A/N: Another chapter for Rebirth instead of From Darkness to Light, hope no one is disappointed by this. I just want to get this finished, I am so excited for how it proceeds with everything else in canon. Although, I will likely leave the Hallows out...not really wanting to add the second treasure hunt in Hermione's future. The horcruxes will be enough, in my opiniong.
Hope you enjoy this one, we have a bit of time jumping in this chapter, don't think you need to hear about every day, week, or month of our heroes.
-oOo-
Chapter 15
Lily and Hermione left Charlus' study to find the boys. Fortunately, they did not have to search far as they came across them as they came out of the hallway. It seemed that the boys were on their way to find them, growing impatient just as Dorea had foreseen.
"Lily!" James cried out, interrupting whatever Sirius had been saying to him to run toward his girlfriend. She burst into giggles as James peppered her face in kisses, announcing how much he missed her.
"It's only been a few days!" she laughed.
"Yes, a few days too many, witch," James announced, stifling her response by planting his lips on hers.
"Well, I think we should leave them to their disgusting display," scoffed Sirius with mock disdain. Hermione snorted at Sirius' comment, she, and many others, had found him in the same embrace and worse with other witches throughout his time at Hogwarts. Her heart clenched at the memories, a pit forming in her stomach remembering catching him, just last year, with a witch trying to unbuckle his belt in a broom closet.
She shoved those thoughts away; she couldn't control his past and he said he wanted her now. For some reason. And she would enjoy it while it lasted before he remembered all those other witches and how they were better than her. They were beautiful and confident, they weren't know-it-alls or ice queens, they didn't have vile words carved into their arms.
Hermione didn't like feeling sorry for herself, Granger didn't either, but she didn't see it as self-pitying if it was true. She was not feeling sorry for herself, only presenting simple facts. Sirius Black was not a one-witch woman, and she the ice queen of Ravenclaw, the branded mudblood, could not be the reason that ended. It made no logical sense. So, she would enjoy the nonsense while she could.
Granger certainly would have. She had loved the Weasley twins' shop that opened during a war. The nonsense those boys got into was incredible, and Granger had always admired it. The only time she hadn't, was when they targeted the unsuspecting first years that had no prior experience with the Gryffindor pranksters.
Thus, Hermione Granger, pushed the thoughts of other witches, Dumbledore, and Granger from her mind as she felt Sirius reach for her hand and intertwine their fingers. For now, she would enjoy Yule and the presence of her friends, and the arrival of Lily. She would worry about everything when she returned to school when she knew that the Marauder's graduation meant they were closer to joining the Order. They would be fighting for an entire year without her, while she was stuck at Hogwarts. She would worry about everything then.
-oOo-
Hermione and the boys showed Lily as much of the Manor and the estate as they could that day. She was just as entranced by the pond in the centre of the maze as Hermione was and stayed with Hermione watching it while the boys played a quick game of Quidditch.
Before dinner, Remus dragged Peter off to help him with something, leaving the two couples alone. James took Lily's hand and led her into the maze, away from the spying eyes of his parents in the manor. Sirius took Hermione's hand and started leading her to a part of the garden they had yet to visit. She let out a gasp as she saw where Sirius was taking her.
It was a flower garden, filled with wildflowers. The scene was like a storybook, complete with a large, old oak tree with a swing hanging from a branch. It shouldn't be possible, such a scene in the middle of winter on Yule. Yet, with magic, she could see it with her own eyes.
Sirius was watching her through the corner of his eye, his smile growing as he saw the awe on Hermione's face. How anyone could think she was an ice queen when her emotions were so easily read on her face, her happiness was so easy to find. She still found happiness in everything, even after everything she had been through. He was upset with himself for never seeing it before, he could have had so many more years with her. He could see why Regulus fought so bloody hard to keep their friendship. He had known how incredible Hermione was, he had fought tooth and nail to keep her, and in the end, he had not been able to. Sirius hoped his brother didn't hate him or resent him for being able to have what he couldn't.
Hermione let go of Sirius' hand and ran ahead to bask in the sunlight in the bubble of warmth that was Dorea's meadow. Quickly removing her blue winter coat, she ran around in a circle, her face pointing up, her arms out at her side, fingers grazing over the tips of the flowers. Sirius could not help but stop and admire the beauty that was Hermione McCallister. Hearing her laughter and watching her spinning, he felt his smile grow and his chest expand.
The little bookworm Ravenclaw had worked her way under his skin and dug her talons into his heart. He wanted to be able to make her laugh and smile like that every single day. He would join the Order and fight every Death Eater and pureblood that thought she was less than them because she had muggle parents. She was better than all of them, she was everything to him.
Shaking his head from his thoughts but vowing to protect her and make her laugh as often as he could, he started walking towards his witch.
"Sit on the swing, I'll push you," he called out to her. Hermione stopped spinning; her laugh caught in her throat as she remembered she had an audience. A light blush appeared on her cheeks, embarrassed that anyone but Reggie and Barty saw her squealy girly side. When he said nothing and continued smiling at her, she pushed her embarrassment aside and grinned at him before running over to the swing. Barking out a laugh, Sirius followed her and started pushing her lightly.
"It's so beautiful!" Hermione giggled, staring out at the view. The entire clearing ahead of her was covered in wildflowers, mixtures of blues, pinks, whites, lavenders, and the lush green of the grass. The edge of the clearing was surrounded by trees, all of which were outside of the bubble of warmth and were covered in snow. It was quite the contrast of spring and winter. She loved it.
"Yes, it is," Sirius replied not looking away from Hermione laughing on the swing. Her curls were bouncing and turning fiery red and gold when the sun hit it perfectly, her eyes shining, her mouth open and smiling in happiness, her musical laugh echoing throughout the meadow. He wished he had a camera and could capture the moment forever. He needed to find a way to capture an image from a memory.
He continued pushing her, listening to her laughter until the sun began to set. He was excited for what happened next, he didn't want to look away from her in case he missed the moment she saw it.
Hermione had never felt so free. She had never been allowed on swings as a child, her mother deeming them undignified, so Hermione had watched other children play on them in envy. Experiencing it now, in such a beautiful place, feeling Sirius' hand on her back, she never wanted to leave. However, the sun was setting, meaning it would be time to go inside and eat dinner soon. She would need to come out and do this at least once more before returning to Hogwarts. She just hoped Sirius would be okay with that.
She was staring out at the trees and meadow as the sunset, a golden light cast over the meadow providing an even more stunning image. She felt Sirius stop pushing her, stopped giving her momentum but never stopped touching her back. When the swing came to a stop, he stepped closer to her, his hand still pressed into her. She felt his eyes on her face, she wanted to turn and look into his dazzling grey eyes, but she couldn't look away. There was something in the air telling her to keep looking, that something was going to happen.
Sirius knew the moment it happened, her eyes widened and a gasp tore from her lips. Hermione was staring at the meadow as the sun set and darkness came over them. However, the darkness only lasted for a few moments. The meadow lit up; bright lights began moving through the wildflowers. They were fireflies but they weren't just giving off a yellow glow, they were ranges of colours that matched the flowers. He saw the lights reflected in her eyes, the small bugs giving him a perfect view of the amazement and happiness showing on her face.
"Potter Manor feels like a dream," Hermione whispered reverently into the night. Sirius couldn't help but agree, she was here with him. He was terrified that he would wake up and find out all of this was nothing but a dream, that he was back in his sixth year when all she did was scream at him. He loved riling her up, but he loved her smile being directed at him more. She had never smiled at him before this year.
"Best dream I've ever had," Sirius said quietly, trying not to startle her. He knew she was entranced and had likely forgotten he was there. He saw her jump slightly, proving he was right. She didn't scowl at him though, or berate him for frightening her, no, she looked up at him with the same adoration that she had stared at the flowers. Her expression didn't change or dampen when looking at him, and he felt his heart rejoice at that fact.
They didn't break eye contact, they didn't speak, they just continued to stare at one another. The lights of the fireflies provided a glow over both their faces, hers was giving off a pink tint while he was purple. Sirius stared down at her, her eyes never leaving his, not even when he began to lean down toward her. The only time he saw her eyes glance away, was to look at his lips moments before they crashed down on hers. When their lips connected, both let out a sigh. He held his lips to hers for a moment, her lips soft against his. He leaned back and looked at her, her eyes were closed, and her cheeks had a light blush, she was magnificent. Her eyes began to flutter and before she could open them, he pressed his lips against hers again.
The first kiss had been light and chaste, but the second kiss was fire and hunger. Hermione's hands were in his hair, her fingers pulling at the soft locks while his fingers moved over her. He moved his right hand to grasp the back of her neck, tilting her head to provide him a better angle to plunder her mouth and move down her jaw to her neck. His left hand continued to move up and down her side, exploring her curves, his thumb brushing her breast as it moved.
He couldn't get enough of the sounds she was emitting. Small gasps, sighs, and moans.
"Mmm, princess," he groaned into her neck as he nipped and kissed down her throat, "So responsive."
Hermione didn't have a thought left in her head but a voice screaming at her not to let him stop. She had never felt like this before, had never been able to just let go and feel before. And she could feel everything. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest, her face felt flush, and her centre throbbed. Her knickers were ruined, she knew it.
Sirius didn't want to stop but his back was beginning to hurt from being crouched over to reach her on the swing. He broke the kiss, releasing a disappointed groan from Hermione that was quickly replaced by a surprised squeak when he picked her up and spun. He sat down on the swing and placed her on his lap. Hermione was disappointed that he hadn't positioned her to straddle him, but she wasn't able to consider it for long before his lips were on hers again. While she was disappointed, Sirius was trying to hold back. He didn't want to push her too far too quickly and had to keep reminding himself that he wanted to do this properly and take it slow.
He knew he was more experienced than her, that she had never been with anyone before. That and the fact he cared about her so much, he wanted to make sure she didn't regret a single moment with him.
They continued to kiss on the swing as the fireflies danced around them, the sounds of night surrounding them, and the stars shining down on them. As the fire in their kissing died down and turned into light and breathless chaste kisses, neither noticed the elderly witch that was walking toward them. Sirius pulled himself from Hermione, placed a kiss against her temple, and positioned her so that she was snuggled into his side.
Silently, Dorea watched her second son cuddle into the girl he obviously loved. She knew she had to disturb them and inform them that Yule's dinner was about to be served, however, the moment was too perfect. Wandlessly, she summoned her wizarding camera and cast a silencing charm around herself. She quickly took a few photographs of the couple sitting together on the swing in her spring meadow. Charlus had created the meadow just for her because she had told him her favourite memory of them was when he had first told her he loved her, in a wildflower meadow, in spring. Every anniversary they went into the meadow, and it was like they were young lovers again. She still loved her husband with her whole heart, and it only grew for him every day.
To see her second son, fall in love in a wildflower meadow just like she and Charlus brought her such joy, tears sprang to her eyes watching them. Both had such traumatic experiences, yet they found one another and comforted one another. Neither were broken down by their circumstances, both continuing with brave and happy faces, and even their mischievous could not be diminished, she thought happily.
Deciding she had watched them long enough and was happy with the pictures she had taken, she called out to both. The couple jumped in each other's arms but laughed it off and started heading toward her. They stopped for a moment to put Hermione's coat back on, she smiled as she watched Sirius gently rebutton her up and press a kiss to her nose. Hermione blushed and giggled up at him, swatting him away teasingly. Sirius laughed and threw his arm around her shoulders continuing their walk to Dorea and the manor.
"I see you showed her the meadow," Dorea smiled at them as they reached her.
"It is truly magnificent, Mrs- Dorea," Hermione piped, her face growing red as she once again mistakenly addressed the Potter matriarch.
"Thank you, Hermione," Dorea said, reaching her hand out and placing it gently on Hermione's forearm, "I know it will take time to call me Dorea, do not fear if you make a mistake." Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Dorea to understand her fear let alone comfort her for it. Her face went red, and her eyes were cast down as she nodded her thanks to the elder witch. Sirius watched with concern but a look from Dorea told him not to say anything, so he continued leading Hermione to the dining room.
When they arrived at the dining room, they found Lily and James already sitting there with Charlus, Peter, and Remus. As it was a pureblood manor, with house elves, Hermione was expecting a feast that would put shame on the Hogwarts Welcoming Feast, however, she was happy to discover she was quite incorrect. Instead of reminding her of the Hogwarts feast or an extravagant meal one of her parents' rich friends hosted, it was a meal that reminded her of Mrs. Weasley's table.
Covering the table were various foods but nothing was in excess. There was something they could all enjoy. Even Remus had had a special plate made of rare steak, as the full moon was the next day. Lily and Hermione watched in disgust as James piled his favourites on his plate, baked ham, mashed potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding, and then covered it in gravy. While everyone at the table, bar Remus, had used gravy, they had all been reserved in their use.
"James, that is a Yule soup, not a dinner!" Lily had shrieked, Hermione, nodding adamantly across from her. The other members of the table chuckled at the girls' disdain, each of them used to James' food preferences.
Over dinner, James regaled tales of his adventures that year to his parents, his chest puffing out when his parents informed him how proud they were of his Head Boy role. Lily told the Potters of ideas she had implemented into the prefects' roles as Head Girl, her love for James showing when looking at him, telling them how helpful he had been. Remus and Peter talked about their classes and wrangling in James and Sirius, much to the amusement of Charlus and Dorea. Although, both admitted that it was the girls who had managed that task much more efficiently.
Sirius laughed throughout the meal and threw in comments here and there to add to his friends' stories, however, apart from that he did not try and dominate the conversation. He sat and listened with his arm over the back of Hermione's chair, his fingers playing with the curls he could reach. Hermione sat quietly, taking in everything she was hearing, laughing throughout, but otherwise, she just sat and let the happiness and comfort wash over her. She had never experienced such a heartwarming evening before, and this was Yule as well.
Watching Granger's memories, while informative and eye-opening, could also be heartbreaking. It was like watching a film about happiness and love but never experiencing it yourself. Yet, now, on this day, Hermione McCallister was experiencing a moment like Granger's memories. She was experiencing a happy, loving, family-filled, Yule.
The only way this could be better, was if she had Barty and Regulus.
-oOo-
Once dinner had been finished, the Potters led them all into a family room and announced it was game time. Traditionally, the Potters played board games every Yule, drinking eggnog, eating treats, in front of the fire, and playing music. Hermione was glad to hear that Dorea Potter was not a Celestina Warbeck fan, and chose instead to listen to classical music and muggle Christmas music, surprising both Lily and Hermione.
"Do not look so shocked girls, muggles have incredibly diverse and incredible music, while we wizards are limited to such few musicians," Dorea had smiled at them both.
"Yeah! Like that band, Queen!" smiled Sirius, "Merlin's beard, what I would give to see them live."
"I'm sure in the summer we can go to so many concerts!" replied James excitedly, "Lily and Hermione, you must know all about it!"
"I do keep up to date with muggle music every summer, I'm sure I can easily get some tickets after getting off the train. I could even ask my parents to watch the papers and owl me if something good comes up," Lily replied thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't know," Hermione shrugged, "I was only allowed to attend orchestras and plays if I was permitted to attend."
"Your parents sound like the worst Sacred Twenty-Eight purebloods," scoffed Peter, immediately paling as he realized who he speaking to.
"It's okay, Peter," Hermione replied, seeing her friend's discomfort, "You are right, after all." Peter smiled at her shyly, he wasn't as close to the girl as Sirius, James, and Remus. Sirius, obviously, because he was dating the witch, James had taken her under his wing as a sister, and Remus could talk to her about magical theories and ideas that he just couldn't. He liked her though, she helped him with homework and never got impatient with him when he didn't understand, however, he was nervous talking to her in case he ever stuck his foot in his mouth about her past. It made talking to her difficult for him, he was just so nervous around her all the time, he was thankful she never seemed to hold it against him though, and continued to encourage him with warm smiles.
Hermione directed the conversation to school and what they were going to do after they graduated, effectively removing the attention from her and her parents. She knew Granger had memories of Peter betraying his friends, but she didn't want to treat him like a traitor when he wasn't one. She hoped her inclusion and help she gave Peter would change his fate, would lead him to not betray his friends. While she worked to change it, she never forgot, she would always be prepared for Peter, or anyone else to betray them. She had to be.
As the night wore on, they played many games and laughed through the night. Dorea and Charlus joined them until they grew too tired and retired to bed, leaving the six of them to continue late into the night. They all fell asleep in the family room, none of them wanting to get up and trek to their beds where they would each be alone. Instead, they piled on the floor and fell asleep together. Lily and Hermione lay together side by side, with James wrapped around Lily, and Sirius around Hermione. Remus slept vertically above them, and Peter slept at their feet.
Dorea and Charlus found them the next morning, where Dorea once again summoned her camera and captured her children altogether, their own little family.
-oOo-
In the days following Yule, the boys, and Hermione showed Lily the estate, everything they had shown Hermione when she arrived. The day after Yule, however, Remus had to endure his transition. Dorea and Charlus had a small guest house on the other side of the property that they warded and made comfortable for the werewolf Marauder, much better than what his parents provided for him at home. Sirius and the boys stayed with Moony overnight in their animagus forms, sneaking around so the girls would not discover their secret. Although, both James and Sirius were starting to think they should inform their witches, as neither liked keeping secrets or lying to them.
After the full moon, James and Sirius took the girls for a stroll to the muggle village with some hot cocoa that they purchased. Hermione adored the small village, it reminded her of Hogsmeade, and she told Sirius that she had always wanted to live in a cottage home, in a small quaint village. Sirius could see her living in one of the homes they walked past, the ivy growing up the walls, sitting in the garden with a small stone wall surrounding the property. He could see her laying in the grass giggling as he and a small child ran up to her and tackled her to the ground, peals of laughter escaping the child as his mother tickled him.
Sirius wanted that. He had never envisioned himself married with children, but with Hermione, it felt right. It felt so right that he almost couldn't wait for that day. He wanted to know with certainty that that future was possible for them, yet he knew if he brought it up it would scare her off. Once again, he had to remind himself to take it slow and do it properly.
The day before they were to return to Hogwarts, they all joined the Potter parents in the family room again and played more games into the night. Both parents ensured they stayed up later, neither excited about saying goodbye to their children the next day.
"What a wonderful Yule we had this year," Dorea sighed happily as she and Charlus got ready for bed.
"It was wonderful, wasn't it?" smiled Charlus, leaning down and kissing his wife's cheek, "Our boys found themselves wonderful witches."
"Oh, they certainly did!" gushed Dorea, before sobering, "Both have had such hardships thought. Lily has a sister that treats her so poorly, and did you hear about her Slytherin friend that she lost?"
"Yes, the boy that our boys disliked," replied Charlus. He had spoken to his son many times about his behaviour regarding Lily and her Slytherin friend, yet it had done no good as his son and his friends continued to torment the boy. It had resulted in Lily being hurt and James had come home that summer devastated that he had been the cause. While he had wanted Lily to stop being Severus Snape's friend, he had not considered how much pain it would cause Lily when it ended.
"I am glad our boys understand now, I am just sad that that was what it took," Dorea said disappointingly, "Lily though, while she has had difficult times, Hermione, the poor girl is still terrified to refer to me as Dorea."
"At least she can look at you," said Charlus sadly, sitting on the end of the bed, his elbows on his knees.
"Oh Charlus, dear, it will take time," Dorea comforted her husband, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"I know, it took time for Sirius," he sighed, "Perhaps I will have Moody over more next summer, that way I am only with her when in the presence of someone she trusts."
"That is a wonderful idea, my love. Ask him to move into one of the guest suites and hire him to train our children. He has been talking of retiring for a while now, perhaps this will give him something to consider. He could never stop working; however, he is losing patience working for the ministry."
"We both are," huffed Charlus, "We are expected to stop Death Eaters, that are trying to kill us with Unforgivables, with stunning and disarming spells. We are also not allowed to capture to interrogate, only to imprison. How can we fight a war with such limitations? Even Dumbledore is against using deadly force, as each Death Eater can reform. He thinks rapists and murderers and torturers can be reformed but not a sixteen-year-old girl that is friends with a couple of pureblood kids?" Charlus roared.
He had once trusted the ministry and Dumbledore to be able to right the wrongs of pureblood ideologies, yet both were disappointing him. Dumbledore was forcing him to question his loyalties, ones that he could not afford to in the middle of a war.
"My love, we know that there are problems on both sides. Both are too extreme, Voldemort and his Death Eaters want to destroy everything, while Dumbledore believes there is good in everyone that he deems acceptable. Both are two sides of a single coin."
"Then what do you propose?" he looked at his wife searchingly, he just wanted his family to be safe. He wanted this war to be over before his son left his sanctuary at Hogwarts, but he knew it wasn't possible.
"We continue with what we are doing. We fight with Dumbledore, not for him but with him," Dorea spoke with conviction, "We always do what is best for our family and never trust anyone blindly with our family's safety. If James and Sirius are joining the Order with Lily, Remus, and Peter, then we look out for them. We make sure that they share everything with us, and we will discuss each mission. If there are concerns, we address them.
"Albus Dumbledore may be the leader of the Order, but he is not infallible. He cannot force us to commit to missions, he cannot make us do anything we do not agree with. We just must remember that, remember that he is not all-knowing and can make mistakes, and we make sure that none of those mistakes are our family."
Charlus stared at his wife admirably, she was his strength and his heart. He moved towards his wife and pulled her into a passionate and loving embrace. Kissing her like they were children once more. He was nothing without her.
-oOo-
The five Gryffindors and one Ravenclaw returned to Hogwarts without incident. Classes resumed and Hermione was once again alone, her new friends all in a different year and House. She tried once more to try and reach out to Barty and Reg a week after returning, and once more it failed. Her days were filled with classes, glares from her classmates and most of the female population, and meals at the Gryffindor table. Sirius made sure to find time for just the two of them where they sat and talked, laughed, and kissed until Hermione had to return to her common room.
The weeks flew by and finally, the first Hogsmeade weekend of the new year had arrived. Sirius and James made a big show of asking both of their witches to be their date in front of the whole school. Both girls said yes, giggling at their wizards' antics. Neither noticed the three wizards leaving the Great Hall. Reg and Barty, both upset at missing out on more happiness in their best friend's life, while Snape was envious of the girl, he loved dating his enemy.
Hermione became even more experienced with her wandless and nonverbal shield charms as the female population escalated their hexes and spells, using her as target practice. She kept it to herself; however, it didn't take long for Lily to notice and inform the boys. Thus, began the pranking of witches throughout all four houses.
The day of the Hogsmeade visit finally arrived and Hermione made sure to dress warmly but in something nice. She donned a pair of high-rise bell-bottom jeans, a shirt, and a knitted, striped vest overtop. She put on a little bit of lip gloss, blusher, and mascara, trying to look natural and not a face caked in makeup.
As she left the Ravenclaw Common Room, she deflected two tripping jinxes and a confundus charm and smiled at an emotionless Barty. She hadn't seen her old friend in the common room recently, as she was unaware that Barty was only there to see her head off to her first date. He may not be able to be part of her life, but he would watch from a distance. He would always keep an eye on his sister.
Hermione met Sirius in the Entrance Hall where he stood with James and Lily and greeted her with a quick kiss on the lips.
"You look beautiful," he whispered against her lips.
"You look quite handsome yourself," she smiled, a blush brightening her cheeks even more than the blusher. Sirius was wearing a pair of black jeans, a white t-shirt, and a denim jacket, he looked like that movie star that every muggle female was in love with, in the fifties, but with longer hair rather than a coiffed style covered in gel. All he needed was a leather jacket, and from Granger's memories, he certainly got one along with a motorbike.
"Come on, gorgeous, time to explore the village!" he smiled, wrapping his arm around her waist. She smiled and leaned into his side, ignoring the glares of all the witches around them. Unfortunately, Sirius did not miss them, "Are they still bad?"
"Nothing I can't handle," she replied, walking up to the carriage Lily and James had saved for them.
"That's not the point, princess," Sirius growled, sitting in the carriage beside her, across from James.
"It will die down at some point," replied Hermione dismissively.
"The jealous witches are still attacking you?" Lily asked with concern.
"I have been handling them for the last six years, I am fine," huffed Hermione, "It's just a little worse than normal right now."
"Exactly, you shouldn't need to deal with this at all, let alone the last six years," Lily said worriedly.
"Look, it will stop soon. If it doesn't, I doubt I will be dealing with it next year. You will all have graduated, and the girls will move on to a different wizard. One I will not be attached to," Hermione explained calmly, pushing down her frustration.
"No, you will only be attached to me," Sirius announced, kissing the side of her head.
"Exactly," Hermione replied, smiling up at her wizard. She wasn't sure if they would make it as a couple next year, she was still surprised he was with her even now, but next year, without him, she would understand if he found a new witch. She didn't expect him to wait for her to graduate.
"We'll just up our game," promised James, "We have a lot of ideas we want to test before graduating. Also, we want to leave with everyone remember the Marauders, have a reputation to uphold and all." Lily and Hermione, who would normally discourage the Marauders' antics, couldn't find it in themselves to say anything. Both knew the boys would miss Hogwarts and their childish behaviour, they would need to grow up in the real world, especially dealing with a war, but both also knew the targets deserved it. Hermione did have a vindictive side, one that was only amplified by Granger's memories. The only difference is, Hermione never actually followed through with her vindictive impulses while Granger successfully had.
Once they arrived at the village, the two couples exited the carriages and went their separate ways. James and Lily immediately went to the Three Broomsticks for some lunch, while Sirius led Hermione to the bookshop. They walked through the village, visiting shops, stocking up on prank supplies at Zonko's and sweets at Honeydukes. They took a break for lunch at the Three Broomsticks, enjoying talking over a butterbeer, Remus and Peter joining them for a short while. They left the two boys and made their way to the Shrieking Shack, where Sirius told her all about the haunting and the theories. While Hermione knew Moony was a werewolf, the boys had told her over Yule before he had to transform, none of them had shared their animagus or that he changed in the shrieking shack.
They sat and stared at the old house, the sun setting behind it when Sirius kissed her again. Every kiss they shared seemed better than the last, Hermione knew she could never have enough of his lips, and he felt exactly the same. He made sure to kiss her lips as often as he could, sweet pecks in the morning, goodbye kisses whenever he had to go to class, kisses goodnight, but they rarely were able to deepen them as they were often around others. They had no such qualms today, however, and Sirius took full advantage. He devoured her, eating up every sound that escaped her lips. He stroked his tongue with hers, nipping at her bottom lips, exploring her mouth, and tasting every bit of it.
Hermione felt her body warming, her blood pounding in her ears as he kissed her hungrily. His lips moved across her cheek, down her jaw, and onto her neck, nipping at her pulse point. She could hear moaning and it took her a moment to realize that it was her making the sounds. Hermione sat up and moved to straddle his lap, when she pressed herself up against him, a shock of pleasure ran down her back to her centre after feeling his hardness against her. She moved her hips in a circle, the pleasurable feeling increasing when a groan escaped from Sirius' lips. His hands moved down to her hips and his fingers pressed, hard enough that they would likely leave bruises, it felt incredible. He guided her hips, moving them over his hardness, both moaning at the sensation.
"Princess, we need to stop," he whispered, kissing up her neck and back to her lips. He knew if they didn't stop soon, he would embarrass himself, finishing in his trousers was not something he had done since he was a very young wizard.
"Okay," Hermione breathed, her hips continuing to circle and grind against him. Sirius dug his fingers in deeper and forced her to stop, however, that did nothing to prevent the sensation, as she pressed against his straining erection. It was bliss and torture all at once.
"Let's go up to the castle, it's getting late," he spoke against her skin, unable to stop tasting her. He couldn't wait to taste her completely. he knew she would taste of honey ambrosia; she would taste divine. Hermione whimpered in disappointment but stood up and fixed her clothing, Sirius had managed to push her vest up, rumple her shirt, and undo her top buttons on it. Her curls were even more chaotic than normal, and her lips were bruised and swollen. Sirius couldn't help the smirk as he looked at her, she looked even more delectable looking thoroughly snogged. His cock twitched thinking of how she would look after a good shag.
Sirius pushed himself up off the ground, wrapped his arm around his witch, and began their journey back to the castle. He walked her up to her common room and gave her a kiss goodnight, smirking when he saw her blush and smile at him shyly as she walked away from him, glancing at him over his shoulder. He didn't leave until the door closed behind her and he couldn't see her anymore.
He then made his way back to his common room to talk to his Marauders about his plans. All day, he had taken note of each and every witch that glared at his girlfriend, he had watched every day for the ones that hexed her. They thought their pranks had been bad until now, but they were in for a surprise. Whatever witch thought the best way to catch his attention was to be cruel to Hermione was about to find out that they certainly did catch his attention. Just not the way he wanted.
He had been kind up until now, but knowing it was still happening, it was time to up their game. People thought Snivellus had it bad. Wait until they experienced his wrath, these pranks wouldn't be aimed to be funny, no they were to teach a lesson.
No one hurt his witch.
And when he graduated, became an Auror, and joined the Order, Bellatrix, and Greyback better be ready for him.
-oOo-
The weeks passed into months, and the witches finally backed off Hermione and left her alone. Even in her common room, Hermione found that everyone had begun to leave her alone. While she had originally yelled at Sirius for his pranks, she couldn't help but bask in the safety she had been granted.
It was the afternoon after their date in Hogsmeade that the pranks began once more. However, instead of them being the usual comedic and embarrassing ones that had previously been done, they were crueler and longer lasting. A lot of the witches grew large noses with warts, unibrows, and hair falling out, with a massive sign announcing that they were as ugly as their personalities. The transformation would last forty-eight hours with no ability to reverse it, no matter how many attempts Madame Pomphrey or Professor McGonagall made.
A new prank was set every few days, never keeping to a schedule to leave everyone unable to predict the next one. Girls were turning green, announcing that their jealousy was showing, some voices were changed to banshees to show their true spirit, and some began to smell like trolls to show who they were under their masks. Hermione and Lily both yelled at the boys in the Gryffindor common room, telling them they were being too cruel, but all stuck to their beliefs that the girls deserved it. Lily was swayed; however, Hermione couldn't help but feel bad for the girls, she heard some of them crying in her dorms. Though, when they stopped harassing her and left her alone, Hermione couldn't help but feel grateful for the Marauder's intervention.
Each day, Hermione and Sirius got closer. They were as inseparable as James and Lily, doing everything together unless the Marauders needed to plot something. During those times, the girls would go off and study. Lily began panicking about her NEWTS and Hermione had to calm her down and help her study for her exams. While Hermione enjoyed spending time with the Gryffindors, she was worried about how dependent she was on them. She was experiencing her best year at Hogwarts ever, and as much as that made her happy, it also made her feel guilty and scared.
Guilty because she didn't have Barty and Reg, they had made every year before now so much better, and losing them resulted in her losing part of her heart. Now, she was enjoying herself, was happy, content, and in love, and didn't have them by her side.
Her feelings were also what scared her. She had admitted to herself she was in love with Sirius, and they were inseparable, she spent all of her time with Sirius, the Marauders, or Lily. And they were graduating.
They were leaving too.
Logically, she knew they weren't leaving her, they were just leaving the school. But, her irrational, insecure side, the little girl that lost her parent's love and her best friends, was terrified she was losing them forever. That they would never visit her on Hogsmeade weekends because they were too busy, and then they wouldn't find her after she graduated. She was scared they would go a year without her and realize how worthless she was, how much of a freak and ice queen.
She hid these fears though, she didn't let her friends or boyfriend see the worries on her face. She wanted to enjoy the short time they had left. Soon they would graduate and join the Order and they would follow Dumbledore's orders. She just hoped she could prevent the future Granger lived. It was fine if they didn't want to be her friend, but James and Lily couldn't die, Peter couldn't frame Sirius, Remus couldn't be alone, and Sirius. Sirius couldn't go to Azkaban. He couldn't fall through the veil.
Sirius couldn't die.
And if Hermione couldn't keep him after he graduated, she could live with that. But she couldn't live in a world without Sirius Black.
-oOo-
Sirius had noticed Hermione's mood changes. He knew she thought he was oblivious, but he watched her enough to know. He watched her a worrying amount if he was honest with himself, but he couldn't look away from her. When she walked into a room his eyes were drawn to her, he felt her presence wherever she went, wherever he was. He loved watching her light up when they caught each others' eyes across a room. He loved watching her read, the expressions dancing across her face as she thought, her eyebrows and nose scrunching up if she disagreed with something in the book. He absolutely adored it when she glowed with pride after making her friends laugh or when she laughed uncontrollably at something.
Needless to say, Hermione McCallister entranced him.
He was also happy to say that the cruel treatment of jealous witches had come to an end, as had the bullying of the wizards in her own house and Slytherin. Everyone had learned that the Marauders were protecting the Ravenclaw witch, and they held nothing back when it came to her.
Therefore, Sirius was very aware when he saw Hermione worrying about something. He was concerned about the painful or fearful and panicked looks that overcame her face when she looked at Reggie and Barty or their friends.
It was the month before school ended when Sirius finally gave in and pulled Hermione aside for some time alone. He took her to an empty classroom and after some reassuring snogging, Sirius asked her about what was wrong. Hermione tried to play it off as nothing, but Sirius was relentless. He tried tickling her, and he tried kissing her all over the face, both causing her to laugh uncontrollably, but not share her concerns. Finally, he sat down on a couch he transfigured and sat her on his lap, running his hand through her curls.
"Hermione, princess," Sirius breathed, his lips grazing the shell of her ear, "You can tell me anything, you know that right? I will always be here."
"You can't promise that," replied Hermione. He had told her this hundreds of times over the months, always trying to reassure her, but she couldn't help that sliver of fear that constantly grew. The fear of rejection, of abandonment. It didn't help Granger had that feeling too, especially after Ron abandoned them. She wished she could trust Sirius' words, though she wasn't sure what could ever convince her.
"I can and I will, princess," promised Sirius, "You forget I'm a Marauder and we always honour our promises." He placed his fingers under her chin and gently turned her to look at him, a serious expression on his face, "Only death could stop me."
Hermione stared at him, searching his eyes for any deceit. Finding none, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Sirius responded to the kiss, but neither deepened it. Both were sharing their feelings for each other through the kiss, trying to show the other how much they loved each other.
Hermione broke the kiss first and rested her forehead against his kiss, looking into his stunning, expressive grey eyes. Sirius looked at her caramel eyes that reminded him so much of firewhiskey and decided he couldn't keep it from her any longer.
"I love you, Hermione," he spoke with conviction and love. Hermione sucked in a breath at his words, her heart thudding, and her brain going blank.
She stared at him in shock for what felt like hours but was only seconds. Sirius started to feel unsure and vulnerable the longer she stayed silent. He had never spoken those words to anyone, not his parents, not his brother, not even his Marauders. He felt it, yes, and he had said a variation of it, but he had never spoken the three little words before.
Hermione was staring at her boyfriend in shock. She had never been rendered speechless before, but Sirius Black had managed. No one had ever told her they loved her before. Sure, Reggie and Barty loved her, had been very affectionate with her, but had never actually said those words, in that context. Granger had had many people say to her, her parents and friends.
But neither of them had experience with this kind of love.
This wasn't unconditional. It wasn't platonic.
Sirius Black was telling her he was in love with her.
Could it be possible that he loved her as much as she loved him? That he wouldn't leave her this summer and forget about her during her next school year because he would miss her as much as she would miss him?
Hermione stared at Sirius unblinkingly, trying to process his words, what he meant by those words. Not one part of her doubted her love for him, it was hearing him say he loved her that short-circuited her brain. It was when she saw his face begin to fall, disappointment showing, that she found her voice again.
"I love you too," Hermione replied quietly.
Sirius felt his entire body burst with happiness. His face split as a smile grew and tears filled his eyes. She loved him back.
Hermione was unable to say anything else as Sirius crashed his lips to hers. They stayed in the empty classroom kissing, their hands exploring over their uniforms before both returned to their common rooms feeling elated.
Both believed they were too broken and had experienced too much trauma to find someone to love them. Finding each other had filled that void in their heart, both saving each other in their own way.
-oOo-
A/N: Please review, favourite, follow, or comment. All forms of love are appreciated! We are moving ahead through our time in school, next chapter will be the Marauders meeting with Dumbledore, their graduation, and the summer with our Hermione and her friends.