Remus Lupin sat watching his best friend, Sirius Black, try out the new swords Remus had conjured up. The eastern courtyard was relatively empty, except a few stray vassals. More like Sirius worshipers, Remus thought dully. They were the kings most trusted friends. King James was young, even for a king, not even eighteen yet. Remus and Sirius were the same age as the king, but not quite as highly ranked.
"Wake up, Remus!" Sirius shouted
Remus jumped at the sound of his name. Remus took up his staff. It was green and curved elegantly at the top. Sirius helped him onto his feet. Remus's shattered leg had restrained him, but he refused to allow it to control him. Remus, the most powerful warlock in the kingdom (possibly the world), had been tampering with curses and his leg was the result of a failed attempt at desecrating an entire forest. James had been the one to rescue him. He had told Remus that it was nothing, but the young warlock felt he owed the king his life.
"These swords are amazing! They're so light, yet the slice through silver like it's air." Sirius said in awe
"It's not that great." Remus said softly
"What do you mean nothing. Your powers are amazing." A voice behind them cried
The friends wheeled around (Remus a little slower than Sirius). The king was smiling at them.
"Anyone fancy a ride around the valley?" James said a hopeful look in his eyes
"Anything for you, my lord." Remus said giving a slight bow
"You needn't be so formal, Remus. If I wasn't a king would you treat me differently?" James said clapping Remus on the back
"I wouldn't have known you if you weren't the king, James." Remus said steading himself
Sirius laughed at the clumsiness of his king. A young herald clambered into the great hall and walked up to Remus. He handed him a scroll. The writing was small and neat and Remus recognized it immediately. It belong to his niece, Hermione Granger. She was a fiery young wicca who knew a it too much. Remus sighed wearily.
"What is it?" Sirius said trying desperately to look over Remus's high collar
"It's my niece, Hermione she wants to come study magic with me." Remus said hanging his head
"Of course she can stay here." James said laughing heartedly
"Wait, wasn't she the one who sent you the pickled frog spawn for that potion that forced you to tell the truth?" Sirius said thoughtfully
Remus nodded.
"I like her. Personally I don't see the big attraction to magic." Sirius said softly, lost in his thoughts
Remus shook his head. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface of his staff.
The following days passed as a great blur. Remus was anxious about the arrival of his niece. Sirius had become bored of the young knights challenging him to duels. He had defeated every knight and lord in the castle and had come to a draw with the king himself. The trumpets sounded and Remus hobbled out to greet his niece. Hermione had climbed onto the drawbridge before it was completely down. She spotted Remus in the crowd of people with ease. She ran straight up to him.
"Uncle Moony!" Hermione cried before launching herself into his arms.
She nearly screamed when she saw his leg. He told her the story and she listened with amazing attentiveness.
"This is Sirius Black, Hermione. He's the Captain. If you need anything at all, just ask Sirius." Remus said as Sirius and James sauntered over. "This is royal highness, King James."
Hermione bowed deeply. James put his hands on her shoulders.
"Welcome!" James said grinning wildly
"Thank you, your majesty." Hermione said brightly
"Remus is your family always so formal?" James asked his friend
Remus shrugged. Truthfully, he thought his niece was being very polite. Two young swordsmen, only slightly older than Hermione, came charging through the courtyard.
"Oi! Stop that!" Sirius bellowed
The knights stopped dead in their tracks. They looked fearfully at Sirius. One boy, a tall lanky red-head, stepped backwards slightly as if he was ready to run. The other, a bit more stockier with dark hair and green eyes, looked increasingly bored with his friend turned his attention to Hermione. He looked her over and grinned widely. Hermione grinned back.
"Come, Hermione, come. We must show you around!" Remus said looking more alive than ever before
"That's alright." Hermione said giving a small curtsy
"Come now, Hermione. From what Remus tells us you'd like a room near the library." James said warmly
The knights were still standing on the other side of the courtyard straining to hear what the men were telling the strange girl. They led her off into the castle.
"Well, Ron, do you think?" the black haired boy said watching their captain leave
"Dunno. He scares me a little." Ron said softly. "Do you think we're in trouble Harry?"
"No. Besides I was talking about the girl." Harry snapped
Ron wrinkled his freckled nose. "I don't know. She gives off the same vibes as my brother, Percy. You know, the scribe. She looks a bit bossy."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"You think about these things a little too much." Harry said walking off
Ron turned and followed his friend over towards the armory.
Hermione gasped a the sheer splendor of her surroundings. The bedroom she was sleeping in was massive. You could have fit her entire cottage into it and still had room to move. A maid was straightening out the bed, carefully folding the sheets.
"You can sleep here. The library is right across the hall." James said clapping her gently on the shoulder. "Well, we've got business to attend to. We'll leave to get settled in. Go anywhere you like in the castle or the grounds and Jezebel will get you what ever you need."
The woman making the bed curtsied and stood by the bed.
"Hello." Hermione said sweetly. "I'll see you at dinner, Uncle."
On the finest of days if you looked at the edge of the grounds, near the Main gate, you would find Harry and Ron in a sparing match. Harry's great, broad sword swing madly and Ron's scimitar looking deadlier by the day. Sirius, who seemed to not getting enough sleep, was determined to be in a towering temper. He found fault with everything they did. The way they held the swords or the power of their strokes. Hermione would sometimes come down and watch the matches. When Sirius was out of earshot Harry collapsed onto the grass with a muffled thud. His jet black hair was clinging to his face and his glasses askew.
"Get up you big baby. He was harder on me than he was on you."Ron said bitterly
Harry wasn't listening. The unhappy fourteen year old was lost in his exhaustion. Harry had an upside-down view of the slope that Hermione had perched herself on. He smiled at her and she smiled back shyly before opening a big spell book. Ron shook his head and sighed. A small smile played at Ron''s lips. For a minute he was tempted to show Harry up, just to knock him down a few pegs, but that thought quickly left his head when he looked down and saw Harry dozing. Hermione had risen and was making her way down the slope towards them. Ron nudged Harry gently in his side. Harry sat bolt up-right. And saw Hermione coming towards him. Harry stood up and put the giant sword away and Ron followed in suit.
"Hello I'm Hermione Granger." Hermione said extending her hand
"Name's Harry and this is my friend Ron Weasley." Harry said taking her hand and shaking it
Once again, Ron followed in suit.
"Aren't you the warlock's niece?" Ron asked, completely oblivious to his own stupidity
"Yes, I am." Hermione said politely
She didn't feel the need to point out his question was fairly obvious. Her hazel eyes were smiling at Harry. Ron rolled his eyes at the girl. He couldn't quite accept the fact that girls would prefer Harry, who was a complete gentleman, over Ron, who couldn't accept the fact that girls thought he was a jerk. Harry pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Harry's scarf had been discarded long before the match had started and was lying in a heap next the wall along with his jacket and Ron's cloak. They gathered up the articles of clothing and walked with Hermione up to the castle. They didn't notice Sirius and James watching them all the way up to the cool shade of the breeze way.
Charlie Weasley felt the shiver run down his spine before he actually saw him coming. He turned and saw Sirius walking towards him
"Thought I felt you coming." Charlie muttered
"You better show me some respect." Sirius said coldly
"You're just angry that I refused to be a knight in your division." Charlie said cooly
"I've just gotten done with your brother. He's getting better, but he's got nothing on the king's little cousin, Harry." Sirius said as he stroke the muzzle of the nearest horse
"He hasn't got Bill's flare of enthusiasm." Charlie said sitting down on a small stool
"Or your flare." Sirius said throwing Charlie a furtive look
Charlie was staring at the ceiling to avoid Sirius's gaze. His spiky red hair gave the impression that his head was on fire. He frowned. He and Sirius had never gotten along, because he refused to become a knight for the king. The door swung open and a woman, a little younger than Charlie, entered.
"Oh, Sirius I didn't know you were here." She said blushing
"Nymphadora? What are you doing-" Sirius began
He looked from His cousin to Charlie, who was staring at the ceiling with great determination. A smirk toyed with Sirius's lips. He would have Charlie as a knight if it killed the stable hand.
"Um... I'll be going now." Nymphadora said completely mortified
Nymphadora scuttled off.
"So.. You and my cousin are..."
"Don't say it." Charlie said viciously
Charlie had risen from his seat. He grabbed a spare sword from the wall and was advancing on Sirius with great speed. There was a gleam of hatred in his eyes. Sirius barely had time to draw his own sword before Charlie was right on top of him. The fought like mad. Sirius couldn't touch Charlie.
'STOP IT!" Nymphadora shouted just as Sirius had managed to nick Charlie's cheek
Charlie was breathing heavily. He was tired and Sirius could have killed him.
"I never want to speak to you again!" Nymphadora cried
She went over and help Charlie to his feet. She gave Sirius a fierce look. Sirius slide his sword into its sheath and left. His breath was trembling and his legs were shaking. He would never forget the look in his cousin's eyes when she looked at him. She would speak to him again, never come over just to play chess. He felt horrible.
Remus sat under a tree reading a thick potions book. He was reading the book so intently that he didn't notice Hermione walking up to him.
"Good morning, Uncle Moony." She said softly
Remus jump.
"Morning Hermione. How are you enjoying you stay?" Remus asked as he folded the corner of his book
"It's wonderful! I've even made two friends." Hermione said sitting down next to him.
"Really? Who are they?"
"Do remember the knights that the captain snapped at when I first got here?" Hermione said shyly
"Ah, yes. Harry and Ron are very good people." Remus said thoughtfully. "Not the brightest people, but good none the less."
Hermione giggled. Remus always knew just what to say to make her laugh. Thunder roared quickly followed by a crack of lighting. Hermione screamed
She jumped up and followed Harry and Ron into the castle. Harry threw his jacket over her head and Ron his cloak. Remus smile as he saw the look of worry on their faces. Sirius came running. He forced Remus to his feet and help his friend into the castle. Remus's twin, Romulus, met them at the archway and pulled his brother into the warmth. They grinned at one another.