Harry was extremely glad that magic existed and Sirius was more than okay using it. They had hit a lot of stores and they had bought so much, that if Sirius hadn't constantly shrunk it and sent it to the flat with one of the elves every so often they'd be encumbered by so many packages. Harry knew the Black Family was wealthy, but to see Sirius not even blink at any of the prices made him sweat a bit. For all the trauma that had been numbed so to speak, Harry still had trauma from living with the Dursleys that hadn't been. The fact that Sirius was spending literally thousands on him today made him anxious. Sirius was as happy as can be and had a big pep in his step that Harry couldn't say anything.
They had gone to Twilfitt and Tattings to get nice fitting robes that would do in well in any formal and semiformal setting. They had gotten the basic colors; black, gray, beige, and dark blue. They also got him new underthings and socks. Harry had never had tailored socks before, but hoped he'd be able to ask Sirius for some muggle socks when they went to that side of their shopping. The underwear though, he decided, would only be tailored from now on, no matter how uncomfortable getting sized was. He had decided on a boxer-brief like design.
From there they had flitted to an actual Cordwainer. Webb's Cobbler Harry had been sized much as he had for any fitting he'd had thus far in the Wizarding World. With magical tape after being told to "Stand there" and then being shown different choices. Thankfully for Harry he didn't have to make much of a decision, Sirius had decided on dragonhide boots and dragon hide shoes for school. While Harry felt as though he didn't really need that kind of protection for his feet currently, it did touch him. Both were in black. The price however was 5,000 galleons.
They went to Madam Malkin's for his Quidditch robes. Thankfully that shop was quick and thus far the most inexpensive. Then Sirius looked at him with a grin.
"Anything else you want to get while we're out, Pup?" Sirius asked.
Harry couldn't help but grin back, "I haven't really been around Diagon Alley except to only get school supplies, maybe we can walk around?"
Sirius's grin turned into a crooked smile, "It's a shame that's all you've seen. Of course we can look around. We should start with Sugarplum's Sweets. It's actually called Sugarplum's Sweets Shop, but only the older stuffy crowd call it that. They don't have the same kind of chocolate Honeyduke's is famous for, but they do have other sweets you should try."
Harry laughed, "As long as we don't tell Hermione how much we got, I'd like that."
"Why is she sick or something?" Sirius asked as they started walking toward the shop.
"No, her mum's a dentist. Muggle teeth Healers. So she was raised not really being allowed sweets since muggles learned sugar is bad for your teeth." Harry answered before he leaned in, "But she does have a weakness for Sugar Quills and knows the deluxe quills last longer."
Sirius barked a laugh.
"Well, they have some things that Honeyduke's doesn't," Sirius informed him as they reached the shop.
It was like the other shops at the top and at the bottom, but the show window bulged a bit, just like a candy dish. The wood looked like it was transfigured in a translucent grey, giving it the crystal effect. Harry realized he hadn't seen this shop before and they took a turn off the main road. Harry was mildly upset that Dumbledore wouldn't let his minions actually show him around the Alley. He only knew the main road from the entrance to the bank, with no deviations. The only time he had was his accidental trip to Knockturn Alley. Even then, he knew it was the shadier Alley, but he figured like most places it wasn't all bad, just not Dumbledore approved.
Entering he was glad to see their displays were milder than Honeydukes' displays, but no less magical. They still had a cauldron of Blood Bat's Soup, which he found out was just a colored marshmallow fondue. Harry was amused to see most of the treats were the same as Honeydukes. They even had a small shelf for Honeydukes' Mice Pops and Honeduke's Best Chocolate, which surprised him.
"Sugarplum's Sweets is partnered with Honeydukes'," Sirius said, answering the unspoken question, "So they have a shelf for their specialties. In return Sugarplum's Sweets supplies them with Jelly Slugs and a few other things. However, Honeydukes' doesn't sell their Raccoon Macaroons. They're actually macarons, but it didn't rhyme," he chuckled.
"So Honeydukes specializes in chocolate and Sugarplum's is more of the sugary sweets?" Harry asked, giving his theory.
Sirius grinned, "Spot on, Pup. Yeah, they have a few other treats and pastries. Unless they're in an ice box, pastries don't really make it well in typical wizarding transport. You'd think maybe a portkey, but it crushes them. Floo gets a little soot on the crates, and a bit manages to get in. No one wants sooty pastries."
"We use elves to transport pastries, their travel is gentler. We also sell other crystalized fruit," said a pleasant looking woman.
Her hair was auburn, a lovely dark red, and curly. Her skin was a warm medium brown with freckles that dusted under eyes and across her nose. She also had brilliant green grey eyes with bright green taking front and center with darker green circling it. Her lashes were fuller than Harry had seen on other women bolded with eyeliner. She had a thicker build, like a wide hourglass, but Harry noticed that it fit her perfectly.
"Hello, Miss, I was just showing my godson around, it's his first time here," Sirius said with a winning smile, "He grew up muggle, so he's new to these things."
The woman gave him a small amused smirk before focusing on Harry, "I am Honey Sugarplum, and this is my Family's shop. Sugarplum's Sweets Shop is partnered with Honeydukes. They supply us with their chocolate and some of their Mice Pops. We supply them with a few products like Jelly Slugs, Sugar Quills, Saltwater Taffey, and Crystalized Pineapple. We have more than just pineapple, but that's what they prefer to have on their shelves. Of course, we have other sweets on our shelves like Drooble's Best Blowing Gum. They don't have their own shop, but they do supply us with their gum. It's like that with a few sweets, much like muggle shops. We also have other mundane sweets. Honeydukes does have the more animated sweets, but personally aside from subtle animation, we focus on taste."
Harry was very impressed and actually thought that Hermione would love to talk to with Miss Sugarplum.
"That's cool. Maybe next time I come, I can bring one of my girls and you'd be able to walk her through them. She doesn't really like the wizarding sweets, but she does love Sugar Quills, and I think it's because of the effects the other candies have," Harry replied.
The witch tilted her head and pursed her lips slightly, "Girls? As in more than one?"
Harry blushed, "Yeah, they're my betrotheds."
Honey smiled at the young wizard.
"I would love to meet them at some point, Mr. Potter," Honey replied.
"Is one of them a muggleborn?" she asked.
"We thought so until recently. She was muggle raised though," Harry answered surprised, "How did you know?"
"Most muggle raised and a few of the more serious witches and wizards tend to not like the more animated sweets," Honey answered.
Harry was glad to notice Miss Sugarplum was very comfortable talking about muggleborns without the air of distaste he often saw.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sugarplum, but I have to say that I don't recognize you. I take it your mother ran the shop before you?" Sirius asked.
Clearly the wizard hadn't known the witch before his incarceration.
"She did, and she still does. I cover her days off or when she's needed for a business meeting. Otherwise, I have to admit that I happily supply St Mungos and some private Healers with a few specialty potions," she said with half a smile.
Sirius's eyes twinkled.
"I'm Sirius Black, I'm very pleased to meet you Miss Honey Sugarplum."
"The feeling is mutual Mr. Black," she replied, "I must say I'm sorry you were falsely imprisoned, but I am glad to see you in good health."
"I am glad that I was finally cleared and declared innocent. If you don't mind my asking, you wouldn't happen to be single, would you?" Sirius asked his tone clearly hopeful.
"I am single at the moment, why?" she asked, shifting her position. One of her hands was at the side of her face, a manicured nail by her mouth, her other hand positioned at its twin's elbow.
"I would like to get to know you and maybe see where things go," Sirius admitted, "I will of course always place my godson first, but that doesn't mean that I'm not interested in finding love for myself.
"For the courage of your blunt honesty, yes. You can send me an owl and should our first date go well I shall decide how to proceed," Honey answered, "And you and your godson can call me Honey."
"Harry then," Harry said with a wide grin.
"Sirius," the older wizard responded.
"Did you attend Hogwarts?" Sirius asked.
"Beauxbatons," Honey answered with a grin, "I suddenly find you more appealing, Sirius. Many people in the Alley always assume I attended Hogwarts. You are the first who hasn't and asked instead."
Harry's eyes widened. He knew Sirius was a bit of a playboy when he was in Hogwarts, but seeing him flirt in person he can see how personable the older wizard actually was. Plus he hadn't actually met other people who didn't attend Hogwarts. Then he remembered that he wasn't supposed to know about other magical schools at this point in time.
"What was it like? I didn't know there were other magic schools besides Hogwarts," Harry said, "I mean I just found out about Durmstrung, but I thought the other kid was only joking and it was just a school for Dark Magic."
Sirius looked at his godson and blinked in astonishment.
"Beauxbatons Academy of Magic is a lovely school. I was given the choice between the schools, and when I learned they don't teach even basic Healing outside of Charms, and how cold and exacting Durmstrung is, I wasn't interested. There are a few other schools in different countries and on different continents, each have of their own specialties. I know muggleborn aren't given a choice for… shady reasons. I wasn't aware it also applied to muggle raised witches and wizards," Honey started, "Beauxbatons is beautiful, the artistry around the chateau as well as the music that fills the Dining Chamber is extremely charming and relaxing. There I learned the core subjects like they teach at Hogwarts, but the first 2 years we also learned mathematics, art, music, hygiene, and Health. Health and Hygiene are mandatory for the first 5 years."
"They taught you math and hygiene?" Harry asked incredulously.
Honey laughed sweetly at the young wizard, "Yes. A lot of the less well to do wizarding families tend to not cover math, so it leaves students at a disadvantage if they want to take arithmancy. From your reaction though I take it they don't teach hygiene at Hogwarts?"
Sirius scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "They don't. Purebloods are taught at home from a young age how to be presentable. I never thought about it, I just assumed wizards knew and didn't care."
Honey nodded ruefully, "Beauxbatons recognized that since the students are there for 10 months out of the year, some leaving their families for the first time and having to take care of their needs on their own for the first time. They also go through puberty at school. Therefore, they don't have their families to help teach them or learn how to care for their bodies. So they teach the basics, how, why, and even what works best for you as everyone is different so their routines are different. I'm actually happy with the choice I made, as I've seen many witches here who don't know how to manage their curls the right way."
Sirius was a little uncomfortable with it being phrased like that, as it made him think of Snape. Someone who he always thought of as gross and greasy. However, he also knew that the half-blood grew up poor and grew up in a poor area, from what Lily told him. Sirius even vaguely recalled his accent when they first met, it wasn't as sophisticated as it was now. What Severus did learn, he learned from his fellow Slytherins, who were purebloods. Purebloods who only knew how to be presentable, not so much clean.
Harry said Hermione's mum was a Dentist, a teeth healer, so of course she would know teeth hygiene. Even Lily was meticulous about things like that, and he chalked it up to either a witch thing or a muggle thing. But he recalled that she needed products and waited for care packages from her mum. Which meant they were things that cost money, money Severus didn't have.
'I believe I owe Snape a huge apology. I picked on him when we were in school together for things he didn't know and couldn't control' Sirius thought to himself.
"I know Hermione might be upset with me later, but um, if you don't mind do you think you'd be able to be her and Luna's Pen-pal and on Holidays maybe walk her through some of those things? I know it bothers her. She's extremely smart, but she struggles with her appearance. Luna doesn't care so much, but I think part of that is that her mum died when she was 9 so she doesn't really know in general," Harry asked, taking advantage of this rare opportunity.
Honey was slightly surprised, but she could tell that he cared very much for these girls.
"Tell you what, when Sirius sends me an owl, you can send me one too. You can tell me all about Hermione and Luna, and then you tell them to expect an owl from me soon. Even if things don't work out between me and your godfather, I appreciate you taking the initiative to help your girls. That speaks greatly of your character Harry and I know my life will be better having you in it," Honey told him kindly.
"Now then, was there anything else I could help you gentlemen with?" Honey asked.
She could tell she made a great impression on Sirius with her declaration.
"2 boxes of Sugar Deluxe Quills, and maybe something similar to those?" Harry asked.
"What about for you, Pup?" Sirius asked, "What do you like? Remember this store also has a few pastries too."
Harry blushed lightly before looking at the floor, "I like chocolate frogs and treacle tart."
"Lucky for you we have both of those things. We sell treacle tart by the slice and pie," Honey informed them.
"Although I think at some point, since I gather you've never left England?" Harry shook his head answering her, "That you haven't eaten other foods. I think you'd like flan if you like treacle tarts."
"I'd like to try that I think," Harry replied with a small grin.
Severus took a deep breath before looking over at his family. He knew they were his family. While he and Rose were getting back into the swing of things, the love was still there and they made each other happy. He secretly had his personally assigned elf bring him to Spinner's End before he brought her to and from work, and then he took an hour a night to come home to spend time with her and still wrote her a letter at day. Of course he made sure that if he was summoned in any way that his elf would inform him before bringing him back to the castle with none the wiser.
They were dressed in what appeared to be tie waist dresses, but were actually robes. Emma's robes were a light green with a daisy floral pattern and floor length, but were spelled to not collect dirt or trip her up. Her sleeves ended just before her wrists and were flared out, exposing a delicate gold cuff bracelet shaped closely to a vine embedded with diamonds in the leaves wrapped around her left wrist.
Hermione's robes had short sleeves and were blush, they ended just above her ankles, showing off her black flats that had ribbons going up her calves. She wore a black lace choker, that Severus had to admit was tasteful.
Severus himself was dressed in black robes with gold filigree on the front very reminiscent of a frock coat, black slacks, and his black dragonhide boots.
"I take it we're all ready?" Severus asked them.
"Yes, are we taking the floo there and back or apparating back?" Emma asked.
"We're going to floo there, then depending on if Xeno has plied us with alcohol or not will determine how we return. I typically don't drink, but I'm not sure if Xeno has spiked anything as this will be our first… family gathering," he said almost as if pained, "I'm assuming Black will be on good behavior, so hopefully tempers don't run high. If they do, floo will be safest to return," Severus explained.
Both of his girls nodded in understanding and agreement.
"We all remember the address?" Severus asked.
Emma raised an eyebrow at him, "Are you questioning our intelligence or memory? We all know it's The Rookery, Severus. I know you're tense, but please try to relax."
Severus sighed and nodded, "You're correct, I apologize. Let's go. I'll leave last."
Hermione grabbed a pinch of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace.
"The Rookery!" she intoned.
"We have to remind her she doesn't need to be so loud," Severus said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"We will work on it. You're the one who told me we have to enunciate clearly or we could end up in who knows where. I heard how Harry ended up in Knockturn Alley because he didn't enunciate clearly," Emma replied.
Severus nodded, "This is true."
He leaned over to kiss Emma on her crown.
"Let's go and get this over with," he said.
Emma giggled as she grabbed a pinch of floo powder before stepping into the fireplace with the same sure steps as her daughter.
Harry flew out of the fireplace, only to be caught by Hermione and Luna. The wizard sighed deeply, but was happy he didn't crash anywhere.
"Thanks," Harry said noticing Hermione's eyes held good natured laughter.
"Of course, Harry," the witch replied.
"Hi, Luna," Harry said turning to the lithe blonde.
They both leaned in to kiss his cheek just as Sirius walked calmly out of the fireplace. His grey eyes shimmered with humor and happiness.
"You should go say hello to Mum, Dad, and Mr. Lovegood" Hermione said.
Harry looked at her with shock in his face, checking to make sure he heard correctly.
Hermione blushed but nodded.
"He's been a pretty good dad so far, I slipped the first time, but I got comfortable with it quick," Hermione admitted.
"Okay," Harry said before grabbing their hands and letting them slightly lead him to where they were meeting, Sirius trailing behind them.
His witches led him to dining area of the house. The table was round and had a pastel tie-die looking table cloth.
"Hello, Miss- uh Mum, Professor, Mr. Lovegood," Harry said when he saw them.
"Glad we could make it," Sirius said behind him, with his typical grin.
"Luna and I planned for everyone to work on some pysanky. It's a wonderful process of dying eggs with intricate designs using beeswax," Xeno explained, "We also have a lovely Easter dinner under stasis along with some other creative spellwork. The stasis is timed, so when it ends we'll also smell it and know it's time."
"I've seen pysanky, but I've never seen it the process," Hermione said.
"It's pretty simple, but I'll be able to show you how I start. Of course, since it's art you don't have to do anything close to what I do," Luna said.
"And after we always spell them to be much sturdier to protect them," Xeno said.
"My mother loves to collect pysanky eggs," Emma admitted, "Especially the fancier goose egg designs."
"Your mother is still alive?" Sirius asked.
Emma laughed, "Yes, her and my father are alive. They're currently on Holiday, my mum is always eager to add to her egg collection, so she goes directly to Ukraine for them."
"I have to admire her dedication," Xeno grinned, "Does she speak the language?"
"She learned enough to get by, she didn't want to offend the artists," Emma explained earning smiles around the table.
"How do we get started?" Harry asked.
"First! We draw the design on the egg with pencil, don't worry about mistakes," Luna instructed before going over the rest of the process.
After they had all started to get comfortable working on their eggs, conversation began to pick back up. Every so often there was an odd sound of scratching.
"Have you been in contact with your parents since the discovery and your divorce?" Xeno asked.
Emma sighed, "I have and I explained everything to them. They're legally allowed to know as my father is a squib and I'm a hedgewitch. They were both upset and very understanding. My mother took it a lot better than I hoped and admitted she was also a hedgewitch. However, since she has no formal education on it, she decided not to get so hung up on it. When I didn't receive my letter, she decided not to tell me about it. They're waiting for summer to meet Severus, and then if things go well they'd like to meet Harry and Luna. They are patient though, so nothing will be rushed."
"Abuelita is a hedgewitch?" Hermione looked up and asked surprised.
"Apparently, what she does know is what the mundane already knew. Her own mother was a witch, but she had to keep it secret since she didn't want the community to treat her like a bruja, even though that's what she was. But you already know how the Catholics treated indigenous people of the islands and how religion colors a community."
"Abweleeta?" Harry asked, confused.
Hermione blushed, "Abuelita. It means granny in Spanish."
Sirius was surprised, "Did you know Emma was Spanish? Or half Spanish?" he asked Severus.
Severus raised an eyebrow at the other wizard, "Of course I knew Emma was half Puerto Rican," he corrected the other dark haired wizard, "and half English. Her mother immigrated to Spain and that's where her parents met, her father was on Holiday. Although I don't know why you didn't just ask Emma, she is sitting right here."
Sirius had flushed in embarrassment, "I'm sorry, Emma. I don't know why I reacted that way. I know the English have a bad reputation for being insularly. I personally have never had problems with other people and other countries, it was extremely rude of me and it won't happen again. I hope Harry doesn't pick up on that from me."
Emma nodded, "Apology accepted. I know how English people can be. We've done our best to fit in and since I was born and raised here, it was easier. We used to Holiday in Puerto Rico to visit family. When my Abuela died, we stopped visiting, Hermione was still a bun the oven, but I do send post cards."
"You still have family there?" Sirius asked.
Emma laughed, "Yes. People in the Caribbean are very prolific. However, I, myself, am an only child, but not for lack of my parents trying."
Hermione made a face, "Ew. I did not need to know about Abuelita and Granddad's sex life."
"You're saying ew, but I had to grow up listening to it happen," Emma said dryly.
Hermione's face scrunched up more and she narrowed her eyes are her mother.
"Still gross," Hermione said firmly before going back to handling her egg.
Emma laughed at her daughter because she couldn't disagree, but also wouldn't make pot shots at her daughter's own atypical relationship.
"So yes, Sirius, I still have family there. Mostly cousins now, a few aunts and uncles. My mother still visits, and she reassured me she would speak to the family about my current drama so I wouldn't have to. My mother can't do much magic herself, but she can feel it. The most magic she's done has been traditional healing, and I'm still sure that some of it was just to make kids laugh to forget they were in pain," Emma said.
"What do you mean?" Xeno asked fascinated.
"I'm not sure what the magical community does since you can wave a wand and heal a skinned knee, but non-magical people have to deal with it. Some have cute sayings, the Japanese say 'pain pain fly away', Puerto Ricans however say 'sana, sana, colita de rana'!" Emma giggled, "In English it translates to 'heal, heal, little frog butt'. There's more to it, but that part always makes the kids giggle."
"What's the rest of it?" Luna asked eagerly.
"What's all of it?" Harry asked.
Emma smiled at the teens, "Sana, sana, colita de rana! Si no sanas hoy, sanarás mañana. Heal, heal, little frog butt! If you don't heal today, you will heal tomorrow."
Hermione smiled at the egg in front of her. Her grandmother would say that any time she visited and had an injury. When her grandmother would 'pray' and kiss her obvious scrapes, Hermione always felt that she had been healed by love.
"Hermione, did you grow up speaking Spanish?" Luna asked curious, not having known that.
Hermione was slightly startled by the question and blushed, not looking at her silver eyed love, "Only when I visited Abuelita. Mum would take time to teach me here and there when… her ex-husband wasn't around because Abuelita insisted. I had to learn 2 dialects."
"What other languages do you know Hermione?" Xeno asked.
"I know English, French, Spanish, Latin, and a little bit of Italian," Hermione said.
"Italian?" Severus asked with an eyebrow raised, looking between his daughter and her mother.
"Their history is very influential and rich. Hermione was on track to attend Tiffin Girl's School, and I knew some of the students' parents frequent Italy... My ex-husband didn't want Hermione to not be able to defend herself if they tried to make fun of her in another language she might not know," Emma said with look of resignation.
"If you look back on it now, with full access to your heart, would you have made the same decision or agreed?" Luna asked the older woman in her dreamy tone.
"Of course! I want Hermione to be as brilliant, strong, and capable as I know her to be. If someone is speaking ill and she can't punch their face in, I want her to be able to defend herself with words," Emma said firmly.
Hermione grinned at her egg.
"Then you would have made the decision without your ex-husband and there's no need to be ashamed," Luna said bluntly with a secret smile.
Emma smiled, shame melting from her insides.
"I have to admit I don't see Hermione as being particularly violent," Sirius said.
Harry and Luna snickered. War was violent. They both knew Hermione was an amazing witch and was the only reason the Golden trio had last so long on the run. She knew the spells, she put up the wards, she foraged, and she was in any skirmish Harry himself was in. She was wanted Undesirable number 2 for a slew of reasons that wasn't just because she was Harry's friend.
"What did I miss something?" Sirius asked.
"Hermione tries not to be violent, but she can be vicious when she needs to be," Harry said, "Besides she told us before she came to Hogwarts she was in boxing."
Severus looked at Emma who nodded.
"While she couldn't keep up boxing while in Hogwarts, we made sure she still kept up with music and dancing," Emma said, "And I still make the casts for her fitted mouth guards. She still does training during the summer."
"What do you play, Hermione?" Severus asked, "Your mother said music and I know it's one of your current electives, but she won't say."
The curly haired witch flushed with embarrassment, "I play the viola."
"And?" Emma pressed.
Hermione mumbled and kept her eyes down. It was something neither her bondmates or Severus had seen her do.
"Hermione doesn't just play the viola, she also sings, we forced her into Opera. She can hit high and low notes very well and keep pitch. I admit we didn't really let her sing ballads as she prefers, but she is good," Emma stated.
"Mum!" Hermione whispered, looking at her mother with wide eyes.
"She hasn't sung on stage for a full Opera, but she had the lessons, and a few recitals," Emma said firmly, giving her daughter a look that all mothers could give what they thought was their errant offspring, daring her to talk back.
"I suppose singing and language lessons would help with enunciation for spells?" Xeno asked.
Hermione nodded, "Yes, sir."
"Why are you so embarrassed Hermione?" Luna asked, "I think Opera is lovely."
"I think cause in the muggle world, it's considered music for old stuffy people," Harry tried, "I don't know anyone I went to school with who did anything like that. A few I knew had like maybe piano lessons, or violin, but I haven't heard of a kid who sings opera."
Hermione bit her lip at Harry's explanation. It was decently close, but it also left her open to bullying from classmates who found out, but didn't practice any form of theater.
"Mm," Emma hummed unimpressed, "Hermione, please sing Carmen's Habanera, it's tame and popular enough." It clearly wasn't a request.
"A Capella?" Hermione squeaked.
"I believe my late wife had a record we can use," Xeno said trying to come to her rescue, but also wanting to hear Luna's betrothed sing.
Luna beamed, "She did, we also have the instrumental for it."
"Put it in the record player, please?" Xeno asked his daughter.
"Yes, Daddy," Luna said before she stood up and skipped away only to return quickly with a record. It was very clear that Hermione was uncomfortable with how things were coming about.
"Come now, Hermione, Harry and I would like to hear you sing. Please?" Luna asked, helping her future wife stand.
"D-do you really?" Hermione asked quietly looking at them both insecurity shimmering in her honey eyes.
"Yes," Luna and Harry said immediately.
Hermione stood by the record player and nodded, taking a breath as the accompaniment started to take place before she sung to what would be her family. Her mother however sat there beaming, proud of her instead of proud of what she could do, something that Hermione had been wanting since she began performing. Seeing that allowed Hermione to be more comfortable and thus she became more sure of herself allowing confidence to seep into her voice.
The witch sang beautifully and with passion that the better divas sang with. Sirius could tell from a few operas he'd been to. She wasn't a professional, she didn't have the movement and clearly didn't want to, but she had the beginnings of. If Severus was honest with himself, he was amazed. While he was sure Hermione had grown up with privilege, her training was obvious, and she was quite good. He had never really been one for Opera theater, but he could see the appeal in a few of the more famous songs.
"What a lovely nightingale," Xeno said as soon as she was done.
Luna nodded before skipping over and kissing her witch on the cheek.
"That was beautiful, Hermione," Luna said before looking over to Harry who sat with his mouth open.
He'd never heard Hermione sing before, and Emma was right she hit the high and low notes. Her singing also tugged something in him that wasn't magic, making him want to join in with her somehow. He knew he'd never be able to sing like that though, he'd lose his breath halfway. Which slightly explained how Hermione was able to talk so much without needing to take a breath.
"Wow." Was all he managed, although the softness of which he said so brought a smile to his witches' faces.
Hermione looked at her mother, who nodded at the unspoken question.
The young witch grabbed Luna's hand and quickly made her way back to her seat.
"That was lovely, Kitten," Sirius said. Severus was not impressed with the new nickname and shot him a dark look of disapproval.
"If she's Kitten, and Harry is Pup, what am I?" Luna asked, raising an unimpressed brow at the older wizard, which was impressive because of how high her eyebrows were naturally.
"Bunny?" Sirius tried, suddenly feeling wrongfooted.
"If anything, Harry is Pup, Hermione is Kit, and I am Kitten," Luna said, "Although I think to Professor Lupin we're all cubs. So aside from Harry, I think Hermione and I should be cubs to you."
"Kit, Miss Lovegood?" Severus asked the whimsical witch.
"That's what baby foxes are called, and Hermione is as smart and cunning as one," Luna said firmly before holding her egg over a nearby candle, melting the wax off, wiping it off with a rag.
"Oh Luna, it's beautiful!" Emma exclaimed, looking at her finished egg.
"Thank you, Miss Rose," Luna said.
Luna's egg was marvelous, it was like looking through a kaleidoscope of vibrant purples, pinks, and blues, but on a shiny egg.
"Luna is very artistic; she has the visual creativity I don't. I think it's fantastic," Hermione boasted.
Harry nodded in agreement remembering the portrait she had painted after they had become friends in their last life, "Luna is a great artist, her art is better than anyone I know."
The compliments from her bondmates made Luna blush with unexpected embarrassment and pride. Her smile however was just as bright as the love they filled her with.
"What language was that song in Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Ah, French," Hermione said caught off guard. The witch had thought the focused moved on from her, "Why?"
"You remember that witch I told you about who went to another magical school that wasn't Hogwarts?" he pressed, getting everyone's attention.
"Honey Sugarplum?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, her! Well apparently, there's another school besides Hogwarts, and I asked Sirius if he knew anything about it, and he said that they speak French there. I'm sorry I didn't know how to spell it, Beauxbatons," Harry noticed how Hermione's nose flared a bit before remembering to say the school's whole title and quickly added, "Academy of Magic."
"Muggle raised aren't typically given the option to choose," Severus added, "You need to fill out specific forms that need to be completed by your parents or magical guardian. Any magical guardian appointed in England though tend to be biased and won't mention it to their new charges if they mention it at all. If they did Hogwarts would stop recommending them as magical guardians."
Hermione couldn't hide her look of disgust, especially knowing Dumbledore had his sticky fingers in that mess.
"I agree, it is disgusting. If it weren't for young Ginny, I was going to have Luna go to Beauxbatons," Xeno admitted shocking the table.
"Before Hogwarts, Ginny was my only friend. She helped me a lot when my mum died. We thought that I'd at least be able to start school having one friend instead of a new place with none," Luna said.
Emma was sympathetic, "I don't want to step on her toes and may she rest in peace, I already told Harry to call me Mum. If you'd like, you can call me Mama, so we can still honor her. You're going to be with Hermione for the rest of your lives, you're already family. I would never dream to take her place but I know if I was gone, I'd want Hermione to have a maternal figure to help her in my place."
Xeno's eyes got misty while Luna had full tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Really? I can call you Mama and write to you and ask you questions?" Luna asked, emotion colored her voice.
"Certainly!" Emma said with no room for doubt, "You can even write me just to tell me how school is going, how things are going with your personal life, to complain, even if you're in a little lovers' spat."
"Thank you, Emma," Xeno said with a wobbly smile, "Let me go see if the food is done."
Everyone knew it was an excuse to go collect himself and said nothing.
"That goes for the both of you as well. I know I get reports from Hermione, but I don't necessarily get the emotional letters," Emma said.
Harry started to get emotional, never remembering anything about his mum other than her begging and screaming. He wrote Sirius sure, but even Harry knew that he wasn't exactly emotionally stable last time. Even then though it was few and far between or Hermione had encouraged him to. Hermione was emotional for a different reason, but was happy all the same.
"Anyways you were saying, Harry," Luna encouraged.
"Right. Well, I know I wouldn't be able to transfer, but I know you might be able to. Not that I want you too!" he quickly added, "But Honey said that they teach things there that they don't teach at Hogwarts."
"Like what, Harry?" Emma asked.
"Honey said Math, Hygiene, and Health. And that she picked Beauxbatons because they don't really teach Healing at Hogwarts outside of a few Charms classes," Harry answered.
"Hogwarts does teach Healing potions, even the simple ones, are complex. If some dunderhead messes it up even slightly, it could potentially backfire and hurt or kill the brewer," Severus said, "If they miraculously finish the potion, but at a subpar quality, it may not be strong enough to do what it is intended to do. It may prolong the patient's ill health or work just enough that it appears to have taken care of the malady, leaving it rampant in the patient's body to come back worse than before."
Harry paled slightly and made a face knowing he was telling the truth. There had been many incidents because Neville messed up that a lot of them had to be sent to the Hospital Wing. Eventually Hermione ended up helping him to not only get a better grade but to prevent the worst of it. Hermione wouldn't help Seamus though; his issues always came back to heat or fire creature based ingredients.
"My predecessor was less exact than I am, and he had a few serious incidents during his tenure because his students were being dunderheads and he allowed it. A few cases ended up with the students at St Mungos, and some were even permanent. I however can say that there haven't been any such instances in my tenure. The more intricate the potion the more attention and devotion the potion requires, it is extremely important."
"I know you're right, but your standards have also bottle necked society," Sirius stated companionably.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked curiously.
"Many of the better jobs require you to have a NEWT in potions. Even being an auror, a police officer, needs it. They typically don't brew potions in the field, but they need to know enough to be able to tell from ingredients or residue what was brewed. It can be either a poison, a botched potion at home, or a potion that's not a poison but still has questionable uses. Healers must know which potions to order and then, if they're being treated at the hospital, they need be able to spot the quality, as Snape said. Regardless the fields that require the NEWT need to know those subjects well," Sirius explained.
"If they don't have the patience to learn in class and just bemoan about everything, I'd feel less safe with those professionals," Luna said.
"I agree with Luna. Even in the muggle world to be a Doctor, a Healer, you need go through an extensive school career, and then you need to take tests to prove that you're aboveboard. You must know what you're doing, know what the ailment is, and can properly treat patients or refer them to a specialist. I personally think they should require a retest every 5 or so years to make sure the doctors are aware of the current medical discoveries and advances. I make sure to attend every dental convention where they were introducing new techniques or discoveries," Emma added.
"If you can't handle applying yourself in school, in a safe environment, then they won't be able to handle the more volatile aspects of that field they need to know outside of it," Xeno said returning to the party.
"I don't think that's necessarily true," Sirius started, "I mean I have to admit I only got an EE on my OWL, and it was because Slughorn didn't need an O that I was able to qualify for the Auror program at all. I did however get an O on my NEWT. I knew I had to buck up and focus, but I think it's knowing that if I was Snape's student, I'd never been an Auror."
Harry was a bit sympathetic since he had only gotten into NEWT potions because Slughorn came back the first time with his lesser standards. He also knew that if it wasn't for Snape's old potions book, he wouldn't have done well at all. He might have thought Hermione was just jealous at first, but he knew Hermione actually worked really hard to get where she had gotten and he basically had a cheat sheet. He didn't even apologize to her and went on and lied about not having the book anymore.
"The thing about progress is to always improve standards," Emma said, "Even in the muggle world things aren't as 'easy' as they used to be. You need more classes, classes that are common today that would have been advanced 20 or even 10 years ago. If the kids are smart and buckle down now, they'll be able to do it easily and perhaps even better in their future."
"I know jobs seem to have bottle necked here in England, but all of Dad's graduates are some of the best in the field. They have their choice in jobs here and other countries," Hermione said.
"What shouldn't leave this house is that my standards are also ICW standards. ICW standards are what you take for your mastery, higher than Hogwarts and most other magical schools. They all have their specialties, but most tend to seek out apprenticeships after school to fill in the blanks before they take ICW tests for their masteries. The old Apprentice system isn't as good as it used to be, because it's fallen out of favor," Severus said smoothly.
"So if they follow your standards, aside from a few things you can't teach at Hogwarts, they can take their potions mastery test at the ICW?" Harry asked.
"No. They can take the ICW tests, which are valid in all countries. With those scores, it's easier to find a master to apprentice under. Then you learn the secrets that masters know. From there you can either brew a potion that only qualified masters can brew for your mastery test, or you create your own potions, other than that you may modify and improve a minimum of 3 existing potions. You must do this before the Potions Guild, and to ensure safety there's always 3 masters watching you brew for your test. If it's a longer potion that requires 24-48 hour tending in a single brew, they rotate so a fresh eye is always watching you. If it's a longer potion that takes a month or more those ingredients are prepped before your test and placed under special stasis wards, so wand magic doesn't interfere with the ingredients," Severus explained, "However if you must brew and the brewing process itself takes up to 6 months, the Guild has a special ward they can enact that will speed up time around the cauldron and the cauldron only."
"Like when you have us put aside our potions that need to stew!" Harry exclaimed.
"Exactly like that, Mr. Potter," Severus said with a nod.
"Sir, I have a question that may, uh, border impertinence," Harry hedged.
"Go on," Severus drawled, eliciting a smile from Emma, which she quickly hid.
"Do you, maybe, have private tutoring sessions for the Slytherins? Is that why a lot of them are better than most of us in class?" Harry asked.
The corner of Severus's lip quirked up, "Despite my blatant favoritism, no. All I do is give them supplementary reading should they want a leg up in potions. Two of the books must be ordered from a bookstore as Hogwarts' Library, as extensive as it is, does not have and will not carry them. Dumbledore needs to approve the listings before Madame Pince can order them, and under his tenure he has even removed books from the library and hid them in his office," Severus answered.
Hermione's face warred with keeping her anger in check and not yelling about the injustice. By her own father's admission, he had asked for those supplementary books for the library, and the Headmaster, the pompous jackass that he was, said no. He pretended to care about the advancement of muggleborns, but he was effectively keeping them and other muggle raised at a disadvantage. Hell even the poorer purebloods would be at a disadvantage! Severus however noticed the injustice that she was experiencing and doing her best not to say anything.
"Hermione, I appreciate your restraint," Severus began, "I will go over them with you and your betrotheds this summer. I have them in the private library at home. I do recommend we perhaps work on occlumency sooner than later. While I'm sure your rings will protect you from intrusions, it'll help you manage your emotions."
Sirius couldn't help chuckling at that.
"Occlumency will help you and Harry the most with your tempers, but it will also be a good practice to be able to suppress your emotions," Sirius agreed, "Just be aware that you will have to release your emotions eventually and it typically it comes out in anger. Most purebloods employ the practice during stuffy Wizengamot meetings, so they're not yelling over one another when they don't like what another faction says."
"They do tend to drop those shields as soon as they leave the Chambers," Xeno said, "That's why they're so grumpy when they leave. Those that employ the shields for a long time tend to be the grumpiest people."
Just then the alluring aroma of Easter dinner graced their noses.
"I hope you're all done with your eggs or just about finished?" Xeno asked, "If you are please melt the wax off, so I can put them safely to the side before bringing dinner out."
Everyone melted off their eggs with different effects. Luna's was still by far the more vibrant and beautiful. Severus's egg was lovely with greens and blues, yellow creeping from be hind the colors like lattice lace fabric. Emma's was reds and purples with floral designs. Sirius's egg was red, orange, and gold, with clearly messy lion head silhouettes. Harry's egg was very interesting as it looked a turtle's shell with brown, orange, and yellow. Hermione's egg had blue and white thick stripes, with yellow swirly designs.
"Did you finish yours, Xeno?" Emma asked.
"Hm? Oh yes dear, I finished before I got up," Xeno said.
"Here's Daddy's," Luna said proudly holding up his egg.
Unlike everyone else who had more geometric designs, Xenophilius's looked as though flowers were painted on it with a brush.
"I'm not very good at using the beeswax like Luna can, but I can use it over an area I don't want the new color, and I lightly scratch out the details," Xeno said with a chuckle.
As they were all getting ready to leave Sirius walked toward Severus.
"Snape, I was hoping I'd be able to borrow a moment of your time before you left. I have something important but private to discuss with you," Sirius said humbly.
Severus looked at Sirius, read his posture and saw the nonaggressive stance as well as the honesty and shame in his eyes.
"I have a moment, shall we talk at the front door?" Severus suggested.
"Maybe outside the house?" Sirius responded.
Severus nodded silently.
Sirius and Severus excused themselves for a moment to take in some air. Once they were outside, they took a few steps away from each other, Sirius took out his wand and quietly cast a muffliato. After he put his wand back in its holster, both had their hands in their pockets.
"I wanted to take this time to apologize. Properly and to your face. It's no less than what you deserve," Sirius stated.
"Whatever for?" Severus asked, his face closing off.
"I'm sorry for being your personal tormentor for all of your school career and then kept the animosity up after. It may have ended us with opposite sides of the war for a short while, but the war wasn't happening with us directly at Hogwarts. You were 11, you hadn't done anything. Your only crime was wanting to be in a house I had learned to despise before I even stepped on the train and being poor. You kept your friendship up with Lily while struggling with pureblood politics that pervade Slytherin house more than any other. You did your best to defend yourself, and often gave back better."
He took a breath before continuing.
"You were 11 and had no actual ability to control your circumstances that I gave you crap for. Honey made me realize something when she was telling Harry about the hygiene class," Sirius held his hand up to silence any protest from the other wizard, "I didn't say anything to either of them. Hygiene before Hogwarts is learned from family and only then. I remember Lily, and every other muggle raised kid, getting care packages from home with toiletries. I remembered how while her teeth were near sparkling white, yours were yellow and crooked. Her hair was healthy and bouncy with good health, and your hair was greasy. I know now that it was your family's fault. You parents didn't provide you with the means to take care of yourself, and Hogwarts didn't help with that either. I know you learned elocution in Slytherin, but I also know now that you didn't have toiletries from home. Which means you also didn't have the magical equivalent other kids had. Hogwarts provides basic soap and towels, but they don't provide dental or hair care products. Honey told me that in Beauxbatons they're taught about personalized hygiene care because everyone is different."
"I'm apologizing for being a shitty person to you and using things out of your control against you. You didn't deserve it."
"I appreciate your apology, Black. It will take some time for me to accept it," Severus said.
Sirius nodded in understanding.
"I noticed that Hermione's hair was frizzier than when we met at the train station. I think she's using magic at school to help tame her hair. Like Hogwarts didn't teach you how to care for your specific hair, Hogwarts is doing a disservice to her. Beauxbatons teaches them about proper shampoo and conditioner for different hair types and magic output, plus a lot of other things."
"My daughter's hair once resembled a rat's nest," Severus admitted.
"I was hoping you'd let me see if I can convince the Headmistress at Beauxbatons to let the kids have summer lessons for those classes. I don't think Hermione needs math. Honey told me it was those who hadn't had a math class before school. Harry told me muggles learn it in primary school. I do think the kids can use the Health and Hygiene courses though," Sirius said, "I'd pay for all of them."
Severus stilled for a moment before he sighed, "I think she would like that. I know Emma doesn't know how to handle Hermione's hair either… Hermione's magic likes to play in her hair."
"I could tell, it occasionally reacts more like fur than human hair. I say that as an animagus with experience," Sirius said.
Severus nodded tightly, "At first at Hogwarts I thought it was just potion fumes, but I'd see her in the halls and I noticed her hair reacted when she did. It acts exactly like an extension of her emotions. I wasn't sure there would be magic to tame that proverbial mess, and now that mess turns out to have always been my mess."
"At least she's brilliant," Sirius tried.
Severus nodded with a whisper of a smile on his face, "She's the brightest witch of her age and I find myself very proud of her. I wasn't in her life until recently, and she has my same exacting tendencies. She has a few of my mannerisms that seem to be genetics."
"She's your daughter, Snape," Sirius said with a grin.
"And she comes with a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law already," Severus said with an eyebrow raised.
"You're right. We have kids, let's try to do right by each other to do right by them," Sirius said with a watery smile.
"I can do that," Severus said before waving his wand dismantling the spell and returning into the house with the rest of his… family.