Chapter 8
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February 8th 1991
It has been almost five months since Hermione's birthday and ever since Hermione has been becoming even more excited about the fact that she will be starting Hogwarts in September.
It is a Friday night and Remus and Hermione are having a movie night, something which they do quite often as Remus has always loved muggle movies and he wants Hermione to love them too, though they quiet often avoid the ones involving magic as they are usually very inaccurate which neither Hermione or Remus like very much.
As they watch the movie Hermione sits on the floor while Remus is sitting on the couch, Hermione is trying to figure out something that she has been wondering about for a while.
Drawing on her courage Hermione decides to just ask her question, "Papa, do you think you'll ever have a relationship with anyone else?" Hermione asks curious, bracing herself for her father's reaction.
Hearing the question Remus is pretty sure that surprise that doesn't cover what he is feeling and so he pauses the movie, "Why do you ask that, Hermione?" Remus asks his daughter.
"I don't want you to be alone." Hermione admits, "I know you have me and Minerva, and Emma and Dan and even Albus, Neville and Augusta in your life but it's not the same." Hermione explains to her father, "I start Hogwarts in September and I don't like to think about you being alone." She explains.
"Oh Hermione, you need to stop worrying about me so much." Remus says, moving so that he is sitting next to his daughter on the floor, "I'm going to miss you when you're gone, so much; but I'll be okay. I promise." He says as while he thinks it will be hard, he knows he will be okay.
"Really?" Hermione asks, looking doubtful.
"Really." Remus confirms, "Now, as for your question. No, I won't ever have a relationship with everyone else." Remus explains to his daughter.
"Why not?" Hermione asks, frowning as she doesn't want to think about her Papa being alone forever.
"What your Dad and I had was special, and very rare." Remus reveals, doing his best to ignore the pain in his heart as he talks about Sirius, "Being a werewolf changed things about me, and being wizards made our relationship different." Remus reveals and then takes a deep breath before explaining the part, "Sirius is my mate. In the wizarding word that means we're legally and magically married, but, werewolves, werewolves mate for life. We only have one mate in our lifetime once our bond has been formed, Sirius is mine." Remus reveals, "My wolf side would never accept me being with anyone else, and, truthfully, I don't want to be with anyone else." Remus explains to his daughter as not long after Sirius went to Azkaban he accepted, and became okay, with the fact that he'll never be with anyone else.
"Oh." Hermione says, not sure how to respond to that, "Did Dad know that?" Hermione asks, feeling anger at Sirius at that because if he did know how could he do what he did knowing that he would leave Remus alone, especially if he loved him as much as Remus loves him.
"He did." Remus confirms, "When our relationship became serious we both knew what it would mean, and we were okay with that." Remus tells his daughter.
"Okay." Hermione says with a nod and then realises something, "I don't think you've ever told me how you and Dad became a couple. I know you were friends for a long time, but you never said how you became a couple." Hermione says, realising that she is curious about that.
"It was my seventeenth birthday." Remus reveals, "Our friendship had been rocky for months, we weren't on the best terms." Remus explains, and at that Hermione gives him a questioning look, "That's a story for another time." Remus says, knowing that now isn't the time to get into the willow incident, "Dad and Uncle James had… well, broke school rules and snuck of to Hogsmeade to get a few things while Peter distracted me so I wouldn't ask where they were."
"Really?" Hermione asks, "They snuck out?" Hermione asks, not sure whether to be disapproving or amused.
"Yes, they did." Remus confirms, "They organized a party in the Gryffindor common room, one that Minerva shut down when it started to get out of control." Remus says, not being able to help but smile as it was an amazing time, "As your Uncle James was getting in trouble Dad grabbed my hand and brought me upstairs, so neither of us would get in trouble. He apologised for how things had been between us, and apologised for what lead to things being rocky." Remus explains, "He then took my hand and told me that for a long time he's liked me as more than a friend and then he kissed me." Remus explains a sad, but fond, smile on his face, "It was an incredible kiss and we had our first date the next weekend."
"That sounds nice." Hermione says with a smile.
"It was." Remus admits, his voice becoming sad as he talks in the past tense. As she can hear the pain in her Papa's voice Hermione leans over and rests her head on her Papa's shoulder, wanting to help her Papa with his pain. As Hermione does that Remus puts his arm around his daughter, both of them thinking about the same thing, Sirius and the gap in both of their lives where he should be.
July 1st 1991
It has been almost five months since Hermione asked Remus whether he'd ever be in a relationship with anyone else and since then Remus has found himself answering his daughter's questions, more than once, about his and Sirius's relationship. Even though she doesn't want to cause Remus more pain Hermine can't help but be curious and her Dad and Papa's relationship what they once had so she finds herself asking, though she is sure not to ask a lot of questions in one go.
It is a Wednesday Monday morning and Remus and Hermione are sitting in the kitchen having breakfast. As he goes to get more food of the stove Remus notices something coming towards the window and right away he realises what it is.
"Mione you might want to open the window." Remus tells his daughter, for a few seconds Hermione is confused then her eyes widen and she realises what that means.
"Do you mean what I think you mean?" Hermione asks, looking excited.
"Well there is an owl coming, and it's not Omega." Remus says, referring to the barn owl that Hagrid gave him and Hermione for Christmas two years ago because he found him hurt, and after rehabilitating the creature, felt it would make a good companion to them.
Looking excited Hermione runs over to the window and opens it, just as an owl flies in, drops letter on the table and then flies out.
Walking over to the table Hermione finds a letter written in emerald ink on parchment sitting on the table,
"Hermione Jean Hope Lupin-Black." Hermione reads and she picks up the letter, turning it over to see the Hogwarts seal on the back, "It's my letter, Papa! It's finally here." Hermione says, sounding excited as Remus walks over to his daughter.
"So it is." Remus says with a smile, as he places his hand on his daughter's shoulder, "Are you going to open it?" Remus asks his daughter, smiling proudly at her.
"Yes." Hermione says opening the letter and once she opens it Hermione starts to read it out loud,
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Lupin-Black,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"I'm going to Hogwarts Papa!" Hermione says, once she finishes reading the letter with a smile on her face.
"Yeah, you are." Remus says, smiling back at her and hugging his daughter, trying to ignore how much he wishes Sirius was with them to see their daughter get her letter, "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too, Papa." Hermione responds, "Can I write back my acceptance?" Hermione asks.
"Sure. We can send it back with Omega when he gets back from hunting." Remus explains, being pretty sure that from his calculations that should be soon.
"Yay! I wonder if Nev's gotten his yet." Hermione says as she runs out of the room. As he watches his daughter go Remus smiles to himself, glad that his daughter is really going to experience the place that he loved so much, but at the same time it makes him sad when he thinks about fast his daughter is growing up.
July 15th 1991
It has been two weeks since Hermione received her Hogwarts letter and ever since she has been talking constantly about going to Hogwarts and what it is going to be like.
It is a Monday night and Remus along with Minerva and Albus are in the living room at Hermione and Remus's house, the three of them having their traditional start of summer drink.
"Hermione's so excited. I don't think she's stopped talking about Hogwarts since she got her letter." Remus reveals, a smile on his face.
"And how are you handling everything?" Minerva asks her friend.
"I'm so happy for her, but I am going to miss her." Remus admits, knowing that, as he takes a drink of his drink, "And I'm worried that…." Remus tarts to say before trailing off.
"People are going to react badly to Hermione once they realise who her other father is." Albus says, realising that as he's been thinking about that same thing.
"Yes." Remus confirms, "I'm worried that being a Lupin-Black, people knowing that Sirius and I are her fathers, is going to make her time at Hogwarts harder. I worry that she's not going to be able to enjoy herself or even study in the way she should be able to because of that." Remus says, being worried about how his daughter is going to be treated at Hogwarts because of who her fathers are.
"There's a chance." Minerva confirms.
"I wish there was a way to protect her from it." Remus explains as all he ever wants to do is protect his daughter.
"There might be." Albus says, causing Remus and Minerva to look at him, "Hermione could go by another last name. I can arrange it. Some of the staff will know the truth, but not the students or parents." Albus tells Remus.
"You'd allow that for her?" Remus asks, being glad by the offer but at the same time he's not sure how he feels about Hermione going by another name, though he knows it will protect her.
"I would." Albus says, "Of course it would be your choice, and Hermione would have to be willing, but it's an option." He says.
"I'll think about it. Talk to Hermione." Albus tells Remus, "And let me know the decision you come to."
"I will." Remus says and the three old friends drift into silence as they drink their drinks.
Two days Later
Ever since Albus suggested Hermione going by another name at Hogwarts Remus has been thinking about that and even discussed the matter with Emma and Dan, and now he realises that it is time he talks about it with Hermione.
"Knock, knock." Remus says, knocking on the doorway to Hermione's room, where his daughter is sitting on her bed reading, "Can I come in?"
"Sure." Hermione says, closing her book, "When are we going to Diagon Alley?" Hermione asks curious.
"I was thinking after I've rested from full moon, after Neville's birthday." Remus explains to his daughter.
"Okay." Hermione answers as Remus walks over and sits down on his daughter's bed, "What's going on?" Hermione asks curious.
"There's something I want to talk to you about." Remus admits, and Hermione looks interested at that, "A lot people, probably most people, in the wizarding world associate the name Black with Voldemort, with what Dad did, with dark magic, and just hearing that that's your last name is going to cause people, not everyone, but some people, to make judgments because of that; before getting to know you." Remus explains to his daughter.
"Oh." Hermione says with a disappointed look, "Hogwarts is going to be hard for me, isn't it?"
"I wish I could say it won't be." Remus admits, "But, people are likely going to judge you because of what they think your Dad did and what his side of the family are like." Remus explains, knowing that he won't have to explain that as he has explained to Hermione about 'The Blacks.'
"That's not fair, people should stop judging people." Hermione says with a frown.
"That they should." Remus confirms, "But most likely there will be people who will, which is why Albus suggested that you go by another last name at Hogwarts." Remus tells his daughter.
"I could do that?" Hermione asks and Remus nods, "So I can just be Hermione Lupin?" Hermione asks, not overly sure how she feels like that as she has always known her name as Hermione Jean Hope Lupin-Black and it would seem odd, even wrong in a way, to have one less name.
"That's not the best idea either." Remus admits, not liking that, "Even if very few people know about you, a lot of people, especially people connected to the ministry, know that Sirius and I were friends, a lot know about our relationship, and some people know about me being a werewolf…"
"And they could judge me because of that or put the pieces together." Hermione says, realising why her Papa's concerned, "So if I wasn't going by Lupin-Black or Lupin what would I go by?"
"I talked to Emma and Dan and they said they would be okay if you went by Granger." Remus explains to his daughter, who he can tell really doesn't like this idea.
"I've learnt a lot from you Papa, you've taught me so much and one of the things you taught me is not to judge others, for things out of the control, and because I've seen how much you've struggled I promised myself that I won't be ashamed of who I am, or who you are." Hermione tells her father, "Do I like the idea of people knowing that I am the daughter of a mass murdering traitor? of course not, but I'm proud to be your daughter." Hermione says, stressing the your, "I don't want to hide who you are and I never thought you'd ask me to." Hermione says, looking sad.
"Oh, Hermione, I'm not asking you to hide who I am out of shame. I'm suggesting it because I want to protect you." Remus explains to his daughter, "If people know you're Sirius's daughter they could come after you for revenge, to hurt you, or make your life harder, or just do things to hurt you in any number of ways and I don't want that." Remus says sadly, "I'm so proud of you Hermione, and I would happily tell the entire magical world about you, but if I do that you're going to be in danger because of what I am, because It an easy jump from you being my daughter to mine and Sirius and that will just lead to you being hurt." Remus reveals, "I never want you to mistake me being protective for being ashamed of you, because I'm not, and I will never be ashamed of you." Remus says stressing the never, "I just want what's best for you. I wouldn't even be suggesting this if I didn't think it was the best thing for you. I love you more than anything Hermione, and I never want to see you hurt or treated in a way less than you deserve, and that's why I'm telling you that this is an option." Remus explains to his daughter, "It's your choice, I'm not going to make you go by another name if you don't want to, and whatever you decide I will support you but this is an option, okay?"
"Okay." Hermione says before hugging her papa, "Can I think about it?"
"Of course." Remus responds, "I love you, Mione." Remus says after placing a kiss on his head.
"Love you too, Papa." Hermione says as she returns the hug, having no idea how she feels about going by a different name at Hogwarts as even though she isn't sure if she wants to be known as Sirius Black's daughter she is proud to be Remus Lupin's and never wants him to think otherwise.
July 30th 1991
It has been two weeks since Remus talked to Hermione about the possibility of her going by another name at Hogwarts and she still hasn't given her Papa an answer as honestly Hermione isn't sure what she wants.
As it is Neville's birthday Hermione and Remus are just flooing into the Longbottom mansion. As soon as they are out of the fire Hermione runs over to her friend and hugs him.
"Happy Birthday, Nev." Hermione says as she hugs him.
"Thanks, Mione." Neville responds, "I want to show Mione my new things, is that okay?" Neville asks his grandmother.
"Of course." Augusta says.
"Happy Birthday, Neville." Remus says.
"Thanks Remus." Neville says and he and Hermione go running upstairs.
"Remus, you're looking better than you were a few days ago." Augusta comments as this month, something which doesn't happen a lot, she saw Remus the day after the fall moon.
A couple of minutes later Hermione and Neville are up in Neville's room and Neville is showing Hermione all his Hogwarts stuff.
"I can't believe this is really happening, that we're really going to Hogwarts." Neville says with a smile.
"It is amazing." Hermione confirms, not sounding all that happy as she is still thinking, and worrying, about going by a different name at Hogwarts.
"What's wrong?" Neville asks concerned as he can tell that something is wrong with his friend.
"Papa and Albus, I mean Professor Dumbledore." Hermione corrects as she has to get used to calling Albus and Minerva Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall while at Hogwarts.
"I thought you were still going to call them Minnie and Albus outside school?" Neville asks curious.
"I am; I'm just trying to get into the habit." Hermione explains, "Anyway, they suggested that I go by another name at Hogwarts to protect me from the fallout of being Sirius Black's daughter and Papa doesn't think it would be a good idea for me to go by just Lupin so he suggested that I go by Granger and I don't think I want to do that." Hermione explains, speaking fast but because Neville has been Hermione's friend for so long he can understand her.
"Then don't." Neville says, "If you really don't want to, then don't. I don't see your Papa ever making you do something you don't want to do."
"That's what he said." Hermione admits, "But, even though I don't think I want to do that, I also know that it could be a good idea."
"It could be." Neville admits, "Mione, your Dad is known by basically everyone in the Wizarding Wold and Black isn't a very common last name anymore and he's is the last male so they'll know you're his daughter." Neville explains, "And people might not treat you well because of that."
"If I do it I don't want Papa to think I'm ashamed of him, because I'm not." Hermione admits, "I love him, he's my hero and I'm proud to be his daughter." Hermione tells Neville before walking over and sitting on his bed, "I'm just not sure if I want the first thing people to know about me to be that I'm the daughter of a mass murdering traitor."
"I think you should tell Remus that." Neville says walking over, "Those exact words." He says as he sits down next to Hermione, "But maybe you should think about going by Granger for a little while, just at first, give people a chance to get to know the you that I know before they find out who your Dad is." He suggests.
"Just at first, huh." Hermione says, looking thoughtful, "Maybe." She says as she likes the idea of going by Granger for just a little while more than going by it long term.
For a couple of minutes Hermione and Neville just sit side by side in silence, "Oh, no, come on." Hermione says, tapping Neville's leg, "It's your birthday we should be celebrating that, not talking about my parental issues." Hermione comments, "Come on." Hermione says before standing up, pulling Neville up and walking across the room.
"Mione." Neville says just as Hermione gets to the doorway and Hermione turns around, "Will we still be friends if we're sorted into different houses, right?"
"Of course we will be." Hermione says with a smile, "Friends forever, remember?"
"Friends forever." Neville confirms and after exchanging smiles the two of them head out of the room and downstairs so that they can enjoy Neville's birthday.
A few hours later Hermione and Remus are only just returning home after spending hours celebrating Neville's eleventh birthday.
Walking out of the fireplace Hermione walks part way across the room before turning back around and facing her father.
"Um, Papa, I think I've made up my mind about the name thing." Hermione tells her Papa as after talking to Neville she realises exactly what she wants.
"Okay." Remus says, "What did you decide?" Remus asks his daughter.
"First, I want to say that I love you Papa and I'm proud to be your daughter. I always have been and I always will be." Hermione tells her Papa, "Please don't think I don't."
"I don't Hermione, I know that." Remus assures his daughter.
"I think I'll by Granger, but only at first." Hermione explains to her Papa, "I don't know how long I'll go by Granger, but I know I don't want to go by it forever, or even very long, but I think that going by it at least a little while is a good idea."
"Okay, I'll tell Albus." Remus says, honestly feeling that it is a good choice.
"Are you okay with that?" Hermione asks, sounding slightly concerned.
"Yeah, I am." Remus assures his daughter.
"I love you, Papa." Hermione says walking over and hugging him, "You're my hero." Hermione say before placing a kiss on her father's cheek and leaving the room. As Hermione leaves she doesn't realise that she has left her father shocked as he has been called many things in his life, but a person's hero isn't one of them.
August 6th 1991
It has been a week since Neville's birthday and finally the day Hermione has been looking forward to for weeks has finally come, going to Diagon Alley. Even though Hermione has been raised around magic her whole life, been to Hogsmeade before and even Hogwarts, though she only saw McGonagall's office and the Hospital Wing, she has never been to Diagon Alley as Remus wasn't sure that taking Hermione to such a busy place was a good idea.
"Can we go get my wand first?" Hermione asks curious as she and Remus get ready to go, Hermione wearing robes that were a Christmas gift from Augusta.
"I think we'll get it second. I got a letter from Gringotts last week, they want to meet with us. So, we've got a meeting scheduled" Remus explains to his daughter, who is tying her curly hair up with a hair tie.
"Why does Gringotts want to meet with us?" Hermione asks, confused.
"I'm not sure." Remus admits, though he does have a suspicion, "You're going to see a lot of amazing things, Hermione but I need you not to run off. We'll get everything you need and see the things you want to see, but you're going to have to be patient. I don't want you to wonder off." Remus explains to his daughter.
"I won't." Hermione promises her father.
"Good, then let's get going." Remus tells Hermione and the two of them head over to the fireplace.
A little while after Remus, shortly followed by Hermione, step out of the fireplace at the Leaky Caldron, Remus feeling anxious for every second her and Hermione are separated.
"Remus, it's been a while." Tom says when he sees Remus.
"Yeah, it has."
"Can I get you a drink?" Tom asks curious.
"Not today, but thanks." Remus says as he leads Hermione across the bar, not wanting to run into anyone else who knows him.
"Did you used to come here a lot?" Hermione asks her father curious as they walk.
"Yes, on occasion." Remus confirms as the walk out the back and he pulls her wand, "Are you ready?"
"Beyond ready." Hermione says with a smile and Remus reaches out and taps the brick opening the gateway to Diagon Alley.
As soon as Remus taps the brick the gateway starts to open, but instead of watching the Alley come into view Remus is watching his daughter, watching the look of wonder appear on her face.
"Wow." Hermione says, amazed, "This is incredible." She says, looking up at her father.
"Yes, it is." Remus confirms, smiling back at his daughter, "Let's go have a look, shall we?" Remus asks.
"Definitely." Hermione says and the two of them start to walk down the alley.
For the next few minutes Hermione and Remus walk down the alley side by side Hermione talking in wonder about everything she sees.
"Flourish and Blotts." Hermione say amazed, "Can we go inside?" she asks amazed.
"Gringotts first." Remus tells his daughter, "Then we can have a look." He says, being pretty sure that getting his daughter out of Flourish and Blotts, or any bookshop as he's likely going to have to buy Hermione's things second hand, is going to be a battle.
"Okay." Hermione responds and the two of them continue to walk down the alley, Hermione hurriedly talking about all the places she wants to go.
A couple of minutes later Hermione and Remus finally walk into Gringotts as they do Remus notes that Hermione doesn't even react to seeing the Goblins. After entering the bank Remus and leads Hermione to one of the teller.
"Hello, I have a meeting with Ragnok." Remus says to the teller.
"And you would be?" The Goblin asks.
"Remus Lupin, and my daughter Hermione Lupin-Black." Remus introduces.
"Of course, please follow me." One of the Goblins tells Remus and he gets off his chair and leads the way.
A couple of minutes later Remus and Hermione are shown into the office belonging to Ragnok.
"Thank you." Remus and Hermione both say to the goblin who have shown them in.
"Mr Lupin-Black, Miss Lupin-Black, nice to see you." Ragnok says to Remus and Hermione as they sit down across from him.
"I'm just Lupin, my daughter is Lupin-Black." Remus corrects as Hermione looks at him in surprise as has never heard her Papa be referred to Lupin-Black, only Lupin.
"Not according to our laws you're not." Ragnok tells Remus in a simple tone of voice, it being clear, at least to Remus, that he is talking about Goblin and Gringotts laws not magical ones.
"Why did you request this meeting? Your letter wasn't clear." Remus says, wanting to get the subject off his name.
"This is meeting is about you Miss Lupin-Black." Ragnok says, looking at Hermione, "The Black family have strict rules when it comes to members of their family, rules that we honour as the Black family is one of our oldest and biggest clients." He explains to Hermione and Remus, "You are the only blood direct decedent of the Black family and because of that, even being female, you will be the heir to the family once you come of age." He explains, causing Hermione to frown at the 'even being female' line, "But that's not what this meeting is about." He says, "Another tradition of the Black Family is gaining of a trust vault upon starting school, a vault to allow you to purchase all your required school items." Ragnok informs Hermione, handing her a key and a piece of parchment, "This paper outlines all the necessary information." He explains.
"I don't want anything from him." Hermione says, not wanting to accept anything from Sirius.
"Can you give us a minute in private, please." Remus requests, looking at Ragnok.
"Of course Mr Lupin-Black" Ragnok says before getting up and leaving, being so pleasant to Remus as the Black family, which Remus is a member of, is the one of their biggest clients.
"I don't want his money." Hermione tells her father as soon as Ragnok leaves, "Can I reject it?" she asks.
"Not exactly." Remus admits, being glad that he remembers Sirius talking about his family finances once though he didn't think what Sirius said would apply to Hermione as Sirius was disowned, but it turns out he was wrong, "It's yours, legally and magically, it can't be taken back, because it's your right." Remus explains, "But, you can choose not to touch a single knut. That's your decision." Remus explains and Hermione picks up the paper,
"It's a lot of money." Hermione says, then she looks at her father, "I know how tight money is for us, Papa. I know that you sacrifice things so that I can have everything I want." Hermione says, "Accepting this could mean not having to do that, it could take the stress of." She realises.
"I didn't realise you knew," Remus admits, feeling bad as he always tried to shield his daughter from that, "Don't use this money because you want to make things easier on me. I will make things work, Hermione, I always do."
"How much would you have to sacrifice to do that?" Hermione asks Hermione.
"It doesn't matter. I will always put you first and If you don't want to touch that trust vault then we'll put the key away and never touch it. We'll be okay without the money, yes something's will have to be second hand, but we'll manage." Remus assures Hermione, "But that being said this money is your right and if you want to use it then it's okay with me either option is okay, it's your choice, Hermione and I'll support you either way." Remus tells his daughter, knowing he made his choice about using Sirius's money a long time ago and now Hermione has to make her choice, "You can change your mind at any time." Remus assures his daughter.
For a couple of minutes Hermione looks deep in thought, trying to decide what to do,
"I think I'll use it, but only for school supplies, nothing else." Hermione tells her father as even though she isn't completely comfortable with the idea she wants to help make things easier on her father.
"Okay. I'll get Ragnok." Remus says, giving his daughter a supportive smile before heading out of the room, suspecting why Hermione has chosen to accept the money and planning on talking to her about that.
Half an hour later Remus and Hermione have visited Hermione's trust vault and are now walking into Ollivander's.
"Remus Lupin." Olivander says as they walk in, "10¼ inches, Cypress, pliable, unicorn hair core." Olivander says when he sees Remus, "I take it that it's still working well for you."
"That it is." Remus confirms, "This is my daughter, Hermione." Remus introduces, "She's starting Hogwarts this year."
"I see." Ollivander says looking at Hermione, "You have your father in your eyes." Ollivander says, it being clear that he is talking about Sirius and not Remus, "Also Cypress, 10¼ inches, but with a dragon heart string core, powerful combination." Ollivander tells Hermione and Remus.
"That, was obvious." Remus mutters, as Ollivander starts to search through the shelves, honestly he was hoping that Ollivander wouldn't mention Sirius as he's once more trying his best not to think about Sirius as he knows how much seeing their daughter get her wand would mean to Sirius, he knows how much he wants Sirius to by his side right now.
"Try this 12¾ inches, pine, unicorn hair." Ollivander tells Hermione, sticking out the wand for Hermione to take.
Feeling slightly nervous and also excited Hermione reaches out to take the wand but before she can Ollivander takes it back, "No, that's not right." he says and he goes back to the stacks, causing Hermione to look at her Papa in confusion but he just gives her an encouraging look.
As he searches the stacks Ollivander feels something he hasn't felt very often at all and right away he realises what that means, "Try this Miss Lupin-Black." Ollivander says, pulling a box out, a "10¾ inches, vine wood, dr agon heartstring." Ollivander tells Hermione, causing Remus's eyes widen slightly as he knows enough to know how rare vine wands are, "Very unique and special combination." Ollivander tells Hermione, "Give it a try." He says encouraging and Hermione reaches out and takes the wand, as she does Hermione feels a warm tingle through her fingers and a light comes out of the end.
"That's the one." Remus says, smiling proudly at his daughter, who smiles back at him.
"Yes, it is." Ollivander confirms, "That will be seven gallons." He tells Hermione as he takes the wand back to put it in the box.
"Okay." Hermione says, pulling out her money bag and handing the money over, "Thank you." Hermione says as she takes the wand back.
"Have a lovely day, both of you." Ollivander says.
"Thank you." Remus says and he and Hermione head out the store, Remus putting his arm around his daughter shoulder as they go, "How does it feel to have your wand?" Remus asks her daughter as they walk out of the store.
"Incredible." Hermione answers, smiling up at him, "Can we go to Flourish and Blotts now?"
"I think it might be best for us to get everything else first and then go to the bookshop." Remus explains to his daughter, "After all we are going to spend a lot of time in there."
"We really are." Hermione says, looking forward to that, "Okay, where to fist Papa?" Hermione asks.
"Robes, I think." Remus says, working out the layout of Diagon Alley in his head and trying to figure out the best way to do things.
"Okay." Hermione says in response and together she and Remus walk down Diagon alley, Hermione with an amazed look on her face and Remus with a smile on his, but below their happiness and wonder they are both a little sad as they can both feel the absence where Sirius should be, even though neither want to admit it.
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