Reamus Lupin and Sirius Black stood back and let Madame Pomfrey work. They were well aware of what could happen when one got on her bad side. They watched as she conducted her analysis charms on Harry, asked him questions and handed him several potions…. All of which he did without taking his eyes off of the bed next door. Sirius turned to Remus then and asked "Mooney, are they…?" "I was just going to ask you, to be honest… but since you're not aware of a development in that department, I'm going to wager not, but if I had to guess, it's not far off." Sirius furrowed his brow as he continued to watch his godson. "He'd tell you Sirius" to which Sirius replied "I hope so old friend, I hope so". Sirius Black was starting to understand the role he was supposed to play in Harry's life in James and Lilly's absence. Not only had Harry been deprived of himself, but Frank and Alice as well… and Lavinia's as well. Sadness fell over Sirius' face. Poppy finished up with Harry, and turned on the two men standing close by, she gestured for them to follow her into a back office. "I assume I do not have to tell the two of you how grave this situation is. Despite all of the things we can do with Magic… there are still a few that we can only help work faster, not fix entirely when it comes to healing the body, miss Granger may heal fully in time, but it may be dangerous to do things the slow way." She took a seat and called for a house elf to bring tea. Once the tray had been set up, she offered the two men glasses "Please help yourself, you've both been through an ordeal, an Elf will be tending to Mr. Potter now." As they started in on the refreshments Remus spoke up "What are you suggesting Poppy?" "A transfusion. The magic in her system needs to be replenished immediately so that her body heals more quickly." Sirius was concerned "I wasn't aware she'd lost that much blood Poppy" the matron sighed and closed her eyes "She didn't Sirius, the curse that was placed on Hermione acted like a cancer, though I have started the process of stopping it, it will be slow, it was intended to eat away at the magic gene in her DNA, I would prefer if I could supplement her stores while the potions and charms against it continue their work" "… I'm assuming since you're asking the two of us…" Remus paled "I couldn't. There's a risk it could pass on Poppy, you know that." "I understand, but Sirius may be able" "Do it, check me, and if it can work, you can have all you need to help her." "It's a slim chance Sirius, I've already checked myself and the Headmaster and Minny… We can still heal her traditionally.. I'd just rather not take the chance" Sirius finished the bite of food he was chewing on, assessing the woman in front of him he finally replied to her "Whatever she needs Poppy. She's important to Harry, that makes her family. I do mean anything, specialist healers, whatever you need for her potions. I'll take care of it."

Remus Lupin studied his oldest remaining friend quietly as the healer started casting the charms needed to test Sirius for a donor match for Hermione, he looked calm, and more determined than he had ever seen him. The only thing that he could think was that this day… this was the day he watched Sirius turn from the playful man-child, terminal bachelor, into something entirely. It didn't happen in the same way it had with James, with nervousness, anxiety, and beaming joy. It happened from fear, love and determination. Sirius Black had turned from Marauding prankster, lady's man, into a parent. One willing to do any and everything to help the child in his care avoid tremendous pain. "Stop staring at me like a weapy old woman Remus" Well, Lupin thought to himself chuckling maybe you can never quite get rid of all the Marauder.

Poppy was taking notes on the outcome of the evaluation with a furrowed brow. She was muttering to herself but neither man could make anything of it. She stopped writing rose without a word and walked back out to Hermione's cot and started casting more charms. Remus and Sirius stood watching her, still eating, from the viewing window in her office. After a time, there was no more writing, no more anything really. Poppy Pomfrey sat and stared. First at her parchment, and then at the wall at the far end of the ward. The two men were starting to get nervous. Poppy was not one for inaction. Had something gone wrong? After a time the older woman reached up and rubbed her forehead, and turned to walk back towards her office. "Has something gone wrong Poppy? Can I not donate to her?" Poppy sat quietly in her chair for a moment. "No, you can, the match was near perfect. But, as for wrong…. well, we shall have to wait for Minerva to confirm if there is indeed something wrong. She's on her way now. In the mean time, let's get started drawing your blood for Hermione." The process went smoothly, and thanks to some blood replenishing potion Sirius was able to provide a double donation, 700ml rather than the 350ml Muggles were able to give. Shortly after the process was started, Minerva arrived with a rather large book and Poppy lead her into a separate room, presumably her own living quarters on the other side of the office. Less than a half hour later the two women exited the room, looking even more confused than when they went in and made their way into the office where Sirius and Remus sat. Minerva looked distinctly uncomfortable, like there was something she wanted to say or ask, but didn't really have the stomach to do so. She didn't stay long, citing a meeting she needed to attend as explanation for her escape.

After Sirius had completed his donation, the second bag was placed into a cabinet with a stasis charm, and the small party made their way back to Hermoine's bedside. Harry was tired, but sat next to her fighting to keep his eyes open, rather than resting in his own bed. His hand clutched her hand opposite of the arm the IV was being set up in. As it registered with him, his eyes grew larger and he looked to Sirius "What's that for? Is magic not working?" He sounded more on edge than before, and Sirius made his way to stand next to Harry, placing a hand on his shoulder "It's ok pup, this is just to help things along a little faster." Sirius could feel some of the tension melting out of Harry's shoulder beneath his hand. "She's got all of us to help her Harry, she's family, and we always take care of our family right?" Harry looked back up at Sirius, still tired, still distraught over the events of the past few days, but hopeful "Right" he said. Little did Sirius know that Harry had recently come to the same realization himself. On the other side of Hermione's bed Remus transfigured an empty bed into a couch, and a bedside table into a coffee table. Family. It had been a long time since the three had been close thanks to Voldemort, but now they had found one another again and they were continually adding to their new makeshift family, and Sirius grinned slightly making his way over to the new seating area musing to himself that they may be adding a new member to that family very soon if Tonks ever got her way.

** Author's Note: I'm back! I'm really struggling with my current load of classes right now. I can't do my required clinical hours because of the current closures. So what am I doing? Why writing of course! Writing helps me chill and take my mind off of all the madness in the outside world, and gives me the chance to escape from all of the pressure. It's also a great exercise for me as an English major to exercise and improve my writing skills. Any feedback is much appreciated as long as the intent is to be productive and not just gripe about things you don't like.