Chapter Text
This was a dumb decision and honestly, it appalled him that it wasn’t even illegal. Definitely, something he would need to work on. Eventually. But for now, it served him…in probably the most grotesque way possible but… he was saving her life, right?
She was quiet, in her cot, in their makeshift infirmary, observing everything around her with a methodical gaze. And when Lily raised her wand to heal the various cuts, bruises, and — James winced — broken arm, Hermione watched her with careful, calculating eyes. Merlin the girl would’ve probably been a Slytherin if this blood-war still wasn’t going on.
He heard Lily softly explaining everything she was doing when Sirius walked through the door. Hermione jumped at the sight of him.
“It’s alright,” Lily soothed, “He’s—”
But Hermione had jumped up, ran over, and wrapped her good arm around him. Sirius, for all his faults as an adult, had plenty of practice with children. He slowly kneeled and wrapped her carefully into a hug.
“Hey kitten,” he said with a smile, “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
Hermione had her face buried in his chest, refusing to let go.
“Up we go,” Sirius said as he lifted her up and walked her back over to Lily. Hermione made a noise of distress when Sirius shifted away. “Don’t you worry kitten. I’m just going to be right over there and when you’re all healed up we’ll get some hot chocolate. How does that sound?”
Hermione frowned, glancing over at him, before turning back to Sirius. “You swear you won’t leave?”
“I solemnly swear,” Sirius said with his childish grin.
Only years of friendship allowed James to see how worried Sirius was. He put a muffling charm over their conversation as soon as Sirius was by his side.
“Report?” James asked.
Sirius growled low before shifting back to a smile once he turned around for Hermione to see his face. He kept his face happy and light for her as his words were anything but.
“It’s bad enough trying to stop Death Eaters from killing muggle-borns but to stop actual muggles from…” Sirius took a deep breath. “Her own parents, Prongs. I…they’re lucky to be alive.”
James squeezed Sirius’s shoulder. “You got to her in time. And she’s safe now.”
Sirius nodded, breathing out slowly. “She’s the same age as Harry. They should be out flying toy brooms not…”
“Not stuck in a heavily warded home while their parents fight a war?” James laughed harshly. “We’ll win Sirius. It’s just…taking longer than we expected.”
Sirius nodded again but stayed quiet for a long time. They both watched Lily and Hermione watched them, keeping a careful eye on Sirius.
“I’m going to talk to Remus,” Sirius said when it was clear Lily was almost done.
“About what?”
“Her. Hermione. She… She reminds me of him in a way,” Sirius struggled to find words for the emotions that had risen in him when he had first seen her. James made a confused noise, about to speak, when Sirius added, “Her name is a star too, did you know? A newer one, that Muggles found but…”
James let out a huff of surprise before relaxing. He said quietly, “I think you and Remus would be great dads.”