A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
I move through the world with the heartbroken,
My longings stay unspoken.
And I may never open up the way I did for you.
And all of those best laid plans,
You said I needed a brave man,
Then proceeded to play him,
Until I believed it too.
And it kills me.
I just don't understand.
How you don't miss me,
In the shower,
And remember,
How my rain-soaked body was shaking.
Do you hate me?
Was it hazing?
For a cruel fraternity I pledged,
And I still mean it.
Old habits die screaming.
Six weeks of breathing clean air.
I still miss the smoke.
Were you making fun of me with some esoteric joke?
Now I want to sell my house and set fire to all my clothes.
And hire a priest to come and exorcise my demons.
Even if I die screaming.
And I hope you hear it.
~ The Black Dog by Taylor Swift
~*~ 1st September 2003 ~*~
The morning arrived much too soon for Hermione, who had been lying awake since five. She lay perfectly still as Harry climbed out of bed to start his morning run a little after five. Hermione laid listening to Rosella's soft snores through the monitor that she had turned on. Feeling as if her world was slightly off its axis.
Today was the first day of so many things. For all three of them. At 5:30, she begrudgingly pushed herself out of bed and started the day.
By seven thirty, Hermione and Harry, with Rosella standing between them proudly in her uniform dress, wearing a small hairclip crown, stood outside the brick building of Dursley Primary School. A bright banner welcomed all the students above the entrance as Year 1 students like Rosella clung to their parents.
Harry had delayed his first shift at St. Mungo's just to be here, and Hermione knew how packed his day was. He insisted he had to be there anyway.
She took a deep breath and looked over at him as they started walking Rose up the sidewalk together.
Once inside, they were greeted by her Head Teacher, a Ms. Whitney, who pointed them in the right direction to Room Four, Mrs. Vickers' class. Inside the classroom doorway stood her new teacher, wearing a soft cardigan that was as soft as her smile.
She knelt in front of Rosella, "And you must be Rosella," she said warmly, "I am Mrs. Vickers, and I am glad you are here to join us."
Rosella stood slightly behind Harry's leg, then took a solid breath, "I am Rosella Lily Potter," she said quickly.
"Pleasure to meet you," Mrs. Vickers said as she stood up, "You must be Mum and Dad."
"Hermione Granger," Hermione said, "And this is Harry."
"They are fiendsays," Rosella informed her.
Harry laughed as he held out his hand, "I am Harry Potter."
"Well, welcome to Year One. We are excited to have Rosella." Mrs. Vickers stated.
Rosella nodded, then spotted a familiar face. "Annie!" she squealed.
Annie looked up and ran over, "Hello, Miss Hermione, Mr. Harry! Come on, Rose!"
"Bye, Mumma, Bye, Daddy!" Rosella said, running off with Annie to greet two other girls from their class.
"Well, they seem to be inseparable already," Mrs. Vickers smiled, looking at her clipboard. "She will be fine. Will she be riding the bus home? I see you live in Stinchcombe, and she is on the bus list."
Hermione shook her head, "No, I will pick her up today. Tomorrow, she will, though."
"Perfect. Have a wonderful day," Mrs. Vickers said, already turning to greet another student and their family.
Hermione lingered, watching Rosella. She was already in a deep conversation with Annie, talking about their pencil boxes. Hermione bit her lip.
Harry gently squeezed her hand. "Hermione, let's go. She will be fine."
"I know," Hermione whispered.
They made it to the car in silence. Once inside, Hermione stared at the steering wheel for a moment before starting the engine. Driving a few streets away, she pulled over at the edge of the road beneath a canopy of trees as she and Harry had planned.
"Have a good day at work," Hermione said, turning to Harry as he unfastened. "Do you want me to bring you lunch?"
Harry shook his head. "I've got meetings straight through. I want to review various cases and budgets for the new year to get a handle on everything." He smiled. "I appreciate it, though."
He leaned across the console and kissed her. "I love you."
"Love you too," she told him as she cupped his cheek that was too smooth. She already missed the slight stubble he had been keeping during the summer.
He stepped out of the car and scanned for passing cars. When the street was clear, he winked and turned on the spot disapparating without even a crack.
Hermione exhaled. For a moment, she considered turning around and standing outside Rosella's classroom. With a sigh, she looked in the rearview and merged back onto the road.
Rosella would be fine. She had Annie. Harry would be fine walking into St. Mungo's, likely already intercepted by various Healers or Medi-witches getting him ready for his various meetings. Hermione drove home, the passenger and backseat eerily empty, as she tried to prepare herself for her day.
The café at the Lily Pad smelled like espresso and pastries as the late morning light spilled through the coloured windows towards the ceiling, covering all the gathered employees who sat at the café's wood tables.
Hermione stood in front of them surveying them. "Everyone here?"
Regina, Megan, and Vivienne sat at the front table with Mike, Matt, and the newest employees, Andrew, Amanda, and Taylor, at a second table. Misty gave a nod as she stood next to Lucy.
"All present and accounted for," Lucy stated.
"Brilliant," Hermione inhaled. "Well, thanks for coming, everyone." She glanced at Matt and Amanda. "I appreciate you coming in on your days off. Misty and Lucy know what this is about, but I thought it was important to tell you all together."
Hermione looked at them. These were not just her employees. These were the caretakers of her second baby. The Lily Pad was where she had literally put her blood, sweat, and tears into getting it started. Now it thrived.
"I know this may come as a shock to some, but I am going to be stepping back some of my hours," Hermione informed them.
Regina gasped so dramatically that Andrew nearly spilled his coffee. "Seriously?!"
Hermione shot her a look. "Yes, seriously."
Regina sat back. "Sorry."
"Between Rosella starting school and Harry now working full time at the hospital, I'm being stretched rather thin. I've also been contracted by the Ministry to work on a special translation project. I'll be starting that soon," Hermione said as she looked at them. "This doesn't mean I won't be here at all. It means that I won't be here all day, every day anymore. There will be more weekdays when I might not be here now. But I will still be available. If something comes up, you can always call me." Hermione swallowed. "And for those who may not have heard, which, because of Regina, I'm sure you all have…"
Regina held her hand over her heart, "I only tell the truth!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Harry and I are engaged."
Everyone started clapping.
"We are crazy, frankly, and are planning our wedding for the 29th of November in Scotland. We will be closing the store that day, and you are all invited, if you choose to attend." She looked at all of them, "With Harry and my history, we are trying to keep it extremely closed-lipped. We have some control over the Prophet and the Quibbler thanks to Luna, but Rita Skeeter and Witch Weekly are who we are trying to avoid."
Misty looked at all their employees, "If I find out that any of you leaks this… you are immediately fired. This is a notice."
Lucy nodded. "Agreed," she turned to Hermione, "And don't worry about us. We've got the shop. Focus on your family and this project. Not just anyone gets tapped by the Ministry for special work.
Hermione smiled. "It's a big task," she admitted. "A little daunting, honestly. I sort of… stumbled into it."
"Can any of us help?" Megan asked.
Hermione shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. It's highly classified at the moment."
"Got it," Megan nodded.
"Depending on the circumstances, I may work on it here in the office. So, if you see the door shut, just knock," Hermione stated.
Mike raised his hand. "So, who is officially in charge when you aren't here?"
Hermione looked at him. "Same as when I'm not here usually. Misty will handle the day-to-day operations on the magical side, and Lucy will oversee everything on this side. Vivienne is looking to hire an assistant baker and a manager. Regina has offered to take on the programmes."
"And marketing!" Regina said proudly.
"With supervision," Hermione stated, "If I'm not here, ask Misty or Lucy."
She looked at all of them. "Any questions?"
Vivienne's hand shot up. "I have one. Who is making your cake? Because it better be me."
Hermione laughed, "I was going to talk to you after this. If there is nothing else, go back to your jobs so that we can open for the day."
Lucy smiled at her, "Don't worry so much. We've got you."
Hermione stood back, smiling as everyone dispersed and Lucy unlocked the doors again. Everything would be okay. She just had to let loose on the reins a little.
~*~ 3rd September 2003 ~*~
The atrium of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was filled with its usual organized chaos as Hermione entered. A wizard with a teapot fused to his hand argued with the welcome witch as something in the distance seemed to quietly explode with a plume of smoke at the back of the waiting area.
Hermione adjusted the picnic basket on her arm that held a lunch for her and Harry as well as the Merlin scrolls. Hermione did not want to impose on Harry's third day of work, but everywhere else she went was a distraction.
As the teapot wizard walked back to the waiting area, she approached the Welcome Witch's desk.
"Hello, welcome to St. Mungo's Hospital. How may I direct you?" She recited.
Hermione smiled. "Hello, I am here to sit with Sirius Black, but if possible, could you page Chief Potter and tell him that Hermione is here?"
The witch checked her clipboard, which had names shifting around it in real time. "Unfortunately, Chief Potter is listed in a meeting, but Mr. Black can have visitors. Do you need his room number, Ms. Granger?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, Chief Potter already informed me that he is in the ICU, but I appreciate it."
Hermione crossed to the lift. Stepping inside the gates, she watched the enchanted numbers climb until she reached the fourth floor that held the Spell Damage and ICU wards.
The doors opened into a quiet corridor. To the right would take her to the Janus Thickey Ward, where Neville's parents and Professor Lockhart lived within the long-term part of the ward. Hermione turned left towards the ICU and pushed open the doors to an even quieter corridor.
As she walked down the hall, she found room five and spotted him immediately. The familiar head of messy black hair sat bent over a stack of charts. Harry was in the armchair beside Sirius's bed, his feet propped up on the mattress as he concentrated on the file in front of him.
Hermione smiled as she set the picnic basket down and crept up behind him, sliding her arms over his shoulders.
Harry jumped slightly, then relaxed upon recognizing her touch. He caught her hand, kissed her knuckles, and looked up at her. "What are you doing here?"
"Blast, I thought I could deceive you into believing someone was flirting with you," Hermione told him. She perched herself on the arm of the chair. "The house was too quiet. I was getting distracted by everything I needed to do. The store was even worse. I never realized just how loud Regina was." She grabbed her basket. "So, I thought I'd work on the translations here and sit with him."
She looked at Sirius. He did look better than when he first returned to the living. His skin was less grey and appeared more whole.
Harry rubbed her leg. "His heart rate is stabilizing, finally. We turned his sedation down slightly today, and his brain activity increased. He's breathing on his own now."
Hermione smiled. "When do you think you'll take him completely off it?"
Harry inhaled. "Nathan and I want to try in a couple of days. We'll wean him gradually. His body has been through significant trauma. If we pull the support too quickly, we risk a domino effect. We need all the systems in his body to remember how to work together on their own."
Hermione nodded.
A medi-witch popped her head into the doorway. "Chief Potter? Healer Johnson-Weasley requested you in the Little Wizards Ward."
Harry closed his eyes briefly. "Of course she did."
Hermione rubbed his arm. "Go, I'll sit with him."
He stood up and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't overwork yourself."
Hermione snorted. "Pot. Kettle."
He laughed as he gathered his charts and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
Silence.
Hermione moved into the vacated chair and pulled his rolling table closer. She opened her picnic basket and set out her sandwiches, fruit, and her thermos of tea. Carefully, she pulled out the ancient scrolls as she looked at Sirius. "I hope you don't mind me working here, Sirius," she said quietly. "I have a rather big project to do, and sadly, this is the quietest place I could think of."
Quietly, the monitors continued their steady beeping as his chest rose and fell on its own now. Reaching out, she adjusted his blanket. "Harry won't say it, but he's terrified that you won't recover."
She slowly unfurled the scroll and placed it next to her notebook. "Rosella started school. She had the confidence that I heard James had. Marched in like she owned the place and rode the bus yesterday as if she had done so all her life."
Biting the end of her pen as she started reviewing the next section of the scroll with a sigh. "Sirius, I just want you to wake up soon. Harry and I are getting married, you know," she grinned, "And I refuse to let you miss it."
Between her own knowledge and the knowledge bestowed on her by Merlin, the information on the scroll poured from her pen to the notebook as ancient script and words became modern through her hand.
~*~ 5th September 2003 ~*~
Hermione had already spent most of the morning at the Lily Pad, starting her third-quarter audit of the magical side of the Lily Pad that continued to underperform. While she was happy that the magical world was accepting the Muggle side more naturally, her roots had started in that little magical shop.
She started Matt on the inventory process, approved Regina's new display, and even taste-tested the new cinnamon scones that Vivienne was experimenting with. Hermione chewed on it, "It might need nutmeg, or maybe pecan."
After being satisfied with the store, Hermione gathered lunch and disapparated to the entrance of St. Mungo's. Riding the lift to the ICU, she slipped into Sirius's room to find only Sirius within it.
Settling into the chair, she sat cross-legged in the chair as she pulled the table over to her. "Afternoon, Sirius. Just you and me today," she murmured to Sirius.
Losing herself in ink, parchment, and paper, she didn't hear the door open at first.
"Why am I not surprised?"
She looked up to see Harry standing in the doorway in his pale mint green Healer robes. Beside him stood a tall wizard in more of a mint green robe, with grey hair. She recognized him from Rosella's brief visit.
Hermione held up her notebook. "It's quiet here."
"Well, it might not be much longer. We're going to start tapering off his sedation today. He's already on the edge of consciousness," Harry informed her.
Hermione straightened in her chair as the older wizard stepped forward, extending his hand.
"It is a pleasure to officially meet you, Ms. Granger. I am Nathan Scott, head of Magical Accidents."
Hermione shook his hand. "Call me Hermione."
Harry moved over to the IV stand as he adjusted the potion drip behind Sirius's head. "I'm going to turn down his sedation potion just enough that he might wake up. If he might be in any pain, he won't feel it."
Hermione nodded, watching the two healers work together. Seeing Harry in action in this capacity struck her as she had seen him in so many roles. He was still a leader. He always had been. He was meant to lead. But healing seemed to bring a new layer to him.
"How long will it take?" she asked quietly.
Nathan examined a potion vial. Its contents shone in the light. "Depends, every patient is different."
Harry stepped back to monitor his vitals as the machines continued their rhythmic beeping, while Sirius's chest rose and fell with ease.
Hermione tried to return to her work. Five minutes. Nothing changed.
"Well," Nathan said, checking his pocket watch, "I am going to get back downstairs and review one of my cases. If you need me, page me." He paused at the door. "Hermione, it was a pleasure."
When the door closed, Harry perched himself on the armrest beside her.
"So, what do you think?" Hermione asked.
He exhaled slowly. "I think it might be a while," his jaw tightened. "But I'm also afraid that there might be too much damage. We barely brought him back from multi-organ failure, Hermione. That is hard to come back quickly from that."
Hermione squeezed his hand, and before she could say anything, a medi-witch appeared. "Chief Potter, Healer Smethwyck just had a case come in that he wants your consultation with."
Harry nodded as he stood, and Hermione caught his hand before he could step away. "I'll be here with him."
He nodded, "Page me at any change."
She watched him straighten his robes and follow the medi-witch out.
Hermione returned to her translation, losing herself in the archaic script and nearly lost language. Time was irrelevant as she lost herself in the forgotten spells. So much that she nearly missed it. The faint rustle. A shift against linens.
Her head snapped up to see that Sirius's head had lulled to the side. Slowly, unsteadily, it tried to right itself. Then his eyelids fluttered.
Hermione's notebook slid from her lap to the floor. "Sirius?" she breathed out, placing her hands on the railing to press the call button. "Sirius, you are okay. You are at St. Mungo's. You are recovering. Can you hear me?"
His eyes reopened. Unfocused. Seemingly cloudy.
Then for one second, his steel blue eyes met hers. But there was nothing there. No recognition. Just a hollowness that made her pulse hammer within her ears.
Nathan rushed in. "Mr. Black, welcome back."
Hermione looked at him. "I don't know if he can see or hear. He hasn't acknowledged me at all."
Nathan stepped forward and used his wand to examine Sirius's pupils. "Could be the sedation wearing off," he stated, "His brain is still recovering. It will take time."
Sirius's gaze drifted around the room, then his eyes closed as his body sank into the bed as if he was exhausted by merely existing.
Nathan looked at her. "He'll be mostly sleeping over the next few days. That's normal for recovery."
Hermione nodded as she moved the chair and reached for Sirius's hand.
~*~ 6th September 2003 ~*~
Hermione sat again beside Sirius's bed with her wedding planning notebook on her lap as she bit her lip and drummed her pen against it.
It was twelve weeks. Twelve weeks away until their wedding. Her mother had graciously taken Rosella for the day to let her sit with Sirius and work.
Looking up from her notebook, she glanced at Sirius. His breathing was steady, his colouring was slowly improving, but the few times he had been conscious, his mind did not seem to be aware of his surroundings.
Flipping to her checklist, she chewed on the inside of her lip.
Venue - confirmed Catering – To do Officiant – To do Florals – still need to talk to Neville
Hermione rubbed her forehead as the door clicked, and she sat up to see who was coming through, expecting to see Harry. Instead, Narcissa Malfoy, donning grey silk robes, with her hair meticulously swept back in an updo as if she were going to a ball, walked into the room looking every bit the Pureblood that she was. Even here, where the hospital smelled faintly of potion fumes and antiseptic charms, she had the air about her of expensive perfume.
"Ms. Granger," Narcissa said, bowing her head.
Hermione rose automatically. "Mrs. Malfoy, I apologize. I didn't realize you were coming today. I owled you this morning."
"I received your correspondence and inquired with Mr. Potter, who stated that you have been sitting with my cousin as of late," Narcissa stated. "I believe it is time that I reintroduce myself properly."
She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "I owe you an apology," Narcissa stated. "For my role in your capture, and for what happened to you under my roof."
Hermione swallowed as she held the older woman's gaze. Her hands tensed automatically as she remembered the chandelier and the cold marble floors.
"The past is the past," she stated, trying not to let her voice shake. "I appreciate you helping us. I am, admittedly, over my head."
She sat and motioned to the chair beside her, "Please have a seat."
Narcissa studied the chair for a moment before sitting on the edge of it with a sense of elegance. She looked at Sirius. "How is he?"
Hermione sighed as she opened her notebook. "He's had moments of brief consciousness, but we're unsure how much he's actually processing. Sometimes he just looks past me as if he doesn't know who I am," She hesitated. "Other times, it's like no one is home."
Narcissa nodded as she withdrew a leather folder from her handbag and placed it on her lap. "I have your confirmed contract with the library. The lower library will be used for the ceremony and the upper library for the reception."
Narcissa opened the folder and pulled out various menus on fine parchment or paper. "These are your catering options with budgets. I also have recommended room layouts after I visited the location. We need to find an officiant. Also, a hair and makeup stylist, a florist. I can interview musicians and see whether you might want security."
Hermione swallowed hard at the various pieces of parchment and papers in front of her. "Security?"
"Discreet, of course. Mr. Potter suggested it because of Rita Skeeter," Narcissa stated.
Hermione inhaled and nodded.
"Do you have a guest list yet?" Narcissa asked.
Hermione shook her head. "Other than the Weasleys and our close friends? No."
Narcissa stared at her, "You are twelve weeks away."
"I am aware," Hermione stated.
"Miss Granger, this is no simple task. I can only do so much. I need your assistance," Narcissa stated.
Hermione sighed. "I need a Time-Turner."
Narcissa pushed a piece of parchment closer. "These are your priorities. They need to be done before next Friday. We can meet every Friday until the wedding."
Hermione looked over the list. "Guest list by next week. Invitations approved in two weeks. Florist chosen by week three. Well, I have that one, Neville. Final catering decision by week four."
"And do you have an idea for your dress?" Narcissa asked.
Hermione froze. "I didn't think of that."
Narcissa closed her folder, "I will find you some salons that I recommend. Alterations take time."
A soft groan had them both freezing as they looked at Sirius. His fingers twitched against the blanket, then his eyes fluttered open slightly.
Hermione leaned forward and set her hand on his. "We're here, Sirius."
Narcissa watched him with bated breath. "I cannot believe he is back." She cleared her throat. "I will contact you in three days with more options." She said as she rose. "Please let me know if you pick anything."
"Mrs. Malfoy?" Hermione said as Narcissa moved towards the door.
Narcissa looked at her.
"Thank you," Hermione said.
She nodded, "I will see you next week."
As the door closed, Hermione relaxed. Lightly squeezing Sirius's hand, she sat back. "You'd better wake up properly, because apparently I am completely incompetent at Pureblood poise."
Hermione sighed as she tried to draft a short guest list.
Hermione rubbed her eyes as she set aside the folder that Narcissa had given her and rose from her seat on the windowsill. She had spent the last four hours bouncing back and forth between translations and wedding planning, and her brain was starting to hurt. Her notebook with the Merlin translations slid to the ground as she looked at her hands to see the ink stains all over the side of her hand and fingers.
Rolling her neck to stretch out the tension in her muscles, she stretched her back and heard a shift on the linens. Then a breath, deep and nearly gasping.
Hermione glanced at him, trying to determine if he was waking or just agitated. Bending down to pick up her notebook, she looked again, and his eyes met hers.
Fully open. Not unfocused.
He looked around slowly, confusion showing on his face. Looking at the ceiling, the monitors. The window before landing on her.
Hermione smiled as she slowly walked over to him. "Hello, Sirius."
He stared at her blankly.
"You're at St. Mungo's. You are alive, and you are safe," Hermione stated, watching his eyes close again as the door opened.
Hermione glanced up as Harry strolled in, removing his healer's robes. "Hey."
He walked over and kissed her temple. "How's my patient?"
Hermione arched an eyebrow as she stared at him. "Are we talking about Sirius or my patience?"
As Harry opened his mouth to answer, a low whine echoed through the quiet room. Then the monitors began to beep rapidly.
Hermione stared at Sirius as Harry rushed over. "What's happening?"
"Sirius, it's me. Can you hear me?" Harry asked.
Hermione watched as Sirius's fingers tensed into the sheets. His breathing grew rapid as his eyes opened, darting between Harry and Hermione. A panicked noise tore from his throat as he looked around, disoriented.
"Sirius, you are here at St. Mungo's," Harry said as he looked at Hermione, "Yell for a medi-witch. Tell them to bring a light sedation potion."
Hermione rushed over to the door and yelled down the corridor. "Medi-witch! We need a light sedation potion in here, please!"
She turned back and went to Sirius's side as Harry went over his monitors and took his hand. "We're here with you, Sirius. You're safe."
His eyes were wide, pupils blown nearly covering his steel blue. They were bouncing between her and Harry as the medi-witch rushed in with the vial.
Harry took it. "Thank you." He turned to Sirius, "Sirius, I'm going to give you something to help you calm down. You might fall asleep. We are here with you."
Sirius's hand grabbed onto Hermione's. Hard.
She winced but didn't pull away as she rubbed his hand. "It's alright. We're not leaving."
Within moments of Harry administering the potion, Sirius's grip loosened. Then his breathing slowed as his body relaxed into the mattress.
Harry exhaled as he looked at the medi-witch. "We need to run more tests. Veronica, would you page Nathan, please?"
"Yes, sir," she said as she hurried out.
Hermione released Sirius's hand and looked at Harry. "He was confused, but I think he understood who we were, possibly."
Harry dragged a hand through his hair. "He was terrified, Hermione. What if we did the wrong thing?"
Hermione looked at him. "It's only been a short time. He seemed to be recognizing me and was okay until you walked in."
Harry frowned, "What?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Do you think he thought you were your dad?"
Harry froze. "I'm just slightly older than he was."
"It's not 1996 anymore, Harry. We've changed," Hermione told him.
Harry sighed, "You might be right."
Hermione rubbed his back, "We just have to give him time."
~*~ 7th September 2003 ~*~
The late morning light came through the windows of Sirius's room as Hermione paced between the window and his bed, her mobile against her ear as her notebook sat on the wheeled table open to catering while she listened to Signet Library's Wedding Coordinator tell her about her options for seating at the ceremony.
"So as of right now, we will plan for around 75 seats for the ceremony. Now we will proceed to the reception and our catering options."
"That sounds lovely," Hermione stated. "My planner, Mrs. Malfoy, mentioned smoked haddock and pickled shallots, prawn and crayfish cocktail, cucumber bites, crab ravioli, sausage rolls, and a light charcuterie for our cocktail hour."
The woman on the other line agreed.
Hermione pivoted as she glanced at Sirius. "I also need to make sure that there are some child-friendly options. My daughter is five, and I don't foresee her eating seaweed, such as one of the options I was given.
"How about we add the canapes option as well, with not just sugary options, but we can do a pumpkin, lemon, and a pear option with smaller portions?"
"That would be perfect," Hermione said, scribbling that option in her book.
"For dinner, my suggestion is having a vegetarian option with beetroot and seaweed carpaccio. Meat options can include honey-roasted duck, smoked venison, roast beef, and smoked mackerel."
Hermione paused, in disbelief, "Is there possibly a more casual option? No offense, I don't see even my best friend eating those."
A soft laugh came through the phone. "We also offer a buffet service. Salmon, lamb, and chicken. With that option, we can also have a first light course of smoked salmon, burrata, and sirloin steak bites."
Hermione chuckled, "That sounds more feasible for my daughter and her godfather. He is basically a giant toddler himself."
"There will be a dessert station during cocktail hour, cheese grazing boards, breads, and a drink station with coffee and tea."
"That sounds wonderful," Hermione stated, "Let's go with the buffet style for now."
"Mrs. Malfoy mentioned a signature drink?" The coordinator asked.
Hermione nodded, glancing at Sirius. "There is a local distillery that my fiancée invests in, and they are creating a limited-edition whiskey in his honour. I would like to make sure wines are available, though. I am not a huge whiskey drinker."
"Of course," she stated. "Also, I see the note about the candles. Our venue does not allow a natural flame. We have elegant battery-operated options, though."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose, "If that is the rule-"
A low groan cut through the air, and Hermione froze. "I'm so sorry. I have to call you back."
She ended the call and let her mobile fall to the chair. Slowly approaching the bed to see that Sirius's eyes were open. Not half open and unfocused like every other time so far.
"Sirius," she said softly, stepping into his line of sight. "Can you hear me?"
His gaze drifted over her before settling on her face. He stared at her, confused, and she smiled. "Sirius, it's Hermione."
"Neee?" He breathed out, his voice quiet and rough.
Hermione sat down beside him and took his hand, which felt warmer within her own. "You're at St. Mungo's. You are safe. Do you remember the battle at the Ministry? You fell through the veil in the chamber."
His fingers tightened around hers, and she looked up as the monitors began to protest in accelerated beeps.
Hermione looked back at him. "We found a way to bring you back, but it's been some time since you've been gone."
His breathing and heart rate were climbing when the door opened.
Harry stepped in, his tie loosened, looking ragged. "What's going on?"
Sirius's eyes snapped toward him. His confusion cracked into terror. His body jerked as his hand tore itself from Hermione's as he clutched his sheets.
"Medi-witch!" Harry yelled down the hall as he crossed the room. "Sirius, it's me. You're safe."
Despite his weakness, Sirius fought against Harry's hands with force as he tried to sit up. His breathing grew troubled as the monitors shrieked.
Two medi-witches rushed in, attempted to hold him gently as Harry tried to get him to calm down.
"Sirius! Look at me! You are okay!" Harry stressed.
Sirius stared at him, eyes wide, fear evident on his face. "Hell… hell. Ames," he rasped, trying to push the medi-witches away as one of them administered the sedation potion.
Slowly, his muscles relaxed as he fell to the bed like a marionette whose strings had been cut. His head turned towards Harry, "Ames…" as his eyelid slid closed.
"Chief Potter, do you want us to get Healer Scott?" Medi-witch Veronica asked.
Harry sighed, "No, thank you for your assistance."
They both slipped out quietly as Hermione's heart continued to pound hard in her chest. She looked at Harry. "See, I told you that he thinks you are your father."
Harry scrubbed his face with his hand. "He called me James."
Hermione took his hand. "We look different to him. It's not 1996 anymore, like he last knew. Next time, I will ease him into the fact that we've grown up."
Harry leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for being here."
Hermione looked over at Sirius, "He is family now."
~*~ 8th September 2003 ~*~
Hermione stared out the window of Sirius's hospital at the stormy, inky sky. After Harry had left for work, just before sunrise, the storm had started. She had braided Rosella's hair and packed her up. She waved her off as she set off on the bus before coming back inside to gather her parchments, pens, and notebooks.
Hermione's eyes were struggling. She had been working up until well after midnight, then Rosella had a nightmare, waking her up not long after she had settled into sleep beside Harry.
Sirius was more out of consciousness today than aware, and the steady noise of the monitors was more conducive to drowsiness as she pressed her forehead to the cool glass to try to wake herself up.
Groaning, she walked back to her parchment, spread out across the small rolling table that had become her desk.
Ancient runes that she was trying to translate were blurring before her eyes as she sat down and sighed, trying to concentrate. Her eyelids dipped, and she jerked, swearing as her pen scratched out a wavering line across her notes.
"Mione?"
Hermione's head snapped up, and her notebook crashed to the floor.
Sirius was staring at her.
She was on her feet in an instant. "Sirius?" She pressed the call button on his bed. "Hi, Sirius. You're at St. Mungos."
His hand struggled to rise as if weights were attached to it, as he winced, hand settling on his throat. "What's… on?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
A medi-witch entered the room, and Hermione looked at her. "He is awake and aware. Please page his healer and Chief Potter. Also, could someone bring him some ice water?"
The medi-witch nodded and slipped out.
Sirius blinked slowly. "Chief?"
Hermione swallowed as she sat beside him and wrapped her hand around his. "Sirius, it's 2003."
His eyes closed, and his head moved from side to side in a faint shake. "No… no…"
Hermione felt him tense, and she brushed her thumb across his knuckles. "You've been gone a long time, but you're back."
His eyes fluttered shut again.
A short time later, the door opened again, and Harry entered, his robes still crisp, other than lines where they had folded as if he had been sitting in meetings this morning.
"He was conscious for a few minutes," Hermione told him. "Harry, he remembered me."
Slipping his stethoscope into his ears, he leaned in to listen to Sirius's heart. "Everything sounds strong. His body is finally healing. It's just his brain catching up."
Sirius's eyes fluttered open again. This time, he studied Harry, confused, without panic.
"Hi, Sirius, it's Harry," Harry told him.
Silence surrounded him, before Sirius's eyes closed again, and Harry watched his heart rate slowly decrease. "He's asleep. Other vitals are steady. Brain injuries can be exhausting. He is still recovering. He will slowly grow in his clarity."
Hermione nodded as she yawned and reached down to pick up her notebook. "So, I was thinking..."
Harry looked at her, "And how is that new?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "For our magical ceremony, what if we held it at Potter Manor? In that Greenhouse? The climbing ivy and glass ceiling at sunset would be beautiful. It's also protected."
Harry checked one of Sirius's monitors. "I also increased the wards, so it is very secure. It would make sense."
Hermione gave him a tired smile. "Candles glowing against the glass in the late afternoon, I am sure Molly would host everyone at the Burrow for dinner. It's going to be small and intimate anyway."
Harry grinned. "Molly wanted us to get married there. Anyway, it would make her happy." He sighed, looking at Sirius, and Hermione grabbed his hand, pulling him down. He looked at her, "I'd crush you."
"You don't crush me when you collapse onto me during sex. I'm sure you can sit on my lap, Harry," Hermione said as she glanced at Sirius, "Yep, he's asleep."
Harry snorted as Hermione wrapped her arms around him, as he gently sat on her lap, "It will all work out, won't it?"
Hermione rubbed his arm. "We'll make it work."
~*~ 10th September 2003 ~*~
Hermione pushed the door open to Sirius's room just as Medi-Witch Veronica went to open it from the other side. "Sorry! Go ahead."
Veronica stepped out with the basket, holding her sponge kit in her hand. "Good afternoon. Took the day off yesterday?"
"I've been running myself ragged. I stopped in briefly, must have been before your shift. I run a store that also needs my attention, and our daughter is five," Hermione yawned. "The mum guilt is rather powerful. She is in school now, and she understands slightly that he is here. She just knows he was her grandparents' best friend."
Veronica nodded. "Well, he's slept most of yesterday and today."
Hermione grinned, pushing the door back with her back. "The fact that he slept through a sponge bath means he must be exhausted."
"Or just enjoying it," came from the bed.
Hermione waved to Veronica as she left the room. "You old dog," she said as she crossed over to the bed.
He yawned. "I'm tired of being tired."
"You are recovering from trauma that we don't understand," Hermione told him as she sat in the chair next to his bed. "That is expected."
He studied her for a moment. "You are so grown."
Hermione smiled, "I am 24, and Harry is 23. Our daughter is five."
Sirius looked at her, surprised. "Daughter?"
She nodded. "You are a dogfather."
He barked out a laugh that turned into a cough. Hermione moved his bed up to help him take a sip of water.
"Tell me about her," he rasped.
"Well, she is far too intelligent for her own good. With her heritage, I'm honestly not surprised," Hermione stated.
"What's her name?" Sirius asked.
"Rosella. Rosella Lily. We call her Rose," Hermione smiled. "She is half me, half Harry. Which makes her part Marauder, part redheaded spitfire with a burning need for knowing things, but raised heavily by the Weasleys. Mostly influenced by the twins and Ron," she sighed. "In other words, I am doomed."
Sirius grinned. "Sounds like she is a lot like Lily."
Hermione nodded. "From what I've heard, yes."
The door opened, and Harry stepped in, pausing at the sight of Sirius slightly upright and alert.
"Hey, Healer Harry," Sirius said casually.
Harry swallowed before crossing the room. "Hey, Sirius."
Sirius stared at him before breaking into a crooked smile. "Shite, look how tall you are, and attractive," he looked at Hermione, "No wonder you finally fell for him."
Hermione laughed. "You should see him with his shirt off."
Sirius barked out another laugh that dissolved into coughing.
Harry frowned as Hermione helped Sirius take another sip. "Is that why you agreed to marry me?"
Hermione grinned. "Maybe."
Sirius looked at them. "I'm so glad you two ended up together." He exhaled. "How did I come back?"
Hermione hesitated, "It's my fault. I was given a spell, and it wasn't right that you were gone."
"I wasn't gone," he murmured, "I just couldn't be back through the damn veil. I could see it. It would… it would haunt me."
Harry stepped closer. "Where were you?"
Sirius stared at the ceiling. "Inside the veil wasn't pain. Time didn't pass. Not the way it should have. It was just existence. People passed through, their souls, moving on. Rarely stopping to even acknowledge me," He bit his lip. "Eventually, I became… something like a guide. For the ones who lingered and didn't want to move on. It seemed to be the in-between. Not living. Not dead."
Hermione took his hand.
"I saw Remus," Sirius whispered, and Hermione squeezed his hand. "And my cousin, Nymphadora."
Harry nodded, sitting on the armrest of Hermione's chair. "They died in the final battle. They left behind a son."
Sirius blinked hard. "Where is he?"
"His name is Teddy," Hermione said gently. "He lives with Andromeda."
Sirius closed his eyes briefly. "Fucking wolf finally found a mate." Grief was written all over his face. "So, you killed the bastard?" he asked, his voice rough.
Harry shook his head. "The spell rebounded, and he killed himself."
A faint grin ghosted his lips. "Good."
His breath evened out as sleep pulled him under again, and the room settled into quiet.
Hermione laid her head against Harry, and a few minutes of silence later, the door opened again.
Ron leaned against the doorframe. "Figured you'd both be here. How is he?" he asked, stepping inside the room.
"He held a full conversation with us," Hermione stated. "What are you doing here?"
Ron scratched the back of his neck. "Luna thought you needed a break. She hasn't seen you at the shop in a few days and sent me to encourage you to leave here."
Hermione stared at him. "I've been working on a project."
"You're also looking exhausted," Ron said bluntly as he looked at Harry. "Back me up, man."
Harry nodded. "You do look exhausted, Hermione. He'll sleep for a few hours again. You've been translating nonstop. You deserve a break."
Hermione sighed. "Fine. What does she want to do?"
Ron shrugged. "She wants your help looking at wedding gift ideas."
Hermione blinked. "For you or us?"
"For ours," Ron stated. "I don't know how to do it correctly."
Hermione laughed as she stood. "What were you looking at?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Apparently, we need towels, but we have towels."
"Probably not the right kind," Hermione stated as she stepped toward Harry and kissed him softly. "See you tonight."
"Try to get some rest when you get home," Harry murmured. "Call your mum and dad if you need to."
"I'll be fine," she assured him.
~*~ 11th September 2003 ~*~
Recovery was never a straight line. It was a racecourse that would randomly have paths that would get you lost, and you'd go backwards, sideways, or seem like you were hanging upside down.
Sirius was becoming more conscious each day, which meant that he could start his rehabilitation. This led to his frustration that he could no longer lift his own legs, and led to his short temper as they trembled as though they no longer belonged to his body. Feeling heavy. He complained that they felt as if they had been placed on his body and were those of an old man, and were poorly attached.
"I am telling you," Sirius muttered through clenched teeth as the medi-witch held his leg as the physical therapist guided his knee into a slow bend, "They are not listening to me."
"That's normal," the physical therapist assured him. "Your brain and your body are getting used to talking to each other again. You had a brain injury, Mr. Black. Even magic cannot speed up that process."
"I used to run from Death Eaters," Sirius scoffed.
"Well, Mr. Black, now you are having to relearn how to sit up without assistance," Steve, his physical therapist, stated.
Hermione looked up, watching the monitor above Sirius's bed tick upward again.
Sirius exhaled, trying to calm his heart as a tremor ran through his legs.
"You just need to pace yourself," Hermione stated, looking up from her particularly stubborn Latin translation, ink staining her hand.
He shot her a look.
After thirty minutes of small movements and frustrations, the medi-witch adjusted his blankets, and the therapist left. The room settled into a soft quiet as Sirius closed his eyes and Hermione returned to her notes.
Sirius adjusted himself and turned on his side to look at her. "You're getting married, right?" he asked, "You two aren't already married?"
Hermione glanced up. "Yes, why? Too scandalous for you?"
Sirius snorted, then groaned as a tremor moved his legs on their own again, and he flinched. "Tell me about it."
Hermione leaned back in her chair, closing her notebook as she stretched her back. "It's at a library in Scotland."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "That's not a Hermione Granger thing at all."
She rolled her eyes in return. "We are planning a candlelit ceremony in the lower library. Very romantic. Actually, Narcissa Malfoy is helping us."
Sirius frowned, "Why the hell are you working with my other cousin?"
"She felt she owed Harry a favour. In the final battle, after Harry died and came back-"
"Wait, what?"
"Long story for another time," Hermione stated, waving him off, "Anyways, Narcissa was sent to check if Harry truly died by the curse again, and instead of rolling him over and just shouting that he was alive, she must have seen his chest moving and asked him if Draco was alive. We saved Draco during the battle, so he whispered yes, and instead of saying he was alive, she said he was dead. So, she is offering to help us since she throws galas, and we have less than twelve weeks."
Sirius looked at her, "You aren't pregnant again? Are you?"
"No," Hermione said, "We just don't want to wait. Neville is doing the flowers. He is a herbologist now and owns a floral shop across from my store."
"Longbottom, the boy who melted cauldrons, from what I remember," Sirius grinned.
"He is amazing at plants," Hermione stated, "And killed Nagini in the final battle after going eye to eye with Voldemort. Plus, he married Ginny Weasley."
Sirius rolled to his back. "Shite, you are all grown up."
Hermione bit her lip. "We didn't all make it. Percy Weasley didn't. Lavender from my class and Colin Creevy from Ginny's class. But somehow the rest of us did." Hermione pushed the sleeve of her jumper up and showed him the faint scars, pale but slightly pink against her skin. "And not without our own scars."
Sirius's hand lifted, and his fingers traced the slightly raised edges of MUDBLOOD still faint on her skin. "That's a cursed wound."
"Bellatrix," Hermione stated, pulling her sleeve back down.
His jaw tightened. "Fucking bitch. Is she dead, too?"
Hermione grinned almost wickedly. "Molly got her after she threatened Ginny."
Sirius stared at her, then he grinned before settling back on his pillow. "Good."
~*~ 12th September 2003 ~*~
Hermione sat curled in the window seat of his room at St. Mungo's, parchment balanced on her knees as her pen moved steadily along the paper. Sunlight was warming her skin through the window and catching Sirius and Steve, one of his physical therapists, who was standing at Sirius's bedside with the calming energy of a saint as he dealt with the impatient adult toddler named Sirius.
"All right, your legs are gaining strength, so today we are going to try to sit," Steve told him.
Hermione pressed her lips together to keep from smiling as Sirius muttered something about sitting under his breath.
Carefully, Steve helped Sirius swing his legs around to the edge of the bed. The movement caused his legs to tremble violently.
"My legs still feel disconnected," Sirius stated.
"That's normal," Steve assured him.
As his legs draped over the edge of the bed, Sirius grasped the sheets and blinked hard.
"Just breathe," Steve assured him.
Sirius opened his mouth and fell backwards
Hermione jumped up as Steve guided him back against the pillows as the monitors chirped.
"His blood pressure dropped," Steve assured her, "It's normal."
Sirius inhaled sharply and blinked, refocusing on Steve hovering over him. "Good job making me faint," Sirius croaked. "Hasn't happened since I was nineteen and my boyfriend managed it after particular good sex."
"Sirius!" Hermione gasped, dropping her pen.
He turned his head slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Hermione!" he mocked.
She stared at him. "I cannot deal with you!" blush spreading on her cheeks.
Steve maintained his professionalism and tucked Sirius securely back under the blankets. "A form of Orthostatic hypotension. We moved too fast for his body right now."
"I prefer my own way, thank you very much," Sirius stated.
Hermione sat back down as Steve slipped out of the room. "You need to behave."
The silence lasted for only three seconds.
"You know you want to know," Sirius stated.
Hermione rolled her eyes and reopened her notebook after picking up her pen. "I'm not a teenage girl."
"It was Remus."
Hermione's head snapped up. "I knew it!"
Sirius sighed. "I find it ironic that after I 'died', he shacked up with my baby cousin."
Hermione looked at him. "He was devastated, Sirius. Completely lost without you. She pulled him out of a deep depression, and he fought her for a long time."
Sirius ran his hand through his matted hair. "Freaked out about turning her werewolf?"
"No, he was terrified of passing it on," Hermione told him, "When she got pregnant, he panicked and left her for a bit."
Sirius's jaw tightened. "Idiot."
"Teddy has no signs of it," Hermione told him. "He is a metamorphmagus, though, like Tonks was."
Sirius looked at her. "He is?"
Hermione closed her notebook, turning towards him. "His hair is usually blue. That's his favourite colour."
Sirius smiled, "So was Remus's."
Her mobile rang in her bag, and she reached down to pull it out.
"Is that a phone?" Sirius asked.
Hermione flipped it open. "Yes, they are rather common now."
"That's creepy that someone can find you wherever you are," Sirius mumbled.
"Hey, Luna," Hermione answered.
"I'm at your house. Where are you?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh no!" she groaned, "I forgot about the dress shopping." She shoved the parchment and notes into her bag. "Give me about five minutes to get downstairs, and then I'll be there."
"Ginny is meeting us," Luna added.
"I'm coming," Hermione stated, ending the call.
She slung her bag on her shoulder, "Sorry, Sirius. If Harry comes in, tell him I've gone wedding dress shopping."
"Get something sexy for him!" he called as she hurried out the door.
The boutique in Gloucestershire was so heavily perfumed that Hermione was already overwhelmed the moment she and Luna walked into it.
Soft white gowns in various shades covered the walls. Mirrors stood strategically placed, and the place even had a haute chandelier glittering overhead. Hermione stood under it as if someone had dropped her into a foreign country.
She felt the clawing of panic growing as Luna drifted towards a rack of lace, while Ginny perched herself on a velvet chair. Briar Rose sensed her daughter's growing panic and rubbed her back as the stylist approached them.
"I am Kandi. What are we looking for today?"
Hermione blinked. "Should I have known already? I… I have no idea," she admitted. "I'm overwhelmed."
"What she means is her name is Hermione," Briar Rose stated.
The stylist nodded. "Welcome, Hermione. Being overwhelmed is normal. Tell me about your wedding."
"It's at the Signet Library," Hermione said, wringing her hands together. "Classical. Romantic. Candlelight."
Kandi nodded, making notes. "When is the big day?"
"The twenty-ninth of November," Hermione said as Kandi looked up, and she winced. "I know, we are slightly unhinged attempting this so quickly. Trust me, I'm already overwhelmed with everything."
Ginny snorted. "You thrive on timelines."
"Why did you wait so long to look?" Kandi asked.
"We just got engaged," Hermione admitted.
Kandi tilted her head. "If you don't mind me asking… do we need to plan for an expanding waistline?"
Briar Rose gasped, and Hermione groaned. "No, I'm not pregnant. We simply do not want to wait to get married. We got extremely lucky that my dream location was available."
Kandi nodded. "Understood. What fabrics do you prefer?"
Hermione swallowed hard as she looked around. Silk. Tulle. All the rest was just fabrics to her. "I don't know," she confessed. "I'm not exactly a girly girl."
"I'll pull out a few options. Different silhouettes, different fabrics. We will see what you prefer. I'll be honest with you. With your timeline, you'll need to choose from the rack," Kandi stated.
Hermione nodded, not sure what that even meant.
"Oh! One more question. What is your budget?" Kandi asked.
Hermione opened her mouth. "I-"
"There is no budget," Briar Rose cut in. "We find the dress that she loves and proceed from there."
Kandi's face lit up. "Very well."
Hermione turned to her mother wide-eyed. "Mum! You cannot say no budget! They will bring the most expensive gowns out!"
Briar Rose placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "Relax, sweetheart. Enjoy this. You only get married once."
Ginny flipped through a catalogue. "Try everything you can on. Even the ridiculous ones. You never know."
Hermione let out a tense breath. Between the wedding planning, the translations, and her life, she wasn't sure if she was going to survive this.
Preview of Chapter 49 – Amazed
Hermione looked around and sat down next to her purse. Opening her bag, she saw the book. Glancing towards the open door to the front of the shop, she flipped it open.
More pictures of positions that she would never think to try on her own. She inhaled as she turned to the page: Threesome and othersomes.
She blinked as she saw a picture of a woman with two males in various positions. She stared at it way too long to be healthy. "Angelina might be a lucky woman," she mumbled, turning the book to get a closer look.
"What are you looking at?"
Hermione yelped, and the book went flying as she grabbed her chest. "Hi!"
Luna bent down and picked it up. "Oh!" Luna said quietly, "Oh."
Hermione felt her cheeks burn. "It was mistakenly sent to the shop."
Luna grinned, "And it ended up in your purse?"
Hermione groaned, "I was interested, all right? I wouldn't even know how to bring up some of those positions with Harry. I could just see it now, "Harry, darling, I found this fascinating instructional manual on sexual positions. Strictly research, of course… can I sit on your face?" He'd stare at me and look at this one here, and say something like, "I'm not sure if I can even bend that way." Then one of us would probably throw our backs out!"
Luna rotated the book upside down. "You've never sat on his face? It's very pleasurable." She looked at Hermione over the book, "I might need to buy myself a copy. Ronald would be amazing at this position here. He has a lot of upper-body strength."
"Ewww," Hermione said, trying not to imagine it. "What are you doing here anyway?"