The Difference a Letter Makes

by Mariann's

AU PoA - Third year - what could happen if Sirius Black had one moment of reason while trying to catch the Rat at Hogwarts? - SBRL slash - Complete

5. Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year

5. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

On one of the next days, Sirius flooed to Diagon Alley, to check on his Gringotts accounts. It was the first time he went through the wizarding part of London since he had been cleared. He was quite scared to be out in the open. Most people only greeted him, though. He tried to stay calm, went into the bank and presented his key.

"I'd like to receive a statement of account, if you please. And I need to go to this vault and this one," he said and gave the goblin the key to the Potter vault.

"Do you need the statement for both vaults? They have both been untouched for a very long period of time."

"Yes, please."

"Well, that will be fine, we will see that it gets put together, while you visit the vaults."

"Thank you."

Sirius followed the next goblin down to the vaults. He went to his own first, filled a fairly large bag with money and then went on to the Potters' vault. He had to look around for the boxes, but finally found them and took all photo albums out of them to bring them to Harry. Then he collected his statements and left the bank. At first he went to Quality Quidditch Supplies and got the broom for Harry. The latest best on the market was the Firebolt, which Harry had been admiring during his summer vacation. Sirius bought one and asked:

"Could you possibly have this sent to Hogwarts for Christmas?"

"Yes, certainly. The broom is for a kid?"

"My godson. He's Gryffindor's seeker."

"Would you like to have a note attached?"

"Do you have cards available? Otherwise I'll get one and bring it back here."

"We do, just a few, they're all Quidditch related, of course."

Sirius smiled.

"That will only please Harry for sure!"

"He's one lucky boy…"

"I'm not so sure. This is 13 years worth of birthday and Christmas presents," Sirius said in a low voice.

He wrote a quick note on a card, which the salesman added to the broom.

"Okay, to whom will this need to be addressed?"

"Harry Potter."

"Oh! Fine, it will be sent in time to reach Hogwarts for Christmas."

"Thank you."

Sirius paid a considerable amount of money for the Firebolt, then he bought a Nimbus 2001 for himself. The next stop was at Flourish & Blotts, to look a bit around and find some reading material, then he went to see his Mum at her second hand book shop. He found it and entered. The bell on the door tinkled, and Adara looked out from behind two bookshelves.

"Oh, hello, Sirius! Finally ventured out here?"

"Hi, Mum. Yes, I needed to get bank statements, Harry's Christmas present and some other stuff."

He hugged and kissed her. She was about a head shorter than he was, looked up at her son and said:

"Slowly you start to look better, my dear! How did your meeting with Grover turn out?"

"Quick and painless. I asked for 300'000 and they're giving me 350'000 – in four yearly instalments," Sirius said.

"Good. Not that anyone could pay you for twelve years lost."

"I know and they know, too. Grover actually said exactly the same. He hardly flinched, when I said the amount. It would have come to just about 80'000 more than I would have earned in the meantime as an Auror."

"Then they got off quite easy, I'd say. – I've had an owl from Polaris. She doesn't know about you yet. I'll tell her when I owl her back. I was quite proud of you when you handled that reporter so well, who asked you about her."

"Tell her, that Remus still uses her crystal ball as a paperweight," Sirius said with a smile.

She grinned.

"Is that all he uses a crystal ball for?"

"He never thought much of Divination. You should see how he always takes a wide berth around Trelawney. Positively avoids her. You know he never took the subject."

Now Adara laughed.

"Yes, I can understand that, she really is quite a pest."

"Especially since she seems to have it in for Harry. She constantly predicts his untimely end."

"Oh, she's done that forever, Minerva once told me, that whenever she has a class after Trelawney, when Trelawny has them the first time, then the students are usually quite upset. So right now it's Harry? This is a guarantee that he'll survive for a long time, believe me. So far none of the people she predicted untimely ends have died."

"As far as Harry said, that's what Minerva told him. Even joked that he didn't have to hand in his homework, should he have died before it was due."

Both grinned.

"Minerva can't stand Trelawney. She's too down to earth. Want some tea?"

"Would be lovely, thanks. – Anything you can recommend to read? I have a lot of free time right now."

"Lucky you. Yes, I have a few recommendations. Fiction or non-fiction?"

"Either or, actually."

Adara accioed the tea cups and tapped the kettle, which whistled immediately. She poured it into a teapot and added the tea leaves. Once the tea was steeped she poured two cups. They sat down at her desk and Adara looked for some books that might interest her son. After a while he had a small pile on the desk and picked a few of them. Then she remembered something.

"Here's one that Remus might be interested in. It's about a few more obscure dark creatures. He might have met some of them, but there are a couple of very rare ones in here."

"I'm sure he'll love it, Mum, thanks."

Sirius spent a happy hour with his mother. Slowly they found back to their easy companionship they had always shared. Sirius reduced the books to miniature size and pushed the bag into the pockets of his robes.

"You'll need to shop for clothes, Siri! You're putting Duncan's business to shame," Adara said.

"I know, not quite fashionable anymore, eh? Well, one of the next days I'll do that and I'll pass by at his shop. Will I need an appointment, or is he usually around?"

Adara laughed.

"Well, you might want to give him a call, so he can put you into the hands of one of the salespersons."

"Will do."

"And Sirius, best do it on a Saturday, so you can bring Remus, too."

"He needs some new robes, too, eh? I know, but he's hard to be gifted!"

"We're his in-laws, Sirius, that should surely count as someone who can give him some new robes!"

"I think so, too. I'll see what he thinks."

Sirius went back to Hogwarts. He apparated to the gates and took out his new broom to fly the rest of the way. It was early afternoon now and he decided to owl his father quickly, to tell him, he'd like to come by the shop on Saturday.

---

Taking Remus clothes shopping had not been so difficult when they were first together, Sirius thought. He had told him the evening before, that they were expected at Wizarding Fashion, his father's Diagon Alley boutique.

"Come on, Moony, it can't hurt to get a couple of new sets of robes, now can it?" Sirius whined.

"I don't need anything, Siri! I'll gladly come along with you, but count me out for a fashion trip."

Sirius sighed.

"You're more stubborn than the most stubborn mule, you know that, Moony?"

"I call it stoic, not stubborn," Remus said unfazed.

"Call it what you want, it's still stubborn. You take perfect care of your clothes, but even the best care does not make them holding up forever…"

Finally Sirius gave up. But he knew, given the right robes were put in front of Remus, he'd get him to accept something new. They arrived at the shop shortly before noon and Duncan welcomed them. He led them to an assistant in the shop and introduced them.

"This is Constance, she's our chief fashion consultant here. She'll be taking care of you two. Connie, these are my son Sirius and his partner Remus Lupin."

"Pleased to meet you, gentlemen! Please follow me to our showroom."

"Have fun!" Duncan wished them and returned to his office.

Sirius and Remus were shown the newest creations of the Black Designers. There was a small team of creative tailors working for Duncan, which designed all of their robes. The two got to see the latest creations, some for everyday wear, some business and some dress robe styles. The first round were everyday and casual robes. Sirius looked at the models and Connie gave him the fabric samples from which he could choose. There was a style he really liked, with long sleeves, a simple collar, cut almost straight down, to be worn with a belt. The robes looked very comfortable and warm. Connie explained they were tailored from the finest wools. After looking through several styles, Sirius decided on this and another, slightly wider set and ordered both of them in ice blue.

"And what would you say we get for Remus? Rather the beige or the soft olive?"

"Definitely the beige for this style. It's more elegant, even for day wear."

"Remus is a teacher up at Hogwarts, so I think he should also have something a bit darker. Like this brown one?"

"That would look lovely. Let me just take the measurements, so we can get you the robes to try on. In the meantime, you might want to look at the more business like styles?"

"Yes, please, that would be fine."

"Sirius!" hissed Remus in protest, but Connie already asked him to lift his arm and measuring tapes were set in motion to buzz all around him. Connie filled the measurements into the spaces of a form and noted down Remus' name and address. He sighed and looked daggers at Sirius who just smiled.

The next round were business robes. While the set Sirius had worn to the Ministry had still been in perfect condition, it was terribly out of fashion, so they looked at the latest styles and Sirius chose two very elegant robes, consisting of black trousers, a white shirt and robes which were buttoned up at the front, with a casual looking collar. The robes were black as well. Connie took notes, then looked at the two men and had the models present the dress robes. This time the robes were presented in several colours. Most were of a very flowing style, wide and buttoned only like polo shirts. Some had collars, some had none, most had long sleeves opening wide to the end. Remus pointed a silvery blue one out for Sirius.

"That one there, love. You'd look great in it," he said.

"Excellent suggestion, Mr Lupin, I fully agree with you," said Connie and had the model stay behind.

Sirius went closer and felt the fabric. It was raw silk, quite heavy and falling wonderfully. He nodded.

"Yes, I think I'll have that one."

"That's a very good choice, Mr Black. I'll have it fitted for you."

"Maybe with an extra inch or two, I do intend to gain a little weight still…" Sirius suggested.

"Oh, there's no need for that with our dress robes. They adjust to your body magically. The moment you put them on they feel your body and adjust. Would you like to try this one?"

"Yes, I'd love to."

"Rupert, bring the set for Mr Black to try, please."

The model retreated to the changing room and returned with the set he just presented to Sirius. Connie looked at Remus and asked:

"And you, sir? I think this golden brown one would fit you perfectly. It's the same raw silk we've used for Mr Black's robes."

"I don't think…" Remus started.

"Oh yes, Moony, give in and try them, they look perfect!" Sirius interrupted him, before he vanished to the changing room to try the robes he had just received.

Connie winked at the model, who vanished and came back, bringing Remus the robes. Remus sighed and gave up. He knew when he was defeated and it would have looked very childish of him to put up more resistance.

Sirius came out of the changing room, wearing the business robes. He twirled around in front of Remus and Connie. Both were quite pleased with the sight.

"You look human again, Padfoot," he said.

"Very nice, Mr Black, I quite agree. With your looks you could become one of our models actually…"

"Don't think my father would like that, though," Sirius said with a smirk.

"No, I don't either. Do you have plans now, sir? Maybe join your father in the business?"

"I don't think so. Luckily he doesn't expect me to. I was never brought up as the heir of the company. And I'm very glad about it, as I have no feeling at all for business."

"You were an Auror, weren't you?" Connie asked.

"Yes, but I'm afraid those days are over, too. I'm still taking a while off and just enjoy being able and allowed to live! I won't have to do anything for a long time, if ever and I don't intend to care for much more than my lover, my godson and our house and garden. – Well, that one's just fine. On to the everyday robes."

Both blue robes looked very nice on Sirius, too, but it was the dress robes, which took Remus' breath away. He looked at Sirius and whispered:

"Gods, you're beautiful, Siri…"

"Thanks, love! They feel absolutely gorgeous, go, try yours on!" Sirius beamed at Remus.

And only two minutes later he was totally taken by the sight Remus presented. He looked ethereal in the almost honey golden robes. Sirius pulled him in front of the huge mirror and stood behind him, still in his silvery blue robes.

"So, what do you think?"

"Quite the dashing pair you are, gentlemen…" Connie said.

"We both look about ten years younger," Remus commented.

"We do. So, you still don't think you'll take them?"

"I don't have anything to say anyway, I strongly suspect, so, yes, I'll take them, Siri."

"That's my Moony. Just wait until you have the next official function at the school and you'll just get everyone swooning, when they see you."

"Oh shut it, Siri, as if I were out for that!" Remus protested weakly.

Sirius kissed him. He told Connie to put everything together and charge him whatever percentage his father offered him. She asked:

"Do I send it all to Hogwarts?"

"That's the safest. It will still take a while until our house will be finished."

"Fine."

The two young men went to talk to Duncan for a moment. He looked at Sirius and said:

"I'm very happy to see that every time I meet you these days you're looking better, my son."

"I start to feel better, Dad, and I suppose the food at Hogwarts is doing wonders."

"That's very good to hear. And how are the house plans doing?"

"Great, they have done all the preliminary work, next month the house will be built and during the first part of January it's supposed to be fitted."

"Are you going to move in all year round, Remus?"

"Yes. I'll have a permanent Portkey. We just got the permission from the Ministry to create one."

"Which is our next stop, a ring or a bracelet for Remus to wear to put the spell on. It needs to be activated, whenever he wants to go to Hogwarts or come home."

"How does this work then?"

"I just need to touch the ring and say the password. And I can reset the password in intervals."

"Lovely."

---

The next full moon came up and Severus brought Remus his potion. Sirius looked at the brew and asked:

"Severus, I'd really like to learn to brew the wolfsbane potion, would you be willing to teach me?"

Naturally Severus didn't look forward, but he thought he might be getting out of the arrangement he had with Dumbledore if Black would be the one to brew Lupin's potion. So he told him:

"Come by next month – I make it two days before he needs the first dose."

"I will. Thank you."

For the week before the moon Remus drank his daily dose of the potion. On the 25th November he came from his last lessons and looked awfully tired. Luckily it was a Friday, so he didn't have to worry about missing classes on the next day, he'd have two days to rest. Remus spell locked the doors to his rooms with three different locking charms. He had accepted that Sirius stayed with him, though he was a bit afraid. But he did trust Snape's potion and Sirius would be Padfoot anyway. The transformation seemed to be a bit smoother, even though it was still painful for Remus. But Sirius thought that the potion soothed Moony a good deal. He had changed when Remus had told him to change. Once Moony was out, Sirius came closer and flopped on the carpet to show his submission. Moony sniffed and licked Padfoot's muzzle and nose. Sirius soon noticed that Moony was quite peaceful and just got down next to him, his head on his paws. Sirius got up, trotted a bit away and transformed. He was ready to transform back at the slightest problem, but Moony just lifted his head, sniffed and looked at him.

"Are you okay, Remus?" Sirius asked.

Moony lifted his head and nodded. Sirius was relieved and came closer.

"So you really are yourself, eh? Come to me, love, I want to hold you!"

Sirius sat down next to Moony and the wolf curled up between his outstretched legs, put his head on Sirius' thighs and looked up at him. Sirius smiled.

"You are so beautiful, Moony! And now I won't ever be afraid of you anymore, even less than I ever was. Now I can hold and cuddle you, caress your fur and stroke it, the way you do Padfoot! I love you, Moony! I love you…"

Sirius held the wolf tightly, caressed him tenderly and kissed him on the head. Moony whined in a very low voice. Never before had anyone been able to touch him in his wolf form. He was in bliss and if he would have been able to purr he would have purred. Sirius stayed like that for a while, then he straightened and said:

"Come on, Moony, we go to bed!"

Sirius undressed and climbed into the bed, then tapped it with his hand. Moony had followed him reluctantly, but now jumped up on the bed and flopped down on the mattress. Sirius slipped under the covers and extinguished the light. He pulled Remus closer and caressed him tenderly.

"I'm tired, love. Sleep well!"

Moony licked his face and put his head down on his paws again. Sirius turned to him and held him through the night. Both of them got several hours of sleep. Remus woke shortly before the moonset and waited for his transformation. He braced himself for the pain and sighed, but it went fairly well. He was exhausted afterwards. Sirius, who had watched him, pulled up his blankets and covered Remus, kissed him, and said:

"Sleep some more, love! I'll be right here."

"Sirius! You almost gave me a heart attack, you know! Transforming out of the blue! I could have attacked you, you never knew!"

"That's why I went and did it at a distance. By the time you'd have jumped up I'd have transformed back into Padfoot. But you stayed all calm, love! I so longed to be able to hold you as a wolf! I so wanted to give you back what you so often give to Padfoot!"

"Yes, I didn't get agitated at all at the human scent. That proves, how good Papa's potion is, doesn't it? You'll be able to brag in front of Severus, that you were with me as a human when I was a wolf!"

Sirius laughed, kissed Remus again and said:

"You bet I will, when I need to. Now sleep. Or do you need something?"

"No, I don't. Just more sleep."

"Sleep well, my love!"

---

The time until the Christmas break passed quite quickly. Hermione plucked up her courage and caught Sirius once to ask him, if he'd teach her the Animagus transformation.

"It's quite a bit of magic, Hermione, I'm quite sure you can do it, but maybe you should have a bit of patience still and wait for another year or two?"

"I just know that I wanted to do this since Professor McGonagall told us about it and showed us her cat form. Transfiguration is my best subject."

"Well, I can do it, but we won't do it illegally. If I'm to do it we're going to register you from the beginning. Would that be okay?"

"I think so. What do I have to do for that?"

"I'll have to ask. All I know is that Arthur Weasley gave me registration forms and then I had to send them to the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I'll send them an owl and ask how to go about when you are attempting to work on the transformation."

"Would you do that? That would simply be great. Maybe I can talk Harry and Ron to do it, too… though Harry sometimes has a hard time with transfiguration."

"Does he? It was James' best subject. He'd transfigure the most amazing things. Finally we found some difference between the two then, eh? Oh, and I wonder, if McGonagall still goes to hunt mice when she's angry or agitated…"

"What?" Hermione asked, baffled.

"We saw her once. And she never had the slightest idea, that we were not real animals. It was too funny. Of course I couldn't pass the chance up to chase her up a tree."

In spite of her admiration for her teacher, Hermione had to laugh.

"Well, just imagine our regal professor with a mouse in her mouth. It's hard to laugh in your Animagus form, but it was hilarious and we still laughed after coming back to the dorm."

"That's quite an image I have in my mind now, Sirius!"

Sirius wrote the letter to the Ministry and after a few days he received a few application forms for the first part of the registration for the learning Animagus.

"Wonder where they dug that one out, because there were only seven Animagi in the register for this century when I looked it up," said Hermione.

"Well, I wager there are a couple more, unregistered, just like us. The thing isn't too hard to learn, it's really mostly difficult to find the procedures."

"Are there more than one?"

"Oh yes! There are at least five or more different methods. The most extreme let you choose the animal you want to become. We just wanted it as quickly as possible, so we didn't do anything that spectacular. For you we'll have to research the best method. Will you tell Minerva you're attempting it?"

"I'm still thinking about that. I think, I will."

"Then I prepare myself mentally for her outrage," Sirius said and smirked.

"Do you think she'll be angry?" Hermione asked.

"Well, the way I know her, she might be acting angry, but that will be to hide her pain you didn't ask her. We could, of course, go to her right away and tell her. You could always claim you'd asked me, because I have a lot of time at hand."

"That would be the best thing, wouldn't it? Let's go!"

They went straight to Minerva's office and knocked. She was there and let them in. When Hermione entered with Sirius, she looked a bit startled, then said with a smile:

"So what have you done this time, Sirius?"

"Nothing yet, Minerva. Hermione has asked me to teach her the Animagus transformation. We have received the application forms from the Ministry. I wanted to make sure it's alright with you that we do this."

Minerva stared at Hermione and replied:

"Miss Granger, are you quite aware that this is a bit above your current ability?"

"I think so. But I'd like to start researching and learning and work myself there."

"Sirius, you should ask her parents, if they agree with this. I think she could go through with it, but since you were reasonable enough to get application forms from the Ministry you might check every direction… it's dangerous."

"I know. I think we'll check every method and choose the one that's best for Hermione."

"You'll have to get some books out of the restricted section, I'd better give you a permission slip for Madam Pince. I'm not sure if she'd let you in, even now," Minerva said with a grin.

He grinned right back.

"I don't think you need to, I've been all around the library in the past few weeks, she never stopped me."

"Flattery will only get you so far, Black!"

Sirius just winked at Hermione.

"Well, I don't need to remind you, that this may not interfere with your regular schoolwork, Miss Granger!"

"No, Professor, it will not. I'll get everything done."

"Well then. Go ahead if you must. But I think I will have to inform the headmaster about it."

"Thank you, Professor."

Once back outside the deputy headmistress' office, both sighed relieved. Sirius grinned and said:

"Well, that went much better than I expected."

"Maybe because we told her before we went ahead…"

"Spot on. Now we have to find a place where you can work on it. First part will be done best in the library."

They got started the next available Saturday afternoon. After an hour of working through several books with Sirius she said:

"You know, from the map and your stories, I thought you weren't a very serious student, but watching you now, I get the impression you must have been quite well acquainted with the library…"

Sirius laughed.

"Well, to be honest, I had top marks in almost everything. My downfall was Herbology, but mostly, because it bored me to bits and I missed most of the lessons. And I did work. I spent a lot of time in the library, because I love to read. Plus we planned a whole lot of pranks, many of them needed to be researched, so we spent a good bit of time in here to find spells and potions for our pranks."

"What a reason to study," Hermione laughed.

Remus found them in the library, engrossed in their books to find the different methods for the Animagus transformations and taking extensive amounts of notes.

"Here you are! I was looking for you, Siri. – What's that? Don't tell me you engaged Hermione in researching for a prank?" he asked.

"No such thing, Moony. Hermione wants to become an Animagus."

"She's too young, Siri! It's dangerous! Are you crazy?"

"Don't worry, Remus, we have done this thoroughly and openly, so I got her the application for the Ministry, she sent it in and is now waiting for the form to register once she's through with the studying. She'll have a case worker from the Ministry watching over her, though for the life of me I can't imagine who would want to do that, since none of the blokes there even have as much as an idea of how this thing works. We also told Minerva and her parents. So now we're trying to determine the best method for her."

"Oh dear, Hermione. You're quite ambitious there…" Remus said.

"I do want to learn it so much!"

"Plus it keeps me busy for a while…" Sirius grinned.

"That will probably be the best part of it," Remus retorted.

"What did you want?"

"Ask you out, actually. I would like to go out tonight."

Sirius' eyes went wide. It used to be him who asked Remus out, but since their reunion he had not even felt the need to go for a butterbeer to the Hogsmeade pub. He swallowed.

"I'd love to, Moony. In an hour?"

"Perfect. I still have a few essays to grade. Don't get lost in this…"

"We won't."

Sirius followed Remus with his eyes. Hermione smiled. The two couldn't have been more obvious, even though they didn't show it openly.

"I don't think you two need to hide. You're such a nice couple, Sirius."

"Did Harry tell you about us?"

"Sirius, Harry is usually notoriously thick with things like these. For once he found out by himself, but I was faster. I knew before he told me. Just like I knew about Remus before Harry told me."

"Oh."

"In any case: enjoy your evening out. We'll continue this some other time."

"Do Ron and Harry already know about you studying to become an Animagus?"

"No. But I intend to tell them tonight. So they can still jump the train if they want to…"

Sirius laughed. Then they started to put away the books they were using and collected their notes. Hermione commented on his writing:

"You have an amazing handwriting for a man, Sirius! This looks so readable…"

"Well, you know, we used to take turns in doing the homework, especially in History and Herbology. One would do the work and the others would copy. So we only had to do about a quarter of the writing, but naturally we then had to write in a manner that the others could read."

"That's a form of cheating I do not allow Harry and Ron! They have to learn by themselves. Otherwise they won't learn much, those two."

"Worked for us… "

They parted ways. Hermione took all the notes and went back to the Gryffindor tower while Sirius moved down to Remus' rooms and took a shower. He was just coming out of it, when Remus came into the bathroom.

"Well, where do you want to go, love?"

"London. Dinner first and then dancing. Put Muggle clothes on, love, I don't want to be around Diagon Alley with you yet…"

"That's okay with me…"

Both enjoyed their evening out. They were in some Muggle dancing club and had a fair amount to drink, danced their way through the time and held through until the club closed at four in the morning. They both returned to Hogwarts slightly inebriated and fell into bed and asleep within minutes. Remus' last thought was that Sirius was starting to get himself a lot of new happy memories and that this would help him to leave the horrors of the past 12 years behind.

---

When Minerva asked the Gryffindors, who would stay over the Christmas break, only Harry, and Hermione wanted to stay at Hogwarts. Both of them would only stay until the 26th though, when Harry would go with Sirius and Remus to the Black's manor near Plymouth, Hermione was still a bit torn. She would have liked to be with Harry.

Sirius noticed her restlessness when he was working with her the next time. They were sitting in the library and had been quietly talking about the subject, when he noticed she was somehow distracted. He asked her straight out what was wrong.

"Nothing, really. I will miss Harry during the break…"

"Are you going home then?" Sirius asked.

"Only when you will go to your parent's place… I'll stay with Harry until then. We'll take the train to King's Cross afterwards."

"So would you like to stay with Harry?"

She blushed. Sirius thought she might have developed a bit of a crush on Harry and said:

"You'd be very welcome to come with us. We're going to the Burrow for the New Year's Eve. Then we'll all return to Hogwarts from there."

Her eyes lit up. He thought she had wonderful warm eyes and thought they were the same chocolate brown that James' used to be. 'Same eyes, but the genders switched,' he thought with some amusement. It took her a moment, but then she said:

"If it would be alright with your parents…"

"Oh, but you can count on that… the house has about 30 or something rooms… it's huge!"

"Wow. I'll ask my parents if it's okay. I'd love to."

Sirius smiled:

"You like Harry, don't you?"

"Am I that obvious?" she asked back, afraid that others might have noticed, too.

"Maybe not to everyone your age, but to me you're quite obvious. It's a nice thing, Hermione, never deny yourself a chance to love. It mustn't hold for the rest of your life, you know, but if it does, it's extra wonderful. No one has ever been able to prove that children can't fall – and stay – in love, some know early on. If that's your case and if Harry returns your feelings – rejoice! You'll have my support if you need it, okay?"

"Thanks, Sirius! You're such a sweetheart, you know that? How could anyone ever thought you to be a murderer? I really don't understand that."

"So, you'll come?"

"If my parents allow it, yes, I'll come. Thanks a lot for your invitation."

"Good."

"I'll either come with you or go home to my parents. I need to go and tell Professor McGonagall, that I'll be leaving with you."

Hermione gathered her things, then Sirius walked her out of the library. He followed her with his eyes, after she had wished him a good night. He stood still for a moment, but then a familiar soft and taunting voice said:

"You're not starting to lust after small girls now, Black, are you?"

Sirius swirled around.

"I don't know where you take such sick ideas from, Snape! I think I have quite made a point long ago that I'm gay…"

"Wouldn't put it past you, you know!"

"Hermione Granger is a very gifted young woman and if I take interest in her it's entirely paternal, believe me. Besides this is none of your business."

"It will be if you start stalking students, Black."

"You utter one more word, Snape, and we'll go straight to Dumbledore to settle this," said Sirius coldly.

Snape hadn't expected Sirius to be so sure about himself and gave in. He swirled around and vanished into the library. Sirius stormed through the corridor and down the marble staircase to Remus' rooms. He couldn't wait to leave the castle and settle in their own home. It would mean he'd see less of Harry, but that would be better than being taunted by Snape.

Sirius waited for Hermione's information whether she would be coming with them to Black Manor over Christmas. She told him two days later and he owled his parents that Harry would be accompanied by his best friend.

Harry and Hermione were the only ones in their whole dormitory to stay until after the Christmas days. They really enjoyed the quiet that was reigning for once. They both knew it was the full moon on Christmas Eve, so they went to Remus' rooms in the afternoon to wish him a peaceful night. He smiled at them. Harry now noticed the gold in his eyes being much stronger, giving him a very feral appearance. Sirius sat next to him and pulled him in his lap. They had tea together, Remus drank his last dose of wolfsbane potion. He explained its workings to Hermione who said:

"I wish I could see you as a wolf… I've always been fascinated by wolves – they are amazing animals."

"Well, if I'm a full fledged werewolf you wouldn't fancy me, believe me. If you'd survive the encounter in the first place."

"How did you survive, Remus? Can you remember?" Hermione asked.

Remus sighed. It wasn't a story he liked to tell, but he knew, Hermione was sympathetic, so he didn't mind quite so much.

"I was four years old and had left my bed one summer night to sneak out into the garden. My parents were sitting on the terrace, but they didn't notice me. At least at first. Everything went too fast that I could really remember it, but I know from what my father told me, he and my mother heard me cry out, must have been before the wolf had bitten me and just when he had sunk his teeth into my chest they were behind him and stunned him. They took care of me and left him out there, he was able to flee after the stunning spell, which wouldn't work too long on a werewolf, wore off. I know that he was killed a year later, when he had attacked a Muggle couple and had killed them."

"And you?"

"I woke up in St. Mungo's about two or three days later and then they tried to explain to me what happened. I went unconscious several times and once, when I was only half awake I overheard one of the mediwizards tell my parents it would be better if they let him 'put me out of my misery'. That's when my father got really angry and it must have been the first time I heard him shout at someone. He told the mediwizard in no uncertain terms to do his bloody duty and heal me instead of suggesting more such awful things."

"Awww… what an awful thought!" Hermione exclaimed, "I wonder if that abomination of a mediwizard would have said the same thing, if one of his own children had been hit!"

Remus pressed himself back into Sirius' chest and rested his head on his lover's shoulder. He shrugged his shoulders and said:

"I know that there were many parents who really listened to such a suggestion. But mine wouldn't have anything like this, they really cared for me. I don't think I would be the person I am now if not for their unconditional love. My father still loves me as strongly today. And of course later on I got the chance to come to Hogwarts and met my friends. I've lost three of them now, but the most important one is still there, or there again and it means more to me than life itself."

He looked up at Sirius. But then he looked at the time and told the children:

"I hate to do it, but you have to leave! I know I'm a harmless wolf now, but I don't want you to see me transform, it's something I really hate and I know it must be a terrible sight. Go and have dinner and if you really want to, you can come by afterwards for a visit. With Sirius there as Padfoot I know that I won't break out anywhere and he's been with me last month in his human form, I never attacked him, so now I know for sure I won't harm you."

Sirius was amazed at Remus' openness. He kissed him on the forehead and said:

"You are still able to amaze me, my love. I can seal the doors during your transformation, afterwards you're not a problem anymore…"

Harry and Hermione were okay with the idea. Harry said:

"Okay, that would be great! Will you have transformed by the time dinner is over?"

"Definitely. In fact, I'll expect the transformation to start in about fifteen minutes!"

"We're better out then, eh? See you later! I hope it's not too painful," said Harry.

The two children left and went to the Great Hall for dinner. There were three other students who had remained at the castle. Dumbledore was already there and invited them to choose a seat at the single table that stood in the middle of the Great Hall. Snape, Madam Pomfrey, Hagrid, Flitwick, McGonagall, her daughter Justine, who had arrived that late afternoon for a visit and Edith Sprout were also attending the meal. McGonagall introduced her daughter to the students. Justine looked at Harry and asked:

"I thought I'd see your godfather and Remus Lupin here? Do they hide in their rooms?"

"Sort of…"

"It's the full moon tonight, Justine," McGonagall said softly.

"Oh. So he's in the shack?"

"No, luckily there's a potion now. Severus makes it for him, so he doesn't have to be locked up. In fact, after the transformation he could walk in here and the children could play with him, he wouldn't attack anyone."

"Oh. That should be a great help then."

"It is, believe me, and it gives us an excellent teacher."

They had talked so that only Harry and Hermione were able to hear, the other students were too shy to listen into their conversation anyway and had not heard anything. Hermione pondered if it was wise to say that they had actually been invited to go back. Then she said:

"We've been invited to go and see him after dinner…"

"Now, I think you shouldn't really do that, Hermione, it's not very prudent! Sirius should never have told you to go!" McGonagall said softly.

"It wasn't Sirius, it was Remus who said we were allowed to come and meet him," said Harry.

"That's something else, I suppose. He would never offer something like that if he wasn't dead sure nothing would happen."

"He said, Sirius had been with him as a human last month and he hadn't attacked him at all," Harry explained.

"Sirius is Remus' mate, Harry, I don't think he'd attack him by default. But Remus must know what he does. His worst fear is hurting someone, so if he actually said you were welcome then he must be really sure that he does not become harmful," Dumbledore said.

So, they took their time to eat and enjoyed the gorgeous decorations of the Great Hall. When the teachers started to leave, Harry and Hermione stood up. Justine McGonagall looked up and told them:

"Tell Sirius, I'd like to talk to him tomorrow, Harry, will you?"

"I will, Miss," Harry promised.

They went back and knocked on the door to Remus' flat. Sirius opened the door just enough to let them in. Remus was curled on a sofa and lifted his head. He sniffed and jumped off the sofa, slowly approaching after Sirius had closed the door.

"Now you behave, Moony, won't you?" Sirius said jokingly.

A short bark was his reply. Hermione stared at the beautiful grey brown wolf in front of her. Remus was taller and a bit bulkier than a natural wolf, but not to mistake. She held out her hand and instead of sniffing, Remus licked it. She giggled. Hermione was sure he wouldn't harm her now, because he'd probably have attacked long ago, had he wished to do that. Harry followed her and they all went back to the sofa. Sirius sat down and patted the space next to him. Moony jumped up and stretched out, his head on Sirius' thighs. Harry and Hermione sat on the armchairs on the other side of the coffee table.

"Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall know we're here," she told Sirius.

"Good."

"And there was a woman who wanted to meet you tomorrow, she's McGonagall's daughter?" Harry said and looked over to Hermione.

"Yes. Justine McGonagall…" Hermione confirmed.

"Oh dear. She is an Auror. Used to work together with me," Sirius explained.

"Oh."

"She was one of the Aurors who were there when I was arrested."

"She asked whether you and Remus were hiding, so I said sort of. It was Professor McGonagall who then told her it was the full moon tonight. So she knows about Remus, I thought."

"Yes, she does. Didn't ever faze her either. She also knows we're a couple."

"I see. Are there many people who know that Remus is a werewolf?" Hermione asked.

"There are quite a few. Everyone in the Order knows and no one had been uncomfortable."

"What Order?" asked Harry.

"The Order of the Phoenix. That's the organisation we joined to fight Voldemort. We were all members, your parents, Remus and I."

"And Pettigrew wasn't?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"No, he was of not much use, you know. He worked in some unimportant small Ministry office and his mother kept him out of everything. Agnes Pettigrew is a bit of a snob and looked down on everything Muggle. Not that she would have become a Death Eater, I suppose that would have been too dirty business. She was a Hufflepuff."

There was another knock on the door. Sirius looked at Remus, who had lifted his head before the knock came and looked at the door. Finally Remus nodded, so Harry got up and said:

"I'll get it…"

"Thanks, Harry."

Harry opened the door and found Dumbledore, Flitwick, Madam Pomfrey, Hagrid and the two McGonagalls in the corridor. Dumbledore smiled and said:

"Well, seeing you all happy and well means you've been received well. Do you think Remus might like more company on Christmas Eve?"

Harry smiled and said:

"I don't think he'll eat you… do come in, Professors!"

None of them had ever even gotten so much as a glimpse of Remus as a wolf. They came in and slowly approached the centre of the room. There was not enough room for everyone, so Albus suggested:

"How about joining us over at the lounge?"

Remus jumped off the sofa. He looked very uncertain and wanted to crawl back into his bedroom, but Sirius said:

"Would be nice, Moony, don't you think so? It's been decorated so beautifully."

Madam Pomfrey was the one who decided it. She crouched down in front of Remus and hugged him. Then she said tenderly:

"After all the years I have taken care of you after your transformations I'm really very happy to meet you in your wolf form, Remus! You are beautiful, do you know that?"

Remus answered her by licking her face and then her hands. She scratched him behind the ears and smiled. When she turned to the door he followed her with a cheeky look back on Sirius. And Sirius grinned. The group moved on and walked through the corridor and around the corner to the huge teacher's lounge. Harry and Hermione were very curious to see where the teachers spent some of their free time.

"Wow, not a bad lounge, eh?" Hermione whispered into Harry's ear.

"Not bad at all…"

There were other teachers in the lounge when they entered. Seeing the wolf in the middle of the group made some of them edgy, but Dumbledore ushered them all in, turning to his colleagues, saying:

"Now you can all see firsthand, what Severus' wolfsbane potion achieves! I'm very happy to say that we do not have to lock Remus up on full moon nights! Here he is! Perfectly alert and peaceful."

"This is amazing! Who would have thought you could be with a werewolf on a full moon night and live to tell the tale without becoming one?" Professor Vector, who had not been at the dinner table, said.

"It's all due to the wolfsbane potion. – Severus, you can now look at Remus without being terrified," Dumbledore said softly.

Snape had stared at Moony, completely paralysed. He saw the wolf in the middle of the people he felt familiar with, not showing the slightest sign of aggression. Remus looked up at him and sat down, lifting his right paw. He whined a bit, but it didn't exactly do anything to Snape. He just stared at the wolf, got up and walked to the door.

"Don't think you'll ever get me to befriend this abomination, Headmaster!"

"That would be your loss, Severus. I'm sorry to find you so hard. Happy Christmas!"

Remus turned his head, looked after Snape and then back at the people around him. He sat down on the carpet in front of Sirius, who had taken a seat on one of the sofas.

"Oh, come on up, Moony! You belong here!" Sirius said.

"You're both welcome to take a seat, Hermione, Harry! It's still quite early," Dumbledore invited them kindly.

Both went to sit next to Sirius and Remus on the sofa. He had returned to his comfortable position stretched out next to Sirius, with his head on Sirius' thigh. Sirius caressed him tenderly and told the others:

"I was close to crying last month, when I noticed, how calm he was. I had been with him in my dog form while he transformed, because that's a difficult moment, he might lash out in his pain, but then he was so calm after the transformation, just like now! He's just wonderful and I thought if it was possible, then I loved him even more. It has given him the confidence to see Harry and Hermione and now you all tonight."

"It's wonderful! I have to admit I was a bit scared, when I heard he'd come to teach, but I have been your teacher and I had known back then already, so now I know that he's just as wonderful as a wolf as he's a person. I'm so glad that this potion helps you so well, Remus! It's good to have you with us," said Vector.

"It's what he missed most of all before he became our friend. To be left and locked up all alone is probably the worst aspect of being a werewolf. For him anyway."

Slowly they started to talk and not watch Remus anymore. Sirius continued to cuddle and caress him the whole time they spent with the others. At eleven, Albus told Harry and Hermione that it was time to return to their dormitories. They wished everyone a good night and happy Christmas, then they left and went up the marble staircase. While walking up, their hands swung a bit and touched. Both stopped, but then Harry took her hand in his and they reached the portrait hole. The Fat Lady let them inside. In the common room they wished each other good night and went the last bit to their dormitories alone.

Harry was just falling asleep, when he heard the door to his dormitory open and close again. Moments later he heard the curtains around his bed ruffle and then Hermione climbed into the bed.

"It's so damn lonely over there. Move a little?" she asked.

Harry scooted to the other side of his bed and held the duvet up for her. She quickly slipped underneath and lay down. He smiled. She felt warm and exciting. She wore a mint green flannel pyjama with little teddy bears printed all over it. He felt for her hand again, took it and squeezed it, then they both fell asleep quickly.

They awoke when the first rays of sunlight entered the windows of the dorm. Both were a bit startled at being in the same bed, but then Hermione sat up, bent down and kissed Harry on his cheek.

"Good morning, Harry! Happy Christmas!"

He beamed up at her.

"Good morning, Hermione. Happy Christmas to you, too!"

"Look, presents! I'll have to go over to my dorm to get mine, then we'll open them together, okay?"

Harry sat up and looked at the big pile of gifts on his bed.

"That's much more than I usually get, Hermione, could it be that yours are already here, too?"

"Then there are people who know entirely too much around here, Harry!" she said, exasperated.

"Here, that's my present for you, I recognise it!" he said and laughed.

"Thank you, Harry! – Oh, and this is mine for you!"

Both started to unwrap their gifts and thanked each other. Harry had of course received another Weasley jumper and some homemade sweets from Molly, then there was a book from Remus, more sweets from Ron and finally there was a very long and thin package. He looked at it in astonishment.

"What could this be?" he wondered.

"Looks a bit like the package looked when you got your first broom, don't you think? You'll have to open it to know!" she suggested.

"Mhm."

Harry got up and put his slippers on, then tore the paper from the gift. And then he gasped for air.

"WOW! Hermione, that's a Firebolt!" he almost screamed.

"That looks like a very good broom to me…" she said.

"Very good? You have no idea, it's the best ruddy broom on the market! The Irish national team has gotten it for the next world championship next year!"

"Oy! That sounds sophisticated! Who gave it to you? Sirius?"

"Let me see… here's the card! 'Dear Harry, this is 12 years worth of missed birthday and Christmas presents. With all my love, your godfather Sirius.'"

Hermione let her hand run over the broom. She could almost feel the power in it. Harry lifted it up, and it hovered next to him, in just the right height for him to mount it. He was tempted to try it out right there in the dormitory.

"Wow, that's the most unbelievable thing I ever got from anyone, Hermione!"

"Hard to top that, eh? I'm happy for you, now you have a new broom and the team has a Firebolt! I can't wait to see Malfoy's face when he sees this. And Ron! He'll be out of his mind!"

"Oh, I have to make sure Ron is there when Malfoy sees that Firebolt for the first time."

Hermione laughed.

"I think that will be worth watching."

"What's the time? Sirius told me not to go down to their rooms before eleven o'clock. Better only for the Christmas lunch."

"It's only 9.30, Harry, you'll have to be patient!"

"Oh, I so want to go and say thank you to him!"

Hermione could see how excited he was. She looked outside and said:

"You know what? The weather looks nice, why don't we go out and try it out?"

"That's a superb idea, Hermione, go back to your room and get dressed! Put something really warm on!"

She got up, put her slippers on and gathered her gifts, then she left and they met half an hour later in the common room. She had her wand out and cast warming charms over both of them.

"That will keep us extra warm!" she said.

"Thanks! You're incredible, you know?"

"Just clever. – Come on!"

Together they walked down the stairs and found their way out of the castle to the Quidditch pitch. For the first time, Harry mounted the Firebolt. He looked at Hermione and asked:

"Want to come along for the ride?"

She hesitated only a moment, then she got on the broom behind him and Harry kicked off carefully, rising slowly into the air. He accelerated gradually and started to find out all the features of his new broom. Hermione held onto him tightly and both really liked the feeling. He looked over his shoulder at her. She grinned.

"You're not afraid now, are you?" he asked.

She shook her head and was even able to look down.

"No! This is really great! I never thought I could ever like flying on a broom. But this is really nice. Maybe it's because I'm up here with you…"

"I like to think that!" he confirmed.

She held him just a little bit tighter after that. And he got a bit more daring and started on some manoeuvres, dived, not too fast at first, but then increasing in speed. She cried out like they were on a roller coaster ride. But her cheeks were flushed, more from feeling him than being frightened. When they got back to the ground an hour later, he asked:

"So, could I tempt you to give it another go at flying a broom?"

"Yes, maybe now I could handle it better… I'd be scared less for you when you play Quidditch, if I could do the flying thing myself."

"Here, have a go yourself then. That broom will do the teaching, believe me, it reacts to each and every movement you make on it, it's just great."

Hermione took the broom a bit carefully, mounted it and Harry gave her an encouraging smile. She hesitated. He looked at her cheekily and asked:

"What do I have to do to give you the confidence to go?"

"Kiss me?" she asked back.

He looked almost shocked, but then he decided she was serious and closed the space between them. He kissed her on the lips. The contact almost made him wince, it felt so electrifying. He let go of her and stroked her cheek with one hand lightly, while he looked into her eyes. She looked back for a moment, but then kicked off and rose into the air. The broom really did follow her each and every move and helped her along. For a while she spiralled up higher and higher, until he called:

"Careful, love, you're high enough now!"

'Love?' he wondered inside. 'Now where did that come from?' Harry looked up anxiously, wondering what Hermione thought of this endearment. But Hermione just stopped rising and started to fly on the level she had reached, back and forth between the two goal posts of the pitch. She started to like it more and more and was determined to make him proud. 'Love' he'd called her and her heart was doing what Sirius had recommended, it rejoiced. She could have cried out of bliss at it, because without having thought he had told her he loved her. Her heart was racing and she thought about him with all of her admiration and love. After a while she started to come back down. She did it in spirals again and the broom again seemed to sense her intention and the leftovers of her insecurity. When she landed, he ran up to her and pulled her into his arms.

"You did great, Hermione! I was almost scared for you!"

"I wasn't, not really. This is really a fine broom, I don't think I'd be scared on one of those anymore. I think I know what to ask from my parents for my next birthday present now!"

She grinned and he grinned right back. Then she returned the broom to him and thanked him:

"Thanks for letting me use it and boosting my confidence, I really needed that! – Harry, did you mean what you called me?"

He turned his gaze to the ground, embarrassed, but admitted:

"I think so, Hermione. I don't know how this works, no one ever loved me since my parents died, so I can only guess that what I'm feeling for you is love."

"That's really nice, Harry, and I love you too, you know! I thought my heart would jump out of my chest when you called me that!"

He looked up in her eyes again. He started to smile and asked:

"You mean it? Aren't we a bit young to love?"

"We may be, Harry, but I had a conversation with Sirius about two weeks ago, and he said he believed in some people knowing what they felt early on. We don't know if we'll be in love forever, but we try to, won't we?"

"Sirius? You've talked about me with him?" Harry was a bit shocked.

"Not really, only I said I'd be missing you over the break, then he asked if I liked you. I couldn't lie. Not to Sirius. He's so nice with me and he loves you a lot. And that was when he invited me to come with you all to his parent's place."

"You're going to come with us? That's great, Hermione! I mean I'd be the only kid with all the adults. They are very nice, but I'll love to be with another kid."

Hermione hadn't told Harry and Sirius had been quiet about that fact as well, so it came as a total surprise to Harry. Hermione looked at the watch on her wrist. Then she exclaimed:

"Oh, it's time for the Christmas dinner! Let's go inside and wash up!"

"Yes, let's go!"

Harry picked the broom up, grabbed Hermione's hand and they ran back to the castle, panting when they reached the oak front door. She pulled it open and said, laughing:

"Oh I wish we could just fly up all those stairs! I'm so out of breath now!"

Harry stopped and pulled her in an embrace. They kissed, their first real kiss, a bit shaky still, but so exciting they didn't even notice that. When they broke apart, Harry looked around, but saw no one, so he held out the Firebolt and said:

"Come on, no one will see us – just the stairs…"

Without hesitation Hermione climbed on the broom behind him and Harry kicked off, slowly, then sped up the stairs. They actually got up to their corridor without being seen and landed on the floor, running to the portrait hole and giving the Fat Lady the password. A short while later they came back down the common room and took each other's hand to go to the Great Hall together. They met everyone else there, even Remus had come. He smiled at the children.

"Merry Christmas to you all!" he said, then taking his seat.

"Good morning, Remus, Sirius! Happy Christmas to you, too!" Hermione answered.

Harry ran to Sirius and flung himself around his godfather's neck.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Sirius! This was the greatest gift I ever got! We've tried it out this morning, but I couldn't wait so I could come and say thank you!"

Sirius pulled the boy into a warm embrace and kissed him on the forehead.

"It's alright, Harry, I saw your old broom being destroyed and that gave me an idea what to give you for Christmas. I'm happy to see you're so excited about it."

"You don't have an idea how much, Sirius! It's also going to be a huge asset for the team, you know! I'll have the fastest broom now, so it may still be possible to win the Cup this year! We can't lose any more matches."

"You'll get it! I have a feeling you will… you tried it out already? How does it feel?"

"Unbelievable! It hovers just the right height to mount it, you don't even need to hold it! And it follows every slightest move, just amazing! Even Hermione dared to have a go and she went up really high! – Oh, and," Harry lowered his voice to a whisper into Sirius' ear, "we've given it a bit of a mischievous welcome, too, we flew up the staircase…"

Sirius laughed right out loud and then smiled. He looked at Hermione and almost held his breath when she nodded. He had the feeling that she wasn't only confirming Harry's words.

Harry went on:

"Will you come out this afternoon? I really want to show you and you could try it yourself!"

Sirius laughed softly and remembered his own time on the Quidditch team and how much he had loved to fly.

"Of course I'll come. I loved to fly!"

So the afternoon was spent outside, as the weather was beautiful and though it was cold, the sun shone the whole afternoon. Remus came out for a bit as well and laughed as he watched Harry and Sirius, who had brought his Nimbus 2001 out as well, fly around on the pitch. After a while Hermione went to the broom shed to pick up one of the school brooms. She couldn't go as fast as the other two, but they taught her a lot that afternoon and Hermione began to really like the feeling of freedom soaring high up in the air. They took turns and changed the brooms around until they were really exhausted after three hours. It darkened really fast now, and they went back to the castle after having put the school broom away again. Sirius put his arm around Remus, while Hermione and Harry ran ahead. Remus leaned close to Sirius and said:

"Do I only have the feeling or is something about their relationship different today?"

"You're quite right. Hermione admitted she's in love with him a few days ago and maybe he's discovered it and hopefully returns the feelings…"

"They'd make a great couple you know! I was quite sure that Hermione had a weak spot for him."

The next day, all four of them flew to the Three Broomsticks on their brooms, even Remus, much to Hermione's surprise. Hermione and Harry went to Black Manor through the public fireplace. Remus and Sirius apparated to his parent's home. Sirius arrived there just before Hermione landed as the first, then shortly after her Harry climbed out of the fireplace. Sirius had all their bags reduced in size in the pockets of his robes. Duncan and Adara welcomed them and led them to the living room, where they all sat down. Sirius introduced Hermione. It didn't take Adara long to find a common interest with Hermione, as they both were quite the bookworms and soon Hermione had a few recommendations for some good books. Adara showed her the quite substantial library in the Manor and told her to help herself to anything she wanted to read.

"Thank you, Mrs Black! I really love libraries. Much too much, in Harry and Ron's way of thinking, but books are so neutral and never judge. They're the one reliable thing in my life."

Adara laughed and asked:

"So why are you in Gryffindor and not in Ravenclaw, Hermione? You seem to be a very studious type."

"I am. I don't know why the hat put me into Gryffindor, but I'm quite glad I'm in there. The atmosphere is so warm and everyone is having a lot of fun, I think I do like that as well. Maybe I'm fond of a bit of mayhem, without even knowing it."

"You're lucky that you can combine the two! Sirius was able to do that, too. I was actually always amazed at my son's ability to bring home top marks and get into all the mischief he did."

"He told me you were still able to love him in spite of all the scrapes he got himself into. And he must have been in trouble much more often than even Harry."

Adara laughed softly.

"You talked to him then? Yes, I still loved my son. He has one thing that sets him apart from all of his friends, he has a heart as big as a whale and if he loves someone he gives everything he has. I think it's that which decided his Animagus form to be a dog. Dogs are so unconditional in their love and that's an apt description of my son. I hope I always only loved him without doting on him. He had to follow rules here, too, and of course he tried to get past them, just like in school, so he was in trouble with me once in while, too, but he always knew his father and I loved him. And loved us back. That's the main reason why I knew for sure that he must not have done what everyone thought he did. The Ministry tried to shut us up from the moment they had shipped Sirius off to Azkaban and they succeeded in a way. Whenever we dared to even bring up the subject, we would always be regarded as only the doting parents who could see no wrong in their child."

"He must have been very relieved to find you thinking this way, Mrs Black."

"He was. I'm really happy he's finding a way back into his life now. He had hardly been an adult when he was taken away and he spent almost twelve years in a hell where he couldn't gain anything but pain. He hasn't lived, while all the others in his surroundings had gained twelve years of life's experience and matured. I'm amazed to find him calmer now. He always hated to be cooped up, he needed to move and to go outside so much."

"He's teaching me to become an Animagus now, Mrs Black. So I got to talk to him quite a lot lately, he's really amazing!"

"What? Leading you on into becoming an Animagus? Is he out of his mind?" Adara exploded.

"Oh no, Madam, we've done it correctly, I'm registered at the Ministry and Professor McGonagall knows all about it and has approved it. Transfiguration is my best subject, you know, and I wanted to do this ever since Professor McGonagall showed us first back in September."

"Phew! I'm glad to hear that. I would have given him a piece of my mind otherwise! So you like Transfiguration? I also quite loved that. My best subject was Charms, though."

"That's my other best subject," said Hermione.

They had been walking back to the living room and Harry had caught the last few things they had talked about. He piped up:

"Every subject is your best subject, Hermione! – She's been best of our year for two years now!"

"That's quite an achievement, Hermione," commended Adara.

"I just love to learn," Hermione said modestly.

"No false modesty, Hermione, you seem to do very well and that's good to see!"

"Who would have received a piece of your mind, Mum, and why?" Sirius asked.

"You! For leading Hermione to do dangerous things. But she told me you're doing this legally."

"I'm not leading anyone on, Mum. I did learn some things, you know!" Sirius said, scandalised.

She smiled at her son.

"Yes, yes, Sirius, I'm sure you did."

"You don't believe me one word, do you?"

"Of course I believe you, darling!"

Hermione sat down next to Harry on the couch. He was amazed when she scooted up close to him and then he dared putting his arm around her shoulders.

"That's the good boy. You're good, Harry, that's exactly what I wanted," she said in a low voice.

"I'd want more. Like to kiss you."

"Better not right in front of them all, don't you think?"

"Unfortunately I do."

After tea they were shown to their rooms. Harry and Hermione got adjacent rooms and both were fitted with a four poster, big enough for three children, a wardrobe, a dresser and some chairs. Hermione put down her bag which Sirius had resized. She changed into some comfortable Muggle sweat pants and t-shirt after Adara had told her she was allowed to make herself as comfortable as she liked and had added:

"Feel at home, Hermione, we like our guests to be comfortable."

"Thank you, Mrs Black. It's nice of you to have me!"

"You're very welcome. Come back down to the living room when you feel like it."

When Hermione returned to the living room she was met by a stranger. It was Edward Lupin who had arrived just minutes earlier. He was just busy greeting Duncan and Adara. Hermione stayed a bit back, but then Adara saw her and called her in.

"Just come in, Hermione. We have another guest, may I introduce you to Edward Lupin, he's Remus' father. Edward, this is one of your son's pupils, Hermione Granger. She's a third year Gryffindor and she's in Harry's class. Actually I have the feeling she's a bit more to Harry, but so far they haven's said anything about that, so you and I are officially in the dark…"

Edward Lupin laughed a soft laugh in a warm baritone, which reminded Hermione of Remus immediately and turned to Hermione.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Hermione. Actually I know about you already, Remus wrote to me about you having been able to figure out his secret very soon. He highly praised your academic ambitions and abilities."

He offered her his hand and Hermione blushed a little. She looked up into his face and really liked what she saw. Remus must have come after his mother more than his father, she thought, as there was not much of Edward Lupin in Remus' features, but he seemed to be a very nice and rather quiet man. She felt like she trusted him immediately, a bit like when she met Albus Dumbledore for the first time. She smiled and took the hand.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Mr Lupin. I think your son is the best teacher we have! He's even been able to give our most nervous colleague confidence! He's always kind and understanding and we learn a lot with him."

"I'm very glad to hear that. I always thought that Remus would make for a fine teacher. In his higher forms he often tutored younger students. Unfortunately his condition has given him so much cause to keep away from everyone that he hardly dared to actually look for work in his chosen profession."

"I really don't know why. He's such a kind person. And even when he's a wolf, he's keeping himself so much in check. Shouldn't people encourage this? He's much calmer and nicer than many of our so called 'normal' professors."

"There are a few people who think so, Hermione, but you may not be aware of how many there out there who will not even give him a chance to prove himself once they know he's a werewolf."

"I was really angry to learn about that. Especially when we saw him on Christmas Eve. He spent the whole evening with everyone at the teacher's lounge and everyone except for Professor Snape was happy to see him. He's one beautiful wolf, sir!"

Now Edward looked at her with his mouth open. He asked, in a pressed tone:

"You have actually seen him as a wolf?"

"Yes. He had been with Sirius the previous month and Sirius had transformed back. Remus had been very calm then and he himself approved of Harry and I coming by after he'd transformed. We know now that only the actual transformation is problematic, but afterwards he can be with people when the potion works."

Edward closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he started to smile and admitted, tears shining in his eyes:

"Hermione, you don't even have an idea what this means to me! I've seen this little boy who had to be locked away into our cellar every month, and even though he knew exactly what he would have to endure, he always marched in there with his head held high. I always wanted to be there and hold him, but I knew that it would be too dangerous and that he needed me more for the rest of the month, so I could not put myself in danger. All we could do was clean him up the next morning and heal the wounds and broken bones. I can't even fathom the amount of pain he goes through every month, but seeing my beloved son suffer was the worst thing I had to endure. And there's no end to that. For him the worst thing was being left behind. Having to be alone when all he really wanted was friendship and love. He knew well that we couldn't be with him, and he lived through it, month after month. Having his friends in their animal forms with him must have been pure bliss for him, but this – well, to be with other people like it was the most normal thing while he is a wolf, I can only imagine how good this must have been for him."

"Yes, I think it did him a lot of good, because he was all content and happy. Cuddled up to Sirius and just enjoyed being there with all of us. Only Professor Snape seemed to really dislike him. I don't understand, really, after all he could see with his own eyes how it was all okay. And he does make the wolfsbane potion for Remus, so why did he have to be so cruel and tell Professor Dumbledore that he would not be friends with him? He even called Remus an abomination."

Hermione noticed the Blacks and Edward exchange glances and sigh.

"It's not ours to give you that answer, ask Remus and Sirius directly about it. But it's a deep rooted feud and it's been going on since their own school days. They've all been in the same year, you know."

"Oh, I see."

They couldn't go on speaking, as Remus and Sirius came in then, closely followed by Harry. Remus introduced his father and Harry and then they all sat down together for dinner. This became a very pleasurable affair, as many funny memories were brought forth by the elder generation, in the intent to slightly embarrass the middle one. Harry and Hermione laughed tears over the antics told in the points of view of the Marauder's parents. Adara had gone as far as to collect some of the owls she had received from Hogwarts and had kept over the years. She did read some of them to the others and Sirius blushed more than once.

"Oh, and there were so many owls I got from Agnes Pettigrew about how she was absolutely disgusted with my son's behaviour and how Sirius and James were constantly leading Peter into mischief and how she was scandalised since we were all descendants of full blooded wizards and witches for centuries and how could we not get our sons to behave respectively."

Edward grinned.

"Did you meet her lately, Adara?" he asked.

"Oh yes, I didn't want to miss out on giving her a piece of my mind. I remember how she was when Sirius had been captured and taken to Azkaban, how she went on and on about how she had always known that Sirius was capable of everything vile. She had told that in so many interviews with the press after the incident that I was sick to my stomach about her. She had been in my year in Hufflepuff and had not been a very bright student. Anyway, I did make it a 'chance' meeting about ten days ago. She was decidedly timid when she saw me. And I stared her down and asked her whether she was still so fond of her son and whether she still thought him to be the victim of you three others. She didn't answer, but I did tell her what I thought of Peter having condemned James and Lily to death, Remus to a lonely plagued life and Sirius to hell on earth. She was pretty small after that."

"Talking of Pettigrew, does anyone know what's going to happen with him?" Harry asked.

"He's been sentenced for life in Azkaban," Remus said.

"Oh, good. He deserves it! Now he can taste some of what you had to go through, Sirius," said Harry.

"He'll be out of it before the summer comes I think. They have to keep him under a hold Animagus spell all the time though."

After the dinner they all moved to the living room, where they entertained themselves playing cards or chess or talking. There were gifts from the Blacks for everyone still to be opened. Even Hermione had been thought of. She herself had brought Adara and Duncan a lovely Muggle book about the history of fashion, which was highly praised and Duncan immediately looked through all the pictures first. All the gifts for the guests had of course come from the Black's Wizarding Fashion boutique. Harry's was a full dress suit in emerald green, soft trousers, a silk shirt and silk dress robes. He was very embarrassed, but Hermione sent him out to try the garments on and when he came back he really looked very handsome.

"That's amazing, the moment I put it on it seemed to fit me perfectly, and it looked too large when I picked it up," Harry commented.

"That would be because this is one of our dress suits that adapts to your size magically, Harry," Duncan explained with a smile.

The robes looked very posh. They had a silver lined stand up collar and were floating down to the floor. Harry had noticed that he could also hold them together with a belt if he liked. The belt that came with it was black with a silver trim along the edges and a silver buckle. Cuffs and seams were trimmed with silver as well.

Duncan had asked Sirius to either send him a picture of Hermione or describe her to him. Sirius had been unable to procure a picture, but he was well capable to describe her. She was totally surprised when she found her gift to be a set of dress robes, too, and in a wonderful aqua blue colour that complimented her light brown hair and the brown eyes. It consisted of a set of inner and outer robes, the outer not closing completely over the inner robes. The silk felt lush and heavy and she thanked her hosts:

"I've never touched anything like this, it's amazing! I hope there will be many occasions to wear this, it's so beautiful. My parents won't believe their eyes when they see it!"

"You might try it on for the first time at the Weasley's New Year's Eve party, Hermione," Sirius suggested.

"Oh, that's a good idea, Mum and Dad will see it then, they will be there, too."

"If you wear yours, I'll wear mine, too, Hermione!" said Harry.

"That's what the clothes are meant for. Just go ahead, Hermione, try them on, they're enchanted the same way as Harry's, they'll fit as soon as you put them on," Adara told Hermione.

Hermione went out and when she came back into the room, all of the others stared at her. All of a sudden she wasn't just the ugly little girl with the overlong front teeth, she really looked lovely. Harry positively beamed at her. She stood next to him and Remus said:

"That goes together very well, don't you think, Siri?"

"I do! Hopefully, Ron will be okay with you two being together, Harry."

"We're scared of his reaction actually. I think we need adult help when we tell him."

"That can be arranged," Remus offered.

"Thanks."

Harry and Hermione went to bed long after their usual bedtime, but they had enjoyed the company so much and no one had told them to go to bed. Hermione asked Harry, while they went up:

"Want me to come sleep in your bed again?"

"Yes, Hermione! I'm already getting used to you next to me and I happen to think you fit in there perfectly."

She smiled.

"That's what I think, too, Harry. I'll just get ready and come over then, okay?"

"Okay."

She crawled into bed next to him just a short time later. They had plenty of space, but moved together in the middle, where Harry put his arm around her waist. Hermione lifted her hand to caress his face and they kissed. Then she said:

"Sleep well, love!"

"Sleep well, Hermione. I love you!"

"Love you, too…"

Remus and Sirius went to sleep about half an hour later. They decided to check on the children before they retired to their own room, but found Hermione's bed empty and untouched. Then they looked into Harry's room and saw that the two were curled up next to each other, already asleep. Remus smiled and pulled Sirius out of the room. He closed the door and while they walked on to their own room, he said, smiling:

"Less work for the house-elves."

Sirius grinned.

"But have you seen how perfectly innocent? They're like we were in our fourth year when we shared the bed like that."

"It will do them a lot of good, Siri, they'll grow together like that. I'm only a bit afraid of Ron's reaction when he hears of their changed relationship."

"Yes, me too, actually, though I don't know why. We'll have to see to it that they tell him immediately. To keep this secret would break him for sure."

When the next day dawned, Harry and Hermione woke up still in each other's arms. He looked at her eyes, still half closed, and smiled. They decided to stay in bed for another while, just to cuddle. Once they were fully awake, Hermione said:

"I'm afraid to tell Ron, Harry."

"So am I. He might not like it at all."

"But we will have to tell him, I think. He would take it even worse if we kept it a secret."

"Could be. That's why I told Sirius yesterday that we might need adult guidance when we tell him."

Which was what they did once they arrived at the Burrow on the late morning of the New Year's Eve. They were welcomed by Arthur who greeted them warmly. Hermione had been sleeping in Harry's bed for the entire time since Christmas Eve. She would be sharing the room with Ginny now and happily started to chat with Ginny when she brought up her bag into Ginny's room. Once the door was closed behind the two girls, Hermione asked:

"Ginny, I think I have something to tell you, which might hurt you. Do you still have a crush on Harry?"

"Just a bit. He's really nice, but I think he'll never notice me this way. Why?"

"It's hard to tell you, because I know you've had this crush ever since! But something happened and I don't want to hide it from you. Harry and I have fallen in love with each other. We're together, Ginny."

Ginny was hurt. She had been aware that her crush was one sided only. But she had not expected it to hurt this much. Hermione searched for her hands and pulled Ginny in a hug.

"I'm sorry to hurt you, Ginny, because I really like you and you're the best girl friend I have. You're not the kind to always think about make-up and things like that. You're really a good chum, which is what I so much prefer. Do you think you could remain to be a good friend with Harry and I in spite of our being together?"

Ginny nodded. If she couldn't have Harry as a boyfriend she did want to be with him as a friend. She sniffled, but then she said with a trembling voice:

"Well, if I can't have him then you should have him, Hermione. I'll just have to see if I can find someone else then…"

"There are some really fine boys around, Ginny. And I'm happy if you want to stay my friend, I won't bother you with lots of stuff about Harry, I'll just try to be the same as ever. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Oh, and I have something I must show you! Look at this! Sirius' parents gave it to me for Christmas. Do you know they own Wizarding Fashion? That highly fashionable boutique in Diagon Alley. The one which looks so expensive, that we never did much more than give it a fleeting glance…"

"No, I didn't. – Wow, Hermione! These are amazing!"

"Aren't they? Now listen here. Mum and Dad have already given me a set of dress robes. They're in periwinkle blue, something that would look awesome on you, too, what with that wonderful coppery red hair of yours. I'll pass them on to you, if you like them, okay? We'll look up the spells to adjust them to your size and all. These here are charmed to fit me magically."

"Put them on, Hermione, I want to see you in these robes!"

"I will – tonight. Harry has received a set, too, his is emerald green. And Remus and Sirius had received some lovely new clothes as well. Remus some awesome everyday robes in a warm beige with dark brown leaves printed on them. He looked great in them. And Sirius something similar, only his were in rusty red."

"Sounds lush."

While the girls had vanished into their room, Harry had brought up his bag to Ron's room. Ron went along with him and while Harry put his stuff away, he filled Ron in on what they had done during the break and that he had received the most awesome broom in the world.

"Ron, I was almost flattened on Christmas morning! Sirius has given me a new broom, Ron…"

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me, Harry, he knew yours was destroyed!"

"Yes, that's what's given him the idea. To make sure I didn't spend money on one myself he told me to inform him when I intended to spend more than 50 Galleons on one single item."

"Oh, now I remember that one. Clever move! So what model is it?"

"You'd better sit down, Ron… it's a Firebolt!"

"Wow! A Firebolt? That's – wow, that's unbelievable!"

"Isn't it though? A Firebolt on the team, that's going to be great. Hermione said she couldn't wait to see Malfoy's face when he sees it the first time and then she said to make sure you'd be there when that happened."

Ron threw himself on his bed and laughed out loud.

"Oh that's going to be one hell of a show, Harry. He'll go mad! Hermione's right!"

"It's a really great broom, Ron, you'll love it! I even got Hermione to fly on it. I took her up first, then she had enough confidence to fly by herself and now she wants a broom of her own."

"You got Hermione to fly? Wow, that's great. Did she do well?"

"She did. The Firebolt must have helped her a lot though, because it really reacts to every move. I have it here with me, Sirius reduced it in size, so I can put it in my bag, but he'll gladly resize it so you'll be able to have a go."

"Oh, I'd love to! That's just awesome. – So, did you and Hermione have a good time at the Black's?"

"It was great, Ron. Sirius' parents are really nice. Remus' father was there, too, for a while. He's just as nice as Remus is, or maybe I now know where Remus has it from. Oh, and we spent Christmas Eve with Remus in his wolf form, that was really amazing! He looks very impressive as a wolf, believe me."

"What? Are you mad?"

"No, I'm not. Remus even came out and we were allowed to join the teachers in their lounge on the ground floor. They have this huge room, where all the walls are lined with bookcases, and there are lovely couches and armchairs all over the place, some desks with antique chairs and small tables everywhere. And one of the most beautifully crafted fireplaces I've ever seen."

"Shucks! And I missed out on all of that fun!"

"You did and we missed you. It was really special. Only Snape was his usual evil self. When Dumbledore told the others to see what Snape's potion did to Remus and how he could now spend time with them in his wolf form, everyone was happy except for Snape of course. I could have killed him. Remus sat down in front of him and lifted his right paw, but Snape just sneered and ran out of the room. Dumbledore told him it's his loss."

"I'd certainly say so, too! What an idiot."

Then Harry took out his new dress robes and showed them to Ron. He said:

"I'll have to wear these tonight. Hermione and I got dress robes from Sirius' parents, and Sirius told her she should wear them tonight and she said she would. Then I foolishly said if she would wear hers then I'd wear mine, too…"

"Wow, they look amazing!"

"They feel amazing, Ron. It's all silk!"

"And you just got them as a gift…"

"Just because we were guests over Christmas. But Sirius' parents are great people. They own Wizarding Fashion, seems to be a shop in Diagon Alley."

"A shop? It's probably the most fashionable and expensive shop there! They have branches all over the world! You don't even have an idea about the kind of money they have from that. Must make the Malfoys' fortune pale. I didn't know it belonged to Black's family."

"Neither did I. Well, before this. So I got two really awesome gifts this Christmas."

"Makes up for the many Christmas and birthdays you didn't get anything, Harry. I may not have received much in my life, but at least I received something for my birthdays and Christmas every year!"

"Thanks, Ron."

When they were back down with the rest of the party, the Grangers had arrived in the meantime, Harry and Hermione looked really posh in their new dress robes. Hermione saw her parents and flew into their arms.

"Mum! Dad! It's so nice to see you! I'm always missing you so much!" she cried out.

Helen Granger embraced her only child. She looked at the dress robes and said:

"Hello, Hermione! We've missed you, too. – Hey, what are these beautiful clothes? Did you go shopping?"

"No, Mum, these were a gift from Sirius' parents. I don't think I would have been able to afford them. You know we went to stay there last week? Well, they've given me this for Christmas and Harry has received a set as well. His are different than mine and emerald green, you'll see him soon. Oh Mum, there's so much I have to tell you and Dad!"

"You sound all excited, sweetheart, I can't wait to hear your news," Helen said with a smile, "but first I'd like to say hello to everyone, especially Arthur and Molly."

"Yes, come and meet them, they're in the living room!"

Hermione got some time to tell her parents that she was in love with Harry and that Harry had become her boyfriend a short time later, after they had met Harry and re-introduced themselves. They were introduced to Remus and Sirius as well and then the children told the Grangers what had happened. Ron was there, too, and he got big round eyes and stared at them as if they were strangers all of a sudden. For a while he was withdrawn, but then he looked at them and had to admit to himself, that Harry and Hermione really fitted together. A bit later, Sirius came to him and nudged his shoulder. Ron turned to him.

"Care to come for a short walk with me?" Sirius asked.

"Is this about Harry and Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Yes, I think you have the right to vent about it to someone…"

Ron looked up at Sirius. He didn't have to look very far up, as he was already quite tall for a thirteen year old. He nodded and both of them put on their cloaks and went out. The winter air was cold, but Sirius cast warming charms over them and said:

"I'd understand if this makes you uncomfortable, Ron."

"That's not it, Sirius. It just makes me so insecure… as if I lost something. I'll feel outside now."

"I don't think that's what they want, Ron. Shall I tell you what I felt when James and Lily got together?"

"Do you think that was the same?"

"In a way. You see, James and I had been friends ever since, and in fourth year Lily came into his life prominently. Hermione actually reminds me of Lily a lot. She's more serious than Lily though, but that balances out, as Harry is much more serious than James, too. Even though I liked to see them together, at first I felt pushed away. It wasn't too easy to pass up my best friend to a girl. But I learned to accept it, because I knew they were right with each other. And Lily was always right with us, meaning James' friends, as well. She had guessed about Remus being a werewolf and was very okay with it. She was only mad at us for not having told her about becoming Animagi. I was crying over her just as much as I cried over James, after they died. And I still miss them both very much. – James had remained to be my best friend. We did everything together as we'd always done. He spent more and more time with Lily, too, but then I had the luck to win Remus. It's up to you to find someone you're comfortable with, Ron. Once you're ready for that, I mean. In the meantime, enjoy your friends, because they won't want to lose you as their friend."

"Are you sure? Don't they want to be together all the time now?"

"How about: they do want to be together and they will look for some time alone together, but they do want to be together with you, too? Talk to them in any case and you'll find out that they don't like you any less, just because they like each other in a different way now."

Ron nodded. It wasn't easy to understand, but once he was back in the house, Molly caught up with him in the kitchen. She had noticed the tension in her son, too, after Hermione and Harry had informed them all about their new status.

"Are you alright, Ron?" Molly asked tenderly.

"Not right now, Mum, but I will be."

"Good. Don't eat it all up alone though, please come and talk if you need to."

"Sirius just talked with me."

"Will you be able to accept that they are a couple now, Ron?"

"I hope so. They really seem to be happy together, don't you think?"

"Yes, I do. Harry never had anyone who loved him. We all love him in a way, but he needs someone to love him this way, Ron. It's not something you or I can give him, but that doesn't make what we can give him any less important."

"I'll think about it, Mum. Right now I have the feeling that I've lost something."

Molly smiled.

"Yes, I understand that, Ron. But there are plenty of nice people around and you will meet the one which belongs to you one day."

"Thanks, Mum. Can I go now?"

"Of course. Go be with them, they were looking for you."

The party was a big feast. Molly had cooked a great dinner and they all enjoyed being together, laughing and joking and after midnight they all drank the champagne which the Grangers had brought along. They didn't go to bed before two o'clock in the morning.