Chapter Five
Hermione hid a yawn behind her hand as she settled into her seat at the kitchen table, still feeling the effects of the Dreamless Sleep potion that she'd had the night before.
Both her and Sirius had been rudely awoken by Kreacher only minutes earlier, screeching about how it was inappropriate for the heir to the House of Black to be sharing a bed with Hermione.
"My apologies for sleeping in," she said to the waiting Walburga, Orion and Regulus.
"No apology is needed, Miss Granger," Orion reassured her. "The effects of Dreamless Sleep can be difficult to overcome."
"Where's Sirius?" Regulus asked her with a knowing smirk before taking a sip of his juice.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him as she poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice. "I bumped into him in the hallway and he said he'd get me some Wiggenweld Potion. I'm sure he'll join us shortly." She grabbed a slice of toast and the jar of marmalade.
Walburga hummed quietly as she flipped over a page of the Daily Prophet. "If you are going to lie, Miss Granger, be sure to keep it vague." The witch peered at Hermione over the wizarding newspaper. "Kreacher and Orion have already informed me where Sirius spent the night. An 'I haven't seen him yet this morning, Regulus' would've been better."
Hermione swallowed. "Of course, Lady Black. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
"In order to get used to fibbing, I highly suggest we work through your backstory until it becomes natural enough that you don't even have to think about it." Walburga suggested to her as she folded the newspaper and set it aside. "Where are your parents? Why didn't you come to Hogwarts when you were eleven like everyone else? Why the House of Black?" The witch raised a brow at Hermione. "What is the story you will be selling?"
Hermione frowned, thinking of the story she'd been constructing. "My parents passed away recently. While going through their belongings, I came across a betrothal arrangement between myself and Sirius Black. Having nothing else, I got into contact with the House of Black who've been kind enough to take me in." She blinked at Sirius as he joined them in the kitchen, handing her a small vial of Wiggenweld Potion before grabbing himself some breakfast. "My parents hired British tutors to educate me as we travelled around Europe, having preferred the magical education taught at Hogwarts."
"What did your parents die from?" Orion asked her as he had a sip of tea.
"I-I don't know," Hermione shook her head. She needed to brush up on her magical ailments.
"What happened to your real parents?" Sirius asked her.
"I got my mentor to obliviate them just before the start of my sixth year," Hermione informed the table. "They moved to Australia to restart their dental practise, no longer knowing that they had a daughter."
"Perhaps we can go with a severe case of Cerebrumous," Walburga suggested. "It's a disease that causes memory loss and confusion. A particularly virulent strain can lead to death."
"What about treatment?" Hermione asked her.
Walburga shook her head. "There isn't anything that I'm aware of. It's a rare disease of the mind, Miss Granger. But, not rare enough to draw suspicion."
Hermione nodded as she downed the Wiggenweld Potion. "Both my parents died from Cerebrumous, after months of trying all sorts of experimental treatment."
"Where did your mother and father travel?" Regulus asked her.
"All over," Hermione told him quietly. "We spent some time in France. As well as Bulgaria and Switzerland."
"Oh… are you fluent in anything other than English?" Orion queried.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm not. I was able to pick up a few phrases here and there, but we mostly kept to ourselves." She frowned. "I know a little bit of Bulgarian and French, but I am in no way fluent unfortunately."
"Why Bulgarian?" Walburga questioned her.
"I met a Bulgarian boy a few years ago," Hermione murmured quietly. "He taught me some phrases."
"Why is it that no one has met you before? Are your parents even pure-blood?" Sirius asked her after having a bite of his toast.
Hermione raised a brow at him. "Are you suggesting that the House of Black would have a betrothal arrangement with a half-blood family?" She munched on her own slice of toast.
"But, why haven't we ever met you before?" Regulus asked her.
"My parents preferred to keep to themselves." Hermione paused. "I share that preference."
"What are your plans after graduation?" Orion asked her.
Hermione hummed quietly, uncertain. "I would like to do some good in the world." She grimaced at her response.
Orion chuckled, shaking his head. "Too vague."
Nodding, Hermione thought of another response. "I would like to… step into my role as Sirius' betrothed." Again she grimaced.
"Interesting. Are the two of you getting married as soon as you finish Hogwarts?" Walburga asked her with a smirk. Hermione had walked right into something the family was attempting to ignore, at least until she completed her mission.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know how to answer the question," she admitted quietly.
"What did you wish to do for a career in your time?" Walburga asked her curiously.
"My plan was to fight for the rights of magical beings and creatures, as well as half-bloods and Muggle-born witches and wizards." Hermione winced. "But… I don't think that'll work this time around considering the family I am supposedly betrothed with."
Sirius snorted as he shook his head in agreement.
Walburga frowned at Hermione. "Perhaps that is something we can work with."
Sirius coughed, choking on his pumpkin juice. "I'm sorry, what?"
Walburga waved him off, focusing on Hermione. "You can say that you wish to rewrite the laws pertaining to half-breeds and other beasts."
"Keep it vague," Regulus reminded her. "But, not too vague."
"Everyone will assume that you want to create stricter laws in regards to the creatures and beings you mentioned," Orion told her quietly.
"I don't want people to think that of me. It's cruel and wrong," Hermione told the table. She hummed quietly, thinking of something else. "I would like to work at the Ministry of Magic. I find the Department of Mysteries most intriguing." She sipped her pumpkin juice. "Will that work?"
"It will, Miss Granger." Orion frowned as a tapping on the window interrupted the early morning lesson. "Kreacher, if you could get the post."
Hermione returned to her breakfast while the Black family house elf did as he was told.
"Letters from Hogwarts," Kreacher solemnly announced as he began handing the mail out to the proper recipients.
"Thanks Kreacher," Hermione murmured to the elf as he handed her her letter. She peered around the table at the Black family, uncertain of their traditions regarding Hogwarts letters.
"All at the same time?" Sirius asked his parents once he received his own letter from Kreacher.
"Of course," Walburga said.
"Three, two," Sirius' excited eyes met Hermione's. "One."
The three tore open their envelopes and tugged out their respective Hogwarts letters to read.
Hermione couldn't help but grin as she began to read through her letter welcoming her to Hogwarts.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment for your sixth year.
Term begins on 1 September.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
She took a look at the lengthy second piece of parchment containing the list of supplies and textbooks she would need for the upcoming school year.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
All students will require:
- Three sets of plain work robes (black)
- One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
- One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
SET BOOKS
- Sixth year students should have copies of the following:
- The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk
- Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage (if studying N.E.W.T. level Potions)
- Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts by Galatea Merrythought (if studying N.E.W.T. level Defence Against the Dark Arts)
- A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration by Emeric Switch (if studying N.E.W.T. level Transfiguration)
- Advanced Rune Translation by Yuri Blishen (if studying N.E.W.T. level of Ancient Runes)
- Flesh-Eating Trees of the World by Herbert Beery (if studying N.E.W.T. level Herbology)
- Numerology and Grammatica by L. Wakefield & M. Carneiro (if studying N.E.W.T. level Arithmancy)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (if studying N.E.W.T. level Care of Magical Creatures)
- Advanced Astronomy by Aurora Sinistra (if studying N.E.W.T. level Astronomy)
- A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot (if studying N.E.W.T. level History of Magic)
OTHER EQUIPMENT
- 1 wand
- 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
- 1 set glass crystal phials
- 1 set brass scales
- 1 telescope
- 1 trunk
- Dress robes (special occasion before the Christmas holiday )
"We'll need dress robes," Sirius muttered under his breath as he looked up from his letter and peered at his mother and father. "I assume there will be another dance of some sort."
"Regulus," Walburga ignored Sirius' comment and watched her youngest son with concern. "Is everything alright?"
Hermione scrunched up her nose as she tried – and failed – to hide her grin when the youngest Black looked at her in surprise.
"Did you know?" he asked her.
Hermione shrugged. "I may have read about the past prefects when I was made prefect in my fifth year," she admitted quietly before snickering.
Regulus blinked in obvious shock before reaching back into the envelope and taking out a small green and silver prefect badge.
"Congratulations, Regulus," Hermione murmured to him.
A small smile ghosted his face as he peered at the badge.
"A prefect," Sirius shook his head amusedly. "Congrats Reggie."
"Yes," Orion spoke proudly. "Congratulations are very much in order."
"While being made prefect is what is expected in this family, I suggest a gift for you for being my only son to meet these expectations." Walburga looked down her nose at her youngest son. "What would you like, Regulus?"
Sirius pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed tiredly as he shook his head at his mother's comment.
Regulus cleared his throat. "Would I be able to get my own owl?" His eyes darted back and forth between his parents.
"We have two owls of our own," Walburga said to him. "Are they not enough?"
"They are," Regulus reassured his mother. "I just… I think they're regal creatures. I was wanting to look after my own owl, mother. That's all."
Hermione looked between mother and son, waiting for Lady Black's approval.
"I give you permission to purchase an owl for yourself," Lady Black told her son. "But, if the bird bothers the family owls it will have to stay in your room with you."
Regulus nodded curtly. "Of course, mother." He paused. "Thank you."
"What's this about dress robes?" Orion asked after a moment of silence.
"Our letters mention that we need to have dress robes for a special occasion before the Christmas holidays," Sirius informed his father.
"Ah," Walburga nodded her head. "At the last Christmas gathering at Nott Manor, there was a discussion of a Celestial Ball possibly taking place at Hogwarts this year. The headmaster must've decided to proceed with the event." She turned slightly to look curiously at Hermione. "Do you know how to dance, Miss Granger?"
Hermione frowned. "A bit, yes. I had a Yule Ball in my fourth year. But, at that time I practised in my dormitory to prepare for the different wizarding dances."
"We'll find somewhere at Hogwarts to practise," Sirius reassured her. "It won't be too difficult if I'm leading you."
Hermione nodded.
"You'll also have to wear something appropriate for a pure-blood witch," Orion told her.
"Miss Granger and I will stop by Twilfitt and Tattings later in the summer," Walburga told everyone sitting at the table. "Many half-blood and Mud–" she stopped and cleared her throat, "Muggle-born witches like to wear gowns that are similar to what Muggles wear. That won't be acceptable." She looked pointedly at Hermione. "We will find something appropriate before the start of your term."
Hermione swallowed, her throat was tight with uneasy anticipation. "Thank you, Lady Black."
...
...
"I don't feel comfortable signing this arrangement," Hermione stated firmly to Lord and Lady Black as they all settled in the study of Grimmauld Place.
She watched as Orion hid a smirk behind his hand and scratched his chin. Walburga raised a well-manicured brow at her in question.
"What is the issue, child?" the witch asked as she clasped her hands together on the ancient desk separating her and Hermione.
Hermione frowned, choosing her words carefully. "There are a fair number of issues, as a matter of fact." She pulled out the scroll in question and unrolled it. "Firstly, this arrangement, for the most part, doesn't appear to be about the supposed betrothal between myself and your eldest son, Sirius. In fact, if I had to wager, I'd say it had more to do with my position in relation to the entire House of Black. This fact makes me question your intentions given that this isn't something that we've had an in depth discussion about."
"Are you suggesting that the House of Black is attempting to pull the wool over your eyes, Miss Granger?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not at all, Lady Black. I am merely suggesting that the House of Black might unintentionally be taking advantage of the fact that I am a Muggle-born witch and have no experience with pure-blood customs."
"We must protect this family, Miss Granger," Orion quietly informed her. "That includes having you sign an agreement with the Head of House, that is Walburga and myself."
"And I understand that. I do," Hermione told him. "But, I can hardly agree to sign something after being told the betrothal between myself and Sirius was merely for appearances sake." She waved the scroll of parchment around. "This isn't for show. This is real." She looked between Orion and Walburga. "If I accidentally step out of line, or say something deemed unacceptable according to this arrangement, what will happen to me?"
There was silence. Walburga and Orion refused to answer her question.
Hermione sighed, shaking her head. She needed to give Lord and Lady Black something in order for them to understand where she was coming from.
"In my fifth year, I got a group of students participating in a secret Defence group to write their names on a sign-up sheet after I told them that they must not discuss our group with anyone who was not a member," Hermione told the two of them. "The one student who told our secret to the temporary Headmistress I mentioned the other day, ended up with spots on her forehead that spelled out 'sneak'." She looked at Walburga. "The witch in question had to manipulate her fringe to hide the spots from everyone, although every single person at Hogwarts knew they were there. Permanently." She cleared her throat. "Will I be forced to adapt the same way Miss Edgecombe had to? Or does the House of Black employ far more sinister forms of punishment for spilling its secrets?"
Walburga's lips twitched ever-so-slightly, as if she were amused at Hermione's actions. "If you spill any House of Black secrets to an individual not a part of this immediate family you will be ostracised from Wizarding Britain, if Orion and myself deem it an appropriate course of action."
"Do you plan to share our secrets, Miss Granger?" Orion asked her.
Hermione shook her head. "Of course not. As I've said before, I don't know much about the House of Black except for what I've heard from individuals who do not belong to this family. I know of rumours, but nothing more than that."
"The arrangement in your hand is only to protect the House of Black," Orion tried reassuring her. "Think of it as an agreement between yourself and a place of business. You wouldn't share trade secrets with another business, would you?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't believe so, no." She paused. "Certainly not intentionally in any case."
"When an individual marries into a traditional pure-blood family, the majority of the arrangement is in regards to their standing with the entire House," Walburga told her. "While technically you are supposed to be marrying Sirius, you are more so marrying into this family as a whole." She frowned. "If you had a family of your own, Sirius would have to sign a similar arrangement."
"So… you're saying that Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy had to do the same thing?" Hermione couldn't help but ask. It was the only marriage that she could think of off the top of her head that was undoubtedly traditionally pure-blood.
Walburga nodded enthusiastically. "Most certainly. There are many things about the House of Malfoy that Narcissa doesn't or cannot speak about, while there is far more that Lucius doesn't know about the House of Black."
"Time travel for one," Orion informed Hermione. "I can assure you without any doubt that Narcissa would not have shared this family's history of the use of time turners with her husband."
Hermione thought of the Lucius Malfoy she knew in her time. "Because he would most likely want to manipulate time to give himself an advantage."
"He is an exceptionally ambitious man," Walburga agreed.
"What else do you have an issue with?" Orion asked her after a moment.
Hermione peered down at the scroll in her hand. "There's a section which mentions that I must refrain from associating directly with certain magical beasts and those not of pure-blood." She met Walburga's gaze dead on. "I want that scratched off entirely. No exceptions."
"It is not appropriate for a member of the House of Black–"
"I am not a member of the House of Black," Hermione cut Walburga off. "I am a Granger, and members of my family prefer to associate with all sorts, regardless of their blood status or breed."
"Consider it removed, Miss Granger," Orion reassured her kindly. "That was overstepping on our part."
"Thank you, Lord Black." Hermione cleared her throat. "There is also mention of clothing worn by myself." Her eyes darted between Walburga and Orion questioningly.
"It's just so you don't wear Muggle clothing. Nothing more." Walburga frowned. "It is unacceptable for a witch marrying into the House of Black to wear clothing so… hideous and of poor quality."
"And it is only temporary," Orion reassured her once again. "After the mission is complete, you are more than welcome to wear whatever you wish."
"You want to make certain that I am looking the part." Hermione nodded in understanding. "I concur with this rule."
She found the next section she wanted clarification on and read it out loud for the room to hear. "'The witch in question, Miss Hermione Jean Granger, must act as if she is in a committed courtship with the heir of the House of Black, Sirius Orion Black'." She looked up from the roll of parchment. "What exactly do you mean by that statement?"
"That is left for you to decide," Orion told her with an almost imperceptible smile on his face. "You are not permitted to carry out any sort of relations with a wizard from another House. How you and Sirius interpret that rule is up to the two of you."
It seemed to Hermione as if Orion was giving his permission for her and his son to court, if it was something they chose to do. She frowned as she took in Walburga's look of disgust. A rule, no doubt, that Lady Black didn't agree with.
It was an interesting turn of events and something to be considered later on. Hermione tucked away the information and focused on the arrangement clutched tightly in her hands. "There is also mention of participation in certain pure-blood traditions. What does this mean?"
"The gathering over Christmas that was mentioned earlier is an example," Walburga informed her.
"If another family decides to hold a ball to celebrate a betrothal arrangement of their own and they invite you, you and Sirius are to take part." Orion frowned as he rubbed his chin in thought. "It is so you keep up appearances. Our reputation is on the line if you do not participate in these events."
"Even if I never had a ball to celebrate my supposed betrothal arrangement with the House of Black?"
Walburga nodded. "Yes. Officially a ball was not held out of respect for the recent loss of your mother and father. However, our Christmas gathering will act as an impromptu ball of sorts, minus the extravagance. In this case, the dancing will be the numerous discussions of issues and politics over dinner. Do try to not step on anyone's toes."
"Many families will be very interested in meeting you, Miss Granger," Orion informed her.
"No pressure or anything," Hermione murmured mostly to herself.
"I am certain you'll perform admirably."
...
...
Hermione frowned as she placed the last of hers and Sirius' textbooks into the basket slung on her arm.
She had spent the better part of the day shopping for hers and Sirius' back-to-school items with Regulus after Sirius had left them to spend some much-needed time with his friends at the Leaky Cauldron.
As soon as they'd stepped into Flourish and Blotts, however, Regulus had told her to grab the textbooks she and Sirius needed before quickly abandoning her at the front of the shop. She knew he was still somewhere in the bookstore, but had yet to run into him.
Sighing as she looked down at the full basket, Hermione knew she had one more book that she needed to purchase if she were to prevent herself from having recurring nightmares while at Hogwarts.
She began the trek up the stairs and towards the Occlumency & Legilimency section of the bookstore, in search of a book that she could use to teach herself how to shield her mind.
Coming to a stop in front of the section that housed numerous books on the subject, Hermione stared – slightly overwhelmed – at the large selection before her. She didn't even know where to start.
She began selecting random Occlumency books off the shelf and giving them a quick glance, searching for something that caught her interest.
"I just don't understand why you're rejecting me!" a male voice whispered frantically from somewhere nearby.
Hermione frowned as she cautiously placed Protection Charm Your Mind back on the shelf, careful to not make a sound. The voice sounded vaguely familiar.
"I've told you repeatedly, my family's reputation is everything to me. I'm not interested in dilly-dallying with someone who will undoubtedly damage that reputation. To be quite blunt, you're not worth the risk."
Hermione blinked in shock. She most definitely knew the identity of the second individual. It was Regulus.
"But… I love you," the first voice sobbed, a bit louder this time. "I thought you loved me too!"
"Get the fuck away from me," Regulus growled. "Don't ever speak to me again."
Hermione stood in stiff shock as a teenaged Barty Crouch Jr. quickly made his way past her, wiping the tears from his cheeks. She held her breath as Regulus stepped into the aisle after him and made his way closer to her, coming to a stop merely inches away.
"I-I'm just looking for a book to help with my nightmares," she shakily told the youngest Black as she turned around to face him directly. She peered up at him and swallowed tightly, taking in the ice cold expression on his face.
Regulus' jaw was clenched tightly as he reached around Hermione to grab a book behind her on the shelf. He handed her a new copy of Guide to Advanced Occlumency and cleared his throat. "I would start here, Miss Granger. There's even a chapter on the prevention of night terrors. I highly recommend that you read through it carefully."
Hermione clutched the book in her hand. "But… it's advanced Occlumency. I've never–"
"You're a clever witch," Regulus interrupted her. "I'm sure you'll figure it out." He peered down at the basket hooked on her arm. "Have you found everything?"
Hermione nodded as she placed the Occlumency book in her basket with the others. "I have, yes."
Regulus gave her a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I still need to find my textbooks. Why don't you head to the till, I'll meet you there shortly."
She did as she was told and quickly made her way back down the stairs. Regulus followed closely behind before splitting off to grab his fifth year textbooks.
Hermione came to a stop behind a mother and her young child clutching a bundle of second-hand first year textbooks. The two were dressed in Muggle attire.
She gave the boy a small smile. "I think Charms is one of my favourite subjects," she told him quietly, gesturing to his second-hand copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade One, that was on the top of his bundle of books.
The little boy grinned up at her. "Really?"
Hermione nodded. "Absolutely. I've heard that Professor Flitwick is one of the best instructors at Hogwarts." She grinned at the mother as she turned around to take in the person speaking to her son. "If I remember my lessons correctly, you'll even get to float feathers in the air during your first lesson."
"Float feathers in the air," the mother said to her son in excitement. "You'll have to tell me all about it at Christmas, Spencer."
"I'll owl you." Spencer grinned up at his mother.
"We can't afford a pet owl, dear." His mother shook her head sadly.
"I believe Hogwarts has its own owls that students can use to write home to their families," Hermione told them kindly. She peered at Regulus who had slipped into the queue beside her clutching his own books. "That's correct, right?"
Regulus nodded. "Yes, it is. Not everyone has a familiar." He paused. "Most don't actually."
"Oh," the mother responded, relieved. "Thank you for that information." She smiled at Hermione and Regulus before steering her son with her towards the next available till.
"Did you find everything you were looking for?" Hermione asked Regulus, needing to break their sudden uncomfortable silence.
He raised a brow at her. "Obviously."
Hermione nodded but otherwise remained silent.
Regulus grabbed her upper arm as soon as the next till was free and pulled her towards the waiting shop worker to make their purchases.
"All of this is on the Black account," Regulus told the wizard.
"Of course, sir." The worker moved quickly as he rang up their purchases.
Hermione began setting the textbooks from her basket onto the counter.
"I'm terribly sorry, dear, but the Occlumency book you've selected requires parental approval for purchase by anyone underage." The wizard peered at Hermione through his thick spectacles.
"What?" Hermione couldn't hide her confusion.
"It's very advanced content and most experts agree that underage witches and wizards haven't yet a mature enough mind." The man shrugged and gestured to her stack of sixth year textbooks.
"My mother has already given Miss Granger approval," Regulus haughtily stated to the man, challenging him.
The wizard looked between Hermione and Regulus before giving a curt nod of his head. "Of course, Mr. Black. My apologies for the misunderstanding on my part."
Hermione frowned at the interaction, but remained silent as she watched the books get carefully placed into three separate paper bags.
"Thank you," Regulus said coolly to the wizard as he grabbed two of the bags, leaving the last for Hermione to carry herself, and left Flourish and Blotts.
Hermione scrambled to keep up as they wove through the thick crowds of back-to-school shoppers.
Sighing in relief once they reached an alley tucked away from the major shops, Hermione came to a stop next to Regulus just as Kreacher appeared with a soft pop.
"Can you take our textbooks back to Grimmauld Place, Kreacher?" Regulus asked the Black family house elf kindly as he bent over slightly to speak with the small creature.
"Yes, Master Regulus." Kreacher grabbed the two bags that Regulus handed him and reached out to take Hermione's bag as well.
He went off with a soft pop, leaving the two alone in the secluded alley.
"Where do you want to go now?" Hermione asked the youngest Black who slowly straightened up, still keeping his back towards her. "It's getting quite busy out there."
Before she could blink, Hermione found herself pushed hard against the wall. Regulus had one arm firmly holding her in place while he jabbed his wand into her neck.
Hermione gasped, winded by the action. "Regulus–"
"Shut it," Regulus cut her off. "If you say anything to my parents about what you think you may have heard–"
"I won't," Hermione rushed out. "I swear. They won't hear a word from me."
"–I'll kill you." Regulus' bottom lip quivered. His eyes were wild, terrified.
Hermione shook her head, ignoring the wand poking into her carotid artery. "I won't say anything," she tried to reassure him. "It's alright, Regulus. It's normal. Natural."
"No," he painfully sobbed. "It's… wrong."
Hermione gently pushed his wand away from her neck. "It isn't wrong. It isn't, I swear." She peered at him with concern. "Two of my good friends are gay. They're homosexual. And they are two of the best people I know."
"Muggles?"
"Wizards," Hermione corrected.
Regulus made an inarticulate noise and hid his face behind his hands before stepping away from Hermione.
Hermione pushed herself off the wall, reached out and pulled Regulus' hands away from his face. "It's alright." She peered up into his pale grey eyes. "It's going to be okay." She pulled him in for a hug before she could talk herself out of it. Regulus tensed at the action before wrapping his strong arms around her frame.
"It's not my place to say anything," Hermione murmured quietly to him. "It's something that only you can inform people about, if that's what you decide." She heard Regulus sniffle. "I won't even tell Sirius, although I'm certain he'd be supportive."
"I just… I don't even know what I feel," Regulus roughly muttered. "I can't tell anyone. My parents would kill me."
"Then fuck your parents," Hermione stated bluntly. "They don't deserve to know."
She pulled away from Regulus and gave him what she hoped was a comforting smile. "Let's meet up with Sirius at the Leaky Cauldron and grab some lunch. He's spent enough time with his friends."
She looped her hand around Regulus' elbow, leading the way out of the alley and towards the wizarding pub.