Hola! Hope everyone had a wonderful week. Just wanted to say happy Friday and happy end of July! Oh and Happy Birthday Harry Potter!
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And, here we go!
Hermione had always enjoyed Christmas. Her favorite tradition had always been helping to put up decorations and trimming the tree. Her mother would often have special Christmas crackers ready for when the Queen would televise her well wishes to the country. Her father would prepare miniature Yorkshire puddings to accompany mother's roast; and the three of them would sit down for an afternoon Christmas feast. Presents would always follow after dinner; though when she was younger, Hermione remembered finding it difficult waiting so long to open her gifts.
When Hermione woke up this Christmas morning though, she knew that there were no crackers or Yorkshire pudding waiting for her. She closed her eyes again, and began to fantasize about her parents; they would have been married almost a year now. Maybe they are on holiday in France somewhere, or maybe skiing in in Alps.
This time, when Hermione opened her eyes, she willed herself to find happiness in where she currently was. She could smell tea and hot chocolate coming from the small living space she shared with 'Aunt' Minerva and there were a small mountain of gifts at the foot of her bed. Hermione had found a home in this time, and she needed to remind herself to embrace it.
Hermione entered the sitting room and found McGonagall sipping her morning earl grey. She brought with her the wrapped 'collection of worldly teas' sample and a book about muggle Japanese tea ceremonies for the Professor to open.
"Happy Christmas, Aunt Minerva," Hermione cheerfully said as she wrapped her arms around the woman.
"Happy Christmas, dear," McGonagall beamed at her 'niece' and opened her gifts with gusto. She was excited by the twelve different types of tea that she now had to try, "This is lovely! So thoughtful Mia, thank you. Everyone usually gives me school related books, so this is a very nice departure from the norm."
Hermione grinned, "It's nothing. I owe you so much more then I can say." She stood and hugged Minerva again.
The older woman laughed heartily as she withdrew a parcel from under the table, "And here are your gifts my dear. I know you will make good use of them."
Hermione opened the box to find three books inside. One book was over Rune history and uses. The other printed book was about Transfiguration abilities and procedures. But the last leather bound book was the most interesting; it was a journal of sorts, but a very special and rare type. This journal was only able to be read by the person who wrote upon its pages; it was magically calibrated to recognize it's owner only. It was able to be revealed to another party if that person's name was written on the back cover of the book.
McGonagall motioned to the back cover of the book, "This part is meant to be used in an inheritance kind of aspect. But I thought maybe you could find some other use for it." She smiled knowingly at Hermione.
Hermione flung her arms around Minerva for a third time. "Thank you so much," she muffled into her professors shoulder.
The rest of the morning was dedicated to just enjoying each other's company. The two women spoke about classes and friends, and even touched a bit of the subject of Hermione's relationship with Sirius.
Minerva gratefully didn't ask the dreaded question of what would happen if and when Hermione had to return to her time, but instead she asserted her motherly tone and simply stated, "You seem to create a balance when you are together, but be cautious of your heart dear. Heartache is something terrible to overcome."
Hermione smiled and sipped the last of her now cold hot chocolate. It was comforting to know someone was always going to be on her side.
Hermione decided to start in on her Christmas gifts early this year. She found that James and Peter had given her some Huneydukes candy and a few joke gifts from Zonko's; she now had an ample supply of sugar quills and hiccough sweets. Remus had gotten her a tiny silver ring with a round moonstone; 'to my wolf taming friend' read the joking note that accompanied it. Lily had bought her a copy of Mansfield Park and a few rolls of Fruit Pastilles. Hermione chuckled as she imagined the disapproving faces that her parents would have given her, and popped one in her mouth as she continued through her gifts.
All that was left now was a rectangular box from Sirius. It had some weight to it, and Hermione was sure it was another book; but she would not have predicted which book it was.
Hermione opened the box to find a few layers of white tissue paper folded over to conceal the tome. A little note laid waiting for her on the top disclaiming, "No exchanges, or returns. You can yell at me later." Hermione furrowed her brow as she gently ripped the tissue to reveal the treasure inside.
The book was just as she remembered; bound in a creamy white leather, gold leaf pattern adorning the front and back covers, elegant scroll announcing the Jane Austen title she held so dear.
'Emma.'
It was the first edition that she and Lily had found at the bookstore outside of Diagon Ally; Hermione was sure of it. There was another little note of paper tucked in between the pages like a bookmark,
"Lily suggested that I find you something less extravagant, but when I asked her about the book she bought you this summer she let slip where you had found this first edition print. I know you'll be cross with me since you know how expensive it is, but please don't return it. I know how much you miss your family and I hope this can let you feel like you have a little piece of them with you.
Love, Sirius"
Hermione hugged the book to her chest and laughed through her happy tears. She would have to speak to Sirius about his spending limit; but Hermione was a bit ashamed to realize how much she wanted to keep the novel.
The rest of the morning was dedicated to skimming through the Brock first edition book and marveling in the excellent condition the seventy year old pages were in. This edition of 'Emma' also contained two dozen colored illustrations of the heroin, Lizzy's, journey through life, family and love.
Hermione could not believe that Sirius had bought her such a gift; and she giggled a bit to herself at the idea that she technically had two now, if she returned to her time. She didn't believe that what she had purchased for Sirius even came close to the magnitude of his gift to her; but Hermione knew that he would love it so she was glad she had bought it for him anyway.
James and Sirius woke up late, as per usual, on Christmas morning to the smell of a real English breakfast wafting up from the Potter kitchen. James leapt out of his bed, flung his door open, took two steps to cross the hall to Sirius' room and banged the door down loudly. Sirius let out a few muffled curse words as he pulled a pillow over his head.
"Get up Padfoot, it's Christmas. Can't you smell the food the house elves made?" James was as giddy as a child, he loved Christmas and he wanted Sirius awake so they could celebrate together. "Come on you git! Or I'll return your gift."
James had to duct his head to avoid the pillow zooming by.
"…better yet, stay there. I'm just going to go eat all the food…" James sauntered over to Sirius' bed and made a mad grab for the comforter. He yanked the blanket from the bed and pulled it half way down the hallway as he strolled down to the kitchen.
Sirius just groaned in response. This happened every year, even the few years that they had spent Christmas at Hogwarts; and he wasn't sure why he believed this year would be different. Sirius rolled out of bed and quickly stripped down and threw himself under the shower head in an attempt to rouse himself. It only took him a few minutes to get himself cleaned up and wide awake. He hurriedly dressed in some warmer clothes and kicked his comforter back into his room before descending the stairs of the Potter house.
James was sitting at the table shoveling eggs and sausage into his mouth when Sirius entered the room. Mrs. Potter was shooting her son slightly apprehensive glances; she wasn't sure how he was swallowing and breathing with all the food entering his mouth. Sirius kissed Mrs. Potter on the cheek before settling into the chair across from James and digging into his own food.
"Happy Christmas Flora," Sirius still felt strange using her first name, but Mrs. Potter had insisted. She said that 'Mrs. Potter' made her feel even older then she already was, and she and Edmund treated Sirius so much like family he did anything they asked of him.
"Happy Christmas, Sirius dear," the old woman offered him a cheerful smile. "So, will we be seeing your young lady friend for the new year's party? I am so very anxious to meet her and Miss Evans; the two girls who captured the hearts of my boys."
Sirius smiled shyly as his face and ears grew warm, "Um… yea… I mean yes, Mia said she would be attending."
"Good. I need to make sure that they are both worthy of my boys," Mrs. Potter smiled between James and Sirius. "Also need to make sure that you are both treating them like proper gentlemen."
James and Sirius finished their breakfasts before racing back upstairs to their gifts. The two Marauders dragged their presents into the hallway so that they could open everything together. They each received Honeydukes sweets and Zonko's gifts from many of their friends, Peter also had given them each prank book and Remus had jokingly sent them both 'Survival guide to Witches.'
James was happily stunned when he opened Lily's gift of a new pair of leather chaser gloves that he had been eying at Spintwitches a few weeks ago, and Sirius' gift of never-fogging goggles for when James had to fly in the rain. Sirius in turn had been struck silent by James gift of a new motorbike helmet that Lily had helped charm with safety spells. But the best gift that Sirius received by far had been from Hermione. She had found a slightly used, black leather Roadster motorbike jacket; it had white strip accents along the sleeves and a high snap collar. It also had some appropriate personalizations. Hermione had used her wand to attach a small paw-print patch on the upper back side of the jacket, and she had also embroidered 'Padfoot' over the front left pocket.
"Wow, Sirius. I hope you got Mia something really nice…" James was smirking as he examined the amazingly thoughtful gift that his friend had just received.
Sirius smiled dopily, "I thought I did, but she might have won this Christmas." Both boys chuckled as Sirius tried on the jacket and helmet together and imagined himself riding his restored motorbike.
Hermione waited impatiently for her nightly conversation with Sirius. She wanted to desperately to talk to the Marauder and explain to him how much his gift had meant to her. There were a few feelings that Hermione was still trying to discern, but she did have an inkling of what the knots at the bottom of her stomach were from and it both thrilled and terrified her. She had said an early goodnight to Minerva and retired to her bedroom to call Sirius; but he didn't appear in the mirror. Hermione sat by her window seat and attempted to read, but not a single word she read registered in her mind.
The sudden tapping at the window made Hermione jolt forward so severely that she had almost tumbled from the chair.
There was a brown barn owl hovered right outside the window ledge; it had a small scroll attached to its leg. Hermione let the feathered creature into her room and found an owl treat to thank it for the letter.
'Come to the astronomy tower. –S'
Without a second thought, Hermione grabbed her jacket and ran up to the astronomy tower. She silently thanked the fact that no one appeared to be patrolling this section of the castle at the moment, because she wasn't being very discreet as she went.
Sirius was bouncing on the balls of his feet trying to keep himself warm. Sneaking out of the Potter's house had been relatively easy, especially with James' assistance. And apparating to Hogsmeade and then flying to the astronomy tower had been simple enough; but waiting out in the snowy weather might not have been one of his smarter ideas.
When Hermione finally reached the tower and flung open the door to the observation landing; she found a very excited but frozen looking Marauder. Hermione ran the few paces between them and flung herself into his arms where Sirius caught her securely against his body; she kissed his cold lips fervently as he chuckled. "Did you really miss me that much, Blondie?" Sirius teased as he pulled back from her mouth to catch his breath.
"So, I'm back to 'Blondie' again?" A wicked smirk pulled at Hermione's lips, "You called me 'Love' just the other day; I thought I had been promoted?"
A sheepish smile covered Sirius face and he glanced around the vacant tower, "I was hoping you hadn't heard that when you didn't comment on it yesterday…"
Hermione internalized her laughter as best she could, "Well yesterday was for Lily, but I'm assuming this visit is just for me. So… care to elaborate?"
Sirius' looked anywhere but at Hermione, "You're not going to let this go until I answer, are you?"
Hermione shook her head as her smile broadened, "Never."
"Well, you might not like the explanation. You're not going to think I'm confident in the answer."
"What if I promise to keep an open mind?" Hermione offered as she held Sirius a little tighter, "And I refuse to let us go inside until you tell me?"
Sirius couldn't help but hoot at the blonde witch's threats; he knew it was an empty promise, but he found that he wanted to at least try to explain himself. He took a deep breath and began, "I am almost, entirely certain that… I love you."
Hermione had a split second of doubt about the future wash over her, but she quickly pushed it to the back of her mind and reminded herself to live in this present. A wide smile began to grow on Hermione's face as she processed the last three words that Sirius had spoken.
"And what is keeping you from being completely certain, Mr. Black?" Hermione stood on her toes in an attempt to face Sirius at his eye level.
Sirius sighed as he was forced to gaze into Hermione's warm brown eyes, "Well, I… I'm scared."
Hermione knew why he was afraid without Sirius having to elaborate. Sirius was scared of what his future would be if he admitted to himself how much he actually cared for the time traveling witch in front of him. He was scared she would have to leave him; and he was scared at the idea of being without her. It was all the things Hermione herself was scared of when she tried to analyze her feeling for Sirius.
"What if I was scared too, Sirius?" Hermione smiled as she fought back tears; she wasn't sure if they were tears of joy or sadness. "What if I told you that I was terrified but that I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I loved you too?"
Sirius immediately captured Hermione's mouth in a heated kiss. It was as if every feeling they had for each other was trying to come to the surface and make itself know to the other person.
Hermione's musical laughter filled the air as Sirius broke the kiss and asked between heaving breathes, "You… you love me? You're sure?"
"Yes, you git." Hermione couldn't contain her grin as Sirius chuckled in relief, "Now stop talking and kiss me."
Sirius beamed against her smiling lips, "I love you, Hermione." He had whispered the words so softly, that it took a full second for Hermione's mind of recognize her own name. But every time Sirius addressed Hermione by her real name, it made the feeling in her chest radiate even further.
They playfully argued into the early morning hours about whose idea it was to go back to the sitting room; but neither of them could really remember through the foggy memories. They had not gotten completely lost in the moment; Hermione was still hesitant about reveling her scars and she didn't want to rush into the unknown quite so quickly. When she asked Sirius if he could be patient; despite his raging hormones, he found that he didn't want to pressure her. And there were always other things they could do to express their feelings.
Hermione awoke first, finding herself on the floor of the sitting room in front of the dying embers in the fireplace. She felt Sirius still asleep behind her with his arm firmly holding her to his bare chest under two layers of blankets. Hermione entwined her fingers with his and closed her eyes again; she took a few minutes to memorize the pattern of his breathing and the tingling his exhaled breath caused on her ear. She also marveled at the sense of security his arms provided and the warmth and love she could feel spread through her entire body, as Sirius woke up and instantly kissed her head. Hermione knew that quiet moments like this were going to be few and far between once they graduated and began working towards altering the future, and she wanted to make sure that she savored these fleeting seconds in time.
Oh the fluff! I really love fluff, hope you all are ok with that. Never know what craziness could lay ahead...
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Love,
Misha
Ps. if you like my writing, go check out 'Begin Again' too!