"Of all the stupid, reckless, moronic and careless things to do, you do this?" Ginny was screaming at Harry and smacking his arm. "She has been walking around like someone died!" Ginny gave him a few more smacks before rounding the table.
She stood in front of the marauders and pointed a finger, "what gives you the right to toy with her!"
"What did you want us to do? March into the Burrow and go 'Honey, we are home! Guess what? The Ministry of Magic cleared us and we can now shag you and you can have our babies!' Yes, that sounds about right." Sirius was annoyed and Remus was shaking his head.
"Yes! That is exactly what you should have done! Now she's probably figuring out how to drunkenly box up your stuff and never see you again! Do you know how long that witch has cried about you both?" Ginny exclaimed and Sirius grimaced.
Ginny turned to Remus and poked him, "she was sleeping with your sweater just to be near you."
She shoved Sirius and glowered at him, "she was lighting cigarettes and letting them burn because she missed your disgusting habit!"
The marauders glanced at each other and they knew they were wrong. "It wasn't supposed to go like this, Gin." Harry tried to interject. "I had a plan. They were going to have her wake up in their arms. But I wanted them here so they could see her."
"That was the most moronic plan I have ever heard!" She had turned on full fury to Harry.
George cleared his throat and stood, "Gin, maybe someone should go get the drunken witch? She could cause herself more issues. As for the rest of us, let's kindly move to the living room..." He trailed off and all but the Potters and marauders left the kitchen.
Remus and Sirius moved to leave and Ginny shook her head, "you have done enough. I suggest you come up with a plan to apologize in a large way." She turned to Harry and pointed at him, "did the marauders rub off on you? Coming up with such an awful plan!"
Harry blushed deeply and her accusation was confirmed, "I didn't realize she would notice, Gin. Hermione is sharp but I had been feeding her drinks all night."
Ginny growled and shook her head, "I love you, but, Harry Potter, you are a complete tosser."
"I just wanted her to wake up with them like it was a bad dream," Harry said chagrined.
Ginny ran a hand through her hair and groaned, "I hope you know you are sleeping on the couch... As for you two, you better start plotting something big for her. Now, I am going to go over to her flat and maybe calm her down." Ginny straightened her clothing and Remus reached for her.
He hugged her gently and she sighed, "We are sorry, Ginny. It was never supposed to hurt her."
She pulled away and shook her finger again at them. "I mean it. Come up with something." With that, the red head left them in the kitchen.
"I am not sure who I am more afraid of, her or her mother," Sirius remarked and Remus nodded.
Harry shrugged his shoulders and approached them, "well, what is the plan?"
"Not sure, but it has to be elegant." Remus scratched his chin.
0o0o
"Moony! It has been two bloody weeks. Two weeks of her completely ignoring us!" Sirius shouted and tossed a cup at the wall, making it shatter.
Remus was sitting drinking his tea at the table and rolled his eyes as he read the paper. "Please remind me again, Sirius."
"You aren't the least bit worried?" Sirius snapped and Remus shrugged his shoulders.
The werewolf sipped his tea before responding, "she is punishing us. Take your bloody medicine, Padfoot."
The animagus glared at him, "this isn't punishment, this is torture. It is cruel."
"You don't think I don't feel the same way? I just know that we aren't going to win her back if we get flustered while she puts us on time out. You heard what she did to Harry; she made him wear witch dress robes to the last dinner at the Burrow. Our witch has a sadistic streak," Remus reminded his best mate who growled.
Remus heard the fireplace and soft heels thump on the floor. Her scent drifted into the room and Remus' nose flared as she walked toward the kitchen. "Just coming by to grab something I left here, fellas." Hermione declared and did not bother to pop into the kitchen.
Sirius dashed to the stairwell and Remus stood with him, but put an arm in front of him; It clearly said let her come to us. When Hermione descended she had on the most gorgeous dress on. It was a curvy maroon dress that cupped her supply chest tightly and ended mid-thigh. It was tight around her torso and flared to a wispy skirt. "Just had to grab my favorite shawl," she told them with a smile as she noted their stunned expressions.
"Kitten, where are you going?" Sirius finally asked and she got to the floor before speaking.
"Oh, I have a date." She told them and Remus growled.
"No, you do not," the werewolf muttered and Sirius patted his shoulder.
Hermione smiled gently and ran a hand over his cheek, "I do indeed."
Remus' eyes flickered and she could see she was walking the fine line between him being territorial and angry. "Breathe, Moony." Sirius hissed and ran a hand through his own hair.
The werewolf pointed a finger at the small witch and towered over her, "you don't cut yourself off from us just to go out and play with some wanker." He growled and she glared at him. "I am not done Miss Granger. You have yet to answer any of our owls, respond to our gifts or requests to see you. Enough," he finished and Hermione's exterior defiance crumbled.
Hermione rubbed her arm and sighed, "I was just going to Andromeda's dinner party and assisting with taking care of Teddy." She admitted and tilted her head to the side.
The motion itself calmed the werewolf and his heart slowed, "Don't think your submission is enough for me to not still be perturbed with your games instead of talking with us. We have waited very patiently."
Hermione frowned and put her hands on her hips, "I was not submitting, Remus."
The werewolf chuckled and shrugged shoulders, "alright, Hermione. Tell us. What are we supposed to do to make you talk with us?"
"I have a theory," Sirius finally spoke and stepped next to both of them, "she wants to come back, but is too prideful to ask."
Hermione glowered at him and folded her arms over her chest, "Sirius Black, I never asked that once." She let out a guttural sound and unfolded her arms, "it doesn't work like that and you need to figure it out, marauders. I am going to this dinner and maybe when I am done we can talk like civil people, but for now I am running late."
She stomped away and they watched her walk toward the living room. The fireplace went off again and Remus snorted, "she smelt absolutely guilty. Don't you agree?"
Sirius nodded and grimaced, "what a testy little thing she is. Maybe we need to make her less stubborn..." Sirius trailed off and tapped his chin, "I have an idea."
Remus glanced over at him with a raised eyebrow. "Pray tell, does this one have to do with deceit?"
Sirius shook his head, "no, it has to do with blatant disregard to her punishment." Remus glared at him and the animagus chuckled, "we are half way there, Moony. You saw what she did tonight."
"If this ends up being another bad idea, Pads, I am biting you," Remus grumbled and Sirius barked out a stream of laughter.
"You know I love it when you talk dirty," the animagus retorted and the werewolf grinned.
0o0o
Hermione enjoyed the dinner party and doting on the young Lupin. She was so distracted from deciding what to do with her marauders she didn't realize everyone was saying goodbye. Hermione took the boy in her arms and walked over by Andromeda who was saying her farewells. "Do you feel like tea, dear?" She asked the young witch holding her grandson.
Hermione smiled and nodded as the last of the guests left. "That sounds lovely, Andromeda."
"Lovely!" Teddy shouted and the witches laughed.
Hermione escorted them into the sitting room and the young witch held the boy in her arms as a house elf brought in tea. Andromeda smiled over at her and sighed. "What a very good night. It was nice to have Teddy have someone he loves sitting with him."
Teddy was curled in Hermione's arms as she rocked lightly and his fingers twirled in her hair. "I love him too. He is such a good boy." She could tell the boy was sleepy.
"My cousin and Remus came by the other day. Seems someone has been ignoring them." Andromeda declared and Hermione blushed.
"They played a rotten joke on me," Hermione clarified and the older witch nodded.
"Remus told me, he also expressed his regret for the lack of foresight to see that you might feel betrayed by it."
Hermione wasn't sure what the older woman was getting at. "I am uncertain..." Hermione trailed off trying to find words.
"At my reasoning for bringing this visit up?" She finished and Hermione nodded sipping her tea.
"Sirius Black, James Potter and Remus Lupin were always naughty boys, Hermione. These people you used to know, they saw things they should have never had to see; that stains someone's heart. But these young wizards did not see the darkness that their older selves did. So, they tend to be a bit more reckless. Are you following?"
Hermione sighed heavily and gave her a motion of agreement. "I believe so. You are telling me they are still young at heart and a bit of mind too."
Andromeda nodded slowly and smiled, "they are witty boys, but they are boys. Boys who happen to fancy seeing you again." Hermione pursed her lips and moved to speak but the other witch shook her head. "I knew from the moment you three stepped into my home. That is not something they advertise freely."
Teddy was breathing heavily and Hermione glanced down to see him asleep. "I am going to put him to bed and head home."
"Travel safely," the older witch declared as the young witch departed from the room.
Hermione took the toddler to his room and tucked him in with a kiss. "See you soon, Teddy Bear." She whispered and left.
She was relieved the long night was over and was looking forward to a long bath when she walked into her flat. Hermione turned on her lights and screamed! Her flat was completely empty and she went from room to room to see it was cleared out. Finally moving to the kitchen, she saw a single piece of parchment.
Hello, love,
We are holding your belongings hostage until you come to talk to us.
Marauders
PS completely Moony's idea. Just jesting.
Hermione was so angry she couldn't believe their nerves! Stomping to the fireplace and tossing floo powder in it, she growled, "Number Twelve Grimmauld Place!"
She was so flustered she barely was able to stop herself from falling forward. Marching into the kitchen, there were her marauders sitting ever so smug. Hermione glared and folded her arms as they stared at her a moment before offering her a chair.
"Please, sit," Remus declared and Hermione walked over to the chair.
The witch sat down and Sirius glanced at Remus before turning to her and smiling, "I was hoping that made it clear."
"Loud and clear, Sirius. What do you want?" Hermione snapped and Remus put his hands on the table in front of her.
"We want to talk. Do not give me that look, Hermione. Drastic times call for drastic measures. You are avoiding us and not just because you are rightfully angry. Talk." Remus demanded gently and Hermione pursed her lips.
"You left me." She snapped and Sirius cringed.
"It isn't like we could send owls out while we were under lock down. Seems your ex-boyfriend likes to report possible issues to his superiors. It took them two months to decide what to do with us. Do you know how hard it is to get Moony to relax in a strange place during the moon?" Sirius told her and she sighed heavily.
She dipped her head and rubbed her neck, "I did not appreciate your attempt to surprise me. Things like that make me skittish." Remus cleared his throat and Sirius' eyes narrowed.
Sirius frowned and pointed at her, "what is your animagus form?"
Her head snapped up and saw the marauders glance at each other and Remus raised an eyebrow before returning to her. "How did you know about that?"
"Harry, he updated us," Remus confirmed and Hermione grimaced.
"I haven't told anyone, I didn't think it was going to matter. I did it because I missed you both." She confessed and Sirius chuckled.
"Are you going to tell us?"
She shook her head with a small smile, "not tonight," she said to him and Remus leaned over the table.
"I have a feeling you know why we are asking you," Remus declared and she furrowed her brow.
She shook her head and sighed, "no, Remus," the witch admitted and huffed, "am I going to get my things back?"
The marauders glanced at each other and Remus's lip twitched before he turned back to her, "no. We are going to make you an offer. Stay with us until the wedding. Harry and Ginny are getting married next week and we want you to stay with us. If you want your things back in your flat after that, we can return it."
She glowered, "you are holding them hostage so I shag you both?"
Sirius chuckled and shook his head, "no, love. Shagging was not a part of that deal. You thought of that yourself."
Hermione blushed scarlet and cleared her throat, "don't think you have gotten in my good graces yet, marauders. I require my clothing so I can go shower." She stood up and Remus grinned.
"They are in your room," he told her and she tossed her hair behind her shoulders and walked out of the kitchen.
"She is quite attractive when she is annoyed. Clueless, but nice to look at." Sirius mused and Remus snorted.
"I bet you every galleon in your vault she is canine," Remus replied and Sirius smirked.
"I am not placing that bet, I know you are right." Sirius voiced with a nod and Remus grimaced.
"This complicates things yet again, Pads." Remus murmured and ran a hand through his hair.
Sirius shrugged his shoulders, "I don't see why it would. It isn't like I am your bitch."
"Thank Merlin for that. You would be ruined." The werewolf teased and Sirius chuckled.