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: Hi! Thank you to Julybear019 and Carlaisabel for being there and reminding me to post! :D I am posting this chapter for you! Thank you for your support. For Severus, well… very good question. I didn't want him to die but I needed place for Remus et Sirius as teachers so… if I need to find an answer, we can see he is splitted between potions and dada as a second teacher let's say ;) maybe more students in Hogwards and you need more teachers ;) (sometimes I do that for some of my other stories ;))To be honest, I didn't think about it XD but really good question! Enjoy this chapter! :D


Chapter 5: Christmas and a return to reality


The next morning, Christmas Day, Sirius and Adhara had just enough time to get ready and arrived at the Burrow by midday. Hermione wasn't there yet but Adhara fell into the arms of Ginny. Ginny had explained the situation to her parents so that they wouldn't be surprised by the little girl's presence. This did not stop Molly and Arthur from asking Sirius about the situation and Adhara found herself in Harry's arms, telling him all about her last days while a few metres away, Sirius was chatting with the Weasley parents.

"With Hermione? Now that's a surprise," Molly repeated, finding it hard to believe.

Arthur nodded with a benevolent smile, but the look of surprise never left his face.

"Ginny told us... let's just say we found it hard to believe that such an event had occurred."

Sirius smiled in understanding.

"I understand that. It took me a while to get used to it myself. Being a father overnight to such a lively little girl... it's no mean feat."

Their conversation was interrupted by Remus, who was standing by the window and had spotted a familiar figure approaching the house.

"Hermione has arrived," he announced in a calm but warm voice.

No sooner had he said these words than Adhara broke free of Harry's arms, leaping towards the door with an excitement that was hard to contain.

"Ada, wait! At least put your coat on!" called Sirius, catching up with the little girl who was no longer able to hold still.

He helped her put on her coat, although the little girl didn't even take the time to button it properly, and followed her outside, smiling, amused by the impatience she wasn't even hiding.

Adhara ran towards Hermione as soon as she saw her, a joyful cry escaping from her lips. Hermione, touched by the scene, opened her arms wide and, in a knowing embrace, lifted her up to spin her around. They burst out laughing, and Sirius stood looking at them for a moment, his heart strangely tight. He was also happy to see her again.

Hermione finally looked up at him and gave him a radiant smile, one of those that seemed to contain a special tenderness that he had rarely seen.

"Hi," she murmured, her voice soft, almost shy despite the sparkle in her eyes.

- Hi," he replied breathlessly, unable to tear his gaze from hers.

Their eyes met in complicit silence, interrupted by a small impatient voice.

"Why don't you kiss each other?" asked Adhara innocently.

Hermione and Sirius exchanged an amused glance, then laughed, a little embarrassed but touched by this spontaneous remark.

Hermione teasingly replied with a smile, "Sirius is my teacher, darling. But it's true that two days without seeing each other is a long time."

And, without stopping smiling, she stood on tiptoe and placed a quick kiss on Sirius's cheek before walking away with Adhara in her arms, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"But that's not a real kiss!" protested Adhara, her lips pouting as her mother laughed softly.

Sirius watched her walk away, his cheek still warm from her light kiss. He felt his heart race, and even as he tried to concentrate on other things, Hermione's scent remained imprinted on his memory.

Hermione was mobbed by her friends as she arrived and barely managed to remove her cloak between the various embraces. Sirius stood back, watching the scene with a smile. She was wearing an elegant red dress, less daring than the one at the ball but just as lovely, her curls falling gracefully over her shoulders. She seemed to be glowing, and although he tried to distract himself, Sirius couldn't take his eyes off her.

Remus, at his side, gave him a knowing look and a smirk. Caught off guard, Sirius finally looked away, trying to hide the obvious attraction in his eyes.

Fortunately, the chaotic conversation and the joyous laughter that filled the Burrow masked his confusion, and Sirius was able to lose himself in his thoughts for a few moments without attracting attention. Or so he thought... until his gaze met the chocolate eyes of Hermione, who was watching him, amused. She uttered a silent question that he had no trouble understanding: "How did it go?"

A slight wink answered her, indicating that everything had gone well. She smiled at him, a smile full of tenderness and complicity.

Beside him, Adhara did not let go of his hand. The little girl, so happy to have her mum back, immediately began to tell her every detail of the two days she had spent with her dad. Sitting between her two parents at the dinner table, she spoke so animatedly that Sirius and Hermione couldn't help but exchange amused glances.

Everyone at the Burrow listened with one ear, smiling at the enthusiasm of the little girl who, after all, had known each of them for a long time and seemed totally at home. Molly and Arthur themselves, touched by this closeness, would happily let her call them "Grandma" and "Grandpa", a nickname they seemed to cherish.

When the meal was over, the excitement went up a notch with the opening of the presents. Despite the late announcement of Adhara's presence, everyone had found something for her. Hermione watched tenderly as her daughter unwrapped her packages with exclamations of surprise. The little girl received a number of books, something that seemed to surprise no one: she was far too much like her mother. Adhara loved to be told stories, and Hermione knew that these books would be treasures for her.

Adhara's attention was finally caught by a miniature broom kit offered by Ron and George. The little girl was looking at it with stars in her eyes, and Hermione cast an amused, if slightly worried, glance at her two friends. She could already imagine Adhara riding that broom at top speed through the Burrow! Before the little girl could test her gift, however, Sirius discreetly caught her eye and reminded her of the last present they had prepared for Hermione.

Hermione was on the other side of the room, deep in conversation with Ron and George, but Adhara had no trouble diverting her attention. With a delighted smile, she ran over to her mum and climbed onto her lap, an envelope in her hands.

"It's not a present from Father Christmas, it's from Daddy and me," she says proudly, handing her the envelope with a playful smile.

Intrigued, Hermione gently picked up the envelope, looking up briefly at Sirius, who was chatting with Remus a little further on. His smirk, seen over the crowd, betrayed that he was perfectly aware of the contents of the envelope.

Hermione turned her attention back to the gift and carefully opened the envelope to take out a drawing of Adhara. The drawing was touching, a glimpse of Adhara's vision of their little family. The three of them were shown standing in a familiar but slightly different setting, a Hogwarts that Hermione recognised as being that of the future.

"It's very nice, my love," Hermione murmured, her heart softening, while Adhara, impatient, trembled with excitement.

- Look at the back, Mum!" encouraged Adhara, her eyes sparkling.

Hermione turned the drawing over and found a few handwritten words on the back, along with the previous day's date and Adhara's small signature. Next to it, a note in elegant handwriting, which she knew perfectly well, immediately drew her attention:

"Join me for the rest of your gift... S.O.B."

This discreet invitation sent a shiver of excitement down Hermione's spine. The note was succinct, enigmatic, and her curiosity could only be piqued by this touch of mystery. Looking up, she realised that Sirius had disappeared from her field of vision, and she caught Remus's gaze as he discreetly pointed in the direction of the door. She suppressed an amused smile.

"Thank you very much, Adhara. It's a lovely drawing and a lovely present," she said, placing a tender kiss on her daughter's forehead.

Delighted, Adhara gave her a big, bright smile. Hermione carefully replaced the drawing in the envelope before rising discreetly.

"I'll be right back," she said, winking at Adhara, who, far too absorbed in her mini-balai, nodded before returning enthusiastically to her game.

Hermione left the room quietly, heading for the front door. With a flick of her wand, she drew her large red scarf to herself, wrapped it around her neck and stepped out into the crisp December chill, eager to discover the present Sirius had prepared for her.

Unsurprisingly, there he was, leaning against the stone wall outside, his gaze lost in the white veil of snow that had been falling on the Burrow since the previous day. When he heard her approach, he turned his head and smiled, but his expression changed slightly when he saw her, wrapped only in her red scarf. He stepped forward and, with a protective gesture, pulled off his jacket and placed it gently on her shoulders.

"I wanted us to have a bit of privacy," he breathed, his voice soft.

Hermione smiled, her cheeks slightly pink from the cold and perhaps a little from Sirius's presence.

"That's what I thought," she replied teasingly.

There was a moment of silence between them, a suspended moment when their eyes met. Hermione finally raised an eyebrow, decidedly curious. Sirius, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, opened his jacket to take out an envelope which he handed to Hermione. She took it, frowning, intrigued. It was a letter, written in an elegant hand but one she didn't recognise. She opened it, her gaze skimming quickly over the lines.

The contents gradually revealed themselves before her eyes: it was a reply to a request from Sirius. A certain Derick Storne, a name which awakened a vague memory in her, was replying, confirming that Sirius and two people of his choice could enjoy a private tour of the Museum of the History of Magic, including the sections closed to the public. They could choose a date that suited them.

Hermione looked up from the letter, dumbfounded. She read the lines again, making sure she had understood correctly. She knew about the Museum of the History of Magic, of course, having visited it several times, but she had never dared to dream of gaining access to the rooms closed to the public, where the museum's rarest manuscripts and most precious relics were kept.

She looked up at Sirius, a look of wonder in her eyes. He was still smiling at her, obviously impatient for her to react.

"The Museum of the History of Magic? Really?"

Sirius looked slightly worried, suddenly afraid that she might be disappointed, and he nodded with a shy smile.

"Especially the parts that aren't open to the public. I know there are a lot of collections kept in the Museum's reserves, and from what I've heard, it's really worth a visit. They have..."

Before he could finish, Hermione burst out laughing and, spontaneously, threw herself around his neck, knocking his jacket off his shoulders. Surprised, Sirius found himself with Hermione hanging over him, her face lit up by a radiant smile. Reflexively, he pulled her close to him, holding her tightly to prevent her from slipping on the snowy ground.

"It's incredible, Sirius! Thank you, Sirius! They have unpublished copies of Hogwarts history there, and also books in ancient runes that might even help us figure out how Adhara got here!"

She had detached herself from him and was talking to him with palpable excitement, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"When can we go?"

Sirius looked at her, moved by such a sincere reaction, and replied with a tender smile, "Whenever you like."

She seemed more than satisfied with his answer and began to talk enthusiastically about all the things they might see.

When they finally got home, Hermione couldn't hide her happiness, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Her expression didn't go unnoticed, and it didn't take long for questions to start flying around them. The other guests were not too surprised by Hermione's reaction when they learned the nature of the gift.

When evening came, she couldn't stop talking about it. It had been decided that she would spend the night at the Burrow, in Ginny's room where a bed had been added for Adhara, and that Sirius would return to the Square. Like many, however, he stayed for dinner. Hermione, sitting next to him, questioned him eagerly about the details of the visit. She wanted to know everything: the treasures contained in the private collection, the ancient works she would be able to see, the manuscripts in the Runic language...

Sirius, amused by her excitement, couldn't help but smile.

"Before the New Year, I promise. I'll be in touch with him tomorrow to arrange it."

Hermione gave him a dazzling smile, her eyes brimming with gratitude and joy. She would have liked, in a more intimate context, to hug him to express her gratitude, but she restrained herself.

Molly, who had been watching the pair for a moment, gave them a critical look before returning to her duties in the kitchen. Her expression betrayed a certain reticence about this closeness between Sirius and Hermione. She mumbled a few words to Remus, who was helping her prepare the tea.

"All the same," she grumbled, keeping an eye on the teapot as it began to boil. "He's her teacher, and Hermione's still so young..."

Remus smiled indulgently and replied softly, trying to allay his concerns.

"They're not together, Molly. They're just doing their best to look after Adhara, that's all.

- But it's real, Remus," she insisted as she poured the hot water, her tone slightly reproving. "This is proof that... "

Remus shrugged slightly, an amused twinkle in his eye.

"When Hermione leaves Hogwarts, they'll be quite free to do what they want, Molly. Hermione may look young, but she's been through enough to know what she wants and what's right for her."

Molly frowned, but she had nothing to say to that. She knew deep down that Remus was right.

She sighed, putting the teapot down wearily, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

"I suppose I'll need time to get used to it," she finally admits, a hint of resignation in her voice.

Remus smiled benevolently.

"Them too, I think," he replied, teasing slightly, retrieving the teapot and cups. "Come on, let's join them."

When they returned to the living room, Molly took a closer look at Sirius. She noticed the happy gleam in his eyes, the sincere smile that lit up his face. She hadn't seen him like that for a long time, laughing freely, clearly at peace.

She also watched Hermione, whose attention kept returning to her daughter. It was clear that Hermione found as much comfort and joy in her relationship with Adhara as Sirius did. Molly had to admit, despite her initial reluctance, that they were both doing very well. Their eyes, their gestures, everything showed a sincere concern, an unconditional love for this little girl who, in return, seemed fulfilled.

The moment came to say goodbye, and things became even more complicated for Sirius and Adhara. The little girl, settled in Sirius' arms, clung to him as if she feared being separated for too long.

"Why can't we all sleep together?" she asked, frowning, clearly annoyed.

Hermione replied in a soft, patient voice, trying to explain for the third time, "There's no room at the Burrow for your dad to stay here tonight, and I'd like to enjoy Ginny a bit too. But if you like, you can go and sleep with him in Grimmaurd Square."

But Adhara immediately shook her head, her mind firmly made up. She didn't want to leave her mum, not after the days she'd spent apart from her. Hermione stroked her hair tenderly to reassure her, exchanging a glance with Sirius.

"I'll be there in the morning, sweetie," Sirius promised, his eyes filled with tenderness. "You won't even know I'm gone."

Despite his reassuring words, it took a few more negotiations before Adhara agreed to let him go for the night. Finally, the little girl agreed, albeit reluctantly, and now snuggled up to Hermione to make up for her father's absence.

Sirius reluctantly walked away, taking one last look at the two embracing figures. Seeing him go like that, leaving Hermione and Adhara behind, seemed strange to him. He suppressed this feeling of discomfort and forced himself forward, joining Remus, Tonks and Teddy who were already waiting for him in front of the chimney.

As promised, Sirius was already here when Adhara woke up. Sitting at the dining table, he was leafing through files relating to the Magenmagot, a pile of documents that seemed particularly tedious, but which he absolutely had to examine as Lord Black. He looked up and a radiant smile lit up his face as he saw Adhara coming down the stairs, holding the hand of a still sleepy Hermione.

Adhara, delighted to see him, let go of her mother's hand and ran towards him. Sirius caught her skilfully and made her sit on his lap.

"Hello, my princess. Did you sleep well?" he asked tenderly.

The little girl nodded, pleased to see that Sirius glanced over at Hermione, who approached with a smile before taking a seat at the table. Their eyes met, and she felt a slight, pleasant shiver in the pit of her stomach. She poured herself a cup of steaming tea, hoping that it would help her wake up completely.

"Not slept enough?" joked Sirius, guessing she'd probably spent most of the night chatting to Ginny.

Hermione sighed with an unapologetic smile.

"Not really... but it was worth it."

She glanced at the documents in front of him.

"What are you working on?"

Sirius was happy to explain to her the details of his position at the Magenmagot, recounting with natural ease the obligations of his title and the complexity of current affairs. Hermione, fascinated by what he was saying, asked many questions, very interested in the workings of the Magenmagot. As for Adhara, she had finished lunch and was scribbling drawings on a parchment, diligently.

Ginny then came into the kitchen, followed by Bill, who had spent the night at the Weasleys'. Seeing Sirius and Hermione chatting with such complicity, she couldn't help smiling and met her mother's gaze. She had been watching the scene for a while, a slight, resigned smile on her face.

Once breakfast was over, the idea of a snowball fight was floated by George and Ron, and Adhara couldn't contain her enthusiasm. Naturally, Hermione and Sirius had to give in to their little girl's pleas; there was no way they were going to leave her alone to face George and Ron in what was going to be an intense battle. So they all went outside, soon joined by Tonks, while Remus preferred to look after little Teddy, wrapped up like an Eskimo in his wetsuit.

The battle began in disorderly fashion, with everyone throwing projectiles in all directions, until a semblance of strategy emerged. Unsurprisingly, Sirius, Hermione and Adhara formed a team. The others soon regretted this "chance" when a giant snowdog, animated by magic, leapt up to destabilise their fortifications.

Hermione, encouraged by Sirius, tried to cast a spell to summon an animated form in the snow. She concentrated, her mind naturally going to Adhara, a happy memory which helped her to channel her magical energy. But to her surprise, instead of the otter she knew so well, an imposing feline figure appeared briefly in front of her, albeit still blurred. This change confused her and she lost her concentration, making the snow creature disappear in a breath.

Sirius gave him a reassuring smile.

"We've been through a lot in the last few years," he murmured. "It's normal for some things to change."

Hermione nodded, still a little disconcerted, but lifted her wand again with renewed determination. This time, amidst the laughter and shouts of the battle, a magnificent snow panther emerged before her astonished eyes. The creature leapt powerfully at George and Ron's bulwark, and they barely had time to protect themselves before the onslaught covered them in snow.

With Adhara's enthusiasm and Sirius's encouragement, Hermione gave them the upper hand. They soon dominated the battle and Harry and Ginny, exhausted and drenched, finally gave up. Bill and Tonks tried to hold on, but even their combined efforts were no match for Sirius and Hermione's perseverance. Ron and George, meanwhile, were too busy trying to rebuild their crumbling ramparts to mount a real counter-attack.

Remus, standing by the door with little Teddy in his arms, watched the scene with an amused smile.

"It sounds like a real humiliation," he commented, eliciting laughter and a few grunts.

Distracted, Bill and Tonks also gave up, leaving Adhara triumphant, who then decided to start building a snowman behind the family rampart. With Ginny's help, they soon gave shape to a figure of a witch wearing a pointed hat and a long cape. With a few deft strokes of Ginny's wand, snow curls were added, giving the witch a strangely familiar appearance.

Molly opened the door to call them in.

"Let's eat! Come and eat!"

Adhara stood still, a spark of understanding in her eyes, and immediately rushed towards Molly, shouting, "I'm hungry!"

Molly greeted her with a laugh, hugging her tenderly. Adhara, still full of energy despite the battle, gave a passionate account of their exploits as they all returned home, their cheeks reddened by the cold but delighted.

It took a little time and persuasion for everyone to gather around the table for lunch.

The afternoon then unfolded in a cosy and peaceful atmosphere. Comfortably warm indoors, everyone took pleasure in slowing down the pace, enjoying their time together. George and Ron even offered to try out a prototype board game that George had developed. Ron encouraged him enthusiastically, adding a few ideas here and there, albeit sometimes clumsily.

The game provided a welcome distraction. Adhara, too young to follow all the rules, watched in fascination, laughing out loud when a prank or controlled explosion occurred on the board. For everyone, it was a breath of fresh air to see George getting back to doing what he loved, creating and sharing his passion. Everyone felt that, although there was still a long road to recovery, George was well on the way.


A few days later, as they had planned, Sirius, Hermione and Adhara spent the day at the Museum of Magical History. Sirius watched them with a tender smile, amused that he wasn't sure which of Hermione and Adhara seemed more in awe of the magical relics and ancient artefacts. The little girl held Hermione's hand, bouncing happily, and she kept glancing at her father, trying to share every discovery with him.

At that moment, all their daily lives seemed far away: neither the imminent start of the school year nor the heavy responsibilities weighing on Sirius and Hermione had any place here. It was an idyllic day when they managed to forget everything else.

New Year's Eve at the Burrow was just as magical. The Weasleys had decorated their home with great care, and laughter echoed throughout the evening.

After that, the return to reality, marked by the resumption of classes at Hogwarts, was a difficult transition for everyone.

Back in their respective roles as teacher and pupil, both were struggling to regain the distance imposed by the school context. Sirius, who had become accustomed to Hermione's constant presence, now felt the emptiness left by those moments spent together.

Hermione, too, found it increasingly difficult to leave them, almost regretting having to return to her flats every evening.

They were aware that their relationship was no longer that of teacher and pupil, or even that of two friends. Even if their relationship was justified for the moment by their commitment to Adhara, Hermione was well aware that this excuse was becoming increasingly fragile. And yet, despite this awareness of limits, neither she nor Sirius seemed ready to give it up.

They were not the only ones to suffer from the return to everyday life and, in the days following the start of the new school year, Adhara made no secret of her frustration. She went from days when both her parents were present to days when she was mainly with Moon. Even though she adored the elf, it wasn't the same.

One evening, at dinner, the little girl, visibly annoyed, stared at them intensely before blurting out in a direct tone:

"Why don't you fall in love?"

Sirius, fork suspended, exchanged a dumbfounded look with Hermione, whose cheeks took on a slight pinkish tinge. Sirius finally found his voice, albeit slightly hesitant.

"Adhara... We can't be together right now."

Adhara frowned, clearly unconvinced by this answer.

"Why?"

Hermione took over, trying to find the right words to explain to him a situation that was almost beyond them too.

"I'm still a student, Adhara. Sirius would be in danger of being expelled from Hogwarts if we became a couple. It would be against the rules."

The little girl wasn't so easily persuaded.

"Dad says he always breaks the rules, and even Mum does too!" she protested, referring to her real parents, the ones from the future.

Hermione and Sirius exchanged a knowing glance, a mixture of amused pride and embarrassment. Yes, they had both had their share of transgressions in the past.

"It's a slightly different situation, Ada," Sirius said more seriously. "With you coming here, everyone at Hogwarts is watching us. You're living proof that in the future, your mum and I will end up together. It's complicated enough as it is."

Adhara pursed her lips in disappointment, her eyes shining with a glint of sadness.

"Am I going to disappear? Like Mum and Dad?"

The girl's poignant question echoed in the silence. Hermione felt her heart clench, a wave of emotion washing over her.

"No, my love, you won't disappear. I promise."

But Adhara was not content with this assurance. A wounded anger rose up inside her.

"You already promised Daddy wouldn't go!" she replied, tears welling up in her eyes, before hurriedly getting up and running out of the room.

Hermione felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. She put a hand to her mouth, her heart heavy, trying to hold back her own emotions. Sirius, understanding the impact of this accusation on Hermione, gently grabbed her hand to restrain her before she followed Adhara.

"I'll go and talk to her," he said calmly.

He gazed reassuringly into Hermione's eyes, which calmed slightly. She nodded and let him go, murmuring a barely audible "Thank you".

Sirius found Adhara curled up on her bed, her shoulders shaking with muffled sobs. Sitting down gently on the floor beside her, he called out to her tenderly.

"Adhara... I know you're sad and all this is complicated. But listen to me. Your dad is alive and well, and you'll find him again one day. I promise you that we will never, ever give up on you."

Adhara sat up slightly, hiccupping, but her words were barely audible through her tears.

"I can't believe you... You don't love Mum... You're going to leave like my other Dad..."

This confession tore Sirius apart. He realised that, despite the strong bond he had already built with her, Adhara still had doubts and fears. But it was above all the insinuation that he didn't like Hermione that made him react.

"Just because I'm not in a relationship with Hermione doesn't mean I don't love her," he declared, his voice laden with a tenderness he no longer concealed.

Adhara looked up at him with misty eyes, surprised.

"Do you love Mum?"

Sirius gave a sincere smile, grateful that his holiday with Hermione had brought out the best in him. The reality was clear to him: she occupied his thoughts, brightened his days, and even the small moments of silence in her presence filled him with a joy that he could not ignore. Yes, he had loved her, for longer than he cared to admit.

"Yes, I love her," he admitted at last, feeling a weight lift from his heart.

At these words, a radiant smile lit up Adhara's face. However, Sirius added with a smirk:

"But don't tell her, okay? It would make her uncomfortable right now."

Adhara nodded, but she was clearly not convinced of the usefulness of secrecy.

"Mum loves you too!" she exclaimed, as if it were obvious. "That's for sure! Mummy loves you!"

Sirius replied with an indulgent look and a benevolent smile.

"I know your mum loved your dad in the future. But here, Adhara, whatever our feelings, they must remain secret for now."

The girl shook her head forcefully, clearly determined.

"No, Mum loves you here too," she murmured with unshakeable certainty.

Sirius smiled, touched by the little girl's confidence. In a corner of his heart, he hoped she was right

Outside the room, Hermione held her breath. She hadn't planned to overhear a private conversation, but she had wanted to stay close in case Adhara needed her, ready to assist Sirius. What she hadn't anticipated was finding herself witness to an unexpected love declaration.

She could hear Sirius' reassuring tone, a quiet certainty in his voice that almost surprised her. Of course, she knew that he showed her affection on a daily basis, through a thousand little gestures and glances. He often brushed against her shoulder, gave her a wry smile or gently teased her. But this time, to hear him tell her outright that he loved her made her heart leap. She felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

As the voices in the girl's room faded, Hermione discreetly stepped back into the living room to give them some privacy. When they finally reappeared, Adhara rushed into her arms, and Hermione welcomed her tenderly without saying a word. Sirius watched them for a moment, a gentle smile on his lips, then brought the plates back so that they could finish their meal in a more serene atmosphere.

At one point in the conversation, Hermione made a suggestion to brighten up the weekend.

"Why don't the three of us do something this weekend? Just us."

Adhara, suddenly very excited, threw out an idea with enthusiasm.

"We could go skating!"

Sirius, amused, raised an eyebrow.

"I think some of the water is actually frozen. But tell me, can you skate?

- Yes! Mum taught me!" replied Adhara, proudly.

Sirius frowned, slightly puzzled that he hadn't been the one to pass on this skill.

Hermione smiled gently.

"I skate with my parents every winter."

Sirius turned to her, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Ah, I see. So you'll be our teacher," he joked.

Adhara protested loudly.

"But I can skate! And so can you, Dad!"

Hermione burst out laughing, carried away by the girl's infectious enthusiasm. A few moments later, they finished their meal and Sirius went to tuck Adhara in. When he returned, he found Hermione sitting in front of the fireplace, her gaze lost in the flames, her knees drawn up against her chest, her face marked by a concern that she no longer bothered to conceal.

He sat down beside her, immediately sensing the tension in her features.

"What is it?" he asked in a soft voice.

She was silent for a moment, then sighed.

"There are only two Death Eaters left on the loose. It's only a matter of time before Adhara returns to her parents. What will we do then?"

Sirius immediately understood the significance of his question. Since their meeting in this complex present, they had avoided discussing the future that awaited them after Adhara's departure.

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Adhara has to go back to her parents, you know that," he began, searching for the words. "But..."

He hesitated, unsettled by the intensity of her gaze, which demanded much more than a logical answer.

"As for us... well, we'll find ways of seeing each other. You always come here for dinner every week, and then there are the meals at the Lupins', the afternoon board games..."

Hermione cut him off with a slight sigh.

"Sirius," she murmured indecisively, as if searching for the words that would finally convey what she was feeling.

He guessed what she was asking and was almost following her thoughts when she suddenly sighed. She seemed to give up, shrugging her shoulders in resignation.

"Or," Sirius resumed with a smile, a spark of audacity in his eyes, "we do as Adhara suggests... and break the rules."

Hermione stood open-mouthed in disbelief.

"Are you joking?" she asked, shocked but amused.

He shrugged, smiling mischievously.

"It's an old habit, isn't it?" he says, winking at her.

She stared at him, unable to believe what he was suggesting.

"Sirius, you have too much to lose. And what would that mean...? That we're... dating? Would you go out with me?"

At that moment, their eyes met and Hermione felt her heart race.

He slowly approached her, his smile becoming more tender, more serious.

"Do I want to go out with you? Hermione, it's so much more than that."

She held her breath, feeling irresistibly drawn to him. As Sirius slowly leaned in, his hand came to rest delicately under her chin, lifting her face to his. Their lips came together and, with a shared gasp, their mouths found each other.

She felt herself melting under the sweetness of his kiss, the warmth of his palm against her cheek. She responded with irrepressible passion, and in a rush, she grabbed his hands, making sure he didn't back away. To her surprise, he didn't resist. Their kiss went from delicate to more intense, their tongues entwining with raw, uncontrolled desire.

Sirius felt Hermione's arms slide over his shoulders, her hands getting lost in his brown curls. A soft moan escaped him as she settled herself closer to him, wrapping a leg around his pelvis to get even closer. Her hands went instinctively to his hips, and he let out a growl of pleasure when he felt her body pressed against his. He guessed that she couldn't ignore the physical reaction of his body to this burning closeness.

"Hermione..." he whispered hoarsely, as if in a final warning.

She reluctantly stepped back, her eyes shining with desire, her breath coming in short gasps.

"I thought you were proposing to break the rules," she said with a smile, her tone slightly mischievous.

Sirius looked at her, amazed at her audacity. He would never have imagined that she had this mischievous side in such a situation, and it aroused a new admiration in him.

"Don't tempt me, Hermione," he murmured, squeezing her hips gently. "I want you terribly, but... there'll be no turning back."

She remained silent, an intense gleam in her eye, then murmured softly:

"I think having a child together is already a one-way street..."

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself down, to regain an ounce of control. She was much more than a fleeting desire for him, and the idea of hiding, of waiting another six long months, was almost unbearable.

Hermione, regaining her seriousness, stepped back slowly. She placed a tender kiss on his lips, a gesture filled with gentleness and reassurance.

"I love you too," she murmured against his mouth, her words a light breath.

When Sirius opened his eyes again, she was already moving away. He reflexively reached out to hold her hand, but she was already sliding towards the door, out of reach. He watched her go, feeling a heartbreaking emptiness. When the painting closed behind her, he stood still, his heart pounding, trying to calm the tumult of his emotions.

Sirius found himself alone in the living room. His heart was still beating wildly. Waiting six months or hiding for that long seemed like an eternity to him. A constant battle between reason and desire was going on inside him, and the mere idea of having to stay away from her, of repressing his feelings to keep up appearances, seemed unbearable. As he collapsed on the sofa, he sighed, still tense from the closeness of their recent embrace. Six months... could he really wait that long?

For her part, Hermione headed straight for the bathroom. She turned the lock, took a deep breath, and slipped into the shower. The hot water ran over her, trying in vain to soothe the whirlwind of thoughts that assailed her. The hiding, the waiting, the impatience... it all weighed heavily on her. But she knew that Sirius was right; rushing things could have irreparable consequences. She tried to calm herself, to find an alternative. Something had to exist, a solution that would allow them to be together without hiding.

As she wrapped a towel around herself, an idea began to form in her mind. She put on her bathrobe and lay down on her bed, Hogwarts rules in her hands. Her eyes darted over the lines, hoping to find a loophole, a subtlety that would allow them to avoid this dilemma. Finally, she had an epiphany and decided to ask Remus for advice.

The next day, she knocked on Remus's office door, her cheeks still a little red, aware of the peculiar nature of her request. Remus raised an amused eyebrow when she explained the reason for her visit. On hearing her question, he burst out laughing.

"Sorry, Hermione," he said under his breath. "But you're not the first to ask me that question today."

Intrigued, Hermione gave him a surprised look, then a smile played on her lips as she dropped into the armchair opposite him.

"Sirius has been here before, hasn't he?" she asked.

Remus nodded and smiled.

"Indeed. But the answer remains the same: regulation or not, if the parents of the pupils learned that a teacher was dating a pupil, it would put Sirius in an impossible situation. He could lose his job."

Hermione frowned, thinking of another approach. Then, suddenly, an idea crossed her mind, lighting up her face.

"But yes! If it's not Sirius, it must be me!

- Hermione I'm afraid I don't understand.

- I know!" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Thank you, Remus. Don't worry, I've got an idea."

Remus looked at her, dumbfounded, trying to understand what she was getting at. But before he could ask her any questions, Hermione thanked him and left the office.

The week that followed was indeed eventful. Hermione and Sirius made constant efforts to hide their feelings and avoid any physical contact in front of Adhara, not wanting to risk anything.

Meanwhile, the news intensified. Another Death Eater had just been captured, leaving one last fugitive at large. Tension mounted daily, and the fear that Adhara might suddenly disappear, recalled by some spell or temporal magic, haunted the minds of Sirius and Hermione. Against this backdrop, Hermione redoubled her efforts to find a way to protect Adhara.

She also made progress on her plan for their future after Adhara's departure. She wrote several letters, made contacts and even went to an uncomfortable meeting with Albus Dumbledore. The prospect of explaining her research to him and broaching such a delicate subject seemed daunting, but she persisted, determined.


On Friday afternoon, Hermione left for another tense meeting. Remus did ask her a few questions, but she didn't want to get ahead of herself.

"I don't know yet, Remus," she said calmly. "As soon as I have something more concrete, I'll tell you. But in the meantime, keep all this to yourself. I don't want to worry Sirius unnecessarily."

Remus, though curious, was content with this answer. He knew he could trust her. The next day, he watched Sirius, Hermione and Adhara, all smiles, on their way to go ice-skating. When they returned, their laughter and joy convinced him to keep silent. Hermione seemed to be moving towards a plan that would keep them in this still fragile happiness.


On Sunday morning, while the others went about their business, Hermione finally made a crucial discovery. While exploring some dusty old books, she came across mention of an ancient binding spell. A spell which, although complex, could potentially prevent Adhara from disappearing.

Without waiting another second, Hermione took the book with her and rushed into the bathroom where Sirius was bathing Adhara. She burst open the door, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Sirius! I've got it!" she exclaimed.

He turned his head, surprised and amused by Hermione's enthusiasm.

"What did you find?" he asked, smiling.

- A way of keeping Adhara with us a little longer," she says, holding up the book.

Sirius put his hand on the edge of the bath, his face suddenly serious, understanding the significance of what she had just said. Adhara, her hair full of foam, looked at Hermione with a mischievous smile, probably amused to see her so elated.

"This spell might work," he said slowly, after reading, his eyes fixed on Hermione. "But this is very advanced magic."

Hermione nodded, resolute.

"I'm going to train," she declared firmly.

A laugh escaped Sirius in spite of himself, softened by a look of infinite tenderness.

"You're incredible," he murmured.

Hermione was touched and felt her cheeks flush. She caught herself staring at his lips, aware of the irresistible attraction that now bound them together. She nibbled on hers, then, with an obvious effort, caught her breath and straightened up.

"I'm going to train," she repeated, almost to convince herself.

She turned and walked briskly out of the room, while Sirius stared after her, frustrated at letting her go yet again. He sighed inwardly. How many more times would he have to watch her leave like that, unable to give in to what was boiling inside him?

Beside him, Adhara sighed slightly, absorbed in the bubbles of her bath. Sirius shook his head, almost amused by the innocence of the child who knew nothing of their torments.

Hermione, however, wasted no time. She immersed herself in days of intensive training, determined to master this complex spell. Sirius joined the Order for another meeting, where he learned more about the last Death Eater on the loose. This wizard, with his formidable talents for dark magic and divination, had once served Voldemort closely. The danger he represented far exceeded what Sirius and the others had imagined.

When he returned that evening, he found Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione gathered around the table, sharing a moment of relaxation over a board game. Hermione was cradling a sleeping Teddy in her arms and, as she looked up at him, she could see the worry in his eyes.

"How did it go?" asked Ron, scrutinising the three adults.

After a brief exchange of glances, Tonks replied gravely.

"Let's just say that the last Death Eater is not a weak opponent. He has divination skills," she explained as she picked up her sleeping son.

Hermione opened her eyes wide, her mind immediately on alert.

"Can he read the future?" she whispered.

- In a way," confirmed Remus. "But we don't know to what extent. Severus also doesn't know if he would be able to understand what happened to Adhara."

Hermione instantly understood the danger.

"He might want to eliminate Sirius and me before Adhara is even born," she murmured.

Sirius gave him an impressed look, admiring his insight. Remus tried to reassure them.

"You're at Hogwarts," he added. "Albus will reinforce the defences. And perhaps it would be prudent for Hermione to have a room here in your chambers, Sirius. It would be... safer."

The two exchanged glances. Behind this cautious proposal, they saw a tempting opportunity.

"Even Minerva agrees," added Remus. "For protection, of course."

Hermione crossed her arms, trying to keep her composure. For protection, really? Sirius stared at her, an amused smile in his eyes.

She remained silent, promising herself to think about it.

Neither of them had any idea how short their time was. A few miles away, in the forests of Scotland, Yrvin Johns was moving briskly northwards. He wouldn't give up so easily.


Yes, yes, we're nearing the end and the threat is getting dangerously close to them... hihi! So what do you think? Did you like their "little" rapprochement?