Disclaimer: Do I have to?...fine, its not mine….
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Chapter 41: Silent Night
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The Christmas holidays started with on a slightly sour note with the Full Moon falling a week before Christmas. Remus, as usual came out of the transformation a little battered and bruised but overall was in a relatively good condition, and always being the optimist, pointing out to the others that at least it didn't fall on Christmas.
Harry however was in a funny mood as the school slowly started to empty of students, he was staying with the others at the school for the holidays but he seemed to be distracted lately, like something was nagging at the back of his mind and he couldn't get rid of it.
Hermione grew tired of this at breakfast four days before Christmas when she saw Harry staring blankly at his plate as the staff and remaining students all sat at one long table.
"Harry," she said grabbing his attention from opposite him across the wide table. "You're going to bore a hole into that plate if you keep that up."
Harry glanced up at her, a small frown line forming between his eyebrows.
"I don't now if I can do it Hermione," he confessed quietly.
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Do what? You've accomplished a lot Harry, it's not good to be pessimistic now."
"It's just so hard. I can't seem to get myself to do it."
"Again Harry, do what?"
Harry mumbled something under his breath, and Hermione wondered if he was having doubts on defeating Voldemort.
"Harry James Potter, speak up," she scolded. "I can't hear you."
"I can't bring myself to thank him Hermione, it's just too much."
"Thank who?...ohh, now Harry, it's only Malfoy it can't be that difficult."
"Well, that's what you think; you don't have to do it," came the grumbled reply.
Hermione sent Harry a glare before softening her gaze. "I already did Harry."
Harry blushed slightly and looked back down at his plate. "Sorry."
Hermione laughed. "It's ok, you have the holidays to think it over, when he comes back just do it, then you can put the whole thing behind you."
A clattering of cutlery further down the table brought the pairs attention to a rather pissed off Potions Master who seemed to have developed a rather Rudolf like nose.
Hermione swung her eyes to the wizard seated next to her who was trying relatively hard to contain his laughter.
"Sirius Black, was that entirely necessary?" she asked.
The Animagus turned to her and grinned. "Come on, he needs some Christmas cheer, he's the kind of person who enjoys telling children that Santa Claus doesn't exist. Besides, I'm hurt that you assumed it was me and not Remus here," he said gesturing to his friend seated beside him.
"Was it you?" she asked.
"Well, yes, but that's not my point."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the man and he just sent her a heart melting smile in return, reached over and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear before returning to his breakfast, a small smile fixed on his lips.
Hermione tore her gaze off the black haired wizard before her and turned back to Harry who was smirking at her.
"What?"
The corners of Harry's mouth twitched. "Nothing."
"Sure, just like that whole Ginny thing is nothing," Hermione teased catching Sirius' attention.
"What Ginny thing?" he asked his Godson, his grey eyes amused.
Harry glared at his friend. "Nothing," he replied focusing his gaze once more on his plate to hide his blush.
Hermione and Sirius exchanged significant looks and grinned at each other.
"Must be a redhead thing," commented Sirius causing Harry's ears to turn red. "Do you think it's genetic?" he asked Hermione.
"Possibly. I think it's sweet," Hermione answered grinning at her friend who presently refused to meet anyone's eyes.
Sirius chuckled. "You would."
Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow
"What?" he asked. "It's just a female thing, right Moony?"
"Uhh," Remus stuttered not really wanting to be dragged into the conversation. "I suppose."
"You're lucky Tonks isn't here," Hermione teased.
Sirius looked confused. "Why is that?" he asked looking backwards and forwards between his friend who refused to meet his eyes and Hermione.
"Oh no reason," Hermione answered smiling at the werewolf
"Moony, is there something you're not telling me?"
"No Sirius, I think Hermione here is seeing things." Remus, who in all honesty looked just as confused as his fellow Marauder, answered.
Hermione grinned. "Oh I can be very perceptive at times, read between the lines and all of that."
Hermione shot Harry a look. He'd joined the world again and was observing the exchange between the adults, a bemused look gracing his features.
Sirius sent one final suspicious yet curious look at the werewolf before dropping the matter, just as confused as he had been at the start of the conversation.
The doors of the Great Hall swung open then and a miffed looking Ginny Weasley entered with her trunk. Three sets of eyes trained on Harry who sent them all a glare before turning to the redhead.
"I thought you were staying at home for the holidays?" he asked as she sat next to him.
"Fred and George just blew up the kitchen," she explained as Sirius and Remus tried to hide their laughter next to Hermione. "So mum sent me back."
"Well that's great," Hermione announced. "You'll be pleased wont you Harry…Ow!"
"Hey," Sirius admonished. "There will be no kicking of Hermione under the table while I'm here."
Harry raised an eyebrow at his Godfather and noted the slight blush creeping up on the cheeks of the girl seated next to him. Hermione noticed this too and grinned broadly at her friend sending him an 'I told you so look' before turning to Sirius.
"So, you're saying that people can kick me under the table when you're not around?"
"Uhh..."
"Padfoot mate, you just cornered yourself."
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Christmas morning dawned, well attempted to dawn at least, through a snowstorm that blackened out the sky. Needless to say people slept in unaware of the time. That is Hermione slept in before a big black dog bounded onto the bed waking her up.
"Padfoot you great lump, get your dog breath away from me and go back to sleep, its not morning yet."
Hermione felt Sirius change back to his human form and could feel him staring at her.
Sirius grinned; it wouldn't be too long before she opened her eyes.
"I'm not opening my eyes, go back to sleep."
Sirius' grin vanished and he looked at Hermione quizzically. "I think dropping divination in your third year was a bad move, you missed your calling."
Hermione's reply was to cover her face with a pillow.
"Come on Hermione, it's almost ten, I've been sent to get you up, and everyone else is waiting."
Hermione removed the pillow and glared at the Animagus, who was jumping up and down on his knees, before turning her gaze to the window and the snow piled high against the glass.
"See," Sirius grinned, "it is the morning, and your wasting the day away in bed, Christmas day to be more specific, the worst day of the year to waste away, very naughty of you."
Hermione snuggled down further into the blankets and pulled Sirius down to her level.
"Oh no you don't," Sirius said, getting out of Hermione grasp. "I have a surprise for you, you need to get up."
Hermione groaned and begun to pull herself out of bed.
"Here," Sirius said shoving a pile of clothes in her arms. "I picked something out for you."
Hermione looked at the black robes lined with deep red silk. "These aren't mine."
"Sure they are. Merry Christmas number one," Sirius replied grinning.
Hermione smiled warmly at the wizard before her. "Thank you" she said leaning in for a kiss, a kiss that was soon deepened by both parties, Hermione wrapping her arms around his neck pulling herself closer before Sirius pulled away.
"You're forgetting I have a surprise for you, and everyone is waiting," he said a large grin on his handsome face.
Hermione sighed and went to get changed. "You're worse than a child today you know that?"
Sirius only grinned in return and ushered Hermione into the bathroom. "Hurry up, I'm timing you, if you're longer than five minutes I'm sending your surprise back home."
"What?" Hermione asked, curiosity overtaking her now.
"Four and a half minutes."
Hermione glared at the wizard, quickly washed up and put on her new robes.
"Right, ready."
Sirius grinned and grabbed her hand. "Lets go, we have to wake Moony up on the way."
"Remus isn't up yet? Why didn't you wake him up first?" she asked frowning.
"Cause, it was fun waking you up by myself, now we are going to wake up Moony together," he said, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
They approached Remus chambers a few minutes later and Sirius barged into the room, colliding with Remus who was exiting the room at the same time. Hermione laughed at the tangle of limbs that were two Marauders.
"Morning Moony," Sirius greeted from his position on top of the disgruntled werewolf. "We're here to wake you up."
"Is that so? Well as you can see I am awake, and I was up, you can get off me now you great lump."
Sirius stood and offered Remus a hand up. "You know that's the second time I've been called a great lump today," Sirius said slightly offended.
"Did he jump on you too?" Remus asked Hermione who nodded the affirmative.
Sirius glared at the pair. "Well you're both awake so I don't know why we are standing around here, your surprises are waiting for you."
"I have a surprise?" Remus asked at the same time Hermione queried the same thing
"Remus has a surprise too?"
Sirius held up his hands. "One at a time, please," he turned to Remus. "Yes I have a surprise for you," before turning to Hermione "Yes Remus has a surprise too."
Hermione and Remus rolled their eyes at the Animagus who just grinned back and grabbed Hermione's hand and pulling her down the hall, Remus falling into step alongside the couple as Sirius lead them through the halls.
They stopped in front of the Gryffindor portrait and Sirius turned to the others. "Thought it would be nice to have it in here," he turned and gave the password to the Fat Lady and lead the other two into the room.
Hermione looked around and noticed two people she would never expect to find in the Gryffindor tower talking with Harry and Ginny. She turned in astonishment to Sirius who was grinning broadly at her.
"Mum, Dad?" Hermione said walking towards her parents, the next thing she knew she was engulfed in what she assumed was her mum and dad
"Mum, Dad, I kinda need to breathe," she choked out.
Her parents stepped back and smiled at their daughter. "We missed you so much dear," her mother said on the brink of tears. Dumbledore had been filling Hermione's parents in on her whereabouts since she had gone missing but Hermione hadn't been expecting to see them till the New Year.
She pulled her mother in for another hug as her father took in her appearance.
"Wow, when Dumbledore said you were older, I didn't expect this, you look so much like your mother."
Hermione grinned and moved to give her father a hug, noticing Sirius grinning in the background she pulled back and lead her parents over to the black haired wizard.
"Mum, dad this is Sirius Black," she said, introducing them.
Her father gave her a wink. "We know dear, Sirius was the one who invited us."
Sirius grinned and wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist as she stared at him in shock.
"Merry Christmas number two."
"Sirius," Hermione breathed. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said gently turning her around. "Now go and catch up with your parents."
Hermione smiled and went to join her parents; they really did have a lot of catching up to do.
Sirius changed the direction of his gaze and located Harry and Ginny talking quietly on the couch, to his left he could see Remus talking with Tonks, whom Sirius had invited out of general curiosity after Hermione's odd remarks at breakfast the other day. He avoided the glare the werewolf was sending his way musing that maybe there wasn't anything there, then again Remus could be glaring at him if there was something there….
He left his present position and wandered over to the large Christmas tree in the corner of the room, grabbed a particular parcel and moved over to Harry and Ginny on the couch.
He seated himself next to Harry and handed his Godson a small package. "Merry Christmas Harry."
"Thanks Sirius," Harry replied taking the small gift and starting to unwrap it, Ginny watching curiously.
The gold paper revealed a small green velvet box which looked like it had seen better days, sending his Godfather an inquisitive look Harry proceeded to open the box and reveal two simple golden bands, one slightly bigger than the other.
"They were your parents' wedding rings; I thought you might like them."
Harry stared at the gift, unable to find his voice. Ginny, sitting next to him, looked like she had tears in her eyes.
'Women' Sirius thought with a smile before a mental image of Hermione slapped him upside the back of the head.
"Thank you Sirius," Harry finally managed to get out.
Sirius smiled and reached out to mess up his Godsons hair. "You're welcome," he said laughing as Harry attempted to flatten his hair back down. "Seems like Lily managed to win that battle," Sirius said chuckling.
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Later that night Sirius and Hermione returned to their chambers, Hermione had seen her parents off with promises of plenty of owls and occasional visits.
They sat on their couch in front of the fire, Sirius sitting with his arms wrapped around Hermione, both remembering the nights in front of the Gryffindor fire.
"Thank you for my gifts," Sirius thanked Hermione yet again; Hermione had gifted him a beautiful quill with the inscription 'in memory of James 'Prongs' Potter' up the center along with a new cloak with outlines of a wolf, dog and stag embroided in silver on the back.
"You're welcome, again."
Sirius chuckled. "I have something else for you."
"Sirius, you already gave me enough, I can't tell you how happy I was to see my parents early."
Sirius only smiled and waved his wand a small book shaped parcel floating across the room.
"Merry Christmas number three," he said softly handing her the package.
"I figured there'd be a book in there somewhere," she said smiling as she opened the gift.
'This isn't just any book' Sirius thought with a smile as he watched her gently pull back the paper.
"Sirius," Hermione breathed. "This isn't what I think it is, is it?"
Sirius grinned. "Took me a while to find it too."
"I can't believe you found one, there isn't many left," she said in shock tracing her fingers over the inscription on the cover.
'Hogwarts: A history'
'First Edition'
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