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Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or any of the characters, I just like to play with them
Reunion
NC17
Hermione was sat upon the exam table in a small, dingy room in St. Mungo’s. The young healer in training assigned to her case that day was being closely supervised by a fully qualified healer. Because her pregnancy had broken the Toujours Pur curse the hospital wanted to keep close tabs on her. She was pleased to hear that she and the baby were doing exceptionally well. With the exam completed the healers were fielding her impressive and somewhat daunting list of questions. Hermione had made it to the bottom of the list and really only had one question left.
“I’m experiencing sensory loss, my ability to smell, is there anything you can do for that?” Hermione lowered the piece of parchment upon which her questions were written and looked expectantly at her healers.
“Excuse me? I’m not sure what you mean.” The healers looked at each other in question and then back at Hermione.
“Well, my husband told me that my pregnancy is the reason I sometimes lose my sense of smell.” Hermione was hoping for a potion or maybe even a simple spell.
“Mrs. Black, your sense of smell has nothing to do with your pregnancy.” The healer kept the note of amusement out of her voice.
“Really, because whenever I go into the libr-” Hermione suddenly realized that it was rather odd that she only lost her sense of smell in the basement.
“We could check you over, maybe its something else.” The healer took a step forward.
Hermione held her hand up.”You know,” she said, remembering that Sirius had been in the library the first time she lost her sense of smell, “I am far too trusting when it comes to my husband.”
“Aren’t we all, honey.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius, Remus, Harry and Ron were each being attended by a tailor in Silkson and Chiffmore. It was by far the most popular outfitter of wedding parties and bridal gowns in Hogsmeade. Hermione had already picked out what they would be wearing, this was just the fitting. She would be joining them after her check up at St. Mungo’s so she could have her last fitting. The wedding was next week and the bride was driving everyone nuts with preparation. Most of all Sirius whom she had cut off until the wedding night. His mood was surly being used to a rather steady diet of his favorite activity.
The temptress herself walked in and smiled at the four men who were allowing themselves to be poked, prodded, pinched and pricked in her honor. Sirius felt he deserved something for all the effort he was putting forth. The robes she was wearing open did nothing to hide the jeans, which were slightly tighter with the pregnancy or the small amount of skin she showed with her too short shirt. Sirius let out a little whine of frustration. He had never agreed to such a ridiculous thing and had every intention of wearing her down.
His attendant released him, he fled to Hermione without a glance backward.
“I need to talk to you.” He eyed the large dressing booth, it was as good a place as any.
“I need to talk to you, too.” She was aware of the predatory way in which he was regarding her but she assumed she was safe in such a public arena.
Sirius figured his job was easier than he thought. “We’ll need a little privacy for this.”
“I quite agree.”
Sirius ushered her into the dressing booth, closing the door firmly and fixing the latch. Before she could say a word Hermione found herself pushed roughly against the wall. Sirius had his hands everywhere at once, his mouth working aggressively against her neck. She had planned on asking him about the smell in the library but she was having trouble staying focused.
“Wait!”
“Can’t!”
Sirius had her jeans open and low on her hips, he sensed her resistance so he fought dirty and rubbed circles on her clit with his thumb, two fingers already penetrating her.
“Mmmff.” Hermione tried to stifle the sound, knowing it would only encourage him.
“See? You need this as badly as I do.” He pushed her jeans and knickers down around her knees, his fingers now pumping furiously into her. Hermione had a nagging thought about their location but was having trouble giving a damn, really.
Sirius pulled his fingers out of her long enough to address the issue with her shoes. He pulled them off of her feet, making her stand first on one leg and then the other. Her jeans slipped to her ankles with another rough push against the wall. He pushed her legs apart and dropped to his knees, inhaling deeply of her scent before pressing his face against her sex and finding her clit with his tongue.
“Oh, yes…oh, god…Siriussss.” If it weren’t for his hands at her hips, forcing her into an upright position she would have slipped to the floor under his torture.
Knowing that he had her in exactly the state he wanted her, he pulled his face away and ripped her jeans and knickers off of her body, throwing them carelessly aside. He picked her up easily, pushing her against the wall, pausing long enough to open his fly and release his engorged member. He pushed into her with a grunt and wrapped her legs around his waist. Having given into him entirely she wrapped her arms around his neck and willingly let him take her.
She was so close already, she knew it wouldn’t be long. His long, thick member thrust meatily into her heat, bringing her closer and closer with each hearty plunge.
“So fucking tight, baby.” His harsh whisper in her ear, hot breath on her neck.
Sirius felt her quiver around his cock, he knew how close she was. He worried their public location might be making her nervous so he helped her along with his thumb on her clit. Hermione bit down on his neck to stifle the unladylike sound that she was helpless to stop. She shuddered and convulsed around him, his erratic thrusting followed by a surge of warmth let her know she had brought him along with her.
Sirius kissed her neck tenderly as he let her off the wall gently. He sincerely hoped that this would be the end of that nonsense.
“Don’t shut me out, baby. I can’t take it when you do that.” Not that she had ever done it before. He was always able to turn it around to his favor. He was her weakness.
She opened her mouth to protest but he stopped her with a kiss. “Do you really think our love making would be more special by not doing it?”
She wanted to argue but found that she couldn’t.
“Alright, I give up. I don’t know what I was thinking to be honest.” She really wasn’t sure what she hoped would be the outcome. Would she be a virgin again? No.
“I think you were probably hoping that a week of abstinence would make up for what was taken from you. But it won’t, it never could.” She was quite still for a moment, shocked that he had echoed her thoughts so perfectly. The reality of what she wanted and her inability to ever achieve it overwhelmed her. He pulled her in close, her shoulders shaking. “You want to give yourself to me as a virgin, Hermione but you already have, sweetheart. I cherish that fact more than you know.”
And so they stood, her pants discarded on the floor, his low on his hips, her in tears when only moments before they had been taking their pleasure in each other. She had been a little emotional the whole week leading up to the fittings and he had finally figured out why.
“It’s not fair!” She was tearful and angry but not at him, never at him and certainly not for this.
“I know, I know…you know in my whole, long life I don’t believe a woman has ever been all mine before, just mine. Mine alone.” He didn’t care that he could hear their friends calling for them, she was all he was concerned with. “You are so precious to me.”
She finally felt herself recovered a bit and kissed his cheek. She made to put her clothes on and so he closed his pants and exited. Covering for her while she fully recovered.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione, Harry and Ron left Silkson and Chiffmore together, talking and laughing, finally able to do some catching up. They had waited patiently for her during her fitting, wanting some time alone with her, together. Their bond was as strong as ever, they missed each other terribly.
Sirius had been shooed away some hours earlier to keep him from seeing her dress. He left with Remus to go work on the bike, unbeknownst to her.
Hermione filled them in on all the things which had been keeping her busy. She told them about how horrible Cliodna had been and how odd it was for her to actually feel sorry for Lyra. Ron asked the question that Hermione had been trying to formulate for a few weeks.
“I wonder how many surprises like Lyra he’s got lurking out there.” Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. Ron turned to look at her, slightly puzzled, worried he had offended her, unaware how profound that question was for her.
“I think that is something I’ll need to ask him.” She resumed walking, feeling a little better, a niggling worry fleshed out for her.
“Good luck with that one.” Harry shook his head and gave her a sympathetic smile.
“No kidding. He’s not one to over share, is he?” She loved him as he was but hoped that someday he would let her in a little more.
“I think he’s happy,” said Harry, a little embarrassed to be discussing his godfather’s feelings. “With you, I mean. I think you make him happy.”
Hermione smiled at the shy way in which Harry spoke. “He makes me happy.”
“I would have never guessed it would turn out the way it has but I’m happy for you both.” Ron swung his arm around her for a quick half hug and offered her a grin.
“Thanks, Ron.” It meant the world to her that they were back to normal, all thoughts of romance forgotten, even considered to be laughable at this point.
“How did your check up go?” The curse continued to weigh on Harry’s mind, he didn’t want some measure of it returning, ever.
“Great! Baby’s healthy, I’m healthy. I’m a little thicker around the middle, suppose I’ll have to get used to that.” Hermione patted her belly playfully, taking on a glow as she spoke about her baby. “What about you two? How’s your personal life?”
“Ron dumped Lavendar…” Ron cut Harry off.
“It wasn’t like that, I just couldn’t take her calling me ‘Won Won’ one more minute.” He looked crossly at Harry, his face turning red.
“That was really annoying,” confirmed Harry with a cheeky grin.
“I’m dating Hannah Abbott now, nice girl.” Another beautiful flush which he tried to play off by staring straight ahead.
“And you?” She nudged Harry gently.
“Ginny, all the way.” He smiled confidently, not embarrassed in the slightest.
“I didn’t need to know that much, Harry.” It was her turn to color brightly.
“What? Oh, that’s not what I meant…I mean we haven’t…oh, nevermind.” Harry stumbled over his words, mortified at Hermione’s interpretation. She giggled at her mistake, she knew that Ginny was more than ready, she had made a poor assumption. She decided to change the subject.
“I went to my first Daughter’s meeting.” She threw it out there to see what they would say.
“Really? How’d that go?” Harry pointed to a street sign that read ‘Witch Way.’
“Oh, here we are.” Hermione indicated with a gesture of her hand that they should make a left. “It was interesting…odd collection in their membership.”
“Oh? How so?” Ron quirked an eyebrow up.
“Well, for starters, the last name of every death eater you’ve ever heard of was represented. I have no idea if they themselves were directly associated or just unfortunate enough to share a last name.” It felt good to talk about this with her boys. She let her frustration show in the edge with which she spoke.
“Right,” said Ron thoughtfully, “you can’t exactly ask, can you?”
Hermione snorted. “Oh yes, I can just imagine that conversation. ‘Are you now or have you ever been a death eater?’”
They all laughed, at first, and then sobered as a unit, realizing just how close to danger she might actually be. The likelihood that some of them were either death eaters themselves or approving of their relations involvement was fairly high. Hermione proceeded to tell them how closely that group had stuck together and that the other members shunned them.
“Narcissa Malfoy was there and oh, she was not pleased to see me.” She detailed the confrontation and the outburst which had come later.
“That worries, Hermione. It’s weird how the ones who were, arguably, in control just a few months ago have lost favor, now.” Harry mused out loud, treating this the way he would any problem that involved death eaters. Much was going on and he felt the need to suss it out.
“Well, Rita mentioned something. She said Narcissa was behind the marriage law and that there was more where that came from. ‘Nastier,’ she said.” Hermione spoke slowly, distracted with her thoughts, carefully considering that bit of information.
“Well, that explains something.” Ron’s tone of voice conveyed understanding.
“Explains what,” asked Hermione.
“The article in the Prophet. Rita didn’t take a single pot shot at you. Instead she focused on how horrid the law was,” said Ron, and then with a grin. “She’s found herself a really big fish to fry!”
“I don’t know Ron, the marriage law really was horrid.” Harry paused to peer into a shop that used a broom as part of its window display.
Ron paused and came to a full stop. “Dad said the ministry really came under fire after the article in Witch Weekly. People wanted explanations for why dark artifacts like that ring were in circulation. They also wanted to know why you had to go on the run, why the ministry didn’t intervene on your behalf.”
“The reaction to this article is going to be interesting,” said Harry, hoping to put a spotlight on grave mistakes the ministry had made.
“Sirius has been offered the Black family’s hereditary seat on the Wizengamut.” Talk of the ministry reminded her of that recent development. “But he didn’t take it.”
“I can see that,” said Harry, nodding. “Doesn’t trust them.”
“Neither do I but he could do a lot of good.” Her seed of irritation shone through. She didn’t trust the Daughter’s as a whole but she was doing her part for change.
“Don’t push him,” said Harry, warningly.
“Oh, believe me, I know better than to try that.” Hermione let out a sigh of resignation. “He’s going to do exactly what he wants to do.”
“So, who else do you see at the meeting?” Ron brought them back to their original topic.
“Every Slytherin we’ve ever met has a relative there.” Hermione ticked off a list of the names she could remember.
“How did they treat you?” Ron paused to look at sign that read ‘Bowtruckle Pass.’
“We turn right here,” said Hermione, before answering Ron’s question. “They treated me like a necessary evil.”
Harry nodded like it was beginning to make sense. “You’re all about cleaning up their image, aren’t you? Sounds like they might have some embarrassing skeletons in the closet.”
“That’s what Rita said. I’d love to find out what.” She was half afraid to discover what they were capable of.
“So there were no friendly faces?” Ron thought the Daughter’s sounded like an awful group of people.
“Actually, there were some very friendly faces.” Hermione brightened a bit. “Professor McGonagall! Can you believe that?”
“Damn! How has she put up with that lot through the war?” Despite his outburst, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione wouldn’t be alone.
“Tonks’ mother too, as is Madam Rosmerta and oh, it’s so exciting, Miranda Goshawk!” Hermione nearly squealed but her face fell at their blank expressions.
“Who?” asked Ron, finally after an uncomfortable pause.
“Honestly! She only wrote the Standard Book of Spells, one through seven.” Exasperated, Hermione sighed with mock sadness.
“Is that all? Four and a whole batch of bad?” Ron openly displayed his mistrust of her situation.
“No, there was Madam Marchbanks and Madam Edgecomb, who didn’t seem to like me very much but still, she’s not evil. Then there was Ludo Bagman’s wife, Fudge’s wife, um…” She continued to run through names that were familiar and free of poor associations.
“Well, that’s something I suppose.” It sounded to Harry like the deck was stacked against her.
“Oh,” said Hermione, her expression darkening. “There was one more and you are not going to believe it. I am just sick at having to sit next to her.”
“Who?” Ron wished she would hurry along to the point.
“Delores Umbridge.”
“WHAT?! How did that miserable hag manage that?” Harry stopped dead in his tracks, horrified and angry.
“I know, it’s horrible.” Hermione continued along the cobblestone walk. She turned when Ron broke out into hysterical laughter.
“Do you remember when she was in the infirmary and we made the sound of hoof beats?” He snickered and then snorted, quite tickled with the memory.
Harry was about to ask about how the Daughter’s operated but was interrupted by Hermione. “Well, this is where I get off.” She took note of their confused expressions and so pointed upward.
They boys followed the direction of her finger, their eyes landing on a large sign attached to the building they were in front of. It read ‘Wizarding Wireless Network.’ She had arrived at her destination. She hugged them both before entering the building, glancing back to watch them return to the castle.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione returned home from her evening as guest host on ‘Witching Hour.’ She had thoroughly enjoyed her time, she found Glenda Chittock to be just as delightful as Sirius had described. He hadn’t returned home yet from Remus’. She half considered sending him a patronus but then decided against it. He was probably having a good time and that thought made her happy. Hermione had made a decision regarding her education and that was to include Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures for her NEWT level testing. She sat at the dining room table and wrote Dumbledore a note, requesting the change. It would mean more time spent studying but she felt that these two courses would be important in her future. She sent her letter with Mercury and then went into the kitchen to make dinner.
When he got home, she wasn’t going to let him weasel out of answering her question about the library. She could not begin to imagine what he could have done down there that he would have to go to such extraordinary lengths to hide it. She entertained herself with possible explanations while she cooked and was so engrossed that she jumped when a pair of soft, warm lips made contact with her neck.
“Sorry, baby. You’re jumpy, you all right?” Sirius wore an amused smirk that faded as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I had my check up today.” The look in her eye and the smile on her lips did not match.
“And how are you, how is the baby?” Sirius had forgotten about his little game from a week ago, truly believing himself to smart to be caught.
“The baby is in wonderful health,” she paused in her hunt to offer him the good news. Once that was delivered however she was back on the trail. “I too, am in wonderful health.”
“Best news ever!” Sirius had just the barest sense of foreboding, there was something off about the way she was addressing him.
“Did you know,” she tapped her finger on the kitchen counter. “That sensory loss is never a part of magical pregnancies?”
Sirius paused, stock still, like a rabbit caught unaware by the fox. “Erm…well…did they, uh…tell you how you did lose your sense of smell.” He was completely off balance, she could practically hear his brain whirring, attempting to find a way out of this mess.
“Did you know,” another heavy pause, “that when I was all of thirteen years old I was told that I was the brightest witch for my age?”
“Of course I know that…” She interrupted.
“Do you imagine that I peaked at thirteen and that it’s been a down hill run ever since?” The slight quirking of her lips gave away that she wasn’t all that mad.
“No! You’re the most intell…” Another interruption from her.
“I quite agree. I am rather intelligent.” He realized with shock that her cocky attitude was borrowed from him.
He straightened himself and stared the storm in the eye. “Alright, what’s this all about?”
“What happened in my library, Sirius?”
He deflated instantly, swearing quietly under his breath.
“I’m waiting…” Her finger was tapping the counter top again.
“It wasn’t just me!” He wasn’t going to go down alone.
“It wasn’t just you, what?” She still didn’t have an answer.
“Ismokedacigarwiththeguys.” He rushed his words together and spoke rather quickly.
“I’m sorry, once more please, English this time, if you don’t mind.”
“You know I built you that library!”
“Yes and its lovely. Out with it Sirius!” He knew she wasn’t truly angry…yet.
“Cigars, Hermione. Sometimes a man likes to have a cigar with his mates.” He thought he would give the tough, male approach a whirl, see where it got him.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, her nose wrinkled in distaste. He thought she was adorable and getting sexier by the minute. He realized in a moment of clarity that he had looked forward to this, to her being angry because she was so god dam gorgeous when she was.
“And why couldn’t I smell said cigars.”
Sirius smiled when he thought about just how angry his next words were going to make her.
“It’s a simple hex, really.”
“What!”
Reunion
NC17
Hermione was sat upon the exam table in a small, dingy room in St. Mungo’s. The young healer in training assigned to her case that day was being closely supervised by a fully qualified healer. Because her pregnancy had broken the Toujours Pur curse the hospital wanted to keep close tabs on her. She was pleased to hear that she and the baby were doing exceptionally well. With the exam completed the healers were fielding her impressive and somewhat daunting list of questions. Hermione had made it to the bottom of the list and really only had one question left.
“I’m experiencing sensory loss, my ability to smell, is there anything you can do for that?” Hermione lowered the piece of parchment upon which her questions were written and looked expectantly at her healers.
“Excuse me? I’m not sure what you mean.” The healers looked at each other in question and then back at Hermione.
“Well, my husband told me that my pregnancy is the reason I sometimes lose my sense of smell.” Hermione was hoping for a potion or maybe even a simple spell.
“Mrs. Black, your sense of smell has nothing to do with your pregnancy.” The healer kept the note of amusement out of her voice.
“Really, because whenever I go into the libr-” Hermione suddenly realized that it was rather odd that she only lost her sense of smell in the basement.
“We could check you over, maybe its something else.” The healer took a step forward.
Hermione held her hand up.”You know,” she said, remembering that Sirius had been in the library the first time she lost her sense of smell, “I am far too trusting when it comes to my husband.”
“Aren’t we all, honey.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius, Remus, Harry and Ron were each being attended by a tailor in Silkson and Chiffmore. It was by far the most popular outfitter of wedding parties and bridal gowns in Hogsmeade. Hermione had already picked out what they would be wearing, this was just the fitting. She would be joining them after her check up at St. Mungo’s so she could have her last fitting. The wedding was next week and the bride was driving everyone nuts with preparation. Most of all Sirius whom she had cut off until the wedding night. His mood was surly being used to a rather steady diet of his favorite activity.
The temptress herself walked in and smiled at the four men who were allowing themselves to be poked, prodded, pinched and pricked in her honor. Sirius felt he deserved something for all the effort he was putting forth. The robes she was wearing open did nothing to hide the jeans, which were slightly tighter with the pregnancy or the small amount of skin she showed with her too short shirt. Sirius let out a little whine of frustration. He had never agreed to such a ridiculous thing and had every intention of wearing her down.
His attendant released him, he fled to Hermione without a glance backward.
“I need to talk to you.” He eyed the large dressing booth, it was as good a place as any.
“I need to talk to you, too.” She was aware of the predatory way in which he was regarding her but she assumed she was safe in such a public arena.
Sirius figured his job was easier than he thought. “We’ll need a little privacy for this.”
“I quite agree.”
Sirius ushered her into the dressing booth, closing the door firmly and fixing the latch. Before she could say a word Hermione found herself pushed roughly against the wall. Sirius had his hands everywhere at once, his mouth working aggressively against her neck. She had planned on asking him about the smell in the library but she was having trouble staying focused.
“Wait!”
“Can’t!”
Sirius had her jeans open and low on her hips, he sensed her resistance so he fought dirty and rubbed circles on her clit with his thumb, two fingers already penetrating her.
“Mmmff.” Hermione tried to stifle the sound, knowing it would only encourage him.
“See? You need this as badly as I do.” He pushed her jeans and knickers down around her knees, his fingers now pumping furiously into her. Hermione had a nagging thought about their location but was having trouble giving a damn, really.
Sirius pulled his fingers out of her long enough to address the issue with her shoes. He pulled them off of her feet, making her stand first on one leg and then the other. Her jeans slipped to her ankles with another rough push against the wall. He pushed her legs apart and dropped to his knees, inhaling deeply of her scent before pressing his face against her sex and finding her clit with his tongue.
“Oh, yes…oh, god…Siriussss.” If it weren’t for his hands at her hips, forcing her into an upright position she would have slipped to the floor under his torture.
Knowing that he had her in exactly the state he wanted her, he pulled his face away and ripped her jeans and knickers off of her body, throwing them carelessly aside. He picked her up easily, pushing her against the wall, pausing long enough to open his fly and release his engorged member. He pushed into her with a grunt and wrapped her legs around his waist. Having given into him entirely she wrapped her arms around his neck and willingly let him take her.
She was so close already, she knew it wouldn’t be long. His long, thick member thrust meatily into her heat, bringing her closer and closer with each hearty plunge.
“So fucking tight, baby.” His harsh whisper in her ear, hot breath on her neck.
Sirius felt her quiver around his cock, he knew how close she was. He worried their public location might be making her nervous so he helped her along with his thumb on her clit. Hermione bit down on his neck to stifle the unladylike sound that she was helpless to stop. She shuddered and convulsed around him, his erratic thrusting followed by a surge of warmth let her know she had brought him along with her.
Sirius kissed her neck tenderly as he let her off the wall gently. He sincerely hoped that this would be the end of that nonsense.
“Don’t shut me out, baby. I can’t take it when you do that.” Not that she had ever done it before. He was always able to turn it around to his favor. He was her weakness.
She opened her mouth to protest but he stopped her with a kiss. “Do you really think our love making would be more special by not doing it?”
She wanted to argue but found that she couldn’t.
“Alright, I give up. I don’t know what I was thinking to be honest.” She really wasn’t sure what she hoped would be the outcome. Would she be a virgin again? No.
“I think you were probably hoping that a week of abstinence would make up for what was taken from you. But it won’t, it never could.” She was quite still for a moment, shocked that he had echoed her thoughts so perfectly. The reality of what she wanted and her inability to ever achieve it overwhelmed her. He pulled her in close, her shoulders shaking. “You want to give yourself to me as a virgin, Hermione but you already have, sweetheart. I cherish that fact more than you know.”
And so they stood, her pants discarded on the floor, his low on his hips, her in tears when only moments before they had been taking their pleasure in each other. She had been a little emotional the whole week leading up to the fittings and he had finally figured out why.
“It’s not fair!” She was tearful and angry but not at him, never at him and certainly not for this.
“I know, I know…you know in my whole, long life I don’t believe a woman has ever been all mine before, just mine. Mine alone.” He didn’t care that he could hear their friends calling for them, she was all he was concerned with. “You are so precious to me.”
She finally felt herself recovered a bit and kissed his cheek. She made to put her clothes on and so he closed his pants and exited. Covering for her while she fully recovered.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione, Harry and Ron left Silkson and Chiffmore together, talking and laughing, finally able to do some catching up. They had waited patiently for her during her fitting, wanting some time alone with her, together. Their bond was as strong as ever, they missed each other terribly.
Sirius had been shooed away some hours earlier to keep him from seeing her dress. He left with Remus to go work on the bike, unbeknownst to her.
Hermione filled them in on all the things which had been keeping her busy. She told them about how horrible Cliodna had been and how odd it was for her to actually feel sorry for Lyra. Ron asked the question that Hermione had been trying to formulate for a few weeks.
“I wonder how many surprises like Lyra he’s got lurking out there.” Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. Ron turned to look at her, slightly puzzled, worried he had offended her, unaware how profound that question was for her.
“I think that is something I’ll need to ask him.” She resumed walking, feeling a little better, a niggling worry fleshed out for her.
“Good luck with that one.” Harry shook his head and gave her a sympathetic smile.
“No kidding. He’s not one to over share, is he?” She loved him as he was but hoped that someday he would let her in a little more.
“I think he’s happy,” said Harry, a little embarrassed to be discussing his godfather’s feelings. “With you, I mean. I think you make him happy.”
Hermione smiled at the shy way in which Harry spoke. “He makes me happy.”
“I would have never guessed it would turn out the way it has but I’m happy for you both.” Ron swung his arm around her for a quick half hug and offered her a grin.
“Thanks, Ron.” It meant the world to her that they were back to normal, all thoughts of romance forgotten, even considered to be laughable at this point.
“How did your check up go?” The curse continued to weigh on Harry’s mind, he didn’t want some measure of it returning, ever.
“Great! Baby’s healthy, I’m healthy. I’m a little thicker around the middle, suppose I’ll have to get used to that.” Hermione patted her belly playfully, taking on a glow as she spoke about her baby. “What about you two? How’s your personal life?”
“Ron dumped Lavendar…” Ron cut Harry off.
“It wasn’t like that, I just couldn’t take her calling me ‘Won Won’ one more minute.” He looked crossly at Harry, his face turning red.
“That was really annoying,” confirmed Harry with a cheeky grin.
“I’m dating Hannah Abbott now, nice girl.” Another beautiful flush which he tried to play off by staring straight ahead.
“And you?” She nudged Harry gently.
“Ginny, all the way.” He smiled confidently, not embarrassed in the slightest.
“I didn’t need to know that much, Harry.” It was her turn to color brightly.
“What? Oh, that’s not what I meant…I mean we haven’t…oh, nevermind.” Harry stumbled over his words, mortified at Hermione’s interpretation. She giggled at her mistake, she knew that Ginny was more than ready, she had made a poor assumption. She decided to change the subject.
“I went to my first Daughter’s meeting.” She threw it out there to see what they would say.
“Really? How’d that go?” Harry pointed to a street sign that read ‘Witch Way.’
“Oh, here we are.” Hermione indicated with a gesture of her hand that they should make a left. “It was interesting…odd collection in their membership.”
“Oh? How so?” Ron quirked an eyebrow up.
“Well, for starters, the last name of every death eater you’ve ever heard of was represented. I have no idea if they themselves were directly associated or just unfortunate enough to share a last name.” It felt good to talk about this with her boys. She let her frustration show in the edge with which she spoke.
“Right,” said Ron thoughtfully, “you can’t exactly ask, can you?”
Hermione snorted. “Oh yes, I can just imagine that conversation. ‘Are you now or have you ever been a death eater?’”
They all laughed, at first, and then sobered as a unit, realizing just how close to danger she might actually be. The likelihood that some of them were either death eaters themselves or approving of their relations involvement was fairly high. Hermione proceeded to tell them how closely that group had stuck together and that the other members shunned them.
“Narcissa Malfoy was there and oh, she was not pleased to see me.” She detailed the confrontation and the outburst which had come later.
“That worries, Hermione. It’s weird how the ones who were, arguably, in control just a few months ago have lost favor, now.” Harry mused out loud, treating this the way he would any problem that involved death eaters. Much was going on and he felt the need to suss it out.
“Well, Rita mentioned something. She said Narcissa was behind the marriage law and that there was more where that came from. ‘Nastier,’ she said.” Hermione spoke slowly, distracted with her thoughts, carefully considering that bit of information.
“Well, that explains something.” Ron’s tone of voice conveyed understanding.
“Explains what,” asked Hermione.
“The article in the Prophet. Rita didn’t take a single pot shot at you. Instead she focused on how horrid the law was,” said Ron, and then with a grin. “She’s found herself a really big fish to fry!”
“I don’t know Ron, the marriage law really was horrid.” Harry paused to peer into a shop that used a broom as part of its window display.
Ron paused and came to a full stop. “Dad said the ministry really came under fire after the article in Witch Weekly. People wanted explanations for why dark artifacts like that ring were in circulation. They also wanted to know why you had to go on the run, why the ministry didn’t intervene on your behalf.”
“The reaction to this article is going to be interesting,” said Harry, hoping to put a spotlight on grave mistakes the ministry had made.
“Sirius has been offered the Black family’s hereditary seat on the Wizengamut.” Talk of the ministry reminded her of that recent development. “But he didn’t take it.”
“I can see that,” said Harry, nodding. “Doesn’t trust them.”
“Neither do I but he could do a lot of good.” Her seed of irritation shone through. She didn’t trust the Daughter’s as a whole but she was doing her part for change.
“Don’t push him,” said Harry, warningly.
“Oh, believe me, I know better than to try that.” Hermione let out a sigh of resignation. “He’s going to do exactly what he wants to do.”
“So, who else do you see at the meeting?” Ron brought them back to their original topic.
“Every Slytherin we’ve ever met has a relative there.” Hermione ticked off a list of the names she could remember.
“How did they treat you?” Ron paused to look at sign that read ‘Bowtruckle Pass.’
“We turn right here,” said Hermione, before answering Ron’s question. “They treated me like a necessary evil.”
Harry nodded like it was beginning to make sense. “You’re all about cleaning up their image, aren’t you? Sounds like they might have some embarrassing skeletons in the closet.”
“That’s what Rita said. I’d love to find out what.” She was half afraid to discover what they were capable of.
“So there were no friendly faces?” Ron thought the Daughter’s sounded like an awful group of people.
“Actually, there were some very friendly faces.” Hermione brightened a bit. “Professor McGonagall! Can you believe that?”
“Damn! How has she put up with that lot through the war?” Despite his outburst, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione wouldn’t be alone.
“Tonks’ mother too, as is Madam Rosmerta and oh, it’s so exciting, Miranda Goshawk!” Hermione nearly squealed but her face fell at their blank expressions.
“Who?” asked Ron, finally after an uncomfortable pause.
“Honestly! She only wrote the Standard Book of Spells, one through seven.” Exasperated, Hermione sighed with mock sadness.
“Is that all? Four and a whole batch of bad?” Ron openly displayed his mistrust of her situation.
“No, there was Madam Marchbanks and Madam Edgecomb, who didn’t seem to like me very much but still, she’s not evil. Then there was Ludo Bagman’s wife, Fudge’s wife, um…” She continued to run through names that were familiar and free of poor associations.
“Well, that’s something I suppose.” It sounded to Harry like the deck was stacked against her.
“Oh,” said Hermione, her expression darkening. “There was one more and you are not going to believe it. I am just sick at having to sit next to her.”
“Who?” Ron wished she would hurry along to the point.
“Delores Umbridge.”
“WHAT?! How did that miserable hag manage that?” Harry stopped dead in his tracks, horrified and angry.
“I know, it’s horrible.” Hermione continued along the cobblestone walk. She turned when Ron broke out into hysterical laughter.
“Do you remember when she was in the infirmary and we made the sound of hoof beats?” He snickered and then snorted, quite tickled with the memory.
Harry was about to ask about how the Daughter’s operated but was interrupted by Hermione. “Well, this is where I get off.” She took note of their confused expressions and so pointed upward.
They boys followed the direction of her finger, their eyes landing on a large sign attached to the building they were in front of. It read ‘Wizarding Wireless Network.’ She had arrived at her destination. She hugged them both before entering the building, glancing back to watch them return to the castle.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Hermione returned home from her evening as guest host on ‘Witching Hour.’ She had thoroughly enjoyed her time, she found Glenda Chittock to be just as delightful as Sirius had described. He hadn’t returned home yet from Remus’. She half considered sending him a patronus but then decided against it. He was probably having a good time and that thought made her happy. Hermione had made a decision regarding her education and that was to include Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures for her NEWT level testing. She sat at the dining room table and wrote Dumbledore a note, requesting the change. It would mean more time spent studying but she felt that these two courses would be important in her future. She sent her letter with Mercury and then went into the kitchen to make dinner.
When he got home, she wasn’t going to let him weasel out of answering her question about the library. She could not begin to imagine what he could have done down there that he would have to go to such extraordinary lengths to hide it. She entertained herself with possible explanations while she cooked and was so engrossed that she jumped when a pair of soft, warm lips made contact with her neck.
“Sorry, baby. You’re jumpy, you all right?” Sirius wore an amused smirk that faded as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I had my check up today.” The look in her eye and the smile on her lips did not match.
“And how are you, how is the baby?” Sirius had forgotten about his little game from a week ago, truly believing himself to smart to be caught.
“The baby is in wonderful health,” she paused in her hunt to offer him the good news. Once that was delivered however she was back on the trail. “I too, am in wonderful health.”
“Best news ever!” Sirius had just the barest sense of foreboding, there was something off about the way she was addressing him.
“Did you know,” she tapped her finger on the kitchen counter. “That sensory loss is never a part of magical pregnancies?”
Sirius paused, stock still, like a rabbit caught unaware by the fox. “Erm…well…did they, uh…tell you how you did lose your sense of smell.” He was completely off balance, she could practically hear his brain whirring, attempting to find a way out of this mess.
“Did you know,” another heavy pause, “that when I was all of thirteen years old I was told that I was the brightest witch for my age?”
“Of course I know that…” She interrupted.
“Do you imagine that I peaked at thirteen and that it’s been a down hill run ever since?” The slight quirking of her lips gave away that she wasn’t all that mad.
“No! You’re the most intell…” Another interruption from her.
“I quite agree. I am rather intelligent.” He realized with shock that her cocky attitude was borrowed from him.
He straightened himself and stared the storm in the eye. “Alright, what’s this all about?”
“What happened in my library, Sirius?”
He deflated instantly, swearing quietly under his breath.
“I’m waiting…” Her finger was tapping the counter top again.
“It wasn’t just me!” He wasn’t going to go down alone.
“It wasn’t just you, what?” She still didn’t have an answer.
“Ismokedacigarwiththeguys.” He rushed his words together and spoke rather quickly.
“I’m sorry, once more please, English this time, if you don’t mind.”
“You know I built you that library!”
“Yes and its lovely. Out with it Sirius!” He knew she wasn’t truly angry…yet.
“Cigars, Hermione. Sometimes a man likes to have a cigar with his mates.” He thought he would give the tough, male approach a whirl, see where it got him.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, her nose wrinkled in distaste. He thought she was adorable and getting sexier by the minute. He realized in a moment of clarity that he had looked forward to this, to her being angry because she was so god dam gorgeous when she was.
“And why couldn’t I smell said cigars.”
Sirius smiled when he thought about just how angry his next words were going to make her.
“It’s a simple hex, really.”
“What!”