A/N: Thank you reading and for your reviews! I'm grateful that you guys like this story :) Sooo...here's a small and short Easter treat for you - two chapters on the same day!
Chapter 20: Christmas & New Year
December 22nd 1977 (Thursday)
Regulus slipped into the compartment where Snape was already sitting, alone, his nose buried in a book. The younger Slytherin sat down opposite to his friend and gave him a long stare as the train left the Hogsmeade station.
"By all means, say what it is that you're bursting to get out." Snape drawled while looking up from his book.
"Did you speak with Hermione?" Regulus asked calmly. Even though his voice was calm, his eyes were not.
Professor Slughorn had organised a small Christmas party for his selected students the previous night. Hermione had been there, but she hadn't even spared a glance at Regulus's direction; instead she had merely chatted with others for the entire night. After some time, Regulus had figured out that Snape probably had something to do with her behaviour, since the Gryffindor girl had sent dirty glares towards his Slytherin friend throughout the night.
Snape scoffed. "That is the only detail you're worried about?" He asked and gave Regulus an incredulous look.
Regulus merely huffed at him.
Snape's brow twitched slightly. "I simply implied to her that her friendship with you might cause you harm in the end. And that she ought to stay away from you…" He said indifferently and threw a silencing charm to the door. "You do realise what is about to happen during the holidays? And what is expected from us?" He hissed warningly.
"Yes. I know, Sev. Thank you for reminding me," Regulus said wryly, looking away from him. "But my friendship with Hermione doesn't concern you."
Regulus knew there was no place for any doubt when facing the Dark Lord. Regulus and Snape had gathered that the Dark Lord would indeed use Legilimency against them to ensure their allegiances. Regulus could only hope that his Occlumency shields were strong enough, and that the Dark Lord wouldn't be overly interested to look what else could be found from the corners of his mind, and instead would only focus on the thoughts and memories regarding Regulus's genuineness to participate in his cause.
Snape shook his head in disbelief. "You're as ignorant as your brother," Snape said with resentment. Regulus huffed before Snape continued, "Why are you so eager to risk your life, and mine as well for that matter, because of some insignificant bint you desire at the moment?" Snape snapped.
Regulus narrowed his eyes at him. "Then let me express my gratitude for keeping my business to yourself." He replied snidely, while Snape scoffed. Regulus ignored his friend and continued, "But you know quite well that Hermione is not the reason." He said and gave Snape a pointed look.
For some reason, Snape looked more or less unbelieving with his assertion but chose not to argue with him. Instead his expression turned quickly into a sneer. "Your brother?"
Regulus's mouth quirked up a bit. "Of course, there is also the aspect of him being, you know, a genocidal sociopath, but whatever suits you." Regulus muttered with a shrug.
Snape suppressed a smirk.
They were silent for a while before Regulus spoke again. "I know where my loyalties lie, Sev. Do you?" He said quietly, staring at his friend straight into his black eyes and emotionless features.
Snape didn't reply to his question. "You're digging your own grave." He said instead, with a hint of consternation slipping through his indifferent mask.
Regulus smirked. "Don't tell me you have begun to care about me, Sev."
When his friend gave him a mild glare in reply, Regulus continued more solemnly. "I have to do this. I don't have a choice," He said with a determined look in his eyes.
Snape merely eyed him with a slight frown edged onto his brow.
December 24th 1977 (Saturday)
They were escorted through the entrance of a large ballroom in the Nott Manor, where their host of the evening was waiting for them. The man was tall and he had wavy black hair and a cunning look in his eyes as he eyed the arriving guests. Regulus believed that the man was around his fifties, the same age as his parents.
"Orion, Walburga. Always a pleasure." Mr. Nott said, shaking their hands with a small nod that indicated a bow. His smile did not reach his eyes. "And this must be the heir to the House Black? Regulus, I presume?" Mr. Nott continued as his eyes moved to left, where Regulus stood.
"Indeed. This is our son, Regulus." Walburga smiled proudly, as Regulus nodded his head politely and shook the extended hand Mr. Nott held out to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Regulus said to the older wizard. Nott nodded in approval and then gestured for them to enter further to the room.
With a grunt, Orion navigated towards the bar. Walburga nudged her son. "Go on, dear, mingle. I believe some of your friends have already arrived," She whispered and gave him a pointed look towards the opposite side of the room, where Regulus saw Snape and Amycus Carrow talking with two other men, whom he recognised as Slytherins who had graduated last year.
Regulus nodded curtly at his mother and headed towards his friend, while Walburga spotted some of her acquaintances and approached them. As Regulus reached the group of young men, he shared a meaningful look with Snape before nodding at him in greeting.
"Black," Amycus Carrow greeted coolly.
"Carrow."
"We are expected in the drawing room," Carrow continued, after Regulus had given a curt nod to the other two men in their company.
Carrow turned towards the hall and the drawing room. Regulus, Snape and the two men followed him, and as they reached their destination, they saw a long table, around which nearly every seat was taken. The two men who had come into the room with them took their seats at the table. As Regulus's eyes took in his surroundings, he saw familiar faces everywhere he looked. On one side of the table sat the Malfoys, the Averys, and the Lestranges with his cousin Bellatrix, and on the other side sat Nott, Rosier, Mulciber, Dolohov and Alecto Carrow.
Regulus hadn't met everyone in person yet, but as the heir of House Black, it was expected of him to recognise the members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. His eyes travelled to the head of the table, where a man with black hair and pale skin was seated. The man watched the arrivals with interest as Carrow spoke, presenting the new arrivals to him. To the Dark Lord. After making the announcement, Carrow bowed deeply and retreated to the table, taking a seat next to his sister.
Regulus and Snape too bowed politely to the Dark Lord.
The Dark Lord eyed them for a moment. "I've heard many praises regarding the both of you. The young Black heir and the half-blood who runs with Muggles," He said with a threatening chuckle.
Regulus and Snape both stared ahead of them with blank expressions.
"I am curious, Mister Snape, have your thoughts regarding the ill-bred changed?"
"Yes, they have, my Lord. I've learned that Muggle-borns are simply not the same as the rest of us, and I acknowledge that they are indeed unworthy of possessing magical ability." Snape said mildly, but Regulus knew he was fighting to appear nonchalant.
The Dark Lord seemed to contemplate Snape's words and said nothing as his eyes turned to Regulus. "Mister Black. As a member of an ancient Pure-blood family which is known for their devotion to blood purity, I'm rather curious to hear your thoughts regarding the Half-bloods. Seeing as you have formed companionships with them," He said in a serpentine way.
Fuck.
Regulus supressed a shiver and instead tried to seem thoughtful. "I believe some of them have their place in this world, and can be tolerated out of necessity. They can be taught to pureblood customs and traditions." He said indifferently, cursing inwardly. Of course the Dark Lord fucking knew about his friendship with Hermione. Regulus could only hope that that was all the Dark Lord knew.
The Dark Lord lifted a brow and looked at him thoughtfully. "Is that so...?" He muttered darkly. "And what about the Blood-traitors?"
Regulus knew that they would be questioned how they felt about Muggles, Muggle-borns and Blood-traitors, since they were seen as enemies of the Dark Lord and his followers. Then there was the matter of Snape's history with the certain red-haired Gryffindor, which the Dark Lord surely knew of, as well as the fact that Regulus's brother was disowned from his family, and was now living with known Blood-traitors.
"I consider them to be nearly as bad as the Muggle-borns. As you might be aware, in my family we tend to disown the Blood-traitors." He said matter-of-factly, fighting back the nausea he was feeling. "That being said, I believe that it is a pity to spill pure blood."
The Dark Lord smiled with an evil glint in his eyes. "Indeed it is." He said cunningly and flicked his wand. Regulus tried not to show the fear and anxiety that were coursing through him and instead tried to focus on watching ahead and keeping himself still.
An unconscious and apparently injured man appeared above the table, floating a few inches in the air.
"And now…To those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting our guest, we are joined tonight by Frank Meadowes, a muggle policeman, who is married to a blood-traitor, Dorcas Meadowes," The Dark Lord said with malice, and many of his followers around the table began to chuckle.
He flicked his wand and revived the man, Frank, who began to groan in pain and fear, as his eyes started to dart around in panic.
The Dark Lord stared at Regulus and Snape, and Regulus could feel his mind being searched. Neither of them dared to look away.
After a moment the Dark Lord spoke. "Does he, a mere Muggle, serve a purpose in this world?" He said with a chilling tone, his wand pointed on the man floating above the table who had started to make muffled sounds of horror.
Regulus glanced at the Muggle, and then at the Dark Lord, and tried to breathe steadily, not letting his voice waver. "No."
"Avada Kedavra!"
December 25th 1977 (Sunday)
On Christmas Day, Hermione woke up to several inches of fresh snow outside. As she took a walk through the village in the morning, she couldn't help but think that Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card; the little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp snow. She saw holly wreaths on doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging on the trees. It was a beautiful sight, so peaceful and quiet. After her walk, she went back to the pub to have breakfast with Ab and to open the small pile of presents that was stacked under the Christmas tree in their sitting room.
"Told you not to get me anything," Ab muttered, inspecting a book he had found inside the wrappings; 'The myth of Theseus and Ariadne'.
He stared at the book for a moment and then turned his eyes on Hermione. She cringed slightly in anticipation, wondering how he would react. He was probably aware of the parallels between the myth and his sister Ariana's relationship with her two elder brothers.
"Thank you," He grumbled and gave her a small nod. She sighed in relief.
"No problem. And you didn't have to get me anything either," She said with a bashful smile, glancing at the luxury eagle-feather quill and a poach of galleons he had given her.
Aberforth chuckled. "Would have been a bit inconsiderate…You are my 'daughter' after all." He gave her a smile when Hermione thanked him for the presents.
She opened her other presents which included a piece of too-hard treacle fudge from Hagrid, a fragrance in a beautiful bottle from Lily, a vast selection of beauty and bath products from Mary and Marlene, and a book of beauty spells from Alice.
Hermione knew the girls in her dorm would exchange gifts, and she had found something for them as well. For Lily, she had bought a beautiful bracelet set in Gryffindor colours, for Mary a men-themed muggle calendar to replace her old one, and for Alice, a set of two-way mirrors, one of them to be given to Frank, so that they could keep in touch. The set of mirrors had easily been her most expensive purchase, but definitely worth it. For Marlene she had given a gift certificate to a beauty product shop in Hogsmeade.
Dumbledore had gifted Hermione a resizable potions kit that included a variety of different potions and antidotes to common and uncommon poisons, as well as a bezoar. She was surprised to have received a present from Sirius – an original collection of William Shakespeare's plays; the 1623 First Folio. She had once told him that Shakespeare was her all-time favourite author, and that her mother had read her The Winter's tale – by which she was named after – when she was a child. He had remembered. But she hadn't certainly expected anything from him, especially not an original and rare collection.
"Merlin…" Hermione breathed, inspecting the book. "This must've costed an arm and a leg…Where did he even find one?" She whispered in astonishment, while Ab watched her closely.
It was a very thoughtful and personal gift, and it was too much. She knew that the First Folio was one of the most valuable printed books in the world. It must've been worth at least two million pounds. Why on earth would he give it to her? She knew he still cared about her a lot, the book alone told her as much, and even though she cared for him too, she couldn't help but think that the gift was not…appropriate. During the past weeks, Hermione had succeeded to not think about their break-up, and now she couldn't think of anything else. Why did he have to be so confusing? She put the book carefully back into its box, inside the silk covers.
Ab interrupted her depressed thoughts. "Hermione…" Ab muttered. He seemed to sense her forlornness and gave her shoulder a soft squeeze.
"There's still one left." He said, distracting her and pointing at the table where they had gathered the presents.
Curiosity won the melancholy she felt and she took the small gift in her hands, wondering by whom it was given. Inside the wrappings, she found a small pouch, and as she turned it upside down, a beautiful white gold and emerald bracelet fell into her palm. She let out a small gasp as the bangle touched her skin, feeling a jolt of magic surge through her. Hermione blinked at the obviously expensive piece of jewellery, with its graduated prong-set emeralds which were set against white gold, on a delicate cable chain. There wasn't any room for inscription but she found a note inside the parcel.
It read 'libera a malo'.
"Who do you reckon gave you that?" Aberforth said, eyeing the bracelet with a hint of suspicion.
Hermione had a fair guess. The inscription in Latin screamed of a Pureblood, while the colouring hinted towards a certain House in Hogwarts. Not to mention the Latin words, translated to deliver from harm, which served probably as an inscription as well as an enchantment, to protect the wearer. The gift was from someone who knew she was facing dangers or needed protection. Regulus.
Hermione gave the bracelet an incredulous shake of head. "I think I know who gave it." She said and huffed, "And it's far too expensive!"
Aberforth smirked and said nothing on the matter.
They spent their morning leisurely in the closed pub, talking and reading their books, until it was time to get ready for the Christmas feast at the school. Hermione went to her room to freshen up and change clothing. She put on a small amount of makeup and tamed her hair into sleek curls, using a spell she had learned from the book Alice had given her. She put on a simple but nice grey dress and went downstairs where Ab was waiting for her.
As they walked towards the school, Hermione could sense the argument Aberforth was having inside his head. He was about to say something to her when she interrupted him.
"You are coming, Ab. It is time you start putting your past, the guilt and hatred behind, and move on. I know it won't happen in a flick of a wand, but showing up to the meal and being on your best behaviour is a start." She said reassuringly, looking at his eyes intently. "Okay?"
Ab groaned a bit. "Fine," he grumbled.
Hermione smirked at herself, looping her arm with his as they neared the school premises. The whole school was decorated beautifully, with holly hung around every doorway, and with shining white Christmas trees in every corner, covered in magical snow and glittering icicles, each topped with a gleaming gold star. The Great Hall was decorated with the usual twelve enormous Christmas trees with tiny sparkling icicles and hundreds of glittering candles. There was only one long table placed in the middle of the Great Hall, where all the teachers and students who were staying in the school over the holidays could fit.
As Hermione and Aberforth sat down at the table, which was stacked with several roast turkeys, mountains of roasted and boiled potatoes, platters of chipolatas, tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce, Hermione heard her stomach rumble loudly.
The Headmaster was clearly astounded that his brother was joining them, but managed to smile nonetheless. "How wonderful to have you both here," Dumbledore said, greeting them kindly.
Hermione smiled and nodded to him, while Aberforth merely glanced at his brother and began to help himself some food. Everyone else was sitting still and waiting for a signal from the Headmaster to start the feast.
"Yes, by all means, tuck in everyone!" Dumbledore said to the people sitting around the table, with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Hermione shook her head in a mild amusement and started to fill her own plate. The Dumbledore brothers did not share any words during the Christmas feast, but Hermione could see a flash of gratefulness in the Headmaster's eyes as his gaze moved from his brother to Hermione.
After the feast, everyone started pulling wizard crackers and laughing to the items they found inside. Hermione pulled one with Ab and it went off with a blast like cannon and engulfed them all in a cloud of blue smoke, while from the inside exploded a rear admiral's hat and several live, white mice. On the opposite to them, Dumbledore had swapped his pointed wizard's hat for a baseball cap, and was chuckling merrily with Professor Flitwick who sat next to him, wearing a sombrero. Some time later, Dumbledore led them in a few of his favourite carols, to which Hagrid boomed along loudly, a goblet of eggnog sloshing in his hands as he sang.
It was nearing dusk when Hermione and Ab finally left the castle and walked towards the village. She reckoned she had had a wonderful time, and suspected that Ab too had enjoyed the evening in the castle.
December 28th 1977 (Wednesday)
The Prewetts came to collect Hermione from the Hog's Head on Wednesday, early afternoon. They exchanged pleasantries with Ab, as they knew him already from the Order and saw him every now and then in the meetings. Even though Ab was in the Order, he never wanted to discuss Order business with Hermione. He had once told her that she ought to have at least one adult in her life that wasn't planning the next mission with her.
The twins waited downstairs as she made finishing touches on her attire – Hermione wanted to look her best when meeting the Weasleys for the first time. Again. Truth to be told, she was a tad nervous. What if they didn't like her?
"Hermione, if you're not coming downstairs and be ready to leave, I'm coming into your room." Fabian drawled behind her door, a grin evident in his voice.
Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation and went to open the door.
"I'm ready. Shall we?" She asked and glanced back at the room for one last time to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
"Wow. You cleaned up nicely, little Dumbledore," Fabian said, giving her a once over and a wink. Hermione pursed her lips and slapped him in the arm.
"Stop it. And we're not dating, by the way." She said with a no-nonsense voice, her brows lifted pointedly. She walked past him and Fabian followed, laughing quietly.
"I have to say I'm a little disappointed. And I'm sure Molly will be too when she hears that the girl of my dreams broke my heart." he said, with mischief twinkling in his eyes as they descended the stairs.
Hermione whirled around in shock. "Please tell me you did not say that to her?!"
He merely grinned in reply and squeezed her shoulder as he walked past her in the stairway. Hermione huffed in irritation and followed him down into the pub where Gideon and Ab were waiting.
"I'll see you tonight, Ab," Hermione said and gave the man a quick hug. He was a bit stiff at the gesture but patted her back a bit clumsily.
"One of you sad sods better be escorting my girl back home tonight, alright?" Ab asked while giving both twins a narrow-eyed look.
Hermione was sure that the twins would give him some witty remark but instead both looked solemnly at the older wizard.
"Sure thing, Ab." Gideon said, while Fabian nodded in agreement.
They left the pub and headed towards the village apparition point. As they reached their destination, Gideon smirked at Hermione. "See you at the Burrow," he said and turned on the spot.
When Fabian took her hand, she snatched it back. "I know where it is," She said, watching him incredulously.
Fabian chuckled, holding his hand for her to take. "Yeah, I trust you do. But I'm not apparating miles outside the grounds when I can go straight through the wards, and you can too if you side-along." He said matter-of-factly.
Hermione narrowed her eyes to him. "Fine." She said, taking his hand. He smirked and together they disapparated from the village.
As they landed in the front of the Weasley home, Gideon was already running with two boys along the snowy front yard, throwing snowballs at each other. Fabian took Hermione's hand and guided her towards the house where a woman stood waiting with a wide smile on her face.
Hermione was taken aback as she recognised the familiar warm smile of Molly Weasley. Hermione quickly blinked to stop tearing up, as a pang of memories and melancholy lifted its ugly head inside her, telling her that if she was doomed to stay in this time, she would never have the kind of relationship she'd had with Ron's parents. The Weasleys had been like a second set of parents to her, helping her and Harry to adjust into the Wizarding world. Now, they weren't that far apart in age, and barely knew who she was.
"Sis," Fabian grinned at his sister, reaching out to envelope her into a crushing hug. Mrs. Weasley laughed and as they broke apart, she eyed her brother and Hermione expectantly.
"This is Hermione Dumbledore." Fabian said, and Hermione nervously shook Mrs. Weasley's outstretched hand.
"It's good to finally meet you, Miss Dumbledore." She said with a warm smile.
Hermione smiled back to the younger Molly Weasley, trying not to delve on the thoughts in her head. As Hermione regarded Mrs. Weasley, she thought she was very beautiful at the age of twenty-eight. She looked very much like Ginny, with the similar long red hair, and a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
"It's Hermione," She replied softly. "It is good to meet you too, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for inviting me to your home. And by the way, we're not together." Hermione said quickly, nodding at Fabian, and both Molly and Fabian burst in laughter.
"I certainly hope not, since Fabian is engaged to my dear friend," Mrs. Weasley said, chuckling and wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "And call me Molly."
Hermione flushed red in embarrassment and narrowed her eyes at Fabian.
He lifted his hands up in surrender. "Hey, I never said I wasn't taken." He said, winking at her.
Hermione pursed her lips at him before she turned to look at Molly. Only then did she notice that the red-haired witch was pregnant. Hermione's eyebrows shot up a bit in surprise but she said nothing out of politeness. The twins?
"I'm twenty-five weeks in, in my second trimester." Molly explained as she noticed Hermione's expression. "Twins…and both boys." She gave an exasperated sigh and smiled. "Have three of those already."
"They must be a handful," Hermione said and smiled knowingly at her.
Molly and Fabian laughed, while Gideon and the boys were coming back towards the house.
"Kids, come meet a friend of ours," Molly said to the two boys who came to stand next to her. "This is Hermione."
A seven-year-old Bill and a-five-year-old Charlie stared at her curiously. Hermione knelt down to greet the boys. "Hi there," Hermione said to the boys with a wide smile, even though she felt a bit disoriented when meeting the boys she had known as grown men.
"This is my oldest, Bill." Molly said, and the boy in question gave Hermione a grin, with two front teeth missing. "And this is Charlie," She nodded at the younger boy, who eyed her thoughtfully for a moment.
"Are you Uncle Gideon's girlfriend?" He asked, and Hermione, Gideon and Fabian all chuckled, while Molly narrowed her eyes at Bill.
"William! Did you put your brother up to this?" Molly inquired sternly.
Bill merely shrugged innocently and smirked at his brother. Molly let out a huff of exasperation.
"No, you silly, she's a student. I'm her teacher." Gideon explained to Charlie, leaning to whisper in the younger boy's ear and ruffling his hair. Charlie's eyes widened in understanding.
"Shall we go inside?" Molly asked, shivering a bit from the cold wind. "Arthur will be home soon, and you two," She said, nodding at her brothers, "Can set the table."
The twins smirked at each other as they all went inside.
"Where's Perce?" Gideon asked as he started to set the plates on the table while Molly checked on the dinner. Fabian went to the sitting room with the boys and Hermione stood awkwardly in place, wondering if she could do something.
"He's napping upstairs," Molly quipped from the kitchen.
"I'd love to help if there's anything needed to be done?" Hermione asked from Molly.
"No, no, you are a guest," she said, shaking her head as she came from the kitchen to the dining area. "Besides, everything is almost ready." She then turned to Gideon. "You could offer the lady something to drink, hmm?" she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Gideon chuckled. "Well, since we are not in school at the moment…Hermione, can I get you a drink?" He asked as he finished with the table, moving towards a cabinet to grab a bottle. "Wine?"
Hermione shrugged. "Sure, why not." she said with a polite smile and a moment after took the glass of Merlot he handed her. Gideon gave a goblet of pumpkin juice to Molly, before filling his own wine glass.
"So…um…Fabian has a…fiancée?" Hermione asked awkwardly as they sat down at the table.
Molly smiled. "Yes, I mean, they are a bit secretive about their relationship, Emmie and him, but they've been together, what, two or three years already?" She said, turning to her brother for confirmation. Gideon nodded and sipped his wine.
"I guess they're waiting for calmer times, if you know what I mean." Molly muttered and gave Hermione a pointed look.
Hermione nodded in understanding. The war hadn't yet reached its peak, but it had started already. There had been disappearances every now and then, and Hermione knew that in her time, that was exactly how everything had started.
"Babbling about my love life are we?" Fabian chuckled as he sat down next to Molly and gave his sister a nudge. Molly rolled her eyes at him as the front door opened.
"Daddy!" Bill and Charlie yelled, both running into their father's arms. Hermione smiled at them and stood up, a bit anxious to meet the father-figure she'd had in her past.
As the boys released their father and went to sit down at the table, Arthur Weasley followed them and turned towards their guest with a huge grin on his face.
"You must be Miss Dumbledore?" He said and offered his hand for her to shake. "Arthur Weasley, a pleasure to meet you."
Hermione smiled politely back to the young man, who looked a lot like an older version of Percy. "It's Hermione. And it's a pleasure to meet you too, sir."
Arthur chuckled. "Well then, by all means, call me Arthur," he smiled and nodded, and then went to kiss his wife and shake hands with his brothers in law.
Molly poured her husband a glass of wine as he sat down at the table, seeming to be tired from the long day at work. Hermione returned to her seat next to Gideon.
"Dinner's ready soon, love. How was work?" Molly asked from Arthur, gazing at her husband with an affectionate look in her eyes.
Arthur gave an exasperated sigh. "You wouldn't believe what we managed to confiscate today at an inspection…" He said and shook his head slightly, explaining everyone about a number of regurgitating toilets that had been set for muggle-baiting.
Hermione sipped her wine and listened as Molly began to recount her day. She eyed the couple with a pensive look in her eyes as they looked warmly at each other, even after both having a tiresome day. Fabian saw her expression and nudged her leg under the table, shaking his head lightly after Hermione looked at him. She knew there was no use dwelling in her past, not there, in front of them.
A while after Molly stood up and levitated their dinner to the table. They all tucked in, and for a while, the scraping of cutlery was the only noise echoing in the room.
"So, Hermione. Gideon told us about, erm, that you are partly from a muggle heritage, is that right?" Arthur asked kindly, looking intrigued.
Hermione smiled. "Yes, I am."
Arthur beamed at her. "I myself am a bit of a Muggle enthusiast," He explained, while Gideon and Fabian snorted. "Would you happen to know how exactly does a fellytone work?" Arthur continued with a serious look.
Hermione tried not to grin and explained him about telephones, while Gideon, Fabian and Molly shook their heads in amusement at Arthur's passion for muggle devices.
A while later Percy woke up from his nap, just in time for them to have finished their dinner, and Molly brought him to sit into a highchair next to her seat. "This is Percy, my youngest." She said to Hermione, who waved to the little man. While Molly started to feed the happily jabbering toddler, Arthur, Gideon and Fabian stepped outside with the boys.
"I heard you have recently moved here from Australia," Molly said, while helping Percy to eat his dinner. "How are you adapting? Did you know anyone when you moved in here?" She asked and glanced at Hermione.
"Well, yes, I moved here during the summer." Hermione said, chewing the corner of her mouth. "…I think I have adjusted well. I mean, I've been a bit busy after the start of term, with the new classes and people." She said slowly and shrugged. "Originally, I didn't know anyone here other than my dad and my uncle, but I'm lucky to have made some new friends at Hogwarts." Hermione explained, smiling as she thought of how the seventh year Gryffindors had taken her in with open arms and without a doubt to be part of their group.
Molly smiled back at her. "That's nice. I also heard that you are exceptionally brilliant in your studies. By the sound of it, I believe you've become one of Gideon's favourite pupils," She said with a chuckle and Hermione tried to keep herself from smiling.
"I'm sure he is just exaggerating." She mumbled sheepishly.
"Well, whatever the case, I'm glad to have you here. We don't get that many visitors, since almost all my friends are working and not having children. Our schedules don't really match, and I'm nearly always with the kids, since Arthur works long hours…" She said with a frown.
"Thank you for having me." Hermione smiled and hesitated a bit. "If it's not an inconvenience…could I…write to you?" She asked uncertainly while Molly wiped Percy's face and lifted him from the highchair.
"That would be wonderful," Molly said, smiling brightly.
She went to put Percy onto the sitting room floor and Hermione followed them there. Percy played with his toys, while Molly and Hermione chatted about Hogwarts, and Molly even went as far as telling Hermione about one occasion when she and her dorm mates went skinny dipping into the Great Lake. Hermione guffawed and shook her head in astonishment while laughing with Molly. Who knew Mrs. Weasley had had a reckless youth?
As the men and the children came inside after an hour or so, Molly gave the boys their evening snack and baths, and told Bill and Charlie to go to their beds as she went to put Percy to sleep. Arthur went to help, while Hermione and the twins stayed in the sitting room.
"So, Hermione. As regrettable as it is that you're not dating either one of us…is there someone special you have set your eyes on?" Fabian asked with a teasing voice, eyeing her with a questioning look.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, there is not. Don't exactly have the time to date anyone, if you know what I mean." She said and gave him a pointed look.
Fabian inclined his head in agreement, while Gideon lifted his brows but said nothing. He of course knew Hermione had dated Sirius, but didn't know that they had broken up.
"What are you planning to do when you graduate?" Gideon asked, eyeing her thoughtfully.
Hermione hadn't actually thought about it. She reckoned she'd make the decision if it was actually happening. "I don't really know yet." She said with a slight cringe and a shrug.
The truth was that she hadn't really thought about her time in this era, other than destroying Voldemort and leaving the place if possible. It was all still very confusing to her. She wanted to change things, to save people. But at the same time, she couldn't help but think if the place wasn't actually an alternate timeline, and that her future would change because of her actions. And what if she was stuck in this time, in this supposedly different strand of time? What would she do for the rest of her life if she couldn't go back? Hermione knew she needed to make some plans, but she was reluctant to admit the possibility of losing what she had.
The twins eyed her silently, their expressions contemplative, before Fabian spoke. "Perhaps you'll join us in the DMLE," He said and smirked. "I mean, seriously, you have very much potential," He continued with an earnest smile.
"Well…I don't really know if I'll stay here, you know? …I mean, if there's a possibility for me to go back home, I will." she said quietly, looking at the brothers with uncertainty.
They smiled at her before glancing at each other with indecisive looks. When Molly and Arthur returned to the sitting room, they continued chatting about different matters until it was getting late.
"We should go, Hermione." Gideon said, standing up and stretching a bit.
Hermione couldn't help but give him a subtle once over as his well-built body was in full height. It wasn't that she fancied him or anything, but he was a good looking wizard. Unfortunately, Fabian took note of her wandering eyes and when she glanced at him, he gave her a knowing smirk. Hermione groaned inwardly and went to grab her bag while Molly said goodbye to her brother. Hermione said her goodbyes to Molly and Arthur, thanking them again for inviting her to their home. They hugged her and told her that she was more than welcome to come again.
Fabian, who was going to stay at the Burrow, enveloped Hermione into a crushing hug. "Careful there, Hermione." He whispered and as they broke off, he gave her a wink. Hermione shook her head in frustration before following Gideon outside to the back yard.
"You know he's only messing with you, right?" Gideon asked, trying to suppress a smile as they walked away from the house.
Hermione huffed. "Yes, I know, thank you…I really don't understand how you endure him," She said jokingly. "And how can you two be so different?" She continued and gave him an incredulous look, while Gideon huffed a laugh.
As they walked, Hermione took in all the details of the Burrow yard and garden that she could see under the snow. Her heart ached as they moved away from the house she had once thought as her second home.
"We're not. I just have to give a good example for my students," He smirked and gave her a nudge.
Hermione laughed. "Perhaps…Or maybe you're just better restraining yourself…"
Gideon gave her a grin. "Possibly. I mean, Moody's always yelling at Fabian to restrain himself in our Occlumency training…" He said, shaking his head slightly.
"Occlumency training?" Hermione asked with a puzzled look and stopped in her tracks.
Gideon frowned. "Didn't I once tell you that it's part of the Auror program? Anyway, we were taught the skill in training, as well as Legilimency, and are expected to practice them continuously with our partners…And you know, Moody being Moody, he likes to attack into the minds of his Aurors when they least expect it," He said, lifting his brows in amusement.
Of course! How could she have forgotten that the Aurors trained Occlumency and Legilimency? Hermione could only stare at him. Gideon was a couple of steps ahead of her and she was still rooted to her place.
"Hermione?" He asked hesitantly.
She blinked. "Sorry. I just…Could you, um…teach me?" She asked with a slight cringe and walked towards him.
His brows shot up. "Oh. I…I guess I assumed you knew Occlumency already." He said and eyed her with a perplexed look.
Hermione nodded. "I know a bit…But, unfortunately, that's not enough. So…I would need a Legilimens to, you know, train me properly. And, well, it just can't be anyone, as you very well know…And I don't really want to bother the Headmaster…" She said, worrying her lip.
"Oh. Yeah. Sure, I can teach you," He said with a shrug. "Perhaps we could start when you return to school?" He asked and offered his arm for her to grasp in order to side-along-apparate them to Hogsmeade.
"That would be great!" She said and beamed at him as she took a hold on his arm.
Gideon smirked. "Don't thank me yet," he said and turned on the spot.
As they apparated into the village, Gideon escorted Hermione back to the pub and gave a nod to Ab who was working behind the counter. The pub was not full, but Aberforth was quite busy, so Hermione went straight upstairs after bidding Gideon goodnight.
December 30th, 1977 (Friday)
Hermione met Sirius in a café in muggle London on Friday morning, as they had agreed when they had owled to each other earlier that week. She saw him standing next to the counter, eyeing the sandwiches and baked goods that were on display. Hermione approached him and cleared her throat awkwardly, and Sirius turned to look at her.
"Hi…" He said with a hint of hesitation, eyeing her features.
"Yeah…Hi." She replied awkwardly.
Sirius groaned and threaded a hand through his hair. "Fuck…This is awkward, isn't it?" He said with a wince.
Hermione grimaced. "Yeah, I suppose it is." She muttered, her eyes darting around the café.
He was silent for a moment before he sighed. "Look. Hermione. I don't want us to be uncomfortable around each other. If this is too much for you, just say so and we'll go different ways, okay?" He said, and continued, "That being said, I'd really want us to be friends. I do enjoy your company, and I think we had some great conversations before I buggered everything up." He muttered, looking down.
Hermione eyed him during his speech and frowned. She didn't know what to think, or how to act around him. He was the one who had dumped her. He claimed he did it to protect her, and she believed him. But now he wanted to spend time with her. To be her friend. Did that make any difference, if she still would be a part of his life? Did he think that them spending time together as friends wouldn't be as dangerous?
Regardless of her thoughts, Hermione knew that even though she had fallen for him quickly, they were friends at first. Perhaps they could try to be that again?
Hermione sighed. "I know. And I want that too. I want us to be friends too." She said with small smile, glancing at his grey eyes with hesitation.
He let out a breath of relief. "Okay, great." He said sincerely. "Can I get you a coffee?"
"Sure." Hermione nodded. "By the way, about your Christmas present…" Hermione said, eyeing him unsurely.
Sirius grinned. "You mean the dusty old book? Don't worry about it," he said with a wave of his hand. Hermione gaped at him and was about to argue when Sirius interrupted.
"Really, don't. It's just something I knew my family had lying around in their library. I knew you would appreciate it more than they do, so I asked my uncle to pick it up for me…" He said and shrugged.
Hermione gave him a dumbfounded look. "Well…Thank you. I really appreciate it. I know how valuable it is." She said earnestly and worried her lip. "Although, I have to ask…Why? How? I mean, why would your family have a book from…you know…a Muggle writer?" She asked tentatively.
Sirius barked a laugh. "Oh, kitten…Finally I know something you don't…" He said with a bright grin. "That Shakespeare bloke was a wizard," He continued matter-of-factly. "I mean, why else would he have written about witches, ghosts and fairies?" He said as he sniggered.
Hermione was speechless. Her favourite author…was a wizard. That was something she had to chew on.
"So, what do you think of this one?" Sirius asked as he walked towards Hermione across the reception room hardwood floor of a three-bedroom period house.
Hermione was shaken from her musings when Sirius spoke to her. She had been staring at nothingness through the large windows in the five-floor home, situated on the outskirts of Regent's Park. The two other places they had seen had been much the same; well-located buildings from historical periods, very well presented and very much out of her affordability. Hermione didn't even want to think of how much Sirius's uncle had left him gold, if he was able to buy himself a house from one of the most expensive areas in London.
Things had been a bit awkward between them at first, but after their conversation at the café, the atmosphere had lightened up quite a bit. It almost felt like old times, when she had started the term, and before they had started dating. Their conversation flowed, and his jokes made her laugh again. And she could clearly see he tried to be her friend, and if nothing else, she knew she wanted that too. But there was something that was nagging at her in her head. Something she ought to tell him. She knew exactly what it was.
"The kitchen has been renovated recently, and the patio area was redecorated as well," Steven, the realtor said as he gestured to the terrace that opened from the reception room.
Sirius nodded to Steven and gave a nudge to Hermione as he came to stand next to her. "Hmm?" He hummed to her questioningly.
"I don't know..." Hermione said and shrugged. "It might be a bit too much if I you ask me, but whatever suits you," Hermione said and gave Sirius a small smile. The house was clearly too big for just one person, but since he obviously had the money, and probably was used to spacious homes, why not, Hermione thought.
They walked upstairs from the reception room, and after a quick glance to the other rooms on each floor, as well as the kitchen and utility rooms in the basement, they stepped into the terrace on the ground floor. Hermione lifted her brows. "Oh, I take it back. It's not too much at all." She said wryly, as she saw a small swimming pool attached to the terrace, where a line of white cedar trees brought cover over it. Not that anyone passing the house could see into the yard, since there was over a three meter high brick wall surrounding the garden and terrace. Sirius laughed before she continued, "Perfect for sunbathing or perhaps a pool party isn't it?" Hermione said mockingly as they walked past the pool to look around the garden on the back.
Sirius smirked. "As long as you are the one to sunbathe in here…" he muttered quietly, giving Hermione a playful look. She slapped his arm and he burst into laughter.
"Prat." She said and tried to glare at him but finally joined his laughter.
Steven smiled at their banter. "How long have you two been together?"
Humour died in quickly and Hermione became tense. "No, um. We're just friends." She said politely, and walked back to the terrace and slipped inside the house to wait for the men in the hall.
A while later Sirius and Steven were walking through the reception room towards the entrance hall and Hermione could hear them talking.
"So…what do you think of the place?" Steven asked.
Sirius was silent for a moment before he said anything. "I'll take it."
Hermione looked up as they turned the corner to her vision. "Are you sure you don't want to see other places?" Hermione asked from Sirius with a sceptical look.
He shook his head. "Nah. You know me…don't really have the patience to ponder over things…" He said and gave her a wink.
Hermione shook her head in amusement. "Yes, I know…"
After dealing with the payment and the papers with Steven, the realtor handed Sirius keys to his new home and left Hermione and Sirius standing dumbfounded in the middle of the empty apartment.
"I reckon this calls for a celebration. You in?" He grinned at her.
"Um...no. I should go." Hermione said uncomfortably and looked away from him.
Sirius sighed exasperatedly. "I thought we were doing okay? Was it something I said?" He asked in confusion.
Hermione turned to look at him and tried to think how to say what she had to. She took a shuddering breath before she spoke. "I…I kissed Regulus." She whispered and stared at him anxiously, waiting for his reaction. She didn't dare to breathe.
"W-What?" He stammered, as his eyes widening in shock.
Hermione swallowed hard and eyed him guiltily. "It just...happened. It was after the Quidditch party, the other week." She muttered quickly. "I didn't mean to do it, I swear. And I'm sorry Sirius. I wanted you to hear it from me..." Hermione said, her voice wavering as she regarded him sadly.
Sirius merely stared her with a blank look in his eyes. Why didn't he say anything? Why didn't he lash out to her?
"I um…I should go now." She whispered when he barely blinked. His eyes dropped to her wrist, where the emerald bracelet she had received as a Christmas gift rested, and his eyes widened slightly in recognition.
Merlin…She thought weakly as her stomach twisted with shame, trying to figure out what was going on in his head as she eyed him searchingly.
"Yeah. You should go." He said back with a cold voice. His eyes flashed with confusion and hurt before an indifferent mask slipped back onto his face.
December 31st, 1977 (Saturday, New Year's party at Potter Manor)
The Potters were celebrating the coming year with a yearly New Year's party in their Manor. The guest list was quite massive, and this year James had asked all of his friends to join as well. Previously only James's best mates had been invited to the Potters' gatherings, and the boys had formed a bit of a habit nicking a bottle or two of Ogden's finest and secluding themselves into James's room for the night.
Now, as James's girlfriend and her friends were coming as well, the plan was to enjoy the party with the rest of the guests, and possibly have an after party in his room.
"What's bothering you mate?" James asked as the boys lounged in James's room, waiting for the party to start. Sirius had already started the celebrations with several heavy gulps of Firewhiskey from a bottle he had grabbed from the kitchen earlier. Even without his drinking, the others could see something was not right with their raven-haired friend.
Sirius gave an indifferent shrug. "Nothing much. Just looking forward to the night. And, you know, to end the year with a bang," He said and gave James a knowing smirk. Remus rolled his eyes and focused on his book while Peter sniggered next to him.
James chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "You better hope this time your date doesn't have a boyfriend. Or at least that he's not attending the same party," James said pointedly.
Sirius scoffed. "She wasn't my date. We only got acquainted in the cloak room," He said with a sly look and then merely waved his hand. "And whatever. I could've taken him if you guys hadn't interrupted."
James and Peter both snorted. Sirius was talking about the previous party in the Potter Manor, last summer, when he had disappeared into the cloak room with some girl a couple of years older than them, and later on ended up in an argument with said girl's boyfriend in the backyard. James and Remus had come to interrupt their quarrel before the situation had gotten out of hand.
"So…you're back in the game, huh?" Remus asked as he eyed his friend closely over his book.
Sirius arched a brow. "Something like that," he grumbled and took another swig from his bottle.
Hermione and Lily met after lunch on Saturday, as the redhead had come to the Hog's Head to get ready for the party with Hermione. Lily had spent her holidays at the Potters since her sister, Petunia, had wanted to spend her Christmas with her fiancé's family and Lily's parents were travelling abroad. Her parents had originally suggested that Lily could come with them, but because Lily too wanted to spend some time with her boyfriend, she had proposed that her parents could go on the trip by themselves for a romantic getaway or so, and she could stay in the Potter Manor, as James had already asked Lily to stay at his place. They all seemed to be quite happy with the arrangement, although Hermione couldn't understand why they hadn't wanted to spend the Holiday as a family.
On their last day of school, and before stepping on the train with James and the rest of the seventh year Gryffindors, Lily had insisted to Hermione that neither she nor James were ready to sleep in the same bed yet, and that she would be sleeping in the guest bedroom during her stay. Hermione had been a bit doubtful that James felt that way too, but she hadn't said anything to her friend.
The girls giggled together as they talked about boys while getting ready, and soon it was time to apparate to the Potter Manor.
"Wow, it's beautiful." Hermione said as they walked towards the Manor, over the massive front yard, which was lighted with hundreds of candles.
"Tell me about it…" Lily muttered, a slightly overwhelmed look in her eyes even though she had spent over a week there already.
As they walked inside through the great front doors, James and his parents were waiting for the guests in the hall. His parents enveloped Lily into a warm hug, and James gave his girlfriend a quick kiss and as he squeezed her close to him, the Potters welcomed Hermione into their home.
"How wonderful to meet you, Miss Dumbledore. We've heard so much about you," Mrs. Potter said with a smile. The woman eyed her with a calculating look, and Hermione couldn't help but wonder that perhaps they had heard Sirius talk about her. She could only hope that he hadn't said anything awful.
"Nothing bad I hope?" She said with a nervous laugh. "Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Potter. Mr. Potter." She said, shaking their outstretched hands.
James's father chuckled. "The pleasure is all ours. We're glad to have so many James's friends with us to celebrate. And you may call us Fleamont and Euphemia." He said and winked. Hermione smiled and nodded before she followed Lily further to the spacious home.
They joined Remus, Peter, Mary, Alice and Frank at a table in the corner, and talked about their holidays as they sipped their drinks and waited for the party to start. A while later James emerged, loosening his collar a bit and huffing in exasperation.
"Hate the formalities…" He muttered before bending to give Lily a kiss. "Have you guys eaten already?" When all of them shook their heads, he nudged his head towards the buffet and they followed him.
After eating, some dancing and drinking, Hermione found herself standing at the edge of the dance floor, close to the wall. She sipped her drink as she watched her friends dancing with an amused expression on her face.
Suddenly she saw Sirius approaching her with a cold look in his eyes and she felt herself tense as he came closer. He hadn't made an appearance the whole night, and they all had wondered where he had been. Hermione opened her mouth to speak to him but didn't have the chance before he grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the empty terrace, away from the party and prying eyes.
"Sirius, what are you –"
Sirius rounded on her as soon as the door clicked shut behind them. "Didn't get your fill from one Black, did you? Who's next? Huh? The Prewetts? Should I go and warn them?" He snarled venomously, his fingers still curled over her arm with a tight grip.
Hermione blanched at his tone. She could see that he wasn't sober, but neither was she for that matter. "Let go of me, Sirius." Hermione hissed warningly and tried to tug her arm away.
"What the fuck is this, Hermione?" He hissed angrily, lifting her hand up and revealing the bracelet. Hermione frowned and was about to answer when the door to the terrace opened.
"Mate, what's going on?" James asked concernedly, as he and Lily walked into the terrace, the sounds of the party momentarily filling the quietness outside before the door closed again.
Lily eyed at the pair with an alarmed look in her eyes. "Hermione?" She asked carefully.
"Nothing's going on, let's just go inside to enjoy the party, okay?" Hermione snapped and yanked her arm back from Sirius's grip.
"Oh, nothing, you say?" Sirius growled angrily. "You snog my brother and that's nothing?!" He shouted and stared disbelievingly at her.
Lily let out a quiet gasp, while James gaped at Sirius and Hermione.
Hermione felt her face flush with embarrassment and she gritted her teeth. "Like I said, it just happened, it's not like either one of us planned to do it. And I said I'm sorry. I really am." She said apologetically to Sirius, looking into his eyes earnestly.
He sent a glare at her. "I fucking knew he had a thing for you!" He shouted and shoved both of his hands through his hair with a resentful look in his eyes. He turned to her again. "How could you do this to me, Hermione? My brother?" He shouted to her, an incredulous expression on his face. Hermione looked away shamefully and tried to blink away the tears that were on their way. "After everything between us?" He continued bitterly.
Hermione felt annoyance rise inside her. "Between us?" She said in disbelief. "You made sure there's nothing between us anymore," she hissed, her voice faltering as tears ran from the corners of her eyes.
Sirius huffed. "You know why I did it. But what I didn't expect, was that you would jump into bed with my brother the minute we break up," he snarled and Hermione looked at him in shock.
"He's my fucking brother, Hermione!" He shouted. Hermione trembled and looked at the ground, crying silently.
"Pads. I think that's enough, mate…Come on, let's go inside," James said warningly, with an anxious expression in his eyes as he waited for Sirius to follow him inside.
Lily watched the whole encounter with her mouth open in shock and a scowl trained at Sirius, but remembered her friend finally. "Hermione, come here," she whispered and approached her friend with concern and sympathy in her eyes, holding her hand to her.
"No," Hermione said, took a step back and stared at James and Lily with an expressionless face. "I should leave. James, please tell your parents I'm sorry I had to leave without notice. They're really lovely people, and it was wonderful to meet them." She said with her voice a bit too airy.
"Yeah, sure. Thanks for coming," James muttered awkwardly. Hermione turned to leave towards the apparition point and Lily followed her, taking her hand.
"Hermione you don't have to go." Lily whispered.
"Yes, I do. I don't want to cause any more trouble. It was foolish of me to come here in the first place," she muttered. "It was good to see you though, Lils." Hermione said and hugged her friend. "We'll see each other in school, okay?" She said with a forced smile.
Lily frowned at her and bit her lip. "Are you going to be okay, Hermione?"
Hermione tried to nod reassuringly, "Yeah. I have to go."
"Just...write to me before the schools starts. In case you need to talk about anything." Lily said sympathetically.
"Okay." Hermione gave her friend a curd nod, turned on the spot and apparated straight into her room, on the third floor of the Hog's Head.
Lily turned back to the terrace where James and Sirius were standing, James waiting for her and Sirius sulking.
"You foul git," Lily hissed at Sirius as she briskly approached him, and slapped him on the cheek when she was close enough. Sirius's head turned on the impact and a red handprint formed onto his cheek for evidence.
Just then, Remus and Mary came into the terrace, laughing with each other and holding hands. As they saw their friends' grim looks and felt the cold atmosphere, they quickly sobered. Remus's eyes travelled from Lily, who seemed to shake from rage, to James who was looking at Sirius with a dumbfounded expression. Sirius on the other hand stared down with a resentful look in his eyes while his cheek was glowing red.
"What is going on, Prongs?" Remus asked slowly, as he frowned at the scene.
Sirius spoke before James had the chance to open his mouth. "You know, just the basic New Year's drama, nothing else..." He grunted. A moment later he turned away and walked towards the apparition point and turned on the spot.