A/N: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own all OC and non-canon magic, etc.
Hello everyone! I'm back and feeling much better. Thanks for your encouraging words and reviews! I write this for us!

XLIII: Shakeup

Sirius rubbed his temples in his new office. He had forgotten what it was like to have to do a mountain of paperwork before he could actively search and destroy Death Eaters or some other scum.

Probably a good thing to just sit and be still for a change. Sirius mused. Thankfully Dawlish is absent today so I can do my job.

It amazed the wizard how…normal things were. Just this time last year he was rotting in Azkaban.

It took him a moment to realize he had reread the same paragraph for 30 minutes before him finally noticing it was lunchtime.

He carefully warded his paperwork and stood some distance away from his shared office and pinched a spot on his new bracelet he had with Séraphine. He did not trust himself yet for Apparition for long distances.

Sirius gently landed in his Kitchen and realized the House was suspicious about someone.

Immediately, the wizard whipped out his wand and listened carefully as the House led him to the Formal Drawing Room.

Before him, shocked him so much he thought he had Marie-Antoinette syndrome*.

"Lord Sirius," Kreacher spoke in his gravelly voice. "We're so glad you could come, Lady Sparkles has arrived and seeks asylum from the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. She is Master Harry's guardian at House Dursley."

Lowering his wand and rolling his shoulders back, the Pureblood wizard's manners came to rescue him.

"My Lady Sparkles," he began, "how may we be of assistance? Would you like refreshment?"

The transposed image of the Serpentine Warrior smiled, showcasing twin fangs. Sirius' blood ran cold.

"May I have sssome milk, pleassse? My Youngling Ssspeaker hasssn't been home to give it to usss." She asked respectfully. "My mate, Sssneakersss, and our hatchlings have found Madame Jocccylyne onccce more. Ssshe ssseeksss to harm him again. And we fear we cannot protect him from her clutchesss sssince ssshe'sss grown in power."

Sirius' eyes glinted mercury.

"Malthus," he commanded. "Please retrieve Her Ladyship, I'm sure she'll be interested in this…witch."

The Black Basilisk bowed his head and slithered away.

Harry's brilliant green eyes were practically shooting sparks at everyone and he felt strange. Almost like his skin was too tight, and he was ready to strike at the next person who dared look at Hermione the wrong way.

It did not go unnoticed, least of all by the witch in question.

Hermione blushed as Harry led the way to the Room of Requirement. Three times he passed by it and she did not know what to expect when the door opened.

As soon as they passed through the door, the young girl smiled in appreciation. Harry made the room look like a cozy nook in the Library for her and there were refreshments on the table in front of the crackling fireplace.

She obediently sat and picked up a crumpet as Harry stared at her before following suit. She felt mesmerized by those striking green eyes with such a contrast to the rest of his features.

He really does look like snake right now…but I don't feel afraid of him. She thought, blinking.

"What happened?" Harry asked in a low voice. His tone thrumming with barely concealed anger. "Since I've been gone, I've noticed our friend being absent. I've seen how Gryffindor has been treating you. And I'm shocked that no one here—other than Neville—being a good friend to best he's able to do for you."

Hermione gulped, and bought herself a moment to think, as she took a bite of her crumpet.

"Well, Harry," She hesitated. Harry straightened slightly, showing his annoyance. Hermione sighed. "Ron's been meaner than usual lately, and I don't know what's gotten into him. Even Fred, George, and Ginny can't get to him. He's…been awful."

"In what way?" Harry demanded. Every word punctuated with meaning that Hermione could not see.

She fidgeted. "Well, he's been spreading rumors that the only reason you keep me around is because I help out with homework, not that we're actually friends…or…" Her voice trailed off because all of the sudden Harry exploded.

"What the—how—?" Harry sputtered, enraged. The boy wizard abruptly stood causing his glasses to slip and his irises became silver serpentine pupils. His hair actually stood on end as if he had been fried by his faded lightning-shaped scar.

Hermione gaped at her friend in amazement.

"Harry, Harry," she repeated. "Please calm down and tell me—did your eyes change permanently to silver snake pupils? Or is that only when you're upset?"

Harry froze.

"How…?" He whispered, deflated.

Hermione slowly stood and walked toward him. Her dark eyes softening as she realized how stiff and scared he was.

He must be terrified I'll reject him. She thought saddened.

The young witch approached him and gave him a hug.

"It's OK, Harry," Hermione soothed. "I saw it when we were at The Burrow, and a few other times as well…I didn't say anything because I wasn't sure if happened when you only spoke Parseltongue or something."

Harry blinked back tears, before slowly returning her hug.

I missed this so much. He thought upset, as he sighed in relief.

Harry took a deep breath and led her to the loveseat not letting her go. They sat in companionable silence for a moment before he told her in stilted tones everything that happened while he was sick.

To her credit, Hermione remained speechless. Her mind crisscrossing with burning questions that were mostly answered by time Harry finished.

"You're incredible," she said sincerely, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "And I, for one, like your eyes." She blushed brightly as Harry stared at her stunned.

"I mean, do you wear glasses now, for show that is?" Hermione asked squeakily as she tried to cover her faux pas.

"Yeah, Séraphine thought it best," he answered shyly. "And she gave me Glamour Glasses, and she said…" Harry pursed his lips.

"Said what, Harry?" Hermione asked gently.

"She said Merlin really had the same pupils and that it was a mark of greatness because Merlin was a Dragonlord*." Harry muttered, eyes sliding away from hers.

Hermione grinned at him.

"Well you are a great wizard, Harry," She told him proudly. "Just know that I won't stand for any 'Chosen One,' speech from you."

Harry chuckled. "I should hope not."

They looked at each other for a moment each thinking they were very close.

Hermione blushed and was the first to look away.

"What are we going to do about, Ron?"

Harry's eyes sharpened and he readjusted his glasses.

"I have a few ideas," Harry said softly.

Before Hermione could even frown in confusion, Harry summoned Dobby.

"Yes, Master Harry Potter and Master Harry Potter's My-My?" The little House-Elf queried causing Harry to turn tomato red.

References:

Marie-Antoinette Syndrome: when your hair turns completely white after stress shock—she did guillotined and I imagine that was a nasty shock. Sirius will have luxurious charcoal-black hair in my imagination. I felt like when he was carefree it was raven-black. But due to his stress I didn't want it to be grey like Gary Oldman's. He's too debonair!

Dragonlord: I'm a Merlin series fan so I couldn't help the quip there. Who knows, maybe Harry will be a Serpentine Warrior and Dragonlord in his own right?