A/N - Thank you thank you guys for all your wonderful reviews fav and likes they have made my day as always. Chapter 2 of Meddling Malfoys went upon Monday so if you haven't popped over and have a look and Drarry is your thing then please do! I love this chapter I love Walburga and I never thought I would ever say that but I know where this is all going and I just think she's brilliant, I hope you guys will to. Please leave a little review and let me know what you think :) And don't forget to follow me on tumblr at thewrittingferret.

As always I own nothing.

And BIG BIG BIG Beta Puff Love xxx


The Governess

Chapter 2


Hermione was confused, her head was spinning and she felt as though she had just climbed off the waltzers at the funfair - there was no other way to describe it. One minute she had been sat down at her desk working away, a little distracted perhaps, but still working. And now, now she was stood on the stoop of Grimmauld Place with the sun blazing down on her, a slight breeze in the air ruffling her hair and the hem of her robes. She looked around her, the street was too quiet for midday London and there was still light dew on the railings of the stairs. That's strange, she thought, considering it was coming up for lunch last she looked; the morning dew should well and truly be gone by now.

Thinking she should probably head inside and floo back over to work, Hermione tried to open the door. Huh that's odd, she thought when the door wouldn't open at her request. The wards were refusing her entry - something they had never done before. She stood there frowning for a moment considering what was going on.

There was something different about the wards, now she had a moment to think about it, something very different. The wards themselves were certainly not the wards that had been in place before she left for work and certainly didn't feel like anything Sirius would have up in place. They felt like blood wards, like ancient magic, old magic that had filled the walls of the house as it had when she first visited the place. Yet there was a slight difference about it compared to then, too. It felt lighter, not as dark. It wasn't threatening, just protective. It was odd, and she only wished she knew what Sirius was trying to achieve with the changes.

Giving up with trying to enter, Hermione raised her hand and knocked firmly on the door, ready to chastise Sirius for not including her in the new wards, hands on hips firmly in place, and frown pursing her lips.

That was, until someone very unfamiliar opened the door, the stance dropping in an instance.

There, standing before her was a man very much like Sirius, though his hair was shorter and peppered with more grey at the temples an aristocratic neatness to the style. He was a tall and proud looking man, dressed impeccably with a welcoming smile. "Ah there you are, you must be here for the Governess position. Please, please, do come in," he said ushering her in the door.

This was not the Grimmauld Place she knew, this was certainly not the house she had grown used to. The walls were surprisingly bright and airy; creams and soft greens adorned the walls and were complemented beautifully by elegant furniture. Yet the biggest and most obvious change that caught her eye was the lack of the portrait of Sirius' mother or the curtains that forever covered her. The wall was bare.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss-" said the Man who had let her in as he held his hand out before him.

"Granger. Hermione Granger," she replied as she accepted his hand and shook it in greeting.

"Well Miss Granger, I'm Mr. Black, though you most probably already knew that," he said with a chuckle. Mr Black? She thought to herself a wave of panic rushing over her. "My wife is just through in the drawing room," he paused for a moment, a slight furrow to his brow, "just take anything she says with a pinch of salt, please," he asked her softly.

She nodded, and allowed the gentleman to lead her through to where he had gestured moments before. Once again the room had her taken by surprise. It was nothing like she had known it to be; gone was the dark walls and dark furniture, in flooded light from the large open windows. Tall ceilings that were free of cobwebs, ornaments which were clear of dust and years of grim. There were no other words to describe the room other than beautiful, elegant blues and creams decorated the walls, the long draped curtains pulled back with elegant twisted brass hooks. It was if she were stepping into a royal home, the fine detail taking her breath away.

"Walburga," called out Mr. Black to the woman who stood by the window looking out on to the street below, herself looking every bit as beautiful as the room. Hair as black as ebony pulled back off her face into an elegant twist and wearing robes Hermione could only ever dream of owning. If the woman she was looking at right at that moment was the same woman whom Hermione thought she was, then she certainly didn't look like the witch that shouted and screamed profanities at everyone.

Hermione found herself feeling somewhat nervous standing in a room with who she could only assume where Sirius' parents – and then it hit her – Sirius parents – she was standing in Grimmauld Place with Sirius' parents. Oh, dear Merlin.

She tried to stay as calm as she could, tried her hardest to not panic. Somehow, somehow she had managed to travel back in time. Of course it was what she had been working on the subject itself but only to manipulate time, hold it still, rewind short distances, slow it down, maybe speed it up. Traveling it was never the main purpose, a bonus, but not what she had set out to do.

"This is Miss Hermione Granger," introduced Mr. Black. "She's here for the Governess position."

Hermione felt so small the moment the woman's eyes raked over her in what was quite possibly an inspection, feeling grateful that she was still in her work robes. They were at least far more presentable then much of the other items that hung in her wardrobe.

"Hmm, at least she's clean," was all the woman said once her inspection was complete. Hermione could feel a bubble of anger form in the pit of her stomach but knew better than to act on it at that precise moment. She had far too much to risk if she did.

"Walburga," warned Mr. Black with a sharp tone that got both woman's attention, "I shall not have you speak to her like that. You know very well you have the opportunity to provide an adequate Governess for the boys and you failed at that. The agreement was that it would be my turn, should that happen, and I believe that Miss Granger here will do a fine job," he stated.

How could he believe such things when she had barely said more than 'Hello' to the man? Was she taking someone else's potential job? Maybe she should explain that she was not here for the position? Yet if she were to do that, then where would she go? No, she would keep quiet for the time being, should someone else arrive for the supposed job then she would come clean, and run as fast as she could from Mrs. Black's wrath.

"Very well," said Mrs. Black, walking towards both Hermione and her husband, "What did you say her name was?"

"I believe, dear, that you are more than capable of asking the lady herself," Mr. Black chose to ignore the way the woman scoffed at his use of the word lady, but did shoot Hermione an apologetic look for her behaviour.

"Name?" Mrs Black asked sternly.

"Hermione Granger," replied Hermione as confidently as she could, though she would be lying if she didn't say that Mrs. Black intimidated her greatly, her inner Gryffindor Lion becoming somewhat more of a timid kitten.

"What kind of name is that? Hermininie?" scoffed Mrs. Black.

"It's Hermione, Dear," corrected her husband whilst once more giving Hermione another apologetic look.

"Herminonnie," tried the witch once more now a scowl that looked far more familiar from her portrait in place.

"Hermione," corrected Hermione this time and almost instantly wished she hadn't, for the look of thunder she received would have scared even Voldemort himself.

"Nonnie," said Mrs. Black her eyes never leaving Hermione's form.

"Excuse me love?" asked Mr. Black sounding just as confused as Hermione felt.

"Nonnie the Nanny," she replied. "That is your name."

Hermione was stunned and just as she was about to share her own opinion about that with the woman before her that could and would quite possibly only anger the witch further, Mr. Black's stern voice interrupted her.

"Walburga! I do not care if you are happy about this or not but you will behave and control your temper, she is here for a position that we greatly need filling and I shall not have you scare her off with your rudeness before she has even made her mind up about the position."

"Dear," began Mrs. Black, her voice filled with venom as she said the word "First you bring a Mu-"

"I shall stop you there-"

"Muggleborn," spat Mrs. Black. Hermione watched as the two argued back and forth, the whole ordeal surreal and confusing to say the least, "into this house, with the intent to teach our sons! How do you think someone of her blood status could teach the heirs of the House of Black to the same standard of that of a pureblood witch or wizard, even a half blood would have been far more acceptable," barked the woman, her voice nearing the familiar screech that her future portrait would one day voice.

Hermione found herself unable to say anything as she watched the two bicker about her ability to teach who she assumed must be Sirius and Regulus. Her mind then wondering as to what time she had landed in and how old Sirius and his younger brother would be.

Governess they had called her a Governess. They must be quite young then, she thought, Perhaps this is a few years before Sirius went to Hogwarts for the first time? There was little she could do apart from simply go along with whatever it was that was happening, she had little choice in the matter and whatever type of magic she had achieved would of course eventually wear off. Well, she hoped that it would.

"We have tried it your way, we have had people you approve off in to fill the position and none have lasted more than the end of the week with that boy!" shouted Mr. Black gesturing wildly to the door, catching sight of Hermione as he did so and suddenly looked rather abashed with himself.

"I am so terribly sorry for my outburst Miss Granger, please forgive me. It is just... we are at the end of our tether with our oldest and his behaviour. It seems he wishes to make things extremely difficult on a regular basis," he continued looking suddenly rather worn out by it all.

"Difficult, you call it difficult?! That, dear Husband of mine, is too kind for what our son is at the moment. I would describe him as a little sh-"

"Walburga! You do not talk like that in front of guests for one and it is certainly not the kind of language I'll have my wife use!" Mr. Black chastised.

Hermione for the first time ever, for once saw the similarities between Sirius and his mother. He would most probably be truly offended by the statement himself but, their disposition was certainly rather similar. They were both passionate people, albeit about different things but, they were both it seemed very opinionated about certain matters, there was no denying that. Not to mention the likeness between their looks.

She had always thought that Sirius would have taken after his father but after seeing his mother in all her Pureblood glory, it was quite clear that Sirius held much resemblance to the woman. Those high aristocratic cheekbones were hard to ignore, the steel grey eyes too. There was no denying that the woman in her prime was stunning.

"Do you mind if I ask how old your son's are?" Asked Hermione cautiously hoping to defuse the tension in the room.

"Our eldest Sirius is 15, his younger brother Regulus 13," replied Mr. Black.

Hermione was even more confused now than she had originally been. Both boys were well past the age of a Governess and having been attending Hogwarts she wasn't that sure what it was Mr and Mrs Black were expecting from her. It wasn't as though she were anywhere near the standard of the professors at the school. Yes, she knew many of the subjects in depth, but not enough in her opinion to teach.

"Do they attend Hogwarts?" She asked, though she knew the answer.

"They do."

"Then why Mr. Black do you require a Governess?" She continued.

Mr Black sighed deeply before once more shooting his wife a look to keep quiet when she looked as if she were about to interrupt him. "Sirius is rather behind in his lessons, we have had many a letter from both his head of house and Headmaster. It seems he would rather spend his time playing the fool then working on his studies that boy-"

"That woman doesn't know what she's talking about, she's always had a thing against us Blacks, she's just still bothered that the boy was sorted into her house-"

"Were you bothered?" Interrupted Hermione and she had instantly wished she hadn't when Mrs. Black shot her a deadly look.

"Of course not, I may not agree with all his views," her mouth twisted around the words as she said them, her eyes firmly locked on Hermione silently telling her that her type was one of those views, "but he made a statement. Blacks are always noticed, always at the top and his sorting was just that. He thinks he's 'got one over us' as I once heard him say but really all he's done is created an ever bigger name for himself." Hermione couldn't believe the bright beaming smile the woman was sporting, so unlike the screaming banshee of an expression her painting held.

Surprised Hermione gave a curt nod before turning her attention back towards Mr. Black "And your youngest?" She asked hoping to change the subject.

"Regulus, Regulus is very academic, is exceeding in his studies and insists that should Sirius have extra tutoridge that he should benefit too," the man grinned fondly "He should have been sorted into Ravenclaw, I'm sure of it but he is one for traditions and wished to follow the rest of the House of Black into Slytherin."

The man's smile was infectious and Hermione found herself smiling in return. "So, Miss Granger, would you accept the position?" He asked far more eagerly then she would have expected from him.

She hesitated for a moment as she noticed Mrs. Black's jaw tighten as her husband asked, obviously still very unhappy about the idea. "I'm not sure," Hermione answered honestly. Of course, she had nowhere else to go and didn't know anyone where she was but being around Mrs. Black regularly was something she wasn't quite sure she could handle. Not to mention a young, hormonal, rebellious Sirius.

The man reached out and grasped her hands between his own, his eyes wide and pleading, a look very uncharacteristic of the proud family. "You better wash your hands after touching her," snapped Mrs. Black as he did so.

"Quiet you wench-" he barked back over his shoulder and Hermione was unable to hold back a snort of undignified laughter.

"See? She even laughs like swine-"

"You'll be quiet, wife, or so help me, Merlin, I shall fling you over my knee -"

"You say that as if it is a threat, Dear Husband," purred Mrs. Black, and Hermione suddenly felt very uncomfortable about what she was hearing and turned her attention up towards the tall ceilings as she tried to tune them out.

"Wife-" warned the wizard, "Miss Granger, please. I am at the end of my wick with that boy-"

"What are your qualifications?" Interrupted Mrs. Black earning herself another scathing look from her husband as he released Hermione's hands. "Dear, if you wish for this Muggleborn to tutor our Sons I think it is only right that I may ask such a question. After all she does look rather young. How old are you, Nonnie?"

Hermione ground her teeth at the name and did her best to ignore it as she answered the woman's questions. "19. I graduated top of my class and have been recently working within the Ministry," she replied clinically as she tried to keep her emotions under control.

"Doing?" asked Mrs. Black her eyes narrowed as she awaited Hermione's reply.

Hermione hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should or shouldn't be honest about what it was she had been working on. Then again what did she have to lose? She was already so far out of her depth, what was a few more inches?

"I've been working with Ancient Ruins-"

"How long have you been working there?" interrupted Mrs. Black.

"Only a couple of months, I started straight after I left school-"

"You said you were 19," interrupted Mrs. Black once more her lip curling into a sneer.

"I did."

"Then why on earth have you just finished school at 19? Orion, I shall not have someone teaching my sons who had to repeat a year because they were too incompetent to complete it the first time," snapped Mrs. Black turning to her husband furiously, hands on her hips.

"I did not fail a year!" said Hermione furiously, how dare anyone think that she would fail. It was an outrage to think that.

"Then why on earth did you graduate a year late?" replied Mrs. Black turning to face Hermione with a swirl of her robes, nostrils flared angrily.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure what she should tell them. There was no way she could simply say, "Oh I took a year out to help my friend hunt down parts of the soul of that madman you become so fond of," she doubted that would go down that well.

So she replied, "I had to take some time out."

However Mrs. Black was not impressed with this answer, "What on earth could you possibly have had to do that required you to leave school? Nothing is more important that education, especially for someone of your –"

"Walburga," warned Mr. Black, the witch simply rolled her eyes.

"Nature," she sneered, shooting her husband an 'are you happy' look.

"I lost my parents," she replied quietly. It wasn't a complete lie, that had happened and she had still not had the opportunity to return their memories, in fact she wasn't even sure she would be able to.

Too busy focusing on how uncomfortable she felt under the other woman's scrutiny, she missed the way the witch's eyes softened slightly and shared a look with her husband, before letting out an exaggerated huff. "I guess you'll do. It seems I don't have a choice in the matter anyway, according to the thorn in my side."

"Love you too, dear," retorted Mr. Black fondly and Hermione couldn't help control the shocked expression her face now held.

Mrs. Black looked at her, the corner of her lip twitching somewhat amused. "That," said the woman, waving her hand in the general direction of Hermione face, "...that look will give you wrinkles, your forehead scrunches up in the most unappealing way, and you standardbreds don't tend to ages as well as us thoroughbreds, so you might want to stop that." Hermione, unsure whether or not she felt more insulted about having her blood status compared to horse breeding, or the fact that Mrs. Black had just told her she wouldn't age well and couldn't help but try to even out her expression.

"What school did you attend? I don't recognise you from the hoard of graduates we saw leaving the station this summer."

"Beauxbatons," replied Hermione instantly, inwardly praising herself for being quick at that moment.

"Hmm, it is a good school I guess," said Mrs. Black. "I guess it could have been worse."

Ignoring Mrs. Black, Hermione turned her attention towards Mr. Black. "What is it you would like me to tutor your son's in?" she asked, eager to get this over with so she could retreat to somewhere quiet and think about the mess she had managed to get herself into.

"Well, Regulus will inform you of what it is he wishes to further in studies in, however Sirius-"

"Everything," interrupted Mrs. Black.

"Not everything love," said Mr. Black to his wife, "apparently he excels in transfiguration." I wonder why? Thought Hermione dryly.

"You can have the day to settle and meet our sons. They do not return back to Hogwarts until September 1st, so that allows you just over two months with them before they return." OK, so that must make it June, she thought to herself. "Whilst they are at school, you are free to do as you wish, though we may ask for your assistance at times should we need it. Of course, we will pay you for your efforts, 200 Galleons a week whilst the boys are home and 110 Galleons whilst they are at Hogwarts. Is that not acceptable?" Asked Mr. Black when he noticed the way Hermione's eyes widened almost comically.

200 Galleons, 200 Galleons. Her mind quickly went to work trying to work out the conversion. That was...that was just a few pence off £1000 a week. Merlin's wand and then 550 odd pounds when she wasn't doing anything. Both were far more than she was on currently at the ministry, she knew Sirius and his family had been very wealthy but, she didn't know they were that disgustingly rich.

"No, no! It is perfectly acceptable...I just...Well I believe that you may be too generous with your wage," she replied honestly.

"You have yet to meet Sirius," chuckled Mr. Black, "you will also have your own suite upstairs on the top floor so you should have plenty of privacy-"

"My own suite?" She was staying here? She hadn't expected that, she had realised there was the prospect of a job but she had thought that she would have to find her own place.

"Of course, that's the way things are done around here. Much easier," said Mr. Black, very matter of factly.

"You might wish to call in the boys, Orion," said Mrs. Black, as she walked towards one of the elegant arm chairs and took a seat.

"Of course, would you. . . " he silently asked and his wife rolled her eyes at him.

"You really should ask him yourself."

"I would if he would listen to me, the menace."

"Don't," warned Mrs. Black this time. "Kreacher," she called out softly, smiling fondly when the elf popped into view.

He hadn't changed much over the years, Hermione thought, a little younger and perhaps not quite so angry looking but still very much the same.

"Yes Mistress?" Asked the familiar elf, a joyous tone to his voice that Hermione had heard very little of before.

"Be a dear and fetch the boys for me, would you?" the softness with which Mrs. Black spoke to Kreacher took her by surprise.

"Of course, Mistress. Of course," said Kreacher with a bow. "I shall fetch the honorable Master Regulus."

"And Sirius, Kreacher," Hermione was surprised even more when Mrs. Black smiled at the way the elf grumbled.

"And the disappointmen-"

"Kreacher!" Scolded Mrs. Black.

"Sorry Mistress, please forgive Kreacher, I shall fetch Master Sirius, and return them both here," he waffled quickly before disappearing from sight with a pop.

"They've never seen eye to eye, him and Sirius," explained Mrs. Black, "there was an incident of sorts when Sirius was 5-"

"The boy-"

"Lets not talk about it, dear. It upsets Kreacher."

"She cares more about that damned elf then me," mumbled Mr. Black to Hermione and the young witch couldn't help but smile.

"He doesn't argue with me, unlike some," replied his wife with a narrowed gaze.

"Oi! Geroff, you specky little gobshite!" Sirius tumbled into the room, grappling with the elf, who had grabbed him by the back of his collar. The two struggled for a moment, with plenty more curses mixed in from the taller figure, and Hermione tried very hard not to smile at how little had changed in that relationship, at least, over the years.

"Kreacher brings the Master Sirius, Mistress," Kreacher said with a ridiculously low bow, before adding, "Master Regulus should be down shortly." The little elf popped away again, and Hermione waited to see how the entrances of the brothers would differ.

The door to the drawing opened slowly, and Regulus Black strode in, dressed to the nines and the spitting image of his impeccable father. The younger boy was the complete antithesis of his brother, crisp, clean and not a hair out of place, he was the epitome of a Pureblood. It brought to mind Draco Malfoy at the last Ministry function she'd been to. And then there was Sirius…

The boy stood, and then stood a bit more, and Hermione was honestly surprised to see how tall he was for a fifteen year old. He was actually fairly close to the height she was used to seeing in her time, and she tried very hard not to smile as she noticed his torn muggle jeans and muggle band t-shirt. His hair was longer than he kept it post-Azkaban, and it fell quite roguishly into his eyes, which he flipped confidently back. Hermione could see the man he would become in his face, though the angles were not yet hardened by nearly a decade at the mercy of dementors.

Mrs. Black looked slightly horrified by the state of her eldest born, and the sight of her face grimacing almost made Hermione see the portrait once more, but she smirked slightly to see the pure contrast between the two boys.

"Right," Mr. Black clapped his hand across Regulus's shoulders and began the introductions, "This, is our youngest, Regulus Arcturus, and that whirling dervish just there is Sirius Orion, the eldest and heir to our House."

"Pleasure to meet you both," Hermione said politely, eyes unable to pull away from the two boys standing in front of her. If this wasn't the most surreal day she'd ever had, then she'd not think she was prepared for the next one.

"Boys," Mrs. Black began, "This is Nonnie the nanny. She's going to be your governess and will be tutoring you until your scores improve, and perhaps by Christmas time you can re-sit your OWLs, Sirius."

"Mother," Sirius remarked, exasperatedly. "Why do you do that? Ruin my chances with this lovely flower, right at the beginning like that? It's like you don't want our Noble and Most Ancient House to continue!"

Mrs. Black shot a stern look and the tiniest smirk at her eldest. "You can wait a few years to salvage your reputation, I'm sure. Schoolwork first, young man. And for that matter, she's not eligible to 'continue our House,' as you so accurately describe it."

Hermione tried not to look too alarmed or phased by the sleight from Mrs. Black, which she felt would soon become a normal occurrence, but instead found herself profoundly disturbed by the fact that a 15 year old Sirius had blatantly and openly hit on her in front of his entire family.

"Erm…" Hermione turned away from the two and focused instead on Regulus, letting the situation go by without comment, "What subjects are you interested in having additional study in, Master Regulus?"

Regulus rolled his eyes at the uncouth antics of his brother and mother, "I was mostly thinking Ancient Runes, Advanced Arithmancy and Advanced Transfiguration, are you qualified to teach those?"

Hermione couldn't help but smirk slightly, of course, he'd only be interested in the most difficult subjects. "Yes, Master Regulus, I believe I can help with some of those." She turned towards Sirius next, "And then pretty much anything except Transfiguration, or so your parents explained?"

Sirius looked away and grumbled something that might have been, "Yeah, I guess."

Hermione couldn't help trying to fight the smile that she could rapidly feel taking over her face. He even sulks the same, goodness.

"So Nonnie, do you teach any other extra-curriculars?" Sirius asked with a suggestive brow waggle, and Hermione's face scrunched. She absolutely loathed nicknames, and it seemed like Mrs. Black had hit upon one of the worst yet, but then again….perhaps this could be used to her advantage. She wasn't sure how long she'd be stuck in this time frame, in truth, and perhaps the altered name would help obscure any knowledge of her presence here.

"Oh, Sirius," Mr. Black chuckled fondly, "do be a good lad and show the lady to her rooms?"

"Yes, sir," the boy remarked, devious twinkle sparkling in his eye.

"And nothing else, Sirius," Mrs. Black cut across, just as Sirius was about to begin speaking. "I'll not have another Governess lost to your crude behaviour, because Merlin knows whom your father will bring in next."

"You wound me, Wally dearest," Sirius feigned offense.

"Begone, you absolute cad," Mrs. Black said, much softer than Hermione would have expected. The two almost seemed….friends? What had gone so horribly wrong between these two? Whatever it was, it had to have been major, Hermione thought.

And as Sirius escorted her up to her suites on the fourth floor, which was entirely empty except for her, Hermione couldn't help but maintain the old habit of staying quiet in the hall, for fear of setting off the screaming portrait of Walburga Black, though of course she needn't have. Sirius prattled on the whole way, and so hadn't noticed her silence or her overly pensive expression. But as Hermione thanked him and he turned away, shouting "Reg! Regulus! REG!" Down the stairs, Hermione closed the door to her rooms behind her quickly, tensely waiting. She could almost hear the shouts of "FILTH! MUDBLOODS AND BLOOD TRAITORS! STAINS UPON THE HOUSE OF MY ANCESTORS!" As they echoed back through the intervening years, but when only silence reigned, she let out a deep breath. What had she gotten herself into now?