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The Road Home	By : alexial Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 2649 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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The Road Home

Chapter One
Twenty-nine year old Hermione Granger stared resolutely out the tinted window of the Greyhound bus. Sighing, she shifted the bundle from her left arm to her right one, trying to get slightly more comfortable in the unrelentingly hard seat. The bus was crowded and it was hot and uncomfortable, even dressed in shorts and a t-shirt.

As the bundle in her arms started to squirm, Hermione looked down into the tiny face of her six month old daughter, Margaret. Smiling, she traced a finger down the infant�s pudgy, rosy cheek. She shushed the baby, rocking her soothingly until she once more drifted into sleep.

�Mommy?� the timid question was accompanied by a small hand on her arm.

�Hmm?� Hermione asked, looking to her left where her five-year-old son was seated, half asleep against her side.

�How much longer, Mommy? I want to go home,� the tired boy whined softly.

�I know, Cam. We�re almost there.� Hermione answered, smiling down at her son and smoothing his hair back with her free hand.

�Alright. Will Daddy be there when we get home?� he asked her, big brown puppy-dog eyes peering up at her.

Her heart breaking at having to disappoint him, Hermione shook her head slightly, answering, �No, Honey. Daddy won�t be there.�

�Oh,� the little boy said, eyes immediately downcast.

�It�s alright, Honey. I�m sure you�ll see him really soon, I promise,� she said, wrapping her free arm around him and pulling him closer to herself in a half hug.

He nodded, sniffling slightly. They sat like that, Hermione absently stroking his hair back from his forehead, until he fell into a light sleep. Resting her head back against the hard headboard, Hermione let out a sigh and cursed her ex-husband for what he did to her and the children and for leaving her to clean up his mess. She stared out the window until they reached their destination an hour later.

Waking her son, who grabbed his little backpack, she readjusted her hold on her daughter and their single bag, took her son�s hand, and walked off the bus into the cool air.

Breathing a sigh at finally being off the bus, she stretched and started off towards their car, son in tow. After settling her son into his seat and her daughter into the baby seat in the back, she sat down in the driver�s seat, let out another sigh and let herself relax into the cushioned seat.

�Mommy, are you ok?� her son asked.

Looking at him through the rear-view mirror, she straightened slightly and answered with a smile, �Yes, Honey. I�m fine. Let�s go home, ok?�

He nodded emphatically, and turned back to the little puzzle Hermione had given him.

It took about twenty minutes to get to their street. They lived in a development of small, two family houses, each with nice lawns that were filled with toys, bicycles and active children strewn everywhere. Hermione smiled as she waived at those neighbors who were outside with their kids. Fathers were barbequing and catching up with their wives after a long week at work while children played in the streets and on the lawns.

Pulling into her driveway, Hermione smiled again as she saw the elderly woman sitting on her porch in one of the two padded rocking-chairs. She shut the car off and got out, unbuckling her children and walking towards the porch.

�Hi Flo, how�s your night going?� she asked with a smile.

�Hello Hermione. It�s been lovely so far, thank you,� Flo said, smiling back. Bending down, she said, �Hello there Cameron. Did you have a nice trip?� she asked Cam, ruffling the little boy�s hair as he nodded.

�Yes, Nana Flo! It was fun! I got to ride on a bus, in a seat all by myself! And I got to see mountains, and there were hot air balloons!!� he exclaimed excitedly, all thoughts of sleep banished from his mind.

Hermione and Flo laughed, and then turned as a little boy with dark red hair flew out of one of the doors to the house.

�Cam!!!� he exclaimed, throwing himself at Cameron, wrestling him to the ground.

�Andy, hi!!� Cam cried out, just before being tackled.

The two women watched as thes wrs wrestling good-naturedly on the grass.

Flo turned to Hermione and reached for Maggie, saying, �Here, let me take her. You must be exhausted, having to handle your interview and these two little nuts for the whole day.�

Relinquishing her daughter to the older woman, Hermione rolled her shoulders and her neck, loosening her tight muscles. �It wasn�t bad at all, actually. The worst part was sitting on that uncomfortable bus for two and a half hours. I mean honestly! You would think they would make the things more comfortable for the longer trips,� she answered.

The two sat down in the rocking chairs as they continued to talk, watching as the boys played with the toys on the lawn.

�So how did your interview go, then?�

�It went well, I hope. Merlin knows I need the money!� Hermione answered exasperated as she swiped a hand through her shoulder length hair. �I mean, really! He just�well, he left the three of us with no income, no savings�just cleaned me out! What else am I supposed to do? And I hate that the closest hospital for me is in Scranton, for Merlin�s sake. It�s two hours! How am I supposed to take Cam away from Andy and move away from you all? You�re my family now�I can't picture living anywhere else without you!� she huffed in frustration, close to tears by the end of her tirade.

Flo got up quickly to stand behind Hermione, rubbing her back with one hand and soothing her, like Hermione had done for Cam not an hour before.

�Shhh. Everything will work out, I know it will. And even if you do have to move, we will always be your family, you know that! You�ve been part of this family for six years! A little distance isn�t going to change that!� she comforted.

Hermione looked up in gratitude. �Thanks Flo, I know all that, its just so frustrating!�

�I know, dear. I know.�

There was silence for a couple of minutes as Flo sat down again and they each thought about the future.

�By the way, Hermione, how are you doing?� Flo asked, looking pointedly at Hermione.

Sighing, Hermione looked wearily at Flo and thought before she answered. �I feel fine, just shaken up still. It�s been three months already and still��

�I understand, child,� Flo said after Hermione trailed off. �You need more time. After what you went through, it�s a miracle you�re doing so well already.�

�I know, Flo, I just wish it were over already. That I could not feel this way. It wasn�t supposed to be like this, you know.�

�I know, Hermione, it never is. Look, if worst comes to worst, you�ll move back to England and stay with your parents. As much as I would hate to lose you three, it would be delightful to have to come and visit you in England,� Flo joked with a mischievous smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Hermione laughed, and then her head shot up.

�Of course! Why didn�t I think of it earlier? I only applied to hospitals and schools around here, in America! I could apply in England as well, so that I�ll be near my parents!�

�Excellent idea, my dear! Why don�t you also apply to that school you went to�what was it, Hawgarts?�

�Close, but not exactly. Hogwarts. I don�t know�I�m not sure if I could face everyone, after everything that happened,� Hermione answered hesitantly.

�You can�t hide forever, Hermione, and no one actually knows what happened. You haven�t spoken to them for years, anyway. I know that the school and hospitals here are all excellent, but you yourself have told me that this Hogwarts place and that magical hospital are the best place to be for a witch.�

Hermione nodded in agreement and answered, �And I wasn�t lying�it is the best place. St. Mungo�s and Hogwarts are two of the most prestigious schools and hospitals in the entire Magical world.�

�Then that is where you should work, for you deserve nothing less.�

Hermione smiled at the older woman, �Thank you, Flo. I don�t know what I�d do without you.�

�You�d probably go work in the mountains of Scranton, swallowed up by the snow in the winter and never to be seen or heard from again,� Flo answered with a grin.

Hermione laughed and nodded, �Probably.�

They were interrupted when a couple joined them on the porch.

�Evening Hermione, Mom,� the tall blonde haired man greeted as he took a seat next to Flo.

�Hey Jason, Calli. How are you guys?� Hermione answered smiling at the couple.

The petite redhead sat down on her husbands lap and leaned over to give her mother-in-law a kiss on the cheek.

�Hey Mom. Doing great, �Mia. How was your interview in PA?� she asked as she waived to her son and Cam.

�It went well, I hope. Flo and I were just talking about that. I think I�m going to apply to Hogwarts, back in Scotland also.�

�Is that where you went to school?� Jason asked as he twirled a strand of his wife�s hair around his fingers.

�Yup, it is. And as much as I hate even the thought of moving so far away, it is one of the best school�s of Magic around the world. And I would so love to see my parents. They haven�t seen Cam in ages, and have only seen pictures of Maggie, and I have kind of lost contact with all my friends. It would be great to see everyone.�

�Well, then they�d be lucky to have you!� exclaimed Calli. �Though we will miss you something fierce!�

Jason and Flo nodded in agreement as Hermione looked at the three sadly. �And I, you!�

The rest of the evening was spent on the porch. Jason and Hermione made dinner and the boys joined them only long enough to eat, before going back to the lawn to play. Maggie was passed from adult to adult as the evening wore on, gurgling and cooing at everyone, until it was time for the young ones to be put to sleep.

After the boys and Maggie were tucked in, the four adults congregated in Hermione�s small living room, discussing Hermione�s plans for the future.

�Where else have you applied for jobs, besides the hospital in Scranton, and the one in New York City where you used to work?� asked Jason.

�I�ve actually applied to a bunch of Muggle hospitals around here in Jersey, as well as a couple in New York and Pennsylvania. I don�t think I�m going to end up in one of those, though. The thought of not being able to openly use my magic to heal people is completely not an option for me, you know?�

The others nodded in agreement. In the six years Hermione and her husband, Damian, had been living in the house, the family she shared the house with had welcomed her into their lives with open arms. After accidentally witnessing magic being performed, Hermione had told them her secret. They are the only ones who knew of her past, for Englishtown, New Jersey is not a magical town.

�If you do move back to England, or Scotland, are you going to unbind their powers?� asked Calli.

When Cameron, and then Maggie were born, Hermione had bound their powers to keep them from accidentally blowing something up and revealing their secret.

Hermione thought for a second before answering. �If we move into my parent�s house, then no, because they live in a Muggle town similar to this one. If, somehow, I can get the job at Hogwarts or another Magical school, then I will most likely unbind them.

�It makes sense,� said Flo. �Although, if you wait too long before telling Cam, he might become angry with you for keeping it from him.�

�Yes, I�ve thought about that. I still can't believe he never saw any of the things that went on when Damian was here. He always used to do magic, not even trying to keep out of sight of Cam. And then, the last couple months he was here�well, it was a miracle that Cam didn�t notice anything,� she finished quietly.

It was silent for several minutes as all remembered what had happened the last couple of months Damian had lived in the house. None of the memories were pleasant and the topic was quickly changed.

The rest of the night was spent pleasantly talking about their week, their jobs, their children, and what they had planned for the upcoming summer.

When it became late, Hermione bid everyone goodnight as they made their way to their side of the house. Walking into her small study, she sat down at her desk and opened the trick drawer that was hidden in the bottom drawer of the desk.

Pulling out a stack of parchment, an ink well and a quill, she paused before composing a letter to Albus Dumbledore, asking to work in or nearby Hogwarts as a Medi-Witch.

When she was finished, she walked outside to a corner of her small backyard. She went to an open cage, hidden by magic, where her beautiful barn owl was perched, cleaning his feathers. Stroking his feathers, Hermione greeted him with a smile.

�Hello there, Tash. You up to some over-seas flying tonight?�

Tash answered with an affectionate hoot and nipped Hermione�s fingers playfully.

She smiled in response and tied the short letter onto his outstretched leg. �Thanks, Tash,� she replied, stroking his feathers once again. �I need you take this to Albus Dumbledore at Hogwarts as fast as you can, alright?�

Tash hooted again, before spreading his wings majestically and taking off into the night.

* * * * *

Three weeks later, Hermione was once again on a Greyhound with her children. This time, however, the ride was fairly short, since she was coming from New York City. It was not any cooler than it had been before, and Hermione ached, thanks to the still unpleasant seats on the bus. She also had a splitting headache, for Cam was unusually hyper. He asked questions non-stop the entire trip home; about why they had been in a hospital in New York, if they were going to move, what England was like, etc. Maggie also contributed to Hermione�s headache, squirming in her arms every time Hermione found a position that was remotely comfortable. By the time the three reached their house, Hermione gladly relinquished Maggie into the arms of Flo and sank into the other rocking chair gratefully.

�Long day, huh?� asked Flo, amusedly observing Hermione�s lank form as she relaxed into the chair, child free.

Hermione sighed in response and Flo laughed.

Sitting up and finally looking at Flo, Hermione smiled. �Everything was fine untilgot got back on the bus. They were perfect during the interview at the hospital, never whining, or getting into trouble. The second we got on the bus, though, Cam had millions of questions and Maggie didn�t stop squirming and crying the entire ride home,� she said, watching Cam play with Andy and several other boys their age from their development.

Hermione looked back at Flo when she laughed.

�What?�

�Welcome to real parenting. I always knew you had it too easy with these angels of yours,� she said with a smile. �When Jason was growing up, him and my three others never cooperated, especially when we had to be somewhere important,� she said, smiling as she reminisced. �They fought and complained and got into trouble every where we went. You�re lucky, you know.�

Hermione looked at Maggie, who was now sleeping quietly in Flo�s arms. �Yea, I guess I am,� she said softly, smiling at her daughter.

An excited shout from the boys redirected their attention to the lawn, where the group of boys was cautiously walking towards a big black dog that had wandered into the yard.

After making sure the dog didn�t look rabid or sick, Hermione smiled at them and called out, �Careful now, boys. Put out your hands first and make sure it�s friendly.�
e fie five and six year olds did what she said and yelped happily as the dog bounded over to them and started playing with them in the grass.

Hermione was startled when the dog suddenly left the boys and made his way over to the women, Andy and Cam following him up the steps onto the porch. He approached Flo and Maggie with its tail wagging rapidly, a doggish grin on his face. After being accepted by Flo and cautiously sniffing Maggie, the dog pranced over to Hermione and put his head in her lap.

She chuckled as she reached down to scratch behind the dog�s ears and smiled as Andy and Cam attacked the dog once more.

Still scratching behind his ears, Hermione greeted him. �Hello there, old boy. Where did you come from?�

He �woof�-ed and wagged his tail excitedly, staring happily at Hermione.

Hermione smiled once more, then said playfully, �Is that so! Let�s see�no collaho�sho�s your owner boy?� she asked as she knelt down in front of him.

The dog shook his head and �woof�-ed again, prancing around Hermione�s legs.

Hermione looked closely at the dog, scrutinizing him.

After several minutes of prancing and barks from the dog, Hermione�s eyes widened in shock and she sat down quickly.

�Sirius?� she whispered.

The dog barked twice and seemed wag its tail twice as fast.

�Oh my god! Sirius is that really you?� she asked in astonishment.

The dog barked once more and then ran to her door, leaning his head against the frame.

Hermione glanced around quickly, immediately understanding. Looking at the questioning look on Flo�s face, Hermione quickly got up from her chair.

�Flo, I will explain everything later, but I really have to go inside right now. Can you watch Cam and Maggie for a while?�

�Of course, dear. Are you sure everything�s alright?� Flo asked, concerned.

�Yes�yes I think it is. It won�t take long, I promise.�

Turning to the two boys she said, �I need to take the dog inside for a minute, alright? I want you two to be good and play nicely for Nana Flo ok? Understood Cam?�

The boys nodded and ran off once more to play with their toys.

Glancing once more at Flo, Hermione walked over to her door and unlocked it. She opened her door, letting the dog walk in first and then followed him into the house.

Closing the door behind her, she turned around to stare at the dog that was standing in the middle of her small living room, looking around.

�Sirius, is that you?� she asked, her voice wavering slightly.

The dog barked once and looked at her for several seconds with his head cocked to one side.

Then, without any notice, the dog shifted into a tall, good-looking, black haired man.

�Sirius!� Hermione exclaimed, and rushed to hug the man now standing in her living room.

�Hello Hermione,� Sirius said affectionately, hugging her back tightly.

As if suddenly realizing what she was doing, Hermione stiffened abruptly and pulled out of the friendly embrace, wrapping her arms around her body as if in protection.

Seeing the momentary hurt in her old friend�s eyes, she masked the movement by quickly making her way down the short hall into the kitchen.

�Would you like some coffee?� she threw the question over her shoulder.

Sirius followed her into the kitchen and shook his head. �No, but some tea would be great,� he said, sitting down in one of the chairs around the table.

Hermione laughed, and then explained her laughter. �I forgot that coffee is an American thing and tea was for the British. Guess I�ve gotten kind of used to coffee,� she said with a smile that was returned.

�So how are you Sirius?� she asked eagerly as she prepared the coffee and tea.

�I�m great actually,� he answered.

�You look good. Very different from the first time I saw you,� she said wryly, alluding to the scrawny, half-dead looking man he had been during her third year at Hogwarts.

�Yes, I�ve come quite a ways since then,� he replied with a smile. �You look pretty good too,� he said, looking her up and down.

She smiled almost shyly and answered, �Never would have guessed I gave birth six months ago, would you?�

�The baby is yours?� he asked, shocked.

Hermione nodded happily, beaming at the thought of her daughter. �Margaret Norwood, or Granger now anyway. And the dark haired boy is mine also. His name is Cameron.�

�Wow! Two kids and you still look fantastic! Who�s the lucky man?�

Sirius immediately regretted asking the question as Hermione�s smile was erased and she looked around nervously. �You remember Damian Norwood?� she asked. �I met him at Oxford after graduation, but that doesn�t really matter all that much now,� she said stiffly, looking away from his curious face.

�Why not?� Sirius pressed.

�We were separated right after Maggie was born and were lly lly divorced about three months ago. He�s never here, doesn�t see them, so we don�t talk about him and to us, he�s no longer part of this family,� Hermione answered, here eyes hard and her mouth in a thin line of thinly veiled anger and hurt.

�Oh�I�m sorry Hermione. I didn�t mean to bring it up,� Sirius said quietly.

Shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts, Hermione quickly answered, �Don�t worry about it Sirius. You couldn�t have known, and its not like I can not talk about him forever, right?�

Before Sirius could answer, the teakettle started to whistle. A relieved Hermione quickly got up to fetch the tea and coffee and when she returned with two cups, Sirius could see she had recomposed herself.

�So what brings you to America?� she asked him after the first sips were taken.

�You, actually. I�ve been looking everywhere for you for the past four months. Not to mention the fact that Harry and Ron have tried to find you for over three years. What happened?�

Hermione�s eyes darkened at his response and when she answered, her voice had turned hard again.

�He happened, Sirius. While we were dating and when we were first married, my two closest friends were Harry and Ron. Damian was extremely jealous, but never said a word about it to me. After we moved here and had Cam, things would get tense between us every time I spoke of either one of them, or if I got an owl from them, anything. After a while, I stopped speaking about them around the house, and then gradually stopped owling them as well, since the topic started to create rifts betwthe the two of us. I didn�t even realize it was happening, for everything was so busy around here and everything. It wasn�t until things started going really wrong between the two of us, and then when he finally left, did I realize that I had completely detached myself from them and everyone else at Hogwarts. And after that, I was too ashamed of what happened, and that I had stopped talking to them because of my husband, that I just continued to not talk to them,� she finished softly, ashamed and not looking Sirius in the face.

�Hermione, they would have understood! I don�t mean to make you feel bad, and this is in no way your fault, but they were devastated when you stopped owling them. No one had any clue where you were, or if you were alright. No one knew you even had kids, for Merlin�s sake!�

�I know Sirius! And I would change it all back if I could! But what good is it now?�

�Well, for starters, you could write to Harry and Ron and explain to them why they haven�t heard from their best friend in over three years. And you might want to mention that you�ve got some munchkins of your own.�

Hermione smiled slightly and said softly, �Harry is Cam�s god-father, and Ron is Maggie�s. Even though he hated it and even though I wasn�t talking to them, I was adamant about that. There was no way Harry and Ron were not going to be godfathers for my children.�

�For Merlin�s sake, Hermione�you should bloody well tell them! They�ll be ecstatic!�

Hermione�s smile widened as she pictured their reactions.

�However, I�m not only here for a friendly visit,� Sirius said, cutting into her thoughts.

As a frown of concern formed on Hermione�s face, Sirius quickly reassured her, �No, no�nothing bad at all, you can relax. I�m actually here on Hogwarts business.�

�Really?� Hermione asked, raising one of her eyebrows expectantly.

�Yes Ma�am! You are looking at the current-and-in-his-third-year-running Professor of Care of Magical Creatures and the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,� he said proudly, puffing out his chest.

Hermione laughed and smiled broadly, �Sirius, that�s wonderful!� she exclaimed.

�I know,� he agreed with a smile. �However, Albus has asked me here not to gloat or to catch up, but to offer you a job. As you know, Poppy Pomfrey is getting on in her years, and has been working at Hogwarts for forever,� he said with a glint in his eyes. He continued, �She informed Albus during the Christmas holidays that she would be retiring at the end of this year, in approximately a month. Albus has had me searching far and wide for our dear Hermione Granger, prestigious and accomplished Medi-witch, to ask you if you would like to join the staff of Hogwarts. When he received your owl a few weeks ago, we were all delighted and I came as soon as I could get away.�A deA delighted look crossed Hermione�s face as she laughed and clapped her hands together like a small child.

�That�s excellent!� she exclaimed. �I was worried that something had happened with the letter when I didn�t hear anything from Albus. It�s perfect!� she continued.

Sirius let out a sigh of relief, smiling at Hermione. His smile lessened somewhat, however, when he saw a look of sadness fill Hermione�s eyes and her smile disappeared.

�What�s wrong Hermione? Is everything all right?�

Hermione looked at him and answered, �Yes, yes, everything�s fine. It�s just that�well�I�ve lived here now for six years and this area has become my home. The family next door to me is like my own family now, Florence is like a grandmother to Cam and Maggie, and I just can't picture leaving her, and Andy�s parents are two of my best friends now. And yet, I desperately want to come back to Scotland and take the job, and to see everyone again, to introduce Cam and Maggie to the world I grew up in. It�s just a bit of sadness, that�s all,� she answered, wringing her hands slightly.

�Speaking of which, how about we go outside and you introduce me properly to that lovely lady and your children?� Sirius asked, attempting to drag Hermione out of her thoughts.

�Oh, of course!� she said, quickly pushing the thoughts of her leaving to the back of her mind as she hurried to the front door.

Turning as she reached for the handle, she smiled at him and said, �It�s great to see you Sirius, it really is.�

Smiling back, Sirius patted her on the shoulder before gesturing to the door.

�Actually,� she said, glancing over his attire, �you might not want to wear that outside. This is almost a completely Muggle neighborhood, only the family next door knows that I�m a witch. So if you don�t mind�� she trailed off as she un-tucked her wand from her sleeve and waited expectantly for him to answer.

�Not at all. I don�t really know how the Muggles dress around here. By the way, where is here exactly?�

�New Jersey,� she said with a smile. �We�re in a little town called Englishtown.�

He nodded and she flicked her wand and murmured the incantation, and Sirius�s robes were transformed into a pair of worn jeans and a t-shirt.

�Much better,� Hermione said, satisfied with her work. �Shall we then?�

She opened the door and went through, followed by Sirius.

Flo looked up quickly ae hee heard the door open and was surprised to see a man walk out with Hermione instead of the dog that had gone inside with her.

Noticing Flo�s confused and wary look, Hermione laughed and motioned to Sirius.

�Sirius, I would like you to meet Florence, otherwise known as Nana Flo to the kids, and Flo to everyone else. Flo, this is my friend Sirius. You remember the story I told you about my best friend Harry and his godfather? This is him,� she said, waving to Sirius.

A look of understanding and then one of awe crossed her face as she greeted him warmly, �Hello Sirius, pleasure to meet you.�

�The pleasure is mine, Flo,� he said charmingly, kissing her hand softly.

She laughed and looked at Hermione. �You�re right. Quite a charmer, this one is.�

Sirius and Hermione laughed and then Hermione leaned over to take Maggie from Flo.

�Sirius, I would like you to meet my daughter, Margaret Rose. Maggie, this is my good friend Sirius.�

Sirius looked at Maggie with something like awe as she gurgled up at him, and whispered, �She�s beautiful Hermione. I can't believe she�s yours! I still remember when you were fourteen!�

Hermione laughed and handed Maggie to Sirius, who held her cautiously in his arms, as if she were about to break.

Smiling, Hermione turned around to face the lawn, calling out, �Andy, Cam, come here for a minute!�

The two boys came running up to Hermione, flushed and out of breath, completely oblivious to the man standing behind Hermione.

Catching both as they reached her, Hermione swung them around slightly before putting them back on the ground. She stood up and said, �Andy, why don�t you go get your parents. Tell them that I�m back and I want them to meet someone, alright?�

The little boy nodded happily and sped into the house, toor oor slamming behind him with a bang.

Flo had taken Maggie back from Sirius, who was now looking down at Cam with a warm smile.

Picking her son up, Hermione turned to Sirius and introduced them. �Sirius this is my son, Cameron Jeffrey. Cam, meet a very good and very old friend of mine, Sirius Black.�

�Hey, who you calling old young lady?� Sirius exclaimed in mock offense.

Cam grinned at the smiling man and shyly said hello to him, sticking out his little hand for Sirius to shake.

�Hello Cam. I�m a good friend of your Mum�s. I�ve known her since she was a little girl,� Sirius said, shaking Cam�s hand and then ruffling his hair.

Cam glanced up at Hermione in awe, as if the thought of his mother being little like himself was mind-boggling.

The three adults laughed at his expression, and before anything else could be said, Andy ran back outside, soon followed by his parents.

The small redhead stopped next to Cam and stared up at Sirius. �Who�re you?� he asked.

�Andy!� the petite red-haired woman, obviously his mother, scolded.

Hermione and Sirius laughed and Hermione quickly said, �It�s alright Calli. This is my good friend Sirius. Sirius, meet Flo�s son Jason, and his wife Callista. Andy�s their son.�

After the introductions had been made, the adults all settled comfortably on the porch, watching as the two boys tired themselves out playing on the lawn. The group had a small barbeque as it grew dark out, enjoying the pleasant company of Hermione�s unexpected guest.

After the children were put to sleep, the adults congregated once more on the porch, watching the noise and activity of the street as the older children replaced the younger ones.

The conversation was pleasant, mostly Sirius telling the other stories of Hermione�s life at Hogwarts. The three Muggles were enthralled with the stories of moving pictures, magical creatures, enchanted ceilings, and all playfully admonished Hermione for leaving so many details out of her stories and explanations of home.

As it grew late, Hermione told her extended family of her plans to definitely go back to teach in Scotland.

It was a sad group that said goodnight that night, with promises to spend the next day together.

As Sirius and Hermione made their way back into Hermione�s half of the house, Hermione was quite subdued.

�You alright?� Sirius asked gently.

Hermione nodded absently. �Just thinking, that�s all.�

�Alright. I should get going tomorrow morning, to let Albus know that you�ll be coming. When should we expect you?�

Hermione looked up and thought for a second. �I need about two weeks here to get my things in order, and then I would like to visit my parents for a while. They haven�t seen the kids since Maggie was born and it would be wonderful to visit with them for a while.� Pausing again, she continued, �I guess you could tell Albus to expect me in about four weeks time, is that alright?�

�I�m sure that would be fine, seeing as how that would be right around the time the term ends. I�m going to be leaving early tomorrow morning, so I probably won't see you until you get back to Hogwarts.�

Hermione nodded, and then quickly hugged Sirius. �It was great to see you, Sirius, really great,� she said sincerely.

�It was a pleasure seeing you as well Hermione. We�ve all missed you, you know.�

She nodded and replied, �Yes, I know. If you could�please don�t tell Harry or Ron about Cam or Maggie or Damian just yet, alright? I�d rather them hear it straight from me. Of course you�ll have to tell Albus so that he could prepare for having a five year old and a five month old in my rooms.� Suddenly panicked, she asked him quickly, �I will be living at Hogwarts right? With my own quarters for the three of us?�

Surprised at her sudden outburst, Sirius quickly replied, �Of course you will. I think they�re right in the Infirmary actually, in case there is ever an emergency. Of course Albus would give you rooms. No need to worry about that.�

Hermione visibly calmed at his reassurances, and although he was curious, he refrained from asking why she had panicked.

She led him into the living room, and with a swish of her wand the couch was transfigured into a medium-sized bed for Sirius to sleep in.

�I guess you had better get to sleep then, if you're going to be getting up so early.�

Sirius nodded and she continued. �Thank you for coming, Sirius. It was great to see you. And tell Harry and Ron that I can't wait to see them either, alright?�

�Of course, Hermione. They�ll be delighted to hear it. Now then, I will see you in a month. Good night.�

�Good night, Sirius.� With thaermiermione quickly grabbed his hand and squeezed it and disappeared from the room.

She quickly fled from the living room, swiftly making her way up the steps. She couldn�t quite explain the uncomfortable feeling she got when she was alone with a man. Even Sirius, whom she had known since she was a third year at Hogwarts. Hugging him earlier and being in his presence by herself for too long definitely made her feel uneasy, and she knew exactly why. It disturbed her tremendously that she should be so uncomfortable with her friend�what would happen when she saw Ron and Harry again? There was no way she was going to be able to get away with a quick hugh thh the two of them. It was distressing knowing why she was feeling this way, but not being able to change her reaction.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Hermione quietly opened her son�s bedroom door and made her way into the dark room. The light from the hallway shone across his face.

She kneeled down by the edge of the bed and gently stroked his dark brown hair. He had received her hair color and texture; dark brown, and slightly curly when grown too long. His hidden blue eyes came from his father, yet they were trusting and innocent, unlike Damian�s. Cam was slightly small for a four year old, inheriting Hermione�s small build, yet his temper was anything but. The combined tempers of Damian and herself had created a monster, when unleashed. Smiling at the thought, she leaned down and kissed Cam�s forehead before making her way out of the room.

Going into her own bedroom, Hermione suddenly felt empty�alone. She walked over to where Maggie was sleeping peacefully in her crib next to Hermione�s bed. She smiled as she looked down at her sleeping daughter.

�Such a tiny baby� Hermione thought to herself, watching the way her daughter�s small hands were curled into fists, resting by her mouth.

Hermione smoothed back the tufts of b hai hair that covered Maggie�s head and leaned down to kiss her as well. Stng ang away from the crib, Hermione made her way into the bathroom.

After showering and getting into her pajamas, she went back into the bathroom to complete her night-time rituals before getting into bed, all the while thinking of returning to her homeland.
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