Chapter 16 – An Unexpected Meeting
Hermione woke up around nine on Sunday morning. She was on her back and Sirius was on his side next to her with his arm thrown across her. Crookshanks had somehow gotten the door open and had himself draped across Sirius' feet. Hermione had to suppress a laugh as she thought he looked like a particularly fluffy pair of slippers. Sirius was snoring lightly, more like a gentle wheeze, and Hermione lay watching and listening to him for a few minutes. She was happy to know that she would have this view to wake up to every morning. Eventually her body demanded that she remove herself to the bathroom and she got up carefully enough that neither man nor cat were disturbed. When she finished in the bathroom, she put on a robe and made her way to the kitchen to start a pot of tea. Deciding to let Sirius sleep in, she took her tea and a book to the living room. An hour later he appeared, yawning. He'd put on his trunks and Hermione was mildly disappointed before rationalizing that it really wouldn't be good to have her boyfriend walking starkers in front of the large windows in downtown London. He came over and gave her a sound kiss before settling next to her on the couch.
"Morning love."
"Morning. I started tea. I wasn't cooking yet because I wanted to let you sleep."
"Thanks. I do declare you wear me out woman. Anyway we can just heat some buns to go with the tea."
"Sounds good. I'll go do that. You wake up. And I think Crookshanks wants pets. Looks like I'm not the only one happy you moved in."
After breakfast Hermione went to tidy up the kitchen while Sirius put the bedroom in order. As she was finishing the counters, someone knocked on the door. Mildly surprised, Hermione wondered if old Mrs. Dowder had forgotten some ingredient again and went to answer the door. When she opened it, Hermione was shocked to find her mother standing in front of her.
"Hermione dear! I was out this morning to go to Champings to look for a wedding present for Earl's daughter. You remember Earl. Sad looking fellow with the Aston that we met on vacation in Brighton? Struck up a conversation with your dad about golf. Well, Earl's daughter is getting married next month and of course she has to have the full do and I have to find just the right present. Well, she's registered her patterns at Champings, but of course the shop near us is completely out of the piece that I want. I was thinking about a large serving platter. Anyway, I don't want to wait until the last minute so I had them check and the Champings around the corner from you had the piece I was wanting, so I decided I'd make a quick trip down here to get it. Now that that's done, I thought I might as well drop in and see you since you've been so busy with your job that you haven't come out to visit your parents in forever. So now I'm here and you should get dressed so we can go to lunch."
As Jean Granger rambled on to her shocked and silent daughter, she stepped into the flat and began to look her daughter over. As she finished and Hermione was about to answer, Sirius came out of the bedroom.
"Hey love, do we have more furniture polish? I've banished the dust but the wood really does better with a bit of…"
Sirius looked up at Mrs. Granger and then looked at a blushing Hermione.
"Um, sorry, be right back."
Sirius disappeared back into the bedroom and Hermione turned to look at her mother, who was now wearing that questioning stare that Hermione knew meant someone had better start explaining and soon. Then Sirius reappeared, now wearing pants instead of just trunks, although he still had no shirt. He stepped over to Hermione's side and put an arm around her.
"Mum, this is Sirius Black, my boyfriend. Sirius, my mother, Jean Granger."
Sirius decided it was time to pour on the charm as he gave Jean his best smile.
"Mrs. Granger, a pleasure. I do apologize, we weren't expecting you. Just doing a bit of weekend cleaning. Your daughter has spoken of you and Mr. Granger quite a bit. It's good to finally meet you."
Jean Granger took Sirius' hand and smiled slightly at him. She was still in shock, but recovered quickly.
"Good to meet you as well Mr. Black. Unfortunately, I have heard very little about you from my daughter. Although she has been out of touch with us lately. Well Hermione, it seems that I'm intruding. I'll leave you two. Call me about lunch sometime soon so we can talk."
"Mum, wait. We can still do lunch. Would you mind if Sirius comes along?"
"Hermione that's okay, I can stay here. You two.."
"No Mr. Black, that's quite alright. Let's all go to lunch."
"Alright, I'll agree, as long as you call me Sirius. Mr. Black was my father and I was not overly fond of him."
Jean nodded and tried to not be disarmed by Sirius' smile.
"Come love, we should be more properly attired for lunch."
Hermione followed Sirius to the bedroom as they dressed quickly for their impromptu lunch. Not wanting to keep her mother waiting, Hermione opted to pull her hair up rather than try to tame it. As she did, Sirius came behind her and starting nipping on her neck.
"Sirius, behave! We need to get ready for lunch and I want mum to like you."
Sirius chuckled and desisted as he watched Hermione finish. When they were both dressed they returned to the living room where Jean was staring at the half finished painting on Sirius' easel. When she heard them enter the room, she turned and looked at them with a strange look.
"Ah, Hermione you look lovely. While I was waiting I remembered something I read in your newspaper, the Daily Prophet. Sirius, I believe you're the man who returned from some kind of time travel recently? Your name is most unusual and I finally placed why it seemed familiar."
"Yes Mrs. Granger that.."
"Jean please."
"Yes Jean, that's me. I am a bit surprised that you receive the Prophet."
"Mum perhaps we should go to lunch and explain a bit more? Sirius, I'll explain the Prophet later."
As they turned to the door, Jean turned back around and looked at the easel.
"I must say Hermione, your painting has improved from when you attempted it years ago."
"Oh, I'm not the painter mum, that's Sirius' work. He's quite good."
Jean cast an appraising eye back on Sirius before turning back around as they exited the flat.
They walked a few blocks west of Hermione's flat to a cafe that she knew. While they walked, Hermione's mum talked and updated her daughter on the dental practice. Her mum had quite a few questions, but was well aware that they needed to censor their discussion when walking around muggle London. Once they reached the cafe, Hermione requested a table in a back corner where there was less traffic. Once they decided on lunch and placed their order, Hermione dropped a napkin and then discreetly ducked under the table and cast a silencing spell. Anyone could still walk up to the table, but unless they were within three feet, no one would be able to hear their discussion. Jean was familiar enough with the spell that as soon as it was cast, she relaxed a bit and started asking questions.
"Alright Hermione, so I have a lot of questions. First, how are things at work? Your last note mentioned a restructuring?"
Hermione proceeded to detail her mother on all her departmental changes in the last two weeks. At one point the waiter delivered their drinks and she paused until the waiter left again. Sirius was impressed at Jean's attitude and acceptance of what Hermione was talking about, but then she had raised a witch. He had never given much thought to what it must be like for muggle parents raising a magical child. Jean could never be a part of Hermione's world, but she could sit on the sidelines peeking in and trying to understand. Watching Hermione and her mum was enlightening. As Hermione finished, Jean looked over at Sirius.
"So, how long have you two been together Sirius?"
"About three weeks. Of course, I knew Hermione before my accident. When I left though she was just becoming a woman. I was pleasantly surprised when I returned and found the woman she had grown into. And then when I realized everything she has accomplished, I was quite astounded. She is truly remarkable."
Hermione blushed slightly and put her hand on his. A brief glance passed between them and Jean's breath caught. What she saw pass between them showed a deep attachment. She sipped her tea and formulated her next questions.
"Well, I can certainly see you care for my daughter. I have to admit I'm a bit surprised at the briefness of your relationship considering that you appear to be living with my daughter if I'm correct? Now Hermione, there is no need to be defensive. I see you getting ready to jump in. I understand that you are a grown woman, but I will always be your mother. It's my right to be concerned."
"I understand Jean. And yes, you are correct that we are sharing the flat now. I moved in yesterday. I love Hermione and I would like to give the best impression possible. I'm open to any questions you have."
"Thank you. I do have a few. First, how old are you? Second, what is your background? Have you always grown up in the magical world or were you muggle like Hermione? I'm also a bit curious about your time traveling."
"Alright, I'll answer the first and the last, as they are tied together. I was born in 1959, which makes me 44 by the calendar, except that when I was lost in the veil no time passed, which makes my age closer to 37. As for the details about that, I can give you very little. I was involved in a battle during the war where I found myself in close proximity to an ancient artifact that looks like a doorway with a curtain in it. I was thrown into the doorway by a spell and when I went through it everyone assumed I was dead. Nearly seven years later my next memory is waking up on a beach in Indonesia. I have no memories in between. Your brilliant daughter used her influence to gain access to the Ministry records regarding the doorway and it seems that the device twists time and space in a way that is not completely understood. I am not the first person to have an accident with it, which is why it remains locked up under the tightest security. I was lucky to come out where and when I did."
Sirius stopped to contemplate his drink while he formulated his response to Jean's other question.
"Now, to the other part of your question. I was raised a wizard. I am the last heir to the ancient and most noble house of Black. My family traces its lineage back at least eight hundred years with a number of notable wizards and witches throughout that time. That said, my family has always clung to the ideals of the pure bloods and my parents aligned themselves with Lord Voldemort. I however was the scourge of the family when I decided to reject their ideals. I was disowned at sixteen. Despite that, when my parents died after my brother, I was the only remaining heir. I fought in the first war before being framed by a man who had once been a friend. I spent twelve long years in Azkaban for another man's crimes. Thankfully, my name has since been cleared. I also want to be completely honest with you, for Hermione's sake. In my younger years I was well known as a playboy and as much of a prince as our world has. After everything I've been through and falling in love with Hermione, I can assure you that those days are past. If you receive the Prophet, you may read certain things about me. I won't deny my past, but it is not who I am today."
Jean sat back to absorb everything she had heard. She was glad to be given a couple of minutes. Then their food arrived. Once the waiter had left and they began to eat, she felt she could reply.
"Thank you for your candor. I must say it is a lot to accept, as is most everything from Hermione's world. I can't say that I'm completely at ease with your relationship, but I can see how Hermione feels about you. I ask only one thing of you, treat my daughter well and care for her. Her father and I may never fully understand your world, but she is our princess. I think also that the both of you should come to dinner next Friday. Given the seriousness of your relationship, Phil deserves to meet you."
"Of course Jean, I could do no less. Dinner sounds lovely, if Hermione doesn't have plans with work."
"No, I should be well along with the reorganization by Friday. Six mum?"
Jean nodded and the discussion steered away from the personal to updates on a number of family friends. As they finished eating, Hermione laced her fingers with Sirius nonchalantly and he smiled at her. The little gestures did not go unnoticed by her mother. She may still have her concerns, but she could see the love between the two of them. Jean insisted on paying for lunch and then they left the cafe. When they reached Jean's car, Sirius' gave her one last smile as she said goodbye and hugged her daughter. As they hugged, Jean whispered in Hermione's ear.
"He certainly does know how to pour the charm."
Hermione smirked. "See you Friday mum."
When Hermione and Sirius returned to the flat she wrapped him in a hug and kissed him long and hard.
"Mmm. I don't know how I earned that, but no complaints."
"That's for handling my mum perfectly."
"I just hope your dad is as accepting."
"Dad's main issue is surprises. As soon as mum gets home she'll tell him everything. He won't be happy of course. He still prefers to think of me as an innocent virgin."
Sirius snorted and Hermione swatted him.
"As I was saying, dad won't be happy, but he'll have a week to let the news settle. By Friday he should be civil. I'm afraid though that your charming smile won't have the same effect on him."
"Well, I'll do my best to impress. At least we seem to be done with the weekend of family confrontations. I'm ready to relax after it all."
"Hmm, well, I can think of a way for us to relax." Hermione said as she ran her hands under his sweater.