Chapter nine: Christmas
Hermione's door opened for a second time around three after Remus' parents were woken by the Floo. Someone was very desperately looking for her.
"Ariel? Ariel- oh." The light clicked on and Hope saw Ariel with her head on her son's chest and his arm around her. She'd never seen Remus sleep so contentedly.
"Mum?" Remus asked, squinting through the light. "What's going on?"
"I need Ariel to wake up."
He looked down at the girl sleeping on his chest and smiled before nudging her awake. "Love," he whispered. "Love, wake up."
She groaned, rubbing her cheek against him. "Remus?"
"Hey beautiful, Mum needs you for something."
Hermione slowly sat up. "What happened?"
Hope watched with hopeful eyes. Her husband had told her about their conversation at dishes. "There's someone at the Floo for you. He was very urgent."
She groaned at the word 'urgent'. Urgency was what had gotten her into this wonderful mess to begin with. Then she sat up. "The only person other than Lily and the Marauders who know I'm here is Severus."
Then she scrambled out of the bed, tripping over the comforter. Remus followed, nervous at her worry. "Why would Snape be calling you here? He hates me."
"I don't know."
He followed her down the stairs.
"Severus?" She called.
"Ariel." He sounded awful, this guttural groan in his throat.
Hermione sighed out in relief. "What happened? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I-I can't breathe. My chest, I-Merlin, Ariel he was angry tonight."
"Do you have your potions? I told you to always keep your potions."
"I-I have them, but Ariel, I can't- I'm bleeding, I think my foot's broken. I-I, Merlin it hurts!" Hermione looked at Remus with tearful eyes and he nodded.
"Go, tell me if you need anything. Be careful."
Hermione wiped her eyes and stepped through to Severus' sitting room, leaving the Floo open behind her. Severus was spread out on the blood-soaked carpet, his chest breathing in and out shallowly. She gasped, falling to her knees beside him.
"Severus! What happened? What did He do to you?" He opened his mouth to answer, but only blood came out. Then he nodded his head to the side and closed his eyes. "Severus? Severus!"
She fumbled through his robes and pulled out his box of potions she got for him, pulling out the Blood Replenishers. She forced it past his teeth and massaged his throat for him to swallow it. They hadn't finished the Dittany yet.
"Remus?" She called into the fire. "I need my bag! Hurry!" A minute later he came through with Hope behind him. "Wh-what is she doing here, Remus?"
"I'm a nurse," she told her.
"No! Remus, she can't be here. You know that!"
"She won't tell anyone- "
"NO! He- "
"He is dying, Hermione! You have to think of him."
She looked between Remus and Hope and nodded. "Okay. Please, just save him."
Hope began to tear away his clothes down to his pants. "Do you have any Dittany? And peroxide?"
"I-in my bag. Accio!" Her own box of medical stuff flew out and she opened it to give it to Hope, who had paused at the Dark Mark- looking over at them. Hermione stared back evenly, waiting for what the woman was going to do. Though she was Muggle, she knew the Mark and what it meant.
"Okay." She said. "Okay, go get me some gauze. I have some in my bathroom. Your father knows where. And some bandages and surgical tape." Remus ran to go get it. "Alright, I also need some rags and a bowl of water so I can get the blood off of him and get a better look at what I'm dealing with."
Once she had everything, Hope didn't say anything as she worked to stop the bleeding and bandage his injuries. Hermione was able to handle the magical side of things, healing broken bones and looking at his internal injuries. He broke a few ribs, shattered his foot, bruised his larynx badly, and almost bled out. It was dawn before everyone was able to take a breath.
Hermione levitated him to his room and covered him up, laying a cool rag on his forehead to help his fever. They were whispering, Hope and Remus, when she came back down- all of them covered in blood. Remus stood when he saw her and she moved into his arms, shaking.
"Shhh," he said, stroking her hair. "He's gonna be okay. You were able to get to him in time"
"But I almost didn't," she cried. "He could have died."
"But he didn't."
Hope watched the scene, frustrated and confused. "Okay," she said, "I waited until we were sure he was okay, but I need to know what's going on. Now." They turned to her. "Why is a Death Eater calling Ariel for help? Why are you calling her Hermione? Who is that?"
"That's Severus Snape," Remus told her. "He's a friend of Ariel's."
"He's my father," Hermione said, too tired to come up with a lie she'd have to remember later. Hope blinked, having known they had to be related, but thought of brother and sister.
"But, that means- "
"I'm Hermione Granger," she said. "And no, I haven't been born yet. I came back to save him from where he's heading. Yes, he's Marked, but he regrets it and has since it happened."
Hope furrowed her brow in confusion. "Wait, so he really is your father?" Remus and Hermione both nodded. "What does this have to do with my son?"
"I love her, Mum. She's my mate."
Hermione looked up at him in surprise, knowing and understanding the significance of that. "I already knew Remus before I came here, he was a very close friend of mine- "
"Close friend? You just said you haven't even been born yet."
"Correct. I'm born September 19, 1979. I'm thirteen when I meet Remus. He's my professor for that year. Then we both get swept up in the next war along with my best friend, James' son. So yes, very close friends. Apparently there's a bet on who makes the move to make it more than friends."
Hope looks at Remus. "And you knew about all this?"
"I figured out that something was off and I confronted her about it."
"It's very important no one knows, Mrs. Lupin. I just want him to be safe. Both of them."
"Hope." She insisted again, and that was the last she said on the matter.
*
October 5 1995
That brilliant girl has gone and formed a Defense club with Potter and Weasley. I mean, she ismy daughter. The other professors and I have made a betting pool to rid the school of that Umbitch- a title even Mother has started calling her.
Christmas 1995
Hero's Guide to Defensive Spells- I thought the title was appropriate with Potter teaching.
January 27 1996
I swear to God I'm going to kill that boy.
Hermione thought back and placed the date to when Harry came back and told them he had no more lessons. Speaking of, Severus was out for three days. During which Hermione taught Remus how to call his patronus. He was making excellent progress, they just couldn't get the form to take, but it had four legs and a tail. Remus was afraid it was going to be a wolf.
She was sitting beside Severus' bed when Remus came to find her the day before they were supposed to go to James'.
"I'm staying here." She told him.
"I know, and so am I."
Hermione looked up at him. "No, you go. Give them my gifts and apologies. I'm just going to be here with him. I wish he would just move."
Then, he did.
"Ariel?"
"Severus? Oh my Merlin, how are you feeling? Are you okay?"
Remus snorted. "Of course he's not okay, love, he nearly died."
She glared at him. "Lupin? What are you doing in my house?"
"He helped me take care of you."
"Why did you bring him here?"
"Because I needed the help. He wasn't joking, you almost bled out before I even got here." Severus grumbled and tried to sit up. "What can I do?" She asked.
"I don't know. I'm starving."
Hermione nodded. "I'll go get you some soup. I made some for when you woke up. You shouldn't really eat anything heavier."
Remus stayed, leaning against the wall with crossed arms.
"Why are you here?" Severus asked him with a frown.
He shrugged. "Ariel's here. Wherever she goes, I go." He came closer. "Actually I want to talk to you about that, but it can wait until after the holiday when you have your health back."
Hermione came back with a steamy bowl and glass of water. Remus transfigured a book into a lap table for him to use before excusing himself.
"Shouldn't you be at Potter's?" Severus asked bitterly.
"No." She said. "You're hurt, so I should be here making you better. I told Remus to go tomorrow without me."
Severus shook his head. "No, you go. I'll be okay."
"Severus, I'm staying with you."
"No, you're not. I- appreciate you being here and wanting to stay, but I will be okay. You did the most of it. Now I just have to stay in bed, right? Easy. I'll write you confirmation I'm still kicking. I promise. I think that was the last meeting until we go back."
"Why was he so angry?"
"I don't know. Something about Dumbledore I'm sure."
*
Hermione would say she was having a wonderful time with Lily and the Marauders, and she really was, but she spent the time worrying mostly about Severus. True, he wrote her every other day, but what if he was just pretending to be okay because he didn't want to bother her? Or say he needed help? She met Harry's grandparents. They were nice people and welcomed her, happy their son's friend found someone. Happy their son's desire finally came around. He apparently had a habit of talking about Lily nonstop.
"Hey, Cinder!"
"Cinder?" Remus asked.
Sirius nodded. "Yes. I realize now that Foxy was a terrible idea, as was Bushytail. My apologies, but I found the perfect Marauder name for Ariel!"
"And that's 'Cinder'?"
"Because she looks fiery, but she's also very proper like a princess. Cinder, short for Cinderella." Everyone looked at him strangely. He'd actually thought this out.
Hermione shrugged. "Cinder it is then."
He beamed and Lily didn't ask, but Hermione knew she'd already guessed about Remus being a werewolf. After that it wasn't too far of a stretch.
"Is Peter coming today, or later?" Dorea Potter asked.
"Wormtail won't be coming this year, Mother. His father's sick."
Hermione felt angry, wishing the Dark Lord's rage did kill the rat, but knew it wouldn't. Remus once again noticed and took her to the side.
"What's wrong?" He asked her.
"Nothing," she lied.
Remus frowned. "I can tell when you lie to me, love. Why do you hate Peter so much?"
"I don't hate Peter." I despise him. "I can't tell you anything about Peter, James, or Lily. I told you this."
"What can you tell me?"
"I never got to meet James or Lily and I can't say I've had any pleasant experiences with Peter. I met him in third year too. James and Lily die soon after Harry turns a year old."
"But that's not far off. You're born in 1979, and he's in your year so- that soon?"
"I'm so sorry Remus. Things get bad. Everything gets bad, all at the same time."
On Christmas morning, Hermione woke up with a heavy arm slung over her torso, hugging her to Remus. She smiled and nestled closer until the door banged open and Sirius bound in as Padfoot and slobbered all over them, with James and Lily close behind.
"I don't suppose you could- " Remus whispered.
She smiled and shrunk into Cinders, running after Padfoot gleefully. They yipped and chased until Remus caught her around the middle and heaved her up. He pet her softly and she had to admit it felt very nice.
"You know, I like you like this." He said. "Less argumentative."
Suddenly he had Hermione leaned against him with a smile.
"Oi!" Sirius barked. "If you two are finished, there are presents to be opened!"
"Some peoples kids, I tell you."
Hermione had been hard pressed to find something for James and Sirius, until she and Remus were taking a walk and she found something that WAS Sirius, but James she wasn't sure if he'd like his. Lily was easy, she loved fairytales. So Hermione found her a very nice copy of the original Grimm Tales. Gore and all. Remus, was harder. Severus was just as easy as Sirius, as she found a pair dragonhide boots that looked just like the ones Professor Snape wore. Severus had one pair of torn shoes that were falling apart at the soles. She hoped he liked them.
Remus opened his from her first and pulled out the box of full vials. She had also bought him his favorite Belgium chocolate that he hardly ever got because it could be costly at times. He looked confused at the potions until he pulled out a note card: 'Wolfsbane'.
He'd never had it before, though he'd heard of it. It was too difficult for anyone he knew to make, and the finished product was way too expensive. He wanted to ask her to marry him right there, but he wanted to do this right and he hadn't asked Snape yet. "Th-this is- "
"It will last you until next Christmas, I made it myself."
Remus kissed her hard. What had he done to deserve her? This amazing girl in his arms? The others were confused, not realizing what it was.
"It's Wolfsbane," Lily told them. "It keeps him from losing his mind at the full moon."
Everyone looked at her.
"You know?" Remus asked.
She smiled. "Of course I know. You disappear every month and no one gets sick on schedule like that."
Next was James, who she'd given a giant book of the best pranks and a special black light pen he could mark them off with as he went.
Hermione shrugged. "I figure you only have until June to make a lasting impression on the school. You might as well go for it."
"You'll have to help," Sirius told her.
"I suppose I could, seeing as I'm an honorary member of the Marauders."
Remus handed her a box from him and she opened it carefully to find a beautiful hand mirror and brush set. She had complained about her hair and he found this. He earned a kiss and a grin as she started to brush her hair with it. She'd always wanted a set like this. At the end of everyone's gifts- with a special delivery from Severus of a nice copy of both the Odyssey and the Iliad, Hermione and Remus led everyone outside to where Sirius' gift was.
"Is that- "
"It's a motorcycle."
Sirius picked Hermione up and spun her around. "Oh I could kiss you!"
"I wouldn't suggest it." She teased, going back to Remus.
"I wonder if we could get it to fly," James said aloud.
