The Biggest Sacrifice

“You went against my orders!”

Hermione glared as Dumbledore’s voice echoed around his office, his hand slapping against the wood of his desk. Moody stood to his side, looking down at the ground while Hermione, Zach and Benjy and stood before his desk.

“Actually if I remember rightly, you never said anything about not going into -”

“I’d watch your mouth, girl.” Moody cut her off with a snarl as Dumbledore gave a deep exhale, eyes no longer twinkling behind his glasses and mouth a thin line.

“I’m not the issue here.” Hermione snapped, surprising the man as she leant her hands onto the desk and glared at Dumbledore, lowering her voice into a snarl. “I told you I wasn’t going to sit around waiting.” With that she pushed off the desk and crossed her arms as Dumbledore tensed his jaw and Moody muttered something under his breath.

It was two days after the ball, two days of thinking through everything and doing her best to come up with some sort of plan that wouldn’t end with Dumbledore silencing her all together. Two days of thinking of how to destroy Horcruxes without basilisk fangs or fiendfrye only to come up empty.

Zach shifted beside her, his eyes flicking to her. It was the only sign of acknowledging her existence past leading her towards Dumbledore’s office at Hogwarts like she didn’t know her way and hadn’t been down these paths a thousand times in the past seven years. Being away three months didn’t take away her memory, no Dumbledore did that in his free time.

“Miss Potter, this is not a matter of what you said or didn’t say but the fact that you were caught not only speaking to Regulus Black, a rumoured deatheater -”

“The same Regulus Black who you have and will continue to let walk around your halls for the next year.” Hermione spoke, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “So is he too dangerous to talk to or just safe enough to have around your students?” Benjy smirked slightly beside her and even Moody looked slightly amused while Dumbledore’s eye twitched slightly and Zach scoffed.

“He’s not important – not unless it’s him you were meeting at that ball!” Zach hissed from beside her, turning to face her, He no longer looked kind and warm but cold and stern. Hardened by the world in a way that made her sad.

“I was doing some recon work.” Hermione muttered dully as Benjy chuckled slightly beside her.

“You were hanging out with deatheaters!” Zach spat out, glaring at her and it almost made Hermione shrink away. His anger was like a fire burning her skin and his words were like a slap to the face.

“I get what it looked like but I wasn’t, I was gathering information as carefully as I could without breaking rules.” She raised her hands like two pale flags, softening her voice and careful not to be harsh but it was hard in the face accusations.

“You went behind the Order’s back, that is breaking a rule – how can we trust you after that?” He snapped, face twisting into disgust as he looked back to Dumbledore. “I don’t think she should be a part of this Order.”

“What the fuck!” Benjy snapped, as Hermione turned to glare at her ex.

“Hold on there, lad.” Moody grumbled. “Potter lacks discipline, I’ll give you that, but she’s got more talent than this room combine – it’s better to have her on our side than against it.” He turned to looked at Dumbledore whose face was pinched as Hermione rolled her eyes.

“I wasn’t going to go against it...or us, I was trying to do the right thing and see what I can do or hear to help end this war.” Hermione explained carefully, as though they were a bunch of babies and not adults fighting in a war.

“And why would that be down to a reckless eighteen year old girl fresh out of Hogwarts?” Zach hissed as Dumbledore sighed. Hermione ignored them both, leaning back on the headmasters desk and almost pleading with him to understand.

His blue eyes met her own, and the familiar prodding in the back of her mind was there. He could poke around all he wanted but he would find nothing unless she wanted to show him something. “You know I can end this war.”

“By breaking and entering – pretending to be someone else while you sneak around.” Moody huffed out. “I arrest people for less.”

“Arrest me then.” Hermione hit back, glaring at the man before turning to Dumbledore. “Throw me in Azkaban or put me on house arrest and watch how you’ll loose half of your supporters with an hour.” Hermione threatened as Dumbledore tensed his jaw again and Benjy shifted from foot to foot.

“Miss Potter -”

“You might not like it, Sir, but you know as well as I do that I’m the reason half of the Order has stayed put and funded you despite the amount of shit you have thrown their...my way.” Perhaps it was big headed of her, and perhaps it was a slight stretch of the truth.

Or perhaps it was simply the truth, her friends and family had grown tired of his bullshit. Hermione had grown tired of his bullshit, and some carefully placed words from herself and her parents could wreck the entire Order in a few seconds.

“I have done what is necessary.”

“You have done nothing.” Hermione spat out, shaking her head. “And in doing nothing people have died, Muggles, Wizards and a little boy in Hogsmeade not half a year ago.” He flinched and Hermione tried to swallow her anger.

For years she had argued with him, threatened and done what she could to try and make him see reason and all it had gotten her was a wall inside her head blocking her future memories and her tongued tied so she couldn’t speak about it. Every time she tried to do what was right, it seemed she was the only one being punished.

Not the coward before her who was content to have his members sit and do nothing. To allow Deatheaters into Hogsmeade and cause chaos...and the death of a boy. He hadn’t even come to join them during the fight. He hadn’t done anything expect sit in his office and give out half-arsed orders.

Her old methods weren’t going to work, so instead she sighed and lowered her voiced, trying to mimic the softness that Lily used when comforting one of them.

“This is a war, Sir, you know that it takes a lot more than sitting around and watching to win, I did what was necessary and what you haven’t had the balls to do.” Her plan fell through as bitterness flooded her tone instead.

“Girl.” Moody hissed but Hermione ignored him.

“You defeated one of the darkest wizards of all time, despite your history together – you know what it takes so why are you holding back when it comes to Voldemort?” She asked, the whole room silent. It seemed the three men were waiting for an answer too, holding their breaths and trying not to look interested as Dumbledore sighed.

“Grindelwald and Voldemort are two different people.” Well at least he could pick out the obvious. “And an attack against Voldemort requires much more planning and more defence than a singular witch.” He pointed out as Hermione huffed out a laugh. Deflection at it’s finest.

“Sir, you understand what I am saying and you know that I won’t stand by.” Hermione whispered.

“I will think on what you have said, but any more going against Order rules will have consequences, do you understand?” He asked, pursing his lips and looking over the tops of his spectacles.

“So long as you understand that I will do what is necessary to end this war.” Hermione answered back, raising an eyebrow and offering him one last smirk before she strode out of the office without a care.

…

Potter Manor was quiet. Not a person to be seen or heard except the turning of pages or the occasional sigh that left Hermione’s lips. Her door was locked and her curtains drawn, books spread across her floor with parchments and notes, the two Horcruxes she had managed to obtain laid before her, almost tempting her.

The diadem shone, ancient and beautiful even in its tarnished state and a singular pale finger ran itself against the eagle carved into it and the sapphires. Rowena Ravenclaw had worn this, one the most power and intelligent witches to ever walk in British Wizarding History, and then it had been stolen from her by her own daughter and tainted with magic that made Hermione feel repulsed.

Voldemort had taken something beautiful and twisted into something heinous.

His diary laid open beside the diadem, empty of everything but his name and for a few seconds Hermione had felt like writing inside it, spilling her deepest and darkest secrets but something felt wrong. Like writing inside would end up opening the Chamber of Secrets or alluding Voldemort to who she really was.

She sighed again, looking at her notes of things that could be used to destroy the artefacts before her but there was nothing that would create a complete destruction of them. Nothing except the giant snake that lived under Hogwarts and fiendfyre – which was seeming like her only option. And time was running out.

An angry sound left her mouth as she reached for the diadem and chucked it, watching with tears in her eyes as nothing happened but the diadem clattering loudly against her wooden floor and a small dent was left in her beautiful blue wall.

Shaking, she sat herself back down and tried to take a deep breath, pulling a book closer to her as she looked over the theory of fiendfyre. Difficult and risky, but she could learn it.

She would burn them all together and then there would be no chance for Voldemort to run and escape. Except...there were still three more Horcruxes to find. The locket, the ring and the cup, all of them bringing forth a new challenge.

The cave or lake or wherever the locket was was a mystery. She needed Regulus for that, except he wasn’t exactly known to be forthcoming or eager for help. All she could do was hope that he would heed her warning and come to her when the time came.

The ring supposedly laid in the Gaunt Shack, and something told her a simple breaking and entering like at Malfoy Manor wouldn’t suffice.

The there was the cup, hidden by Voldemort’s psychotic right hand woman, in one of the most well protected Vaults. Laid with the rest of the other rich Purebloods vaults, guarded by a dragon and wizards. It would be no easy feat to break in and out, even if she had polyjuice potion.

She would need help.

...

Two days later

The Three Broomsticks stood in Hogsmeade like it always had, Hogwarts looming in the distance and people stumbling about.

It made sense why he would come here. The familiar sense and comfort that being here had once used to bring, before war and a fight that killed a child. She could almost see him at the bar, still dressed in his uniform and robes and trying to get Rosemerta to sneak him a drink and keep quiet that he sneaked out. He, like her, seemed to miss the ease that school had brought to them.

Inside was loud and the floor was sticky, and he stood out like a sore thumb. Dressed in a leather jacket with a charming smile on his face as he leaned closer to a blond girl sat beside him at the bar. The girl leaned closer, all wide eyes and fluttering lashes as she listened to whatever tale Sirius was weaving, placing a gentle hand on his knee.

Hermione rolled her eyes and tried to ignore the bitter twisting of her stomach as she pushed through the people and towards him.

His smile faltered as he saw her, hand moving to push the girls hand off his knee and his back straightening slightly as the girl looked at him hurt. “What do you want?” He muttered when Hermione was close enough to hear.

“We need to talk.” Hermione spoke lowly, placing herself between him and the girl who muttered something under her breath while Sirius’ lips twitched slightly.

“Thought you didn’t want to talk to me?”

“Trust me, I’m just as unhappy about this as you are.” Hermione spat back, narrowing her eyes as his own silver ones seemed to dance and an annoyed smile made it’s way to his face.

A thin finger tapped her shoulder, followed by an outraged gasp as Hermione kept her focus on Sirius who looked a second away from laughing. The girl huffed out a breath and began talking, her voice high pitched and annoying. “Excuse me, don’t you think it’s kind of rude to interrupt a conversation?”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing right now?” Hermione asked back with a forced sickly sweet smile as she looked over the girl.

“Who do you even think you are?”

“Hermione Potter.”

“So? You think that gives you a right to come over here and interrupt – just because you’re jealous Sirius is talking to me?” The girl smirked as though she had something on Hermione and Sirius looked interested. Hermione continued smiling, trying not to let out her true feelings, because it did sting more than she thought it would seeing Sirius with another girl.

And yes, at first she had thought about cursing the girls head or cursing Sirius in general, but she was above that and it was completely normal to feel that way about your ex who was a complete arse? Wasn’t it?

“Wow.” Hermione whispered as she looked at Sirius who was cringing before she turned back to the girl. “Sweetie, I’ve already been there and done that – so if you let me speak to him for five minutes then he’s all yours.” Hermione tried to explain, almost finding joy in the way the girls mouth dropped open and hurt flooded her vision.

“Wait – are you like some ex-girlfriend or something?” Hermione raised an eyebrow, a devilish smile spreading across her face as Sirius gave her a don’t-you-dare look.

“Ex-girlfriend, the sister of his best friend and his -”

“Hermione.” Sirius spat, placing a hand over her mouth and almost pulling her into his lap as she chuckled darkly and fought against him, breaking herself free with an elbow to the gut that made her grin in satisfaction.

“Second cousin.” She finished, out of breath slightly as the girls face turned from worry to disgust in a second while Sirius glared at her. “What can I say, we really like to keep it in the family.” She whispered and threw in a wink as the girl climbed off her chair.

“I’m going to…” She gestured back to where her group of friends were watching as Hermione grinned and waved her hand, watching as she weaved through the crowd and shivered every so often.

“You’re fucking insane.” Sirius spat at her, but he didn’t seem too put off by the girl leaving as he reached for his drink and took a seat.

“Well now you’re not busy, we can talk.” He didn’t complain as she sat in the girls seat, crossing her legs over and gesturing for a drink for the barmaid.

“What can be so important that you would ruin my evening?” He asked after a few seconds, a pout on his face as he rolled his eyes and pulled some coins out of his pocket, tossing them at the barmaid as she placed Hermione’s drink before her.

It was whiskey, but it warmed her body the moment the amber liquid ran down her throat. “That seems a little dramatic, and here I thought we were doing so well after our little hugging moment and lack of communication afterwards.”

“Just tell me what you want.” Sirius muttered out.

“An apology would be nice but I know you’re far to up your own arse to give one.” Hermione scathingly replied, a wicked grin spread across her face as Sirius blushed and muttered something under her breath. “How far away is the Lestrange Vault from the Black one?”

“I don’t know...a few down, Why?”

“Because let’s just say, hypothetically, that someone needed to get into that Vault – would you know the way from your family’s vault?” She cringed as she asked, lowering her voice and looking around to make sure no one had heard her.

“You want to break into the Lestrange Vault.” His eyebrows shot up to nearly his hairline, glass slamming onto the bar and amber liquid spilling over onto his hand. “You really have lost your mind.”

“There’s something in there that I need for the war – now I would go myself with some polyjuice and Bellatrix’s hair if I could -”

“But the thieves downfall would catch you out in a second.” Sirius told her with a frown that almost made her feel like she was being scolded or said something stupid. There was a faint image in her head of a giant waterfall, alarms and falling through the air.

“See, you know more about this than I do!” She tried, rubbing her temple and giving him a grin that just made his frown deeper. If only she could flutter her eyelashes and give him a small pout that so many other girls seemed to do with him. “As much as this kills me to ask, I need your help.”

“Hermione, you’re more than capable of getting yourself into places you shouldn’t, and getting yourself out of them with minimal damage – I’m sure you’d be fine getting what you want.” Sirius snapped bitterly, his eyes narrowing and his mouth turned down.

“I’m sure, yes, but the Potter vault is nowhere near the Lestrange or Black vaults.” Hermione pointed out. Pureblood they may be but it wasn’t like they wanted to see maniacs every time they went to get some money or family object.

“Did you forget I was disowned? I can’t go into those vaults any more than you can.” Sirius muttered out, rolling his eyes and taking another sip of his drink, smacking him lips together as he raised an eyebrow at her and shot her a teasing smile. “Why not ask Reg?”

“Because it’s not his help I want.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Silver eyes flashed and ran over her face, from the blushing cheeks and wide eyes before settling on her lips as his own pulled into a satisfied cheeky smile. He didn’t say anything as he went back to his drink and Hermione could only scramble for something to say that didn’t talk about how much she missed him nor have her leaning closer to him.

The bitterness they usually held towards each other was enough to keep old feelings at bay and bury them in disappointment, but it was like the way she had thrown herself at him for comfort the other day had brought it all back up.

And if she wasn’t being stupid or misreading the signs, it was the same for him. Except he seemed eager to accept it and Hermione would rather continue feeling her anger towards him.

Hermione coughed, looking back to her glass and running her finger over the condensation as she whispered. “Your Uncle Alphard left you a Vault.”

“It’s not in the exact same area.”

“But it’s close enough?”

“It’s not far away.” Sirius finally relented and she shot him a quick look as he rested his elbows on the bar and tilted his head towards her. “Do we even have a plan or were we just going to go and break in now?” She smiled at his use of ‘we’ but kept her eyes on her glass.

“No – to both of those questions.” She answered softly, speaking again before he could say something else. “It’s not something we can rush, we need to be aware of everything – from guards, the paths to take and how much time we might have before we get caught.”

“So does that mean -”

“Regular trips to Gringotts while we figure everything out and come up with a plan.” Hermione spoke, downing the rest of her drink and finally looking at him as she hoped off her stool. Her legs banged into his own, and she wondered when he had spun himself around to face her like that.

“Sounds exciting.” He didn’t move his legs away as he downed his own drink and then winced. “We don’t have to start now, do we?” He asked as he looked around, eyes focusing on the girl he had been speaking to before.

“No, you can enjoy the rest of your evening.” Hermione answered, feeling slightly deflated as she shoved her hands into her pockets and tried to offer him a friendly smile.

“Good – now since I’m helping you, help me and go tell that girl you were just joking.” He pointed to the girl who was speaking to her friends and sending looks at them every few seconds while her friends faces twisted in disgust, making it obvious just exactly what they were speaking about.

Hermione let a grin spread across her face as she looked back to Sirius. “Actually I think I’ll just leave, don’t worry though – something tells me you’ll be the talk of the town this evening.” She patted his arm before smirking and quickly pressing a kiss to his cheek before he could bat her away. “Have a goodnight.” She called as she walked towards the door.

“Oh fuck you.”

...

September 1978

The sofa bounced as Hermione sat next to James, stretching out her legs and placing them onto the coffee table in a way that a Lady would never.

“Mums asking questions.”

“So is dad – every two seconds when we have time at work ‘So where were you and your sister last night?’ or ‘What’s with all the private conversations under my roof?’.” James spoke with a frown as he shut the book he was looking at so he could turn to look at Hermione. “What did mum ask?”

“Pretty much the same, though she wants to know why I’ve been locking my door lately.” Hermione answered, letting out a yawn.

The better parts of her day had been spent at work, finding her way around and studying in the Department of Mysteries. She was allowed to translate runes at her desk and speak to co-workers but she wasn’t allowed in the rooms yet. Then she came home to her friends trying to make plans on Horcrux hunting and taking down Voldemort.

Then there was research for everything at home, and Order missions and helping Remus research for them. Now her parents had jumped into the mix, able to see their children were hiding something more than they had when the group were at Hogwarts.

It was a rare day when Euphemia and Fleamont didn’t see to corner their children to question them about their days.

“Should just tell her you have a boy in there.” James smirked lowly as Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Because that would go down well – remember last time they caught a boy in my room?” Hermione asked, trying not to cringe as she thought back to her parents face when they caught Sirius, the shame and disappointment, the screaming and shouting that came from both sides.

“Yes, but he continued to live here so they weren’t too mad - and then they let Benjy stay in there, so you might be fine.” James teased as Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Because they have nothing to worry about with Benjy.” Hermione pouted and then sighed, thinking of Benjy’s beautiful face, the brilliant eyes that looked over for prettier boys. “Anyway, saying I have a boy in my room is going to end up with my lock taken off and 24/7 surveillance.” She added, rubbing her temple as James let out a small laugh.

“See this is why you need to learn to be sneakier – like me and Lily.”

“Sneaky is for when you’re going to do something other than cuddle with your clothes on – and for when I actually have a boy over.” Hermione spat back with a wide grin, shrugging her shoulders as she settled further into the sofa. “Plus Lily has too much respect to break the parents rules.”

“Should tell that to the back of her dad’s car.” James mumbled, a grin stretching across his face and his hazel eyes shining wickedly.

“Ew...wait – she never told me…” Hermione shivered, sitting up straight and glaring at her brother. “Please tell me her first time wasn’t in some car?” Lily deserved better than that, even if that was what she wanted.

“Of course not, I am a gentleman.” James said, offended as he adjusted his glasses on his nose.

“Then that’s all I need to know, I’ll save the rest of my questions for Lily.” Hermione waved off before cringing as James looked at her in disgust.

“Because that’s not weird – you know I never ask people for details about your sex life.” He hissed out as Hermione rolled her eyes and smirked slightly.

“That’s because I would need to be having sex in order for details to be shared.” He shivered in disgust, leaning away from her and closing his eyes as he shook his head while Hermione raised her eyebrows.

“Too much information.”

They descended into silence as Hermione chewed on her bottom lip. It had been a while, months in fact since she did anything with a man, the last man – or manchild, being Sirius. It wasn’t like there hadn’t been people interested, there had been plenty but it was hard to shake the feeling that she was doing something wrong as she looked at their faces and barely concealed innuendos.

Plus, there had been no one tempting enough. No one she looked at and thought ‘yes I want to rip your clothes off and do things with until the sun comes up’.

Yet, that itch was there, the need to get it out of her system and move on with her life. The temptation to go out to some bar and pull the first half-decent looking man for a night, only to regret it in the morning.

“Do you think we should move out?” James’ voice cut through her lustful mind, making her blink rapidly as she turned to look at him with a frown. “Might get the parents off our backs for a bit.” He added but his cheeks were pink and it was easy to see there was something else on his mind.

“It won’t stop them worrying, Jamie.” Hermione whispered, raising an eyebrow as a silent question.

“No, but...well I mean – we both have our own lives to live...and I was kind of thinking of asking Lily to move into our own place anyway.” His cheeks were redder than a Weasley’s hair, his eyes refusing to look at her as she smiled slightly.

“Before marriage?” She asked, in an overly posh voice, pressing a hand to her chest and clucking her tongue. “How sinful!”

“Well I was going to ask her that too.” It was like time stopped as he shifted in his seat and Hermione’s mouth opened, waiting for him to laugh or make a joke or something that would tell he wasn’t being serious.

“You’re joking – Jamie, please tell me you’re joking.” Hermione croaked out, pulling her legs off the coffee table and staring at him with wide eyes as he looked away from her. “You’re eighteen, and you’ve barely been together a year and you’ve only just left Hogwarts – people are going to think she’s pregnant!” She listed out, shock still running through her veins.

There was a voice, soft and distant inside her head. ‘They got married right out of Hogwarts, they were kids – and then a year later she was pregnant.’ Oh Merlin, she was going to faint, her best friend married and pregnant within one year.

James was frowning at her, a stubborn tilt to his chin. “And we’re in the Order, and I’m starting my Auror Training.” He spoke like it made sense as Hermione stared at him open mouthed. “Mi’, we’re in a war and if I’m being honest, it’s not like we have time to wait around for this.” He added as Hermione stared at him.

“How romantic – I can just see Lily’s reaction now.” She hissed out, holding a hand to her heart as James blushed again.

“You didn’t let me finish!” He all but shouted at her. “It’s always been Lily, ever since I was old enough to understand it wasn’t just a crush, and there has never been a moment I haven’t wanted her or loved her – so yes it may be soon but a chance to call her my wife...well I’ve dreamed of that for years.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes behind his glasses as Hermione softened.

Hermione had only ever seen two people love each other as much as James loved Lily, and Lily loved James, and that was her parents. They had been together for decades and never wavered, and it was easy to see where James got his idea for what love should be.

There was nothing she could say that would stop him from doing this, and in honesty there was nothing she wanted to say.

“I love her, Mi’, and Merlin even knows if she would say yes, but you, our parents or anyone else aren’t going to stop me from asking her to be my wife.” He added even softer as Hermione nodded her head softly.

“Then ask.” The siblings turned in shock to see Lily stood in the doorway, tears running from her stunning eyes and down her pink cheeks.

“Lily?” James croaked out as he stood up from the sofa and looked from Hermione and back to Lily. “What are you doing here?” He added as he moved forward slowly, as though worried about scaring her.

“I came to see if you wanted lunch but I heard…” She trailed off as she sniffed and rubbed her nose on the back of her hand before smiling. “I’d say yes in a heartbeat – I will say yes, but...you have to ask this time.” She added as Hermione smiled softly and James shifted nervously.

“I – er -”

“Get on your knee, you idiot.” Hermione hissed as she pushed him forwardly, ignoring the glare he gave her as he stumbled forward and threw his hands in the air.

“I don’t have a ring.” He hissed to her, eyes wide.

“And you never actually asked me to be your girlfriend, I think we can get passed that for the time being.” Lily chuckled out watery, blinking back more tears as James turned to face her and settled down on one knee, rubbing his hands on his jeans.

Hermione smiled, looking down at her hand where her family ring had laid for years, never removed, always there. Small and dainty with a singular red gemstone inside and the potter crest carefully crafted into the ring.

She didn’t think twice about pulling it off, before she stood up and handed it to James who looked at her with wide eyes. “This is just a lone, I will want it back.”

“Of course.” James muttered, sounding choked up as he turned the ring around in his hands before looking to Lily. “This isn’t how I imagined doing this, or that my sister would be here, but I promise I’ll get you a bigger and better one.”

“I don’t care. It’s perfect.” Lily stuttered out, a giant grin on her face as she looked down at James. “Yes -”

“Wait...let me just...you mean the world to me and I love you so much and...Lily Evans, will you do me the honour of marrying me?” He asked, voice shaking as were his arms as he held up Hermione’s ring while Lily grinned down at him.

“Yes.”

…

The next evening

Hermione leaned back against her chair, listening to Marlene, Sirius and Remus talk. She had nothing to contribute to the conversation as they drifted through Qudditch topics and players, how they had time to keep up with sports when all of them were almost being run into the ground was beyond her.

“Oh look Pads, seems your day is finally looking up.” Remus whispered to Sirius, elbowing him in the side as he gestured towards a girl that was watching them. Her face turned into disgust the moment Sirius turned around and Remus frowned. “What was that about?” He asked as Hermione laughed behind her hand.

Sirius was glaring at her, hair covering the sides of his face as Remus looked between them both. “Hermione opened her mouth and now they all think I like sleeping with my cousins.” He spat out, blushing as a few people looked around.

“Ah, the Black family motto.” James’ voice appeared as he sat himself down at the table, Lily slipped into the free seat between James and Hermione, her pink hand gripping Hermione’s to slip her ring back on her finger, shaking her own hand to show Hermione the sparkling diamond that lay there.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, snapping it shut as Lily put a finger to her lips, before she frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me you and James slept together?”

“To be fair Pads, it’s not like it’s not not true – I mean your parents – you and Hermione.” Remus said just as Marlene coughed, spraying liquid on the table as she turned to face Hermione and Lily with wide eyes. The boys gave her a lip before going back to their own conversation.

“What?”

“As I’ve said before, if I limited my relationships to people I was related to then there would be no one – and it was one second cousin – one time.” Sirius almost exclaimed, a pout on his face as Marlene looked between the girls and the boys, not sure who to speak to.

“That doesn’t make it better.” She answered Sirius before turning to Lily. “Tell me everything.”

“From what I heard it was more than once.” Remus muttered as James turned to him fuming, spouting things under his breath at him and Sirius.

“We told you everything when it happened to us.” Marlene hissed around Hermione as Lily blushed deeply, folding her hands on her lap and hiding her ring from Marlene’s view.

“No, you kept it a secret until we found out and I only found out about Hermione and Sirius because I walked in the morning after.” Hermione tried not to blush as Sirius raised his eyebrows, Remus smiled behind his hand and James glared.

“I told you about Zach.” Hermione hissed lowly as Lily rolled her eyes.

“Why are you so interested in what I do with your brother?” Lily asked back, green eyes glinting with amusement as Hermione cringed and James let out a groan.

“Because someone spilled about what you did in your dads car.” Hermione hissed back as Lily’s cheeks turned bright red and her mouth fell open before she glared at her fiance who was wincing in his seat and trying not to look at her.

Remus laughed, and Sirius whopped loudly, slapping James on the back. “Well done Prongs!”

“I just wanted to check that it was…” Hermione cut herself off, ignoring James and Sirius who were now shoving each other, her brothers cheeks red and Sirius’ grin wolf like.

“Good? Like did he do that thing with his tongue?” Marlene finished for her as James let out a squeak and Hermione scrunched up her face and shook her head. She could see Lily watching her, a wicked grin on her face as she leaned around Hermione.

“You mean the thing where he -”

“Nope!” Hermione and James shouted together, as James pulled Lily backwards and Marlene snickered as Hermione pushed her away.

“What thing - Why am I asking?” Sirius asked, face scrunching up in disgust as Marlene smirked.

“Want to give it a try? See what talents your best friend has?” She asked sweetly as Sirius gagged and looked away while James grimaced, looking slightly green. Hermione smirked, leaning back in her seat.

“Ok, enough of this – me and James have something we want to announce.” Lily called, slapping her hands on the table where the diamond could be seen in full view, though no one but Hermione and James paid any mind to it.

“Well so do I, and since you won’t spill details – I’m going first.” Marlene cut her off, gripping Hermione’s arm and grinning. “Me and Hermione are moving in together.”

“Sounds kinky.” Sirius grinned again as Remus raised his eyebrows.

“I’m so glad to see you are back to your pervy leering self.” Marlene spoke, clutching her chest and giving a fake smile. “Really, it warms and creeps me out.” She added before the smile fell off her face.

“I’m only joking – I would never touch or think about you in a million years.” Sirius offered as Marlene rolled her eyes. “And just so you know – what is that?” Sirius asked suddenly, his eyes on Lily’s hand. “Prongs, you didn’t?” He shouted out as Marlene and Remus followed his gaze, their mouths falling open.

“I did.” James grinned proudly, lifting up Lily’s hand to show the ring. “Lily and I are engaged.”

Chaos seemed to erupt around the table, as the three who didn’t know went to pull James and Lily into hugs and congratulations. People around them looked around, unsure of what was happening while Hermione stayed in her seat.

“No going to greet them, Mi’?” Remus asked as he sat himself back down while she shrugged.

“Actually I was there when James proposed.” Hermione explained as Sirius mouth opened and his eyebrows furrowed. “Grow up, you don’t have to be involved in every single thing.” She snapped out as his frown turned into a glare.

“So you two are engaged and these two are moving out?” Remus asked, trying to ease the tension at the table between the two ex’s who couldn’t seem to decide on being civil or Hermione looking like she wanted to kill Sirius.

James sucked in a breath, looking to Lily who nodded her head. “We’re moving out too.”

“Shit, I bet Aunt Effie was happy about that.” Sirius barked out.

“It was a range of emotions, happiness, sadness – blaming the two of you for putting this idea in all our heads.” Lily explained, pointing at Sirius and Remus who looked at her in shock.

It hadn’t been an easy thing telling her parents, not like it had been with Marlene who had been excited at the prospect of being able to have Regulus over and her own place for the first time in a while. Fleamont had almost looked proud as she told them, showing pictures of the flat she had found, the possible spells she could use to make it safe.

Euphemia had cried, forbidden her from ever leaving and then cried more when she realised it was already sorted. She had then cried later when James and Lily told them of their engagement after Marlene left to see Regulus, though it had been a mix.

“Because not wanting to live with my ex and her parents and wanting my own space is blame worthy – er...no offence or anything.” Sirius spoke, rolling his eyes before he offered an awkward smile to Hermione.

“None taken – it’s not like I want to see your face everyday.” She answered even as she shifted in her seat, an amused smirk on her face as Sirius’ eyes dropped. “Can we get back to the happy engaged couple now?”

“Thanks Mi’, we know it’s soon but we wanted to get the whole best man and maid of honour thing out of the way now.” James said, looking around nervously as the four of them leaned closer, eyebrows raised and narrowed eyes.

“Do we have to duel for it?” Sirius whispered, eyes glinting dangerously as he looked to Remus. Even on an off day, Remus would probably kick Sirius’ arse.

“You don’t, no – I doubt James would want to have another duel.” Lily teased sweetly as the rest of the group looked between the couple.

James rolled his eyes and answered with a mumble. “We had a ‘duel’ over who got Mi’, Lily won – though I still claim she cheated, hard to fight someone in who is wearing nothing but your shirt.” Sirius and Remus raised their eyebrows while Lily blushed and shook out her hair.

Hermione, ignoring the last part and the way Marlene scoffed and leant back into her seat, gripped Lily’s hand and offered James a small smile. She felt touched that they had both wanted her to be an important person in their big day, and while she would have been honoured to stand beside James as his best woman, she was equally honoured that Lily wanted her as her maid of honour.

Lily smiled back, squeezing her hand as she asked. “So will you be my maid of honour?”

“Of course.”

“Nice, that means you two get to choose who is my best man.” James grinned as he pointed to Sirius and Remus.

“Second and third choice, gee thanks.” Sirius mumbled, bottom lip sticking out and arms crossed against his chest.

“And it’s obvious pouty will get the job because unlike him, I have the decency to back down and not be offended.” Remus offered, patting Sirius’ back who grinned like it was Christmas morning and turned to hug his friend only be pushed away. “Though I request a speech because neither of these two are eloquent enough.” He pointed to Sirius and Hermione who narrowed their eyes.

“Fuck you.” Sirius spat out. “I’m doing a speech.” He pointed at James and Lily.

“I believe the Maid of Honour doesn’t have a speech, but I think as sister to the groom, maid of honour, and the one he truly wanted as best man, I out rank you all.” Hermione smiled sweetly at Sirius and Remus who both glared at her.

“If they’re all doing speeches then I want to do one too – you know, since I don’t get to be maid of honour or anything.” Marlene added, icy eyes flickering with amusement as she flicked her shoulder length hair back and offered a charming smile.

“Guess we’ll have to set up an hour for speeches then.” Lily muttered under her breath as James nodded his head in agreement.

“Hi everyone, sorry I’m late.” A slightly accented voice called, stormy blue eyes and a mess of curls appearing as a chair was pulled over and pushed between Marlene and Remus, before sitting herself down and grinning at all of them like this was normal. Like Edith joined them more than she actually did.

“It’s fine.” Remus muttered as he placed his arm against the back of her chair and gave a her a kiss, his eyes almost heavy. “How was work?”

Edith kissed him a second time and the table looked at one another as she answered his question lowly while he nodded and looked at her through heavily lidded eyes, a small smile on his face.

Sure, they were all aware of the couple, and had been for a few months but Remus had never been one for PDA, never mind the sort to look like he was half a second away from throwing the girl on the table and doing unspeakable things to her. It was a Remus they had never really seen.

It was heard about for a few girls at school who had a night with him, but that had never last more than that. Yet, Edith sat there still speaking, a knowing smile on her face, like she was familiar with this and from the way Sirius face scrunched up, he had heard it enough too.

Hermione blinked, frowning, as something Edith said seemed to stick out. “You work at Gringotts?”

Sirius’ head snapped to look at her as Edith trailed off mid sentence and turned to look at Hermione with a confused smile. “Yeah, I’m doing my internship to be a Curse Breakers, really it’s just a lot of following people around and learning the spells.” She shrugged as though it was nothing. “Hopefully soon they’ll have an oversees internship and I’ll be able to learn a bit more.”

Remus smiled at her, no worry in his eyes, as though they had discussed this before, leaning forward to place a kiss on her cheek and mutter something to her that had her eyes going wide and her smile growing.

Hermione turned to look at those silver eyes that had always captured her attention, a silent conversation seeming to take place between them and slow smiles spreading across their face that didn’t go unnoticed by anyone else at the table.