Happy Birthday Hermione! Here's a nice chap for you (as I'm behind on my active WIP) I hope you enjoy it!


Saturday, July 8, 1995

The next morning, Hermione woke up alone in a room for the first time since she'd started her Fourth Year. It was strange being so alone. She sat up and looked around the dreary space, and started to imagine what she wanted it to look like. Sirius had told her that she had free reign over what it could look like. She imagined bookshelves adorning her walls, maybe a nice accent wallpaper. She actually quite liked the bed, desk and dresser, but wanted to have the wood refinished to something lighter. She grinned and pushed her legs over the edge of the bed and found her slippers on the floor right where she could slip them in.

She made her way across the hall to Harry's room, knocking on the door tentatively. After a few moments, he came to the door, looking at her groggily. "Morning, Mione," he muttered, adjusting his glasses.

"Hello Harry!" she chirped. "I was about to go down for breakfast, would you like to join me?"

He picked up his jumper and trudged down the stairs behind her. When they got to the dining room, Hermione saw Remus sitting at the table with an extremely grumpy looking Sirius.

"Morning you two!" she said happily.

"Oh no!" Sirius croaked. "I've married one and adopted one!"

Hermione raised a sceptical eyebrow at him. "One what?"

"A morning person," Remus said with an eye roll.

Harry burst out laughing, receiving a raised eyebrow from Remus, a groan from Sirius, and a huff from Hermione. "Mione is not a morning person, normally getting her out of bed is like trying to get the dead to rise," he chuckled.

Hermione blushed. "No, I was just excited to see you," she murmured, feeling a bit embarrassed by the attention. Remus blinked up at her when she said this, and could swear she saw some tears blinking in his eyes.

Sirius on the other hand threw himself out of the chair and wrapped Hermione in a gigantic hug. "That's why I'm awake too, Kitten! Couldn't miss your first breakfast at home!" Hermione let out something between a laugh and a sob as Sirius set her down. She plopped in a seat between Sirius and Remus, across from Harry. Kreacher popped in and with a snap of his fingers English Breakfasts appeared in front of Harry, Hermione, and Remus. When she looked at Sirius' plate she saw a sad looking apple, some rather crusty looking porridge, and a single burned piece of bacon.

Before Sirius could say anything, Hermione quickly switched their plates, "Oh Kreacher!" she said, smiling down at him. "How did you know that I prefer a lighter breakfast? I prefer my bacon to be a little crispy too! It's almost perfect."

Everyone in the dining room gaped at her, while she just blinked innocently back. "Kreacher apologises to the young Mistress, it seems like the wrong piece of bacon appeared on her plate." With a snap of his fingers a new, much less crispy piece of bacon, much smoother porridge, and a fresh, shiny green apple appeared on her plate.

"Thank you, Kreacher!" she said, wrapping her arm around the elf in question. Remus and Harry had begun to tuck into their breakfasts, having heard Hermione's rants about House Elf Rights. Sirius just continued to gape at her.

Kreacher popped away and Hermione, pointedly ignoring Sirius, began to tuck into her food. She turned to Remus, "What is the plan for today?"

"I was thinking we could do a spot of shopping," he said. "Harry needs new clothes, and you both need some things for your room, could we at least see if there are new linens and rugs?"

She grinned at him and nodded, "I was thinking about how best to redecorate my room. I think I'd like to stray from the red and gold and maybe go for something in the purple and blue family. I quite like the furniture, although do you know if there is a way to lighten the wood finish?" They ate together, talking about the plans for the day and the rest of the summer. Hermione had never felt so close to a group of people she hadn't grown up around.

After breakfast, Hermione and Harry went to shower and change for their shopping adventure. She peered into Harry's room, which looked quite a bit like her own. "What will you change?" she asked him.

"Oh it's really fine," he said quietly looking down at the floor.

She scoffed at him. "Harry James Potter! This is not fine. It's dingy and dirty and the blankets look like they've been washed a thousand times. Start thinking about what you'd like your space to look like."

"I've never really been able to pick what my space looks like, Mione. I wouldn't even know where to start. Plus it just seems like a waste if I'll only be here a few months out of the year," he said sheepishly.

Hermione heard Sirius in the door, "Hey Kitten, Remus wanted to ask you something about a spell he found down in the library," he said. Hermione nodded and left the room, knowing that Sirius would talk Harry into accepting this kindness, that was more like basic human dignity.


When Harry joined Hermione and Remus at the door, followed by a quiet looking Sirius, Hermione was pleased to see that something had appeared to shift in their relationship. Where before Sirius had always seemed like the fun, happy-go-lucky uncle, she could feel his magic settle into something a little more controlled and a bit more parental.

Remus pulled his husband into a hug and handed him a book. "Hermione and I found this book of Household spells. There is one that talks about changing the colour of a wood finish in here and a few others that might be helpful. I might start in your Mother's room and work through some of them to get them right. We will probably be gone for quite awhile with this list Hermione and I have compiled."

Sirius grinned cheekily at him, "You just know I've always been better at Transfiguration and Transmutation than you, love."

Remus rolled his eyes, going to pinch Sirius, 'It was one exam, Siri!"

"Yes our NEWTS!" Sirius said as he sprinted away from Remus with a laugh. "Have a jolly time you three, I'll see you at lunch"

The three of them stepped out into Grimmauld place and made their way to the tube station nearest them. When they got to the high street, Hermione dragged Harry into store after store trying to narrow down his style. Remus followed behind them with a sort of grimace on his face laughing as she piled clothes in Harry's hands. When he had an overwhelming pile, she shoved him into a dressing room and sat primly next to Remus.

"Hermione," Harry whined from behind the curtain, "My clothes are fine."

She scoffed. "Of course, if you still lived with the Dursleys… No, Harry, we will be getting you new clothes," she turned and raised an eyebrow to Remus.

He cleared his throat and loosened his collar. "Yes, Harry, Hermione is right…"

He huffed loudly and threw back the curtain. He was wearing essentially the same thing he had been, it just fit and had no holes. "Is this good enough?"

She smiled at him, and began looking at the outfit. "This seems good. It looks like everything fits well. Do you like it?"

"Does anyone really like clothes?" he grumbled with a shrug. She turned him back into the dressing room and told him to pick out something a little dressier. He came shortly after in a button down and khakis.

The rest of the morning followed, Harry had bags of clothes, new shoes, socks, and underwear, which he insisted Hermione stay outside for. When they finally got back into Grimmauld Place, Harry and Hermione made their way upstairs to drop off his clothes and wash up.

When they got back to the dining room they were greeted by an irate looking Molly Weasley. Sirius stood on the other side of the room, arms crossed angrily, and Remus was trying to settle them both down.

"You kidnapped him!" Molly was shouting. "He's just a boy!"

She turned to the boy in question and gasped when she saw Hermione. "What have they done to you!?" she shrieked.

Now it was Remus' turn to scoff. "Hermione, is our daughter, you will not disrespect her or our Godson," he growled.

Molly paled a bit, but stood her ground. "Dumbledore has told me that I'm to get Harry and bring him back to the Burrow. He shouldn't be here with such irresponsible men." She turned to Hermione, "You're welcome to come along if you'd like, dear."

Hermione gaped at the woman. "I will not be going with you. I will be staying here with my fathers. I think you should leave Harry here with his family as well."

She smiled pityingly at Hermione, causing the men in the room's hackles to rise. "Remus is brilliant with wards, Molly," Sirius said angrily, "He has this place warded almost as completely as Hogwarts," Hermione saw Remus blush at the compliment. "Harry would absolutely be safer here than at the Burrow, and I agree with Hermione. I'm his Godfather, he should never have been taken from me."

"Maybe if you had behaved like a Godfather you wouldn't be a fugitive of the law." she shrieked, "Harry, we're going now."

"Molly at least let the boy eat and say goodbye," Remus said tiredly. "Kreacher has already prepared everything and he'll need to pack his things."

"One night," she said, looking between the three Black's in the room. "We'll be back for him tomorrow."

With that she stomped out the front door, slamming it behind her.

The four of them sat at the table, Sirius looked more broken than Hermione had seen him since he escaped from Azkaban, Remus looked exhausted, and Harry, well he just looked heartbroken.

"I'm so sorry I've caused you so much trouble," Harry whispered. "I should just go back to the Dursleys."

"You will not be going back there ever again," Sirius said quietly. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I should have behaved more like a Godfather and protected you that night. It's my fault that you had to be raised around them. Harry, you never have to apologise for existing."

Hermione reached across the table, gripping Harry's hand. "You'll have to come back for our Heirship classes anyway, so we'll see you soon and we have to design your room, so that the next time you're here we'll have everything ready!"

When they'd finished their lunch, the four of them made their way to Harry's room, Remus and Sirius began waving their wands to put Harry's clothes into his trunk, pulling out the old things that were to be donated or thrown away.

"How did you get on with the wood spell, Siri?" Remus asked, looking at the man in question.

"Brilliantly, of course," he said with a cheeky grin. "What colour would you like the walls, Harry?"

"Uhm, blue?" he said, scratching his head.

Hermione chuckled and turned to Remus, "You know those Muggle Paint sample books?" he nodded, "Could you conjure one for us?

With a flick of his wand, the sample book appeared in his hand. He handed it to Harry, who just looked overwhelmed by the amount of choices. "I'd recommend a softer tone," Sirius said fondly, "Then we get to add more decor to make it more your taste." When he'd finally picked a colour, Sirius waved his wand at the walls.

They turned to the bed, "I think a lighter shade of wood will do better, Lignum Macula Temperatio!" The wood of all the furniture in the room changed to a cool almost, grey tone. "Let's talk about bedding and posters!"

At this point, Hermione and Remus bowed out, leaving Sirius and Harry to bond over the design of his new room. "Later this week, I think we should take both you and Sirius shopping," she said with a smile. Remus groaned, until Hermione poked a finger through the hole in his sweater with a raised brow.

"Who knew having a daughter would be such a pain in the arse," he mumbled.

They spent the afternoon in the library, waiting for Harry and Sirius to join them. When Kreacher called them all for dinner, Harry and Sirius came down, grinning and laughing together. They sat around the table laughing until all the leftovers had gone cold.

When they went upstairs, Harry opened his door to show them the room that he and Sirius had crafted. Above his dresser hung a Quidditch mobile, "Sirius said I had one just like it over my bed as a baby." His Viktor Krum poster was on the wall, earning an eye roll from Hermione. The picture book that Hagrid had made him of his parents had a prized spot on his desk. He had one bookcase that housed all his text books, and an old poster of a scantily clad muggle woman on another wall. His first Quiddich jersey was framed and hung on a wall, with his broom mounted below. His bed was decked out in a navy blue comforter set and striped sheets. In the corner was an overstuffed chair in a grey tone that begged to be curled up and read in. The floor was covered in a fluffy grey rug that Hermione sunk her sock clad toes into.

"This is wonderful Harry," she said. "I don't love your poster choices, but they're very you." he chuckled at her looking around his room fondly.

"I've never had a room to myself really," he said softly. "I'm disappointed that I'll have to leave so soon."

"Like Hermione said earlier, we'll be seeing you soon," said Remus fondly, "Sirius will have to come up with a whole schedule to cram in all the lessons you all have missed."

The two men wished them goodnight and shuffled up the stairs to their room. Hermione turned to Harry. "How are you feeling, really?"

"I'm not totally sure," he said quietly sinking onto his bed. "I want to stay with you three, but I feel like I have to go to the Weasleys, I just don't know why. Why would Dumbledore want me to stay separate from Sirius?"

"I don't know, but as soon as we get him cleared you'll come live here permanently! I'll do everything I can to make it happen!" she threw his arms around his neck and squeezed tightly. "Tomorrow you'll go to the Burrow though and you and Ron can play as much Quidditch as you want!

"Mrs. Weasley was a bit out of line, don't you think?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, she had no right talking to Sirius and Remus like that. And she was so rude about them adopting me!"

"I thought Sirius was going to cry until you said they were your fathers, then he looked like he was going to cry from joy," Harry added.

"I don't regret choosing them at all," she said, throwing herself back on Harry's bed. "You'll have to actually write to me, Harry. I want to hear all about your time at the Burrow until we can start our lessons."

They spent the next hour talking about what they thought would happen next with Voldemort. It felt big whatever it was, but finally feeling like they had a place in the Magical World was so important.

When Hermione crawled into bed that night, she couldn't help but sigh, she missed her parents like mad, but having a home in the magical world felt better than she could have ever imagined.


The BIGGEST SHOUTOUT to BeaxT for being a really awesome Alphabet on this (and a good fandom friend!)