Gringotts
October 1978
Hermione sighed as she looked up at the imposing building of Gringotts, feeling Sirius shift beside her, his hair blowing around his face and his hands shoved into his jean pockets, as though this was an everyday occurrence for the both of them.
“You know, you didn’t have to come along – I can manage to look around on my own.” He spoke causally with a sigh as they began their walk up the stairs and towards the door.
“And let you do something reckless alone, no thank you.” Hermione answered as she pushed open the doors and stepped inside. No one paid them any mind, the Goblins focused on their tasks and the security looking around.
Sirius ran up beside her, ducking his head lower so he could his into her ear. “Me do something reckless, please.” A shiver ran up her spine as his hand pressed into her lower back. “You’re the one who broke into Malfoy Manor like it was a casual Tuesday.”
“That was different, I had a plan.” Hermione hissed back, shaking his hand off of her as they slowly walked towards the desk.
“That nearly got you killed and kicked out of the Order – and now you want to do it all again with even bigger stakes.” He whispered lowly as he pulled her back to his side, nearly having to bend over so only she could hear.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Sirius, we’re not doing anything today but looking through your vault.” Hermione whispered out with a small smirk as he narrowed his eyes at her.
“Planning on stealing from me now?”
“We’ll just have to wait and see what your Uncle Alphard left you.”
“Is the life saving necklace I gave you not enough?” He asked, looking down at her neck and reaching out to touch the stone as Hermione looked away. “You’ve never taken it off.” He added, seeming almost surprised by that fact.
Her own hand reached up to touch, fingers brushing against him as he pulled back rapidly and Hermione fought the hurt that threatened to reappear. “It was a gift – and...it saved my life.” She whispered back as Sirius smiled softly at her.
She missed that smile, but hated that it had taken months for him to even show it again, hated that it was soon replaced with a defensive smirk. “I’ll make sure to add life-saving gift giver to my accomplishments.” He looked at the desks and then back at Hermione with another smile. “Come on partner-in-crime.”
The stood side by side as the stated their names and reasons to enter the vaults, carefully handing over their keys to the Goblin as he watched them with beady eyes, calling over another goblin and letting them through.
The ride through the tunnels was long as they headed towards Sirius’ Uncle’s vault, their heads spinning in different directions as they tried to figure out where they were or where they might have to go when it came down to it.
The goblin didn’t speak once or even look over as Sirius moved to whisper in Hermione’s ear, his breath hot against her skin. “So, be honest for once and tell me why you really asked me to come along – why not Remus or James?”
“I told you, your vault is closer.” She whispered back, barely a breath as Sirius moved away to look down at her.
“And Remus is senses are stronger and more helpful and James has the cloak.” He explained at though it was obvious. “Why ask me?” He whispered in her ear again, she could almost feel his smile against her skin as she shivered worse than before.
“Because. Your. Vault. Is. Closer.” She hissed out each word at a time, moving away from him so he could see her face as she glared at him. His eyes drifted past her to the goblin who was still focused on driving the cart before they looked back at her and a singular eyebrow cocked. “What are you really asking?”
“If you trust me now.”
“I’m not answering that.” Hermione snapped back, crossing her arms over her chest. The air was growing colder and it was hard to tell if it was because they were going deeper underground or because of him. “Why are you asking all of this now when we have to spend hours together?” She hissed out as he blinked down at her.
“I was hoping we could actually talk without insults and anger getting in the way.” It hurt her more than she thought it would. Her mouth turning into a straight line as she tried not to let it show.
“Tough luck there then.” Hermione hissed back, feeling a slight guilt as he looked down. “Just because I’m angry at you, and you’ve tarnished the trust between us. doesn’t mean I don’t still care about you or want to spend my time mad at you.”
“Then are we ever going to get past all of this or is there no point in even trying?” Sirius asked before he could stop himself. This wasn’t the right moment to be talking about something like this, her emotions on a bigger rollercoaster than her body was in the twisting turning cart ride through Gringotts.
“You never apologised, you know that, right?” Hermione asked softly as his mouth fell open. “I know I did shit wrong by keeping things from you but you nearly outed me – that isn’t something I can just forget nor move on from without some show of decency and actual regret.” The solution was laid before them and it was up to him now on what he wanted to do.
“I am sorry.” He whispered and Hermione nearly rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to believe me, but I’ll prove it – I should have done it a long time ago.”
“Yeah, you should have.”
The cart stopped as the Goblin called out the number and climbed out, Sirius not far behind him and holding out his hand for Hermione to take. She stared at it for a second, before taking it and allowing him to help her out of the cart.
She let go the moment they were on solid ground, tucking her hands into her pockets as Sirius stepped away and the goblin moved forward to the vault.
“Hermione? Sirius?” The pair turned as a group of cloaked figures stopped, a stormy eyed blond moving forward with a frown as she looked over the pair of them with a frown. “What are you two doing here – together?” Edith made it sound like it was something more than what it was and Hermione couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Sirius offered an easy grin, shrugging his shoulders. “Though it was finally time to come and check out what Uncle Alphard left – you know, to make sure it isn’t full of dark, cursed objects that try to kill me.” Edith’s eyes turned wide as Sirius turned to look at Hermione before throwing an arm around her shoulder. “And Hermione here won’t leave me alone.”
A frown took over her face as she shoved him away. “Actually, James wanted me to come along and make sure you don’t get yourself cursed.”
“Speaking of curses – how about we invite our trusty little Curse-Breaker to come along and take a look?” Sirius asked her as he looked at her with a wide smile. Hermione didn’t need to be told or hinted at what he was doing as she turned to Edith with a smile.
“You could test your knowledge, make sure we don’t die by a mirror set to kill anyone whose a blood traitor – or that I don’t lock Sirius inside for pissing me off.” She jested as Edith looked back at her co-workers and the goblin by the door.
“I’m...you know I’m not actually qualified yet.” Edith raised an eyebrow, her arm crossing over her robes as she looked behind her to where her co-workers were watching. “There wouldn’t be much I could help you with.” She added, almost nervously.
A cough sounded from behind her, the three of them looking to where a tall man stood, seemingly bored by everything around him. “You can go with them, it comes off your lunch.” He dryly commented. “Don’t touch anything and consider it a chance to practice a bit.”
“How can I practice and not touch anything?”
His mouth turned up to the side and he shrugged his shoulders. “See what you can deem as cursed or suspicious and leave it at that – and if there is anything Black is worried about, put it to the side and leave it for us to take care of.” And with that he walked away, leaving the three young adults to watch him and the rest of the workers to walk away.
Sirius huffed out a laugh as he gestured for the two girls to follow him towards the vault where the goblin stood glaring at them all. “He seems fun.”
“Yeah, he’s a barrel of laughs.” Edith remarked dryly as she pulled her identification to show the goblin as though they hadn’t just been speaking before him.
Sirius entered first, followed by Edith who let out a low whistled while the goblin sneered at Hermione and stepped in front of her. “Only authorised vault owners and personal are allowed into the vaults.” His beady eyes flickered over her and his sharp teeth glinted in the dim light.
Sirius appeared, his head sticking out of the vault to glower at the goblin. “As owner of the vault, I allow her to enter.”
Hermione smirked, side stepping the goblin and into the vault. It wasn’t as big as a family vault, and nowhere near as full as Hermione’s or James’ personal vaults, which their parents had steadily been putting money into and objects for as long as Hermione could remember.
It was big though, with towering piles of gold, enough to last a lifetime or two. There were objects too, ancient ones that were tarnished and lay to the sides, even a few old tomes plus a few other objects that made the place almost seem like a dumping ground.
Sirius grimaced as he looked around, careful not to touch anything but his money. “So what were the curse-breakers doing this far down anyway?” He asked, sending a quick look to Edith who was inspecting something with a frown.
“Checking over an abandoned vault – after a while, when no one has claimed it, it has to be cleaned out and saved for another client but it’s a great opportunity to practice our skills without anyone getting worried about their objects.” Edith explained as she a shield with her wand to see behind it.
“And what about the rest of the objects? Where do they go?” Hermione asked, raising her eyebrows and looking at the girl who gave her a secretive smile.
“I’m not supposed to talk about that, but lets just say people find way to get their hands on them.”
Hermione moved forward, standing beside the girl and lowering her voice. “So...if you work here then there must be a business entrance.”
“No, we come in the same way everyone does – we just have clearance to walk around.” Edith answered casually. If she found anything strange about the question then she didn’t hint at it. Instead she continued on with her looking around.
“And missions to other countries – so why study here?” Hermione asked as her curiosity peaked. What she had heard of most curse breakers is that they learnt on the jobs they were sent on to other countries for treasures and trading pieces.
“The war means they are lowering the amount of people who can leave the country, which means opportunities to do overseas work is slim at the moment but hopefully soon.” Edith answered, shrugging her shoulders before her button nose scrunched up. “Merlin, this place is riddled with some dodgy stuff.”
“Half the fun in searching through it – not knowing if you’re going to die a painful death or not.” Sirius appeared between them with a wide smile. “Though I have a question, since you work here and all – is that dragon still running around?” He asked it so easily, as though there was no other reason yet Edith still narrowed her eyes.
“Running around is a kind way to put it, but yes he is still here and breathing fire near ‘important’ vaults.” Edith answered slowly as Sirius nodded his head.
“And that would be the vaults like my family’s, the Lestrange ones…?” He trailed off as Edith stood up straight and looked at both of them.
“Yes.”
“And out of curiosity, which way would that be?” Sirius added as Hermione fought the urge to slap him around the back of his head and drag him away. “You know, just in case my family reinstate me as heir and I forget where I’m going.”
“A cart would take you there no problem, but just in case you want to risk jumping from heights and getting eaten by a dragon, you would go left and hope for the best.” Edith answered, a smirk spreading across her face as she continued speaking. “Not to mention the guards that walk up and down these halls for people doing exactly that.”
She didn’t ask any questions but the knowing smirk didn’t move from her face as she continued to look things over. Hermione looked to Sirius who shrugged his shoulders but didn’t ask anything else. A risk like that would take more planning, a layout of the vaults and an idea of where they were going, not to mention a way of getting past the goblins.
It wouldn’t be able to be done today, nor anytime in the next week or without tipping Edith off as to what was happening.
Sirius sighed as he picked up a bag of golden and coughed, both Hermione and Edith turning to look at him as he tossed the bag at the blond, smirking as she caught it easily, like she would have a quaffle.
“You know, this isn’t the kind of of friendship where you have to pay me for my services.” She scoffed out as she weighed the bag in her hand and raised an eyebrow.
“I know, but since Remus has missed the last...I don’t know, thousand payments – I thought I would clear his debt.” Sirius joked, rolling his eyes as Edith’s cheeks turned pink.
“I cost a bit more than this.”
“Just take it as a thanks for today – and any other day I need you to come and take a look at this.”
“Thanks, I’ll be sure to use it wisely.” Edith answered with a small smile, tucking the bag into her robe pocket and quickly looking at the open vault door. Hermione wondered if she was even supposed to be taking money from clients or if it was considered crossing the line.
A sigh left her mouth as she leaned against the wall and frowned down at Sirius. “Are you handing gifts out to all your ex’s because I see a few things in here that I like.”
“And you have about three vaults to your name already, I’m sure you could find something you like in there.” Sirius answered back amused, silver eyes dancing as he looked up at her.
…
Mid October 1978
Hermione blinked as she stood before the small two story cottage. It rested closer to the centre of Godric’s Hollow than her parents house did. Not too far from the Church or Graveyard, in a more secluded part that Hermione had avoided before, and if you squinted your eyes then you could just see the hill past the old houses that slanted forward and looked like they were about to fall any day now but never did.
The cottage she stood before now though was more stable it seemed, and had a small garden with a little gate and hedges. Yet, her throat closed up as she reached for the gate, a darker image flashing before her mind of a broken home and a broken boy beside her.
On this spot, on this night of 31st of October 1981, Lily and James Potter lost their lives...Their son, Harry...has been left in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters...
A gasp left her mouth as she stepped away from the gate, looking up at the house that looked so perfect at the moment, but three years from now would be nothing more than a memory. That was how long Hermione had to make sure this war ended for good.
“You ok?” A voice whispered from beside her, gripping her elbow as she took in a deep breath and turned to look at the man. Silver eyes and wavy hair, a concerned frown on his face as he sent a quick look to Marlene and Remus behind him.
Hermione gulped down a breath, making herself stand straight and blink away the tears as she avoided his eyes and forced a smile on her face. “I’m fine, just stubbed my toe on that little step there.” She pointed to the little step under the gate and looked at Marlene. “How was the flat?”
“Fine – is that your security question?” Marlene asked suddenly as the other three turned to look at her with frowns. “You know Moody’s rules.” She stated, raising an eyebrow as she pulled out her wand and pointed it at Hermione.
“Mar -”
“What did I say to you in Gladrags before the Halloween Ball of 1975 after you said you and Sirius weren’t ignoring anything?” Marlene asked with a small smirk on her face that made Hermione glare.
“Really?” Hermione spat between clenched teeth, ignoring Remus and Sirius as Marlene shrugged her shoulders. “You said - “honestly I just don’t get why you don’t just get over the clear flirting and eye fucking and get right to the real thing.” Hermione snapped out as her cheeks flushed.
“And I am so glad you did – a year later.” Marlene grinned, all but skipping to the gate and past Hermione who glared at her back.
“Wait – shouldn’t I be asking you something?” Hermione asked back but Marlene was already down the path with Sirius following her and Remus cringing slightly.
“We already did it back at the flat – nice place, though I think Marlene has chosen the bigger bedroom.” Remus teased as he walked beside her with an amused smile as Hermione rolled her eyes as James opened the door with his wand out, asking questions to Marlene and Sirius.
“I suppose that’s what I get when I spend the entire morning trying to comfort my mother.” Hermione remarked dryly, rolling her eyes as she pushed her way between the two and placed a kiss on James’ cheek. “You should think about putting the fidelius charm on this place.” She added as she stepped into the house.
“Why?” Hermione didn’t answer as James stepped aside to let the rest of them inside.
It was a typical English cottage house, door leading to the hallway and a staircase, to the left was the sitting room, which no doubt led to the dining room/kitchen, and at the end of the hall was another door to the kitchen, and a tiny bathroom under the stairs.
It was decorated plainly, cream carpet and pale walls, with boxes all over the floor and a pale green kitchen with a tiled floor. Lily stood at the counter, looking over something with a frown, boxes on the circular table beside her and on the floor.
“Thanks for taking your shoes off.” James muttered as passed Hermione into the living room, looking down pointedly at her feet. A smirk made its way to her face as she toed off her boots and kicked them towards the side of the door before stepping into the living room with the rest of her friends.
“Nice place, Prongs, though I can’t lie – I was expecting a bit more grandeur.” Sirius spoke from behind her, brushing past her.
“I’ll make sure to add a dramatic staircase for the next time you come round.” James shot back with a large grin as Sirius nodded his head approvingly.
“Thank you all for coming, God knows we wouldn’t have been able to pack all this away today without help.” Lily muttered as she entered the living room and grinned at all them.
“Erm...I thought we were coming here for a beer and some food.” Sirius answered back with a frown as James gulped and Lily turned her head to her fiance, diamond ring glinting off the hand that rested on her hip.
“James! You didn’t tell them they were here to unpack?” She hissed, using her free hand to shove his shoulder.
“Well they’re here now – and the door is locked up tight so it’s not like they can even think about leaving.” James sent them all a wicked grin as the four friends all took a step towards the door. Marlene stomped her foot and Remus sighed as he sat on the floor while Sirius grumbled something under his breath.
“Wanna bet?” Hermione asked with her arms crossed as James gulped slightly. They both knew that Hermione would be able to figure out his spells in a few minutes, maybe even less if it was the ones he had used when he was younger.
“Come on Mi’ – I’ll help you and Mar with your things.” James begged, his bottom lip coming out in a pout that made Hermione scrunch up her face.
“Deal.” Marlene called from where she had moved to look inside a box labelled living room, sending a quick glance to Hermione who was glaring at her. “Don’t look at me like that, I’m not the one who has a thousand books that need moving or organising – and we both know you won’t let me do it.”
“Because you lack organisation – I mean who puts a giant blue book next to a black historical tiny book?” Hermione snapped, feeling her cheeks heat up as Sirius scoffed and Marlene rolled her eyes.
“Someone who doesn’t care.”
“No, I’m with Hermione on this and I don’t read.” James called as he too sat down next to a box and started pulling things out. Hermione shot him a grateful glance, though she knew it was said more out of Marlene’s lack of organisational skills.
“Fine, we help here and all of you come and help me and Marly.” Hermione spoke, glaring round at everyone in the room before she shot her hand into the air and grinned widely. “Bagsy Remus, Lily and James!”
“That’s not fair!” Marlene shouted, sending her a filthy look.
“What am I supposed to do?” Sirius asked, frowning up at Hermione from where he had laid down in the middle of the living room floor.
“Carry all fifty boxes filled with Marlene’s clothes and shoes into her room, and stay out of my way.” Hermione answered as she slipped onto the floor beside Remus and looked into the box with a frown, there was nothing more than a few old pans Euphemia had passed on.
“I could help you, I mean – I know you pretty well.” His toe tapped the side of her ankle, before pulling at the bottom of the flared jeans she had decided to wear (something she was thankful for because skirt and knee socks were not packing attire).
“And you once used my books as a coaster for your pumpkin juice, and then went through my underwear draw, so no thank you.” Hermione explained with a sarcastic smile as Sirius’ cheeks flushed and the whole room seemed to go silent.
Remus was the first to speak as he pulled a book out of the box and looked down at it sadly. “Pads, you didn’t?” It was obvious he wasn’t too surprised by Sirius going through her underwear.
“Well I guess we know who’s in charge of my books then, and who will be sorting out my clothes.” Lily muttered as she picked up a box and then dropped it between Hermione and Remus, an even bigger box of books. She then moved to another box, dragging it out of the room to place it on the stairs before turning to point at Sirius. “You’re not allowed upstairs.”
“What if I need the bathroom?” Sirius whined pitifully, like a baby who was half a second away from having a tantrum.
“There’s a toilet downstairs.”
“He’s not using our toilet – he can be a good boy and go do it outside with the other dogs.” James smirked out, nodding towards where their back garden probably laid. Hermione didn’t move to check it out.
“Piss off.”
“I still can’t believe you two got a house given to you while we are stuck in a flat five minutes away from these two!” Marlene cried out as she pulled something out of the box and added it to the pile she had been creating.
“Actually, we were offered a house – next door to these two but I figured I could use a break from living with James and all those co-dependency rumours we have going on.” Hermione explained, shrugging slightly and offering Marlene a sweet smile.
“So instead decided we should live an alleyway away from your ex – who you barely like – who I barely like?” Marlene asked dryly, giving Sirius a quick glare as he looked away, slightly shamed of his past choices but Hermione ignored it. It wasn’t like she would be going round even if she knew where he lived.
“Mum gave me a deal, house next to Jamie and down the road from them or a flat close enough to someone that I could run to.” Hermione explained softly, wincing slightly, it was sad that that was the deal you had to make. “Believe me, if I could have I would have choose neither but since she was paying...”
“Oh the woes of spoilt rich kids – to have their parents pay for their homes and expenses.” Remus cried dramatically, a hand to his chest and his eyes closed.
“And the woes of friends of spoilt rich kids who get to live with said spoilt rich kids for free.” Hermione snapped back, raising an eyebrow as he peaked out at her through one narrowed eye with a cheeky grin and flushed cheeks.
“Hey! I’m not spoilt! I paid for my own place – no parents involved!” Sirius whined out, slapping a hand against the ground.
“No, just some rich Uncle who left you all his wealth.”
“You know, Moony, if you carry on like this then you can go and live with your girlfriend instead of her coming to ours - I’m sure her dad and two brothers wouldn’t have a problem with you shacking up there.” Sirius snapped, silver eyes tinged with humour as his mouth twitched.
“I can keep my mouth shut.” Remus muttered back, cringing slightly.
“Which is more than Sirius can say.” Marlene mumbled.
“You wound me, Mar – can’t we just admit the reason you moved in with Hermione was because you missed my charming personality.” Sirius said, lowering his voice and sending a wink to the blond who looked more disgusted than charmed.
Hermione snorted, never one to miss a beat as she retorted on behalf of Marlene. “Oh, yeah, the idea of hearing you bringing home girls through the alleyway between our flats every night is so tempting.”
“No need to be jealous, Kitten, I’m still going to be dedicated in my attempts to earn back your friendship – yours too, Mar.” Sirius waved off with an easy grin but the unease was there in his eyes, it wasn’t a joke to him and it was good to see.
The room shifted uncomfortably as Remus coughed, situating himself on the sofa that Lily had just unpacked with a book, his long legs folded as he spoke. “Maybe we should just focus on unpacking actual things instead of emotional baggage, yeah guys?”
“Maybe you should get off your arse and help.” Marlene grumbled out, rolling her eyes even as a fond smile took over her face.
“I am, supervising is a crucial part of the unpacking process.” Remus answered with a teasing grin before he sunk further into the sofa with a heavy sigh. “And I’m tired because of the moon and stuff.”
…
Hermione grimaced as she looked down at the food on her plate. It was obviously her mother’s fault, and maybe Hogwarts too, for making her expect nothing but edible meals every single day of her life. Lily had obviously suffered from that too and clearly though they needed a wake up call. Though maybe it was unreasonable to expect an 18 year old who spent seven years in a boarding school never having to cook, to be able to cook.
Though it seemed like basics of having your own home were bills, rent/mortgage and the general ability to make sure you didn’t starve. And considering the house was paid for, there were really only two things to worry about. And that wasn’t even including what was on her place/
How could something be both charred and soft?
Hermione couldn’t even tell you what it was supposed to be, only that it didn’t taste good the moment she put it in her mouth and it was hard to swallow. The rest of the table seemed to be having the same problem as they grimaced and downed their drinks with watery eyes.
“Is it not good?” Lily asked, though it was obvious she knew the answer as she poked at her own food with a fork and a deep frown. “I know it’s a little...overcooked but -”
“You skipped straight past overcooked and into...well this.” Sirius commented, tipping his plate slightly and hissing when Hermione’s foot caught his shin. “And it’s great!” He added with a fake cheer as Lily’s bottom lip wobbled.
James sighed, reaching over to grab his fiance’s hand and offer her a calm smile. “Lil’, it’s not like any of us would be able to cook any better – maybe...maybe you could ask my mum for lessons, I’m sure she would be happy to help -”
“Or maybe you could ask your mum for lessons.” Lily snapped back, her cheeks flushing and her eyes still watery as James looked around in confusion.
“I was just saying that – well...cooking is important and I’m sure you want to get better -”
“Jamie, shut up.” Hermione hissed as Lily tore her hand away from James’ and glared across the room.
“I’m not -”
“Mate, you’re digging yourself deeper and deeper, just shut up and eat your food.” Sirius shot across the table, before shoving food into his mouth and watching with a smirk as James followed by example, grimacing slightly and offering Lily a painful smile.
Lily’s mouth quirked up at the side before she pushed her place away and let out a sigh. “All of you, please stop eating – I can make something else.” The group looked at her with wide eyes as she frowned. “Like sandwiches, that require no cooking – and I have some biscuits...I can bake better than I cook!” The group shifted nervously on their chairs.
Lily hissed out a breath, pushing herself up from the table and towards the fridge, she pulled out bread, some meat and cheese and dumped it on the table before grabbing a box from the top of the fridge and opening it before she all but threw it on the table. The biscuits were a buttery brown with sugar, unique looking but nowhere near burnt.
Hermione grinned, not thinking twice as she reached for one and gave an appreciative moan around it that had Sirius and Remus raising an eyebrow at her, Marlene smirking and James scrunching up his nose. Lily just grinned, hands clapping together as she sat herself down and reached for her own biscuit.
“I can’t wait to come around and see what you two can cook.” She muttered around a biscuit, smiling softly at James as he placed a sandwich before her, before she turned to frown at Sirius and Remus who were opening their mouths. “I’ve been to your place, serving peanuts in a bowl with a bottle of beer doesn’t count.”
“Well lucky for Mi’ and me, I do know how to cook.” Marlene commented as she threw a piece of cheese on her bread as everyone looked at her shocked. “My mother said any Pureblood Lady knows how to cook, despite the fact that she had two house-elves doing it for her.” She answered the unspoken question without even looking up.
Lily turned to look at Hermione, an eyebrow raised as James scoffed slightly and Hermione sent him a quick glare as he spoke. “Hermione can cook but she never had the patience for it nor the ‘time’.”
“And you?” Lily turned to look at James with a sweet smile.
“Am going to learn right away.” James answered back with a large grin as Lily rolled her eyes but seemed content by his words.
“So...when are we going to properly christen this house?” Marlene asked suddenly, nibbling on a biscuit, her wand pointing at the teapot on the hob with a frown, she didn’t blink as everyone turned to look at her with matching scowls.
“Marlene!” Lily blushed as she stood up from her chair, reaching for the teapot and filling it up with tea and water before turning on the hob.
“Not like that – though I don’t doubt you two weren’t ‘busy’ before we came here.” Marlene said, looking back at the table. “I meant like celebrating the pair of you moving in!” She added with a wider grin as brought over the teapot and the milk, waving her wand for the teacups to land before them.
James frowned as he leaned back on two legs and grabbed the sugar off the side, placing it before Remus on the table. “That’s what this was supposed to be.”
“Free labour and burnt food?” Sirius asked dramatically, hands flying into the air as he chuckled as he dodged Lily’s swinging arm. “Violence never solves anything.” He pointed a finger at her before grinning. “Come on, you both need a real party, with drinks and music – I’ll even organise it!”
“Pads -”
“Come on!”
“I wasn’t -”
“How about we think about it, alright Sirius?” Lily spoke, and while she might not have mastered Mother Potter’s cooking, she knew how to use the right tone to make the boys shut up and keep quiet.
“Whatever you decide, just make sure you put up a good amount of protection on this place.” Hermione mumbled over her tea.
She could feel them all watching her, maybe they wanted to say something else or maybe they weren’t sure what to say. The world wasn’t safe anymore and it didn’t matter that Hermione knew parts of the future and sometimes things slipped through the cracks and allowed her to see more, the point was that anyone could come knocking on their doors.
It had already happened a couple of time, Wizards and Witches who lived alone, unprepared. They hadn’t expected to open their door and find a Deatheater there, and there hadn’t been much they could do before they were dead.
Security questions, wards, and enchantments all helped keep a person safer or buy them enough time before someone broke in.
And Hermione would stop at nothing to make sure her friends were safe.