Fic: False Impressions (Part I)
Title: False Impressions-Part I
Rating: All Ages (though, later parts will likley be rated Mature)
Category: Romance
Pairing: Sirius/Hermione
Word Count: 3012
Summary: Miss Hermione Granger enters London society, armed with her wits. When she begins to notice the attentions of Mr. Sirius Black, she knows better than to trust the notorious rake. Some men should not be trusted. (Completely AU; Regency Era.)
Notes: I have absolutely no idea what possessed me to write this fic.
If there is a fact that any well-bred woman is deeply familiar with, it is that appearances matter. To a young miss recently released into society, this fact was especially important. Every society had its rules, and decorum demanded that one-at the very least-give the appearance that these rules were strictly adhered to. However, a fact that any well-read young lady would also be aware of, was that appearances could quite often deceive. After all, if a young man appeared too good to be true, then he most likely was not half as worthy as his charms might initially claim him to be.
Hermione Granger was an exceptionally well-read young woman. Whether or not she was also a well-bred one, was a matter often debated amongst her guardians. Hermione had often dismissed her Uncle Diggory's concerns as well-meaning, but hopelessly old-fashioned. However, he could be mulishly stubborn at times. And Hermione was finding that one of these bouts of stubbornness was remarkably ill-timed, as it currently threatened to destroy her plans of a winter in town.
"Really, Hermione, I don't know if it's wise to let you loose upon London," her Uncle had argued as he paced across the sitting room. The entire family waited for this latest domestic issue to be resolved. Hermione and her cousin Cedric sat together on a sofa while her Aunt sat by the window seemingly engrossed in her needlepoint. "You could very well run wild with one of your schemes. For all I know, you might accost the Minister of Magic himself with talk about house-elf rights or co-educational classes at Hogwarts."
Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly at her uncle's aggrieved tone. To be perfectly honest, if she were to ever have the opportunity to speak with the Minister of Magic, she knew she might very well do exactly what her uncle suggested. However, there was no reason for him to be aware of that. "Oh, Uncle! As if I would ever be around the Minister of Magic!" she replied, a slight smile tempering her words. "And while I am flattered as to the amount of trouble you think I am capable of brewing, I can assure you that I'll be the perfect model of decorum."
At that assertion, her uncle stopped his pacing to give her a dry look, and Hermione couldn't help but blush a little. "And it's not as though I'd be alone to 'run wild,' as you say. I'll be with Cedric the entire time, you know."
"Cedric!" her uncle laughed. "You know very well that you've got your cousin wrapped around your little finger. He'll not be able to control you. You'll most probably be traipsing about London with those rascals, Potter and Weasley, with Cedric none the wiser. "
At that, Cedric himself gave an affronted shout. "Now, father, there's no reason to be insulting," he interjected, a wry smile on his handsome face.
"You know it's true, Cedric," his father replied. "Ever since she was in short skirts you've helped her in all her wild schemes. You've done her no favors, you know. She's too independent by half. Not exactly a quality a man looks for in a bride."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Cedric replied, smiling at his younger cousin as he theatrically stroked his chin. "She's not too bad to look at. I suppose some wizard will eventually take her off your hands."
Hermione gave a dramatic sigh and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Truly, she loved her cousin Cedric with all her heart, but he did love to tease her at the most inappropriate times. "Uncle, you know that's not true. Cedric would never let me do anything that you would disapprove of. And Mrs. Figg will be there, as well. Surely, you can't find fault with Mrs. Figg's judgment."
Hermione smiled as her uncle's face clearly revealed a softening towards her position. Hermione knew that he wasn't as opposed to her joining her cousin in town as he professed. Moreover, Hermione knew that the high regard he held for Mrs. Figg's judgment would work in her favor. The elderly squib had been nanny to both Cedric and Hermione as well as a trusted member of the Diggorys' staff. Indeed, even after both Cedric and Hermione had left for their education at Hogwarts, Mrs. Figg had stayed on with the family.
"Oh, Mr. Diggory, do let her go," Mrs. Diggory's musical voice broke into the discussion for the first time. "She's finished with school, and all her friends will be there. She'll drive you and me both mad if we keep her here alone with us all winter. And if it weren't for these anti-enclosure meetings of yours, we all would have gone to enjoy the season in London together. It would be a shame to deprive the children just because we can't leave. And this way, Hermione can act as hostess for Cedric. With Mrs. Figg to guide her, it will give her some good practice in running a household before she marries."
Hermione held her breath in anticipation. She had hoped her aunt would be on her side, as her uncle could never seem to refuse his wife anything. Finally, and to Hermione's great relief, her uncle gave her the news she wanted to hear. "I suppose it would be a good experience for you," he finally responded, causing Hermione to bounce up from her seat and envelop her uncle in an exuberant embrace.
'Finally!' she thought to herself. She may have left school months ago, but she felt that with this trip, her new life as a grown witch was really ready to begin.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione practically bounced in her seat as she peered out the window of the carriage.
"Careful, cousin, " Cedric cautioned with a smile from his seat across from her. "Act too excited at the thought of being in London and everyone will know you for the country lass that you are."
Hermione wrinkled her nose at him before stealing a quick glance at Mrs. Figg to confirm that the woman was, indeed, still asleep. "Don't be silly, Cedric," she whispered.
"I can assure you that I am never silly," he replied in his best, most pompous Percy Weasley impression that never failed to make Hermione snort in laughter. "Yes, not a country lass at all," Cedric chortled at her decidedly unsophisticated response.
Hermione gave him a mock-glare, to which he responded with a face of wide-eyed innocence. Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. While she would never fully accept the fact that her own parents were taken from her at such a young age, she would always be grateful that she grew up in her Uncle Diggory's house. To have been born a muggle-born witch was in many ways isolating, so having been raised with her older cousin had given her a companion to play with as a child, to share her secrets with as a growing girl, and to come to for advice throughout the years.
For while they were different in temperament and in many of their tastes, it was obvious to everyone that they truly adored one another. Hermione knew that she could not love him more had be been her true brother, and that he felt the same of her. After all, as her Uncle had often observed, Cedric spoiled her and protected her the way older brothers were legendary for.
"I'll have you know," Hermione responded, still in a whisper, "that I'm not so excited simply to be in London. I've been here often enough for that novelty to have worn off."
That much was true. Hermione had regularly attended to her Aunt during the winter holidays from school in town. Moreover, she had lived with her own parents in London until their accidental deaths when she was twelve years old.
"But…" she continued, an impish quirk gracing her lips, "I must admit that I am rather eager to be here without my Aunt and Uncle's presence. I feel rather grown-up."
"Do not get too used to that feeling," a tired voice broke in as a slightly groggy Mrs. Figg roused herself from her nap.
Cedric laughed out loud to see the alarmed expression on Hermione's face, and only laughed the harder when she kicked at his booted shin with her foot.
"Now, there's no cause for that," Mrs. Figg admonished, giving a pointed glance towards Hermione's feet. "And let's not forget that you are an unmarried young woman. You've been able to get away with a good deal of questionable behavior with Misters Potter and Weasley because you were still in school. But you've been in long skirts and worn your hair up for over two years now. You'll be out this winter, and you need to remember that."
Mrs. Figg spoke her words firmly, but not harshly, and so Hermione could not resent her advice. It was strange to think that when she was a little girl, that she could not wait to be out-in order to expand her society and experience new things, if not to catch a husband as her former class mates were all too focused on. But now that it was actually upon her, she could see how much she had taken the relative freedom of her childhood for granted.
"Don't look so gloomy," Cedric interjected, a kind smile softening his words. "At least Aunt Tonks is overseeing your season."
At that, Hermione did have to nod in agreement. Andromeda Tonks was a cousin to her Aunt Diggory-Lucretia Malfoy before she married Cedric's father, to the sneers of many of her grand Malfoy relations who thought of Amos Diggory as beneath them, even if he was from a Pureblooded family line. "Aunt" Tonks, of course, had experienced much the same treatment when she had married a muggle-born, Theodore Tonks. It had been rumored, in fact, that before her death, the old dowager, Mrs. Walburga Black, had even burned Andromeda's name out of their prized family tree. According to the stories that Cedric and Hermione had managed to ferret out, their Aunt Tonks had claimed that such notions of blood purity were outdated nonsense, that Theodore Tonks was the best man she knew, and that she had never looked back on her decision.
To be sure, some levels of Wizarding society would always be closed to Andromeda after her marriage, just as they would be to her daughter Nymphadora and to Hermione herself. But if that meant that she would never be in the company of those of Mrs. Black's ilk, Hermione considered it a blessing in disguise.
And of course, many of those who had ridiculed Andromeda's choices had soon eaten their words, as-true to her belief in him-Theodore Tonks soon became one of the wealthiest wizards in all of Britain. He used his muggle-born status to his benefit, setting up a extensive trading business with the Americas and even western Africa.
So, Hermione had to admit, if anyone were to be in charge of presenting her to society, she was glad it was to be her Aunt Tonks. As exceedingly wealthy as she was, she remained as good-natured as ever, with a discerning eye and a quick wit. And, of course, she had always had a bit of a soft spot for Hermione, outwardly encouraging her in her studies and even not-so-secretly delighting in her many "scrapes with Potter and Weasley," as her Uncle would have put them.
You're right, of course," Hermione nodded. "Both of you," she added, looking at both Cedric and Mrs. Figg. "I might think that many of the rules that bind women are ridiculous in a modern world, but I did make a promise to my uncle, and I intend to keep it. As best I can."
Mrs. Figg didn't appear to be completely mollified by Hermione's assertion, but did not have time to press the point, for at that moment Cedric had let out a "We're here!" and jumped out of the carriage even before the door had been opened for him, and then expertly assisting the two women himself.
Standing before the modest but pretty town home of the Diggorys, a wide smile spread across Hermione's face. It was true, she had promised her uncle that she would be on her best behavior. But as she let the sounds of city life fill her ears, she reminded herself that good behavior did not have to preclude her from enjoying London to the fullest.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sirius Black leaned back in his chair, enjoying his strongly brewed coffee in his newly constructed sun room. He closed his eyes in contentment as he felt the sun's rays stream in through the glass. It had been frightfully expensive to build, but he felt it was worth every galleon to take advantage of what meager sunshine could find it's way to 12 Grimmauld Place.
At first, when his mother, Walburga Black, had died a decade earlier, Sirius had been loathe to take over the ancestral home, for it had been too filled with dark magic for his tastes. But he had to think of his godson, for young Harry was growing into a rambunctious little boy, and Sirius could see that the small row house he had lived in since James and Lily Potter's deaths was soon going to be outgrown.
So, he had taken over the residence of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and slowly but surely began to transform it into a welcoming, if still regal, home. The sun room was the final touch, and a slightly malicious grin spread across his full-lipped mouth as he thought about how much his mother would have detested it, with its painted furniture and the elaborate birdcage filled with cheerful parakeets.
Of course, he would have to enjoy the room while he could, for soon it would be much too cold for him to lounge about it in it, heating charms or not. Before he could muse on the horrors of London weather, he was interrupted by his companion standing up from his own seat. Sirius opened his eyes to quickly study the young man before asking, "And where are you off to today?"
Harry Potter, his godson and ward, sighed dramatically. "Don't you ever listen to me?" he asked with an expression that was too wounded to be sincere. "I've told you numerous times that Hermione has come to town. She arrived with her cousin, Cedric Diggory, the day before last. I'm meeting her and then we're going to spend the afternoon at Diagon Alley."
"Ah, that's right, Miss Hermione Granger," Sirius replied, taking another sip of his coffee. "You've certainly mentioned her enough times over the years. She's here with young Diggory, you say?" Sirius drained the last of the hot liquid from his cup and stood up as well. "I think that it may be past time for me to finally meet this young witch that you're constantly talking about."
"Godfather," Harry warned, an alarmed expression growing on his face. "I've told you that it's not like that between us."
Sirius laughed. "I know, I know. Hermione Granger is like a sister to you. I've heard you say it enough times over the years; especially when I would receive letters from Professor McGonagall detailing the latest scrapes the three of you would land yourselves in. I just want to meet this young woman, is all."
At Harry's pointed glance, Sirius laughed. "I'll be on my best behavior," he promised, though he couldn't help but grin at Harry's doubtful expression.
As they readied themselves and began their walk to the Diggory's home, Sirius acknowledged that Harry was right to be skeptical. Even considering all his godson's protests to the contrary, Sirius couldn't help but suspect that there was more than simple friendship between Harry and Miss Granger.
He also couldn't help but be suspicious of this young witch, spending so much time with Harry and Ronald Weasley. Sirius himself had flouted enough of society's rules to know what was considered appropriate behavior in a young woman of quality. And, after all the correspondence he had received over the years Harry had been at Hogwarts, Sirius knew enough to expect Hermione Granger to be an altogether too loose a young woman. He knew that she was orphaned, much like Harry, and he suspected that she had used this personal connection to gain a closeness with him. He knew nothing of her parents, but Harry's personal inheritance was well-known in the wizarding world, and no doubt Miss Granger had decided opinions on how best to spend the wealth that Harry would soon come into.
Sirius inwardly sighed. If Harry felt about this young woman as he suspected… Well, Sirius would save finishing that thought for afterwards.
No doubt, those who knew of Sirius Black by reputation alone, would have been surprised as to his concern. After all, he was known in magical circles (and even a few muggle ones) as an unrepentant rake and more than a bit of a libertine.
However, this was about Harry. And when it came to the welfare of his godson who had been in his charge since his own parents had dies seventeen years earlier, Sirius sang quite a different tune. Harry was most definitely not a rake nor a libertine. While neither awkward nor aloof, Harry was not one to easily form close attachments. And from what Sirius himself had observed, he was not altogether comfortable in the presence of young ladies. Not that Harry was easily duped; Sirius had also seen that Harry gave his trust grudgingly. But that didn't mean he was immune to the manipulations of an intelligent young woman.
And so, it was with a bit of surprise that-after having spent the better part of the early afternoon demonizing the young woman in question in his mind-that when he finally met Hermione Granger, she was nothing like he had expected.
TBC?
AN: So… I'd really like a bit of feedback on this. I've read a few Regency AUs over the years, and I thought it might be fun to do one with Hermione and Sirius. So… does anyone think that this has promise and would like me to continue?
Also, I've "borrowed" Lucretia Diggory (the name and her relationship to the Black/Malfoys) from the wonderful Cedric/Hermione fics written by minisinoo.
Rating: All Ages (though, later parts will likley be rated Mature)
Category: Romance
Pairing: Sirius/Hermione
Word Count: 3012
Summary: Miss Hermione Granger enters London society, armed with her wits. When she begins to notice the attentions of Mr. Sirius Black, she knows better than to trust the notorious rake. Some men should not be trusted. (Completely AU; Regency Era.)
Notes: I have absolutely no idea what possessed me to write this fic.
If there is a fact that any well-bred woman is deeply familiar with, it is that appearances matter. To a young miss recently released into society, this fact was especially important. Every society had its rules, and decorum demanded that one-at the very least-give the appearance that these rules were strictly adhered to. However, a fact that any well-read young lady would also be aware of, was that appearances could quite often deceive. After all, if a young man appeared too good to be true, then he most likely was not half as worthy as his charms might initially claim him to be.
Hermione Granger was an exceptionally well-read young woman. Whether or not she was also a well-bred one, was a matter often debated amongst her guardians. Hermione had often dismissed her Uncle Diggory's concerns as well-meaning, but hopelessly old-fashioned. However, he could be mulishly stubborn at times. And Hermione was finding that one of these bouts of stubbornness was remarkably ill-timed, as it currently threatened to destroy her plans of a winter in town.
"Really, Hermione, I don't know if it's wise to let you loose upon London," her Uncle had argued as he paced across the sitting room. The entire family waited for this latest domestic issue to be resolved. Hermione and her cousin Cedric sat together on a sofa while her Aunt sat by the window seemingly engrossed in her needlepoint. "You could very well run wild with one of your schemes. For all I know, you might accost the Minister of Magic himself with talk about house-elf rights or co-educational classes at Hogwarts."
Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly at her uncle's aggrieved tone. To be perfectly honest, if she were to ever have the opportunity to speak with the Minister of Magic, she knew she might very well do exactly what her uncle suggested. However, there was no reason for him to be aware of that. "Oh, Uncle! As if I would ever be around the Minister of Magic!" she replied, a slight smile tempering her words. "And while I am flattered as to the amount of trouble you think I am capable of brewing, I can assure you that I'll be the perfect model of decorum."
At that assertion, her uncle stopped his pacing to give her a dry look, and Hermione couldn't help but blush a little. "And it's not as though I'd be alone to 'run wild,' as you say. I'll be with Cedric the entire time, you know."
"Cedric!" her uncle laughed. "You know very well that you've got your cousin wrapped around your little finger. He'll not be able to control you. You'll most probably be traipsing about London with those rascals, Potter and Weasley, with Cedric none the wiser. "
At that, Cedric himself gave an affronted shout. "Now, father, there's no reason to be insulting," he interjected, a wry smile on his handsome face.
"You know it's true, Cedric," his father replied. "Ever since she was in short skirts you've helped her in all her wild schemes. You've done her no favors, you know. She's too independent by half. Not exactly a quality a man looks for in a bride."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Cedric replied, smiling at his younger cousin as he theatrically stroked his chin. "She's not too bad to look at. I suppose some wizard will eventually take her off your hands."
Hermione gave a dramatic sigh and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Truly, she loved her cousin Cedric with all her heart, but he did love to tease her at the most inappropriate times. "Uncle, you know that's not true. Cedric would never let me do anything that you would disapprove of. And Mrs. Figg will be there, as well. Surely, you can't find fault with Mrs. Figg's judgment."
Hermione smiled as her uncle's face clearly revealed a softening towards her position. Hermione knew that he wasn't as opposed to her joining her cousin in town as he professed. Moreover, Hermione knew that the high regard he held for Mrs. Figg's judgment would work in her favor. The elderly squib had been nanny to both Cedric and Hermione as well as a trusted member of the Diggorys' staff. Indeed, even after both Cedric and Hermione had left for their education at Hogwarts, Mrs. Figg had stayed on with the family.
"Oh, Mr. Diggory, do let her go," Mrs. Diggory's musical voice broke into the discussion for the first time. "She's finished with school, and all her friends will be there. She'll drive you and me both mad if we keep her here alone with us all winter. And if it weren't for these anti-enclosure meetings of yours, we all would have gone to enjoy the season in London together. It would be a shame to deprive the children just because we can't leave. And this way, Hermione can act as hostess for Cedric. With Mrs. Figg to guide her, it will give her some good practice in running a household before she marries."
Hermione held her breath in anticipation. She had hoped her aunt would be on her side, as her uncle could never seem to refuse his wife anything. Finally, and to Hermione's great relief, her uncle gave her the news she wanted to hear. "I suppose it would be a good experience for you," he finally responded, causing Hermione to bounce up from her seat and envelop her uncle in an exuberant embrace.
'Finally!' she thought to herself. She may have left school months ago, but she felt that with this trip, her new life as a grown witch was really ready to begin.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione practically bounced in her seat as she peered out the window of the carriage.
"Careful, cousin, " Cedric cautioned with a smile from his seat across from her. "Act too excited at the thought of being in London and everyone will know you for the country lass that you are."
Hermione wrinkled her nose at him before stealing a quick glance at Mrs. Figg to confirm that the woman was, indeed, still asleep. "Don't be silly, Cedric," she whispered.
"I can assure you that I am never silly," he replied in his best, most pompous Percy Weasley impression that never failed to make Hermione snort in laughter. "Yes, not a country lass at all," Cedric chortled at her decidedly unsophisticated response.
Hermione gave him a mock-glare, to which he responded with a face of wide-eyed innocence. Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. While she would never fully accept the fact that her own parents were taken from her at such a young age, she would always be grateful that she grew up in her Uncle Diggory's house. To have been born a muggle-born witch was in many ways isolating, so having been raised with her older cousin had given her a companion to play with as a child, to share her secrets with as a growing girl, and to come to for advice throughout the years.
For while they were different in temperament and in many of their tastes, it was obvious to everyone that they truly adored one another. Hermione knew that she could not love him more had be been her true brother, and that he felt the same of her. After all, as her Uncle had often observed, Cedric spoiled her and protected her the way older brothers were legendary for.
"I'll have you know," Hermione responded, still in a whisper, "that I'm not so excited simply to be in London. I've been here often enough for that novelty to have worn off."
That much was true. Hermione had regularly attended to her Aunt during the winter holidays from school in town. Moreover, she had lived with her own parents in London until their accidental deaths when she was twelve years old.
"But…" she continued, an impish quirk gracing her lips, "I must admit that I am rather eager to be here without my Aunt and Uncle's presence. I feel rather grown-up."
"Do not get too used to that feeling," a tired voice broke in as a slightly groggy Mrs. Figg roused herself from her nap.
Cedric laughed out loud to see the alarmed expression on Hermione's face, and only laughed the harder when she kicked at his booted shin with her foot.
"Now, there's no cause for that," Mrs. Figg admonished, giving a pointed glance towards Hermione's feet. "And let's not forget that you are an unmarried young woman. You've been able to get away with a good deal of questionable behavior with Misters Potter and Weasley because you were still in school. But you've been in long skirts and worn your hair up for over two years now. You'll be out this winter, and you need to remember that."
Mrs. Figg spoke her words firmly, but not harshly, and so Hermione could not resent her advice. It was strange to think that when she was a little girl, that she could not wait to be out-in order to expand her society and experience new things, if not to catch a husband as her former class mates were all too focused on. But now that it was actually upon her, she could see how much she had taken the relative freedom of her childhood for granted.
"Don't look so gloomy," Cedric interjected, a kind smile softening his words. "At least Aunt Tonks is overseeing your season."
At that, Hermione did have to nod in agreement. Andromeda Tonks was a cousin to her Aunt Diggory-Lucretia Malfoy before she married Cedric's father, to the sneers of many of her grand Malfoy relations who thought of Amos Diggory as beneath them, even if he was from a Pureblooded family line. "Aunt" Tonks, of course, had experienced much the same treatment when she had married a muggle-born, Theodore Tonks. It had been rumored, in fact, that before her death, the old dowager, Mrs. Walburga Black, had even burned Andromeda's name out of their prized family tree. According to the stories that Cedric and Hermione had managed to ferret out, their Aunt Tonks had claimed that such notions of blood purity were outdated nonsense, that Theodore Tonks was the best man she knew, and that she had never looked back on her decision.
To be sure, some levels of Wizarding society would always be closed to Andromeda after her marriage, just as they would be to her daughter Nymphadora and to Hermione herself. But if that meant that she would never be in the company of those of Mrs. Black's ilk, Hermione considered it a blessing in disguise.
And of course, many of those who had ridiculed Andromeda's choices had soon eaten their words, as-true to her belief in him-Theodore Tonks soon became one of the wealthiest wizards in all of Britain. He used his muggle-born status to his benefit, setting up a extensive trading business with the Americas and even western Africa.
So, Hermione had to admit, if anyone were to be in charge of presenting her to society, she was glad it was to be her Aunt Tonks. As exceedingly wealthy as she was, she remained as good-natured as ever, with a discerning eye and a quick wit. And, of course, she had always had a bit of a soft spot for Hermione, outwardly encouraging her in her studies and even not-so-secretly delighting in her many "scrapes with Potter and Weasley," as her Uncle would have put them.
You're right, of course," Hermione nodded. "Both of you," she added, looking at both Cedric and Mrs. Figg. "I might think that many of the rules that bind women are ridiculous in a modern world, but I did make a promise to my uncle, and I intend to keep it. As best I can."
Mrs. Figg didn't appear to be completely mollified by Hermione's assertion, but did not have time to press the point, for at that moment Cedric had let out a "We're here!" and jumped out of the carriage even before the door had been opened for him, and then expertly assisting the two women himself.
Standing before the modest but pretty town home of the Diggorys, a wide smile spread across Hermione's face. It was true, she had promised her uncle that she would be on her best behavior. But as she let the sounds of city life fill her ears, she reminded herself that good behavior did not have to preclude her from enjoying London to the fullest.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sirius Black leaned back in his chair, enjoying his strongly brewed coffee in his newly constructed sun room. He closed his eyes in contentment as he felt the sun's rays stream in through the glass. It had been frightfully expensive to build, but he felt it was worth every galleon to take advantage of what meager sunshine could find it's way to 12 Grimmauld Place.
At first, when his mother, Walburga Black, had died a decade earlier, Sirius had been loathe to take over the ancestral home, for it had been too filled with dark magic for his tastes. But he had to think of his godson, for young Harry was growing into a rambunctious little boy, and Sirius could see that the small row house he had lived in since James and Lily Potter's deaths was soon going to be outgrown.
So, he had taken over the residence of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and slowly but surely began to transform it into a welcoming, if still regal, home. The sun room was the final touch, and a slightly malicious grin spread across his full-lipped mouth as he thought about how much his mother would have detested it, with its painted furniture and the elaborate birdcage filled with cheerful parakeets.
Of course, he would have to enjoy the room while he could, for soon it would be much too cold for him to lounge about it in it, heating charms or not. Before he could muse on the horrors of London weather, he was interrupted by his companion standing up from his own seat. Sirius opened his eyes to quickly study the young man before asking, "And where are you off to today?"
Harry Potter, his godson and ward, sighed dramatically. "Don't you ever listen to me?" he asked with an expression that was too wounded to be sincere. "I've told you numerous times that Hermione has come to town. She arrived with her cousin, Cedric Diggory, the day before last. I'm meeting her and then we're going to spend the afternoon at Diagon Alley."
"Ah, that's right, Miss Hermione Granger," Sirius replied, taking another sip of his coffee. "You've certainly mentioned her enough times over the years. She's here with young Diggory, you say?" Sirius drained the last of the hot liquid from his cup and stood up as well. "I think that it may be past time for me to finally meet this young witch that you're constantly talking about."
"Godfather," Harry warned, an alarmed expression growing on his face. "I've told you that it's not like that between us."
Sirius laughed. "I know, I know. Hermione Granger is like a sister to you. I've heard you say it enough times over the years; especially when I would receive letters from Professor McGonagall detailing the latest scrapes the three of you would land yourselves in. I just want to meet this young woman, is all."
At Harry's pointed glance, Sirius laughed. "I'll be on my best behavior," he promised, though he couldn't help but grin at Harry's doubtful expression.
As they readied themselves and began their walk to the Diggory's home, Sirius acknowledged that Harry was right to be skeptical. Even considering all his godson's protests to the contrary, Sirius couldn't help but suspect that there was more than simple friendship between Harry and Miss Granger.
He also couldn't help but be suspicious of this young witch, spending so much time with Harry and Ronald Weasley. Sirius himself had flouted enough of society's rules to know what was considered appropriate behavior in a young woman of quality. And, after all the correspondence he had received over the years Harry had been at Hogwarts, Sirius knew enough to expect Hermione Granger to be an altogether too loose a young woman. He knew that she was orphaned, much like Harry, and he suspected that she had used this personal connection to gain a closeness with him. He knew nothing of her parents, but Harry's personal inheritance was well-known in the wizarding world, and no doubt Miss Granger had decided opinions on how best to spend the wealth that Harry would soon come into.
Sirius inwardly sighed. If Harry felt about this young woman as he suspected… Well, Sirius would save finishing that thought for afterwards.
No doubt, those who knew of Sirius Black by reputation alone, would have been surprised as to his concern. After all, he was known in magical circles (and even a few muggle ones) as an unrepentant rake and more than a bit of a libertine.
However, this was about Harry. And when it came to the welfare of his godson who had been in his charge since his own parents had dies seventeen years earlier, Sirius sang quite a different tune. Harry was most definitely not a rake nor a libertine. While neither awkward nor aloof, Harry was not one to easily form close attachments. And from what Sirius himself had observed, he was not altogether comfortable in the presence of young ladies. Not that Harry was easily duped; Sirius had also seen that Harry gave his trust grudgingly. But that didn't mean he was immune to the manipulations of an intelligent young woman.
And so, it was with a bit of surprise that-after having spent the better part of the early afternoon demonizing the young woman in question in his mind-that when he finally met Hermione Granger, she was nothing like he had expected.
TBC?
AN: So… I'd really like a bit of feedback on this. I've read a few Regency AUs over the years, and I thought it might be fun to do one with Hermione and Sirius. So… does anyone think that this has promise and would like me to continue?
Also, I've "borrowed" Lucretia Diggory (the name and her relationship to the Black/Malfoys) from the wonderful Cedric/Hermione fics written by minisinoo.