The sun was low in the sky outside Hermione's hotel room, casting a dim glow through the open window. She was sitting at the small table, idly sipping a cup of tea. Before her sat Charlie, who stared blankly into his untouched cup. Sirius stood at the window, unmoving. Hermione had just finished informing him of all that had happened since he had died.
"I can't believe I've been gone for three years." He finally spoke, moving to sit down between them. "I've missed so much. Harry had to go through it all without me."
"He wasn't alone Sirius. He had the entire Order not only protecting him, but encouraging him and loving him as well." Hermione whispered, grabbing his hand and giving it a firm squeeze. "And speaking of Harry, we need to get you to Grimmauld Place. I need to go inform my mother that I have to leave a week early, and I need to pack my things. You should probably wait here and apparate there with me. I don't think they would believe it is you if you just showed up after dying in front of most of them 3 years ago."
Hermione stood and left the room, quickly followed by Charlie, who mumbled something about getting back to his dragons before apparating out. Sirius realized just how tired he was, as if he hadn't slept since the moment he slipped through the Veil. He laid down on her bed and within moment had slipped into a quiet slumber.
By the time Hermione returned, Sirius was snoring loudly and even drooling slightly. She took some time packing, giving Sirius a little time to rest. Once she finished packing she gently shook him awake, pulling him up.
"It's time to go sunshine. Everyone should be there, probably sitting down to one of Molly's breakfasts." she said with a smile, looping her arm through his. He gave her a quick nod and Hermione apparated them to Grimmauld Place, landing them right in the entryway.
Remus was sitting at the dining table with the rest of the Order as Molly floated around various platters of eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and toast. Through the dull roar of the conversations there was a telltale 'pop', signaling that someone had apparated into the other room. He quickly counted heads and stood, pulling his wand free.
"Molly, were you expecting anyone else this morning?" he asked, just as on guard as ever.
"No dear, why do you ask?"
"Because I believe we have a guest." Remus said, turning to the door just as the woman stepped through. Her brunette curls were slightly messed, her knees were dirty and scraped, and even though her yellow sun dress was covered in grime, he felt his heart skip a beat at her beauty.
"Hermione dear, what a surprise! We weren't expecting you for another week!" Molly said, a smile gracing her normally saddened face. Remus felt as if a brick of lead had been dropped in his stomach. He forced back the lecherous thoughts he was experiencing and focused on the girl-woman, in front of him. Something was very wrong with this situation. Hermione stood before them, unannounced, a week earlier than expected, covered head to toe in dirt. She had a look on her face that paralleled his feelings.
"What's wrong Hermione?" he asked, slowly coming around the table. She held up her hands and shook her head.
"Nothing is wrong, but I think you all will want to sit down for this." Remus complied, taking his seat. Hermione turned down the hall, waving at someone. As the dark haired man entered and stood next to Hermione, Remus felt anger well inside of him. He was the first to his feet, drawing his wand for the second time that morning as Kingsley followed and Arthur forcibly held Harry back.
"Hermione come over here now. I don't know who that man is, but he is NOT Sirius Black." he said, his voice coming out as a deep growl. Hermione surprised them all by jumping in front of Sirius, her arms held out in protection.
"Professor I know what you are thinking, but it is him! Charlie and I saw him come out of the Veil ourselves! Please, talk to him, ask him anything!" her eyes were pleading with him and Remus reluctantly lowered his wand and came around the table to stand before the taller man.
"What is my nickname?"
"Moony."
"How do you open the Marauder's Map?"
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"What happened to James the first time he attempted his animagus transformation?"
"He only managed a half transformation, ending up with 4 hooves and a pair of antlers." At this point a small smile was ghosting Remus' face, as he only had one final question.
"What was my favorite subject in school?" Sirius rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Really Moony? You didn't have a favorite subject! If they would have let you take every single class and spend every waking moment studying, you would have!" Sirius replied. Remus' hand lightly touched Sirius' shoulder, as if touching him would make him disappear.
"Sirius, is it really you?" he asked, his face growing pale. Sirius nodded just as Remus pulled the other Marauder into a fierce hug. After a moment they separated and Sirius turned to Harry, who was now free from Arthur's grasp. Harry launched himself at his godfather and Remus watched as the entire Order surrounded the two men. He turned to Hermione, who had tears streaking down her dirt covered face. He grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her to the table.
"You need to tell us everything."
Hermione knew this had been coming. She'd had a little time to prepare, but her stomach was still in knots. She didn't like the idea of lying to Order. Everyone was seated around the table, staring at her, waiting for her explanation. The worst was McGonagall. She had the same stare that Dumbledore used to have. Hermione sucked in a breath, and started from the beginning. When she reached the point in her story about the voice from within the Veil speaking to her, she felt her voice falter.
"It said... it said it would give me someone I'd lost. All I had to do-" but Molly interrupted her.
"So this, this thing from within the Veil sent Sirius back to you? That means we can go back to it! We can ask it for Fred!" Hermione felt her heart break. The hope she saw on Molly's voice was almost more than she could bare.
"No Molly, we can't go back to it. You didn't let me finish. It only agreed to send someone back if I agreed to destroy the Veil. I held up my end of the bargain. The Veil is gone, as is any trace of it ever being there." There was an explosion of voices, Arthur, Molly, Kingsley, Harry, everyone Hermione cared about. Professor Lupin stood, silencing the room with his wand pointed to his throat.
"That's enough! Molly, Arthur, I know that this is hard for you. The hope that you could have your son back... I can't imagine what you must be feeling. But Hermione did the right thing. Imagine if Death Eaters knew of it's existence? What else could come from it? All we've accomplished, and all of the deaths would have been for not because they would have brought Voldemort back." Remus lowered his wand and sat back down. McGonagall smiled approvingly and reached across the table to pat Molly's hand. Molly sighed and nodded.
"Remus is right. I'm so sorry dear. I didn't mean to yell." she said, trying to will a smile onto her face. "Oh my goodness. All of this fuss and I didn't see just how exhausted you look. Go on upstairs, get a shower and some rest." Hermione tried to protest, but was surprised to feel Sirius' hands pulling her to her feet.
"She's right Hermione. You haven't slept and frankly you look terrible. Go get some sleep." he said, shoving her toward the stairs. Hermione relented, and after a gratifying shower she climbed into bed and fell into a blissful sleep.
~Author's Note~ Thank you all so much for your reviews! I really meant for this chapter to be longer, as I had a lot more I wanted to put in it, but it will sadly have to wait until Chapter three. I'm trying to bust out chapters in between work and chasing after my 9 month old daughter, and although it isn't exactly what I wanted to put up, I didn't want to make anyone wait anymore! Cassidy Chase- I'm one of those author's who is still in denial that Remus ever died, so I kind of leave that little fact out of my stories. :)