A/N: So this chapter is dedicated to my wonderful friend Karone Sakura who has never missed a chapter. I know you guys are reading this, I've seen the amount of hits per chapter... I just hope you are liking it.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to the wonderful JKR (except for Hazel). Plot is somewhat mine.

Of Hazel and Hermione

"Hazel!" Hermione called. "Hazel, wait up!"

It had been a few days since everyone had returned from the holidays. Hermione hadn't had a nightmare since the night Draco had found out, and she was thankful for it. She wasn't about to ask why, as he'd been very distant ever since. Hermione wasn't even sure if Harry was talking to him as no one had brought up the subject of Draco. She thought that Harry and Draco had seemed oddly indifferent to each other and she suspected they were angry, but kept that to herself. Right now, she had some research to do.

"Hi, Hermione," Hazel smiled. "Good holiday?" she asked stepping through the portrait hole.

"Great, thanks. Yours?" Hermione asked, following her first-year friend.

"We went skiing. I'm crap at it, but I had fun anyways. What's on your mind?" Hazel seemed to already know that Hermione was after information.

"Well, you know I spent my holiday with Harry, right?"

Hazel nodded. She was still reserved, walled-off, so Hermione tried a different approach.

"Well, I spent my time doing research. Did you know 'Nigellus' means 'Black' in Latin?" Hermione kept her eyes fixed on Hazel, looking for any sign of recognition or surprise. None came. Hazel merely nodded again.

Hermione sighed in frustration. She wasn't making this easy. "So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have a question about a cousin of yours."

Hazel raised her eyebrows, "Which cousin?"

"Sirius Black," Hermione answered. Whatever response Hermione was expecting was not the response Hazel gave. A flash of surprise crossed her features; before anger took over and Hazel hissed, "Don't say that name out here in the common room!"

Hazel grabbed Hermione's hand and dragged her into her empty dormitory. "It's not appropriate to be discussing that man with me in public, Hermione," Hazel warned, looking around to make sure no one was in the dorm.

Surprised, Hermione responded in kind, "It's not appropriate for you to be calling Sirius 'that man' considering the company you're in!" Hermione flashed incensed, feeling very protective of Harry's godfather.

Slamming the door, Hazel spun around, looking so agitated that Hermione almost forgot she was dealing with an eleven-year-old. "Considering the company I'm in? What the bloody hell does that mean? Who are you to my family? You have no reason to be discussing Sirius at all!"

Hermione was not about to discuss Harry's relationship to Sirius, but was angry with Hazel for declaring that she had no reason to be discussing Sirius. "No reason? No reason! I have more of a reason than you do, let me assure you of that! He was my friend! At least he was before another cousin of yours went and killed him!" Hermione was shaking, she was so mad.

Hazel took a step back, fear evident in her eyes. As Hermione's words registered, surprise again crossed her features. "You knew Sirius?" she whispered in awe.

Hermione was taken aback at the young girl's reaction. Hazel certainly keeps you on your toes. She forced herself into a semblance of calmness before responding softly, "Yes, I knew Sirius. Didn't you know that?"

Hazel shook her head, her eyes still wide in wonder, "No. Was I supposed to?"

Hermione shrugged, trying to gain control of her thoughts. One question immediately leapt to her mind, and she blurted it out without thinking. "Why were you so mad when I mentioned him?"

Hazel cringed, and then blushed. "I'm sorry. It's difficult to explain," she said, sinking onto her bed. Hermione gave no response, hoping that Hazel would continue. Hazel looked at the floor for a moment before stating, "Because of my dad."

Hermione sat next to her on the bed, crossing her legs, "Apollo Nigellus."

Hazel met Hermione's eyes and nodded, "You knew my dad?"

"Not personally, but Sirius used to tell wonderful stories about Apollo and himself getting into mischief when they were younger," Hermione smiled, remembering what she considered 'the good times' at Grimauld Place.

"Really? Maybe you could tell me a few sometime? I love to hear about when my dad was younger," Hazel replied, tears forming behind her eyes. "All the stories I know are from my mother, and she didn't really know Dad until after Hogwarts. But I do know that Dad really looked up to Sirius. Dad thought of him like an older brother. Dad was an only child, the son of Death Eaters. Sirius told him that there was more to life than following in other's footsteps, and Mum always said it was because of Sirius that Dad became a Mediwizard. He never believed that Sirius gave the Potters to You-know-who. How come you didn't tell me about it before?"

"I'm sorry, Hazel, I didn't realize Apollo was your dad until the holiday."

Hazel blinked back the tears, and regained her composure. "Hermione, I'm sorry I just about tore your head off. Most people hear my last name and automatically assume that we're dark wizards. It's frustrating when I can't correct them, out of fear of retribution. Talk of Sirius usually leads to talk of my Dad, and…" Hazel sniffed loudly.

Hermione rubbed Hazel's back in a comforting manner. "It's okay, really. I probably should have approached you with more care," Hermione sighed.

"You said you had a question for me? About Sirius? I don't know how I can answer it, I never knew him," Hazel asked.

"You've already answered some questions. But, may I ask? What happened to your father?" Hermione responded, cautiously.

Hazel shrugged sadly, "We don't know. He disappeared about 4 years ago, I was seven the last time I saw him. Mum hasn't said anything to me, but I can tell what she thinks. She thinks he's dead. And, honestly? I think she's right. He would have come back by now if he could have." Her voice came through in a hoarse whisper.

"I'm so sorry, Hazel."

Hazel managed a feeble smile. "I'm not so bad off. I still have my Mum, and my little sister Violet. I feel bad for Harry, though. He doesn't have anyone left. Both his parents are dead."

Hermione could see Hazel's mind shift into high gear, the wheels turning quickly. She's so much like me! Hermione thought. She couldn't help but be proud. She sat patiently and waited for the question.

"Why did you mention Harry first? What does he have to do with Sirius? Sirius was a friend of Harry's dad when they were in school, right? And you knew Sirius. So, Harry knew Sirius, too. Am I right?" Hazel caught Hermione trying not to smile.

"Yes, Harry knew Sirius." Hermione purposefully left out details, wondering if Hazel would eventually get to the answer herself.

"When Sirius escaped Azkaban, he owled my Mum to ask about Dad. I don't know what they wrote, but I always wondered where Sirius was, and whom he was with. I supposed he was with friends or family, but then I realized most of his friends and family were dead."

"Sirius was with us; with Harry. He was with family. Sirius was Harry's godfather."