Title: Adhara Black
Genre: Romance/Family
Rating: M
Summary: Just as Hermione, Harry and Ron were looking forward to a peaceful seventh year at Hogwarts, the arrival of a little girl from the future turns everything upside down. Especially as she happens to be the daughter of Hermione and Sirius Black! But why has she been sent to the past? And what dark future is her arrival intended to thwart?
Couple: Hermione/Sirius
Disclamer: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me.
Spoiler: The seven books
Notes: Hello again with a new story! A Sirius/Hermione again. I hope you like it. There will be 6 chapters and I'll publish according to my availability this time but they're all written so you'll have an ending ;) I am french writer by the way, so my translation is maybe not perfect. Happy reading!
Chapter 1: Fallen from the future
If Hermione, Harry and Ron thought they were finally having a quiet year at Hogwarts, they were sadly mistaken. Oh, everything had started well, even very well! After a hectic summer following the fall of Voldemort, calm had returned by September and a certain stability had settled over the country. They couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts, the place they called home, full of unforgettable memories. But there was another reason for their impatience: for the first time in years, they were finally going to have a good Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Remus Lupin, the only exception to the disastrous teachers they had had, was coming back to teach! This news came as a great relief to Dumbledore, who was already hard pressed to find a Potions teacher.
And as if by a miracle - or rather, thanks to a discussion between Remus and his old friend Sirius Black - Sirius had offered himself for the job. What a stroke of luck! Unhoped for, in fact, because three months earlier, everyone still thought that the Black line had died out. But when, miles away, Molly Weasley had taken down Bellatrix Lestrange, at the same time at the Ministry, Sirius had suddenly been expelled from the mysterious veil in which he had disappeared.
Why? How? No one had the slightest idea, but Sirius loved to joke about calling Molly his 'saviour', especially when she would blame him on something.
And so, at the beginning of September, a packed Hogwarts Express was on its way to school. Minerva McGonagall had warned Dumbledore: Remus alone was one thing, but with Sirius by his side, and adding the infernal trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione, she expected anything.
"Why, no, Minerva," Dumbledore had protested with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "Remus is married now, and he has a child."
"Yes, and Nymphadora is going to live here with him and little Teddy, if I'm not mistaken. She wasn't exactly the most... serious pupil," Minerva had replied, one eyebrow raised.
Dumbledore gave him a mischievous look over the top of his half-moon spectacles. That wasn't how he would have described Tonks, and that amused him greatly. Whether it was Remus, Sirius, Tonks or the famous trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione, they had all been turbulent and unpredictable spirits. In fact, he could already see the years when Teddy Lupin would walk the halls of Hogwarts as a pupil.
"Let's look on the bright side, Minerva. It's their last year, Tom's dead, and I'm sure Harry, Ron and Hermione will be fully focused on their studies," he added confidently.
Minerva gave him a sceptical look, but did not reply. She could see that he was determined to remain optimistic. That said, she had no doubt that she would remind him of this conversation later.
It didn't take long. In fact, the first few days were full of excitement. Many people, including the trio, had stayed for part of the summer to help rebuild Hogwarts, and seeing the castle restored to its former splendour, with its familiar atmosphere, had moved them deeply.
The Defence Against the Dark Arts classes with Remus were incredible, especially as he adapted to the level of the seventh years. After all, almost all of them had fought in the final battle. For the first few classes, he followed the programme in the traditional way, but very quickly moved away from that to match their very high level.
Sirius, on the other hand, could not say the same about his classes. Oh, there were some good ones, but he had to be constantly on his guard. Even if he wasn't a Potions master like Severus had been, he was doing very well and enjoyed teaching. This radically changed the atmosphere of Potions classes, while also altering the trio's perception of him. They had never imagined him as a teacher, patient and pedagogical, but to their great surprise, it suited him perfectly. Although they knew that Sirius had always done well at Hogwarts, they soon realised, after a few lessons, that he had probably done exceptionally well.
Remus confirmed this when they asked him:
"Ah, Sirius... No matter how hard I tried, I was always one point behind him. It was infuriating, but I got used to it. He's a genius, and when he's passionate about something, he never stops. He'd even considered becoming a Potions Master, but he needed more action, and as James wanted to become an Auror... "
He shrugged.
"It's not for nothing that Dumbledore jumped for joy when he saw his application. You'll learn a lot from him, I'm sure."
The other three remained silent, stunned by the portrait. But somehow it fit. As the weeks went by, they began to understand this side of Sirius's personality better. Surprisingly - or not - it brought him closer to Hermione. They already had a lot in common, and it wasn't unusual to find them having a lively discussion in the corridors. Harry and Ron often gave up when they saw them deep in debate, and if Remus joined them, it was all over.
If they found it a little difficult to be polite to Remus and treat him like a teacher, it was almost impossible to do the same with Sirius. Everyone knew that he was Harry's godfather, so much so that Harry called him "Sirius" every other time. Hermione always rebuked him, but Sirius just laughed and shrugged his shoulders in amusement.
Since his return, after two months of recovery - and a few weeks spent at St. Mungo's - Sirius had gradually found his feet again. His position at Hogwarts had given him the stability he had missed. He had regained his mischievous smile, his infectious laughter and his good humour. Remus sometimes had the impression of seeing the Sirius of their years at Hogwarts again, which warmed his heart... but also worried him.
Remus had Dora and Teddy, his family. They lived with him at Hogwarts, and a chimney passage specially connected to the Ministry allowed Tonks to continue his work as an Auror. Sirius, of course, had Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were like family to him, but he didn't have what he'd always dreamed of having. Few people knew this, as few had ever known Sirius as intimately as Remus. Behind his carefree, playful, teasing side, Sirius had always been a dreamer and an optimist. He had always wanted a family of his own.
It wasn't a subject he often talked about, not least because it was precisely what his parents had wanted for him, and he would never have wanted to give them that pleasure. But it was a fact, and Remus knew that this desire was still there: he wanted to get married and have children.
With his role as a teacher, and the investment he was putting into it, Remus couldn't help worrying. He feared that Sirius was closing doors, believing that it was too late. Yet he decided not to say anything for the time being. Sirius had only just regained a certain equilibrium, and he still needed time to get used to this new rhythm.
Weeks, then months passed, and November arrived. That Friday evening, Sirius had invited the Lupins, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny to dinner in his chambers. It was usually the Lupins who hosted, but this time Sirius had wanted to change. He wanted to try out a recipe he'd discovered on a Muggle TV programme. Since Hermione had installed a television in Grimmaurd Square, Sirius had enjoyed it whenever he spent the weekend there, even though he didn't have one at Hogwarts.
The programme in question was about molecular cooking, which reminded him strangely of potions. Intrigued, he decided to give it a try. He had been experimenting for several evenings now, and he hoped that his attempts would be successful tonight.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were the first to arrive and were greeted by the knight in armour, who adorned the life-size painting at the entrance to Sirius's flats.
"Nebula Noctis", said Harry to the knight.
He bowed and the portrait rotated, revealing a strange smell which took them by surprise as soon as they crossed the threshold. They entered a spacious room, similar to the Gryffindor common room. The stone floor was covered with a thick Persian carpet with red and gold arabesques, and the walls were lined with bookcases overflowing with ancient books, mysterious globes and magical objects whose use remained uncertain. A few rare portraits adorned the walls, while high windows offered a breathtaking view of Hogwarts lake.
In the living room, a large stone fireplace dominated the room, surrounded by comfortable armchairs and a wooden coffee table. Sirius often spent his evenings there, sitting on the floor, leaning against the worn leather sofa, lost in thought or immersed in a book. The dining room and kitchen were open to the rest of the room through an elegantly carved archway in dark wood, and a few hanging plants added a touch of greenery.
They hung their capes on the coat rack and joined Sirius in the kitchen. With an apron around his waist and his attention focused on his preparations, he hadn't heard them come in. The kitchen, with its large windows and ochre terracotta worktops, was a warm space. In the middle was a large farm table, similar to the one in Grimmaurd Square.
"Ah!" exclaimed Sirius as he caught sight of them.
Her medium-length hair was half-tied, leaving her face clear. His grey eyes shone with mischief, and his mischievous smile was familiar. He hugged Harry warmly, gave Ron a quick hug, then turned to Hermione, who had a book in her hand.
"You've read the book I recommended, I see," he says, amused by the almost guilty look on her face.
He had only told her about it two days before. Hermione smiled and Sirius laughed. This promised to be a fascinating discussion at the table.
"Do you need any help?" she asked when she saw the many bubbling saucepans.
"No thanks, I've almost finished. All that's left is to set the table."
With a flick of the wand, the plates and cutlery flew across the room, and in an instant the table was ready. The table swung round again to let in Remus and Tonks, with little Teddy in his mother's arms. The baby's eyes were wide. They were constantly changing colour, going from black to green like Harry's, then to amber like his father's. His hair instantly turned pink. His hair instantly turned pink when he saw all these people, and he was quickly grabbed by his godfather, who hugged him proudly.
Sirius smiled broadly.
"Well," he announced as everyone took their seats, "this is an experiment. I'm waiting for your opinion."
His enthusiasm was palpable, but the others exchanged hesitant glances. The dish was beautifully presented, there was no denying that. However, they were unable to identify what was in front of them. Even Remus, despite his keen sense of smell, seemed perplexed.
"What is it?" asked Hermione finally, hesitating to bring her fork forward.
"I'll let you guess, that's the whole game," replied Sirius with a smirk.
Without hesitation, Tonks took the first bite. She opened her eyes wide.
"A... ratatouille?" she asked, surprised because it didn't look like it.
It tasted like the summer ratatouille her mother used to prepare, awakening memories of her childhood. Sirius shrugged his shoulders, as mischievous as ever, while the others tried it in turn, intrigued. Hermione was amazed to recognise the gratin that her own mother had often made when she was a child. She put down her fork, feeling a lump form in her throat. Harry, Ron and Ginny were enjoying a lasagne that reminded them of Molly's best dishes.
Remus, for his part, was struck with emotion. His mother had died when he was still a child, and he had almost forgotten what her pies tasted like. The memory was so vivid that he could almost feel her arms around him. Tonks, sensing his confusion, gently squeezed his hand. Remus, his throat tight, returned the smile.
"Well?" asked Sirius, who hadn't tasted it yet.
"Delicious!" exclaimed Ron, his mouth full. Mum would be impressed!"
"Yes," agreed Harry. "It really reminds me of his Sunday lasagne."
Ginny nodded with a smile.
"Sirius, this is really incredible! You've been hiding your talents from us."
Sirius blushed slightly, then turned to Hermione and Remus, whose emotion seemed more pronounced. He knew the story of Hermione, who had found her parents in Australia this summer and given them back their memories. Although their reunion had been moving, their relationship was not the same as before. Her parents, unconsciously or not, had distanced themselves, and Hermione, although she understood their reaction, couldn't help being affected by it. Sirius' dish was awakening emotions in her that she had carefully buried.
She tried to take a second bite, but her vision blurred.
"Excuse me," she murmured as she hurried to her feet and left the table.
She took refuge in the bathroom, at the back of the living room, near the fireplace. Sitting against the free-standing bath, she tried to calm her emotions. The room, with its midnight-blue walls and stone basins, had a soothing atmosphere. The moonlight reflected softly off the white tiles decorated with golden arabesques.
Harry was the first to cross the threshold in silence, sitting down next to Hermione before slipping a comforting arm around her shoulders. Sirius's cooking had surprised him, but it was tasty, reminding him of meals at the Burrow. He still didn't understand why Hermione was crying, but he knew something was upsetting her.
Tears rolled softly down Hermione's cheeks. Ginny knelt facing her, worry in her eyes.
"What's going on, love?" she asked gently.
Ron sat on the other side, silently, his gaze supportive. Hermione tried to speak, hiccupping weakly.
"It was... like Mum... the dish she used to make... when I was little..."
Suddenly, everything made sense. His friends were well aware of the delicate situation with his parents since their return from Australia. They also knew that time alone could heal certain wounds. So, without another word, they snuggled up to her.
In the kitchen, Remus, his voice vibrating with emotion, was explaining what Sirius's dish had brought back to him. Tonks and Sirius immediately understood what had affected Hermione.
"I'll go and see her," Sirius said as he stood up, looking worried.
He had never imagined that his culinary attempt would trigger such a wave of emotion. Knocking gently on the half-open bathroom door, he discovered a touching scene: the four friends embracing in a tender silence.
"Hey, is everything all right?" he murmured, a thin smile on his lips.
Hermione's little head lifted slightly, and she nodded, wiping away her tears.
"Yes, as you can see, I'm well surrounded."
Sirius advanced slowly.
"I'm sorry," he breathed. "I didn't mean to stir up painful memories. I never thought my little experiment would... well... cause this."
Hermione shook her head.
"It's all right, Sirius. It was just... surprising. But I'm feeling better. And Remus?"
Sirius lowered his eyes for a moment before answering.
"Tonks is with him."
Then he raised his grey eyes, sparkling despite the situation.
"I made a chocolate cake for dessert. No experimentation this time. Would you like to?"
Ron, ever the pragmatist, straightened up.
"I intend to finish the dish," he declared, making everyone laugh.
Reassured, they returned to the table. Hermione, determined not to let her emotions get the better of her, finished her meal with a peaceful smile. The poignant memories had faded, giving way to a delicious meal. Remus, visibly touched, also finished his portion, as did the rest of the table. All except Sirius, who did not taste his own food, absorbed in a passionate discussion with Hermione about the book he had recommended. Remus joined them, while Tonks and the others chatted happily about little Teddy, asleep in his bassinet.
Sirius's chocolate cake was, as always, a great success, and Remus couldn't help but take several more, to the amused laughter of the assembly.
The evening continued in the drawing room with a board game invented by George, with Ron's help. Between questions and wacky dares, Ron found himself with green hair, Harry ten years older, and Sirius with two cat ears in the middle of his hair - an ironic contrast to his animagus. He took it with humour, and Ron and Harry couldn't help but laughingly reminisce about their second year at Hogwarts, making Hermione blush.
"But I couldn't have guessed it was cat hair!" she protested, causing the whole room to burst out laughing.
Sirius and Remus exchanged a knowing glance, amused to realise that they would never be at the end of their surprises with this generation. The next day promised to be just as lively.
The next morning, after a short but happy night, Harry, Ron and Hermione returned to the Great Hall for breakfast. Only Hermione seemed really awake. The Lupins were having their meal in their chambers, so Tonks wouldn't be feeding the castle gossip. Sirius was already sitting between Minerva and Pomona, discussing rare plants.
Ginny arrived shortly afterwards, to find Harry and Ron still grumpily awake. But once their breakfast was served, their faces relaxed.
"Fancy a game of Quidditch afterwards?" offered Ginny with a smirk.
Harry and Ron immediately looked up, clearly delighted.
"You know how to talk to them," Hermione joked without taking her eyes off her magazine.
"That's the advantage of having grown up with six brothers," Ginny replied with a wink, eliciting a knowing smile from her friends.
They were in the middle of discussing the organisation of their friendly Quidditch match when a strange sensation passed through Hermione, like a wave of familiar magical energy that suddenly embraced her. She had never felt anything like it. She sat up straight, eyebrows furrowed, and drew her wand. Almost simultaneously, the great hall fell silent as all the students felt the powerful magic.
"What's going on?" asked a first year, her voice trembling.
The magical intensity rose to a crescendo. Instinctively, the wands were raised, all pointing to the place from which this energy seemed to be emanating: just in front of the teachers' table. At first sight, however, there was nothing. Then, suddenly, a golden light began to bathe the air. The glow became brighter and brighter, forcing the students to close their eyes under the violence of the light. A powerful breeze swept through the room, like a sudden wind, ruffling hair and rattling capes.
All this lasted only a few seconds. When calm returned and the eyelids reopened, a little girl was standing there. She couldn't have been more than five years old, standing there with a bewildered look on her face. Her long curly black hair fell in a mess around her face, and she was covered in dirt and scratches. In one hand she held a black stuffed wolf, and her intense grey gaze scanned the room with suspicion and fear. Her pink dress was torn, her tights ripped and stained, and she was missing a shoe. Several worrying reddish marks covered her small body. It was obvious that she had come a long way, and her journey had not been an easy one.
The little girl slowly turned her head towards the teachers' table, and her expression changed dramatically when she caught sight of Sirius. Her lips trembled, then she burst into tears, her little arms outstretched towards him. A heavy silence fell over the room as her despair tore at the hearts of everyone present.
Sirius, his eyes wide, didn't waste a moment. He rushed towards her, the teachers at his heels, although he didn't seem to notice them. He crouched down at her height, and the little girl collapsed into his arms, clinging to him like a lifeline. Her little hands clutched desperately at his wizard's robe, while tears flooded her shoulder.
"She's not physically hurt," Poppy murmured, examining the girl closely. "But she's clearly been exposed to a high concentration of magic. She needs to be taken to the infirmary."
Dumbledore, wand in hand, scanned his surroundings.
"There is no longer any immediate danger," he announced calmly. "Go on, I'll join you."
Without a word, Sirius rose to his feet, the little girl nestling against him, and crossed the great hall, the pupils' eyes riveted on them. As he passed, he met Hermione's gaze and gave her a worried but confident smile.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore reassured the students in a confident tone. He explained that the child had been brought here by a powerful white magic spell, and that she posed no threat. Everything would soon be clarified. This did not stop the four Gryffindors from giving each other a surprised look. What had just happened?
In the infirmary, despite the nurse's best efforts, the little girl refused to let go of Sirius. Between sobs, her words were incomprehensible. Poppy had to administer a calming potion and another to help her deal with the effects of the intense magic she had been through. As the potions began to take effect, Dumbledore arrived and they began to debate the possible origin of the child, putting forward several hypotheses. Sirius, absorbed, concentrated solely on the little girl in his arms, gently caressing her back to soothe her.
Gradually her tears subsided and Sirius tried to get her to speak.
"It's all right, you're safe now," he murmured softly, hoping to catch her eye.
He looked into her steel-grey eyes and was struck by a strange familiarity. He knew that look, but from where?
Remus entered just then, having been informed of the situation. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Sirius holding the child, a strange feeling running through him too. Sirius produced a damp glove and gently wiped the child's dirty face, revealing fine, determined features, despite her obvious confusion.
"What's your name?" asked Sirius gently.
She sniffed, still clinging to him.
"You know... you know what my name is," she stammered, before resting her head against his shoulder, as if finding a familiar comfort in his arms.
Sirius exchanged a puzzled look with the others, shaking his head discreetly. He had no idea who she was.
"What about me?" intervened Albus, his voice full of sudden intuition. "Do I know your name too?"
The little girl stared at him, frowning.
"Yes, Grandpa Albus!"
The whole room froze in amazement.
"Grandpa Albus?" repeated Minerva, her eyes round. "And me, what do you call me?"
The little girl raised her eyes to the sky with a pout that seemed strangely familiar.
"Granny Neva!" she said in an obvious tone.
Incredulous smiles spread across their faces. Remus took a step forward.
"What about me?"
She smiled weakly at him.
"Uncle Remus!"
Sirius couldn't hold back a laugh, pushing a curly lock back from his face.
"What about me?" he asked at last, curious.
The little girl's reply left them all speechless.
"You, you're Dad!"
The silence that followed was palpable. Sirius, frozen, his mouth ajar, stared at the child. He turned to the others, unable to utter a single word.
"How old are you?" resumed Albus to break the tension.
The little girl proudly held up five fingers.
"Five years like this!
Sirius, stunned, murmured to himself: "Five years ago, I had just escaped from Azkaban..."
"Could it be that...?" began Albus, but Sirius shook his head, a nervous laugh escaping his lips.
Oh, he hadn't been with any women at the time, he was more than sure of that. He had other things on his mind then.
"No, it's impossible. Absolutely impossible."
The little girl gently raised a hand to her face.
"Mum said you'd be my dad, but you're not really my dad."
Sirius widened his eyes.
"What did your mum say?" he asked cautiously.
The little girl's tears returned.
"She said a lot of things... but... she... she stayed there... with the bad guys..."
Her tears redoubled and Sirius held her tighter.
Dumbledore sighed softly.
"We're going to do this another way. Can you try to remember your parents and the events that led you here for me?"
She hiccupped between her tears and opined with difficulty.
"You're brave," encouraged Sirius with a gentle look.
She concentrated and Albus guided her. With one fluid movement, he retrieved the child's memories, placing them in a vial which he poured into a Pensine.
Sirius, still carrying the little girl, came forward with the others. They all looked at each other determinedly, then plunged together into their memories.
They found themselves back at Hogwarts, but in a slightly different version of Sirius's flats. A children's playground occupied part of the living room, clothes were strewn across an armchair, and a bassinet stood by the front door. The atmosphere was homely and intimate.
In front of them, a baby trotted clumsily across the carpet. Its curly black hair left no doubt as to its identity: it was Adhara, but only a few months old. A Sirius almost identical to the one they knew squatted in front of her, arms outstretched, smiling brightly.
"Come on, Ada! Come to Daddy," he encouraged her.
The baby chirped happily, took a few uncertain steps before rushing into her father's arms. Sirius lifted her up laughing, showering her with loud congratulations, and the little one burst out laughing in her turn.
Sirius, watching the scene, seemed lost.
"It's weird," he murmured, as if looking for a rational explanation. "I mean, it's not..."
He had no time to express his doubts. A noise made them turn towards the entrance, where the portrait slid open to reveal a young woman. They recognised her immediately, although her appearance was different. Hermione Granger, dressed in a dark red witch's dress with gold patterns, entered the room. Under her dress she wore brown velvet trousers and a white shirt. Her hair, usually tied up in a bun, was carefully braided this time, and discreet make-up highlighted her face. This contrast confused the observers.
"Hi," she said softly, casually placing a satchel on the table.
Sirius immediately sat up excitedly, still holding the baby.
"Wait, wait," he said, looking clearly delighted.
He gently placed Adhara on the ground and held her hands to help her walk towards Hermione. Hermione, who was visibly just as moved, knelt down and stretched out her arms towards their daughter.
"Are you coming to see me, my love?" she smiled tenderly.
Sirius let go of one of the little girl's hands so that she could go towards her mother. Adhara, after some hesitation, walked awkwardly towards Hermione, staggering slightly.
"Go to her Adhara, go to Mum," Sirius smiled, pointing to Hermione who was waiting for him.
Hermione called her name again and, wanting to join her mummy, the baby had no choice but to let go of her daddy's hand. She struggled to keep her balance, ended up upside down, with her bottom in the air, her hands on the ground, to the tender laughter of her parents, and then carefully got to her feet. She took a step to Hermione's exclamations. The little girl staggered and her steps were suddenly more sure. She rushed a little and Hermione picked her up in her arms at the last moment. Hermione's joyful laughter rang out as she held her close.
"Bravo, my darling! Bravo!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride.
Sirius, watching them, had a look of tenderness in his eyes.
Then, before they could react, the image faded, propelling them into another memory. They were back in the same flats, but this time the toys had changed, the playpen had disappeared, replaced by older children's games. The coffee table was littered with colourful drawings. Adhara, now perhaps three years old, opened the door to her parents' bedroom with a determined gesture.
They followed her, as if drawn by an invisible force. Inside, they found Sirius and Hermione asleep together on the four-poster bed. Shirtless Sirius lay on his back, Hermione snuggled up to him, her curls tangled behind her back. She was wearing a black shirt that certainly didn't belong to her and the intimate atmosphere forced them to stand back, especially Minerva, Remus and Albus, while Sirius watched the scene, bewildered.
Adhara climbed onto the bed and put her little hands on her father.
"Dad?" she whispered softly.
Sirius barely moved, tightening his grip on Hermione. She sighed, her eyes still closed.
"Ada... it's too early... do you want to go back to bed?" she offered in a sleepy voice.
But the little girl insisted.
"No, Dad said we'd make pancakes today," she replied with a look of determination.
Sirius grunted, running a hand over his face as Hermione gently stroked his stomach.
"That's right," he murmured. "All right, I'm coming. Will you wait for me in the kitchen?"
Adhara, excited by the prospect of pancakes, climbed out of bed with a cry of joy. But she was not fooled and stayed close by, checking that he was really getting up. Hermione let out a soft laugh as Sirius pulled her a little closer to him.
"Why don't you come and help us?" he offered with a mischievous smile.
Hermione, her eyes half closed, replied with a laugh, "Tempting, but I think I'll extend my night."
Their exchange was tender, intimate, and Sirius, observing it from the outside, found it hard to conceive of a reality so different from his own. Hermione Granger, the brilliant pupil twenty years his junior, was his companion here, and they formed a family with this child.
The scene blurred again, propelling them into another memory, this time outside the Burrow, where a large gathering was taking place. Children were running around, the tallest sporting bright blue hair. Adhara, now older, was approaching the table where the adults were sitting, talking gravely. All the Weasleys were there, except Charlie, and there was tension in their faces.
"That's the third one," Harry said, sitting next to a visibly worried Ginny.
"This isn't right," Hermione added, giving Sirius an anxious look.
The atmosphere was heavy, and the group of observers moved closer together, sensing that this conversation might provide them with some answers.
"Do you have any leads?" asked Molly, with a sleeping baby in her arms.
"A few," Harry replied seriously. "But they always seem to be several steps ahead. We just wanted to give you a heads-up, so you can be on your guard."
Ron nodded beside him, arms folded.
Their exchange foreshadowed imminent danger. Suddenly, their vision blurred and they were suddenly back at Hogwarts, in Sirius's study.
The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with ancient grimoires and mysterious potions. In the centre sat a huge mahogany desk, covered in parchments, books and quill pens, creating an organised chaos. Adhara, seated on the carpet, was pencilling diligently on the coffee table, while Sirius, glasses on his nose, was bent over a copy, concentrating. The atmosphere was calm.
They were about to ask each other what they were doing there when the office door opened suddenly. Hermione entered, her face broken and her eyes terrified.
"Sirius!" she called in a trembling voice.
He leapt to his feet, worry etched on his features, and she rushed into his arms. She embraced him, bursting into tears against his neck.
"Hermione? What's the matter, love?" asked Sirius, gently caressing her tear-streaked face.
Adhara, having joined her parents, looked up at them with worried eyes.
"What's wrong with Mum?"
Sirius shook his head, his heart sinking.
"I don't know, my princess... I don't know..." he whispered, helpless in the face of Hermione's pain.
It was clear that he was deeply affected by this.
"Ron..." sobbed Hermione suddenly. "It's Ron."
The realisation struck Sirius right in the heart. He shook his head, refusing to believe it, his forehead brushing Hermione's.
"No, no... not after Harry. That's not possible..."
Adhara, pressed against them, wept silently as their bodies slid to the ground under the weight of the impact.
"I don't want Uncle Ron to go!" screamed the little girl, buried in her parents' arms.
The vision suddenly faded, leaving in its wake a feeling of suffocation, a dull ache. An invisible vise was tightening around their hearts.
They found themselves back in Sirius's flats. Adhara stood in the doorway to the bathroom, watching in silence. They positioned themselves behind her, seeing the scene through her eyes.
Sirius and Hermione were standing there, close together. Hermione was visibly shaken and her eyes were full of tears.
"Hermione, darling," Sirius said softly, his hand caressing her arm. "That's good news, very good news," he added with a shy smile.
But Hermione shook her head, her arms encircling her own body, as if to protect herself. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.
"No... no, I can't..." she murmured, one hand instinctively resting on her still flat stomach. "I'm already so scared of losing you. I can't take that risk."
Then they understood: Hermione was pregnant.
Sirius came closer, resting his forehead against hers.
"I'll be fine. The news is good. Three Death Eaters have been caught. You have to believe," he reassured her, even if his own smile betrayed a slight apprehension.
She trembled in his arms, letting herself go gently against him.
"I'd like to be happy, but..."
Her voice broke and Sirius cradled her tenderly.
The image faded, leaving them bewildered, with the feeling that the future was much darker than they had anticipated.
They opened their eyes in Adhara's room. Hermione, now visibly pregnant, was kneeling before her daughter, her curly black hair cascading over her shoulders. Above all, she was wearing her little pink dress.
"It's very important, Adhara," Hermione explained gently. "Where you go, we'll be there, but different."
She glanced anxiously towards the door, a sign that time was running out.
"You'll have to be brave, my love. I know you can do it."
She tenderly caressed her daughter's cheek before taking out two small envelopes and slipping them into the pocket of her dress, which she sealed with a spell.
"You're going to travel back in time, to a time when neither I nor your father were married. That's where you'll be safe."
Adhara frowned, not understanding how a world without her married parents could exist.
"I don't want to!" she protested. I want to stay with you!"
"I know, my love. But we have no choice. Everything depends on you now. We'll come for you, I promise."
Tears rolled silently down Adhara's cheeks as Hermione hugged her, kissing her tenderly.
The image became blurred before flipping into the forbidden forest. Hermione was running, holding Adhara by the hand, her cheeks streaked with tears. A shoe was missing from her foot and her dress was torn. Hermione, determined, cut a straight path through the dense vegetation.
They emerged into a clearing where magic seemed to pulsate in the air. Hermione placed Adhara in the centre and gently smoothed her wild hair, murmuring comforting words despite the cries of the pursuers who were getting closer.
"We love you, my love. We love you so much," Hermione breathed as she raised her wand.
The incantation she uttered was in an ancient, unknown language.
"A very high level of white magic," Albus breathed in amazement.
A golden bubble formed around Adhara as Hermione turned to ward off a spell. Six hooded figures emerged from the shadows, cackling sinisterly.
«At last... the mud-blood shows her face," sneered one of them. "You'll soon be joining your blood traitor of husband in Hell!"
Hermione gripped her wand tighter, refusing to give in to the terror. She had to buy time. For Adhara.
The next second, however, spells came from all sides. She protected herself, deflecting others. Behind her, the golden bubble was protecting her daughter, but she needed more time and more magical power for the incantation to work. She forced herself to concentrate on it so as not to think about what they had just said.
"But she knows how to defend herself!" commented one of the mangemorts. "But will you still be fighting when you see what happened to your husband?"
The others burst out laughing and Hermione tightened her grip on her wand. She had to concentrate on Adhara. Her other hand on her rounded stomach, she felt the tears roll down her cheeks. Had they...? She knew it was a lost cause and that she couldn't defeat them on her own. She wouldn't be able to protect her baby, but Adhara... She was clinging to that now.
They were surprised to see her attack violently and one of them was knocked into a tree. She screamed in rage and her spells redoubled. Adhara's golden bubble shone even brighter. It still lacked a little power though, just a little. Hermione knew that if she died, the spell would be broken. She had to hold on.
A spell grazed her arm and she threw herself to the side. She righted herself immediately afterwards and physically dodged the next spell. Another hit her full force and she fell to the ground. She picked herself up with eyes shining with determination. Too much rested on her. Harry, Ron, and others. She had to make it.
"I think she needs a little trip back to Earth," said one of the men.
Suddenly, a body appeared in front of her. In a terrible state, barely breathing, it was Sirius.
"Sirius!" cried Hermione, rushing to his side.
He was cold and his side was gaping, a horrible wound.
"Her... mione..." he murmured, every breath costing him.
"Don't talk, my love," said the young woman, placing a hand on his cheek.
He was terribly cold. All she could do was delay the inevitable. Her enemies struck with greater ferocity, and she found herself overwhelmed, the life escaping from Sirius between her fingers without her being able to do anything about it.
"Ada... Adhara...," he mumbled, trying to raise a hand to her.
She took it in hers and nodded, leaning towards him.
"I love you Sirius, I love you," she breathed, kissing him.
He smiled and his eyes clouded over in a few seconds. Hermione felt her heart stop in her chest. No, it couldn't be. Her wand, still raised, vibrated as she held Sirius's hand in hers.
"Sirius? Sirius?!"
He did not answer, his grey eyes forever open. They felt Hermione's pain rip through them as she desperately called out to him in vain, and a wave of pure, uncontrolled magic emanated from her, knocking the Death Eaters to the ground. In one last burst of desperation and rage, she stood up, ready to face anything.
"I'm waiting for you," she said in a dark voice.
Suddenly worried about the success of their plan, they cast the same spell at the same time.
"Crucio!"
Hermione strengthened her shield, knowing that it would not hold. A hand on her stomach and she felt her whole body shiver. The spells shattered the protego and hit her. At the same time, an incredible light burst out of her and she screamed. The mangemorts could see that their spells were not working. It was as if she was repelling them without using her wand. The power she unleashed affected the golden bubble still holding Adhara and their vision gradually blurred. Everything dimmed.
The last thing they saw before being expelled from the pensine was Hermione, giving her daughter one last loving look before collapsing next to Sirius.
Sirius, back in the present, held Adhara close, his own tears rolling down his cheeks. Remus laid a hand on her shoulder, silent, heartbroken by what they had just been through.
"By Merlin..." gasped Minerva, as upset as everyone else.
"She sent her here to stop all this happening," Sirius said, wiping away his tears. "We have to do something."
Albus nodded, his expression marked by deep astonishment.
"Truly the most brilliant witch of her generation..." he murmured, his gaze fixed on Adhara.
"Is Mummy dead?" asked the little girl in a trembling voice. "And you, Daddy? You were dead too!"
Sirius took a deep breath and gently sat her down on the bed, kneeling in front of her.
"Your mum sent you to the past," he explained gently. "You don't exist here yet."
"Where am I, then?" asked Adhara sceptically, her gaze piercing.
Sirius hesitated, searching for the right words to use on such delicate ground.
"I don't know exactly," he finally replied, "but don't worry. You'll find your parents, I promise."
He took the letters out of his pocket and handed them to Albus, who was standing beside him.
"In the meantime, I'll look after you," he said, trying to smile.
"And Mum?" insisted Adhara.
Sirius exchanged glances with the others, Hermione's question floating in the air. Should she be told?
"There are two letters," Albus said, breaking the silence. "One for you, Sirius, and one for Miss Granger."
The answer to their question. Albus handed the first letter back to Sirius, who unfolded it with slightly trembling hands. Inside was a list of names - those of the escaped Death Eaters - along with locations, several for each person.
"That's what happened," Remus commented, scanning the list. "The Death Eaters sought revenge."
Sirius felt his body tingle as he opened the second piece of paper, his breath held.
"Sirius,
If you are reading this letter, then she has succeeded. I knew she would. She's Hermione, after all. If anyone could do it, she could. I know this must come as a shock, and in your time you only think of her as Harry's best friend. But things are going to change. In the future, we're married and have a lovely little girl, Adhara. She's as lively as her mum, and you'll see, she's a sweetheart.
But I need to explain why we had to send her away in the past. A few months ago, former members of the Order started disappearing. We knew we were in danger when Harry and Ginny were kidnapped too..."
Sirius's heart squeezed painfully. Harry, again... Shapes rippled across the parchment, as if the author had struggled to write the words.
"Harry..." he murmured to himself, barely aware of the stares turned towards him.
He continued:
"It was a nightmare. The Aurors worked tirelessly, but Tonks... she never came back."
Sirius looked sharply up at Remus, feeling his heart break for his friend. Hadn't they suffered enough in their lives? Why was it that when they thought they were finally happy, fate caught up with them so cruelly?
He continued reading:
"Ron disappeared shortly afterwards, and that's when we found out we were expecting another child. It wasn't the right time, but it gave us a glimmer of hope in the midst of all the despair. We came up with a plan. In this letter you have a list of the Death Eaters still at large and where they are hiding. Find them before it's too late. If you succeed, Adhara will no longer need to be sent back in time, and everything can go back to the way it was... I hope. In the meantime, take care of her and her mother. With all my affection,
Sirius "
Sirius clutched the letter, his hands trembling with emotion. Remus laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, while Albus studied the list carefully. Sirius, unable to speak, handed the letter to Remus, who read it in turn. He knew he had reached the announcement of Tonks' disappearance when his face hardened.
"We won't let that happen," assured Sirius, gently stroking the cheek of an exhausted Adhara.
"Can I see my mum?" asked the little girl in a weak voice.
"First, you're going to eat something, okay? Then you're going to have a shower, and after you've had some sleep, you're going to see your mum," assured Sirius, aware that he couldn't leave her without her mum after what he'd just seen.
The little girl nodded, satisfied with this promise.
Poppy looked after her and helped her eat, even though her appetite was poor. Then she shrunk some clothes for her and showered her with Sirius. He didn't want to distance himself from her and knew that, despite her silence, Adhara had probably seen the unimaginable. And that was already too much.
Meanwhile, Albus, Minerva and Remus gathered in the Headmaster's office to arrange an urgent meeting of the Order. The Ministry would also be informed, but with caution. Albus didn't think it was necessary for details of time travel to reach the authorities.
As promised, Adhara fell asleep after Sirius had tucked her in tenderly.
"Let me know as soon as she wakes up," Sirius said to Poppy, before leaving the infirmary.
Then he went straight to Albus's office, where the three adults were having a serious discussion.
"She's asleep," announced Sirius as he entered.
Albus nodded and handed him the other envelope.
"It's for Hermione," he clarified.
Sirius immediately recognised the handwriting on the envelope.
"I thought they were finally going to have a normal year..." he sighed, running a tired hand through his hair.
Minerva shared his sigh, obviously of the same opinion.
"Do we really have to tell her?" she asked hesitantly.
Sirius was categorical.
"Adhara needs her. She saw her parents die in front of her."
Albus and Remus nodded in silence.
"I'll let her know," said Sirius, getting up.
"Take the pensine," added Albus.
Sirius winced, knowing how difficult it would be to see those memories. But he knew that Albus was right: Hermione had to understand.
He left the study and headed for the library, guessing that Hermione would be there. And he wasn't wrong. At her usual table, she was studying with concentration. As he approached, she looked up, immediately sensing that something was wrong. Her questioning chocolate eyes looked into Sirius'. He swallowed, trying to think how to break the news to her.
How could he tell her that the mysterious little girl who appeared in the Great Hall was their daughter from the future, sent because they had both been killed by escaped Death Eaters? That they had sent her here to stop such a future happening? That she was their last hope... It was insane, unbelievable... and yet it was true.
Here's the first chapter of this story. I did a Hermione/Drago variant a while ago (in french…) and here I am with a Sirius/Hermione version ahahah! Well, the stories are still different. I'll post the rest depending on my schedule and the time I have. I'm already finding it hard to stick to one chapter a week for my other story, so I don't want to get ahead of myself. In the meantime, don't hesitate to leave me a review if you liked it! See you soon!