubs her arm; Hermione's heart starts to pound in her chest. Am I having a heart attack? Gazing at Sirius, Hermione's breath starts to quicken. Their faces inch closer.
"Hey," shouts Harry causing Hermione and Sirius to jump away from each other. Looking over to Harry, Hermione sees a faint blush in his cheeks. "I thought you wanted to know what's been going on? But if you want to snog Sirius…"
Snog? Sirius? OH! A low growl coming from Sirius gets Hermione to giggle, shocking Harry. "If I want to kiss, make out or anything else with my wife, I will." Balling up her hand, Hermione attempts to change her outright laughter into a coughing fit, failing miserably.
"Sirius!" gasps Harry. "Not in front of the children!"
"Children? What children," demands Hermione hastily looking about. Sirius makes a strangling noise in his throat, as Remus and Tonks chuckle. Harry jumps out of his chair holding up both of his hands.
"Just joking, Mione. Don't hit me," pleads Harry with an odd twinkle in his eyes.
"Oh! You prat," hisses Hermione. "Just you wait! I'll get you." Wiggling her finger at him.
"I don't doubt that," laughs Remus. As laughter fades away, Harry re-takes his seat. The group seems to be at a loss as to where to start.
"Ok," sighs Hermione. "It was the end of fifth year. The summer going into sixth year, did anything happen during that summer?"
"A lot," stresses Remus. Pinching his nose, he closes his eyes. "As you have stated, the kitchen has been re-done. I'm sure that you have noticed that the house has changed?"
"Yes, several rooms look different," agrees Hermione.
Opening his eyes, Hermione could clearly see remorse in them. Shivering in dread, Hermione feels Sirius wrap his arms protectively around her. Leaning closer to him for some added comfort, Hermione nods to Remus to begin. "Sometime within the first month of your summer vacation, Voldemort had his Death Eaters look into Harry's friends and their families. Ron's family is all wizards, but your family is made up of muggles."
Swallowing hard, Hermione unknowingly grips Sirius's hand. Oh lord! Please tell me, my parent's are all right. It takes several minutes for Hermione to realize that Remus has stop speaking. "Please continue."
"He sent his Death Eaters after you," softly states Remus. Closing her eyes, Hermione feels a burning sensation behind her eyelids. Keeping her eyes closed, she motions for Remus to continue. "They attacked your house while you were meeting Harry and Ron at Diagon Alley."
Hot moisture escapes from Hermione's eyes, cascading down her cheek. Please, god. Tightening her grip on Sirius's hand. "You showed up minutes before the Aurors. I was informed that you were screaming for your parent's to answer you."
Struggling to take a breath, Hermione hears Sirius move closer to her. "Your father died, before the Aurors could get him to St. Mungo's. There you were cruelly informed that he died, and that your mother wouldn't make it through the night."
Taking several sharp breaths, dull colors swarm before her eyes. "Your father's dead," states a man wearing a pale white cloak. He won't look me in the eye to tell me that. "And my mum?" The man sneers coldly, "Your mother will be joining him before the nights out".
"Mione," whispers Sirius. "Your mother's fine. She's alive and relatively happy."
"Relatively?" questions Hermione choking back her sobs.
Sighing Sirius grimaces. "She has been missing her daughter. But yes, she's relatively happy. Gwen, after mourning your father, has…" Hearing his voice trail off, Hermione opens her eyes. Staring into his, Sirius forces the words out of his mouth. "She has re-married."
Mum has remarried? What? Who? Shaking slightly, Hermione dares to ask, "Who did she marry?"
Sirius looked extremely uncomfortable. "Hermione…she married Snape. That's why the kitchen has a Slytherin color scheme."
"Snape!" gasps Hermione clearly shocked. Bloody hell….
Until Later