Second Chance
Title: Second Chance
Author: Lady Harte
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to JK.
Rating: N17 (Over all)
Summary: 17 years have passed since the war ended and life has settled down for the trio. Little do they know that everything is about to be shaken up again with the return of one Sirius Black. What happens when he sets his sights on the very married Hermione? Can the straight-laced wife and mother resist his charms?
Authors Note: 1. This is my first real fanfic so please be gentle. 2. I've tried to stick to cannon as much as possible but some parts have been changed to suit the story. 3. This story was inspired by a plot bunny mentioned by both
serade_black and loverly
*****
“What do you mean no?” The Minister of Magic blustered, his dark face flushing even darker.
“I’m sorry Mr. Shacklebolt,” Hermione said as calmly as she could. Actually she was rather proud of just how calm she did sound. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, or that I’m not profoundly complimented, or that I don’t think I could do the job.” She was babbling.
He looked at her for a long time, his gaze searching. “I thought I told you to call me Kingsley.”
She had to smile and took the moment to look around his office. It was larger then the others and was very much like him. There were books of knowledge and fighting techniques both magical and muggle and exotic artifacts from around the world; mystery and wisdom.
“Kingsley,” she said.
“Hermione,” he replied and leaned forward, interlinking his fingers on the table. “I have just offered you the position of Head of the Being Division…” he waved his hand in a slow circle as thought he movement would make his point more clear. “Of the Department the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“Yes you did.” She blinked hard to force back the sharp prick of tears. “And as I said, I am very honored, but I will be unable to take the position.”
“But this is what you’ve been working towards since you started here with us. I remember at your interview you were so excited and told me that this was your goal, this position, offered to you now.”
“Yes, Kingsley I am aware of what I said that day and it was truthfully spoken.” She hated having to turn him down. “But I was a much younger woman then and like many did not see the future that lay ahead through anything but rose-tinted specks.”
He sighed. “You’re not making sense.”
“Yes I am.” She took in some air. “You offered me the position and I declined. I am not the only person working in the department and I’m sure someone else will be overjoyed to accept.”
“None of them are as qualified or as in touch with the beings themselves.”
“Agreed.”
“So you agree then?”
“No.”
Kingsley was right she had been striving for this position since she graduated from Hogwarts sixteen years ago. At that moment part of her hated her husband Ron but only for a moment. He had been right…
She remembered how on Friday Mr. Cresswell had announced his retirement. She’d been so excited she thought her heart might have actually leaped into her throat. She knew that the position was as good as hers after so many years hard work and her own research and knowledge.
She’d apparated home, so excited, and practically ravished Ron in the front parlor. It was very lucky Rose and Hugo were away at Hogwarts. Afterwards Ron asked her what had brought on the bout of vigorous recreation, “Not that I’m complaining,” he added with a charming grin. She told him about the possible promotion and his face had dropped.
He made it clear that his career was on the peak and he only had ten years at the most left, so of course he could not afford to take any time off. If she took the promotion she wouldn’t be available for the children if they needed her and since neither would he, it would be negligent of them to make such a change.
He had spoken so solemnly making his points with an eloquence that had only developed over years of marriage to her. And he was right.
“I’m sorry, Kingsley, really I am but you need to understand that I have a family now, a husband and children and they need me. This just isn’t the time to take on a new promotion.”
Kingsley shut his eyes tight and seemed to be counting back from ten. “So in other words, Ronald said no.”
She groaned, knowing he would react this way. “I don’t need my husband’s permission to do anything, least of all my job.”
“But without his blessing you can’t step up.”
“This isn’t about Ron or his permission or blessings or anything else. This is about my family, they have to come first and this is just a bad time to - to take on a promotion.” She stuttered the last part and her traitorous lower lip trembled.
Kingsley was quick off his chair and at her side. He handed her a tissue, perched on the edge of his desk and took her free hand in his larger darker one. “I’m pushing too hard, forgive me?”
“No you’re not.” She sniffed and blew her nose. “You have every right to be angry.”
“I’m not angry, dear, I’m disappointed.”
This broke her. With a sob she buried her face him her hands and cried. Fat tears slid down her cheeks and dripped on her simple black skirt.
Kingsley swore and laid his hand on her shoulder, patting awkwardly. “There - There, dear. It’s not as bad as all that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, Hermione. As you said there are other qualified staff members in your department. I’ll pick one of them.” He patted her back again. “Now please stop crying.”
It took another moment for her to pull herself together but with another blow of the nose and few deep breaths she gave him a tremulous smile.
Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Hermione stood to take her leave when the offices outside seemed to explode with noise and chaos.
“What the devil!?” Kingsley jumped to his feet and lunged towards the door, swinging it open. “Are we under attack?”
Hermione peaked under his arm and was confused by what was happening. The chaos wasn’t so much fear-driven as excitement as each was slapped in the head with flying notes, and each seemed to yell or make some other odd and often offensive sound on reading the memo.
She and Kingsley exchanged a look moments before one of the memos slapped right into Kingsley’s forehead.
Stepping back into the office he opened the note and if possible his face paled.
“Kingsley, what is it?” Hermione tried to see over the top to read the note, but he was too tall.
“I can’t believe it,” he said, looking like he’d been slapped in the head by more then just the memo. “It’s simply impossible.”
“What can’t you believe? What’s impossible?” she said. “Will you tell me already so I can find it impossible as well?”
He handed the memo to Hermione and her mouth fell open. “I don’t believe it. It’s impossible.”
“See I told you,” Kingsley said, distracted as his mind worked around the new information. “Shit! Harry is on a mission over in Romania somewhere, we have no way of contacting him.”
“Harry? Oh right,” Hermione suddenly understood, pulled up her sleeve and touched her wand to a tattoo on her upper arm. It was an elegantly scripted D.A. And within moments Harry landed with a thump on the desk.
Harry looked all of his 34 years. His hair was still black and shaggy and his glasses sat low on the bridge of his nose. He looked around the office then focused on Hermione and smiled that infectious smile, his green eyes flashing. “You rang?”
Kingsley gasped and sat down heavily in his chair. He pointed at Harry then at Hermione. “You can’t apparate into the Ministry of Magic, it’s impossible. How the bloody hell…!”
“Kingsley, mate, calm down.” Harry swung his legs off the table and stood up combing his fingers through his hair.
“Calm down!?” Kingsley jumped back to his feet. “You just apparated into my office - From somewhere else…” he waved his hands in a fluttery movement. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? Why if anyone found out it was possible…”
Hermione moved quickly to Kingsley’s side. His eyes were almost bugging out of his head and she was sure he would hyperventilate. “Kingsley, it’s alright really! Nobody but harry and I can do it, and nobody knows but me and him, and now I guess you. But you mustn’t tell. Do you know how dangerous it could be if anyone knew?”
Kingsley gave her a panicked look.
“I don’t think you’re helping,” Harry looked closer at Kingsley. “Look mate, it’s fine I didn’t actually apparate in, Hermione kind of accio’ed me in. We are the only ones who can do it, and Hermione destroyed the research after we created the marks.”
“Marks?” Kingsley looked from one to the other.
Both Harry and Hermione pulled up their sleeves to reveal identical D.A. tattoos.
“I see,” Kingsley said looking at the first then the second. “And where would you have gotten the idea for something like this?”
“Are you sure you want me to answer that, Kingsley?” Hermione answered then at his tired groan she went on. “You’re right this is extremely dangerous, but as Harry said nobody but us know about it, and the only remnants of how it works are scrambled in memories of our teenaged minds.”
Both Harry and Hermione smiled at one another both silently sharing Kreacher’s words. “Master Regulus ordered me to return home.”
“So,” Kingsley looked from one to the other again. “It allows you to call the other in when you need help?”
They nodded.
“And nobody else knows you can do this, or how it’s done.”
They nodded again.
“And what if say someone wanted one of you and tortured the other into using the mark?”
“What again?” Hermione asked.
“I’ve already died once,” Harry said at the same time then shook his head. “Here’s a thought, why am I here?”
“Oh - OH!” Kingsley jumped to his feet again and grinned. “Yes I forgot the impossible news what with all the illegal magic usage.”
“It is not illegal magic!” Hermione looked outraged.
Waving his hand to silence her he held up the note. “Quickly we need to go.”
Kingsley grabbed Hermione’s wrist and she grabbed Harry’s seconds before Kingsley grabbed the portkey to the Chamber of Death.
They landed cleanly in the open space and as one headed towards the archway to the chamber and stopped dead just inside.
A group of four unmentionables stood wands drawn and ready. They had cornered another wizard at the back of the room and he also had his wand drawn.
The man was tall with scruffy long black hair and he was in need of a good shave. He ware leather pants over long legs and a black shirt stretched over a broad chest.
“Jesus H Christ, it’s him.” Hermione couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She’d read the note and yet still. It just wasn’t possible.
“Jesus H Christ?” Kingsley said incredulously.
She shrugged. “It just came out.”
“Yeah, you think we can focus here?” Harry broke in.
Harry moved in quickly between the unmentionables. “Back off guys,” he said tersely, his gaze never leaving the taller man’s face. “Sirius?”
The man backed up sharply and hit the wall. He was breathing hard, eyes wild. He held his wand high in one shaky hand. “Who are you?” His voice was gravelly but held that familiar deepness that Hermione remembered.
“Sirius’, it’s me, Harry.”
Sirius’ lip curled and he let out a growl that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. “I know no Harry. Where am I? Who are these people?”
Harry looked stricken and Hermione saw her moment to step in. She placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder and gently brought him behind her.
Sirius was breathing harder looking around the room then at her. He pointed his wand and hissed, “Who are you?”
“It’s alright, nobody is going to hurt you. I give you my word that you are not in danger.” She spoke slowly, hoping her voice sounded as soothing to him.
“So you say,” he replied. “Woke up and these four ambushed me.” He tipped his head towards the unmentionables.
“Well there’s a reason for that, but now that we’re here there will be no more ambushing. We aren’t enemies, My name is Hermione Weasley and this is Harry Potter, he’s your Godson.” She watched as Sirius threw another look at Harry but no recognition showed. “Do you know who you are?”
“Sure I know who I am,” he said looking outraged. “I’m…” He stopped short and Hermione watched various expressions ghost over his face. “I’m Sirius!” He gave her a triumphant grin.
“He doesn’t remember anything,” she muttered to Harry. Then to Sirius, “How about you come with us and we’ll find you some food?”
“Food?” Sirius looked from Hermione to Harry and nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good. I can’t remember the last time I ate.”
Author: Lady Harte
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to JK.
Rating: N17 (Over all)
Summary: 17 years have passed since the war ended and life has settled down for the trio. Little do they know that everything is about to be shaken up again with the return of one Sirius Black. What happens when he sets his sights on the very married Hermione? Can the straight-laced wife and mother resist his charms?
Authors Note: 1. This is my first real fanfic so please be gentle. 2. I've tried to stick to cannon as much as possible but some parts have been changed to suit the story. 3. This story was inspired by a plot bunny mentioned by both
serade_black and loverly
*****
“What do you mean no?” The Minister of Magic blustered, his dark face flushing even darker.
“I’m sorry Mr. Shacklebolt,” Hermione said as calmly as she could. Actually she was rather proud of just how calm she did sound. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, or that I’m not profoundly complimented, or that I don’t think I could do the job.” She was babbling.
He looked at her for a long time, his gaze searching. “I thought I told you to call me Kingsley.”
She had to smile and took the moment to look around his office. It was larger then the others and was very much like him. There were books of knowledge and fighting techniques both magical and muggle and exotic artifacts from around the world; mystery and wisdom.
“Kingsley,” she said.
“Hermione,” he replied and leaned forward, interlinking his fingers on the table. “I have just offered you the position of Head of the Being Division…” he waved his hand in a slow circle as thought he movement would make his point more clear. “Of the Department the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“Yes you did.” She blinked hard to force back the sharp prick of tears. “And as I said, I am very honored, but I will be unable to take the position.”
“But this is what you’ve been working towards since you started here with us. I remember at your interview you were so excited and told me that this was your goal, this position, offered to you now.”
“Yes, Kingsley I am aware of what I said that day and it was truthfully spoken.” She hated having to turn him down. “But I was a much younger woman then and like many did not see the future that lay ahead through anything but rose-tinted specks.”
He sighed. “You’re not making sense.”
“Yes I am.” She took in some air. “You offered me the position and I declined. I am not the only person working in the department and I’m sure someone else will be overjoyed to accept.”
“None of them are as qualified or as in touch with the beings themselves.”
“Agreed.”
“So you agree then?”
“No.”
Kingsley was right she had been striving for this position since she graduated from Hogwarts sixteen years ago. At that moment part of her hated her husband Ron but only for a moment. He had been right…
She remembered how on Friday Mr. Cresswell had announced his retirement. She’d been so excited she thought her heart might have actually leaped into her throat. She knew that the position was as good as hers after so many years hard work and her own research and knowledge.
She’d apparated home, so excited, and practically ravished Ron in the front parlor. It was very lucky Rose and Hugo were away at Hogwarts. Afterwards Ron asked her what had brought on the bout of vigorous recreation, “Not that I’m complaining,” he added with a charming grin. She told him about the possible promotion and his face had dropped.
He made it clear that his career was on the peak and he only had ten years at the most left, so of course he could not afford to take any time off. If she took the promotion she wouldn’t be available for the children if they needed her and since neither would he, it would be negligent of them to make such a change.
He had spoken so solemnly making his points with an eloquence that had only developed over years of marriage to her. And he was right.
“I’m sorry, Kingsley, really I am but you need to understand that I have a family now, a husband and children and they need me. This just isn’t the time to take on a new promotion.”
Kingsley shut his eyes tight and seemed to be counting back from ten. “So in other words, Ronald said no.”
She groaned, knowing he would react this way. “I don’t need my husband’s permission to do anything, least of all my job.”
“But without his blessing you can’t step up.”
“This isn’t about Ron or his permission or blessings or anything else. This is about my family, they have to come first and this is just a bad time to - to take on a promotion.” She stuttered the last part and her traitorous lower lip trembled.
Kingsley was quick off his chair and at her side. He handed her a tissue, perched on the edge of his desk and took her free hand in his larger darker one. “I’m pushing too hard, forgive me?”
“No you’re not.” She sniffed and blew her nose. “You have every right to be angry.”
“I’m not angry, dear, I’m disappointed.”
This broke her. With a sob she buried her face him her hands and cried. Fat tears slid down her cheeks and dripped on her simple black skirt.
Kingsley swore and laid his hand on her shoulder, patting awkwardly. “There - There, dear. It’s not as bad as all that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, Hermione. As you said there are other qualified staff members in your department. I’ll pick one of them.” He patted her back again. “Now please stop crying.”
It took another moment for her to pull herself together but with another blow of the nose and few deep breaths she gave him a tremulous smile.
Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Hermione stood to take her leave when the offices outside seemed to explode with noise and chaos.
“What the devil!?” Kingsley jumped to his feet and lunged towards the door, swinging it open. “Are we under attack?”
Hermione peaked under his arm and was confused by what was happening. The chaos wasn’t so much fear-driven as excitement as each was slapped in the head with flying notes, and each seemed to yell or make some other odd and often offensive sound on reading the memo.
She and Kingsley exchanged a look moments before one of the memos slapped right into Kingsley’s forehead.
Stepping back into the office he opened the note and if possible his face paled.
“Kingsley, what is it?” Hermione tried to see over the top to read the note, but he was too tall.
“I can’t believe it,” he said, looking like he’d been slapped in the head by more then just the memo. “It’s simply impossible.”
“What can’t you believe? What’s impossible?” she said. “Will you tell me already so I can find it impossible as well?”
He handed the memo to Hermione and her mouth fell open. “I don’t believe it. It’s impossible.”
“See I told you,” Kingsley said, distracted as his mind worked around the new information. “Shit! Harry is on a mission over in Romania somewhere, we have no way of contacting him.”
“Harry? Oh right,” Hermione suddenly understood, pulled up her sleeve and touched her wand to a tattoo on her upper arm. It was an elegantly scripted D.A. And within moments Harry landed with a thump on the desk.
Harry looked all of his 34 years. His hair was still black and shaggy and his glasses sat low on the bridge of his nose. He looked around the office then focused on Hermione and smiled that infectious smile, his green eyes flashing. “You rang?”
Kingsley gasped and sat down heavily in his chair. He pointed at Harry then at Hermione. “You can’t apparate into the Ministry of Magic, it’s impossible. How the bloody hell…!”
“Kingsley, mate, calm down.” Harry swung his legs off the table and stood up combing his fingers through his hair.
“Calm down!?” Kingsley jumped back to his feet. “You just apparated into my office - From somewhere else…” he waved his hands in a fluttery movement. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? Why if anyone found out it was possible…”
Hermione moved quickly to Kingsley’s side. His eyes were almost bugging out of his head and she was sure he would hyperventilate. “Kingsley, it’s alright really! Nobody but harry and I can do it, and nobody knows but me and him, and now I guess you. But you mustn’t tell. Do you know how dangerous it could be if anyone knew?”
Kingsley gave her a panicked look.
“I don’t think you’re helping,” Harry looked closer at Kingsley. “Look mate, it’s fine I didn’t actually apparate in, Hermione kind of accio’ed me in. We are the only ones who can do it, and Hermione destroyed the research after we created the marks.”
“Marks?” Kingsley looked from one to the other.
Both Harry and Hermione pulled up their sleeves to reveal identical D.A. tattoos.
“I see,” Kingsley said looking at the first then the second. “And where would you have gotten the idea for something like this?”
“Are you sure you want me to answer that, Kingsley?” Hermione answered then at his tired groan she went on. “You’re right this is extremely dangerous, but as Harry said nobody but us know about it, and the only remnants of how it works are scrambled in memories of our teenaged minds.”
Both Harry and Hermione smiled at one another both silently sharing Kreacher’s words. “Master Regulus ordered me to return home.”
“So,” Kingsley looked from one to the other again. “It allows you to call the other in when you need help?”
They nodded.
“And nobody else knows you can do this, or how it’s done.”
They nodded again.
“And what if say someone wanted one of you and tortured the other into using the mark?”
“What again?” Hermione asked.
“I’ve already died once,” Harry said at the same time then shook his head. “Here’s a thought, why am I here?”
“Oh - OH!” Kingsley jumped to his feet again and grinned. “Yes I forgot the impossible news what with all the illegal magic usage.”
“It is not illegal magic!” Hermione looked outraged.
Waving his hand to silence her he held up the note. “Quickly we need to go.”
Kingsley grabbed Hermione’s wrist and she grabbed Harry’s seconds before Kingsley grabbed the portkey to the Chamber of Death.
They landed cleanly in the open space and as one headed towards the archway to the chamber and stopped dead just inside.
A group of four unmentionables stood wands drawn and ready. They had cornered another wizard at the back of the room and he also had his wand drawn.
The man was tall with scruffy long black hair and he was in need of a good shave. He ware leather pants over long legs and a black shirt stretched over a broad chest.
“Jesus H Christ, it’s him.” Hermione couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She’d read the note and yet still. It just wasn’t possible.
“Jesus H Christ?” Kingsley said incredulously.
She shrugged. “It just came out.”
“Yeah, you think we can focus here?” Harry broke in.
Harry moved in quickly between the unmentionables. “Back off guys,” he said tersely, his gaze never leaving the taller man’s face. “Sirius?”
The man backed up sharply and hit the wall. He was breathing hard, eyes wild. He held his wand high in one shaky hand. “Who are you?” His voice was gravelly but held that familiar deepness that Hermione remembered.
“Sirius’, it’s me, Harry.”
Sirius’ lip curled and he let out a growl that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. “I know no Harry. Where am I? Who are these people?”
Harry looked stricken and Hermione saw her moment to step in. She placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder and gently brought him behind her.
Sirius was breathing harder looking around the room then at her. He pointed his wand and hissed, “Who are you?”
“It’s alright, nobody is going to hurt you. I give you my word that you are not in danger.” She spoke slowly, hoping her voice sounded as soothing to him.
“So you say,” he replied. “Woke up and these four ambushed me.” He tipped his head towards the unmentionables.
“Well there’s a reason for that, but now that we’re here there will be no more ambushing. We aren’t enemies, My name is Hermione Weasley and this is Harry Potter, he’s your Godson.” She watched as Sirius threw another look at Harry but no recognition showed. “Do you know who you are?”
“Sure I know who I am,” he said looking outraged. “I’m…” He stopped short and Hermione watched various expressions ghost over his face. “I’m Sirius!” He gave her a triumphant grin.
“He doesn’t remember anything,” she muttered to Harry. Then to Sirius, “How about you come with us and we’ll find you some food?”
“Food?” Sirius looked from Hermione to Harry and nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good. I can’t remember the last time I ate.”