Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I write for entertainment purposes only, not for pay.
Author's Note: Hello! I've been trying to get back to updating this story alongside my other ongoing story, but I hit a snag in that I realized I'd rewritten a scene from an earlier chapter. Once I get that mess sorted out, this should proceed along the path I'd like to see it follow. But I wanted to post an update since it's been so very long. I plan to get back in the swing of posting probably once a week here very soon! Thanks for hanging with me!
The Second Sixth Year of Sirius Black
By: Rae
- A Harry Potter Fic -
In the days that followed, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Professor McGonagal, Headmaster Dumbledore, and even Hagrid worked together with Tonks and a few other Order members to come up with a convincing story for Sirius. Hermione was adamant that she be allowed to return to finish her sixth year, and the professors honestly wanted to make it work. The struggle was to determine exactly how her magical bond to a known criminal could be concealed.
As they worked through this puzzle, Hermione learned bits and pieces of the Order's business without trying too hard. Sirius and Remus frequently talked together in some sort of code they'd developed with James and Peter in their Marauder days. Hermione found it fascinating and knew they only used it to discuss Order business but couldn't help listening closely with a compunction to decipher it.
She'd overheard them talking early one morning when they thought she was still asleep. Remus had let himself in, and she woke to the sounds of the werewolf's measured tones and fuzzily wondered how long he'd been there. The conversation seemed to have been going on for a while now.
"Severus has been spying on Nicole for a week now. Why hasn't he made a recommendation yet?" This was from Sirius, who seemed wide awake despite the early hour.
"We aren't sure, but I think it has to do with You Know Who. Severus has been called away two times this week, and each time he returns with an even grimmer expression." Remus sounded concerned.
"Which on Snivellus will only enhance his abnormally long nose and foul breath," Sirius mocked, but his tone was light.
"Whatever the case, Dumbledore is expecting a recommendation this week, and Severus will be gone the whole time to continue his work."
"Do you think he'll recommend her or no?" Sirius yawned in the middle of his question. Perhaps he wasn't quite as awake as she thought.
"I think he will. All our research on her says she can be trusted and that she'll be willing to take the vow." Remus shifted, and Hermione heard his movement in her direction.
Thinking she'd gambled long enough, she rolled over and stretched, yawning loudly before opening her eyes. The two Marauders were looking at her expectantly, and she felt embarrassed at their seeing her in this state together. She blushed and said, "Good morning."
"Nice try, Hermione," Remus said with a chuckle. "I knew you were awake two minutes ago." He tapped an ear. "Wolf senses."
Hermione grumbled good-naturedly, "Well, it was worth a try. Besides, you two woke me up!"
Remus left with a promise that they would come to his office for breakfast, and the two worked together to get dressed and ready to go. In the last few days, Sirius's strength had been returning faster from getting to use his muscles more. He was now able to stand and even walk a little, but he tired easily and still used his crutches or wheelchair to get around.
After a light breakfast with Remus, one Hermione secretly celebrated because there was a distinct lack of shoveling food in open mouths, the three adjourned to Minerva's office. The group had been meeting in different parts of the castle to throw off any of the other professors who might intrude on them. Hermione thought that was a little ridiculous since they could easily go to Dumbledore's office and find a place to hide if necessary, but she said nothing.
Hagrid ambled in with a wave and a hug for Hermione while Professor McGonagal calmly offered everyone who entered a biscuit. Professor Dumbledore and Tonks arrived together, and their impromptu meeting began.
Over the last few days they'd thrown out several ideas of how to make the situation work. They'd thrown out everything from shrinking Sirius to polyjuicing him into a student to turning him into an animal that Hermione was caring for. They considered trying to arrange private classes for Hermione or putting her in the Hospital Wing and having her friends send her schoolwork to her. They discussed so many ideas and varying spells, potions, and charms that made Hermione's head nearly spin off her shoulders. The adults had so many creative ideas that Hermione never would have thought of, and they knew how to make them work, to boot.
Now they were discussing disillusioning Sirius or even commandeering Harry's invisibility cloakâa secret Hermione realized wasn't very secret anymore. But there were still problems with even these ideas.
"You can't cloak him," Minerva said, sipping from her teacup, "because he's bound to bump into someone in the hallway. Besides, how are you going to cloak a wheelchair, too?"
They'd decided Sirius would need to use the wheelchair at least until he was strong enough to walk around the castle without getting winded.
"Besides, if a student didn't bump into him, Hermione would be late to class everyday if she has to push him around all the time, and then that would be suspicious," Remus added.
"I simply see no other option," Dumbledore now said, glancing at the group significantly. "We'll need your assistance again, Tonks."
Tonks blinked from her place next to Hagrid. She'd been mostly quiet this whole time, just listening to the options thrown out until now. "My assistance?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow at the headmaster.
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied with the beginnings of a smile. "We will simply have you disguise Sirius, and he can attend classes with Hermione."
"And how do you propose to make that work?" Minerva asked. "Sirius isn't the same age as a student. Wouldn't it be better to find a local boy and use the Polyjuice potion instead?"
"No, Minerva, I think not," Dumbledore replied. "You're right. Sirius is older, and I think we should use that to our advantage. Miss Granger, there are no other witches or wizards in your family, is that correct?"
"As far as I know, sir," she replied, unsure of where this was going.
Dumbledore clapped his hands and said, "Then I think my plan will work just perfectly."
"Would you care to inform the rest of us?" Minerva asked, her brows furrowed and one foot tapping the floor rhythmically.
"I believe we will introduce Sirius as a distant cousin to Miss Granger here," Dumbledore said with a grin. "Tonks can transfigure his appearance to make it closer to that of Miss Granger." At that, Sirius shot a horrified glance at Hermione's hair while she scowled at him. "And we will use his age to our advantage by saying he is studying to become a professor."
The room went silent. Everyone stared at Dumbledore. Hermione had a half dozen questions on the tip of her tongue, the most pressing of which was how on earth the headmaster thought something this ridiculous would work.
Before anyone else could speak, the voice of Severus Snape interrupted them. Somehow he'd snuck into the office without anyone noticing. "And just what kind of professor do you think Sirius would make, Professor?" He sneered at the Marauder. "I can't see him teaching students, can you?"
"But, of course, he'd teach Transfiguration."
"I've always been fond of Defense, myself, Snivellus."
"I think Defense or Transfiguration."
Three voices collided at once, and Hermione blinked. Professor McGonagal spoke first with her Transfiguration recommendation. Sirius and Remus gave their own opinions, and as expected, Severus's scowl deepened at the intended taunt from his former enemy.
"Now, now," Professor Dumbledore said, spreading his hands wide to placate the rising tempers. "I imagine a man of Sirius's age would need some time to decide what subject truly fits him. Certainly we can see that his scores in Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts would lend themselves as obvious strengths, but as I recall, Sirius did well in a number of subjects. We will simply say he is studying teaching and hoping to benefit from the Hogwarts professors and their knowledge while he recuperates."
The men and Professor McGonagal settled back into their seats as Snape took his own seat.
"I believe, Miss Granger, that you have an aunt who we could perhaps use as a possible mother for our newly joined staff member?" Dumbledore phrased his statement as a question and raised an eyebrow at Hermione.
She blinked as everyone's attention shifted to her, and she took a moment to think who the headmaster could be referring to. "Oh!" She said suddenly as she made a connection to something she'd thought about several months ago. "Do you mean my Aunt Matilda?"
Dumbledore clapped his hands together and smiled broadly. "I do indeed," he replied. "I've taken the liberty of delving into your family's background, and as I did my research, your aunt came to my attention. Miss Granger's Aunt Matilda is a woman I believe has magical powers that were not discovered or perhaps accepted in her younger years. She is currently hospitalized for some Muggle diseases we have related back to magical causes. I believe Matilda would be an excellent choice for our fictional student teacher's family."
Hermione grinned broadly, surprised at Dumbledore's intense research into the solution he'd proposed. She was more excited that he seemed to be of the same opinion about her aunt as she was and wanted to give him a hug for seeing something no one else had.
Dumbledore stood now and said, "Now, I'm afraid we'll need to take some time away from this situation because unfortunately we have a staff meeting we must attend to." He smiled and continued, "I'm sure the three of you can come up with a likely story for the beginnings of the term while the teachers are preparing for their new terms. In a few days, Sirius, we'll introduce you to the staff and explain your presence here. I trust you will have an acceptable story to share at that time."
Duly dismissed, everyone took their leaves with Professor McGonagal assuring Hermione, Sirius, and Tonks they could continue to make plans in her office for the time being. The teachers and headmaster quickly made their way out, McGonagal loaded down with textbooks and parchments.
So for the next two days Hermione, Sirius, and Tonks spent time together in the small professor's quarters working out the details of his appearance, background, and reason for needing Hermione's assistance. She'd listened as Sirius and Tonks joked with one another and shared stories of the Black family's history. It was during this time Hermione was reminded of their relationship as cousins, even though they had no contact with one another before Sirius's return from Azkaban. Tonks, it seemed, had heard many of the Black family stories and secrets from her mother Andromeda and had taken it upon herself to embellish them when recounting with Sirius.
By the time Dumbledore had set aside time for a special meeting of the staff to introduce a new member, they'd come up with a plausible enough story to keep them from being suspected. Tonks had perfected her transfiguring of Sirius, and even Hermione was surprised at how closely he resembled her family. They'd given him the name Donald Allsopp, taking the name of her Aunt Matilda's deceased son who died in childhood. Sirius protested at first, but Tonks insisted he needed to take the name in case someone decided to try looking him up.
Sirius had steadily gained more strength and was now much more confident on his crutches. Even though he and Hermione could still not be separated by more than about a foot of space, they'd even determined a cause for Sirius's perceived illness and need for support that would suffice.
"Everyone, I would like to introduce Mister Donald Allsopp," Professor Dumbledore said at the meeting after dinner the night before the students' return from break. The professors nodded politely, several of them eyeing Hermione with a bit of confusion. "Mister Allsopp is studying to become a professor and has requested to come to Hogwarts this term to observe the teachers and students in action. He comes excellently recommended and has experience in both magical and Muggle education. I hope you'll all join me in welcoming him to Hogwarts as he observes your classes for his educational credit towards teaching."
There was some murmur of assent before Professor Sinistra spoke up. "Headmaster, she said, "might I inquire why Miss Granger is here with Mister Allsopp?"
"Ah yes," Dumbledore said smoothly, "Miss Granger is actually Mister Allsopp's distant cousin and is currently helping to care for him as he deals with an illness. As such, he's requested to attend classes with Miss Granger until he recovers his strength and is able to do more observations without her presence." Turning to the two, he said, "Mister Allsopp, would you care to explain more about your, ah, condition?"
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore," Sirius said in the heavily modulated tones he'd developed for this persona he'd donned. "And thank you all for the warm welcome to Hogwarts." Hermione could see Professor Snape practically roll his eyes in disdain while Remus's eyes sparkled with mirth. Professor McGonagal remained perfectly still, though her eyes were lit up with amusement.
Sirius's deep tones continued, "I'm afraid I have the use of these Muggle crutches to get around Hogwarts for the time being until I regain my strength. Recently I was attacked by Death Eaters and hit with a particularly nasty variation of the Morbus Vastantes curse that not only drained my strength but made it important for me to have assistance getting around by a family member." He nodded to Hermione and said, "This particular variation of the curse made it impossible for me to be helped by anyone but a magical family member, and I'm just lucky someone was able to get me to Hermione in time or else I'd be dead right now."
Hermione smiled fondly at him, putting on the show of the adoring younger cousin they'd been crafting. She remained quiet, allowing him to continue the story they'd created.
"I'm afraid it ties my magical energy to hers a bit, but it does help me while I'm recovering," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I understand this might cause a bit of a problem with her getting too and from classes quickly, and I beg your pardon as I am desperately in need of her until I regain my magical energy and physical strength."
Hermione heard a scoff-turned-cough she was certain came from Professor Snape, but she paid him no attention as she now said, "I promise to work hard in all my classes, and we'll be on time as often as we can be." She smiled particularly brightly at the professors whose classes she expected to be entering later than normal.
Sirius moved abruptly, swaying where he stood, and she instinctively reached out to steady him. She felt rather than saw his weakness and knew he needed to sit down. A chair appeared behind him, conveniently called into place by Dumbledore, and Hermione gently shoved her "cousin" into the chair while the teachers murmured their concerns.
"Headmaster, don't you think this is too great a burden to put on Hermione?" Again Professor Sinistra spoke up, her dark eyes narrowed in thought. "Surely there must be some other magical relation in the Granger family for Mister Allsopp to use for assistance. Surely having just a child help him regain his energy isn't for the best for either of them."
"Unfortunately there is no other option," Dumbledore said calmly, shaking his head. "Mister Allsopp has been tested by the very best Mediwitches and found to be in great need of the magical energy of someone close to him in blood." Hermione put her head down to avoid smirking at the headmaster's explanation. "The Granger family had no idea of the magical connection between the two cousins until this became an issue, and there simply is no other relation close enough or magical enough to make this work. The Mediwitches agree that just having Miss Granger close enough to Mister Allsopp to touch has made a significant impact on his health and improvement, and they expect this not to last too long."
"But where will they sleep?" This came from Professor Sprout, who was a very practical woman. "Surely you don't intend them to sleep in the Gryffindor dorms. Think of the scandal that would cause with the parents." The other professors murmured in agreement.
"I quite agree with you, Professor Sprout," Professor Dumbledore said, "and that is why I have opened up the professors' quarters on the fifth floor for them to share. They have already moved into the quarters, and I have made them as comfortable as possible given the uniqueness of Mister Allsopp's situation."
He stared down the professors, and Hermione chanced a glance around the room. There were clear looks of disapproval on some faces while others simply seemed relieved there would be no more intermingling of the sexes in the main dormitories. Professor Sprout seemed among the latter and was nodding in assent.
"Truly," Dumbledore continued, "this is a unique situation, and I'll be announcing it to the rest of the student body when they arrive tomorrow. I understand some of you may have further concerns, and you are welcome to come speak to me about those. But for now, I think it is late and we should all get some sleep in preparation for the students' return tomorrow."
Standing, he smiled at everyone, and like Hermione, the other professors knew a dismissal when they heard one. A few of them came by to speak to Hermione and "Donald" before leaving, including a smirking Professor Lupin.
"It will be a pleasure to have you come visit me in my class," Lupin said with a wink at Sirius. "I'm certain you'll be able to provide much insight for my students, and I'll be happy to have you joining us."
Hermione nearly groaned at the way Sirius's transfigured blue eyes lit up at that comment.
She zoned out as they continued talking and didn't speak again till she was in the hall with Sirius alone as they navigated their way to their fifth floor rooms.
"Do you think we'll be able to pull this off?" She asked him seriously. She'd been toying with this thought for the last day and couldn't quite feel comfortable with the idea that they would make it through the rest of the year with no problems.
"Don't be such a worrywart, Hermione," Sirius replied, letting his deep modulated tones fall away to reassure her. He paused a moment in his walking and patted her shoulder comfortingly. She leaned into the touch, momentarily relieved. "Just think of what you've accomplished already. No one has ever done what you've done, and now you're worried we can't spend a few months pretending I'm something I'm not? I don't think you're the smartest witch of your age for nothing. We'll make this work, and we have Remus and Minerva and Dumbledore around to help if anything goes wrong."
Hermione sighed as they began walking, not responding but listening to the thump-thump of his crutches on the floor. As they made it back to their room and began their separate bedtime rituals, she realized the real test would come tomorrow with the return of the other students, including those who already knew the secret identity of Donald Allsopp.
She didn't fall asleep until she heard the rhythmic tones of Sirius's even breathing in the bed beside her. And still she slept uneasily, one hand stretched out across her bed towards the man whose life had become tied to her own.