Hello, beautiful readers. The all important anti litigation disclaimer- I own nothing. Everything is JK Rowling's, who is nice enough to share her toys with us. I hope you all enjoy. Thank you so much for reading.

Chapter 12

A shell shocked Dudley followed the woman and his cousin to the car. From the car he shuffled into the police station. He slumped in the chair and said nothing. Numbly, he listened while she tried to reach his Aunt Marge. A small voice in the back of his head pointed out she wouldn't be home. She would be a dog shows or on vacation until late August.

Noel cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, Dudley. You aunt wasn't reachable at any of these numbers. Mr Black graciously offered to take you in until your aunt can be reached. Do either of you have any objections?" Silently Dudley looked at Harry.

For his part Harry dug deep and remembered encouraging Hermione to embrace her family. Dudley was just as much a product of his upbringing as Draco had been. "I think that's a great idea. Way better than dumping him in a foster home right now."

Harry's words sparked a reaction from Dudley. "Really? You don't mind?"

"No. This is our chance to really be a family."

"Okay." He looked at the social worker. "I'll stay with Harry." Quickly, with the papers signed, the boys were packed into the back of a sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom. Both felt too exhausted to fully enjoy the ride.

Sirius grinned at them, "Sorry to have to take the long way round, pups. Just lean back and get some sleep."

Dudley barely remembered arriving at 2 am, or being herded to bed. But he certainly awoke aware of his surroundings. A creature with bat wing like ears wearing a pillowcase clicked her tongue at his clothes. "Who are you?"

The house elf regarded Dudley, "I's being Dilly. I be the one to look after you, young master Duddy."

Dudley opened his mouth to correct her when a voice in the corner startled him. "Don't bother. She'll never remember." Dudley turned to see Sirius sitting in an armchair near the window. "I just wanted to go over the house rules. No name calling, no bullying. Treat the others the way you want them to treat you. There will often be more of them there will be of you."

"The others? More than just Harry?"

"I expect several of Harry's friends to visit over the next few weeks. And I granted my own heir free reign over all my houses. She may come and go as she pleases. You don't have to be social, but you do have to be polite."

"I can do that."

Sirius nodded. "The social worker mentioned your school nurse's concerns over your weight. I saw the diet, looks horrid."

"Could, could magic fix that?"

"No, but my cook is working on foods that will do the same job but taste better." Sirius stood up. "The swimming pool in the back should prove better exercise than killing yourself running. You may make free use of it and the rest of the house. I'll let you get ready for breakfast."

By the time Sirius reached the kitchen, the Malfoy family had arrived. He noticed the thunderous fury building on Hermione's face. "What's getting to you, kitten?"

"I mentioned wanting to look around Salisbury, but Lucius ordered that I can't go alone. He has too many meetings, and neither of these ingrates will go with me." Hermione glared at her father, brother, and best friend. "When I suggested Tracey Davis, or another friend, that wasn't good enough. Misogyny at its finest."

Lucius sighed, "Her gender has no bearing on my concern for your safety. I don't know Miss Davis, or your Gryffindor friends, what kind of people they are. You should have been safe with your nanny." He trailed off.

She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "So, I'm to be a prisoner the rest of my life? Only allowed out with approved jailers? Does Draco have this kind of restriction on him anymore?" A glance to the guilty looking Draco answered her. "I see, so double standards and hypocrisy it is. Very well, I shall be in my cell if anyone needs me. Not that anyone will, there's no looming danger or homework due. Enjoy flying on your brooms, boys. Hopefully you don't get struck by rogue lightning." She flung her hair over her shoulder as she stomped to the floo.

Draco looked over at a nervous Harry. "She can't summon lightning can she?"

"I put nothing past an angry Hermione."

Lucius glared at the door. "I just want her to be safe."

"Sure," Sirius sat down at the table. "I think the anger comes from being at the mercy of others. And the fact that her younger brother is held to different standards." He looked at Narcissa, "Let her know she's welcome here whenever she wants with whoever she wants. And she can go exploring from the house when she finds an approved jailer."

"You agree with her, that I'm being unreasonable?"

"I told you why I think she's angry. This is your battle. Unless I'm not an approved jailer. Then we have a problem." Lucius glared at him silently. Draco and Harry fled back to Malfoy Manor. Both briefly felt bad, but soon forgot about it while competing to outmaneuver one another.

Over the next two weeks several things occurred. Dudley Dursley began to steadily lose weight. His skin bronzed due to spending numerous mornings doing water aerobics with Hermione. He and Harry began hanging about in the evening. He apologized for the years of bullying. No excuses, no attempts to blame anyone else; just a simple, sincere 'I'm sorry,' which Harry accepted. The two slowly built a relationship. Dudley slowly made friends with Hermione and Draco as well.

At Malfoy Manor, Hermione invited her female friends over frequently. Often high pitched squeals and giggles filled the air. Narcissa smiled smugly whenever Lucius cringed at the noise. The girls dominated numerous meals discussing fashion, quidditch players, and gossip. Even worse, many pureblood males discovered the Black Scion never seemed to leave the manor. An unending stream of them paraded through under the guise of visiting Draco or visiting to play quidditch with him and Harry. To Sirius and Narcissa's amusement, and Lucius's horror, Hermione used her female visitors to research the art of flirting and her male ones to practice. And like many other topics she tackled, Hermione excelled at it.

The third week into the summer holidays, Hermione hid in the library. She decided to add a new dimension of annoyance to her protest of her "house arrest." She instructed the house elves to rearrange the library. Except for a bookcase in the back filled with the tomes she wanted to read, the rest would be sorted first by color then size. She sat on one of the hidden sofas, her feet tucked under the cushion next to her, skimming a Salisbury guide book. She might be one hundred before she ever saw the local sights, but at least she'd know which ones she wanted to see first.

"Ow." She looked up to see Theo rubbing his head. "Is there a reason for the flying books?"

"Yes. Sorry that hit you." Hermione dropped her feet to the floor so he could join her.

"And the reason?" He sat down.

"I asked the elves to reorganize the library."

"Okay, I'll bite, why?"

"To annoy Lucius."

"I figured that's why you've been flirting everyone and being loud with your friends."

"If he's going to treat me like a brainless piece of fluff, I'm going to act like one." Theo gave her a confused look. "He wants to keep me safe, but is treating me like less than the boys. I've always stood side by side with Harry, I can handle myself. Instead I'm not allowed off the property or Black Cottage without a minder. One vetted by Lucius. Meaning someone he trusts, like Sirius, Draco, or Harry. Lucius has endless meetings everyday. Sirius is busy reestablishing himself in the wizarding world. He is forgiven. Initially, Draco and Harry wanted to fly and ignored my dependence. Now they insist we can't go anywhere because the visitors begin arriving before breakfast is over. And since Lucius trapped me here, they all know where I'll be." Hermione spit out bitterly.

"An unintended consequence on Lucius's part." Theo began soothingly, "but one I can remedy for you."

"You'll help me poison them? Non lethally, of course."

"Uh, no. I thought I'd help you escape."

"How?"

"If Draco and Harry qualify as acceptable companions, I should. Lucius has known me my entire life. He practically helped raise me."

"Where would we go?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"Muggle Salisbury."

"Then muggle Salisbury."

"Let me change and let Mum know."

"Do I look all right?"

Hermione examined his clothes critically. She summoned Winky and asked her to swipe one of Draco's outfits for him. "Your trainers are fine."

Theo accompanied the house elf while Hermione hurried to her room. She changed into a teal sundress and comfortable sandals. She braided her hair up off her neck. More out of habit than concious thought, she applied mascara, a little eye shadow, and lip gloss. She raced downstairs and found Narcissa in the morning salon. "Mum, Theo and I are going to Sirius's, then out and about."

"Found a loophole have you?"

"Theo has full run of the manor when he pleases. You both call him a second son. If he isn't trustworthy, then who is?"

Narcissa laughed, "Enjoy your day, darling."

"I think I will."

Winky delivered a muggle looking Theo to the fireplace. Hermione admired the way the t-shirt emphasized his broadening shoulders and hinted at the promise of a flat stomach. "Follow me." She grabbed a handful of powder and threw it into the fireplace. "Black Cottage." When she arrived she stepped out the fire calling out. "Sirius? Dudley?"

Theo popped out as Sirius entered the study. "Kitten, what brings you by?" He quickly embraced her. Eagerly, she returned the hug. "We're going sight seeing, but it felt rude not to say hello."

He eyed Theo up and down. "Yes, it would be. Lord Sirius Black." He held out his hand.

Theo took and shook his hand firmly, "Scion Theodore Nott."

Sirius nodded, "Take care of my kitten."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Kittens have claws you know."

They ignored Hermione. Theo nodded once to Sirius. The older wizard held his gaze for another ten seconds before smiling.

"Have a good day."

On the front steps Theo offered Hermione his arm. "Where to my lady?"

Taking his arm, she pointed to the towering church spire. "Salisbury Cathedral. Not only does it have the tallest church spire in Britain, it has one of four remaining copies of the original Magna Carta." She smiled brightly.

He returned her smile. "I know you're speaking English, because I recognized the words, but that sentence made no sense." Hermione giggled and did her best to explain churches and the significance of the Magna Carta. For his part Theo asked intelligent questions.

"Wow." Standing on the lawn, Theo looked up at the towering spire of carved stone. "It's one thing to say something is tall and another to see it."

"Yeah." Hermione agreed. She slid her hand down Theo's arm intending to release it without drawing attention to them. He closed his hand around hers at the last second. She glanced over at him, but he kept his gaze on the church in front of them. Shrugging, she held his hand as they joined the queue.

While enjoying the tour through the nave, Hermione felt hyper aware of her hand in Theo's. He swept his thumb back and forth over the back of her hand, sending tingles of energy up her arm and down her core. Butterflies fluttered about her stomach. When the climb up the steep narrow staircase of the clock tower made holding hand impossible, Hermione reluctantly let go. On the observation deck, she moved to the side to allow him up. He used a hand at the small of her back to guide her to the railing.

Below them, green fields stretched out, dotted with white and yellow flowers. Hermione sighed, "Simply gorgeous."

"Yes." agreed Theo. Hermione turned her head, Theo continued to stare at her.

"Have you even looked at the view?"

"I'm all ready looking at the best view."

Hermione looked away, blushing. "Then why are we here? You could have stared at me at the Manor."

Theo took her hands, tugging her to face him. "This is where you wanted to go, so it's where I want to be. Also, there are no books to dodge here." He gave her a crooked smile and squeezed her hands. "Down to the Carta, yes?" Hermione nodded, her face pleasantly flushed. They followed the crowd down. On the ground floor, Theo took Hermione's hand again. They filed though the museum, perusing the exhibits. In the gift shop Theo purchased a book about the political influences that lead to the Magna Carta. He shrugged at her questioning look. "Where would my lady like to have lunch?"

"How about that little cafe by the buses out to Stonehenge? We could take one out there this afternoon." Hermione dropped her eyes, nibbling on her lower lip nervously. "I mean, if you want to, that is. I know this stuff can get boring."

"Hmmm, compete with five to ten other blokes for your attention, only to have you retreat to your room; or have you all to myself doing something enjoyable? What to do here?" He tucked an escaped curl behind her ear, brushing her cheek with his fingers. "I think I'll take the stones with the beauty." Hermione laughed and knocked him with her shoulder. "Shall we?" He escorted her to the cafe.

Hermione took the lead ordering and paying for lunch. Rather than be put out, Theo only grinned. "For every time you treat out here, I get to treat you in there." He tapped his hidden wand to indicate the wizarding world.

"Is that so, Mr Nott?" Hermione arched an eyebrow.

Theo's face fell. He shifted nervously, "I mean, that is, if you want to."

Hermione felt the butterflies in her stomach tornado about at the sight of his fidgeting. She found herself admiring his features. Shaggy brown hair framed his face. Cerulean eyes pleaded with her to respond from under thick lashes.

"I would love to. To establish ground rules, are we counting each outing, each meal, or each location as one?"

"Location." Relief clear on his face, Theo took a bite of his sandwich. Hermione swooned a little when he chewed and swallowed the bite before continuing. "So far that's two dates on me. After Stonehenge, that's three."

"Or outings, it doesn't have to be a date." Hermione offered shyly.

"Dates." He held her gaze unblinking.

"Okay, dates then." She took a smile bite of her sandwich. "This is a date, isn't it?"

"If you want it to be. I do." He gave her a sweet boyish smile and pushed his hair back from his face.

"I want it to be, too." Theo beamed at her and continued eating.

Hermione arranged for the bus tickets and directed Theo into a seat. He observed everything about the transactions. "I'm taking notes." He whispered into her ear, his lips brushing her ear. "The goal is to be able to take you on a muggle date without you coaching me."

"Why?" she whispered back.

"Because it is something you would enjoy. And you learned how to navigate a new world, I want to show you so can I."

"Oh, well, of course you can. It isn't terribly difficult. But thank you for the thought."

"The pleasure is all mine."

They spent the afternoon exploring the neolithic village displays and stone circle hand in hand. They finished at the visitor's center. Hermione desperately wanted to do the audio visual presentation of the circle through the seasons, but worried about overwhelming Theo. He solved her dilemma by joining the line, pulling her along behind him. Hermione read the numerous signs surrounding the line as they made their way inside.

They stood in the center of the circular theater. Theo positioned Hermione in front of him, then pulled her back against his front as the lights dimmed. He watched, amazed, as the stones surrounded them and time lapsed photography zipped them through 365 days. Hermione viewed the equinoxes and solstices go by, revealing in the beauty of nature around them. She sighed and leaned further back against Theo's broad chest. The show ended with a new moon, causing the stars to glitter brightly overhead. She stared straight up at the sky as the crowd trickled out around them.

When they were the last two, Theo turned her around. He smiled down at her. "Almost as glorious a sight." Hermione's eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips then back to his eyes. Slowly, he lowered his face towards hers, giving her plenty of time to pull away. His hands rested lightly on her hips. Gently, he brushed his lips against hers, once, then twice. Her eyes drifted shut as she pressed her mouth firmly against his. After a second, he began to move his mouth against hers. Hermione eagerly responded, kissing her back. Her hands snaked around his neck. He tightened his grip on her waist, flexing, then relaxing his hands. Eventually the need for air drove them apart.

"We probably need to go." she whispered.

Theo glanced at his watch. "In a minute."

"What happens in a minute?"

"The ten minutes I bribed the worker for ends." He began guiding her towards the exit.

"You didn't?"

"I did."

The lights popped on. The usher poked his head in. "That's ten minutes, mate."

"Yes, it was. My thanks, and my end of the bargain." He handed him a wad of pound notes and followed Hermione outside.

She giggled despite herself. "How much did you give him?"

"I have no idea. I exchanged 70 galleons this morning and gave it all to him."

"Merlin, Theo! That's ₤210!"

"And worth every knut." He looked about. "We should probably get you home, sweet."

She checked her watch. "I suppose so, it's 5 pm all ready." They continued holding hands even after arriving at Black Cottage. When they entered the study Hermione thought nothing of Sirius lounging on the sofa reading a book. Theo, however, froze. Sirius unfolded himself from the couch gracefully. "Have fun then, kitten?"

She grinned at him, her eyes glittering excitedly. "Oh, yes! Theo was wonderful. No eye rolling or huffing to hurry up."

"I found it all fascinating. If there are no objections, would you like to go out again tomorrow? Several brochures mentioned an iron fort and a garden, and there's Avebury circle. That one is actually still used by real wizards."

Hermione's face lit up further. She threw herself at Theo, raining little kisses all over his face. "Yes, please! Oh, thank you, thank you."

Reflexively, Theo wrapped his arms around Hermione to steady her. "You're welcome. Thank you for coming out with me. I'll pick you up at nine again."

"Sounds great." Hermione released Theo and briefly hugged Sirius. She flooed home. "Bye, Sirius! Bye, Dudley! See you tomorrow, Theo." She threw the powder, "Malfoy Manor."

Sirius regarded the younger wizard silently, weighing his words.

The former raised a hand and cut him off. "Lord Black, before you start, let me say this. I have admired your scion from afar for the last year and a half. Ever since she socked Draco in the face third year, really. I have never shared my father's beliefs, but knew I could never even befriend her safely before now. Every step of whatever this is will only proceed with her approval."

The older wizard nodded and clapped the younger on the shoulder. "So long as she keeps smiling like that you have my approval."

"Thank you, Lord Black." Theo nodded his head.

"Call me Sirius. And you can thank me by never telling her I offered an opinion, let alone approval."

"Agreed." Theo laughed and with a final handshake flooed home himself.