Two chapters at once! If you've missed chapt 7-go back! We're now caught up with AO3...Also...I asked the question there...WIP's...how do we feel about them? I know there are some that want the current WIPs finished, but honestly, I only write what comes without a fight. I promise all of the WIPs will be finished eventually, but I cannot promise an actual timescale on that. On AO3 the consensus was post whatever but I realised I never asked here. So...post when the new WIP's done (I have loads on the go!) or post as I go and let whatever's updated be updated...
"Right," Sirius clapped his hands, startling both Harry and Hermione at the breakfast table. They stared at him warily, "We're doing Gringotts today, and shopping." he eyed them both, "For both worlds, Andy gave me a bloody list." Harry stifled a laugh as Sirius pouted. "And then we're going to choose a house."
"What?" Harry frowned.
"This is Remus' parents' place. And I imagine we can stay if you really want to but the Black's have several properties, as did the Potter's. We'll find details of them all in the vaults. If you want we can have a look around a few and see if we can come to a consensus."
"Oh." Harry nodded slowly, "That makes sense. And we'll all live wherever we choose?"
"Course Pup!" Sirius agreed, "A few of the Potter ones have Quidditch pitches. To be fair so do a few of the Black ones."
"Cool!" Harry's eyes lit up. "Have you seen them all?"
"Most of them." Sirius shrugged, "Potter ones tend to be more welcoming. Although I liked Black Hall, Uncle Alphard lived there. He was one of my only sane relatives. Still, we can have a look so, finish eating and then we'll go." He bounced out of the room looking more animated than they'd seen him. Remus frowned slightly realising that Hermione had remained utterly silent throughout the entire exchange.
"Sirius Black for Nessa," Sirius announced looking every inch the Lord Black, despite how much he hated it. The goblin eyed him.
"Your wand Lord Black."
"No wand." he grimaced, "They snapped that when I was in Azkaban."
Sighing heavily, the goblin produced a knife, "Hand then." He glared at the parchment as the blood was absorbed, words forming in front of him. "Very well," he muttered when it was done. "And your guests?"
"Harry Potter and Hermione Black," he gestured to each of them. "And my partner Remus Lupin."
Humming, the goblin stared at him, "Your daughter?"
"Neice."
"Her mother, Lord Black?"
"Ah…my brother." Sirius flushed," The Department of Mysteries had some involvement." he fished in his pocket for the letter Saul had given him which explained some things, including the contract Orion had signed before handing it over, watching with a perverse sense of amusement as the goblins eyebrows shot up his forehead.
"Well," he muttered. "That's…unexpected. The witch is keeping her name?"
"What name?" Sirius frowned, "It's already changed to Black."
"Her other names," the goblin replied as if he were an idiot."
"Oh." Sirius whirled to look at Hermione, "Thoughts?"
"I'm not changing my first name." she blurted, flushing when she realised how loud she'd been. Remus reached for her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"What about your middle name Sweetheart, do you want to keep Jean?" he checked softly, wishing they weren't doing this in the middle of the bank.
"Oh I…I don't know."
"You can if you want," he continued, keeping his focus on her, "But the Blacks often use star and constellation names."
"Oh," she murmured.
"Reggie used to say he'd use Aquila when we were little." Sirius offered his voice sounding strained, "He liked that we hadn't had one for centuries. Said any child of his was going to be something memorable. Special." Looking unsure of his actions, he reached, squeezing Hermione's shoulder, "Seems he wasn't wrong, Little Bird."
"Oh, she whispered, swallowing audibly. "Ok."
Sirius nodded, echoing her, "ok."
The goblin in front of them arched a brow, "Hermione Aquila Black?"
"Yes." he agreed.
"Well then," he turned to Hermione, "You sign here. Lord Black, you next to her. My quill."
Hermione gasped at the sting she felt on her hand. "Shit," Sirius muttered, "It's alright, it's a blood quill, Gringotts uses them often because even with polyjuice you can't lie with blood."
"Oh," she murmured, handing him the quill. "How…how does that work. If polyjuice turns you into someone else completely…."
"And what would you know about polyjuice little witch?" Remus checked looking amused, stilling at the look that passed between Harry and Hermione. "Hermione?"
"I might have brewed it," she muttered not looking at him
"Successfully?"
"Ah…yes."
"Mother of sodding merlin," he muttered before he frowned. "Where in the hell did you get the ingredients?"
"I might have stolen them from Professor Snape," she mumbled.
Remus closed his eyes as if praying for patience as Sirius began shaking with laughter. "You're going to be the death of me, sweetheart. We'll discuss this. Once we're home."
Half an hour later, with Heirs rings on their fingers, Hermione's vault set up, miscellaneous jewellery stashed in Sirius' pockets and several books stashed in Hermione and Remus' they stood blinking into the sunlight on Diagon Alley. "Right clothes first I think," Sirius commanded, not quite able to hide how uneasy he felt out in the open.
"Wand first, "Remus corrected, looking at him pointedly, "we'll go to… Christ it'll be Twillfits won't it?" he groaned.
"Unfortunately," Sirius replied with a grimace. "Appearances need to be kept and all."
"That killed you to say didn't it?" Remus smirked.
He shuddered, "I could almost hear my mother approving."
"Let's not go that far, Pads."
"Right, you take them to Twilfits."
"Absolutely not." Remus replied immediately, "They won't let me through the door."
"You have the Black Heir with you," he turned to Hermione, "Fancy pitting some sour-faced madam in her place, Little Bird?"
"How?" Hermione checked warily.
"Oh you know loudly announce how disappointed you are that the Blacks have been shopping at Twilfits for centuries , but if your beloved Uncle Remus isn't allowed in you'll need to look at changing it. Perhaps Mademoiselle Violets in Paris."
"Just imagine you're Malfoy," Harry laughed, "Nose in the air, pretentious voice. You can do it!"
Hermione glowered before she straightened her spine, "Very well, Mr Potter." she held out her hand imperiously, "Escort me to our next stop."
Sirius choked on a laugh, "Oh Little Bird, I cannot wait for you to meet Cissa properly."
"If she makes them cry Pads," Remus muttered.
"Then they'll definitely not question her last name," he quipped, "Off you go Uncle Remus."
"Arse," Remus muttered following after the children.
Silently Remus marvelled at the way Hermione kept her discomfort off her face as they stepped into the shop, only her knuckles whitening on Harry's arm hinted at it. "How may I help you?" A woman appeared from behind a door, running her eyes over them. "Mr Potter. How… unexpected." her eyes fell on Remus, her mouth curling into a sneer. "Unfortunately I do not think this is the establishment for you."
"No?" Hermione interrupted, tone deceptively light.
"And you are?" the woman sneered.
"Hermione Black."
The woman froze. "I hadn't heard of the Blacks having a daughter."
"I hadn't heard of my family having such a close relationship with a shopkeeper but here we are." Hermione dismissed cuttingly, making the other witch flush. She turned her head slightly, "Uncle Remus, perhaps our earlier thoughts were correct and we'd be better served at Mademoiselle Violets." she turned back to the witch, "We only came here because my father was loyal to Twilfits. I realise now that was a mistake."
"Your father?"
"Regulus."
"Oh my. I… Miss Black, I fear we got off on the wrong foot. Your father was indeed loyal to Twilfits. I would be remiss if we didn't ensure his daughter was well looked after."
Hermione arched a disbelieving brow and instantly, Remus could see her grandmother on her face. Given the look on the sales witch's expression, so could she. "And my Uncle?" she challenged.
The witch swallowed, plastering a smile on her face, "Will of course always be welcome."
"Good." Hermione's smile was smug. "He'll go first then. Ten sets of day robes and two dress."
"Hermione," Remus interjected sounding panicked.
She turned, smiling saccharinely sweetly and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he wasn't escaping this. "Yes, Uncle Remus?"
He deflated immediately, murmuring, "I'll get you back for this little witch." into her ear as he passed her so he could be measured.
"Merlin Hermione, that was…" Harry stopped utterly lost for words. "Malfoy isn't going to know what's hit him this year."
Hermione pulled an unimpressed face, "I didn't like it," she admitted before scowling, "However the way she looked at Remus….I don't think I feel as bad as I should."
"And why should you feel bad little Bird?" Sirius checked startling them, his new wand gripped tightly in his hand.
"The sales witch was snotty."
Harry laughed, "She was downright rude to Remus. Hermione fixed it."
Sirius laughed, "Good girl. Where exactly is Remus?"
"Oh, I said he could go first.
"Go first?"
"He needs new robes, Sirius!"
He let out a startled bark of laughter, "Merlin Little Bird, you managed to persuade him to accept that?"
"She didn't exactly give him a choice," Harry muttered looking highly entertained.
"Oh Hermione, for that, you can have as many books as you want when we go to Flourish and Blotts. How many is he getting?"
" Ten day sets and two dress."
Sirius' jaw dropped. "How do you feel about a pony, Little Bird?"
Harry laughed at the stunned look on Hermione's face, "I'd prefer a kitten," she returned dryly.
"Done," Sirius nodded sharply with a grin.
"Your niece is terrifying," Remus groused as they watched Harry and Hermione cautiously make their way around the first muggle boutique they had come across, picking out things for Harry.
Sirius laughed quietly, "Your niece too, Uncle Remus."
He scowled, "I did not need twelve new sets of robes."
"Moony, I love you but you are a dirty liar." Sirius scoffed, "You desperately needed those robes, and we both know it. I imagine she's about to bully you into some muggle clothes too, by the way, she's been eyeing those jumpers speculatively and I don't think they're Harry's style."
"What?" Remus' head snot up to look at Hermione, "No! I…I don't need."
"You do," Harry replied pointedly. "The greeny one, do you think Hermione?"
Hermione cocked her head, "the olive one?" she checked holding one up.
"Yes, that."
"Yes," she nodded decisively, "And the rust, I think."
"I like him in mustard and blue," Sirius offered, "If anyone wants my opinion."
"Sirius!" Remus hissed as both Harry and Hermione pulled out jumpers, Hermione unearthing a cardigan from somewhere.
"What about a suit?" she checked, running her eyes over Remus. "Trousers definitely."
"Hermione! Sweetheart, enough."
"Ah no." Hermione shook her head, "I was just forced into several dresses I'm being told I'm going to have to wear, and apparently I'm not done. If I have to do this so does everyone else."
"Sirius next then," Harry grinned.
"Now wait a minute."
"Yes. He'll need something less…informal for ah…work and official things." she agreed.
Sirius whined sounding remarkably like padfood.
"Not so fun now is it?" Remus taunted.
Several hours later, muggle London exhausted, all of them sporting new wardrobes with varying degrees of acceptance, they returned to Diagon Alley. "I promised Little Bird a kitten," Sirius shrugged, at Remus' questioning look.
"Why?"
"Why not?" he retorted as he guided them into the menagerie.
Remus hung back automatically, well aware of what happened when he set foot in the shop. "I'll just…."
"Come in to ensure whatever I chose accepts you too," Hermione finished, hooking her arm through his.
He startled , wondering where the silent teen had gone, not at all sure what to make of this bossy little witch. Sirius hid his smile, noting Remus's confusion but too glad to see some life on his niece's face to draw attention to it. He suspected that she was going to ensure that werewolf rights were a priority in the coming years. And if he was honest, he was more than a little excited to see how she forced the rest of the Wizengamot to comply with her demands. He stood with Harry, watching as she wandered aimlessly, a frown marring her face as several kittens scuttled away from Remus.
"You alright, Pup?" he checked, keeping an eye on his niece.
"Yeah. It's been a strange few days."
"In a bad way?"
"No," he replied slowly, "In a…it still doesn't feel real way." he flushed suddenly realising he'd said it out loud.
"It's real, Pup," Sirius murmured, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You're not getting rid of us. If nothing else, I imagine that little witch would have something to say if anyone tried."
Harry smiled slightly, "I imagine she would. She was slightly scary earlier. I had no idea she'd be able to channel Malfoy so well."
"I think she was…trained in behavioural expectations at home," Sirius offered lightly. "A lot of our mannerisms aren't going to be too difficult for her to grasp. Now I don't know who she was channelling, but I can't quite imagine it was Narcissa's son. If everything Remus said was true, it came too naturally to not be someone she watched regularly."
Harry hummed, "She doesn't speak about them."
"No," Sirius sighed, "Something to work on, eh?" he fell silent as Remus and Hermione drew up alongside them.
"I'm sorry little witch, I can wait outside." Remus moved to pull away from her.
"No," she growled, jumping when a large orange cat jumped onto the counter with all the grace of an elephant, its eyes trained on her. She took a cautious step forward, Remus dragged with her. The cat's eyes seemed to narrow before it let out a plaintive meow. Which was all it took for Hermione to reach for it, cuddling it to her. "Oh look at you!" she exclaimed
The shopkeeper looked stunned, "Crookshanks isn't a fan of people," he voiced.
"Well that's just nonsense darling, isn't it?" Hermione cooed down at the ugliest cat four watching wizards had ever seen. "You're just discerning."
Crookshanks let out a loud purr, butting his head under her chin. "That's right darling." she agreed.
Sirius snorted, "Right, Crookshanks it is then."
Harry's eyes were wide, "Are you sure, Hermione?"
"Look at him, Harry!"
"I am," he muttered, eyeing the kneazle warily.
"Aren't you the most handsome boy," Hermione continued, ignoring the matching looks of disbelief on everyone else's face.
"Perhaps we also need to consider an optician?" Remus murmured too quietly for Hermione to hear, making Harry choke as Sirius fought to keep his face neutral.
"Right, houses today or tomorrow?" Sirius checked as he waved his wand with a happy grin, banishing the dishes to the sink.
"Tonight," Harry hedged, "And we can go and see them…tomorrow morning?"
"We can do that," Sirius agreed. "Why don't we spread them out, and we each choose our top three?"
He scattered the parchments across the table with a flick of his wand, eyeing them all critically, knowing that several of them held too many bad memories for him to consider.
"All chosen?" he checked half an hour later, watching them nod. "Right then, Pup, what've you got?"
"Ah… that one, that one and that one," Sirius followed Harry's pointing. "Anyone else got any of those?"
"Those two," Hermione murmured.
He nodded, "I have that one" Sirius indicated to one of the sheets.
"Me too," Remus agreed.
"Well. that looks like a unanimous decision." Sirius grinned. "Black Hall it is. That being said, if either of you want to see other properties, let us know. We might not live in them but they're yours. I'll separate them into Black and Potter."
The teens hummed, nodding. "I wonder what happened to Kreacher." Remus mused as Grimmauld place sailed into the Black pile. Sirius shuddered.
"Hopefully he died," he muttered.
"Whos Kreacher?" Hermione checked, almost jumping out of her skin when a wizened elf appeared beside her looking up at her in adoration.
"Masters little Miss finally called for Kreacher." he croaked.
Hermione turned with wide eyes toward Sirius. "He was our elf," he offered weakly, struggling to hide his distaste for the beast. "He adored Reggie."
"Oh," she replied weakly. "It's..ah…nice to meet you Kreacher."
"Krechers little miss is as lovely as Master Reggie," he cried, throwing himself at her knees, sobbing loudly.
"Kreacher! I…" Hermione looked panicked patting his dirty little back.
"Kreacher, that's enough," Sirius commanded, watching as the beast struggled but eventually obeyed his command.
"As the master says," he muttered bitterly.
"Kreacher you may stay and take care of Hermione, but you will listen to everyone in this house am I clear?"
"Kreacher can stay?" he checked, "Look after the little Miss."
"Yes," Sirius agreed with a grimace of distaste. Whether he liked it or not, having an elf who adored her watch over his niece could only be a good thing. "But you will be respectful of everyone in this house. And you will be clean."
Kreacher scowled, "As the Master says."
"Please Kreacher," Hermione attempted a smile. "I'm sure Regulus would want you to be looking after yourself."
Kreacher positively beamed, "Of course little miss," he agreed, disappearing from sight.
"What the hell was that?" Harry demanded into the silence.
"You know what a House Elves look like," Hermione scolded. "He was just…old."
"And vile," Sirius muttered.
"What?" Hermione frowned.
Sirius sighed, "Kreacher was my mother's elf. And then ultimately Reggies. He was not…fond of me. And objectively I know it wasn't his fault, my mother was a horrible witch, but he made my childhood hell."
"I'm sorry Sirius," Hermione murmured, "He doesn't have to stay."
"Ah he does," he sighed, "I'd feel better with another set of eyes on you. And he'll adore you for no more than the fact your Reggies. You saw him. Just…keep him away from me, Little Bird and we'll be fine."
"What am I meant to do with him?" she checked. "Dobby wanted to be free…I…"
"Godric Little Bird, don't suggest that unless you want to kill him!" Sirius interjected.
"What?"
"I don't know who Dobbiy is, but House elves need wizarding magic. It's why they bind to houses. Some people abuse that, but most with sense don't. Elf magic is hugely powerful and completely different to ours. Kreacher will be utterly devoted to you, and as much as I'm sure it goes against everything you believe, need to feel needed, and wanted. They need work, they're happiest when busy."
She frowned, "But…Dobby….he was so pleased at being freed. And..do I pay him? What days doesn't he work?"
"Oh gods Little Bird," Sirius groaned, "I…that's not quite how it works."
"What?"
"A House Elf would be massively offended if you offered them pay and days off, sweetheart," Remus supplied, "It would make it seem like you didn't value their work. They thrive on praise. If you want to reward them they like cloth so they can make clothing, and apparently like little sweets. I once knew an elf with a fondness for toffee. I'm sure if you ask, once he gets over his emotions Kreacher will tell you what he likes. Make no mistake though, little witch, elves are bossy little creatures. Be prepared to be parented by a grumpy being that only comes to your knees."
"Great," she muttered weakly before frowning, "What happens if someone abses it?"
Sirius and Remus froze, sharing a look, "Currently nothing." Sirius admitted.
"Why not?"
"Because wizards are arseholes?" he offered, making Harry laugh.
"Can we change that?"
"Tell you what Little Bird, you write me a list and we'll start working through your issues until our world looks the way you want it to."
"Don't joke," she muttered.
"Who's joking, Little Bird." he chided, nudging her, hating the pensive look on her face.
"You truly want a list?"
"Yup. Gives me a place to start," he leaned down conspiratorially, whispering, "I have no idea what I'm doing with the Wizengamot either."
She stifled a laugh, "Fine."
"Good, now. Black Hall tomorrow?"
"Yes, Harry nodded decisively. "Tell me it's one of the ones with a quidditch pitch?"
Hermione groaned, but neither of the elder wizards failed to notice the small smile on her face as she watched Harry grow more and more animated as he fell into a discussion of quidditch tactics.
"Right, have we got everything,?"Sirius demanded, bouncing on his feet, as he hovered near the floo.
"Think so," Remus muttered, patting his pockets.
Harry shrugged, clutching Hedwig's cage, "I assume so?"
"Little bird?"
"Kreacher insisted on taking all my things," she muttered, snuggling Crookshanks, making Remus laugh.
"Ah well, less things to carry, no?"
"Kreacher's little Miss asks Kreacher to take the young Master Harrys," Kreacher announced appearing in front of them. Harry immediately felt his pockets lighten where his shrunken belongings were stashed. He eyed Hermione, "Kreacher can leave everyone else's?" he checked.
Hermione's eyes darted between Remus and Sirius, seeing the latter nod slightly, "Yes thank you Kreacher, you've been incredibly helpful."
Kreeacher beamed, looking dangerously close to tears. "Kreacher will unpack the little Mistresses things," he announced, disappearing from sight.
"Looks like Kreachers choosing rooms then," Harry muttered with more than a little amusement colouring his tone.
"How much do you bet he has her in the Master?" Sirius muttered quietly to Remus.
"No bet Pads," Remus shook his head, "I'd be far more surprised if he didn't."
Two minutes later it was revealed that Kreacher had indeed put Hermione's things away in the master bedroom. It took her a further hour to convince him that she truly did want the bedroom at the back with a view of the garden and a secret passage to the library instead.
"We'll be warding that," Remus muttered "Or the little witch will never sleep."
Sirius snorted, "Godric when did we turn into actual adults? And when did kids start trying to sneak into the library and not out to the pub?"
"Give it time," Remus muttered. "They're young yet."
Sirius laughed, knocking on Harry's door, "Sorted Pup?"
"Think so," Harry nodded, looking lost as he looked around the room.
"I'll go send Saul our change of address," Remus murmured, leaving the room quietly.
"Want to talk about it?" Sirius hedged.
"I don't…I used to sleep in a cupboard."
Sirius froze, "Say that again?"
"Oh," Harry flushed, "they moved me into a bedroom after I got my Hogwarts letter."
"Ok." Sirius worked to keep himself calm, desperately wanting to rage at something. Break something. Like the Durselys. "I…we're going to discuss that further really soon. Once Remus is back to be a real adult. All I'm going to say now is, you should always have had this."
Harry hummed, "I keep waiting for someone to come and tell me it's all a joke," he admitted.
"Oh Pup, I imagine that sometimes it's going to feel like a joke while we all figure out what we're doing," Sirius returned wryly, reaching for him cautiously, "but you're stuck with us kid. Forever."
"Promise?" he blurted.
"You couldn't get rid of us even if you beg, Pup" he replied, tightening the arm wrapped around Harry's shoulders.
"Bit different from the last place," Saul mused as he stepped through the floo. "Is this where you're staying permanently?"
"That's the plan," Siris agreed.
He hummed, as he looked around, "How is she?"
"Better," Sirius hedged before laughing slightly, "Kid likes a cause."
"Pardon?"
"Got all offended over werewolf and House elf rights. It was the most animated I've seen her."
"I see," Saul murmured thoughtfully. "I imagine I can work with that. Where is she?"
"Kreacher?"
"The master wants Kreacher?" the elf muttered sounding supremely put out.
"Can you get Hermione…please," Sirius asked through gritted teeth, "Her father is here."
Kreacher eyed Saul with renewed interest, "Kreacher will get his little Misstress for her father," he nodded.
"Merlin," Sirius groaned.
"She has an elf?"
"He's technically a Black elf but Kreacher adored Reggie and well…you've seen his attitude toward Hermione. She's not quite sure what to do with it."
"I imagine it's rather strange for a child who thought they were muggleborn." Saul agreed just as Hermione appeared clutching Kreachers hand.
"Hermione."
"Saul," she attempted a smile.
"Ready to see what I get to play with at work?"
"Sure," her smile was slightly tremulous.
"Shall we then?" he held out his arm, quietly letting out a relieved breath when she took it, allowing him to lead her into the floo. "You'll need to come with me the first time. I'll key you into my office wards today."
"Welcome to my kingdom," he grinned, stepping out on the other side.
Hermione glanced around, "Your Kingdom is a surprisingly…bare."
Laughing he nodded, "One of the few rules here," he admitted, "We work with too many unpredictable things not to have things properly cleared."
"Ah. That makes sense," she murmured just as the door banged open.
"Thank goodness you're back! Where did you go! Lewis has managed to make giant multiplying guinea pigs with wings in Room Four." Isaac paused, his eyes blowing wide when he realised Saul wasn't alone.
"Isaac."
"Oh my! Today Wednesday."
"All day," Saul quipped.
"What kind of wongs?" Hermione blurted before flushing scarlet.
"Dragon ones," Isaac muttered despairingly.
"Wow."
"Welcome to the Department of Mysteries." Saul muttered, turning to Isaac, "Send Hobbes. He is good with creatures. What was Lewis trying to do?"
"No idea," Isaac muttered. "Not that."
"Well…make sure he writes up the report so we don't manage it again," Saul dismissed, "We have cake to inspect."
"They have the blueberry and lemon cake today if you want recommendations," he smiled at Hermione, cataloguing the changes. She no longer looked frazzled. Wary, perhaps but far more well rested. She also rather amusingly had on traditional witch's robes. He assumed to prove a point in case anyone asked questions, he hoped that would change as she relaxed, not that it was his place to question it. Still, she was Saul's daughter, which meant he intended to get to know the witch. If nothing else he desperately wanted to cultivate her for after newts given everything Professor McGonagall had said about the witch's intelligence.
"I've never had blueberry and lemon," she mused.
"You should, it's delightful." he countered before he sighed, "Right, I'll leave you to your cake, I've sodding winged guinea pigs to deal with."
Hermione choked on a laugh, "It's wrong that I sort of want one" she mused.
Saul tilted his head, "I mean we could probably manage that."
She snorted, "Crookshanks would probably eat it."
"Crookshanks?"
"Oh, I got a kneazle. He's called Crookshanks."
"AH, let's avoid introducing prey animals then, even if they do have wings."
"Well then, how are you settling in? The new house looks nice."
Hermione stared at him, apparently startled by the blurted question the moment they sat down. "We only moved this morning," she murmured.
"Oh. Why?"
"We had to set up things at Gringotts, the house details were in the vaults. Sirius and Remus had us choose three. The one we moved to is the one we all had on our lists."
"I should have considered that," Saul mused, "We should probably nip into Gringotts after here."
"Why?" Hermione checked bewildered.
"You belong to more than one family kid," he pointed out.
"Oh," she mumbled. "Do you…I mean…is it just you?"
"I'm single, no partners. I have a sister in Wales and a brother somewhere in the Amazon." he paused, "I should definitely contact them. You have cousins…older ones, hell I'm relatively certain Meredith would have been at school with your Uncle. I ah…she has two, Caroline's thirteen too actually, Sarah's ten, Robert has Margo who's…seven? I think. Caroline goes to Ilvermorny."
"Oh," she mumbled looking slightly shellshocked.
"I ah…if it's alright with you I'll owl them?" he grimaced, "You'll be able to hear the howler from your Aunt Rachel from space when she finds out and realises I didn't tell her immediately. Your Uncle Elijah on the other hand…. well. He's currently working with one of Newt Scamanders sons on an expedition to Merlin knows where. Never one to be tied down is our Eli."
"You're not close?"
"We are in as much as we owl regularly. We're a bit rubbish at seeing each other. I'm busy here, Eli is often off chasing his next creature, Rach is Head of St Winnifreds- it's the Welsh equivalent of St Mungos. Meredith is married and as you've probably gathered lives in America, she works in MACUSA in the Department of Unidentifyable Magical Objects, there's quite a large crossover between some of the work we do here and hers, her husband's an Auror. Robert is closer, he's based in Edinburgh; he runs an apothecary there with his wife Eilidh."
"That's…. that's a lot."
"I won't push for you to meet them, but can I tell them at least?"
"I…I suppose?"
"And maybe consider whether you'd be willing to reach out to Caroline? We generally go to Rach's at Christmas, but I could entice them here if you decide you're willing."
"I…I… don't."
"Hermione. It's ok," he cut her off seeing the clear panic on her face. "I don't need an answer today or even next week, or next month. Just…consider it."
"Ok," she mumbled.
"Good, now. How's the cake? If Isaac hears you didn't like it he might cry."
She snorted looking marginally less pensive. "It's alright actually. I'd get it again."
"Good stuff. I don't need a crying deputy, he's irritating enough as it is."
Despite his words, she caught the fondness in his tone. "Have you worked together long?"
"Ah…ten or so years."
"Long time."
"Feels like forty sometimes," he muttered.
"Now, what department are we doing first?" he demanded an hour later, bouncing on his toes as he led her into the antechamber that allowed access to all the rooms in the department.
Hermione hesitated, standing still in the circular room as she considered her answer. As uncomfortable as she still felt around his wizard, she couldn't deny she was excited. How many people got to do this? "What would you recommend?"
"Time," he replied immediately. "It's my speciality."
" Ok then."
"Then this way," he grinned, stepping through a door.
"Wow." she gasped as she stepped through, missing the way his smile turned smug.
"Impressive isn't it?"
"Yes," she mumbled, her eyes still trying to take in the room.
"Want a closer look?"
"At what?" she asked helplessly
"Any of it. I'm rather fond of the bell jar, can you tell what's in it?"
Hermione took a step closer to the jar, watching the tiny hummingbird cycle through life. "Time," she whispered. "You've captured time."
"Yes," he mused, moving to stand beside her.
"How?"
"Department secrets I'm afraid," he smirked, "Join us after newts and I'll tell you." He almost laughed when she pouted, a hint of himself on her face.
"Why do you need so many clocks?"
"How else do you study time?" he asked disingenuously.
"But…why do you need all of them?"
He laughed, "Truthfully, I have no idea. We watch for minuscule changes, sometimes if time sand escapes, we see it first in the clocks."
"What?"
He just grinned. "Now, come see the timeturners we wouldn't let you have."
She rolled her eyes, moving to the cabinet housing all of the timeturners . "One day I'll let you try one. With supervision." he interrupted her cataloguing the differences between them all.
"Do you use them regularly?"
"We use them sparingly, but we do use them. Sometimes it's useful to see history from another perspective."
Hermione blinked, "You… you've gone back to watch history?"
"Yes," he laughed, "And to see The Beatles in concert because I had no idea who they were when they were a thing."
Her jaw dropped, "Seriously!" her look turned slightly sly, "Have you heard of Queen?"
He let out a loud boisterous laugh. "Angling for a concert invite?"
"I mean I wouldn't say no," she muttered.
With a snort, he chanced wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "I'll see what I can do Kid. As long as you don't tell anyone who might have an issue with it."
"Such as?"
"I mean anyone other than your Uncle and his paramour and that overprotective friend of yours is probably a risk."
"I'm sure I can manage that if you make it either the Magic tour or Live Aid." she smiled sweetly up at him making him choke as he fought a laugh, hopeful for the first time that she might actually let him in.