Reputations

23rd March 1983

“Daddy? Theo today please.” Kingsley looked down at his daughter and bit back a grin at the very serious look on her small face. 

“Not today, Princess. Grandad’s coming to pick you up.”

Hermione frowned, “Theo go with Grandad?”

“I don't think that's wise, Princess,” he hedged. “How about we see Theo on…on Friday. Daddy’s off work then.”

Hermione looked back at him suspiciously with a look that was all Severus. “Tomorrow?”

“Ah no. The day after that,” Seeing her face scrunch he continued quickly, “We’ll ask Auntie Cass if Lavender can come too.”

Hermione nodded, seeming mollified and he breathed out a sigh of relief. I hated saying no to her, especially when it came to Theo. After her mother's death, they had seemed to pull more tightly together and she often appeared to use the boy as an emotional crutch, allowing him to speak for her in a way she did not tolerate with anyone else, except perhaps Lavender. And at just over three, the three of them were absurdly close, the only other one they willingly allowed into their orbit was Daphne and he had to admit it worried him slightly. 

He turned to smile at his father when he heard the sound of his footsteps exiting the floo, “How's my girl today?” he grinned as Hermione barreled into him, squealing, “Grandad!”

“Thanks for this Dad,” he muttered, “Moodys got me on ridiculous shifts.”

“Don't worry about it, we’re going to have lots of fun today, aren't we sweetling? And then if we’re very good maybe your Granny will join us for lunch.”

“Where's Granny?”

“Granny's having tea with some grumpy old ladies,” Atticus teased, “Aunty Wally said she had to.”

“Aunty Wally’s scary,” Hermione muttered. 

“I know,” he commiserated, “But you liked Dora didn't you? She was fun.”

“She turned her nose into a beak, Grandad!” Hermione breathed, a look of awe stealing over her face.

“I heard about that, “Atticus smiled, “I heard she also turned her nose into a pig snout.”

“Yes!” Hermione shouted.

“Well I can't do that but how about we go for ice cream and a visit to the menagerie?”

“Yes!” Hermione shouted again before turning to her father, “I have a kitten?”

Kingsley looked at her like a deer caught in headlights, “I ah…it's…” Atticus watched with barely concealed amusement as his son attempted to get out of owning a pet.

“Just a little one Daddy?” Hermione begged, her eyes wide, holding her forefinger and thumb less than a centimetre apart.

Kingsley slumped, “Fine.” he sighed, “But only if one actually wants to come home with you.”

“Ok!” Hermione beamed. “Love you!” she shouted as she dragged a snickering Atticus to the floo.

He smiled indulgently as he watched his granddaughter eat her ice cream, chattering away to him about something that only half made sense when a shadow fell over the table. He blinked as he took in the man in front of him.

“Mr Potter,” he greeted, silently wondering how best to extract himself. 

“Mr Shacklebolt,” James nodded, “And…?”

“My granddaughter, Hermione.”

“She's adorable,” he commented lightly as Hermione stopped eating to study him. “How old are you, little miss?”

Hermione frowned, clambering over to her grandfather's knee before holding up three fingers. “Wow, that big!” James smiled, “My little boy’s two. He’ll be in your year at Hogwarts.”

“With Theo and Posy?” she checked.

“I ah…”

“Yes sweetling, with Theo and Lavender,” Atticus replied for him.

“Oh,” she whispered, not looking sure of what she was meant to do with that information.

“How can we help you, Mr Potter?” Atticus asked politely, hoping the boy would leave. He had no idea what he was gaining from this.

“I just came to…say hello.”

“I see,” Atticus muttered, eyeing the man.

“She looks like Deila,” he whispered.

“Yes, she does,” Atticus agreed, “Shacklebolt curls though,” 

“Mama?” Hermione asked quietly.

“Yes sweetling, you look very like your Mama. But you’ve got Auntie Queenie’s curls, haven't you?”

Hermione nodded solemnly. “Like Auntie Queenie,” she repeated.

There was an awkward silence as James and Atticus eyed one another and the silence stretched, finally, James turned to Hermione, “I hear you know my best friend.” Hermione frowned at him, “Sirius,” he supplied.

“Puppy-man!” she grinned back. 

James bit back a laugh, “Ah yes, that would be him.”

“He makes Aunty Wally cross.”

“Lots of things make Aunty Wally cross,” James muttered. 

“Like messy hair,” Hermione agreed solemnly. 

James did laugh then, pointing at his own head, “Maybe that's why Auntie Wally doesn't like me.”

“Maybe,” Hermione nodded. “We go men-men…”

“Menagerie, Princess?” Atticus asked, hiding his relief.

“Yes, We go menagerie now?”

“Are you finished with your ice cream?”

Hermione scowled at the melted ice cream. “It's gone yucky.”

“Then to the menagerie we go.” Atticus smiled down at her as he set her on the floor, “Mr Potter.”

“Mr Shacklebolt…Hermione.” James sighed as he watched his daughter skip away from him, chattering to her grandfather.

“And just what did that achieve?” a derisive voice asked, making him spin on the spot. 

“Bella.” James greeted, “Roddy.”

“You didn't answer my question.”

“I know she's mine,” he muttered.

“She's not,” Bella scoffed, “Not now. Stay away Potter, that little girl has all the family she needs. We all know your wife would never tolerate it anyway. Effie spends enough time with us all for us to know she doesn't get to see your other child.”

James flushed, “Lily just doesn't…the way we do things…”

Bella shrugged, “I couldn't care less, Potter. If you wish your wife to remain ignorant rather than trying to explain that's your business. Effie gets one of her grandchildren in her life and for that she's grateful.”

“Mother sees Hermione?” James asked in surprise.

“Of course she does. Aunt Wally sees her, I see her. And you know how much time she spends with Aunt Dorea.”

“I...I didn't actually

“Then perhaps you should visit more.” Bella shrugged, “Now if you’ll excuse us, we promised Altair a new book.”

“Your son?” James asked before he could stop himself.

“Yes.” Bella smiled slightly, startling him at the soft look on her face before she stalked away, leaving him reeling as he began to wonder where it had all gone so wrong. 

Atticus led Hermione into Magical Menagerie, “Kittens are over there princess,” Nodding Hermione very carefully, walked along the cages, her shoulders dropping when none approached. Straightening her tiny spine she wandered over to the crups and then the owls. 

“None of them want to come home, Grandad,” she murmured, her bottom lip beginning to wobble.

“Oh Princess, we can try again another day.”

“We’re due a new batch of Kneezle kittens next week, little miss.” the manager assured her, “Why not come back then.” 

Sighing heavily, Hermine nodded. “OK.”

“Now then,” he continued, “while you're here, do you want to see something special?”

Hermione’s eyes lit up, “Yes!”

“I’ve been looking after a Hippogriff fledgling after he got injured, you need to stay with your grandad but if you promise, I’ll take you to meet him?” Simeon Alexander smiled when the child stopped looking like she was going to cry. He couldn't bear it when the littlies were disappointed.

“Ok!” Hemione beamed, slipping her hand into Atticus’

Atticus followed him to the back room, where there was indeed a tiny hippogriff snoozing in the centre on a mound of hay.

“Oh!” Hermione breathed, “He's fluffy!”

“He is a little,” Simeon agreed as the hippogriff opened one eye lazily. “Here little man,” he cooed, “I've brought you some visitors.” They watched as he opened the other eye and struggled to his feet. “If you’re very careful you can feed him.” Simeon offered, holding up a rabbit.

Cautiously, with Atticus watching her every move, Hermione crept forward, taking the rabbit and holding it nervously towards the miniature hippogriff. It was surprisingly gentle when it took it, boinking its head off Hermione's shoulder, making her giggle. Timidly, as if she wasn't sure she was allowed, she reached forward and ran her hands over its head. 

“I’ve never seen one so tame,” Atticus murmured. 

“He’s…he's not normally. I’ve never seen him let someone touch him willingly.” Simeon replied softly, sending a small jolt of foreboding through Atticus as they watched Hermione pet the animal, giggling as it jumped about her playfully, before rubbing its feathered head against her cheek. 

“Right then, Princess, it's probably time to go and see if Granny’s finished. 

“Aww!” Hermione pouted. 

“Come on.” he coaxed, “We’ll take Granny out to lunch.”

Hermione sighed, “Ok Grandad.”

“I’ll let you say goodby little miss, “ Simeon smiled, “I’ll just be out the front.”

Atticus took Hermione's hand once she’d thoroughly snuggled the hippogriff, leading her back out to the main body of the shop. 

“Shit,” Simeon muttered succinctly, making Atticus whirl around, coming face to face with the hippogriff that had obviously been following them. He took a step backwards, eyes on the animal, watching with a sinking sense of inevitability as the hippogriff took one forward. 

“Your father is never going to let me take you out again, Princess.” he groaned. 

“I think he wants to come home, Grandad,” Hermione replied seriously, her eyes wide. 

“Unfortunately, I don't disagree,” Atticus muttered his eyes meeting the apologetic man's across the counter. 

“He’ll need a special licence.” Simeon offered helplessly. 

“Great,” Atticus muttered weakly.

“I was going to give him to Hagrid, he's got a herd at Hogwarts. But…he's yours, just…I’ll just charge you for the supplies.”

Atticus closed his eyes in resignation as Hermione let out a tiny squeal of delight and threw her arms around the startled animal's neck. 

“Might I suggest a crup leash for just now?” Simeon suggested faintly as he watched them.

Nodding weakly, Atticus found himself twenty minutes later with a box full of dead animals, his granddaughter's hand and a hippogriff on a leash, standing in the middle of Diagon Alley. 

“Dad!” Kingsley groaned, slumping onto the seat, “Good day?”

Atticus fidgeted, “It was…it was fine.”

Immediately on alert, Kingsley straightened. “Is Hermione alright?”

She's fine! She's fine, honest!” Atticus rushed to assure him. “It's just…well we went to the menagerie.”

Kingsley sighed, “So where is this animal that's about to take over my house?”

“Well….it was rather hard to separate them so he's in ah…Hermione's bed.”

“I see.” Kingsley smiled ruefully, “I’m sure I can forgive you a kneazle in my daughter's bed, even if I would prefer it not to be there.”

“Well…it's…the kneazle’s weren't…”

Kingsley frowned, “It's not a kitten?”

“Ah, no.”

“Dad!” he groaned, “Tell me you did not get my daughter a crup! They need walking and attention and…”

“It's not a crup,” Atticus agreed. 

“Then what is it?” Kingsley asked, baffled. “If it's in her bed it can’t be a reptile or a toad.”

“Perhaps..perhaps it’s better to ah…see…” Atticus hedged.

With an increasing sense of anxiety, Kingsley got up off the sofa and headed for his daughter's room. Opening the door carefully lest he wake her, his eyes went straight to the bed and he froze. 

“Is that…is that a fucking hippogriff?” he asked sounding strangled.

“He's called Fluffy-Feathers,” Atticus offered.

“Fluffy feathers?” Kingsley repeated, looking at his father as if he’d never seen him before. 

“We registered him, so expect a visit from the DRMC on Friday. I’ve sorted a wee pen out the back for him and ah…the dead rabbits are in stasis in the kitchen.”

“You can't…I can't…Dad! It's a hippogriff!”

“I know,” Atticus nodded, “He followed us out of the shop.”

“But I…” Kingsley stared at him looking lost. “Fluffy-feathers,” he muttered.

25th March 1983

“Theo! Theo! Come see Fluffy-Feathers!” Hermione grinned when Dorothea and Theo stepped out of the floo.

“My dad took her out.” Kingsley muttered, “to get a kneazle.”

“A kneazle named fluffy-feathers?” Dorothea frowned.

“Oh no. He didn't actually get a kneazle,” he muttered, leading her into the sitting room where the children were giggling and the tiny hippogriff was bouncing around them excitedly.

“That's…that's a Hippogriff, Kingsley!” she said faintly, taking in the scene in front of her with disbelief.

“I know,” he muttered, as the floo sounded again. “Believe me I know.”

“What in the name of Merlin is that?” Cassia breathed, appearing behind them. “Is that…Holy mother of Merlin.”

“He's a lesson in why Grandparents shouldn't be allowed out without supervision,” Kingsley muttered as Lavender squealed and joined the madness.

“I’ll stop complaining that my mother-in-law buys Lavender excessive amounts of clothing,” Cassia muttered, “Nothing she has ever bought could top that.”

Kingsley snorted before he began to laugh, sounding close to hysterical, “Nothing could ever top that. He bought her a goddamned pet hippogriff!”

2nd April 1983

“Uncle Sevus?”

“Hermione?” 

“I do the potions with you?”

Severus blinked down at his tiny niece staring up at him with such trust that he couldn't find it in himself to refuse her. “I..yes. You may help with some potions, as long as you promise to listen to everything I say. And Fluffy-feathers must remain outside.”

She frowned, “But he’ll get lonely!”

“He remains outside or you cannot help. He might get hurt in my lab, Princess.”

“Oh,” she whispered, turning to look sternly at her hippogriff. “You have to stay here or you’ll get hurt.”

The tiny beast's head dropped, making Severus groan, “We’ll give him a rabbit he’ll be fine.” he muttered.

Situating Hermione on a stool, he pulled a cauldron onto the heat. “We’re going to add the flobberworms first,” he instructed, handing her the stirring rod and allowing her to stir.

Rabastan found them an hour later, “Why is there a very sad and very small hippogriff in our house?” he asked quietly, not wanting to startle them.

“Because he gets hurt in Uncle Sevus’ lab, Uncle Bast,” Hermione replied seriously, her tiny face screwed up in concentration as she helped Severus ladle the potion into its jars.

“Ah I see,” Rabastan smiled like that made sense “What have you made?”

“Bruise paste for the dunderheads at Hogwarts,” she replied, making him laugh.

“Poppys order?”

“Who else?” Severus replied wryly. “I have no idea why their potions master cannot make their potions but perhaps I should not complain.”

Rabastan hummed, “I hear one Lily Potter might be the potions mistress soon. Sirius said the current one plans to leave next year and Dumbledore offered the woman an interview.”

Severus hummed, not entirely sure how he felt about the idea of Lily teaching Hermione one day, especially not if she knew who she was. 

“Let's hope not,” he muttered.

“I heard he's still after you for the Dark Arts post,” Rabastan continued

Severus hummed, “And I turned him down.”

“Again.”

“Again,” Severus agreed with a sigh, “I do not want it.”

“Not yet,” Rabastan agreed shrewdly.

Severus froze, “And should I take it then, will you have an issue?”

“Of course not. I’ll be demanding shared quarters but I must admit I’ll feel better if I can check on her regularly,” he admitted.

Severus snorted, “I don't think that's how it's meant to work.”

“It’s how it will work.” Rabastan scoffed, “I don't give a flying….” his eyes shot to Hermione, “a..a…flying monkeys what Dumbledore says.”

Severus snorted at his floundering, “Indeed. Well done Princess. Madam Pomfrey’s going to be very pleased.”

Hermione beamed. “I do more potions tomorrow?”

Severus ran a mental list of what he still had to brew that week. “What about Wednesday, Princess? Tomorrow's one can be dangerous but I’m making pepper-up on Wednesday, you could help with that?”

“Alright, Uncle Sevus.” she sighed exaggeratedly, sounding immensely put out.

“I thank you for your understanding,” Severus replied wryly as Rabastan attempted not to laugh. 

7th April 1983

“Thank you for this Kings!” Jared called as he deposited his daughters and bolted for the floo, “We owe you!”

Turning slowly, Kingsley looked into the eyes of the three little girls in front of him. Astoria was easy, at only a few months old, he knew what to do with her. The other two though, were harder. “What shall we do today then girls?” he asked, trying to sound as if he wasn’t terrified. 

“We see fishes, Uncle Kings?” Daphne asked, smiling at him adorably.

“We could,” he hedged, ignoring the voice that told him taking out three children on his own was madness.

“And the sharks, Daddy?” Hermione checked. 

“And the sharks.” Kingsley agreed before remembering when he had last taken her to an aquarium and she’d tried to climb in with the starfish so she could see where they really lived. “Let me just floo Auntie Queenie first?”

“Ok! Daffy come and play with Fluffy-Feathers?”

“Yes!” her cousin squealed in agreement, as they darted off in search of the hippogriff that he swore was doubling in size every day.

“Dad just bought her a hippogriff?” Regina checked, after stepping out of the floo to find two small girls and an overexcited hippogriff. “And you just….accepted it?”

“She loves him”, Kingsley all but whined.

Regina blinked before she cackled, “Merlin you’re a lost cause, Kings!”

“Hush! He demanded, “I just….you have no idea what it's like when she cries!”

“Oh I do.” Regina smirked “When that girl cries a random assortment of grown men move heaven and earth to stop it. You're setting her up for very unrealistic relationship expectations, Kings.”

Kingsley whirled to stare at his sister in horror, “There will be no relationships!” he declared. “None. She’ll stay here. Forever. With me…and Fluffy-feathers.”

Regina snorted before she began laughing properly, “Merlin I almost think you believe that big brother,” she grinned, patting him condescending on the shoulder. 

“Auntie Queenie!” Hermione screeched, spotting her, “Come see Fluffy-feathers!”

“Hello Princess,” Regina cooed, sweeping her niece up into a hug, “Oh you need to stop growing, little miss! I swear you're bigger every time I see you!”

“I grows as big as Daddy, Auntie Queenie!” Hermione informed her seriously.

“Oh but of course,” Regina grinned. “And how are you, Miss Daphne?”

“We see the fishes, Auntie Queenie?”

“We can indeed, but no climbing in for a swim,” she pinned her niece with a look that made the girl lower her eyes sheepishly.

“Yes, Auntie Queenie.” they chorused.

“Wonderful. Hermione, what are you….” she trailed off helplessly as she watched her niece attach a leash to the hippogriff.

“Ah. Shit.” Kingsley cursed. “Princess, Fluffy-feathers can't come with us, he might eat the fishes.”

“Oh,” Hermione's face fell, “But he gets lonely, Daddy!”

“I…why don't we see if Grandad’s in to watch him?”

“Ok Daddy,” she sighed. 

Kingsley felt a viscous sense of amusement when it turned out his father was in and unable to talk his granddaughter out of sending him the hippogriff to watch for the day.

“Daffy look at the sharks!” Hermione breathed, her eyes large as they tracked the shark's movements.

“Look at the fishes, Mya!” Daphne countered.

“Pretty,” Hermione murmured.

“Yes!” Daphne agreed, pressing her face against the glass.

“They're rather sweet like that,” Regina whispered, not wanting to disturb the peace as she watched her niece and her cousin with their heads side by side, a look of wonder on their faces.

“Yes,” Kingsley agreed softly.  “I’m glad she gets to grow up with cousins. At least I know there will always be someone close to have her back.”

Regina frowned at his phrasing, “Has something happened?”

Kingsley shrugged, looking down at a sleeping Astoria, “Dad said James Potter approached them in Diagon Alley. He didn’t do anything exactly but it makes me nervous. He has a son that will be in Hermione’s year at Hogwarts. I have no idea what I’m meant to do with that. I’ll have to tell her, won't I?”

“Yes,” Regina agreed with a sigh, “But we’ll help. I know I haven’t been around…”

“Stop!” he cut her off, “You’re around when you can be, we know you’re busy. It’s your last year!”

“I know,” she groaned, “But I feel so guilty!”

“You’re being ridiculous!” he scoffed, “Although if you fancy making it up to me, convince Flitwick to retire, I hear Lily Potter might be taking up the Potions Professors post.”

Regina’s eyebrows rose, “How has she completed her mastery so quickly?”

“I don’t think she has,” Kingsley replied slowly, “From what Bast said, she's going to teach alongside doing it part-time for the next two years.”

“That's…absolute madness,” Regina replied in horror. “Why not just wait a year?”

“No idea,” Kingsley shrugged, “But I don’t know how I feel about her teaching Hermione.”

“No,” Regina agreed slowly. “You don’t think Severus will take Dumbledore up on the Defence post?”

“What if it's not available then?” Kingsley asked softly. 

“We’ll cross that when we get there,” Regina replied gently, “I’m sure we’d find someone willing to threaten whatever Professor got in the way.”

Kingsley snorted, “You can't say things like that!” he protested, “I’m a bloody Auror!”

Regina laughed. 

16th August 1983

“Auntie Queenie!” Hermione shouted spotting her aunt on the stage, drawing indulgent smiles from the crowd.

“Hush, darling,” Thalia whispered, “We need to listen to the lady.”

With a frown at her grandmother, Hermione shut her mouth as they watched Regina stand with the rest of the Masters, waiting on her certificate. As the crowd dwindled, Hermione began to fidget, “Why’s Auntie Queenie standing still?” she stage whispered. 

“Because she’s waiting on a scroll to prove how very clever she is,” Thalia whispered back.

“Oh,” Hermione breathed, “Is she very, very clever, Granny?”

“Yes,” Thalia smiled, bopping Hermione on the nose, “One day, darling girl, that will be you on that stage.”

“Do you think so, Granny?”

“I know so,” Thalia smiled, “Now hush, it's Auntie Queenie’s turn.”

“Congratulations, darling,” Thalia hugged her daughter.

“Thanks, Mum,” Queenie grinned, “I can't believe it's over!”

“Granny says you're very very clever Auntie Queenie,” Hermione informed her solemnly, “But why do you need a scroll to say so?”

Regina laughed, swinging the little girl into her arms, “So that everyone else knows how clever I am!” she exclaimed.

“As if you need a scroll to ensure that happens,” Kingsley teased, dodging as his sister went to smack his arm.

“Children!” Atticus sighed exasperatedly, “Honestly, you’d never know you were grown!”

Both Kingsley and Regina laughed, “Nonsense,” Kingsley protested, “We’re fully functioning adults now.”

Thalia looked at her son, “You hide it well,” she muttered.