Chapter 53
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Thank you for all the support. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.
AN2: I know that in cannon to become an animagus people have to keep a mandrake leaf under their tongue for a month, but because that would be too complicated to arrange in this story I've shorted it to a week.
December 10th 1994
It has been two days since Minerva told the Gryffindor forth years about the Yule Ball and ever since it has become clear how desperate everyone is too find a partner, something which has made Harry and Hermione very happy that they decided to go with each other, though Neville, Remus and Sirius are the only people who know.
It is Saturday morning and Hermione is sitting in the library working on school work and when she needs a break she's starting to look through books to try and give her an idea of what the egg could be. As she is so focused on what she I doing Hermione doesn't even notice someone sitting down across from her.
"Mione." A voice says, causing Hermione to jump.
"Nev, when did you get here?" Hermione ask surprised.
"A few seconds ago." Neville answers, "Are you busy or do you have time to talk?"
"I always have time to talk to you." Hermione says, putting her quill down, "What's going on?"
"I need some advice." Neville admits, looking nervous, "You know how Katie and I have been spending time together since your birthday, talking Herbology and other stuff?" Neville asks and Hermione nods, "Well I want to ask her to the ball, but I don't know how, I mean what should I say?" he asks curious.
"You should just ask." Hermione tells her friend, "Tell the truth Nev, say that you would like to go the ball with her and ask if she wants to go with you."
"Really, is it that simple?" Neville asks curious, sounding surprised.
"Dad and Papa told Harry and I that simple is best when it comes to asking someone out, or in this case to the ball, and they're right." Hermione assures Neville, "Just ask, Nev, the worst thing she will say is no."
"Okay, I'll just ask." Neville responds and the two of them drift into silence.
A couple of hours later Hermione and Neville walk into Gryffindor tower where they find Harry, Ron, Fred, and George sitting together and Neville sees Katie sitting alone.
"I think I'm going to ask now." Neville tells Hermione.
"Good luck." Hermione tells Neville, with a supportive smile, and while he walks over to Katie Hermione walks over to Harry, Ron, Fred, and George.
"Why won't you tell me who you're going with? I'm your best friend." Ron says, sounding insulted.
"I just want it to be a secret until the ball, that's all." Harry explains.
"What about you, Hermione? Don't you want to know?" Ron asks as Hermione sits down.
"Not if Harry doesn't want to tell me." Hermione answers.
"It's stupid." Ron says annoyed.
"No, it's not. I don't want you guys to know who I'm going with either." Hermione says and a she does Fred and George exchange looks, it being clear to Hermione that they suspect that who Harry and Hermione are really going with.
Hearing that Ron once more frowns, but before he can say anything Neville walks back over, looking shocked.
"So? How'd it go?" Hermione asks as Neville sits down next to her.
"She said yes." Neville says, looking like he can't even believe it.
"That's great, Nev." Hermione says with a grin, giving her friend a hug, "I'm so happy for you."
"Ohhh, share, who said yes?" Fred asks curious.
"Katie." Neville answer, "We're going to the ball together."
"That's great Nev." Harry says with a smile.
"Nice Mate." Fred tells him.
"How did you get a date?" Ron asks, disbelief in his voice.
"I asked." Neville says, beginning to feel bad.
"Leave him alone Ron, just because you're too scared to ask someone doesn't mean you have to make fun of the people who do have dates. Nev's awesome and he and Katie are going to have an incredible time together." Hermione says angrily, "Grow up Ron. If you want to go to the ball with someone then call on that Gryffindor Courage you're supposed to have and just ask." Hermione says, being so angry because she knows how happy Katie saying yes would mean to Neville and she doesn't want Ron to ruin that for him.
Hearing that Ron opens and closes his mouth several times to trying to think of a response, but it looks like he can't so he just gets up and walks away.
"Nicely done." Fred says with a grin as George starts to bow down to Hermione.
"Enough, you two." Hermione tells them, though she is clearly amused, "You okay?" She asks Neville, sounding concerned.
"Yeah, thanks." Neville responds.
"So, you two are going together, aren't you?" Fred asks Harry and Hermione.
"And you don't want Ron to know because he'll react badly." George adds.
Hearing that Hermione and Harry exchange looks, and have an entire conversation without words.
"Yes, we are." Hermione confirms.
"Nice." Fred says with a grin.
"So, Dean, Seamus and Lee are organizing the after party. You three are in, right?" George asks.
"Yes."
"Yep."
"Definitely."
Hermione, Harry and Neville answer.
"Great, we'll make sure you're on the list to get details once they're figured out." Fred assures them.
"Cool." Harry responds and the group of five drift into silence.
December 14th 1994
It has been four days since Neville asked Katie to the ball and even though thing are tense between Hermione and Ron they are still spending time together, though everyone can feel the tension.
It is a Wednesday, the last Wednesday before school breaks up for the holidays, and the Gryffindor forth years are leaving Charms.
"HERMIONE." A voice calls and Hermione turns to see Ginny.
"I'll catch up with you." Hermione says to Ron, Neville and Harry before walking over to the youngest Weasley, "Are you okay?" Hermione asks curious.
"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you." Ginny reveals, "Viktor Krum asked me to the ball." She reveals, "I said yes, but I wanted to make sure that it's okay with you, that it would be okay with Harry, I mean he is your competition."
"It's fine with me, and I'm sure it will be okay with Harry." Hermione assures her, "The point of this tournament, or one of them at least, is to make friends. I'm glad that you are." Hermione tells her and Ginny hugs her.
"Thank you, I'm really looking forward to this." Ginny says as they break apart.
"I'm glad." Hermione says with a grin.
"But um, can you do me a favour and not tell Ron." Ginny requests as she knows he'll react badly, Fred and George will tease her, but in a fun way, Ron won't be fun.
"Don't worry, I won't." Hermione assures her and the two of them start to walk towards the Great Hall.
December 18th 1994
It has been four days since Ginny informed Hermione that she will be going to the ball with Viktor Kurm and since then term has come to an end.
It is a little before sundown and Sirius, Remus, Poppy and Albus have just arrived at the entrance to the Whomping Willow which has been frozen.
"This could make things worse, Remus." Albus says concerned, "There is no way to guarantee that this will prevent the wolf from hurting you as much as last time."
"I know, but it's the only thing we can try." Remus answers.
"Get Remus to me as soon as possible in the morning, whether he is very hurt or not." Poppy says to Sirius.
"I will." Sirius assures him.
"You better get into the Shack, and remember to stay in your animal form from when the transformation starts until it's completely over." Albus says to Remus and Sirius.
"I know." Sirius says, "Come on, Rem." Sirius says, leading Remus into the tunnel and once they are in the tunnel Albus and Poppy turn around and walk back to the castle, both of them clearly worried about Sirius and Remus.
Hours later Hermione, who is pretty sure that she isn't going to get any sleep, is sitting in the window sill staring out at the grounds, a part of her expecting to see a wolf and dog out of the grounds. As she stares Hermione hears footsteps and as she turns she isn't at all surprised to see Neville and Harry.
"You doing okay?" Harry asks as he and Neville go and sit down on either side of Hermione.
"No. I really want to be there, I want to be able to help, Papa." Hermione says, looking sad.
"Soon you will, we both will." Harry tells Hermione.
"How's that going? Are you two getting close?" Neville ask curious as he's the only person, other than Sirius and Remus, who know that Harry and Hermione are training to be Animagus's.
"We've both completed the first two steps, but the third step is more complicated, it involves keeping a mandrake leaf under your tongue for a week." Harry explains.
"Yeah, that would be complicated." Neville realises, having no idea how they are going to pull that off.
"Yeah." Harry confirms.
"I wish it was easier." Hermione comments, "I just want to become an animal so that I can help Papa get through full moons."
"We know." Harry and Neville respond and as they do the trio hear footsteps and they turn to see Fred and George.
"Ah, we thought we'd find you three down here." George comments as they walk over.
"What are you two doing up?" Neville asks, not entirely sure that he wants to know.
"We're being supportive friends." Fred explains as they walk over, "I remember Harry saying how much you worry, and considering what happened last month, we figured you could use some friends." He explains as he and George pull over chairs.
"Thank you." Hermione says, feeling amazed, and that she has incredible friends.
"You're welcome, and these might help." George says, pulling a bottle of Firewhiskey with about half the bottle left and the bottle of Chocolate Rum that has about the same amount left, "It's the last of the alcohol from the First Task celebration."
"Don't you need to keep it for after ball party?" Harry asks curious.
"No, we're getting new stuff for that, that's what the donation's Lee, Seamus and Dean were collecting was for." George explains.
"That makes sense." Neville realises as he remembers that he, Hermione and Harry all made donations larger than the three boys were asking for to cover those who couldn't afford to pay the entire amount.
"So, how does poker and drinking sound?" George ask.
"Sounds good." Harry says thinking it could be the perfect distraction.
"Yep, it does." Neville confirms.
"Mione? What do you think?" Harry asks, patting Hermione's leg, hoping to distract her.
"Huh, what?" Hermione ask confused.
"Poker and chocolate rum?" Fred ask, offering the bottle, "Could be a good distraction and I'm pretty sure your Dad and Papa would rather you do that rather than worry about them."
"They probably would." Hermione realises, taking the bottle from Fred, "Sure, but I can't guarantee that I won't look out of this window every few minutes."
"Fair enough." George says and he starts to deal the cards and the group of five start to play poker together, the four boys feeling their worry for Hermione grow as the notice her looking out the window more and more, not really paying attention to the game, and drinking large gulps of her drink rather than the sips she usually takes.
December 19th 1994
It has been hours since Hermione, Neville, Harry, Fred and George started playing poker together, which they played until the early hours of the morning.
As she opens her eyes Hermione is confused for a second as she is down in the common room and feels someone very close to her, pushing herself into a sitting position looking to her left Hermione sees that she was basically leaning on Fred while she slept and looking across the room she sees that Neville and Harry are leaning on each other and Harry's arm is around Neville, making a quite amusing sight, though they both look relaxed, and George is sleeping curled up almost like a cat.
"Hey, you okay?" Fred asks, waking up too.
"Yeah." Hermione says standing up, and as she stands up Fred throw cushions at George, Harry and Neville, waking them up too, "The suns up, I'm going to see how Papa is doing."
"I'm coming." Harry says, standing up.
"Same." Neville says, also standing up too, swaying slightly on his feet, and as they do Fred and George exchange looks.
"We're coming too." Fred says.
"You don't have to come." Hermione says, looking at Fred and George.
"We want to." George answers.
"Okay, we can go once I get the Marauders Map, so we don't get caught." Hermione comments.
"Sounds good." Harry says and Hermione heads upstairs, leaving the four boys in the common room.
Ten minutes later Hermione, Harry, Neville, Fred and George, having used the map to avoid everyone, the group walk into the Hospital Wing and as she sees her Dad sitting by the last bed Hermione finds herself walking faster and the others walk faster to catch up.
"How is he?" Hermione asks her Dad concerned as she sees her Papa with a few fresh wounds.
"Hurt, but only a little." Sirius answers, "Considering everything it was a pretty good one." Sirius reveals as he takes is daughter's hand.
"Good, that's good." Hermione answers.
"Yeah." Sirius says relieved, "Surprisingly even without the potion last night was better than the last full moon." He reveals
"Wow." Hermione says, amazed, as he sits down on the edge of Remus's bed, "Has Papa woken up?"
"He was awake briefly. Poppy said that he could leave here once he wakes again."
"That' really good, right?" Harry asks.
"Yeah, it is." Sirius says, it being clear that he is glad about that but still worried about Remus.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Fred asks, wanting to be helpful, as not only is Remus the father of one of his friends, but he is also one of his personal heroes.
"No, but thanks for the offer." Sirius tells them and the group drift into silence.
A couple of hours later Hermione, Harry, Neville, Fred and George have headed off to breakfast leaving Sirius the only one by Remus's side. As he is staring at his mate Sirius notices the second Remus's eyes open.
"Hey, Rem." Sirius says with a smile.
"Siri."
"How you feeling?" Sirius asks concerned.
"Not bad, maybe even good." Remus admits, being surprised about that, "Moony's calmer, I can feel that."
"Good, that's good." Sirius says, reaching over and pushing Remus's hair out of his face, "Mione, Harry, Neville, Fred and George were here but they went down to breakfast." He reveals.
"They were?" Remus asks, sounding surprised.
"Yeah. I think Nev, Harry, Fred and George were helping distract Mione from her worry." Sirius reveals.
"Oh, I hate that I do that too her, I hate that I make her worry so much, that I make you." Remus says, feeling bad.
"It's okay, you've got to stop beating yourself up, you can't control it." Sirius tells Remus, "Okay?"
"Okay." Remus says, though he feels bad, and Sirius leans down and places a gentle kiss on Sirius's lips.
"So Poppy said to get her once you're awake and then you're going to get to come back to our quarters." Sirius explains.
"Good, I really hate this place." Remus responds.
"I know." Sirius responds with a smile and he gets up to get Poppy, leaving Remus alone.
December 25th 1994
It has been six days since the full moon and Remus is completely heled. As it is going to be the first Christmas where the two of them, Sirius and Remus are going to be together, Harry and Hermione decided to spend Christmas Eve in Sirius and Remus quarters.
It is early in the morning and both Harry and Hermione are fast asleep when they suddenly hear the very large barking of a dog followed by,
"Sirius, I told you to let them sleep." Remus says, but the dog continues to bark, getting louder.
"I'm up, Dad, I'm up." Hermione says, sitting up as she does she picks up a pillow and throws it at Harry, figuring that if she is up then he should be too.
"What?" Harry asks, falling out of his bed.
"I think Dad wants us up." Hermione explains to Harry.
"Sounds like it." Harry say and both he and Hermione get up and head out into the lounge room where they find Remus and Padfoot standing by a Christmas Tree that has a pile of presents underneath.
"Happy Christmas!" Remus says happy and Padfoot jumps over the couch and turns into a human before hugging Harry and Hermione tightly.
"Happy Christmas Princess, Pup." Sirius says as he hugs them.
"Happy Christmas, Dad."
"Happy Christmas, Sirius."
Hermione and Harry both say as the trio break apart.
"Now, come on you two, we've got presents to open and a lot of them." Sirius say, taking one hands of Harry's and one hands of Hermione and pulling them towards the present mountain.
Once they are close enough the family of four all sit down in a circle.
"There are four of us, are all those presents just for us?" Harry asks surprised.
"Yep." Remus confirms.
"I may have gone a bit over board, but I don't care. It's Christmas." Sirius says with a grin, picking up two identical looking gifts, "For you." He says handing one of the presents to Harry, "And for you." He says, handing the other to Hermione.
Exchanging looks Harry and Hermione both start to open the gifts, Harry ripping the paper off in a hurry while Hermione carefully opens hers.
"Handmade wand holsters, embroidered with your name." Sirius explains.
"We thought they'd come in handy with everything going on." Remus explains.
"These are great Dad, Papa." Hermione says with a smile.
"They really are." Harry confirms.
"I'm glad you like them." Sirius says with a grin and as he does Hermione looks to the pile of presents and hands on to her Dad and one to her Papa.
"I'm not sure who they are from but they are yours." Hermione explains.
"That's from me." Sirius says to Remus, seeing he presents.
"And I think that's from me." Sirius realises and he and Remus start to open their presents, and like Harry and Hermione, Sirius and Remus open their way in different ways, Remus opens his like Hermione and Sirius opens his like Harry.
"Chocolate rum?" Remus ask Sirius once he opens his gift.
"Honeydukes was selling it, I thought you'd like it." Sirius explains to him.
"You're going to love it Papa, it tastes really good." Hermione reveals, causing everyone in the room to look at her.
"And just how would you know that?" Remus asks his daughter, giving her a look, "This is an alcoholic drink and you're not seventeen."
"Um… Fred brought it for me for the party after the First Task and I really liked it, I think you will too." Hermione explains, looking awkward, "Am I in trouble?"
"No." Remus assures his daughter with a smile, "But the fact that you like it is a very high recommendation." He admits as even though he isn't completely comfortable with the idea of his daughter drinking he also knows that she is responsible which makes him feel slightly better, but not much.
"That it is." Sirius says with a grin, "Thanks for the wine." Sirius says as Remus brought him his favourite vintage of wine.
"You're very welcome." Remus says, gently kissing his mate as Harry and Hermione exchange smiles and once Sirius and Remus break apart they grab more presents and hand them to the two teenagers and together the family of four open all their presents.
Hours later after Sirius, Remus, Harry and Hermione are walking into the Great Hall, having spent the morning opening all their presents.
"How would you two feel if we join you at the Gryffindor table?" Remus asks curious.
"Are you serious?" Harry asks.
"No, I am." Sirius says with a grin, causing the other three to groan.
"It would be great if you joined us." Hermione says, after rolling her eyes at her Dad.
"Great." Remus says with a smile and the group of for head over to the Gryffindor table where they sit in the empty spaces that have been left near Neville, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Lee, Dean, Seamus, Alicia, Katie, and Angelia.
"Happy Christmas." Harry says as they sit down.
"Happy Christmas." Everyone else responds and the group start to enjoy an amazing Christmas lunch together, all the Gryffindor's very much liking the fact that Sirius and Remus have joined them.
Hours later Sirius, Remus, Hermione, Harry, Neville, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Lee, Dean, Seamus, Alicia, Katie, and Angelia have all hand an amazing lunch that was followed by a snow ball fight that even Sirius and Remus joined in on, much to everyone else's amusement, and even though it is still a few hours to the ball Hermione, Ginny, Alicia, Katie and Angelia are heading back to the castle so that they can start to get ready.
"Mione." Harry says, having caught up while pretending that he is finding a new hiding place.
"I'll see you later." Hermione says to Ginny, Alicia, Katie and Angelia all of whom head back into the castle.
"I'm guessing I won't understand why you all need so long to get ready." Harry comments.
"You're really not." Hermione confirms.
"So um, I'm picking you up at Sirius and Remus's quarters, right?" Harry asks, just wanting to make sure the plans are right.
"Yes, at quarter to eight." Hermione confirms.
"Cool, I'll see you then." Harry says and he turns back to the others.
"Harry." Hermione says and he turns around, "I will buy you whenever you want if you manage to hit Dad in the face with a snowball." Hermione tells her friend as Sirius has managed to completely avoid being hit by snowballs.
"Considering it done." Harry says with a smirk and as he heads back to the game while Hermione head up to the castle.
A little over two and a half hours after Hermione left Harry on the grounds she is standing in front of the mirror the bathroom, in robes made of floaty, periwinkle-blue material, that she and Harry share putting the final touches on her hair, which she has twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head, and her make up.
"And done." Hermione says to herself, "It's perfect."
"You've always been perfect." A voice says and Hermione turns to see her Dad and Papa, both of them dressed in their dress robes, it being Sirius who spoke.
"You're my Dads you have to say that." Hermione tells them.
"Doesn't mean it's not true." Remus says, taking several steps forward, "You've always been perfect, Mione, and you look beautiful." He tells his daughter with a proud smile.
"Thanks Papa." Hermione says before Remus hugs her and places a kiss on the top of her head, "Watch the hair, it took me forever."
"I am." Remus tells his daughter, feeling amazed at how grown up she looks.
"I love you, Papa."
"Love you too" Remus responds and the two of them break apart.
"Dad, are you okay?" Hermione asks concerned as Sirius is standing in the doorway and he looks like he is about to cry.
"I'm okay, Princess." Sirius says, walking forward, "Like Papa said you look beautiful and so grown up, it's a reminder of how much I've missed. I love you so much, Princess." Sirius says before hugging his daughter and as they hug Remus is pulled into the hug too and the two fathers hug their daughter, who they can't believe has grown so much.
"Pictures, we've got to take pictures." Sirius says after a few minutes.
"Yeah, we do." Hermione confirms, knowing that it would mean a lot to her Dad and Papa.
"Definitely." Remus confirms and the three of them head back out into the living room.
As Remus puts a charm on the camera the three of them spend the next few minutes taking all different pictures of the three of them, it meaning a lot of them to get to spend this time together, to get to experience this together.
After a few minutes the door opens and Harry walks in and as he sees Sirius, Remus and Hermione having fun and taking pictures together he can't help but smile,
"Harry!" Hermione calls, "Come on, join us for pictures." Hermione calls.
"Yeah, come on, Pup." Sirius says and Harry walks over and together the four of them spend the next few minutes taking pictures together.
After almost ten minutes of taking pictures together Harry, Hermione, Remus and Sirius walk down to the entrance hall.
"We'll see you later." Remus tells his daughter and Harry.
"Yep, don't do anything I wouldn't do." Sirius tells them.
"Is there even anything on that list?" Hermione asks curious.
"No." Remus answers, causing Harry and Hermione to laugh as he and Sirius head into the great hall.
"So, you ready for this?" Hermione asks Harry curious.
"Not at all. You?"
"Nope." Hermione confirms, "How about we just try and keep each other from making fools out of ourselves." She suggests.
"Sounds good to me." Harry responds and then they both hear, "HARRY, HERMIONE." And they turn to see Neville, Katie, Fred, George, Lee, Dean, Seamus, Angelina and Alicia all hurrying towards them, Neville in front.
"You guys look great." Neville says before hugging both of his friends.
"So do you." Harry and Hermione both say as the trio break apart.
"So, did you three end up not getting dates?" Hermione asks Dean, Seamus and Lee as she knows Fred is going with Angelina and George is with Alicia.
"Nope." Dean answers.
"But we didn't really try." Seamus reveals.
"We figured that the three of us would just go together have more fun that way." Lee explains.
"Good plan." Harry says approvingly.
"So, you two have to open the ball, you ready?" Angelia asks curious.
"Nope." Harry and Hermione say together.
"Well just think about it this way, the sooner this is over the sooner the after party begins." Fred comments.
"You know; I think that actually helps." Hermione admits.
"Incoming." George says before anyone else can say anything and the entire group turn to see Ron walking hand in hand with Lavender Brown.
"Hey." Ron says as he and Lavender walk over and everyone responds with either,
"Hi."
"Hello."
"Hey."
"So, Hermione, Harry, where are these secret dates of yours?" Ron asks, there being a small part of him that doesn't even really believe that they got dates.
"Hermione and I are each other's partner." Harry reveals, causing Ron to look completely shocked, "I asked her as soon as Minerva told us about the ball." He reveals.
"Oh." Ron says, not really sure how to respond to that, "I guess that was one sure fire way to make sure you weren't rejected." He says, causing a flash of pain to cross over both Harry and Hermione's face.
"RON." Fred and George say angrily.
"You know what Ron I've kept quiet because you matter to Harry and Hermione and they matter to me, but no more." Neville says angrily, surprising basically everyone, "You're a crap friend. You're jealous and petty and need to see that there are more important things than money. You need to realise how lucky you are, you have two incredible parents, who got to raise you, and great siblings, that's more than some of us. So what if you're poor, it doesn't really matter." Neville says, his voice not even stuttering as he's watched Ron hurt two people who matter to him one too many times, "You need to grow up and fast because pretty soon, if you don't, you're going to realise that you've pushed away all of your friends." Neville reveals and Ron opens and closes his mouth several times to say something but before he can Minerva's voice cuts over everyone.
"Everyone other than the champions and their partners please enter the hall." Minerva says.
"Come on Lavender." Ron says, glaring at Neville, and the two of them head into the hall without a word to anyone.
"We better head in too. We'll see you later?" Neville asks Harry and Hermione.
"Definitely." Harry assures him, "And thanks." He adds.
"Not a problem." Neville responds with a smile.
"Good luck you two." Katie says to Harry and Hermione before she and the others head in, leaving Harry and Hermione with Cedric and his date Cho, Fleur and her date Roger and Krum and Ginny.
"How long do you think we have to wait here?" Harry asks Hermione.
"Not long I'd expect, just to everyone else is situated." Hermione guesses, causing Harry to nod.
"Are you okay?" Harry asks concerned, "Ron was…"
"I really don't want to talk to Ron right now." Hermione says, sounding annoyed, then realising how that must have sounded she puts on a kinder voice, "Sorry, but I think I'm done letting him get to me."
"It's okay, I think I'm with you there." Harry admits and the two of them drift into silence as they wait to be called.
After a few minutes Minerva walks back out into the entrance hall and calls them champions in.
"Together?" Harry asks as he sticks out his arm for Hermione to take.
"Together." Hermione confirms, linking her arm around Harry and the two of them walk into the Great Hall, both incredibly nervous about what is going to come.
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