Disclaimer: Is not, was not and never will be mine! All credit goes to the incredible JK Rowling!

Chapter 18: The Ball Part II

Their surroundings seemed to fade away the moment their lips touched for a second time; that was until an unattractive screech filled the air. "YOU. You are no son of mine! Associating yourself with filthy blood traitors and mudblood tat like that since the beginning! You're a disgrace to your name, you're not a Black!" The shock cut through Sirius' delighted haze, and he felt a dread wash over him. Gently pulling away from Hermione, he shifted her until she was slightly behind him, but he kept a firm hold on her hand; if there was something he'd learned about his Mione, it was that she could be impulsive when pushed. His mother was certainly someone who could illicit a negative response from the fiery witch.

"Hello mother, so lovely to see you again". Hermione watched, wide eyed as she saw Pureblood Sirius fully emerged for the first time since she'd known him. This Sirius held his back ramrod straight, arrogance rolled off him and his tone was cold and clipped; every bit the pureblood heir he once had been. "I was under the impression I stopped being your son the moment you disowned me for straying from your filthy direction" Sirius spat the last part, anger filling him. How dare she come in and interrupt his perfect moment with Hermione? He was sure she wouldn't come tonight; clearly this was wishful thinking.

Hermione took the moments presented to her by the shocked silence that followed Sirius' words to appraise the Black Matriarch in front of her. Walburga Black had a majestic yet chilling aura about her, exuding distain and power throughout the room. She held her head regally high, with her blonde but greying hair furled in a bun that would have Professor McGonagall crying. She shared Sirius' eyes, but they were cold and calculating, and currently filled with hatred and revulsion; and she was looking directly at her. Hermione felt an unbidden shiver run through her as she felt that powerful gaze directed at her, and she unknowingly gripped Sirius' hand in fear.

Sirius squeezed Hermione's hand reassuringly, so she knew that he was in control; so far anyway. "As I am no longer your son mother, you have no right to dictate to me who I do and who I do not spend my time with. Hermione here is one of the most beautiful witches I know, and she is certainly the cleverest; hell, she's smarter than probably at least half the purebloods in the country! So tell me, where is your 'superiority' now? And why are you even here? You weren't invited; in fact I distinctly remember making sure you were not invited". He hated letting his 'Pureblood Swagger' as James called it take over, but knowing that seeing it would drive his mother crazy because as far she was concerned it would be wasted on a hopeless case, made it worth it. He may have hated every minute of it, but he had learned everything there was to know from his etiquette lessons as a child, and when the situation called for it, he wasn't afraid to use this; like now, for instance. However, his blood ran cold at his mother's next parting words.

"Big words Sirius, but even you with all your bravado cannot save her. They are coming. It is starting and there is nothing you can do to stop it".

With those chilling words, Walburga Black glided out of the room, leaving the desired shock factor behind her. Whether it was those words or the fact that it was now getting late, people began to quickly leave shortly after that, an air of awkwardness and speculation ruining what had previously been the perfect atmosphere.

Once the last of the guests had gone, Hermione was pulled out of her Sirius induced fog of happiness by Charlus' mock stern voice. "Now kids, don't stay up too late, and no funny business!" He winked at Sirius at the last part, before putting an arm around and exhausted and weary Dorea and leading her out of the ballroom. Hermione surveyed the scene around her, and felt a happy smile creep to her lips, despite the worry scenes she had witnessed earlier. Her and Sirius were wrapped around each other as they swayed gently to the music, along with Sofia and Benjy, who Hermione had to admit fitted with Sofia perfectly. Off to the side of the room, James had pushed back what was previously a dividing wall to reveal an area to relax; plush sofas lines the walls, and in the middle was a gobstones table. James lounged on one of the sofas, his arm sneakily resting on the back and therefore, behind an exhausted but bright-eyed Lily. Evanna was curled up into Xeno's side as they carried out a murmured conversation; the love and happiness there was difficult to miss. Dorcas, having joined the group earlier in the evening, was leaning against a man who Hermione only just noticed; and promptly had a heart attack. With a lanky figure, bright ginger hair and freckles and a mischievous smile matching the twinkle in his eye, this man was a clone of the Weasley twins. Or in this case, she supposed Fred and George were a clone of him and his own twin. Hermione felt a rush of sympathy for the woman she had come to regard as a second mother as she looked at the man who was clearly either Fabian or Gideon Prewitt; she couldn't begin to imagine how difficult it must be for Molly to look at her sons and see clones of her dead brothers. Marlene was nowhere to be seen, but Hermione was almost certain she inhabited one of the many empty bedrooms with one of the guys she had been hanging over tonight; she would enter the New Year in true McKinnon style. Hermione shifted her focus to Sofia and Benjy, and couldn't help but smile. Contentment and fulfilment appeared to roll of her friend, and she knew she could no longer deny that the bad boy she saw was the guy for Sofia, no one else would be able to bring her that love. Yet despite what she had heard about the terrible pain Sofia had suffered due to him, Hermione could see Sofia's love for Benjy mirrored right back at her in his own eyes. Perhaps this time it would be different, perhaps he'd treat her right. Either way, he'd greatly regret it if Sof got hurt again, Hermione and the girls would see to that.

And so Hermione's focus finally shifted to the gorgeous boy who's arms she was currently in. Sirius' hair was mussed and ever so slightly messy from the countless times she had run her hands through it or gripped it over the course of the night; he had been right, the girls WERE jealous of how silkily soft his hair was, thanks to Hermione's joke Christmas present. Though they had been officially together only for a few hours and already Hermione felt that a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was certainly going to need it anyway; after all she had heard tonight, she was going to have to start planning at least.

Remus was filled with so many nerves he was sure he was going to be sick. As if sensing this, a bottle of firewiskey and some glasses appeared on the coffee table in between the sofas, and James, Sirius and Benjy let out a whoop at the same time and rushed over. "Time to send the year off properly!" James toasted, and everyone forced themselves to down a glass. Taking a deep, Remus realised it was now or never. Aided by the warm fuzz of alcohol, Remus rose to the centre of the lounge area.

"Guys I have something to tell you all… Well some of you, some of you know already… obviously…" Remus was babbling and he knew it. He took a deep breath and looked around him to the people he had come to trust. With the exception of Benjy, who had conveniently excused himself with a passionate kiss for Sofia, explaining that he had to go home. He looked at the marauders, at his brothers and saw shock but fierce pride and encouragement shining up at him. His gaze travelled from Sirius to Hermione and he was shocked again and reminded of her reaction to her charm on Christmas day; he saw acceptance and faith in her eyes. Sighing, he ploughed onwards. "You're all clever witches, so I'm sure you've noticed that I'm regularly ill or go home to visit some dying relative… Well I don't know if you've all connected the dots but-"

"Remus we know… The full moon. Honestly, do you think we wouldn't notice when we have Lily among us? Honestly we don't care, we love you anyway!" Marlene rolled her eyes at him, as all the girls got up and gave Remus hugs to show their support.

Hermione smiled as she surveyed the scene, reiterating it to herself how much these people in front of her were worth fighting for. An arm snaked around her waist she she leaned in, recognising Sirius' touch by the Goosebumps that erupted over her skin from the contact. "I haven't finished dancing with you yet love" me murmured in her ear, leading her back out onto the dance floor, where everyone was dancing the night away. Tomorrow, Hermione would have to start her planning.

A/N

I'm back! Properly this time I promise... You must all hate me, I know I would if I were you... To anyone who's still following this story/started to read it, THANK YOU I LOVE YOU ALL!

Please keep reading and reviewing..

Rads x x