Bones of Death

by foxylittlelady

James was visited by a Druid who gave him a gift, a promise and a prophecy. He, and three others, would see Peace. After the Final Battle, she fulfills that promise. Now, four twenty-year-olds out of Time need to figure out where they fit in this new time, while coming to grips with the fact that the Peace they are now enjoying was won by a baby they had sworn and failed to protect

9. New Beginnings

A/N Heading down the back of the hill that is this story! Thank you to everyone that reads and reviews/comments and All That Jazz, it means a great deal to me. I added a chapter end number (18), but it may end before I reach it. I can say with confidence that it will not go passed it.

Please forgive any grammar or spelling mistakes, I am working on this all alone and things will fall through. That being said, if you find something that is truly bothersome, feel free to let me know.

Without further ado, chapter 9!

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A small Black property along the coast, 19 June, 1999

Draco arrived next to Harry and pulled away from him eyes wide with a mix of uncertainty and fear. Harry had not anticipated the fear. He knew Draco would be surprised by their sudden departure from Hogwarts, but it never crossed his mind that the Pureblood would be scared, especially of him. Draco had backed as far away from him as possible, wand in hand. While Harry was lost in Draco's panicked expression. Draco's grey eyes were wide and blow open with adrenaline. Harry put his hands up in surrender; face turning a deep red in embarrassment, trying to think of something to explain the situation without giving away the surprise party. Harry had never wanted to scare the pureblood. There had been enough fear during the war and well before it.

"Malfoy..." Draco cut him off with a well-placed combo of a stinging hex and leg-locking jinx, sending Harry into a pained groan. Harry curled into himself, fighting the urge to pull his own wand and defend himself. The last thing he wanted was to make it worse. "God damn it Draco, I'm not going to hurt you." Draco took a few more steps away, his eyes wild and unfocused. Harry knew he was likely somewhere else. It happened to him during the summer after the war and even now from time to time; having his family back and more stability had helped with it a great deal.

"Where did you almost kill me sixth year?" The question was blurted out, making Harry realize that Draco thought he was an imposter. Harry would have attacked and asked questions later as well. He would never begrudge the need to defend oneself. Harry pulled out his wand slowly and dropped it, raising his hands, hoping that would release some of the tension in the air. His wand hit the ground with a crack, and Draco watched it fall, his shoulders relaxing a bit at the sight.

"Moaning Myrtle's lavatory." Harry let his arms sagged in defeat, the memory of almost committing murder because of his own stupidity, still haunting him. If he had listened to Hermione and just gotten rid of the book earlier. The Come and Go room would have given him a place to hide it regardless. "I'm sorry... I didn't think about what this all might look like to you." Harry had been looking at the ground, but stole a glance at the other male sharing the space. Draco had lowered his wand, but was still breathing rapidly. He ran his hand though his hair, trying to bring his heart rate down. Harry felt the guilt rise up from his stomach turning it. He remembered the war and knew that he saw little of what the Malfoy Heir encountered, living with the Death Eaters in his home.

Harry approached Draco slowly, hands up in submission and his wand abandoned on the floor. He wanted to help him as much as he could. Draco turned his still panicking eyes on Harry, his breath evening out slowly, but his chest was still heaving. Harry recognized a panic attack. He had witnessed plenty while rebuilding Hogwarts, as well as, had many of his own. He remembered what Hermione would do when she'd find him curled into a ball at Grimmauld in the middle of one. Slowly he placed a soft cautious hand on Draco's shoulder, allowing the time to pull away if he wished to. Guiding the other man into his arms, Harry tugged him into the crook of his shoulder and neck. Harry kept his grip light, giving Draco plenty of moments to pull away if he needed it. Instead, he buried his face into Harry neck, arms wrapping around him in return.

He fought a shiver as Draco's breath left warm little puffs against his exposed skin. Harry kept one hand loosely around his shoulders, while he used his other hand to run soothing touches against the panicked man's back; small light circles, just like Hermione would do for him. Harry did his best to ignore the wetness that touched his skin and was absorbed by his robes from Draco's tears of relief.

"I'm sorry. It was horrible of me..." Draco chuckled lightly at Harry self-deprecating apology. They stood like that for several minutes until Draco got his breathing under control. Harry let him pull away and did his best to appear nonjudgmental. He knew the struggle of dealing with the horror of knowing that he was not always in complete control, and for someone like Draco where that likely would have ended with death or torture; it had to be much worse.

"There's... Umm a lot of people waiting?" Harry did not want to spoil the party, but did not want Draco to be caught in another situation that would possibly trigger an attack. Draco let out a shaky laugh, wrapping his arms around himself in a moment of self-comfort. He took another moment, centering him and likely putting up mental walls. Harry had never been very good an Occlumency, but Blacks were known for it. Or at least they used to be. Sirius had mentioned once, that his grandfather Arcturus Black was the last Black male to really possess the talent, even though they were all trained in it. Narcissa, Harry assumed, had taught Draco. Whether or not she was talented he didn't know.

"Familiar people?" Draco's voice was soft, clearly uncomfortable. Harry fought done the smile trying to brighten his face at the question. Harry never would have thought the time would come where Draco Malfoy would allow himself to be laid bare for him.

"Yeah." Harry moved close to him again, offering him a hand. Draco took in a deep breath and grabbed it. "If you need an escape, just let me know." Draco nodded at Harry's offer, gathering himself enough to hide the breakdown. Harry final allowed himself to smile, before going to retrieve his wand. Harry had placed it back into the holster on his arm when Draco shuffled, drawing his attention.

"Don't... don't tell Mother. She'll only worry." Draco looked at the floor, refusing to look at Harry's face at his request. Harry knew that struggle as well. He wondered how much more they shared.

"I won't." Draco stole a glance and bit his lip at the determination on Harry's face. "I'm here if you need it." They shared a look of understanding, both boys were forced into manhood and carried weight that far exceeded what they should have been carrying; Harry the weight of the world, and Draco the weight of expectations. He had done everything he could to survive and protect his family. Harry had not been much different.

"Thank you, Potter." Draco was trying to look confident, but there were obvious cracks. Harry wondered if there was a way he could help his fellow young man.

"Harry." Harry smiled at him, and Draco's cheek tinted pink. Harry decided to take a page out of Hermione's book, and start their new possible friendship the same way, with a first name.

"Harry." Draco gripped his hand a little tighter repeating the name back at him. He looked away, as they started toward the door. "Since you already seem to be using it, Draco is acceptable." Harry laughed, tugging him close to bump their shoulders together good naturedly. Harry tried to act the way he would with anyone, trying to ignore the beating of his heart and nervousness sitting in his stomach, threating to turn it.

"Course... Course, thank you for permission." Harry bowed melodramatically while keeping their hands connected. Draco let out a hoity laugh, turning his head up in mock superiority. The two men let out easy laughter, both understanding the joke. "Alright, better now than never?" Harry tugged him toward the door, a large encouraging smile on his face. Harry hummed softly to himself; some melody Draco didn't know as they wandered through the house.

Harry felt a warmth in his chest at they walked hand in hand toward the ballroom that Andy and Narcissa prepared for the party. Harry stole glances at his companion, attempting to not be obvious with his observations. Draco had gained some weight back since the Battle for Hogwarts. Harry had barely enough thought for his own wellbeing, while dealing with so much grief and trauma. He had missed even the struggles of those closest to him. There was no surprise, to Harry, when he thought back and found little knowledge of the Malfoys after he defended them in court.

Draco had his hair cut short, a change from any Malfoy before him, who all tended to keep it long. Hermione had showed him a number of family trees at Grimmauld, hoping to draw Harry out of his grief by showing a different way he could still connect to his lost family. Harry pulled forward in his mind the little he remembered of what Hermione taught him, as well as what his father had since his return. The Malfoys were French originally and had not been in Britain for long, compared to the other Ancient and Noble Houses. They had only been here for five or six generations. The Potters had even been established longer. The Blacks were the oldest family and had given the Malfoys a great honor by allowing one of their daughters into the family.

Harry huffed with his lack of knowledge. He wished Hermione or James was here to explain it all to him. Sirius would likely be more informed than he was. He bit his lip thoughtfully, promising himself that he would pay greater attention to his father's lessons.

Harry did not want to be a Lord or deal with his fame. He wanted to disappear into the woodwork and let those who want to better the world, have a shot at it. He knew Hermione was going to be a force of nature, now that she graduated. Lord Potter had already expressed a great interest in having her apprentice under their family or help her find her own way. James knew the value in a fresh look, as well as new blood. Their ways needed to change, and those like Lily and Hermione were going to be the trailblazers for that change.

James had hinted more than once that he hoped Hermione would consent to joining their Family Magic. There were a number of ways those not of their line could join their Magic. Marriage was the most common, and as far James knew the only one used today. The others were a variety of adoptions as well as something similar to a Ward. Where they were made apart of their magic temporally, until such time as they married, or desired to leave. Harry thought of Hermione as family, and if placing her within the Potter Magic would help protect her, he'd do it without a second thought. He knew Hermione struggled with belonging, since her own parents were lost to her. She never bonded with the Weasleys like Harry did in his youth.

She'd have access to their vaults and properties, if the Potters were ever wiped out, she'd be able to inherit everything as well as pass on the Magic to her children.

The practice was utilized mostly by last members of Lineages, who were unable to, or had no desire to have their own children. It wouldn't pass the blood along, but the Magic would. James hinted that was why it fell out of practice a few hundred years ago. When blood started to become more important than the Magic in those Bloodlines. A few hundred years ago, keeping the Family magic alive mattered far more than it does today. Now, pureblood lines cared more for keeping bloodlines clean of new blood. James had explained that such a thing was not supported in practice. Lines that had at least one muggleborn or muggle tended to have powerful magic, but it was also different in subtle ways.

"Magic was like a finger print," Lily had tried to help explain, "and family magic has its own signature." She had smiled, "Your magic is a blend of mine and the Potters." James had nodded along sagely. "When two lines join, there are a few things that can happen. One line dominates the other, destroying it."

"That's what usually happens in pureblood marriages, currently." James had added.

"One is the primary while the other is more subtle and harder to identify." Lily had continued ignoring her Husband's interruption. "You usually see this when a weaker line marries a strong one. Like if Malfoy married Lavender." Harry had scoffed in disbelief. "That's not to say the weaker line is any less magically strong as anyone else. It's merely not as defined as other lines. Lavender is a pureblood, but her family never forced the marriage contracts that strip the wife or husband of their original family magic. Due to those contracts, people like the Malfoys have very specific family magic, and it is very easily identified." Lily had gone on to explain that family magic works very similarly to genetics; this was where she lost James. The more blended the less defined (strong) it was and harder to identify. Blended lines were more difficult to tie to specific wards or spells. But it was also harder to create things that targeted them specifically. While making a spell that locked in on a line like Malfoy would be much easier in comparison. "The last option is a perfect blend of the two lines. It's when both lines are defined and find a balance. That's what you have Harry; Potter magic and the new Evans's magic." The talk of bloodlines and family magic had Harry wondering when his future desires had changed.

Harry had wanted a family, and before the only real way to do that would have been to have children and start the Potters over again. He had always wanted the love that came along with having a family, and now he had it. It gave him a sense of completion that he was missing, and he found the desire to have a wife and children banished with it. He had his parents, his sister, Sirius, Remus and his family. Harry was happy, and that idea was novel to him.

He looked at Draco again, and wondered what he intended to do with his future. As the last of his Line, much like Harry had been, there would be pressure to marry and have children. Would he choose someone based on their blood? That left a nasty feeling in Harry's stomach. He wanted everyone to have the chance to find Love, or at least happiness. Hermione would argue left and right that Love of a partner was not the end all, be all of happy endings.

Draco ran his free hand through his short hair, giving it a messy look. Harry thought it was sort of cute when he wasn't scowling and being a git. The thought, widened Harry's eyes, and caused his hand gripping Draco's to tighten. Draco frowned and turned to him, stopping for a moment to cock his head in question. Harry cleared his throat, fighting down the blush at the realization that he found Draco Lucius Malfoy attractive. With a shake of his head, ridding himself of the thoughts, he smiled. Draco narrowed his eyes, as Harry tugged him toward door decorated in intricate designs depicting dancers in a clearing surrounded by trees and animals.

Neither man released the other's hand as Harry opened doors. Draco took a breath and headed in first, Harry right behind him, their hands tight.

"SURPISE!" Draco jumped at the decently sized crowd standing in the center of the overly large ballroom. Draco frowned, looked up and reading the sign congratulating him for graduating. He released Harry pulling his hands to his sides, trying to find his usually disinterested scowl. As Draco turned red, Harry started to laugh. Everyone taking the hint and converging on the man the party was for.

Draco quietly greeted everyone present and accepted their congratulations with a forced smile, hiding his discomfort. Harry stayed nearby, ready to enact his promise of an assisted escape. Draco had his arm held tightly by Narcissa, as if she knew he wanted to run for it. Harry smiled when Draco looked over at him with eyes filled with mocking pleas for freedom. There was also joy and humor reflecting back at him. Draco was pleased to be the center of positive attention for once. It was a welcome change.

"Harry," James placed a hand on his son's shoulder, following his gaze. "Have you seen Hermione or Sirius?" Harry shook his head. His smile turning into a frown as he moved his eyes to his father. James was alone, looking pensive. Lily had decided to stay home with Dorea, not ready to have her newborn around so many people she was not familiar with. There was still some talk of Death Eaters and possible retaliation. Kingsley had more than a few death threats, but so far it had come to nothing.

"Not since Hogwarts." Harry didn't feel uneasy, unlike when she vanished during Yule Break. He wondered what that could mean. Ron walked up to join the two Potters his face at ease, even as his eyes darted around the room.

"I saw her right before this, gave her the graduation present I got her." Ron frowned eyeing Draco with unease. "Feels odd celebrating the Dancing Ferret." Harry took in quick breath, and James tightened his hold on his shoulder. The alliance between the Blacks and the Potters required a certain level of respect for members of the other's family. Harry doubted Ron knew.

"Ron," James's voice was clear and filled with warning. "The Malfoy's are recognized by the Blacks as family. I know Arthur isn't the best at keeping up with traditions. However, as a part of our society, it is in your best interest to educate yourself." Ron turned red, glancing at Harry for support.

"I'm... did I do something wrong?" Ron's voice was starting to rise, and Harry moved to guide him out of the room, hoping to help him understand before he caused a scene. Ron had a good heart, but there were many things he had been able to get away with while at Hogwarts. Harry cursed silently to himself, knowing that he was, in part, at fault. He never tried checking Ron's behavior, nor anyone else's. He once again chastised himself for being self-centered.

"Harry, let me." James took his place, wrapping an arm around Ron's shoulders and lead him out of the crowded room. Harry let out a slow, uneasy breath. His father would give Ron a lesson he needed to learn if he wanted to rub elbows with those present. Harry found he had a bit of give when interacting himself, since he was still called the savior of the wizarding world. Ron would as well, at least for a little while; forgiveness would only go so far. James would get him to understand. Harry glanced around for Sirius and Hermione, remembering the reason James had initially approached him. Not finding them, he moved toward Neville, who was standing off to the side clearly waiting for the time it was polite to leave.

"Neville! Have you seen Sirius or Hermione?" Harry frowned as Neville blinked at him, confusion on his face. Neville answered with a shake of his head, running a free hand against his trousers. His glass was completely empty. Harry wondered if it ever had anything in it, or if Neville just carried it to blend it. The Longbottom Heir was not one to drink.

"Sorry Harry." Neville rubbed his hand against his forehead. "I've been a bit scattered." Harry watched his friend shift from foot to foot, eyes unfocused in thought.

"Everything alright?" Harry watched in concern as Neville seemed unable to exist in the moment.

"Just... something Winnie said... I can't figure out." He huffed in annoyance. "She never says anything useless, so it must mean something... but what?"

"What?" Harry wondered for a moment what the Druid could have said that had Neville so shaken. He had not interacted with her since the resurrection, but Hermione had mentioned how Winfred Potter acted less like an immortal Druid and more like a normal teenage girl. He doubted anything she said should be taken so seriously. "Umm, sorry Neville... I need to find Hermione." Neville's eyes widened in understanding, and he whipped his head around, looking at the room. He recalled Ginny telling him about her disappearance at Yule.

"I haven't seen either of them since graduation. She wandered off with Luna and Ginny, wanted to support her." Neville made a sound of disgust. "Mrs. Weasley never showed. Ginny was putting on a strong front, but she was hurting." Ginny and Luna had decided not to attend Draco's party. Mostly because they had a lot to do before Ginny took off to train with the Harpies, and Luna with her father to parts unknown to look for creatures no one else could see. Harry was going to miss the two wonderful women.

None of the other Weasleys were present, besides Ron. Harry was certain he only came because Harry invited him, and they were just starting to return to some form of friendship after his ugly break-up with Hermione.

"Think Sirius is with her somewhere? Like last time?" Harry let his thought out slowly, gazing around the room. He was surprised at the lack of panic, rather he felt calm about the whole thing. Slowly, he let his eyes move around the room, until he caught Draco's eye. The Malfoy Lordling was watching him as well. Harry fought down a blush, switching back to Neville who was watching the exchange with interest.

"Maybe." Neville stretched out his answer, raising his eyebrow in question. "I bet he just had something to give her. You said they were close?" Harry had not known how close they were until she had been the only one, he allowed to sooth his pain and fear. James had asked Harry about the relationship between them from before the Veil, but Harry didn't know of any. There were moments, when he thought about it, that were a bit unusual, but nothing that would give rise to anyone suspecting anything besides a mild friendship at best. He'd see them in the library, Sirius as the Grim, laying on a rug near Hermione's feet while she read. Every once in a while, she reached down and stroke his fur.

"Yeah." Harry felt a peg of uncertainty. He wondered what happened between Hermione and his Godfather to create such a lasting connection. He knew that he had been a little shit during the small amount of time he had with his Godfather, so wrapped up in his own problems to spend time with the only family he had. Harry knew that if Sirius hadn't returned Harry would have regretted his decisions regarding his Godfather for the rest of his life.

"Hermione's a bit rough around the edges, but she really cares about people." Neville started speaking again. "I bet she was there for him and him for her." Neville smiled cheekily. "You and Ron weren't always the nicest." He laughed, drawing a few eyes. "Again, she wasn't one to bend either." they shared a moment of silence, as Sirius walked into the room, escorting Hermione who was smiling brightly on his arm. Harry frowned, while Neville gasped. "Fuck me." He took in a deep breath and before Harry could ask, dashed into the crowd.

Harry took another breath, finding a moment to gather himself. He was happy Hermione and Sirius were alright, but he wondered where they went off to. Harry had just gotten the energy to speak to them, when Draco came up behind him.

"Having fun Pott... Harry." Draco let his name dance softly on his tongue, as if he was afraid to say it. Harry felt the warmth in his stomach returning with a vengeance. Harry tried to ignore how close they were, and how Draco smelled like broom polish. There was a touch of Firewhiskey on his breath. Harry blushed when he realized they were close enough for him to smell the other male. "Alright there?" Draco added when Harry had taken to staring into his molten grey eyes, instead of speaking.

"Yeah." Harry tried to gather himself and was failing miserably. He had never done a good job dealing with his emotions. "Just... um wondering where Hermione and Sirius came from." He was proud of himself for not stumbling over his words, as he felt his face heat up and his heart pumping like he was running from the Basilisk. Draco followed his eye to the two late arrivals. They had moved away from each other, but their eyes were continuing to find the other again and again. Draco and Harry watched them for several minutes, before Draco bumped their shoulders together lightly and gestured toward the bar.

"Let them be. She'll tell you when she wants to and not a moment sooner." Draco smiled, and Harry took in a sharp breath, hoping he could blame having too much to drink. "Learned that this year." Draco grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him over the bar, ordering them both butterbeer, before finding a seat. Harry was very thankful for the table covering his lap. "I bet he asked her to move into Grimmauld." Draco was watching Hermione, returning to the conversation from before. Harry took Draco's distraction as an opportunity to admire the sharp chiseled shape of his nose and jaw. The question not translating in his mind; Harry heard himself sigh with affection in response. He jumped up and ran from the room, making excuses under his breath. He needed to get out of there, before he did something impulsive and stupid, like kiss Draco Malfoy. Harry cleared the space in record time and slipped out of the door that led to the Apparation point.

"Harry? You alright?" Remus was standing in the hall adjacent to the ballroom. Teddy was making a fuss in his arms. The baby was just over a year old and clearly unhappy about something. Harry reached for his Godson, pleased when the baby stopped fussing for him. Teddy took a fist full of his wild black hair and giggling. His upset forgotten.

"I'm... I'm alright. Just needed to get out of there." Harry answered Remus's question, arms full of Teddy. "Bit busy for me." Remus nodded in agreement.

"I still have some trouble with crowds." Remus touch Teddy's cheek, a soft smile on his face. "I go back to the packs." He shrugged off the memory. "It was the same during the first war. At least this time it's more nightmares. Not so much Panic attacks." Remus smiled at the young Potter. Harry watched enraptured by the werewolf. He had yet to tell anyone about how his memories were returning. "We're not alone this time." Remus was watching Harry with kind, understanding eyes. Harry gasped realizing Remus thought he had been panicking.

"NO!" He almost screamed, startling Teddy. "Sorry Teddy Bear." Harry cuddled the baby for a few moments, until he settled, then turned back to Remus. "I was... ummm... running from a newly discovered... crush." Harry surprised himself with his honesty and found himself unable to stop. "I just realized that he's very pretty and soft and smart... and I..." Harry felt his face flush. "Please don't tell anyone..." He huffed out a pained sigh.

"Your secrets are safe with me." Harry looked back up at Remus, finding the expression he recognized from the Older Remus. He was proud of him, but thought he was foolish. "Though, I think you should tell him." Harry tensed, but kept his voice silent as Teddy had dozed off on his shoulder.

"I couldn't." Harry took in a breath, handing the baby back. "Where's Lavender?" He looked around for the Gryffindor.

"She wasn't feeling very well." Remus settled Teddy in his arms. "She threw up at Hogwarts, and I talked her into going home. I'm headed to check in." Harry nodded.

"I'm happy for you." Harry watched Remus's face light up.

"She's a spitfire." Remus laughed, while shaking his head slowly. "I never thought I'd be able to have this." He touched Teddy's back, an expression of endless love on his face. "Dora would have liked her, I think." Harry nodded in agreement. He knew Tonks had loved Remus and would want him to be happy, with or without her.

"She'd want you to be happy."

"My wolf likes her." Remus blurted out, his face flushing. "I mean." He laughed awkwardly. "Sorry... that's just been... eating at me." Harry tipped his head, encouraging him to continue. "It just doesn't usually like others." He took a shaky breath. "It doesn't dislike people... just doesn't care... It surprised me how much it likes her." The unasked question of whether the wolf had liked Tonks, hung between them. Harry didn't have the conviction to ask.

With the moment gone, Remus waved a light goodbye to Harry, taking Teddy to the Floo. Harry realized he never asked Hermione to explain how Floo travel and other such things differed in their effects on babies. With that thought, Harry followed behind him, hoping to beat everyone home, so he could hide in his room brooding.

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12 Grimmauld Place, 20 June 1999

Sirius Black would never have guessed in the whole of his memory that he would one day be curled possessively around a woman, who he willingly and lovingly called his wife. He was the constant rebel, the forever bachelor, and that was not supposed to change. But it had. He had wondered at the woman standing toe to toe with him in the clearing of his resurrection and that of his friends. He had been angry in the moment, having remembered the feeling of Death wrapping around him like a drape. He was cold from the moment he awoke until her fist had collided with his face. At that point it was like fire had exploded in his stomach and spread like uncontrolled Fiendfyre. The chaos of the clearing, had the feeling pushed back into his mind, still there, but momentarily forgotten.

Then the nightmares started. His memories were overwhelming, but simple. He was in a cold dark place, alone with creatures that ate away at everything he was. Who he was became background noise to the need for escape. The one thought keeping him going was, the knowledge that he was not guilty of what he had been imprisoned for. He'd awaken dripping in sweat, while freezing inside. Those moments were when the fire burned from within and made itself known. An endless heat that would remind him he wasn't alone. As he'd became aware more and more of his room, the warmth would retreat; its job done, but ready to burn away his fear again.

He never knew what it was. What drove the fire to keep the worst of the cold back. He knew it wasn't his. He could never have created something so fearsome in its resolve as that fire. He was an angry man. A fire of revenge and hatred was everything he knew himself capable of. Yet, that heat was something loving, caring, filled with such devotion he was at a loss as to what to do with it. The warmth knew. It was more aware of who he was, who he had become then Sirius had been. He had been anger and revenge wrapped in a carefully crafted blanket of love for his friends and Godson. Now there was something else burning at his center.

He realized after she wrapped him up in her arms, soothed his ache and waking dreams with her soft caring touch and calm voice. He didn't dream with his arms holding her close, her smell suffocating in its balming effect. He knew she had to be more. He just had to remember, and he did. Little by little, moments of care, of love, echoed through his cold, angry vengeful dreams filling him up with the warmth of the fire she had helped him start in his heart. Hermione. He had wanted her; he wanted to protect her, to love her, to be there for her. The Sirius Black that had fallen through the veil, stoked the fire in the current Sirius's heart. He had given her everything, wanted to give her more, but knew that in the past, he couldn't.

Sirius tighten his grip on Hermione, both curled around each other in his bed, that he hoped would be their bed from this moment on. He couldn't forget the surprise and anxiety when she showed him the ring, his family's ring. He had tried to deny what it could mean even as he found himself preparing his home for her. Their home, he hoped. She shifted stirring from her sleep. They had spent the whole night, trying to hide their new status while moving around Draco's party. Hermione wanted to wait until she understood what it all meant. While Sirius was pleased, she had accepted the reality of their situation easily enough. He had barely been able to contain himself, as their lips pressed into each other and hands wandered. He was certain that if Hermione had not reminded him of Draco's graduation party, they likely would not have left Grimmauld for several days. He wanted to learn everything he could about her.

"Sirius?" Hermione opened her eyes and looked up at him with them half-hooded, still partially asleep. She mumbled something about the time, before burrowing deeper into his chest. Sirius was quite happy to remain where he was, arms wrapped around his wife. The thought brought a smile to his face. He sighed sinking deeper into their bed, happy to let her fall back to sleep. Yesterday had been before this, and he was not going to relive it. She had hidden her ring with magic and moved around the party as unattached as before. No one knew that they were bound together by love and magic. Sirius wanted to trumpet from the rooftops, but he tempered his desires. It could all wait until she was ready.

She would stay in Grimmauld with him as his wife, and everything else could wait. He wanted this moment, the first moment he'd awaken with her in his arms knowing that she was staying there, to last forever. Hermione turned in his arms, eyes opened fully and an easy smile on her face. Sirius offered her his own smile.

They had shared a bed more than once since meeting at Hogwarts her third year. She had sought comfort from his older self, and Padfoot craved her touch. They had found a balance in their friendship that formed the foundation of something more. She'd fight with her friends, the Weasleys, and even Sirius or Remus, and still, she'd seek out Sirius's ear. They'd have a fight about Kreacher or something else, and she'd hide in the library. He'd find her as Padfoot, and whine and cry until she'd laugh at him, wrapping her fingers in his fur. Often, he'd be sleeping on the rug by a lit hearth, and Hermione would be nearby reading, watching waiting for a nightmare to appear so she could ease it away.

The older Sirius had been careful with expressing his affection. If he had drawn the attention of anyone to the feelings he knew were growing, the fallout would have resulted in her never being allowed near him. Sirius knew that Hermione would have found a way, regardless. She had access to the ward, like no one besides him. She could have banished the whole lot out of their home if she wanted to. Molly would not be able to force Hermione to abandoned her friendship with the old Sirius, but he hadn't wanted to cause trouble for the young girl. She was too young, he had told himself, to really understand what he felt for her.

The ring had proven that Sirius wrong. Magic would not have started to bind them together if their love for each other was misguided or anything but pure. That moment, was the first and only time, Sirius was happy he died. He was closer to her in age, and no one could raise a fuss. It had been hard for him to accept, that he had not even considered that by dying he allowed Lily and James another chance at life.

Sirius ran his fingers lightly through Hermione's curls, undoing a knot when his finger caught. He felt the warmth she had created with the old Sirius and smiled. They may have created it, but Hermione and he had stoked it to the point it was. She was his wife, and he was her husband. Her hair was a wild mess, and Sirius hoped that if they had children, every single one would have those untempered curls. Hermione stayed still, content to let Sirius slowly unknot her hair with a smile on her face. She turned her head as he worked along, gingerly clearing the tangles. Once he finished, she let out a deep sigh as he massaged her scalp to ease the light pain from his unintended pulling.

"Are you hungry, Kitten?" Hermione snorted at the old nickname and with a light blush asked him why he used it. She had wondered back during school, taking the name as an insult. She assumed that he was making fun of her small stature and the fact that she would not back down from an argument. However, after learning that Sirius Black had loved her even before he fell through the Veil, there was likely more to it. Sirius smirked at her, leaning in close before planting a soft kiss on her temple. She flushed as he pulled away, eyes filled with nothing but love.

"You're small, adorable, and fierce." He tucked a curl behind her ear, as he sat up, preparing to get out of bed. "Plus, you have an instinct for mischief... but rarely get caught." Hermione huffed, not sure whether to be pleased or annoyed. Sirius barked out a laugh at her expression before disappearing into the ensuite to the master bedroom. Hermione took in the large bedroom, before leaving the warm bed.

The room was larger than any bedroom Hermione had ever stayed it, which was saying a lot since, the dorm rooms at Hogwarts were large enough for as many as a dozen residents, and her room at Potter Palace was even bigger than that. The walls were a deep red with a light gold detailing. The gold swirled and twisted in the red walls, making them shiny and seem almost alive. Hermione knew that Sirius likely wanted the room to have a more Gryffindor common room feel. She wondered if he would be opposed to adding some blues in, and promised herself to speak to him about it. Since they were married, and he had asked her to stay with him, there was a reasonable chance he'd let her decorate. The furniture was antique dark stained wood, which she loved. Hermione never went for the more modern feel that her parents had loved so much.

There was a small, by her standard, bookshelf, that was completely empty. On either side of it were comfy looking wingbacks, red fabric with gold and silver inlays around the edges. At the base of the bed sat her Hogwarts trunk, exactly as it looked, last time she saw it. The floor was a lighter wood, compared to the furniture and had one large rug mostly under the bed, laying upon it. The rug had a scene of some sort on it, that she couldn't make out.

"Love, did you want a shower?" Sirius entered the room, towel drying his hair slowly. Hermione knew that the marauder had curls, not the full tight ones she possessed, but looser ringlets. Hermione had learned this year from Lavender how to properly care for her hair, and the first step was to towel dry with very light touches. Sirius seemed to already have that knowledge. He was wearing a pair of dark denims, that hugged his legs tightly. His shirt was thrown over his shoulder. Hermione took a moment to admire his form before she nodded to his question and slipped out the warm bed and set her bare feet on the floor. The rug poked out a good foot and a half under the bed, and thus she didn't immediately step onto what she imagined was cold wood.

She paused in front of him, tipping her head up to see his grey eyes. They were swirling with warmth and emotion. Hermione didn't know if she'd ever get used to the way he openly looked at her now. She was used to the affection, but the obvious love was new. She now recognized little bits of it that had leaked out of the old Sirius's eyes before the Veil. Sirius let the towel fall, bringing his hands to her hips and pulled her forward. Hermione broke into a smile at the intimate gesture, letting her own hands touch his bare chest; an action she never let herself do before. She started tracing the tattoos, knowing all of them. The old Sirius was not shy about misplacing his shirt. He'd tell her stories about them sometimes.

"Kitten." Hermione looked up at his voice and bit her lip at the expression clearly on his face. She brought her hand to his cheek and guided him down, sighing into the gentle kiss he pressed into her lips. They stood like that lost in the sweetness of their newly acknowledged love. Sirius pulled away first, pressing their foreheads together, and letting out a puff of air. He was ridiculously happy. "I'll see you after you get ready." He planted one last kiss on her lips, before headed out of the door.

Hermione couldn't move immediately, drunk on the feelings he stirred in her heart. Her mind was quiet, a feat to be sure. With a longing glance at the closed door, she moved into the ensuite. The room was stone, which surprised her. There was a sublevel bath, that she easily could fit both herself and Sirius into. The sinks were dug into the wall, sitting in the alcoves. There were chucks carved out of the stone to make shelves, and the walls around the sinks had a few more. Hermione noticed her tooth brush and other toiletries already present in some of the shelves by a sink. There were towels folded on a shelf near the exited toward her room. There was a small door just off the sinks, that she hoped housed a toilet. The shower was opposite the tub, with nothing separating it from the rest of the room.

Hermione's first thought was how ridiculous everything was. She felt like she was living in a castle rather than a townhouse that Grimmauld appeared as on the outside. She mumbled to herself of the extravagance and how unnecessary it all was. Two people did not need this much space. The bathroom alone was bigger than her parent's bedroom from her childhood. Still as she sank into the tub that seemed to keep the perfect temperature, she thought she would likely find getting used to it, easy enough.

Hermione wandered downstairs to the kitchen after a very long luxurious soak. She half expected Sirius to barge in to make sure she had not drowned. Hermione was still deciding whether she would have welcomed the intrusion or not, as she spotted the object of her thoughts. Sirius had his shirt on, a basic white long sleeve with half the buttons open. He was standing over the stove, a frying pan cooking something that smelled of sugar.

Pancakes

Hermione gasped that the sheer sight of what she thought to be domestic bliss. Sirius looked right at home, and Hermione was enjoying the view. Sirius looked over his shoulder at her, eyes molten, as if he could hear her thoughts. Hermione looked away and decided to take the kitchen in to distract herself. The kitchen looked similar to before but much clearer. There was a small table off to one side of the pantry that wasn't there before, and the pots and pans looked new. The stove still looked ancient, but much better cared for.

"Hungry?" Hermione turned back to her husband, who had a large plate filled with pancakes in his hands and a wicked smile on his lips. Hermione's mouth watered, while she nodded her head. Turning to the little table that was set for two.

They had each a few pancakes, simply enjoying the silence and togetherness of the morning. Hermione thought it odd that even though they were married, it still felt like a shy courtship. Sirius would brush his fingers against her cheek, to bump her foot with his. She's smile shyly up at him through her lashes. They were quite a sight, she was sure, and yet, it all felt natural and loving. Hermione knew that even many years from now, he'd still look at her like she hung the moon, and he'd be her brightest star. But there was world outside their little breakfast nook, and it wouldn't wait forever.

Hermione still had to decide what to do for her next step in life. She knew that she would start a family with Sirius if he wanted. She could picture black curly haired children running underfoot, making faces of disgust as Sirius melted her with his molten grey eyes. How embarrassed they be, when even at the platform 9 ¾, Hermione would still have an arm around Sirius waist. The future she imagined was a very good one. One she never saw with Ron. It was strange to look back now and really see how misguided it had all been. Ron would never be able to match her knowledge.

While he had his own strengths, she'd never trust him to understand what she was saying. She'd have carried the bulk of the weight in their relationship. She wondered how she had fooled herself into thinking that being a wife meant being the boss. Maybe that had been what little Hermione needed, to not be questions and have it her way. Not now, Hermione scoffed at the idea of having a family like the Weasleys. They were wonderful in their own way. A house filled with love, but that wasn't for her. She needed something else; an equal to challenge her, support her, and most of all listen and understand. Maybe Ron could have been that someday, but she was happy she didn't have to wait.

Sirius watched Hermione's face dance between marital bliss, annoyance and back again. He wanted to asked her what was on her mind, but knew that it was likely something she'd have to work through on her own. Hermione never hesitated to ask him for anything that she needed, whether it was a silent ear, a differing opinion, or a warm embrace. Until then he was content to wait for her.

"How... When should we..." Hermione waved her hands about her, trying to think of a good way to ask. "When should we tell everyone, about us?" Sirius looked up, having asked himself that question dozens of times, while lying awake admiring the witch sleeping next to him. He had never felt more at peace than last night. "Should we bring everyone here? Have an announcement?" Sirius puckered his lips, Merlin he did not want to think about this. James would attack him, he was certain. Hermione had become James's pseudo daughter, and Lord Potter was protective of his family.

That didn't even take into account how Remus and Harry would react. Sirius glanced at Hermione who was watching him with worry filled eyes. Sirius smiled, warmth burning away his doubt. He would fight the whole world if it meant she would stay by his side.

"I haven't shown anyone Grimmauld... maybe we can have something like a housewarming. Invite everyone over?" Sirius's voice was far more confident than he felt. He knew, hoped that once everyone saw the house and how serious he was taking the new state of things, perhaps they wouldn't react as badly as he was imagining.

"That's a great idea!" Hermione started rattling off idea after idea, making Sirius's head spin. He nodded along taking mental notes where he needed to and when she took a breath, he spoke.

"I'll head to the ministry tomorrow and get all the paperwork to register our marriage." He licked his lips. "And pop over to the owlery, see if the Quibbler would like to make our announcement after the party." He took a breath missing the look of amazement on Hermione's face. "Did you have a preference on invitations? Or would you be alright if I got some general ones and we just fill them out." He slowed his speech and looked at her open mouth and gaze burning into his skin. "Hermione? Alright Love?"

"You... you listened." Her voice was breathy, filled with emotion. He had not only listened, but immediately started taking some of the responsibilities on himself, without her having to ask. Hermione pushed her chair out and with her hands one each cheek kissed him hard. He returned it with just as much enthusiasm, ignoring his confusion. He pressed his hands into her waist, easing her into his lap. "I love you." She whispered against his lips, kissing him again. Sirius hummed in approval, letting the moment run its course.

Hermione stood after a few minutes of snogging, face red at having let her emotions drive her to act without thinking. Sirius had a smug, thoroughly kissed look on his face. She tried to regain herself by taking her original seat. Her eyes were hooded watching him bite his lip while looking at her with an expression that could only be called a smolder.

"So... umm... the invitations. Any would work, I'd think." Hermione fought down her blush. "Did Regulus return to Potter Palace?" The dark colored owl had been the only way for Hermione to communicate with Sirius and Harry over the school year. He just seemed to appear when she needed him, and not a moment before or after. Sirius nodded. They continued to plan their house warming party, eyes stealing loving looks and fingers entwined on the table.

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A/n YAY! Sirius and Hermione sweetness. They are pretty secure in their relationship, which is great, because I can think of a few people that will have words. How does everyone feel about tags/warning before it's relevant? I don't want to spoil anything, but some people like to know things beforehand.