Chapter: Three
Sirius's POV
As I made my way over to the Gryffindor table I started hearing whispering coming from around the great hall due to my sensitive hearing and I can understand why they would be confused and curious as to why I have a little girl with me in Hogwarts. Especially since children under the age of 11 aren't supposed to stay here in the castle and here I am with a four year old in my arms and I wish just this once everyone would stop staring and mind their own business, but I know that's not gonna happen any time soon cause everyone lives for the newest drama and I just brought the newest thing in. As I was walking to the table I could feel Hermione shake a little and I knew it wasn't because of the after affects of the Crucio curse it was because she was a little scared being in a new place. Even more so since there's a lot more people around this time and I made sure to keep her calm until we get to the table and I'm able to distract her with some food;
When I got to the Gryffindor table I automatically sat next to Moony and placed Hermione in between us so she would feel safe and comfortable especially right now when I know she's feeling scared.
" What would you like to eat Mia? "
I softly asked and after a couple of minutes she still hasn't responded I start rubbing small circles on her little back so I can get her to focus on me instead of everyone around us, when she turned to fully face me I knew it worked.
" Ummm... Can I have eggs, pancakes and umm toast please? " Hermione shyly asks while playing with her little fingers
" Would you also like some fruit juice or orange juice? " I asked
" Orange juice please " Hermione happily says with a big smile on her little face and I couldn't help but smile back at her, then I turned to get started on putting Hermione's breakfast together and I was even more grateful when I saw Moony pour a small glass of orange juice and placed it in front of her.
" Thank you Moony " Hermione says with a shy smile
" Your welcome Hermione " Moony softly says with a small smile and after I finished putting Hermione's breakfast together I placed it in front of her with a fork, then I got started on getting my own food together when I looked up in time to see Regulus walk into the great hall.
Regulus's POV
When I got into the great hall I started to make my way over to the Slytherin's table that was until I heard people whispering about Sirius coming in here carrying some little girl and that was when I stopped walking and looked over to the Gryffindor table and looked for where Sirius is sitting. When I finally found him with Hermione sitting between him and one of his friends I was really confused as to why she was here... It must have been father who brought her here cause I don't see mother doing something like this since I know she has always hated Hermione even before she was even born, so why would he bring he here of all places but the more I looked at her I can see the subtle twitches every once in a while. I had this sinking feeling I know what cause that to happen and who did this to her I just hope that I'm wrong and my baby sister wasn't put under the Cruciatus Curse by mother... With out thinking much on it I made my way over to where they were sitting and when Hermione looked up in my direction and saw I was walking over to them she had the biggest smile on her face I couldn't help but smile a little at her happiness.
" Reggie! " Hermione lightly squeaked with a big smile on her little face while trying to get down from the bench but Sirius eventually helped her down safely, then she ran towards me and I kneeled down a little to her height when she got near me I scooped her up making her giggle and that made me smile
" Why hello there my little Mia... Ummm... I thought you would be at home? What are you doing here? " I softly say/ asks so she can only hear me be this soft
" Daddy brought me here...And when I woke up I was here and ummm daddy was talking with this man with a white beard... Daddy said I was not safe at home with ummm... " Hermione tried to explain as best as she could and nodding with everything being said while nervously playing with her little fingers.
" With mother? " I softly whisper and when she nodded her little head that sinking feeling I felt when I first saw her twitch came back in full force and all I can feel is anger because that... Woman... Used that damn curse on my baby sister even though I shouldn't be surprise since she has a tendency to use the Cruciatus Curse, when ever she thinks her children need to be taught a lesson but we always kept her from using that method on Hermione. By never leaving her alone in that house with mother and father knows not to do this... I just don't understand on how this could have happened so I took a deep breath in order to keep my temper in check and not scare Hermione even more then she probably already is, and when I knew I was calm enough I walked the rest of the way over to where Sirius is sitting.
" How long will Hermione be staying here for? " I ask while setting Hermione back down on the bench facing the table so she can finish eating her breakfast
" I don't know... Father said he had some business he needed to take care of and he never said how long that is going to be but he will be back after dinner to explain a little more to us " Sirius softly says so only those closest can hear him not anyone else we don't need anyone gossiping about our family business
" Who's gonna be looking after her? " I ask needing to know who Father trusted more with Hermione's safety but seeing as she's already with Sirius I could already guess what my answer is
" Father wants both of us to watch Mia... Said he only trust us to watch out for her " Sirius says before taking a bite out of his food
" What about when we're in class? I'm pretty sure Dumbledore isn't going to allow Mia to join one of us "
" She'll stay with Dumbledore while we're both in class but he did say that she can sit with one of us during lunch and then Mia has to goes back with Dumbledore until the end of the day... I can pick Mia up at lunch and you can get her at the end of the day if that sound's good to you? " Sirius lightly explained/ asked
" Sounds good for me... We can come up with some sort of schedule for who gets Mia on which days when Father comes! " I say with a small nod and when Sirius nodded his agreement with my plan for later tonight I kissed the top of Hermione's head " I'll see you later Mia and be good for Dumbledore okay! " I whisper
" I will Reggie " Hermione says with a big smile while looking up at me and with some small goodbyes I went over to the Slytherin's table so I can eat something before going to my first lesson for the day.
When I finally got out of my last lesson of the day I quickly made my way down to the Head Masters to pick Hermione up and once I got in front of the Gargoyle's that lead to Dumbledore's office I told it the password I was given earlier. After a couple of seconds the Gargoyle moved and I walked up the spiral stairs and knocked on the door
" Come in Mr. Black "
I was little confused on how Dumbledore even knew it was me on the other side of the door but I just shrugged it off and opened the door anyways and when I walked in, I was really shocked to see a small little desk that kinda resembled the Head Masters desk sitting right next to his with a stack of paper and a cup full of crayons. When I looked at Hermione still sitting behind the little desk she looked very concentrated on the drawing she was doing I don't think she noticed I came in the room so with out saying anything I walked over to her.
" What you drawing little Mia? " I asked when I got over to her as I kneeled down next to her
" I drawing teddy " Hermione happily said with a big smile on her little face without looking up from her drawing and I couldn't help but smile at how happy her drawing is making her
" Are you almost ready to go little Mia? " I softly ask
" Ummmm... Will my drawing be safe? " Hermione asked nervously while looking from her drawing to me and back
" As safe as can be until you come back little one " Dumbledore softly said with that weird twinkle in his eyes and Hermione looked at him with a big smile and looked back at me
" I ready Reggie " Hermione said while standing up from her little chair and also grabbing her little teddy bear she carries with her everywhere she goes and, after a couple of seconds I stood up fully and picked her up and then I turned to Dumbledore to ask when Sirius and I should come back up here to meet Father.
" You, Sirius and the little one can come back here an hour after dinner... It would give everyone enough time to get what ever they need together " Dumbledore said with a small smile
" Of course sir " I say before picking up the small bag that had all of her things in and made my way out of Dumbledore's office and once we were down the stairs I went down to the dungeons to the Slytherin's common room to drop off my bag and Hermione's little bag, before we went outside to get some fresh air before going to the Great Hall for dinner.
. . . TO BE CONTINUED . . .