HEY. Sorry a little excited there. Holy Mother of Pearl. So many people love this story and it warms the cockles of my heart. Seriously though I love each and every one of you that reads my stories.
Sidenote.
PROMISE has 101 followers! Whoop whoop. I've literally been a happy puddle all day since it happened. I still can't believe it. Is this real life?
So this is the second month of summer and I wrote quite a bit. I was just filled with inspiration. Next chapter they will be on their way back to Hogwarts, and we won't see Dorea or Charlus for a while :C
Kermit 304, adavi821, Patty Cake Rocks : THANK YOU. Love you guys.
1st Guest: I wish they could too. You have no idea how much it breaks my heart when I think about them dying.
2nd Guest: That is an amazing compliment, thank you sooo much xx
ElizaLane: Welcome to the dark side :)
NekoDarkHeart: I knooooow :3. I'm glad you don't mind, because this one is even longer!
DragonFan47: Mione is indeed a fox, which I got the idea from Shayalonnie tbh, cause I loved the idea of her being one. Though she won't be the same kind as the one in Shayalonnie's story. (WHich is Bloody fantastic). Oooo I like the idea for a Snow Leopard. I looove Snow Leopards so much. Well I guess you'll have to wait and see. I need to leave somethings to the imagination ;)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the storyline is mine.
August 1st, 1972
Today is the day. Sirius thought morosely. He breathed in deeply and his nostrils were immediately filled with the smell of vanilla. Hermione. Sirius smiled warmly, snuggling into her side, his head on her shoulder. Sirius was faintly aware of Draco untangling himself from the rest of them, but Hermione was so comfortable, and her bed was so soft. Her fingers were tangled in his hair and it felt really good. It was James' loud cursing that broke his bliss.
"The f-" Sirius sat up groggily, carefully making sure Hermione's fingers didn't stay in his hair. Through half lidded eyelids Sirius watched James hopping up and down, his glasses crooked, his hair sticking up in all directions. Sirius numbly noticed that at some point during the night James had removed his shirt, and rolled up his pant sleeves below his knees. It was hot last night.
"I stubbed my toe," James hissed when Sirius crawled out of bed and stood looking expectantly at his best friend.
"Ok, stop making so much noise. Mione's trying to sleep and I want food."
"Well let's go into the kitchen and scrounge up something," James suggested, and then a frown crossed his face when he remembered what today was.
"It's ok, mate. The rest of summer will go by before you know it." Sirius said, clapping James on the back in comfort. Though he wasn't entirely sure exactly who he was reassuring; James or himself.
"Then we'll be with Peter and Remus again," James said, a hopeful expression on his face.
"Which is your way of saying causing mayhem in the castle," Hermione yawned, Sirius looked in her direction and the small girl was stretching her arms high above her head, her eyes tightly shut.
"Dear sister, I do not know what you are referring to," James said innocently, a hand on his chest as if the very suggestion offended him.
"I think Filch would say otherwise," Hermione smirked amongst the vast sea of sheets around her. "Now I'm starving, breakfast anyone?"
"I'm always down for Breakfast," Sirius grinned, striding over to the bed. Hermione's eyes widened since she could tell where this was going.
"Sirius Black. I am warning you," She gulped, letting out a small squeak when he reached for her. She kicked out at him under the sheets but he pinned her foot to the bed.
Ten minutes later Sirius had Hermione swung over his shoulder like a trophy. She was muttering profanities in his direction which he took happily in stride. Oh how I'm going to miss this.
...
Dorea arranged to have Walburga open the floo network around midday, so in the last hour that Sirius was with them, the Potter siblings decided to take him out into the Orchard to say goodbye.
"Are you going to be ok there?" Hermione asked for the thousandth time.
"Yes, Mione. Honestly. I'll be fine," Sirius smiled, but she noticed it didn't quite reach his eyes.
They sat in silence for a long time. Draco, Hermione, James and Sirius. Revelling in one another's presence. Hermione and Draco were troubled by events to come whilst trying to enjoy the present whilst they could. James was upset that his best friend was going back to a home which he clearly didn't want to. Finally Sirius. Sirius was soaking in the sun that was peeking through the trees, trying to imprint in his memory how the afternoon breeze felt as it danced through his hair. How warm it felt to be in the Potters' presence; their house was filled with light and laughter. A stark contrast to his dreary and dreadful childhood home. I want to live here some day, or at least never have to return to the God forsaken household. There is no light. There is no laughter. Only cold and darkness. No joy. No Uncle Charlus tending to his garden, and Aunt Dorea being welcoming and bright. Most importantly there is no them. Sirius turned to look at the Potter siblings. Hermione was leaning on his shoulder and Draco and James were to his right. Both silently watching the white fluffy clouds go by.
"I'm going to miss you guys," Sirius said, breaking the silence.
"Of course you will. We're irreplaceable," Draco scoffed lightly.
"What Draco means to say," Hermione said scathingly, "is that we are going to miss you too."
"In all seriousness, we will." James swore, putting his hand on Sirius shoulder.
I'm going to think of this moment. Whenever anything gets too hard or I think about giving up. I'm going to remember that moments like this are possible and I'm going to fight like hell to have more of them. Sirius promised himself, closing his eyes and branding this moment into his mind. I swear.
...
August 3rd, 1972
"Potter lived where?" Draco leaned forward, his fingers interlocked as he rested his forearms on the table.
"Under the stairs in a cupboard," Hermione snarled, looking up from her book on rare plants and ingredients in Potion Making.
They were in one of the libraries on their side of the Manor, Hermione curled up in an armchair, her legs tucked under her, and Draco was sitting adjacent to her at one of the desks; books and parchment strewn about as he engaged in some light reading of his own.
Staring at his ink stained hand, he absently tried to rub it off with his left hand, a perplexed frown on his face.
"So Potter didn't grow up knowing who he was? He was mistreated by filthy muggles," Draco didn't think all muggles were filthy anymore, mostly they just confused him. But after hearing about Harry's Aunt and Uncle from Hermione he was inclined to believe that some people whether they were a muggle or wizard really were filthy.
"Muggles are not fi-"
"I meant those muggles specifically. You're telling me that they starved him, made him do all the housework, told him his Father was a drunk, his cousin Duncan-"
"Dudley," Hermione corrected, smiling lightly when Draco rolled his eyes.
"Dudley bullied him, then Potter turned around and saved his life mind you. They put bars on his window, treated him horribly, never gave him presents and after he learned he was a wizard they started to talk badly about him and our kind?" Draco reeled off, Hermione's eyes widened a fraction when he was done.
"I didn't know you listened to me when-"
"You rant and rave about how badly Potter was treated growing up? Course I do,"
"Harry certainly didn't have it easy," Hermione sighed sadly.
"All of that on top of having to deal with Voldemort? I thought besides that, having Sirius the only family he had left, almost dying in the Department of Mysteries was one of the worst things that happened to him."
"Thankfully that didn't happen, can you imagine how horrible that would be," Hermione's voice cracked. Thinking of both the Sirius of the future and the present.
"You're thinking about Sirius now right?" Draco asked perceptively.
"Thinking about losing them, James and Lily, Alice...Frank...is getting harder every day," Hermione sniffed loudly, rubbing at her eye.
"I know what you mean," Draco admitted quietly.
"Dray...I..."
"If we try to change anything then the future may be altered and then Voldemort might win,"
"The thing is, our very being here should be altering the future, shouldn't it?" Hermione frowned.
"We have no way of knowing that."
"I think...we should figure out a way that it doesn't," Hermione said, closing her book loudly and placing it on the side table next to her armchair.
"We don't have to figure it out today. Let's go wake up James. It's almost eleven, he probably won't throw anything at us today," Draco smirked.
"You're rubbing off on him," Hermione scowled, clearly remembering the day before when she had to dodge several objects that were in James' reach from their bed; Draco and Hermione had snuck out early in the morning to both go to the library. It was the only time they really had to do the kind of reading that they wanted.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Draco smirked triumphantly.
Hermione shot him an annoyed look before pushing open the library doors, turning left and heading to her room. Where the two boys had decided to permanently set up shop until they returned to Hogwarts in the fall.
"Let's just go wake up our brother," Hermione stated, pulling on Draco's sleeve when he decided to take a leisurely pace.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"If I ever see those muggles remember to restrain me. Or I may end up getting rid of that option before Dumbledore even has the chance to have the misguided notion to hand Potter over to them."
"Get in line," Hermione growled, and Draco grinned proudly. Now that's my girl.
...
August 4th, 1972
Dorea had decided to take Hermione and Draco out for the day.
"What? Can't a Mother choose to spend the day with her lovely twins?" Dorea had smiled sweetly. Hermione quirked her eyebrow at that but didn't press the matter further.
"James!" Dorea yelled at the bottom of the stairs. Hermione was pulling on her black pair of flats, folding her clear poncho over her arm. She had on a nice flowy lilac dress, that Dorea loved since it made her eyes pop.
Draco had opted for a more comfortable style for himself and was in dark slacks, black boots, and an evergreen jumper.
"Yes, Mum?" James popped his head over the balcony, his hair sticking up as he rubbed the sleep out of his eye.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?"
"Dad is taking me to the Ministry today! He promised he'd take me to the Auror department," James grinned broadly.
"Is that so?" Dorea raised an eyebrow, her mouth twisting slightly to the side as she filed that away under 'conversations to have later.' "Well I hope you enjoy yourself, honey," Dorea pulled her plum gloves on, matching heels adorning her feet, and deep royal purple dress robes that cut just below the knee to expose her legs.
"See you later, Mione, Dray!" James called out to them, both of the twins moved to look up at him.
"Listen to Dad! Love you!" Hermione laughed as James' mischievous grin took over his face.
"Don't embarrass the family!" Draco teased, quickly turning his gaze back to the front door where Dorea was waiting.
"Love you too, Dray!" James cackled, disappearing back upstairs.
"Ready?" Dorea smiled warmly at her children, who both nodded eagerly.
"Where are we going, Mum?" Draco asked, curious as to why he hadn't asked yet.
"Diagon Alley," Dorea winked, laughing lightly when she saw Midnight jump off the banister at the bottom of the stairs right into Hermione's arms. "Yes you can bring your cat,"
Hermione smiled brightly as she gathered the pitch black cat into her arms, it's bright green eyes closed as she purred affectionately when Hermione rubbed behind her ears.
"Ready," Hermione answered finally, following her Mother out of the door.
"Then to Diagon Alley we go."
Draco momentarily wondered why they didn't just floo there but after knowing Dorea he was sure it was because she didn't want soot on her clothes.
"Have either of you apparated before?" Dorea asked when they were all standing at the bottom of the porch steps.
"Yes," They answered simultaneously.
"Well then, hold on tight," Dorea requested, pulling her children close into her side and with a pop, they were gone.
...
"What do you want to do?" Dorea asked when they entered Diagon Alley.
"Bookstore," Hermione said immediately, and Draco smiled beside her. When Dorea turned to look at him to see if he was alright with that, he shrugged.
"Bookstore it is then," Dorea laughed.
"Why...is that you, Aunt Dorea?" A haughty voice that Hermione had heard screaming at her more than once in Grimmauld Place came from behind them.
"Walburga," Dorea plastered a sweet smile on her face, whirling around to face the younger witch. "Oh I see you have Druella's daughters with you as well,"
Bellatrix had a irritated expression on her face, and Draco unknowingly moved closer to Hermione, slipping his hand into her free one. He felt her squeeze down on it tightly. Both of them needed each other in this moment. Narcissa was a bit more interested in the interaction, staring straight past Dorea directly into Draco's eyes.
Another small comfort for Hermione was that Sirius was fidgeting behind his Mother. Eager to cross to the other side and be with his friends; but the last couple of days had been hell and he didn't want to piss his Mother off. If he was going to frustrate her, might as well be for a good enough reason.
"Where is Andromeda?" Dorea tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes when Bellatrix began to look giddy and Narcissa flinched.
"That filthy Blood-Traitor has been removed from the family," Bellatrix cackled, Hermione tighten her grip on Draco. Who was the only thing keeping her from having a panic attack at the moment, as she breathed heavily in and out of her nose, her nostrils flared.
"Now why would you be happy about that, dear?" Dorea asked airily.
"She left the house and went to live in Muggle London...we should have known then. Then she came home one day saying she got married to a Muggleborn," Narcissa deadpanned, her explanation made Dorea frown. Those aren't her words, and if I'm guessing correctly then Druella or Cygnus used much nastier words when they said it.
"Mudblood, Cissa. Mudblood," Bellatrix snarled agitatedly.
"You're drawing too much attention to yourself, Bella," Walburga stated, her arms folded in front of her as she glanced threateningly over her shoulder.
Hermione snuck a glance at Sirius and she could tell he was shaking with rage. He was facing Bellatrix's direction and Hermione could see his internal battle. He could attack her now and pay for it until he went back to school or he could try and control himself and get her back another time. Hermione let out a breath of relief when she saw Walburga turn the conversation in another direction. Which meant that the moment for Sirius' opportunity to attack had passed.
"So these are the Potter orphans that you never bothered to mention," Walburga said, eyeing them coldly.
"We aren't particularly close if you don't mind me saying. So I didn't feel it was worth mentioning." Dorea said curtly.
"We are family," Walburga spat the words as if they burned on the way out, "we should share things like, adopting children...are they even Purebloods?"
"If you must know yes they are," Dorea growled, "and just because you are related by blood doesn't automatically make you my family,"
"If I were you Aunt, I would watch my tong-"
"Or what? You'll burn my name off the family tree as well?" Dorea scoffed.
Walburga's grey eyes raked over the three Potters with disdain before she turned on her heel to leave, "come along children," Hermione saw a younger boy clinging to Sirius' robes, that must be Regulus. Hermione let out a deep breath when Bellatrix turned to follow after her, her wild curls flying out behind her. Narcissa and Sirius lingered a moment longer.
"Always an absolute pleasure, Walburga!" Dorea called out after her niece.
"Why is his name, Draco?" Narcissa asked so quietly, Dorea thought she had imagined it.
"Because it is. It's a nice name, don't you agree?"
"A good, strong name," Narcissa smiled softly before trailing after the rest of her family.
"Aunt Dorea, you kick ass!" Sirius grinned broadly before pulling Regulus with him, scowling when his Mother shrieked for them to hurry up.
"Rotten woman, I hope she gets what she deserves one of these days," Dorea said vehemently, "Children...if Sirius ever needs a place to stay, Remus too. Let them know they are both more than welcome to stay with us." Hermione could have imagined it, but she swore she heard Dorea mutter, 'monsters for parents, they'll get theirs.'
"You ok?" Draco whispered, removing his hand from Hermione, which had grown a bit sweaty and she quickly wiped it on her dress.
"Fine. Thank you," She whispered, hugging Midnight to her a bit tighter. Draco pulled fondly on one of her curls. "How about you...I mean with-"
"Yea. It seems she is still growing into somewhat the woman I grew up with." Draco grinned, reaching over to scratch Midnight's head.
"Sirius must be in hell with that horrid woman," Hermione said furiously, regaining the courage that seemed to flee her body the moment she had laid eyes on Bellatrix.
"I never liked Walburga," Dorea said, anger still laced through her tone as she tucked her wand back into her robes. Hermione didn't even noticed her pull it out. "I think I need something sweet to get rid of the bad taste that woman left in my mouth."
"I think we can postpone our trip to the bookstore, we can get ice-cream?" Hermione offered, smiling jovially when Dorea tucked her into her side and kissed her head of dark curls.
"That we can, my darling girl,"
"Where's my love?" Draco faux pouted, smirking when Dorea grabbed his hand.
"Mama's boy," Hermione teased.
"You weren't the one shaking like a leaf a few minutes ago, Draco."
"You saw-" Hermione sputtered.
"I don't know why, and I can wait until you're ready to tell me, but I am here if you want to talk, Hermione." Dorea said softly.
Hermione nodded, eyes wide, unsure what to say. Draco frowned, if Dorea noticed how much Bellatrix's presence had shaken Hermione, what else had she noticed?
"Now I'm in the mood for some chocolate, anyone else?" Dorea asked, as the trio walked down the cobblestone streets in the direction of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"Bleh, vanilla for sure," Draco pursed his lips, disdain on his face.
"How are you my child?" Dorea gasped.
"How are you my twin?" Hermione hissed.
"It's just chocolate," Draco looked at the two of them in confusion.
"It is never...just chocolate," Dorea shot him an affronted look.
"I cannot believe you just said that to me," Hermione shook her head, barely giving Midnight a second look when the cat jumped out of her arms and moved to walk next to her.
"Seriously?" Draco drawled when the two females untangled themselves from him and walked away, ignoring his protests as he ran to catch up to them, "shut up," he scowled at Midnight as she looked back at him and meowed. "Witches," Draco grumbled as he shoved his hands in pockets and grumpily followed them down the street.
...
August 9th, 1972
James was a bored. He didn't even remember what it was he did to occupy his time before Hermione and Draco had come into his life.
Who were both still slumbering away at two o'clock in the afternoon. They had all stayed up to watch the sun rise, and he was the first one of the three to wake up. Yet now that he was practically all on his own, he didn't know what to do with himself.
I'm going to go find Mum or Dad. Dad did say yesterday he might be off work today. Let's go find out. James smiled to himself, being careful to quietly shut the bedroom door behind him as he ran down the corridors. I wonder how Sirius and Remus are doing? I think I'll owl them later. Oh wait, I almost forgot about Peter. There is Evans, but she told me to bugger off the last time I saw her...guess I'll wait and see if she's gotten over it when term starts. If she hasn't then I'll try to win her over with my charm.
"Son," Charlus greeted when James walked out into the gardens and found his Father lounging in a chair, his drink floating next to his seat.
"Afternoon, Dad. Anything interesting happen today?" James asked, sitting on the grass close to his Father. Looking out at the rest of the gardens with his Father.
"Your Hogwarts letters all came in," Charlus smirked.
"They usually come around the end of July, why are they so late?" James queried.
"You say it like you've been receiving them for years," Charlus chuckled.
"That's not the point, Dad," James complained, the tips of his ears turning red.
"Not sure. All I know is that your Mother said that we'll all go sometime next week." Charlus informed his son.
"Maybe I can write my friends and we can all meet up!" James proclaimed merrily.
"I don't see why not," Charlus smiled, leaning forward in his seat to ruffle his son's hair. "You know I love you right, Jamie?"
"Course I do, Dad. I love you too," James lolled his head back to peer at his Dad upside down.
"I'm glad," Charlus said in an amused tone, sitting back again.
"Do you love Hermione and Draco too?" James blurted out suddenly. Charlus raised his eyebrows on surprise, but then smiled fondly at his son, whi was burying his face in his knees.
"I do love them,"
"Like you love me?"
Charlus paused before he answered that, and then decided to stick to what his gut was telling him. "We don't get to choose who we are related to by blood, but we do get to choose our family. Hermione and Draco have become a massive part of my family, and I would die before I let anyone hurt them, you or your Mother."
James seemed to be appeased with his answer, Charlus was once again stunned by the mature and serious expression on his son's face when James twisted to look at him. "So would I, Dad."
Charlus felt a surge of pride well up within him. That's my boy. James stood up and almost fell down when he reached forward to hug his Father. When James pulled away, Charlus saw the sincerity in his boy's eyes.
"I'm going to go wake Mione and Dray up," James announced.
"Tell them Mipsy left Lunch in the kitchen, she covered it and put a stasis charm on it," Charlus yelled after his son as he took off.
We did that Dorea. We raised that boy. Charlus reflected on the temper tantrums that were often followed by bursts of accidental magic when he was a toddler, how he used to always have something stuck in his hair when he was little, how he constantly broke his glasses when he climbed trees. James was always an adventurous child. Never letting a fall or two stop him. That one time when he had a cut along his forearm and he went back to climbing, Rea almost had a panic attack when she saw the blood stains all over his shirt.
Charlus did love Hermione and Draco, but in his heart he knew that his green eyed, raven haired, rambunctious boy was always going to have a special, untouchable place in his heart.
"We did well, didn't we, Char?" Dorea smirked as she appeared in front of him.
"Why don't you look beautiful in that light," Charlus smiled at his wife as she sat sideways on his lap, one arm around his shoulders.
"Always the charmer. Now I remember why I married you," Dorea teased, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
"What are we going to do about Sirius and Remus?" Charlus sighed, Dorea scowled.
"Those boys are spending Christmas with us from now on. Easter and at least the majority of summer if I could have my way." Dorea said, the tips of her curls seemed to crackle with the passion she spoke with.
"Do you really think Lyall Lupin is going to let that happen? Not to mention Walburga?"
"Walburga doesn't care about Sirius. Not really. She only cares about 'The Great and Noble House of Black', letting Sirius stay with us probably won't even faze her. Lyall Lupin on the other hand, I don't care what he has to say. I am not letting that sweet, polite boy spend another day, as long as I am able having his Father tell him he's a monster." Dorea said with conviction.
"I agree. Do you want me to talk to him?" Charlus asked quietly.
"No. I can handle Lyall Lupin."
"Have I told you today that I love you?" Charlus smiled as Dorea laid her head on his chest, fiddling absently with his shirt lapel.
"No,"
"I love you,"
"I love you too, Char. Don't ever forget it," Charlus didn't need to look to know she smiling, and he pulled her against him tighter.
"I won't."
...
August 12th, 1972
Dear James,
My Dad says that I can come meet you guys in Diagon Alley on the fifteenth. It says it may rain, so he told me to tell you to bring an Umbrella. How has your Summer been so far? Mine was a little weird. Tell you more about it when I see you. Say hi to Hermione and Draco for me.
Your friend,
Peter.
Peter,
That sounds brilliant! Mum says she'll take the Umbrella into consideration, since it has been sunny for the majority of Summer surprisingly. With English weather who really knows though? It's been fantastic! Sirius left a couple weeks ago, and I've just been spending time with Mione and Draco. See you in a few days! Meet us at Gringotts.
James Potter.
James,
Mum is a right nutter. She yelled for hours and hours on about how your Mum is...well. Not pleasant things. To be honest though Mum has never been pleasant. Always yelling and finding something to punish me for. I think me becoming a Gryffindor sent her over the edge straight into a state. She's right mental.
Tell Mione I miss teasing her, and I look forward to doing it more when we meet once again. Tell Dray that his idea for a welcome back prank is decent, needs a little tweaking but it's still a good one. I'm counting down the days until we go back to school. I need to get out of this house. Reg is starting this year, and he's going to be in Slytherin for sure. Maybe then Mum will get off ma back.
Your devilishly good looking mate,
Sirius.
P.S. She said I can come. Thank Godric.
Sirius,
That sounds insane. Don't worry, Mum says you can come and stay with us anytime you want during the Holidays. Mum had a thing to say about yours, so I think we're even haha. You becoming a Gryffindor was a great thing, don't let her get to you.
Mate. As your friend, I will not tell Hermione you said that. We both know she'll hex you into next week.
Dray agrees and says we'll discuss details on the Fifteenth.
Your brother is eleven? Really? Maybe he'll be sorted into Gryffindor and your Mum will get over it. She loves you, I'm sure of it.
Your better looking best mate,
James.
P.S. Mum said to meet us outside Gringotts.
James,
How are you doing? It feels like an eternity since I was at your house and even longer since we were at Hogwarts. Trust me, I can't wait to go back. My Dad is busy that day but he doesn't...he doesn't want me to go alone so he told me I have to bring my Mum. Is that alright? She is a muggle and her knowledge of the wizarding world is extremely limited. Dad didn't want either of us to go without him, but Mum convinced him to let me.
Are Hermione and Draco doing ok? Hermione has been writing me periodically and said you and Sirius found out about their nightmares. Did you find out why they both have them? They both refused to tell me. Is it a new thing or have they been having them for years?
I hope you're doing well and I'll see you in a few days.
Remus Lupin.
Remus,
Your Dad sounds a bit strict. I talked to my parents and they said they'll make sure to help your Mum out. I know what you mean, next year is going to be even better than the last though! Oh, Mum said if you wanted to or needed to somewhere to say, our house is always open, and you're always welcome here.
I know you like to pretend you aren't involved in our pranks but Draco came up with a pretty good one. Not sure if we'll carry that one out or wait until we think of a better one. It'll be fun, don't worry Remus.
Mione has been writing you? She didn't tell us. Yea we did, I don't know why they are happening and it must have been really bad. They refused to say anything about them, just that they would rather not say. To be honest I have no idea how long they've been going on.
Doing pretty great, Dad took me to the ministry at the beginning of the month. He didn't let me see what he does, but it really was fun visiting the Aurors! I'll see you soon, mate.
James
...
August 15th, 1972
Last time we came to Diagon Alley things didn't go so well. Hopefully Walburga doesn't pop out of nowhere. Worse yet, if my Father and his family shows up. Though Grandfather had some strange fondness of Dorea, or at least that's what Mother told me. Draco shoved his hands into his pockets. James and Hermione were walking a bit ahead of him, laughing and talking about something. Dorea and Charlus were strolling behind him as they entered Diagon Alley through the entrance behind the Leaky Cauldron.
Where the streets had lacked witches and wizards the last time they were here, today was not the case. They darted between large groups of bustling magical folk. Draco could have sworn he saw a flash of the tell-tale Malfoy blonde hair, but then he chalked it up to his imagination.
"Stay close, children. This time of year everyone is always in such a hurry," Charlus called, putting his hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Yes, Dad!" Hermione and James chimed together. Eventually the Potters reached Gringotts where Sirius and Peter were already waiting.
"I'll be back, Dear. I'm going to make a withdrawal," Dorea kissed Charlus on the cheek quickly. Narrowly avoided a wizard in fancy burgundy robes who ran by. She disappeared into the grand building and Hermione had leapt into Sirius' arms. Peter smiled jovially when James ruffled the small boy's hair, a large grin on James' face as he asked him how he was doing.
"I knew you missed me, Mione," Sirius smirked, his face buried in her curls. Draco felt a pang run through him. Sirius is good for her, he may be crude but at least he's...good. Fuck, snap out of it Draco. Pull yourself together.
"Hey, Sirius," Draco smiled wholeheartedly when his cousin let go of Hermione, and headed in his direction with a bright smile across his face. Sirius gave him a light hug before clapping him on the back.
"Hey, Dray. You miss me, sweet cheeks?" Sirius asked with a wink, Draco snorted.
"I tossed and turned all night, lying awake with thoughts of you," Draco said in a serious tone.
"Remus isn't here yet then," Hermione frowned, her hazel eyes darting around the crowd as she turned in a circle to look around her. Her eyes widened when she spotted him. "REMUS!" Hermione squealed, sprinting through the crowd and jumping into his shocked arms. "Oh I missed you,"
"I missed you too, Mione," Remus chuckled softly.
"You got so tall," Hermione gasped when he put her down. He scratched the back of his head, his cheeks pinking slightly.
"I only grew a few inches, I see the other guys grew too," Remus nodded to the rest of his friends, who were making their way over to them.
"Did they? I guess I spend so much time with them I didn't notice," Hermione tilted her head to the side, scrutinising the boys as they approached. When her eyes met Draco's, her heart beat picked up a little bit.
"Remus," Draco grinned broadly.
"Remus! There you are," A mousey brown haired woman appeared through the crowd. She froze, eyes widened in horror when she saw that Remus was pulling away from Draco's hug.
Hope Lupin had a naive look about her, though the heavy dark circles under her eyes told a different story. She had bright blue green eyes, a slattering of pale freckles across her nose, and her short honey blonde hair was tied up with a hair tie. She wore simple clothes, a baggy beige sweater over a pair of mid thigh dark brown shorts, and plain brown leather shoes adorned her feet to match.
"Mum, these are my friends, Draco, Hermione, Sirius, James and Peter." Remus pressed his lips together. He gestured at each person as they introduced themselves. Draco was laughing internally at the deer in the headlights expression on Hope Lupin's face.
Dorea was just coming out of the bank, when she saw the Remus had arrived. "Oh, it's so good to see you dear, I trust that you've been well this past month?" Dorea asked with a large smile as she ducked between the others and wrapped her arms around Remus.
"H-hello," Hope stuttered, slowly regaining mobility.
"You must be Hope. I am Dorea, and that is my hubby Charlus," Dorea stepped past Remus to shake his Mother's hand. "I remember your husband used to work in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
Hope nervously glanced at Remus, "That's right,"
"If you don't mind me asking why did he leave. I heard he got into some nasty business with a werewolf? The few that are dangerous give a bad name to the rest of them. Most people are terribly misguided in their opinions." Dorea smiled primly at the smaller woman.
"There was...an issue. Should we go shopping then?" Hope asked tightly, a lot seemed to weigh on her mind all of a sudden.
"C'mon Remus, let's go to the bookshop!" Hermione laughed, linking her arm with his and pulling him away from the rest of the group.
"Re-" Hope began, but Charlus placed a hand on her shoulder.
"They'll be fine," Charlus smiled warmly.
"Meet us at Madame Malkin's in an hour, Hermione!" Dorea yelled after her daughter.
"Will do!" Hermione called back over her shoulder.
"I'm going to make sure she doesn't buy the whole shop," Draco smirked.
"How about you boys go with them, take your booklist, James. Then meet us in an hour. Don't forget." Dorea said sternly, handing James his booklist.
"I won't, Mum. I've got some money and everything," James grinned, walking with Sirius and Peter to catch up to the others.
"I'm going to miss how lively the house is, aren't you dear?" Dorea smiled fondly, leaning into her husband's side.
"Are you sure they'll be ok," Hope frowned worriedly, her hands clenched tightly around her purse.
"Just because your son has a certain condition that affects him once a month, does not mean it should affect him otherwise," Dorea said bluntly.
"Pardon?"
"We both know what I'm talking about, love. You have an amazing son. He is not his condition," Dorea stated.
"He really is a great boy," Charlus agreed, "always polite, and he loves to read almost as much as our Hermione."
Hope simply did not know what to say. She gulped audibly and quietly followed Dorea and Charlus when they insisted they treat her to a spot of lunch.
The Marauders had a full day having fun and flitting about Diagon Alley; talking about the time they had spent apart, if their DADA teacher was going to change this year as was the rumour, and they almost got kicked out of the Ice Cream Parlour when Sirius knocked into a lady by accident. She caused a huge fuss, and Florean panicked when he saw people bypassing his shop, eager to get rid of the source of the problem.
They parted when the streetlamps were lit and things started to slow down. Sirius seriously considered asking Dorea if he could stay with them for the rest of the break, but knowing his Mother she would hold his belongings hostage. Peter had filled a huge paper bag with various sweets, and sulked when James and Sirius nicked a couple. Remus ended up having to lead his Mother out of the Alley; spending hours with Dorea had been somewhat of an awakening for her and she was having a hard time processing all the new information. Draco was just tired, he was seeing blonde hair every time he turned around. It had succeeded in giving him a massive headache. Hermione just seemed content that she had all of her boys together again. She still wasn't going to be friends with Peter, but she decided not to be quite so close-minded when it came to him.
...
August 27th, 1972
"Can you believe it's been a year since we came to this time?" Hermione whispered, laying back on Draco's bed.
"It is pretty crazy to think about now that you mention it." Draco murmured from his desk. He was completing the final bits of his Summer homework as he breezily wrote his essay for Transfiguration.
"Part of me thought we'd just go back yesterday...but I guess not,"
"I think we are stuck here for now, and we should try and make the best of it," Draco sighed, crossing out one of his purposefully made mistakes. Can't let it look like it was too easy now can I?
"You're right," Hermione sat up, her curls wild and untamed.
"You brush your hair today?" Draco teased.
"Nope, didn't feel like," Hermione giggled, hopping off the bed and twirling around the room.
"What are you doing, Hermione?"
"Dancing, what does it look like?"
"Why?"
"Not sure," Hermione sighed, plopping down onto the middle of the floor.
"You ok, Mione?" Draco frowned, putting his quill down, and looking at her properly. Her lips was quivering and her hands were slumped limply beside her. "What's wrong, love?" Draco jumped up and moved to her side, crouching onto the ground beside her.
"James is going to die and I can't do anything to stop it," Hermione sniffed, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I know, Mione. Trust me, I know." Draco whispered, he sat on the ground and then pulled her into him. Her small hands clutched desperately at the fabric by his shoulders as she buried her face in his chest.
"Mum and Dad too...I can't...everyone...I can't," Hermione bawled.
This isn't going to get any easier. As time goes by, if anything it is going to get infinitely harder. I never thought I would care about anyone besides my parents. Since being here I've grown close to so many people. Remus, Sirius, James, Lily, Frank, Alice, Mum and Dad. We've only known them for a year...now I understand why Sirius went after Pettigrew that night, why Potter threw away all logic and ran unprepared straight into the trap in the Department of Mysteries. "We can do this Hermione. It will probably break us in the process, but we can do it." Draco whispered, closing his eyes tightly and trying to think of better things.
With that one year has passed since they arrived in this time. I was going to make the scene at Diagon Alley longer but decided against it. I waned to get as much of Dorea and Charlus as I could in this chapter since we won't be seeing them until Christmas Holidays.
According to canon, the rest of the Marauders figure out about Remus sometime in their second year, so I just have to figure out how they find out.
I'm going to introduce my own semi original character. She is based on Riley from Netflix's new original series Sense8. Which is phenomenal, and I highly recommend it. Seriously. SO good.
Don't forget to leave a review, and any ideas about any of the very subtle hints that I left throughout the chapter would be very much appreciated.
Love you,
Indieblue xx