Chapter Text
Chapter 48: The Beginning of their lives
Wednesday, 31 October 1979
Over two months. It was over two months ago when she had left, without saying goodbye to him. Not that he had wanted to say goodbye to her. If it had been up to him, she would have been there, with him.
"REGGIE!"
Regulus gritted his teeth as his mother's portrait started to screech upstairs. He was in the middle of his morning tea, and not really in the mood to entertain guests. But Sirius was there. Unexpected, as always, Regulus thought grimly.
"Oh, SHUT UP, you rotten bint!" Sirius yelled and noisily traipsed down the stairs, barging into the kitchen with a wide grin on his face.
"Good morning, brother!"
Regulus lifted his brows a bit. "At least it was a good morning… To what do I owe the honour of your unforeseen presence?" He drawled, as the image of a girl with dark brown eyes that stared at him with apology faded into a vague memory.
Sirius chuckled. "Good to see you too, grumpy."
Regulus rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, watching his brother expectantly. "Well?" He asked and wondered what his brother was up to now.
During the past months, Sirius had come by every now and then, evidently to make sure that Regulus was still alive since his floo was closed for most of the time, he ignored the occasional owls his brother sent him, and, well, he didn't leave the house much.
Sirius laughed and waved his wand over the stove before he sat down opposite to his brother. "Do I have to have a purpose for my visits?"
"Yes. And by all means, make yourself at home," Regulus said with an arched brow, watching Sirius as he was in the middle of preparing himself a cup of tea.
"Oh, don't worry, Reggie. I will," Sirius smirked. "By the way, I thought you said you'd toss out the portrait of our lovely mother?" He asked and lifted his brows knowingly. "Had a change of heart?"
Regulus shook his head with exasperation. "I haven't yet discovered how exactly she has managed to attach her portrait onto the wall. And I was never going to – as you put it – toss it out. I was going to relocate it," he said primly. "Don't you have work to go to?" Regulus continued.
He knew that Sirius had been working long days at the Auror office after the war, and by the looks of his attire, Regulus assumed he was on his way there.
Sirius merely nodded and took a sip of his tea. "Yeah. Just decided to stop by to see my little brother first," he said and winked at Regulus. "You got anything to eat? Where's the nasty little elf?" Sirius asked airily and eyed around the kitchen.
Regulus bristled inwardly and narrowed his eyes at his brother. "Kreacher is taking care of some errands. And no, I do not have anything for you," he said with a hint of frustration in his voice. "Care to enlighten me why you are here?" Regulus asked his brother, eyeing him warily.
It wasn't that Regulus didn't want to see him. He was glad that he was slowly getting closer to his brother, becoming what they had once been. He simply had had a hard time of letting go of everything that had happened during the past two years. He envied his brother, who seemed to continue his life like the war had never happened. Regulus sometimes wondered if it was because Sirius had been on the right side of the war. Sirius hadn't been forced to do even half of the horrible things Regulus had, things that were still haunting his dreams. Things that would probably always haunt him. Of course he was relieved and glad that the war was over, but the memories and the events still remained.
And then there was Hermione. She had been something. A dream he hadn't even dared to think about during the past year. And for a good reason. Because now she was gone, and there he was, thinking of her the first thing every morning he woke up and the last thing every night before he fell asleep. Deep down, he understood why she had to leave, but it still didn't feel right to him. It wasn't supposed to be like that. Even if she hadn't been the sole purpose of him being a spy for both sides, in the end, it was all for her. All he had gone through in the war, every soul wrenching deed he had done, all of that he had endured for her. For them.
"Cheer up, Reggie. It's Halloween! You remember Halloween, eh?" Sirius asked gleefully as he stood up and went to go through Regulus's kitchen cabinets in search for something to eat.
Regulus huffed. "If you are referring to the time we stole a pair of father's cloaks and went scaring the neighbourhood inhabitants, then yes, I do remember," he said dryly.
Sirius laughed. Before they had gone to Hogwarts, Sirius had assured his little brother that it was a common thing to do in Halloween, to disguise oneself in a costume and play pranks on others. Later on, Regulus had sometimes wondered where on earth Sirius had got all of his information since their family certainly did not follow those kinds of traditions.
"Hah, I remember that!" Sirius chuckled, looking wistful as he returned to the table with a huge sandwich. "But no, this time we're just going to a pub."
Regulus stared at his brother. "And you decided to come all the way down here to inform me about your plans for the night?"
Sirius arched a brow. "Aren't you full of wit today, brother?" He said wryly. "I'm here to inform you where to be tonight," he said simply.
Regulus gave his brother a faint smirk. "Thank you for your consideration but I'm quite content with staying here."
Even though he knew the war had ended, that most of the Death Eaters had been caught and trialled, and that his crimes under the Dark Lord's command had been pardoned, the thought of going out for a night still seemed…unnatural.
"Knew you'd say that," Sirius muttered as he chewed his sandwich. He washed it down with a large gulp of tea and eyed Regulus with a contemplative look before he spoke. "Reggie. It's time for you to leave this place for a moment…and be around other people," he said carefully.
Regulus frowned, feeling annoyed at his brother. "I'm fine by myself, thanks brother," he said stiffly.
Sirius didn't understand what it was like. He didn't know that it was easier to stay at Grimmauld Place, where he wouldn't be reminded of what he had done and what he didn't have.
Sirius sighed. "No. You're not," he said grimly. "You're alone every day, only accompanied by your thoughts. And, well, by an elf that is definitely not right in the head..." Sirius said, muttering the last part. "And that's not healthy, Reggie. I mean…I know you've had a hard time, but you ought to let it go. You ought to move on," he said intently, searching Regulus's eyes.
Regulus gave his brother a blank look. "Don't go there," he warned darkly.
He tried not to dwell in the past during the days, because he certainly was reminded of it at nights.
Sirius scoffed. "Do you even want to move on? To forget all the shit you've been through? Do you think this is what she'll want to come back to?" He asked pointedly.
Regulus gritted his teeth. "I said don't fucking go there," he said sharply.
His brother had always known how to break through his walls, how to get a rise out of him. It was infuriating.
"Or what?" Sirius asked tauntingly. "You'll deck me?" He said and smirked. "At least I'd get a reaction out of you," he added simply while Regulus glared at him.
"You have no fucking idea about anything," Regulus said coldly, feeling angry and resentful at him, at everything.
Sirius huffed with annoyance. "Oh? Well, enlighten me, dear brother?"
Regulus took a calming breath and moved his focus on the table, opting to stay silent.
"So, you've done some shite, who hasn't," Sirius said darkly.
Regulus gave him an incredulous look. "Done some shite?" He repeated slowly, anger seeping into his voice. "I've killed people, Sirius. I've tortured people," he said chillingly. I've tortured her, he wanted to add, but he couldn't.
How did one come back from that? From everything he had done? How did he go on with his life after killing and torturing innocent people?
Sirius pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, and you're not the only one," he said quietly, staring at Regulus gravely. "All of us have done things we wish to take back. We've all fought the same war, Reg."
Regulus cursed under his breath. "But not on the same side! Merlin, Sirius! You can't be that moronic and think that it is the same thing!" He yelled, his empty teacup shattering as his magic crackled between them. His breathing was quickened, and he was beginning to feel nauseated. "I've done things of which most of the Death Eaters have received a life sentence in Azkaban."
Sirius gave his brother an exasperated look. "You can't change all that. Learn to fucking live with it," he said sharply. "Move on with your life. Don't shut everyone out. Don't shut me out," Sirius said beseechingly, his voice softening slightly.
Regulus swallowed hard. "I don't know if I have anything left. You're the only one I've got. And even that's a stretch," he muttered, grimacing at his honesty as he looked away.
Sirius eyed him with a deep frown between his brows. "Look, Reggie. I'm not going anywhere. And even though I haven't been in touch with Hermione, I'm rather sure she'll come back eventually. But you need to start planning your life and figure out what it is that you want to do with it…" Sirius said earnestly.
If the situation hadn't been so heavy weighted, Regulus would have been taken aback by Sirius's insightfulness and by his astuteness.
"Just," Sirius started and let out a weary sigh. "Just come spend the evening with me and the guys, yeah?"
Regulus didn't answer and didn't move his gaze up.
"I promise I'll protect you," Sirius said lightly, a small grin tugging his lips.
Regulus rolled his eyes at his brother. "Bugger off," he said half-heartedly, unable to suppress a smile.
"So…you'll come?" Sirius pressed on.
Regulus stared at his determined face and could feel his resolve fading.
"Fine," he grunted and scowled as Sirius gave him a triumphant smirk.
"James?" Lily yelled, eyeing towards downstairs over the railing, trying to listen if her husband was still home. "James Potter!"
A scrambling sound. "Yeah?" A muffled voice spoke. Footsteps came closer, and soon a sleepy face with a mop of messy black hair was in her line of vision. James was craning his neck and squinting up at her. "Whaizzit, love?"
"Ugh! For Merlin's sake, James! It's eight in the morning, and you should be getting ready for work! Did you fall asleep on the sofa, again?" Lily asked with a mix of exasperation and fondness as she walked down the stairs. She would never admit it to him, but his ruffled, messy hair was actually quite…adorable.
James flashed a grin at her as she descended the stairs and came to stand in front of him. "Apparently," he muttered and pulled her closer to him, kissing her lips softly. "And how did the pair of you sleep?" He murmured as his lips trailed down onto her neck, mouthing her skin. She was already on her way to work, dressed in her healer trainee's robes that were rather strained in the middle.
"Um," Lily mumbled as his ministrations on her neck sent warm sensations coursing through her body, while his hands caressed her back, her waist, and finally her stomach.
"Hmm? How is the girl of my dreams?" James asked, pulling back slightly to give her a smouldering look.
Oh, he is good, Lily thought as a part of her wanted to swoon at him. She shook her head with amusement. "I'm good," she said instead and gave him a sweet smile.
"And how's my little Hardwin?" James asked, his eyes fixed down where his fingers drew circles on her swollen belly.
Lily rolled her eyes. "We're not going to name him Hardwin, James," Lily said pointedly.
They still hadn't decided the baby's name. James kept insisting that he wanted to name the baby after one of his ancestors, while Lily hadn't yet felt comfortable with anything he had suggested.
James chuckled. "We'll see," he said with a lift of his brows and dodged away as Lily's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I have to get ready for work, love!" He said and quickly sprinted upstairs to the bathroom.
Lily huffed in a mix of annoyance and amusement before walking towards the fireplace in order to floo to work. She didn't feel safe apparating anymore, as it hadn't really been studied how the apparition affected a foetus.
"Hey, babes? James called from upstairs.
Lily turned to look at the staircase with a smile flickering on her lips. "Yes?"
"I'll be out with the guys tonight, remember?"
Lily sighed, her smile faltering. "Yes, I remember James," she grumbled.
Even though she was okay with James hanging out with his friends, she couldn't help the small pang of jealousy she felt every time the boys were gathered to see each other. She missed her friends. She missed Allie. She missed Hermione. Sure, she had Mary, but Mary had been rather busy lately. So basically, she missed Mary too.
Some time after the final battle, Mary had announced that she didn't want to work as a healer anymore. They had had a hard time at Mungo's after the war had ended, and while all the things they had seen and been through had only intensified Lily's aspiration to work as a fully trained healer, Mary had felt quite the opposite. So, Mary had returned to the Ministry, to her secretarial work at the Administrative Registration Department. She had then applied to lead the Spell Detection Office at the Improper Use of Magic Office, which was part of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Due to her background with the Order and her high scores in Charms and History of Magic at Hogwarts, she had got the job only a month later. She supervised a small team and their work was mainly to examine evidence that was sent from the Auror Office. It required a lot of researching, so she spent most evenings with her nose stuck in a book.
"Have a great day. I love you, Lils," James called.
Lily's heart warmed. "Love you too, James," she said softly and left to work, deciding to owl Mary to see if she would pop in later that night.
James was in the middle of a strong cup of tea as Sirius barged into their shared cubicle.
He had dozed off on the sofa downstairs the previous night after going through a stack of photographs from his childhood. Earlier that night at dinner, James, Lily and Sirius had been speculating what would James's and Lily's son look like, and later on that night when Sirius had gone home and when Lily had headed to bed, James had dug up his family albums. He hadn't touched them after his parents had passed away, so it turned out to be a rather sentimental night.
He still remembered his first thoughts after Lily had told him that she was pregnant. After realising he was going to be a father, after his heart had filled with love and joy, all he had wanted to do was to tell his father the wonderful news. But he couldn't. Because his parents were gone. James rarely let himself wallow in the thoughts of loss and what if's, because he knew it wouldn't do any good. And he knew his parents wanted him to be happy.
Pushing away the thoughts of last night, James cleared his throat and eyed his friend carefully. "Alright, mate?" James muttered as Sirius slumped into his chair and began rifling through a case file that had been left on their table, with more force than necessary.
Sirius grunted something under his breath, his eyes still on the parchment.
James sighed inwardly. He knew Sirius had seen his brother in the morning and based on his mood, the visit hadn't panned out as Sirius had expected.
"I take it didn't go well?" James asked and took a sip of his tea.
Sirius glanced at him and shrugged. "He'll be there."
"Oh," James said with a hint of surprise in his tone. He wondered if there was something else making his friend that gutted. "How is he?" James asked casually.
Sirius clenched his jaw and dropped the file on the table. "Not okay, I reckon," he muttered, rubbing his neck.
James frowned. They had chatted about Sirius's brother several times during the past two months. It seemed that the younger Black had opted to stay in the confines of his home rather than do anything else. Even though Sirius was worried about him, he had tried to give his brother space. But now, as it was apparent that giving Regulus space hadn't really helped matters, Sirius had decided to drag his brother outside, by any means necessary.
James assumed that Regulus was suffering from some kind of post-traumatic stress, as were many who had lived through the war. James knew that it was probably harder for Sirius's brother than for many others, since Regulus was one of the few Death Eaters who had been forced to do Voldemort's bidding involuntarily.
Sirius had told James some of the things his younger brother had done and seen, and truthfully, it had made James's skin crawl with unease. James himself wasn't close with Regulus, but the man had been a topic in their chats more than once during his years of friendship with Sirius.
James cleared his throat. "It might do good for him," he said lightly.
Sirius nodded, not looking assured at the slightest. "Yeah, it might."
They both started to work in silence; Sirius still with the case file, while James began to fill the report about their latest mission. They were partners, had been since the war had ended. Moody – who was leading their squad, had informed that since both Sirius and James had shown some extraordinary talent during the war by not dying, he was able to reduce their training by half. So, they basically had less than six months of training left, and since the last year of the three-year Auror training was completed in the field with partners, Sirius and James had been working on with cases since the final battle.
The first month and a half had been hectic for them - if they hadn't been attending various funerals, they had been chasing down the rest of the Death Eaters, dementors, giants and such. Only now their days seemed to be slightly calmer, and so the boys spent a lot of their time filling out reports and going through some of the low-importance cases that had been disregarded due to the chaos that had followed the final battle. There was still a lot of work to be done before the wizarding world could go back to normal.
Remus and Peter had been working at the DMLE as well right after the war, but Remus had returned to the University in the beginning of October, and Peter to his Rune apprenticeship a week or so after.
"You seen Pete?" Sirius asked, taking a break from reading, stretching his back.
James grunted as his quill left a small blotch of ink on the parchment. "Not since last week."
Sirius hummed. "Think he'd come downstairs with us?" Sirius asked mildly.
James glanced at his mate and saw a small smirk playing on his lips. "Wha…no, mate," he said with a warning in his voice as he realised what Sirius had meant.
There was a cafeteria downstairs they sometimes went to for lunch. And there was this guy, Jake, who worked there, and he was, well… He had asked James out once, on a date, and while Sirius had found it hilarious, James had been rather uncomfortable. He had nothing against the guy, of course, but the situation itself had been rather awkward.
"What?" Sirius said with a grin. "I'd go for Jake if I were a poof."
James rolled his eyes. "If I floo Pete, promise you won't do or say anything?" James asked wearily, knowing already that his friend wouldn't keep his promise.
Sirius winked. "Of course. Trust me."
Her wand was buzzing.
"Oh, bugger…" Hermione muttered, fishing her pockets.
She shivered slightly. The cold sea wind was hitting her skin with an unforgiving force. "A-ha!" She said as she located her wand and waved it over the various samples of seaweed she had collected. The green and brown tangles flew into several different flasks she had been carrying in her satchel.
Hermione shivered again and cast a couple of drying and warming charms over herself.
"Finally," she sighed as a warm wave coursed through her body, evading the coldness and wetness.
She swung the strap of her satchel over her shoulder and started to make her way away from the rocky shore, up on the sharp cliffs, across the bare landscape and towards the small cottage that stood out in the distance.
She was alone, with only remains of houses and structures around her, in the middle of the wild nature. She was in Boreray, an uninhabited island in the North Atlantic. The place was beautiful, with its razor-sharp hills and gentle valleys that were shrouded in mist. As Hermione slipped inside her small cottage, she cast a couple of spells to rouse the flames in the small fireplace. She emptied her satchel's contents into a cabinet next to her writing desk. There were parchments and quills scattered on the table, and Hermione pursed her lips as she flicked her wand to organise her stationery. She had left in haste early that morning, and apparently had left a small mess behind.
Heaving a weary sigh, she went to the kitchenette and pulled out a small box of food from the cooling cabinet. She tapped her wand on the box, heating the food. It wasn't much, but she didn't have the time to prepare anything else, since she was due to have a meeting with Viridian soon.
After the final battle, when she had been making the necessary arrangements for her planned time off, Viridian had contacted her and asked if she wished to continue her apprenticeship. Hermione had told him what she had said to everyone else, that she needed to get away from everything and everyone. She had told him that she wanted to continue her apprenticeship, but she knew that it wasn't an option if she wanted to get away, as she didn't even know when she was going to return. Then Viridian had asked if she already knew where she was going to go, and mentioned that the company employed several researchers who worked independently with their own projects, and only reported back to him every other week via floo. Hermione had been intrigued, and soon they had agreed that she would go to an abandoned island in the North, to research and study a rare magical seaweed that only grew in there, and was a rather valuable ingredient in the Potions market.
The island was surrounded with several Muggle repellent charms as its surroundings were inhabited by a herd of merpeople, making it a perfect place to retreat.
Hermione sat at the small dining table and began to eat. Her eyes were drawn to an open letter on the table. She took it and re-read it.
Dear Hermione,
I can't believe it's been over two months since we've seen each other. How are you? I hope you're well. I also hope you'll come back soon, so that I have someone I can grouch about my life.
Life here goes on, slowly but surely. I've been promoted to a head trainer in the Auror Academy, and I'm now responsible for the new recruits and their first years of training. Let's just say it's been rather hectic at work.
Have you heard from Molly? I went to see her and the rest of their clan a couple of days ago and she told me that she had written to you, but wasn't sure if their owl had managed to deliver the letter. Everything's okay with Molly, Arthur, and their ever-growing band of mischief-makers. Dear Merlin, you should see the twins. They're a menace! I'm lucky to be alive after one night with them. I'm never going to babysit them again!
Fabian and Emmeline both send their love.
Owl me when you can,
Gideon
She smiled as she read the letter, chuckling at Gideon's comments about Fred and George. Mischief-makers, indeed. Hermione felt a wave of yearning as she thought of her friends and family. She missed everyone dearly, and lately, the thought of going back had flashed through her mind more than once. She wanted to be with her friends. She wanted to be there when Lily's and James's baby, and Molly's next child – Hermione anxiously hoped it would be Ron – were going to be born. She wanted to be surrounded by them all, and she wanted to see if there still was a future with Regulus.
Hermione knew she had left him and everyone else in a bad time. She had left Regulus when he probably had needed her the most. But she just hadn't been able to handle it. She had lost so, so much. She had felt empty and broken, unrepairable. All she had been able to think was how she had failed. That she had had the chance to save people, but in the end, many had still suffered.
She had had the time to mull over every wretched thought in her mind during the past two months. And she knew it had helped matters, to be away from everything, to be with only in the company of her own thoughts. There was still a lot to do and to reflect upon. But she was getting there. She was healing.
Hermione searched through the small pile of letters she had received from Lily, Remus, Gideon, Molly and Aberforth. She finally found Molly's previous letter, which had arrived the previous morning. Hermione left it open on the table, deciding to reply as soon as her meeting with Viridian was over and moved to sit in front of the fireplace.
She waited for a short while, and then a faint pop came from the midst of the flames. Viridian's head was floating in the middle.
"Good afternoon, Hermione."
Hermione smiled at the man. "Good afternoon, Mr Viridian. How are you?"
"Gideon!"
Gideon stopped in mid-stride at the sound of his name. He turned towards the familiar voice and smiled as he saw a red-haired witch in lime-green robes, a couple of clipboards tucked into her armpit and a cup of tea in her other hand.
Lily's smile faltered and she rushed towards him to the reception area. "What's going on?" She asked with a hint of worry, dropping her bearings on the nearest side table. The reception area was rather quiet at the time, with only a small witch sitting in the corner, belching green bubbles. Lily lifted her brows at him in question, glancing at his arm studiously. Gideon was cradling his right arm, which was limp and very much swollen.
Gideon grimaced. "A bit of an accident during training…" he muttered and let her examine the arm a bit.
"Oh?" Lily asked as she waved her wand over his arm, checking it with a diagnostic charm.
"A malfunctioning curse during a duel practice. One of my trainees threw a muscle-relaxing jinx at his opponent but it collided with a stunning spell shot from another direction, ultimately hitting my arm," Gideon said with a shrug and let out a quiet wince of pain as Lily ran her fingers gently over his arm.
Lily frowned. "Let's go to the examine room, yeah? I'll call Healer Higgs to take a look at it," she muttered and gathered her things.
"Yeah, okay," Gideon said and followed her through double doors.
They walked along a narrow hallway, passing a couple of healers who greeted Lily with a nod. It wasn't the first time Gideon had been in St Mungo's for a fix-up. He had had his fair share of accidents and injuries during his years at the Auror Office.
"Which ward are you training at?" He asked as they walked through the Artefact Accidents ward on the ground floor, towards the staircase. Gideon could hear faint moaning through one of the doors.
Lily cleared her throat. "I'm under Healer Jackson in Potion and Plant Poisoning. But I'm actually filling in at Spell Damage at the moment since Mary went back to the Ministry and their ward tend to have a bit more rush than we do," she explained and opened a door for him as they reached the end of the hallway.
Gideon gave her a nod and walked through the door towards a staircase. "Have you liked it here?" He asked as he ascended the stairs with her.
He knew St Mungo's had been quite the busy place when the war had ended. It must've been stressful.
Lily gave him a nod. "I suppose, yes. I mean, it is hard work, and us trainees have all kinds of small tests every two or three months to show our progress, which some of them I've only managed to muddle through. But other than that, I love helping people," she said with a small smile.
Gideon smiled at her. "You're not putting yourself through too much stress, are you?" He asked hesitantly, glancing at her round belly.
"No. At least I don't think so…I mean, I feel fine," Lily muttered stiffly, seemingly not wanting to continue the discussion.
Gideon wondered if it was something that had perhaps been a topic of discussion with her husband and friends. They climbed another flight of stairs, ending up on the fourth floor, in front of a door that bore the words; Spell Damage. Underneath there was a card that said: Healer-in-Charge: Sybella Jones. Healers: John Jenkins, Mafalda Timms, Edgar Higgs. Trainee Healers: Kendra Bell, Alan Switch, Lily Potter (deputy trainee).
They stepped inside the Spell Damage ward, and Gideon saw several corridors leading out from the oak panelled reception room. He knew that the ward was the largest in St Mungo's, at least it had been during the wartime. The reception room was bustling with people, with patients and their families, with healers and healer trainees.
Lily eyed around them for a moment before she jerked her head towards a door on which stood the text Incorrectly Applied Charms. She led him inside the ward and turned left, accessing the first room. "You can wait there while I'll get Healer Higgs, okay?"
Gideon nodded and sat down on the hospital bed. The room was small and dimly lit, with only the one bed, a couple of chairs against the wall next to a small writing desk and no windows. He didn't have to wait for long before a dark-haired man in his forties entered the room, with Lily trailing behind him.
"Mr Prewett. I'm Healer Higgs," he said briskly, nodding at Gideon. "So…What brings you here today?" He asked and moved closer to Gideon.
"Yes, hello. It's my arm. Had a couple of jinxes mixing up and going astray during Auror practice," Gideon said while the healer flicked his wand over Gideon's arm to cast diagnostic spells. The dull pain he had felt earlier had magnified and he only then noticed that he was gritting his teeth to suppress the pain.
The healer eyed the dark green mist that was emanating from Gideon's arm carefully. "Ah. You seem to be missing quite a few bones, Mr Prewett," the healer said simply, sending another set of diagnostic spells on his arm. "And a few muscles," he added, glancing at Gideon. "Rough practice?" He asked, chuckling slightly.
Gideon nearly arched a brow at the healer, not feeling a bit entertained because of the pain he was in.
The healer turned to Lily. "Let's admit him in for the night for an emergency bone and muscle tissue re-growth."
Lily nodded at him and wrote something hastily on the clipboard she was holding.
Then the healer said his goodbyes, before Gideon had the time to argue.
"What? I'm here for the night?" He asked from Lily, feeling a mix of bewilderment and frustration.
Lily gave him a tight smile. "Yes, and unfortunately you have to drink a ton of bad tasting potions to get you up and running," she said with a small cringe. "But, luckily you have me as your companion since I have to monitor you, at least until my shift ends," Lily said and grinned at him.
"Shit…Scrimgeour's gonna murder me…" Gideon muttered and rubbed his neck with his working hand.
Lily arched a brow at him. "Surely your boss will appreciate a Chief Instructor having both of his arms?" She asked with a wry tone, shaking her head slightly as she went to a cabinet under the desk and pulled out several bottles of simmering potions.
Gideon smirked at her. "Well, you obviously don't know Scrimgeour…" he muttered.
A moment later Gideon was coughing after gulping down two vials of the most horrific tasting potions he had ever drunk. "Circe, I really hope this works. It tastes like dog piss," he muttered and lay down on the hospital bed as Lily had instructed him.
Lily laughed. "Oh, don't be such a baby," she said and threw him a blanket before she sat down on one of the chairs.
Gideon saw her take a sharp breath and frown at her belly. "Everything okay?" He asked warily. It seemed that she was in a bit of pain. He shuffled up a bit in his hospital bed so that he was leaning against the several pillows instead.
Lily shook her head slightly. "It's nothing, really. Just baby kicking a bit," she said and gave him a reassuring smile.
Gideon nodded slowly, studying her features. "It's a boy, yeah?"
Lily smiled. "Yes, he is."
"Got a name for him yet?" Gideon asked curiously.
Lily made a face. "Unfortunately, no, we do not. James and I… We are having a bit of a disagreement about the name," she said with a mix of amusement and frustration.
Gideon hummed, remembering vaguely how Molly and Arthur had argued over the same topic regarding their own children. "Why is that?"
Lily frowned a bit, before she replied. "Well, James wants to name the baby after one of his ancestors, but nothing he has suggested has seemed right to me," she muttered and gave him a helpless shrug.
Gideon gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure it'll come to you when you least expect it. Something that both of you agree on," he said slowly, his focus faltering.
Only then he remembered something. Harry. Did Lily and James know about him? Probably not. Gideon knew Hermione had told Lily and the others parts regarding her old life, but he wasn't sure how much she had told about the friends she had had in her past.
He glanced at Lily and saw her eyeing him curiously.
"What is it?" Lily asked, her eyes moving over his face.
Gideon cleared his throat, trying to think of what to say to her. "Er…I'm. Well. The thing is. It's nothing, just remembered something. It doesn't matter…" he stammered and looked away.
"What? What were you thinking? Has James said something?" Lily asked suspiciously and stood up from the chair, studying him as she moved closer.
"Erm. Nothing. Forget it," Gideon said hastily, and could feel his ears redden.
Lily arched a brow at him. "Gideon Ignatius Prewett. You better fess up now what you are so poorly trying to keep from me, or else…" she said threateningly.
Brilliant, Gideon thought and rubbed his face. He knew he shouldn't meddle into anything, especially if Hermione hadn't said anything about Harry – and frankly, she probably hadn't, since Lily hadn't mentioned anything about the name Harry. He glanced at the redhead, who had her eyes narrowed at him, her hands on her hips.
Shit…
Gideon had thought he was a wizard who wasn't bossed around by anyone - well, except by his sister – but the look Lily gave him was slightly unnerving and it made his resolve falter.
He let out a weary sigh. "Has Hermione told you about her old life? Her friends?" He asked quietly.
Lily's brows lifted in surprise. She clearly hadn't been expecting him to ask her that. "Um. No. Why?" She asked slowly.
"They…they met on the Hogwarts Express and became close friends, kind of like your group, I reckon. From what I gather, they fought Voldemort several times during their teenage years, up until she was accidentally sent into this time," he said with a frown.
"Oh…" Lily breathed, and Gideon could see her stare at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. "Who were they?" She asked after a beat, her voice filled with anticipation.
Gideon gave her a small smile. "Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley."
Her jaw dropped. She cleared her throat nervously. "As…as in, um…"
"Yeah, Lily and James Potter's son," Gideon said softly.
It was so surreal, that Hermione, his Hermione, had been best friends with Lily's son and his nephew, with whom Molly believably was now pregnant. It was surreal that she had already fought in a war, before the one in this time had even properly started.
Lily huffed out a breath, her mouth opening and closing in shock. "I'm…I…"
She looked overwhelmed by the information. There was a mix of disbelief and concern in her eyes as she blinked at Gideon.
Gideon's mouth quirked up a bit. "I know. But don't be mad at her for not telling, yeah? She's had a lot on her plate…" he said, giving her a hesitant look.
Lily shook her head, more to herself than him, and was quiet for a moment. "Um. Yes. Of course not. Godric…" she muttered, frowning in deep thought as she mulled the news in her head.
Gideon didn't have a chance to say anything else on the matter before someone knocked softly on the door and stepped inside.
A healer – a very attractive one in her late twenties or so – glanced over the room.
"Oh, excuse me," she said with a polite smile to Gideon before she turned towards the still stunned Lily. "I was wondering if I could borrow you for a moment," she said with a slight cringe. "Healer Jackson has a bit of a situation on the third floor, and she might need some assistance," she continued, while Lily cleared her throat and nodded, evidently pushing the new information into the back of her mind.
"Of course," Lily said hastily and moved towards Gideon, who was trying his best not to stare at the woman, whoever she was.
"I'll just put on some monitoring charms on Mr Prewett," Lily added and lifted her wand.
The healer waved her hand in mild dismissal. "I can monitor him and then place the charms if necessary," she said easily and took a clipboard from the end of his hospital bed, which Gideon assumed contained his information and the reason for his admission. "The first hour is the most critical to monitor in his case, I reckon," the healer muttered as her eyes moved over the clipboard.
She finally lifted her eyes to look at the others. "I've got it, go on," she said kindly to Lily and sat on the chair which Lily had previously vacated.
"Oh. Okay," Lily said hesitantly, moving towards the door. "Just, send me a note if you'll be needed somewhere else, Healer Jones," she said politely.
Healer Jones winked at Lily. "Of course."
The door closed and they were in silence. Gideon swallowed. It was slightly awkward, to be with a stranger in a small space, and not to talk about anything. He studied her features as she scribbled something on his chart. The woman was of average height, she had a shapely figure and dark brown hair that flowed over her shoulders. Her facial features were sharp and defined, and there seemed to be a professional air flowing around her.
"So…" Healer Jones said tentatively, her brown eyes finding his. "A work injury?" She asked with a hint of curiosity. "And according to your file, you've had quite a few of those," she said with a knowing look.
Gideon gave her a small smile. "Well, yeah. I'm an Auror. We tend to get knocked around every once in a while," he said, and could see her mouth quirking up.
Seeing her being amused by his words made him feel…well, he didn't even want to go there.
Healer Jones chuckled. "I gathered. I think I've met your brother here a couple of times as well."
Gideon smirked. "Yeah, well… He's the clumsy one," he said jokingly.
Healer Jones laughed, and for a small moment, her eyes sparkled before she cleared her throat and schooled her features. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything about tending your brother," she said, the tips of her ears tinging with red.
"No worries," he said and smiled at her.
She looked utterly stunning. And all of it made him inwardly curse his luck. Of course, the one time he actually found someone interesting, it was unprofessional to make advances on her.
She gave him a long look and swallowed nervously. "I know this might sound a bit straightforward, but… Would you fancy a cup of tea in the Tearoom?" She asked carefully, searching his features.
Gideon grinned. "Am I not supposed to stay here for monitoring?" He asked, feeling a bit thrilled as she started to stammer.
"Oh. Um. Yes. Of course you must stay here. I meant after…but…I'm sorry, I… Forgive me," she said hastily, looking away, her face red.
He was cheering inwardly and feeling very nervous as he spoke. "But I'd like to have tea with you."
"Bloody moron," Mary grumbled as her quill scratched against the parchment forcefully.
An amused huff of laughter came from behind her. "I hope you have a bit more taste in your writing than in your speech."
Mary rolled her eyes. "What is it, Black? It's only the third time you're pestering me during my workday," she said dryly and turned around in her chair to meet the raven-haired Marauder with a bored look on her face.
Amanda, the other one of her two team members gave Sirius an appraising look. Sirius answered to her with a small tilt of his head and a smouldering smile.
Mary aimed a kick to his shin, which the wizard quickly dodged.
"Keep your legs in check, Macdonald," Sirius laughed and dropped a small parcel on the edge of her desk. "More evidence from the Apothecary case," he said simply, sending a wink at Amanda, who was still batting her eyelashes at him.
Mary sighed. "Yes, thank you, Sirius. Now, please, be on your way. You're bothering us. We have a ton of work to do," she grumbled and arched a brow at Amanda, who hastily returned back to writing her report.
Sirius smirked at Mary. "Didn't know you were so dedicated, Macdonald. Are you planning on coming to the pub with us later?" He asked and leaned casually against the edge of her desk.
Mary shrugged. "I might. I promised to pop by at Lily's at night though, so it really depends on how I manage to finish with this," she said and jerked her head towards her table.
"You'll do just fine," Sirius said with a wave of his hand. When Mary let out a scoff, he added. "Okay then. I'll see you later," he said and bounced on his feet. He glanced at Amanda. "And your team members are of course welcome to join us," he said slyly, ignoring Mary's scowl and grinning at Amanda, who flushed slightly, but still looked like Christmas had come early.
He was walking along the long, cobbled street, passing several little shops that were still bustling with customers even though it was almost closing time. Numerous carved pumpkins adorned the shop windows and many shopkeepers and residents of Diagon Alley had decorated their shop exteriors and entrances with spider webs. It was dark and cold, and Remus pulled his coat tighter around him, shivering slightly under the icy breeze.
He had had a long day, first at school and then at a book launch party, where he and his classmates had been invited to by their professor. The party hadn't been compulsory for the students, but Remus had wanted to attend, even though he was feeling a bit under the weather. The full moon was approaching, and he was already feeling the effects of it. Even though his monthly doses of Wolfsbane potion - courtesy of Belby, for joining his study - lessened the symptoms of his lycanthropy significantly and had made his life remarkably better, the full moon still had some effect on him.
Finally, he came to stand in front of a brick wall, which led to the Leaky Cauldron. Remus tapped one of the bricks, and immediately the archway between Diagon Alley and Leaky Cauldron opened in the wall. For some reason, his friends always gathered at the Leaky, even though there were several other places in Diagon alley they could go to. As he stepped into the dimly lit, but packed pub, Remus wondered whether Sirius had managed to drag his brother with him. His question was soon answered when Mary waved at him from one of the tables in the corner.
"Over here!" She shouted over the steady hum and chattering of the pub's clientele. She was sitting next to Peter, opposite to James and Regulus.
Remus smiled at his friends and went to their table. "Hey guys," he greeted his mates, and then turned to Mary. "Hello, love," he murmured and leaned down to kiss Mary on her cheek. "I thought you said you wouldn't come?" Remus asked Mary after the others had greeted him back.
Mary and Peter scooted further on the bench, making room for him.
Mary rolled her eyes. "Well, yes, I was going to skip this and go straight to Lily's, but…since someone decided to lay his charm on one of my team members, I felt necessary to come and make sure she's not going to fall for his dalliances," she said sharply, glowering at the bar.
Sirius was there, leaning against the counter while chatting to a girl who stood close to him. The girl giggled and touched his arm playfully.
Mary growled.
Remus saw Regulus roll his eyes as he stared at his brother's ministrations, while James suppressed a grin and took a swig from his Butterbeer.
Remus turned back to Mary. "Well, I'm sure your team mate – "
"Amanda," Mary interrupted him with a tight voice.
Remus cleared his throat. "Yes, Amanda, can take care of herself. I mean, perhaps they're just talking," he said and glanced at the bar.
Or not. The couple was leaning closer to each other by the minute, and Mary was bristling next to him.
Brilliant, Remus thought wearily.
"Why are you even bothered by them?" James asked from Mary with a hint of amusement in his voice. "You know how Pads is – and well, they're both adults," he said simply.
Mary arched a brow at James. "What if they start to date and then break up? What if one of them wants something more than the other? Then I would be the one who is put in an awkward position. I'm the one who has to listen to her. And since she couldn't even shut up about him after only meeting him briefly today, I'm rather certain that I will be hearing about this little spectacle," she said in annoyance.
James shrugged and glanced at Peter, who was eyeing the situation with a curious look. Regulus was silent and stared at his Butterbeer bottle on the table.
"I'll grab a drink," Remus muttered. "And say hello to Pads…"
Mary's eyes were trained at the couple. "You do that, love," she said absently, narrowing her eyes as Sirius pushed a tendril of Amanda's hair behind her ear.
Remus left the table, grimacing inwardly. He knew Mary had a point – it was inconvenient – but he reckoned she was taking it a bit too personally for some reason. Perhaps it was because of the pressure of her new job and the responsibility of having subordinates. Whatever it was, Remus decided to ask Sirius to tone it down a bit, at least until Mary was gone. He had a strong suspicion that Sirius wasn't that serious about the girl, based on his demeanour. He knew that Hermione had been the only girl Sirius had ever properly dated, and even that had lasted less than four months.
Sirius saw him approaching and his grin changed into a more genuine one. "Moony!" He said cheerfully and pulled Remus into a tight hug, clapping his back.
"Hey Pads," Remus said, his mood lifting instantly. He glanced at Amanda, who was eyeing him with slight interest. Remus could practically feel Mary's glare on his back. He cleared his throat. "Hello. I'm Remus Lupin. Nice to meet you," he said politely to her.
Amanda gave him a sugary smile. "Amanda Davies. Nice to meet you too," she said sweetly. "Gosh, are all Mary's friends this handsome?"
Remus felt his cheeks flame while Sirius sniggered. "Um. Yeah. I'm actually Mary's boyfriend," Remus stammered, feeling uncomfortable.
Amanda burst in laughter. "Of course I know you're with Mary, silly…" she said and gave his shoulder a friendly shove.
Sirius eyed their conversation with amusement.
Remus gave her a tight smile. "Right. Of course. Would you mind if I steal Sirius for a bit?" He asked and gave his friend a meaningful look.
Amanda smiled. "Sure, no problem."
Remus nodded and walked around the bar to an empty spot, out of Amanda's hearing distance, with Sirius trailing behind him. He briefly wondered why the girl didn't go to sit with Mary and the rest of their group, but the thought was discarded as Sirius gave him a questioning look.
"What is it?" He asked lightly, nodding his head at the barkeep, who nodded back and seconds after levitated two glasses of Firewhiskey in front of them.
Remus arched a brow at the drinks but took the one Sirius was offering him. "Amanda?" He asked pointedly, and took a sip of his drink.
The liquor burned softly as it moved down his throat.
Sirius smirked. "Yeah? She seems okay, don't you think?" He said vaguely, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Remus lifted his brows slightly. "Whatever it is, keep yourself in check, mate. Mary's gonna be miffed if you screw up her assistant," he said with a knowing look.
Sirius gave him a wicked grin. "Oh, I intend to –"
" - Do not finish that sentence," Remus warned.
"What?" Sirius asked innocently. "I was merely pointing out that I intend to get to know her," he said simply.
Remus arched an unimpressed brow at him.
"Really, it's your mind that has all these derogatory thoughts, not mine," Sirius continued airily, and winked at Remus before downing half of his drink.
Remus gritted his teeth. "Pads…" he said with tension in his voice.
Sirius's demeanour became solemn. "Fine," he said darkly and let out a weary sigh.
They sipped their drinks in silence.
"Heard anything from Hermione?" Sirius asked casually, his eyes flickering to the other end of the pub, where his brother was still sitting with James, Peter and Mary.
Remus shrugged. "Nothing new. She's still working with her research. Said she misses everyone but that's about it," Remus muttered, feeling slightly bummed out by her aloofness.
Sirius grunted in reply, seemingly sharing Remus's feelings. The black-haired Marauder stared at his drink for a moment before he quaffed the rest of it in one gulp, grimacing slightly.
An hour or so later, Sirius was feeling rather sozzled as he made his way towards their table, a round of drinks floating in front of him. After his chat with Remus, his friend had returned to their table and Sirius had gone back to Amanda, only to tell her that she was welcome to hang out with them, but there wasn't going to be anything between them, since it could've had complicated things at her work place. Amanda had seemed slightly disappointed, as had he been, but she had said that she understood, and that she would be heading home.
Mary had soon left after Amanda, to hang out with Lily in Godric's Hollow. A while after, Peter had disappeared somewhere during his swing by the loo, and then James and Remus had gone searching for him.
Sirius sniggered as he sat opposite to his brother, pushing a glass of Firewhiskey towards him.
Regulus arched a brow at him. "Do I even want to know?"
Sirius shrugged. "Found Pete," he said with a mischievous grin.
The annoyance crossing his brother's features made him only more amused, if possible. Oh, he had found Pete, alright. And Sirius didn't blame his friend for forgetting the rest of them.
Regulus sighed. "Well?"
"Let's just say he'll probably leave soon, accompanied," Sirius said and gave his brother a knowing look.
Regulus nodded slowly. "And you're okay with that? Your friends leaving pubs with strangers?" He asked and took a sip from his drink.
Sirius stared at him, sighing inwardly. Of course there was always going to be the possibility of something bad happening, but the war had ended, over three months ago. And his brother was still partially living like nothing had changed. He was living in seclusion, barely leaving Grimmauld Place. Sirius reckoned Regulus's unwillingness to leave his home had more to do with him not knowing how to move on or what to do with his life, than with anything else.
"Yeah. It's a guy from the Ministry," Sirius merely said and took a hefty gulp of his Firewhiskey. He stared at his brother for a long while, who looked back with an expressionless face. "You figured out what to do with your life already?" He asked lightly, glancing around the pub.
Remus and James were still looking for Pete, by the looks of it.
Regulus looked away when Sirius's eyes were fixed at him again. He was silent for a while before he spoke. "I applied for a Curse-Breaker apprenticeship a couple of weeks ago."
Sirius was taken aback by the news. So, his brother had done some future plans and taken actions already. "Oh. That's…I mean, that's great, Reggie! And challenging, I reckon," he said and then hesitated. "Are you aiming to get away?" He asked, feeling a bit disoriented.
He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer. He knew that Curse-Breakers usually worked for Gringotts, and were known to operate in Egypt and other ancient magical areas. He didn't want to think about the possibility of his brother not being a part of his life, yet again.
Regulus shrugged. "Not necessarily. There are several establishments that recruit Curse-Breakers to work here in Britain. Nevertheless, they accepted me," he said simply, sipping his drink.
Relief and excitement filled him, and Sirius gave his brother a wide grin. "Then I'm thrilled for you, brother!" He said gleefully. "We should celebrate!"
Regulus lifted his brows slightly. "Are we not doing that at the moment?"
Sirius barked a laugh and left the table, making his way towards the bar. He spotted James and Remus there, in the middle of a discussion.
"What are you fine gents scheming here?" Sirius cheerily asked as he neared his friends. His grin faded as he saw the grim looks on James's and Remus's faces. It seemed as if they had been in the middle of an argument.
Remus gave Sirius a tight smile, while James rolled his eyes at Remus and turned to Sirius. "Just trying to convince Moony here that I'll take care of our drinks," James said nonchalantly.
Sirius saw the sullen look on Remus's face but didn't press on the matter. "You saw Pete?" He asked with a sly grin. "He was –"
James snorted, interrupting him. "Yeah, having a bit of hanky panky with Jake, apparently."
Sirius chuckled. "Go Pete. But hey, guess what? Reggie's gonna be a Curse-Breaker!" He said, feeling proud of his little brother.
Remus and James seemed equally happy and relieved, and Sirius knew it was because his friends knew that Regulus's situation had been bothering him for quite some time now.
"Thought we ought to celebrate," he added happily, and both James and Remus readily agreed.
He had just managed to place an order for the most expensive bottle in the house when James cursed loudly next to him.
"Alright mate?" Sirius asked him, while he and Remus both stared at James with expectation.
James eyes were fixed on a galleon that lay on his palm. His eyes slowly came up to meet his friends, his face ashen, his eyes widened in fright.
"Lily's at Mungo's."
It took a moment for any of them to say another word, or react to what James had uttered.
"Fuck. Shit. She okay?" Sirius stammered, feeling a rush of fear hit him.
James stared at the coin and seemed to be reading something, supposedly another message in there, his expression something between shock and dread.
"What do you think, Pads?!" James bellowed incredulously, tearing his focus from the coin to look at his friends. His breathing was quickened and he cursed again and shoved a hand into his hair. "Shit. Mungo's. Something's wrong… Some complications… It's too early… What the fuck am I gonna do…" he mumbled, pulling his hair with frustration, panic evident in his eyes.
"James," Remus said calmly, even though Sirius could see him looking as anxious as he himself felt.
James turned his focus on Remus, a helpless look in his eyes.
"Take a breath. Everyone's going to be alright. You need to calm down, and then you need to go to her, right?" Remus said simply. "Mary's with her, and Lily's going to be fine, James," he added.
James nodded slowly, still looking at loss. "Yeah. Yeah, you're right," he muttered before he turned and marched back to their table, presumably to grab his belongings. Sirius and Remus quickly followed him.
"Lily's at Mungo's," Remus explained to Regulus as soon as they reached their table.
Regulus stood up swiftly, looking at his brother and the others with an alarmed look.
"I'll go with Prongs," Remus said to Sirius. "Get Pete," he said and gave Regulus a furtive glance before he looked back at Sirius. "And Hermione."
Sirius swallowed, the graveness of the situation finally hitting him in full force. "Yeah. Sure," he mumbled. Before James and Remus started to leave, Sirius took a hold of James's arm. "Prongs, wait," he said, not really sure what he wanted to say to his best friend. That everything was going to be alright? That Lily and the baby were going to survive? That he was supposed to calm the fuck down? During war, those words had been meaningless. There was no guarantee of anything, and what did calming down ever help anyone?
They shared a meaningful look, and James finally gave him a small nod. "I know," he said quietly.
"We'll be right behind you," Sirius said as Remus and James left them and walked towards the fireplace.
Sirius pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to gather up his errant thoughts.
"What do you want me to do?" Regulus asked quietly as he studied Sirius.
Sirius glanced at him, feeling grateful that he wasn't alone in the situation. He knew that Regulus had already guessed what he was about to ask him, but it still made him cringe slightly. "I need to reach Hermione. But I have no fucking idea where she is, and since owling her could take days, that's not even an option…" he said to his brother, having an inkling that if anyone knew how to reach her, it was him.
Regulus looked away, frowning at the floor.
"Reggie?" Sirius asked pressingly. He knew he had been right based on Regulus's reaction.
Regulus nodded slowly, his jaw clenching. "You're right. I know where she is."
If the situation hadn't been that urgent, Sirius would have forced more information out of Regulus – how did he know her whereabouts? Had he seen her? Had he talked to her? – but he merely settled with, "Then I want you to get her."
A small frown framed his face, but otherwise Regulus seemed indifferent. But of course, Sirius knew it wasn't like that. He knew Regulus, how he reacted, how his mind worked. Sirius knew his brother was probably both terrified and eager to see her.
"I'll go and find Pete, and we'll meet in the lobby at St Mungo's, yeah?" He asked from his brother, flicking his wand at his leather jacket and summoning a couple of vials of sober-up-potion. He handed one of the vials to Regulus, who nodded in agreement, took the vial and without a word, tossed it down.
It was madness. Why had he agreed to do it? He could've just given Sirius the coordinates, or, hell, he could've just given him the damned compass, as his brother probably still felt the same about her. They hadn't really talked about it, and the whole…fling, or whatever the hell it had been between Hermione and Sirius, had been left undiscussed.
Shivering in the cold sea breeze, Regulus made his way towards the shore. He glanced at the compass, which still pointed to the island that was looming ahead of him, approximately four miles from Hirta, where he currently was. The problem was, that it was impossible to apparate to Boreray, since the Ministry had placed several anti-apparition charms around the island because of its rare magical flora.
"Excellent," Regulus muttered as he glanced around him in the remote island, trying to think what he could use as a boat. Conjuring something was always risky, especially if one was going in open waters. He finally located a stack of trees and began his work.
A couple of moments later, a large, sturdy boat swayed slightly from side to side on the shore.
Regulus quickly hopped onto the boat and flicked his wand to move forward. As the island, its massive sea stacks and its sharp cliffs came closer, he tried to think of what was he going to say to her. Obviously, something about Lily, but what else? He eventually came to the conclusion that it was better to keep everything else under the lid until the situation regarding the red-haired witch had been solved.
The boat slowed down near the cliffs, but there were still meters of water between him and the rocky cliffs. Cursing, he gritted his teeth and jumped into the water in order to swim the rest of the trip.
"F-Fuck!" He gurgled as he surfaced.
The water was freezing. It felt like every cell of his body was in flames, like suffering a mild Cruciatus. Gritting his teeth and calming his mind Regulus made his way forward, and soon scrambled up the rocky cliff.
With his teeth clattering, Regulus quickly cast a warming charm on his body. Still shivering lightly, he made his way upwards, climbing to the higher levels of the island where he assumed her camp was.
Fifteen minutes later he stood in front of a small cottage that was nestled between trees, near the ruins of what Regulus assumed had once been a small castle. He went to the door and hesitated. He was just about to knock when the door burst open.
She was there, her wand trained at him, her hair wild. And she looked gorgeous.
"Hermione," Regulus said softly, his mind drawing blank for a few moments.
"R-Regulus," Hermione said, her breath catching. She stared at him with wide eyes, his sudden presence seemingly taking her by surprise. "Y-You're here. How did you…How did you find me?" Hermione spluttered.
Regulus could only stare at her, and even though he knew the situation was critical, there still were a thousand things he wanted to say to her. There were thousand things he wanted to do to her, some of which not even decent enough to be spoken aloud. With effort, he pushed everything into a dark corner of his mind and slowly brought his hand up and opened his palm. "With this," he said simply.
Hermione let out a shaky breath, staring at the compass in wonder, and then at him with vulnerability and with something he couldn't quite place. "Reg, I –" she muttered hesitantly.
"Something's happened," he said quickly, cutting her off before either one of them could say anything else.
He knew it would be even harder to let her go if she agreed to be his. On the other hand, he was afraid that what she was about to say to him, was the complete opposite. Nevertheless, he knew she had to be with her friend, and he didn't want to keep her from it.
Hermione gasped. "What? ...No. Who?" She whispered, panic evident in her eyes.
Regulus lifted a calming hand. "Lily's at St Mungo's. I don't know much, but it seems that there are some complications –"
"Let's go!" Hermione said harshly, interrupting him.
She marched back inside, leaving him at the threshold. Regulus blinked and followed her in, eyeing around him curiously as he saw her run around the cottage and summon her belongings.
The cottage was small, but very cosy. It was very much like her, with parchments and books and quills neatly stacked on tables and a flowery scent flowing around the place. It made his insides twist slightly. What if she would be coming back here instead of her home?
"That should be all…" Hermione muttered, checking her satchel before looking at him.
There were so many emotions swirling in her eyes, so many feelings he could name. She had always been so easy to read. She stared at him with a mix of longing and regret, and evidently tried to figure out what to say to him. Regulus knew that now wasn't the time for it. And she knew it too.
"We are to meet my brother in the lobby of St Mungo's. Is your fireplace connected to the floo network?" He asked, moving towards it.
Hermione cleared her throat and nodded hastily as she too walked to the fireplace. "Yes, it is," she said and grabbed a handful of floo powder from the jar in the mantelpiece before handing him the container.
He watched her throw the powder into the flames and then step into the fireplace. With a final, confused glance at him, she yelled, "St Mungo's!"
Hermione stepped into the waiting room of St Mungo's, and immediately a familiar sound reached her ears.
" - She was admitted here a while ago, how the fuck would I know when and where exactly?! I just know she's here, my friends are here, and I need to be with them!" Sirius was yelling to the witch at the front desk while Peter stared at their argument anxiously and obviously drunk.
Hermione cringed and walked hastily towards the boys, with Regulus trailing behind her.
"Sir, if you are not going to calm down, I will have you banned from this establishment!"
Sirius growled. "And I'll have your arse cursed soon, lady," he said through gritted teeth.
"Sirius!" Hermione hissed at him, grabbing him by his shoulder with a glare.
Sirius faltered, caught by surprise from her presence. "Hermione," Sirius breathed, his anger fading away. He quickly pulled her into a crushing hug. "…Fuck, I've missed you," he murmured against her hair.
Hermione felt her heart warm. "Me too," she whispered and pulled back to give him a wide smile.
She went to hug Peter as Regulus came to stand in front of the desk.
"I apologise for my brother. Our friend is in here, in a critical condition and we would like nothing more than to see her," Regulus said calmly.
Hermione arched a stern brow at Sirius, who looked a bit ashamed.
"Yes, I apologise…" Sirius muttered to the welcome witch, who still seemed annoyed, although slightly less so after receiving an apology.
The witch cleared her throat. "And your friend?"
Hermione too took a step closer to the front desk. "Lily Potter," she said, her voice faltering slightly.
They all watched as the front desk witch pursed her lips and tapped her wand onto a large clipboard next to her and muttered something under her breath.
"Yes. Fourth floor. Spell damage, Magical Emergencies sub ward," the witch said sourly.
The group nearly ran towards the double doors beside the front desk, yelling their thanks. The welcome witch shouted something behind them about visiting hours as they moved across the hallway on the ground floor ward, but no one paid her any attention. They were in rush to see their friend.
After many flights of stairs, the group finally reached the Spell Damage ward on the fourth floor. They stepped into another reception room, from where several doors led to many sub-wards.
"Where is it?" Hermione muttered as they eyed around them.
There was only a small group of witches talking to a healer who stood next to the reception desk, but the room was otherwise quiet.
"There!" Peter quipped and pointed at the door on their left, which was labelled with a small tag; Magical Emergencies.
They walked to the door only to find it locked.
"May I help you?" A healer behind them asked with a stern voice. "Visitors' hours already ended a couple of hours ago," she continued simply.
Hermione gave Sirius a warning glance before he would lash out again, and turned to the healer. She was a brown-haired woman in her thirties or so, and even though she seemed strict and authoritarian, Hermione could see dark circles under her eyes and weariness in her features.
"Our friend is here, Lily Potter. She had some complications and we're here to see her, and – "
The healer interrupted her. "You're friends of Lily?" She asked quickly, her voice softer.
Sirius nodded. "Yes. Is she okay? What happened?" He asked urgently.
Hermione could hear the dread in his voice.
"And is the baby okay? Is her husband here already?" Peter continued, staring at the healer with an anxious look.
"Yes, the baby! And James! Is he here?" Sirius asked hurriedly, worry edged into his eyes.
The healer lifted her hand to stop them. "Just calm down, will you?" She said with her voice thick with fatigue, her face grim. "Lily suffered a convulsion, which put her and the baby in grave danger," she explained steadily, while Hermione gasped loudly.
Sirius, Regulus and Peter all whirled to look at her in alarm, evidently not knowing what Lily's condition was about, but at the same time having a good inkling based on Hermione's horrified expression.
"We managed to heal her before the symptoms worsened, but we also had to deliver the baby a month early," the healer continued steadily.
Hermione, Sirius, Regulus and Peter gaped at the woman. Hermione's mind whirled. She knew it wasn't exactly unheard of for a baby to be born early, but there were still some risks involved.
"The baby is now being monitored, but everything seems to be in order. Lily too is being monitored, and I reckon they'll both be staying here for some time before they can leave and head home," the healer said, a small reassuring smile on her lips.
Sirius let out a puff of a breath and leaned over, his hands against his knees. "Thank fuck!" He grumbled.
Peter and Hermione too let out sounds of relief before hugging each other tightly. Lily was going to be okay. The baby was going to be okay. Everything was going to be all right, Hermione was sure of it.
"Can we see them?" Sirius asked the healer, running a hand through his hair. Hermione could see his hand was still shaking slightly.
The healer eyed them for a moment. "I suppose, yes. They are stable, but there are so many of you…" she muttered and glanced around them. "Promise me you won't stress her out? That you'll be the epitome of calmness?" She asked sternly, her eyes flickering with amusement.
Sirius smirked at the healer and gave her a subtle once over. "Certainly, ma'am."
The healer's mouth quirked up a bit. "Well, go on then. Room eleven," she said and nodded her head at the door behind them. She waved her hand towards the door, performing wandless magic to unlock it.
"That was hot…" Sirius muttered, an awestruck look on his face as they stepped through the door and started to make their way towards the end of the hall.
Hermione scoffed, while Peter rolled his eyes at his friend. Soon they were standing in front of a door that was labelled with number eleven.
Hermione took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door. Seconds after Remus opened the door. A wide smile spread on his lips.
"Hey, Mione," Remus muttered and pulled her into a warm embrace.
Hermione smiled back at her friend. "Good to see you, Remus," she murmured against him, only now realising how much she had missed him. How much she had missed everyone.
They broke away and Sirius grinned at his friend, his arms wide open. Remus rolled his eyes and turned his back, walking towards the back of the room, towards a curtained area. Hermione stifled a laugh and followed him in.
"What? No hugs for me?" Sirius asked with amusement and walked after his friends.
Hermione slipped through an opening between the curtains and took in the sight in front of her. Lily was on a hospital bed, half sitting against numerous pillows. Her hair was a mess, her face white, and she looked very, very tired. But happy. She was glowing with happiness. James sat next to her in an armchair, holding a small bundle against his chest. Hermione stifled a sob that threatened to escape her.
"Lily," Hermione whispered and rushed towards her friend, blinking away tears of relief, worry and joy.
Lily gave her a weary smile and opened her arms to hug her. "Mione," Lily whispered, her voice trembling. She was crying.
Hermione pulled back a bit and searched her face. "What's wrong? Are you hurting?" She asked with worry. She could see the boys – who had gathered around James – eye them with concern.
Lily shook her head and brushed her cheeks with the backs of her hands. "No, I'm just so happy. My family's finally here. You are finally here," she said through a sob and smiled.
Hermione could feel her own cheeks getting wet, and she blinked and shared a small laugh with Lily as they hugged again.
Mary walked into the room, holding two cups of tea in her hands. Her face broke into a wide smile as she saw Hermione and the others. "Mione!" She said happily and put the cups on a side table before hugging Hermione.
As they broke away, Mary kept Hermione in an arm's length and smirked. "Only took a baby being born to get you here. You sure drive a hard bargain," she said cheekily.
Lily tried to purse her lips but eventually giggled and let out a weary sigh. "I'm so happy you're both here. That you are all here," she said airily, her voice almost dreamy.
Mary arched a brow at Hermione, nodding her head at Lily. "And this one is stacked up with potions," she murmured slyly and grinned at Lily, who scowled at her, evidently hearing what her friend had said.
Hermione laughed. It was good to be with them. But her focus was drifting more and more to the boys who had gathered around James, and especially to the smallest one in the middle of them.
Lily smiled. "Go on. Say hi to your godson," she said eagerly, her eyes twinkling.
Hermione pressed her lips together and nodded before she moved to the other side of the bed where James was situated. Hermione leaned to give James a quick hug. "Congratulations, James."
James smiled at her and stood up carefully. "You want to hold him?" He asked quietly, eyeing his son fondly, while he was sleeping peacefully in a swaddle.
Hermione gave him a hesitant nod, feeling nervous all of a sudden. James gestured for her to sit down and when she was sitting in the same armchair he had vacated only moments before, he carefully placed the baby in her arms.
Hermione let out a soft gasp as she took in the baby's features. He looked so familiar, and even though she had always thought that all babies looked the same, this one didn't. He looked so much like James, and so much like Lily, that there was no doubt who his parents were.
He looked so much like Harry.
"Hi there," Hermione whispered, admiring the tufts of black hair she could see peaking from under his little hat. "I'm Hermione."
Peter and Sirius both came to take a look at the baby over her shoulder. "Have you guys figured out a name yet?" Sirius asked absently, his eyes fixed on the baby, a soft smile on his lips.
Hermione glanced at Lily, and then James, who was now sitting on the edge of Lily's bed. Lily cleared her throat, her eyes fixed on Hermione. "Yes, we have. Harry. Harry James Potter," she said gently.
Hermione gaped at her friends, the new parents, who both looked at her with a mix of understanding, sadness and gratefulness.
"Um. I… That's…" Hermione managed to get out, feeling utterly speechless.
Lily and James knew about Harry? They had to, based on their expressions.
Sirius hummed next to her, oblivious to the emotions coursing inside her. Only Remus – standing beside Lily and James – seemed to understand there was something going on as he eyed Hermione with a small recognition.
"Now that's a proper name," Sirius murmured at the baby.
Hermione pressed her lips together as tears started well up in her eyes, and nodded at James and Lily, sniffling as she turned to look at little Harry.
"Hello, Harry," Hermione said, her voice faltering.
A couple of tears ran down her cheeks.
Sirius huffed. "Give him to me. You're smothering him with your tears," he said with a cheeky grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes but stood up and let Sirius take her place before giving Harry to him. She couldn't help but smile fondly as the raven-haired Marauder stared at the little boy in wonder, clearly emotional by holding his godson.
Hermione sat on the arm of Sirius's chair and gave James and Lily a hesitant look. "Harry?" Hermione asked quietly, a bittersweet feeling taking over.
Lily smiled. "Harry."
"Hey little Harry. I'm your godfather, Sirius, and you know, I have this killer motorcycle – "
" - Sirius," Lily warned.
Sirius sniggered. "Chillax, Lils. I'm not going to take him for a ride before he can sit. Which'll be like, I dunno, five or six months, eh?" He asked lightly, winking at the red-haired witch.
James chuckled. "How would you know that, Pads?" He asked with a teasing voice.
Sirius shrugged. "I might've read a book," he said vaguely.
Lily, Mary and Hermione all shared a look, trying to keep their faces straight and not giggle at the man for preparing himself for godfatherhood.
Remus smirked at his friend. "Didn't know you could read, Pads," he said playfully.
James and Peter both snorted.
Sirius arched a brow at his friends. "Laugh all you want, mates, but when little Harry starts teething and I'll know all the tricks to soothe him, it's gonna be me laughing, just saying," he said slyly.
"And you know where we're gonna go with the bike, Harry?" Sirius continued knowingly to the still sleeping baby. "I mean, we might have to wait for a couple of years for you to get into Leaky, but I promise it'll be worth it. The birds love the bike – "
"Okay, give him back, Pads. You're ruining him," James said with a mix of annoyance and amusement, while the rest of their group either shook their heads or rolled their eyes in exasperation.
James took Harry back and gave him to Lily while Sirius stood up and glanced around the room. "Where's Reggie?"
Only then Hermione realised that Regulus hadn't come inside the room with them. Sirius glanced at her and Hermione gave him a slight shrug in reply.
"Be back in a bit…" Sirius murmured and left towards the hallway.
Hermione frowned. "I'll…I'll go too," she said and saw her friends exchange meaningful looks as she stood up and followed Sirius out of the room.
In the hallway, she saw Sirius and Regulus standing slightly further away, talking – or arguing – about something. Hermione walked hesitantly towards them.
"You don't have to go, Reggie…" Sirius said and stared at his brother intently.
Regulus nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I have some things to do, so…" he said, his voice trailing off as his focus flickered to Hermione.
"Regulus?" Hermione said tentatively. "Can I have a word?"
Sirius let out a sigh and lifted his hands with a hint of frustration. "Owl me then," he said tightly at his brother and gave Hermione a scrutinising look before he turned and walked back to the hospital room.
Regulus eyed Hermione with a small frown between his brows. "Hermione. How are you?" He asked politely.
Hermione chewed the inside of her cheek, not really sure what to say to him. She hated how he was so distant and polite with her. She wanted nothing more than to forget the bad things in the past and start over, with him. She never wanted to be apart from him again. But she was afraid that she was too late.
"I'm…okay. I think," she said and swallowed. "And you?"
His lips quirked up a bit. "Brilliant," he said simply.
Hermione was left wondering if he was merely being ironic.
"Reg…" she finally said, searching his face intently. She stared into his beautiful grey eyes, and it was like torture not to be closer to him, or to be held by him. She could see him look back at her with a mix of longing and hurt.
"I – " she started, but was interrupted by the doors to the ward swinging open. Her eyes were drawn to the entrance. Gideon was there. "Gideon," she muttered, glancing at Regulus. His face was closed off, his emotions locked behind his walls.
"Hermione!" Gideon called with surprise and happiness in his voice.
Hermione smiled at Gideon but her smile faded as she turned back to Regulus. "Regulus," Hermione said with twinge of pain, feeling suddenly torn.
"You should be with your friends, Hermione," Regulus said with a ghost of a smile on his lips. "We'll meet again," he murmured before she could object.
With a final fleeting look towards her, he turned away, nodding at Gideon as he passed by him in the hall on his way out.
Gideon frowned a bit at Regulus's retreating back and then at Hermione. The door closed behind Regulus.
"Hey…" Gideon said, while Hermione swallowed hard, blinking away tears, gritting her teeth. "Hey, Mione. What is it?" Gideon asked with worry in his gaze as he studied her features.
Hermione sniffled.
"Come here," he muttered and pulled her into a hug. They were silent for a moment. "You know, I was expecting a bit more joyful reunion…" he said lightly.
Hermione laughed and pulled away. "I'm sorry, Gideon," she said with a small smile. "It's been a long day. Or night," she added as she glanced out of the window. It was still dark outside.
She turned to look at him and saw his attire. "Why are you wearing…hold on – you're a patient in here?" She asked incredulously, her eyes widening slightly. "What is it? What's wrong with you?" She added, worry filling her again.
It felt like her emotions had been on a non-stop roller coaster during the past day.
Gideon waved his hand in dismissal. "It's nothing. An awry curse at practice. Have to be monitored here throughout the night though…" he said with a shrug. "I heard Lily was here, and thought I'd come by to see if she's okay and…" he said, his voice trailing off.
"She's fine. She had some complications but the healers managed to heal her and deliver the baby," Hermione explained and saw something flicker in his eyes. Then a thought came to her. She arched a brow at him. "Did you tell Lily about Harry?" She asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Gideon cringed. "Erm… Might've slipped," he said with an apologetic smile.
Hermione lifted her brows.
Gideon's shoulders sagged a bit. "Hermione, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have –" he started with a remorseful look in his eyes.
Hermione stopped him by touching his arm. "It's okay, Gideon. Everything is okay now," she said softly, a smile curving her lips.
Gideon grinned back. "So? Harry?" He asked, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
She nodded, feeling a rush of emotion as she thought of her old friend. "Harry."
It was close to morning hours when James ordered everyone to their homes so that the new family could rest after a tiresome night. Lily especially seemed exhausted, and the redhead gave her husband a grateful look as she said her goodbyes to her friends.
"Promise me you won't leave again, Hermione. At least not before I'm let out from here," Lily said, looking at her friend closely after hugging her goodbye.
Hermione nodded. Even though she was quite sure that she was coming back for good to live in her old flat, if Remus still wanted to be her roommate, there was still a small part of her that had enjoyed the solitude. The freedom.
"I promise I'll be here to keep you company," Hermione said with a hint of a smile.
"You're coming home?" Remus asked from her as they walked towards the fourth floor's reception room, with Mary, Sirius and Peter trailing behind them.
Gideon had gone back to his room after seeing Harry and congratulating the new parents.
"Um…yes. I think I'll be visiting Lily tomorrow, or, well, later on today anyway, so I'll be a bit closer. And I don't want to wake up Aberforth," Hermione said, worrying her lip.
Remus gave her a baffled smile but said nothing more on the matter. They said their goodbyes to Sirius and Peter, who both headed to Sirius's place, while Remus, Mary and Hermione left towards Dulwich Village.
After entering their place, Mary announced that she would head up to bed. She gave Hermione a tight hug and kissed Remus on his cheek before staggering upstairs. Hermione and Remus were left standing in their sitting room.
"Fancy a drink? Or something to eat?" He asked and walked to the kitchen to rummage the cupboards. "A sandwich?"
Hermione shrugged. "Um, sure," she said, feeling rather hungry all of a sudden.
She went to grab a glass of water and eyed Remus in his ministrations as she sipped her drink and leaned against the sink. "You're not tired?" She asked and glanced at the timepiece. It was almost three in the morning. Hermione felt rather worn-out, but her mind was still swarming with too many thoughts to go to sleep. She wished she had had her Pensieve with her.
"Not really," he muttered, assembling their sandwiches.
Hermione knew that he didn't sleep well right before the full moon and assumed that that was the reason.
"Full moon?" Hermione asked carefully.
Remus hummed. "Highlight of my month, really…" he muttered bitterly.
Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile. "How are they going? The transformations? You're still on the potion, right?"
Remus finished the sandwiches and gestured for her to sit at the table with him. Hermione followed him and sat opposite to him.
"Yeah, I actually have a life-time supply of it after participating in Belby's study. And it's really great, you know, it has made a considerable improvement to my life. But…" he said, his voice trailing off as he glanced at the staircase.
"Hmm?" Hermione asked and eyed him closely. "Is everything okay with Mary?"
Remus sighed and rubbed his neck. "Yeah, everything's great. Only that… Well, we've been talking about our future and…I don't know, she…she wants a family," he said wearily.
Hermione lifted her brows slightly, feeling a bit surprised. It seemed that everyone was moving on with their lives. Moving on with their careers, getting married, starting families. She was happy for them, but at the same time, it made her feel slightly inadequate.
"That's…Remus that's…"
"Horrifying. I know."
"No! No, I meant… That's wonderful," she said softly, giving him a warm smile.
She remembered how terrified Remus had been in her old life when he had found out that Tonks was pregnant, thinking that his child would be infected with Lycanthropy. She felt a small twinge of disorientation as she realised that his future with Tonks probably wouldn't happen in this universe. But she knew that it didn't mean that he wouldn't have a wonderful future with someone else. "If you want a family, Remus, you shouldn't think of your illness. It won't affect anything if you won't let it," she said astutely.
Remus shook his head, finishing his sandwich. "I don't even know if I'm able to give her children. And what if they're…you know…" he said with a grimace.
"They won't be, and I'm rather certain you know it too," she said with a reassuring look.
Remus let out a weary sigh. "Yeah, well…enough about me. Are you back for good?" He asked intently.
Hermione's brow furrowed. She was silent for a while.
"Yes. I think I am," she finally said.
He nodded, a relieved look in his eyes. "That's good. And…how are you?" He asked, his eyes moving across her face.
Hermione gave him a tight smile. "As good as everyone else, I suppose," she said wearily.
Remus eyed her hesitantly for a moment before he spoke. "I remember you telling me about Harry and Ron," he said with a cautious look.
Hermione nodded, a smile tugging her lips. "Yes. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley," she said with a wistful voice, revealing her friends' last names to him for the first time. "I didn't tell Lily though, she apparently heard it from Gideon. I didn't want to affect into anything anymore. I didn't want them to name the baby because of something that had happened in another life. But…they still did it," she said with a deep frown.
"So…you were Prong's child's best friend…?" Remus muttered and shook his head. "It's kind of remarkable, you know?" He said and grinned at her. "And no, I don't think they named him because he was Harry in your old life. I think one of the reasons they named him Harry was because of you. Because they know it means the world to you," he said kindly, searching her face.
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but once again she was overwhelmed by emotions, by the love for her friends.
She eventually nodded at him and cleared her throat. "However, it was good to be away from everything, to be by myself for a change. I mean, I was able to deal with everything…" she said absently, staring at a small crack in the wooden table. "But after a while, I realised how much I missed everyone. How much I wanted to come back," she said and looked into his compassionate eyes.
"I understand. And I couldn't be happier that you're finally back," he said with a grin. The look in his eyes turned a bit hesitant. "Although… Is it okay that Mary's here? We haven't really talked about it, and now that she's practically moved in during your absence…" he murmured, cringing a bit. "I'm sorry. I know I should've discussed it with you, but –"
" - No worries. I'm glad she's here, Remus. And I know you two will probably want to live by yourselves soon, without a roommate, and that's okay too," she said gently.
Remus contemplated her words for a moment before he nodded slowly. "And what about a certain black-haired man?" He asked carefully.
"Regulus?"
"Yeah. Unless you have something going on with Pads as well?" He asked simply, and as Hermione scoffed, his expression turned into a mischievous one. "Had to throw it in there, you know?" He said with a small chuckle.
Hermione shook her head, smiling at her friend. "Yes, well, that ship has sailed, trust me. I'm friends with Sirius, nothing more. And as for his brother…well…" Hermione said, swallowing hard as she tried to think what the situation with Regulus was.
Was there even a situation with him anymore?
"I don't know," she said eventually, feeling rather forlorn.
Remus eyed her closely for a moment. "So basically, you're both pining after each other but neither one of you has said anything to the other?" He asked with a wry look.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We're not pining after each other. And I just came here. We haven't really had the chance to talk about anything," she said dryly.
Remus arched a brow at her but said nothing, only yawned widely.
"You should go to sleep, Remus," Hermione said tenderly. "You need your strength."
Remus grumbled something incoherent in response and eventually stood up to kiss the top of her head before murmuring his goodnights and vanishing into the staircase.
Saturday, 3 November 1979
A couple of days later, Hermione was in Lily's hospital room, sitting in an armchair next to her bed. Both girls were reading and enjoying the quietness while baby Harry was sleeping. James had taken a quick trip to Godric's Hollow to make everything ready for the baby, even though Healer Jones, who was in charge of Lily's and Harry's care, had said that they would need to stay there at least a couple of days more. Harry had been born over a month too early, but he seemed to be in a good enough shape to leave the hospital soon. There was much that was possible to do with magic, to speed up the healing process and give enhanced treatments comparing to the muggle world, but in the end, it took time. Or so the healer had told them.
After several long discussions during the previous days, in which Hermione and Lily had gone through everything that had happened after the war had ended, talked about Hermione's past and the Harry she had known as well as Hermione's plans regarding her future, Hermione thought it was good to just be quiet and enjoy each other's company for a change.
"So, let me get this straight. You've been here, what, four days, and you haven't even seen him after Wednesday?" Lily asked, looking over her book and fixing a scrutinising stare at Hermione.
Hermione dropped her book on her lap and arched a brow at Lily. "You've been aching to talk about him, haven't you?" She asked with a wry smile.
Lily smirked and shrugged slightly. "As you would expect. Well?" She asked pointedly.
Hermione sighed. She had wanted to talk with Regulus before he had left the hospital on Wednesday night, but it hadn't been the most convenient time. "Well, I tried to talk to him but he merely told me to be with my friends. And now I don't know if I should go to him, or if he even wants to figure us out anymore…" she muttered, feeling uncertain as she chewed the inside of her cheek.
Lily scoffed. "Of course he told you to be with us. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be with you as well," she said simply and looked thoughtful. "You should go to him, Hermione. I know for a fact that he wants to…'figure you guys out' as you put it," she said with a knowing smile.
A flicker of hope crossed Hermione's mind. She nodded slowly. "Perhaps you're right," she muttered and gave a hesitant glance to the hospital room door.
Lily suppressed a grin. "Well, what are you waiting for? I mean, Harry and I are not going to go anywhere," she said gently, her face dropping slightly. "In fact, we might still be here next week…" she muttered bitterly.
Hermione smiled at her friend. "I'm sure it won't be long before you can leave. Harry seems to be growing well – "
"Hermione!" Lily huffed, shaking her head with a slight frustration. "You're stalling. Go."
Hermione rolled her eyes and stood up slowly. "Fine. I'll go," she said with narrowed eyes.
Lily grinned at her. "Finally," she muttered under her breath as Hermione made her way towards the door.
"I heard that," Hermione said and gave her friend a quick scowl.
"I meant you to," Lily quipped back with a wide grin.
Fifteen minutes later she was in Islington, facing the house number 12, Grimmauld Place. It was getting dark already, even though it was only early evening. Hermione took in a deep breath, calming her nerves before she walked towards the front steps. She couldn't see any light coming out from the windows but she also knew that the place always looked like that from the outside due to magic.
Trying to steel herself, she knocked on the door. And waited.
…And waited.
But nothing happened. No one came to open the door. Hermione sighed, disappointment filling her. She knew she should've sent him an owl, or better yet, sent him a message through the galleon as she suspected that he still had it. Only, she didn't have hers with her. It was nestled inside her beaded bag which was in her old room at Hog's Head, where she had left it along with every other meaningful possession from her past before she had left towards Boreray a couple of months ago. And now she needed that galleon.
Eventually, she turned around and made her way towards the nearest corner to disapparate, hoping that Aberforth would be okay with her visiting him sooner than they had agreed. After waking up in Dulwich Village on Thursday morning, Hermione had owled Aberforth and agreed to meet him on Sunday for afternoon tea.
After a tiresome apparition, Hermione was suddenly soaked in cold water. It was raining heavily, and with the cold November wind it felt like it was freezing her inside out. Brilliant, Hermione thought and with a couple of quick flicks of her wand, she conjured an umbrella and dried her clothes. She walked briskly through the Hogsmeade Village towards the Hog's Head. There were a handful of people running along the streets, away from the rain. Finally, she reached the pub an entered into the slightly dodgy building, a place she had once called home. A place that wasn't at all that dodgy, at least when its usual clientele wasn't there.
The bearded old wizard behind the bar glanced at the door as it swung open, and a genuine smile curved his lips. "Hi there, lassie," Aberforth called over the scattering of patrons.
Hermione grinned at him, and looked around her with surprise. The pub seemed to be rather packed, with students, with Hogsmeade residents and such.
They walked towards each other and as they met, Aberforth pulled her into a crushing hug. "Good to see you, Mione," he said and pulled back to study her. "You're lookin' skinnier every time I see you," he muttered, gesturing for her to follow him upstairs.
"Oh. Um…Ab?" Hermione asked as she followed him hesitantly.
"Yeah?" He asked as he opened the door to the staircase for her.
Hermione stopped and frowned at the crowded pub. "Shouldn't you be staying here? I mean, can you leave the place unattended?" She asked, thinking that his behaviour was a bit odd.
Aberforth waved a hand in dismissal. "They'll manage for a bit," he said and they walked up the stairs. "And besides, after the war, there really isn't much of a shady folk poppin' over," he said lightly.
Hermione nodded and from the top of the stairs she followed him into the sitting room, wondering how much had changed since the war had ended. She took her usual spot on the sofa, while Aberforth sat in an armchair.
He eyed her for a while, his features soft. "How are you?"
Hermione smiled at him. "I'm better. You?"
Aberforth shrugged. "The same as always, I reckon."
"That's good. Have you had the chance to see anyone from the Order?" Hermione asked, curious to know how everyone was doing. She felt slightly bad for not contacting Molly and the others as she had been back a couple of days already.
Aberforth nodded. "Some of them, yeah. The ones who have been stopping by the pub to chat," he said and flicked his wand to the kitchen, where Hermione could hear tea preparing itself.
"Your friends have been poppin' over a couple of times, Moody and Dearborn came by the other week, and I've met Augusta and Alder once in the village," he continued as a tray with two cups and a couple of biscuits flew from the kitchen, landing softly on the coffee table in front of them.
"Oh. How are they?" Hermione asked carefully and took her cup from the tray. They must've been devastated. Hermione couldn't even begin to understand how hard it was to lose a child.
Aberforth gave her a grim look. "They're getting by," he said simply.
Hermione nodded and then hesitated. "I actually needed something. Something I left here," she said vaguely.
Aberforth arched a brow and sipped his tea.
"A coin," Hermione said and took a biscuit.
Aberforth merely stared at her and waited for her to continue.
Hermione sighed. "It's a form of communication. I've charmed it," she explained.
"Oh? And is there a certain young man with whom you're communicating?" Aberforth asked, his eyes twinkling slightly.
Hermione pursed her lips. "Well, there might be," she said with a hint of smirk, even though she was feeling rather anxious.
Aberforth waved his hand. "Well, go on then. But I'll expect you here by two o'clock tomorrow for that tea. Don't keep your old man waiting, eh?" He said lightly and stood up, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Hermione smiled. "I won't. Thank you, Ab."
Aberforth grunted something in reply as he went back downstairs to take care of the pub.
Hermione walked upstairs and stopped in front of her old room. She took in a deep breath and stepped inside. It was half-empty, as most of her things were either in Dulwich village or in the cottage in Boreray Island. There were a handful of boxes and miscellaneous items left by Dumbledore and herself. Hermione went to the writing desk and sat down on the chair, and stared out from the window as her mind drifted to the few nights she had spent with Regulus in her old room. She remembered how he had looked at her after the raid, how he had been so broken, so lost. How he had wordlessly pleaded with her, his stormy grey eyes beseeching hers.
Hermione swallowed hard and opened the small drawer in the desk. There was only a single item. Her beaded bag that contained everything from her past. She had left it behind, because there had been too many memories inside the bag, and she knew she couldn't have got better if she had have them with her.
She opened the bag and summoned the galleon from there. Two golden coins zoomed up and dropped on her palm. Hermione inspected both, recognising instantly which was which. Lily had sent a message to the one that was linked with the girls. Now it was only Mary and Hermione who would read their messages, Hermione thought sadly. It felt like a lifetime ago when they all had been there. When Marlene and Alice had been alive.
Hermione? How did it go? –LP
It had to be a new message, as Hermione knew the coin could show messages only for a day or so. And Hermione knew just what her friend was asking.
She tapped the coin with her wand and sent back a message.
He wasn't home. –HD
She fiddled with the other coin, the blank one, thinking of what she wanted to say to him – if she would even send a message. What if his feelings had changed? He had been so distant at the hospital. The other coin heated up against her palm.
Oh. Bugger. Where are you? –LP
Hermione sighed and answered to her friend.
I'm at Ab's. Back tomorrow night. Tell Remus if you see him? –HD
It took only a moment for Lily to reply.
Of course. Take care, Mione. I'll see you tomorrow? –LP
Hermione smiled.
You too. I'll come by around midday. –HD
She dropped both coins on the writing desk and decided to think what exactly she wanted to say to Regulus before reaching out to him. Should she ask him to meet her? Or just ask how he was?
Hermione shook her head slightly and made her way back downstairs, deciding to eat something in the pub instead and spend a bit more time with Aberforth if he wasn't too busy.
An hour and a half later, Hermione was back upstairs, sitting on a bed she had transfigured from an armchair. She had the galleon on her palm again, the one linked to the coin Regulus assumingly still had.
She had decided to ask him to meet her. She knew it was already late, and so she thought they could meet the next day instead – if he agreed. Chewing the inside of her cheek, Hermione tapped her wand to the coin.
Regulus? Can we talk? –HD
She waited. Again. She stared at the coin, not daring to blink so that she didn't miss his message. But it never came. Minutes went by, and Hermione began to feel a lump in her throat. Ten minutes later she stood up and placed the galleon on the writing desk. Hermione took a deep breath, trying not to think of the worst. She knew it was possible that he didn't have his galleon anymore. She wondered if it had been taken from him before the final battle, when they had been held in the basement. Regulus never mentioned anything about it, so Hermione couldn't be sure.
There was the possibility that he just didn't want to answer to her.
She felt her eyes sting with tears as she stared at her reflection in the window. Had their time passed already? Was it too late? A single tear escaped from the corner of her eye, and then there was a knock on her door.
Hermione quickly wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands and turned to the door. "Just a moment, Ab!" She called and took a calming breath before walking to the door and opening it.
Only it wasn't Aberforth. It was Regulus.
Hermione took in a sharp breath, rendered speechless by his presence, yet again.
"Can we talk now?" He asked quietly, staring at her hesitantly.
Hermione cleared her throat and nodded at him. "Of course, um, come in," she muttered and backed away slightly.
Regulus closed the door behind him and came to stand in front of her, in the middle of the room. "You came to see me?" He asked, a careful tone in his voice.
Hermione nodded. "Um, yes. It was silly of me, to come without notice," she explained, and then frowned. "How did you know though?" She asked curiously.
His lips twitched. "My brother told me. I was with him this evening. He wanted to buy a toy broomstick for Harry and dragged me against my will through Diagon Alley. It was that or a night in the pub with him and his friends," he said wryly.
Hermione frowned. Then she remembered Lily mentioning that the guys were going to a pub later on that evening, and the reason for it. "Oh! Sirius's birthday!" She said abruptly, cringing inwardly as she had forgotten all about it.
"Yeah. Eventually he settled for a singing toy and went to Mungo's to give it to Harry," he said, studying her features.
"Oh. So…Lily told him where I was…" Hermione said absently.
Regulus nodded. "My brother came after me fifteen minutes later, and told me that if I didn't come here straight away, he'd scourge me," he said plainly.
Hermione gave him a bewildered look.
"Not – not that I didn't want to come here, to come to you," he added, his grey eyes searching hers.
Hermione swallowed nervously. "Oh?"
Regulus watched her motions carefully before he spoke. "I can't stop thinking about you. You have pierced my soul. You're in my head, always."
Hermione let out a puff of breath, surprised and excited to hear his words.
"I need to be with you, Hermione. I want to share everything with you. I want a good life. And I want that with you…if you'll have me?" He said earnestly, his voice trembling slightly, his eyes filled with fear, with longing, with hunger.
She didn't even realise she was crying before he brushed a tear away from her cheek. She didn't know it was possible to feel like that. To be so moved by someone. She didn't know it was possible to love someone so deeply that it physically hurt. And she did.
"Hermione –" Regulus murmured, but didn't have a chance to finish before she pressed herself against him and captured his lips in a bruising kiss.
With a muffled groan, he pulled her closer, and she could feel her skin tingle under his soft hands, that ran up and down her back. He kissed her deeply, tangled his fingers into her curls and held her in place as he ravaged her mouth.
Hermione didn't remember when had been the last time she had been kissed like that, with unbearable starvation, with utter desperation, making every nerve in her body become alive and yearn for him. She slid her hands up his torso, caressing his shoulders, his arms, his hips. It was thrilling, to touch him like that again after such a long time, and she could feel him hum agreeably as he kissed her deeper and deeper, his tongue pushing into her mouth, caressing hers with an excruciating desire.
With a loud gasp, he pulled back abruptly. "Was that a yes?" He asked with a spellbound look, a small curve on his lips.
Hermione was equally enthralled. She stared into his grey eyes, feeling suddenly a bit unsure. Would they survive this time? When there were no wars and Death Eaters, no dark side and the light. They were merely young adults, who were in the beginning of their lives. His thumb brushed her cheek, and Hermione saw him look at her with such devotion, that it equally scared and calmed her. She needed to know that they were going to survive, that they would be together. She needed to know that he wouldn't leave her, ever again.
"Say that this is forever," she whispered after a moment, swallowing nervously.
Regulus gave her a pleading look, looking so vulnerable and sincere at the same time. "Now that I have you, I have no intention of letting you go, not now. Not ever."
With a content sigh, she slid her hands around his neck and pulled his head back down to meet her lips.
During the past years, she had felt like drowning, she had felt empty, and so had he. They were both damaged, but they were healing. Hermione had felt anxious and on the edge whenever she had thought about the future before, but now she was ready.
She was ready to start her life again, with him.