Chapter Text
With the wedding just weeks away and Molly orchestrating every detail with her signature flair, Hermione and Sirius found themselves with a rare, sun-drenched afternoon all to themselves. The summer air was warm and fragrant as they strolled hand in hand down a leafy lane, a neatly folded list of potential houses tucked into Hermione’s bag—a tangible symbol of the new life they were about to build together.
“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Hermione said, glancing up at Sirius with a smile that was equal parts excitement and disbelief. “A new house, a new start… It feels so grown up. Like we’re stepping into a story we get to write ourselves.”
Sirius squeezed her hand, his eyes bright with anticipation and a hint of mischief. “It’s about time, don’t you think? Grimmauld Place has served us well, but I want somewhere that’s truly ours. Someplace filled with sunlight and laughter—where we can raise a rugrat or two, and where the only ghosts are the ones we invite for Sunday dinner. No more haunted portraits, no more doilies lurking in the corners.”
They wandered past gardens bursting with wildflowers, pausing to peek over fences and imagine what their lives might look like in each new place. Hermione pointed out a cottage with ivy climbing the walls and a kitchen window just right for morning tea. Sirius lingered at the gate of a house with a sprawling backyard, picturing summer evenings spent chasing future children—or perhaps a mischievous dog—through the grass.
Every house they visited became a canvas for their dreams: a sunlit kitchen for quiet breakfasts, a cozy library nook for rainy afternoons, a garden where wildflowers and laughter could grow side by side. They debated paint colors, playfully argued about where to put the piano, and imagined filling the rooms with friends, family, and the gentle chaos of a life well-lived.
As the afternoon wore on, the excitement between them grew—a sense that, with each step, they were not just searching for a house, but for the place where their next chapter would begin. And as they walked on, hand in hand, Hermione realized that the real adventure wasn’t in finding the perfect house, but in building a home together, wherever they chose to plant their roots.
Their first stop was a charming stone cottage on the edge of the village, with a wild garden and ivy climbing the walls. Hermione’s eyes lit up at the sight of the sun-dappled kitchen and the cozy library nook. Sirius tested the fireplace, declaring it “Padfoot-approved,” but the garden was a little too wild, and the roof needed more work than they’d hoped.
The next house was a tall, narrow townhouse with creaky stairs and a view of the bustling high street. Hermione loved the light streaming through the windows, but Sirius wrinkled his nose at the lack of privacy. “I’d rather not have the neighbors watching me chase you around the kitchen,” he whispered, making Hermione laugh.
They visited a few more—one with a sprawling orchard, another with a pond full of croaking frogs—each with its own quirks and charms. At every stop, they imagined Sunday breakfasts, family dinners, and quiet evenings curled up together. They debated paint colors, argued playfully about where to put the piano, and dreamed aloud about filling the rooms with laughter and love.
As the sun began to set, they found themselves standing in front of a cheerful house with a blue door and a tidy garden bursting with wildflowers. He hadn’t told her exactly where this house was, he knew she’d figure it out. Hermione squeezed Sirius’s hand. “This one feels right,” she said softly.
They wandered inside, marveling at the spacious, sunlit kitchen gleaming with brand new appliances. Each room seemed to beckon exploration—the cozy sitting room bathed in afternoon light, and the attic, an inviting space that would make an ideal study. With three well-proportioned bedrooms, two pristine bathrooms, a quiet library, and an expansive living room, the house felt both grand and welcoming. Off the back, a bonus room offered endless possibilities, perhaps as a lively game room or a personal workout area. The garage, impressively large, promised ample space for storage or hobbies. As Sirius ran his hand thoughtfully along the elegant banister, he grinned and said, “I can see us here. I can see our future.”
Hermione nodded, her heart full. “Me too.”
As they stepped out onto the front walk of the cheerful house with the blue door and wildflower garden, Hermione’s gaze drifted up the quiet lane. She paused, her eyes widening in sudden recognition. Just a few doors down, nestled behind a familiar hedge, was a house she’d visited countless times—Harry and Ginny’s.
A delighted laugh bubbled up from her chest. “Sirius, look!” she exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pointing down the street. “That’s Harry and Ginny’s house—right there! We’d be neighbors!”
Sirius’s lips curled into a knowing, mischievous smile. “I know,” he admitted, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. “I may have checked the address before we came. Thought it might be a nice surprise.”
Hermione turned to him, her face alight with wonder and affection. “You planned this?”
He shrugged, feigning innocence. “Well, I figured if we’re going to start our new life, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few friendly faces nearby. Besides, we’ll never be short on company—or babysitters, someday.”
She laughed, the sound bright and full of hope. The thought of Sunday brunches, impromptu dinners, and children darting between gardens filled her with a sense of belonging she hadn’t realized she’d been missing. “It’s perfect,” she whispered, her voice soft with emotion. “We’ll have our own space, but we’ll always be close to family.”
They stood together in the golden hush of the afternoon, the promise of a new beginning settling around them. With the wedding on the horizon and a house that finally felt like home—just down the street from their dearest friends—Hermione and Sirius knew they were ready for whatever came next, together.
The next afternoon, the kitchen at Harry and Ginny’s house was filled with the gentle clink of teacups and the golden hush of late sunlight. Ginny and Harry were enjoying a rare moment of quiet, their conversation drifting between plans for the weekend and the latest mischief from the kids. The peace was interrupted by a cheerful knock at the back door.
Ginny opened it to find Hermione and Sirius standing on the step, hands entwined, faces alight with barely contained excitement. There was a spark in their eyes that made Ginny’s curiosity flare instantly.
“Come in!” Ginny said, ushering them inside. “You two look suspiciously happy. What’s going on?”
Hermione squeezed Sirius’s hand, her whole body practically vibrating with anticipation. She glanced at Sirius for confirmation, and he gave her a small, encouraging nod.
“We have news,” Hermione said, her voice trembling with excitement. “Big news.”
Sirius grinned, his eyes bright. “We found a house. And not just any house—the perfect house.”
Harry, who had just set down his mug, looked up, interest piqued. “Really? Where is it?”
Hermione’s smile grew impossibly wide. “Just a few doors down from you! It’s the one with the blue door and the wildflower garden. We walked through it yesterday and… it just felt right. Sirius put an offer in last night. We’re waiting to hear if they accept.”
For a moment, there was stunned silence as the news sank in. Then Ginny’s eyes widened in delight. “You’re joking! That’s brilliant! We’ll be neighbors!”
Sirius laughed, the sound rich and full of relief. “We hoped you’d like that. No more haunted portraits, just a proper home, and close enough for impromptu dinners and babysitting duty, someday.”
Harry shook his head in disbelief, a grin spreading across his face. “I can’t believe it. This is perfect. You’ll have your own space, but we’ll always be close. Remember, we already have kids—babysitting duty for you starts when you move in. Besides, it’ll be practice for when you have kids.”
Hermione nodded, her heart full. “It feels like everything’s falling into place. The wedding, the house, family just down the street… I can’t imagine anything better.”
Ginny hugged her, then Sirius, her laughter bubbling over. “I’m so happy for you both… well, for all of us. We’ll have to celebrate—maybe a housewarming after the honeymoon?”
Sirius winked. “Only if you promise to bring one of Molly’s pies.”
They all laughed, the kitchen filling with the warmth of friendship and the promise of new beginnings. As they sat together, already planning Sunday brunches and future garden parties, Hermione and Sirius knew they’d found not just a house, but a home—surrounded by the people they loved most. The sense of belonging was palpable, and for a moment, it felt as if the future had opened up before them, bright and boundless.
The next Sunday, the Burrow was alive with the usual cheerful chaos—Molly bustling in the kitchen, Arthur tinkering with a clock, and the Weasley children and their families scattered throughout the garden and yard. Hermione and Sirius arrived hand in hand, their faces alight with barely contained excitement.
As soon as everyone had gathered for Molly’s famous roast, Hermione cleared her throat and glanced at Sirius, who nodded.
Hermione announced, her voice bright. “We found a house!”
Ginny, already in on the secret, grinned and nudged Harry. “Not just any house, either.”
Sirius beamed. “It’s just a few doors down from Ginny and Harry’s. Blue door, wildflower garden—Hermione fell in love with it the moment we stepped inside.”
Molly clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, that’s wonderful! You’ll be so close—just like family should be.”
Arthur smiled warmly. “You’ll have to let me come by and see the wiring. And the garden, of course.”
George piped up, “I call dibs on the first housewarming prank. Just a little one, I promise.”
Angelina rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “We’re so happy for you both.”
Ron grinned. “Does this means Sunday dinners are going to get even bigger.”
Hermione laughed, her heart full. “That’s exactly what we want. A home filled with friends and family.”
Molly enveloped them both in a hug. “I’m so proud of you. You’re building a beautiful life together.”
As the afternoon wore on, the family celebrated with extra helpings of pudding and talk of future garden parties, impromptu dinners, and children running between the houses. Surrounded by laughter and love, Sirius and Hermione knew they’d found not just a house, but a true home—right in the heart of their family.