Preparing for the Next Chapter

"Who's next?" Snape asked wanting this book OVER after having endured the chapter that discussed his werewolf lesson with the third years. He was amazed he had survived the death glares.

It also hadn't helped he had heard Lily's final words.

"I guess I'm next." George said before smiling fondly.

"Actually," Hermione interrupted. "I think we should break for lunch. I'm hearing Ron's stomach and it's affecting my concentration on foreshadowing place so I can look for them in the future."

"This has already happened though?" Tonks pointed out.

"I'm with Hermione." Ron said. "I'm hungry."

Everyone decided a small break would be a good idea and they headed for the kitchen.

"Excuse me." Molly said walking down the hall a bit.

Concerned, Arthur followed his wife.

"Molly? Are you okay?" he asked.

"It was HER." Molly told her husband when they were alone.

Arthur nodded having also made the connection.

"No child should have to hear that Arthur. Or even remember." Molly said. "And she was only 21! A YEAR older than P-Percy. I can't even imagine what Remus and Sirius must be going through to hear that as they knew her better."

"It is probably painful." Arthur said pulling his wife into a hug. "But they have Harry to help them. From what I've heard, Harry has enough of Lily in him to help ease the pain."

"This might sound a bit childish," Molly informed her husband. "But hearing that…even if it was just Fred's voice…but knowing it was her…I know she existed but…"

"Knowing that Harry actually HEARS her makes her even more real." Arthur said. "I know what you mean. It's like what Harry went through when he got his cloak. It's one thing to be aware of her existence. After all, without her, we wouldn't have Harry. But the world's been without Lily Potter for 14 years now, it's easy to forget. Especially when we didn't know her."

"It's just…with this feeling…it seems as if I failed her. Her son was being abused and I didn't believe it when it was first brought to my attention."

"You didn't fail her."

The parents turned to see Sirius standing in the door.

"When you didn't head straight for the kitchen to feed your son, I got worried." Sirius explained the eavesdropping. "Molly. You didn't fail Lily. You were more of a mother to Harry than Petunia was. I don't think there was too much you could do about the abuse even if you did believe your sons. Not with that protection in place. But you opened your home to him. You fed him. You've clothed him. You gave him a home when I was unable to due to the Ministry's incompetency…present Ministry worker exempted."

Arthur made a gesture as if to brush it aside knowing that Sirius wasn't talking about him.

"For that I am grateful and I'm CERTAIN James and Lily are as well." Sirius said. "The ONLY issue would be this whole prophesy bit. They wanted Harry knowing his first year so he could focus on his studies. Know JUST how vital it was for him to learn magic. But they did want their son loved and you provided that when they physically could not. James was my brother in everything but blood and Lily was an annoying sister to me so you can trust what I say."

Molly smiled through her tears and hugged the convict.

"Harry's lucky to have you." She told him.

"He's lucky to have you too. The both of you." Sirius said.

0000

While that was going on,

Remus had pulled Hermione aside.

"What is going on?" Remus asked.

"What do you mean?" she asked innocently.

Remus shot her a look.

"You've never been that good at lying." The werewolf told her.

Hermione sighed.

"Ron and I were talking earlier. This next chapter is when Harry learns the story of how Sirius is connected with his parents and…he heard the popular version. You know Harry, Professor." Hermione explained. "He's going to try to leave the room but he can't keep running. The plan is to have lunch and then when we come back, do a bit of seating rearranging so that Ron and I can hold him down. Probably have the twins and/or Ginny ready to sit on him."

Remus nodded in understanding before wincing.

"The sooner this book is over with the better." Remus admitted.

"You feel that too?" she asked nervous about Snape finding out about the Time Turner.

"During our private lessons," Remus admitted. "the topic of Sirius came up and Harry said something that I don't think he wants known by Sirius."

"What?" she asked worriedly.

"You have to remember Hermione," Remus explained. "This was before Harry knew of the switch. And with you explaining that he heard the story of Sirius being the secret keeper, it makes sense now. But…Harry said that Sirius deserved the kiss."

Hermione gasped. She knew Harry had hated Sirius at the time. After all, he believed the convict was the one responsible for Voldemort finding the Potters. But considering how they acted now…

She prayed he didn't remember.