Belong to Nowhere
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
AN: First of all I would like to thank the kind words you said in your reviews. It means a lot. :)
I know that some of you may be wondering about 'Artificial Fertilization'. Of course, in the future, Hermione will think about it, but right now she just 'can' think that she is incomplete.
And - like always- a huge thank you to Acoustics1220 for the beta.
Chapter 22: Love bond and conversations
Sirius Black had had a pleasant night. Maybe too pleasant. Actually, He didn't even have any dreams, the potion he took had taken care of that, but this didn't allow him to not wake up feeling pleased, with an accompanying goofy smile playing on his lips.
He just knew what had happened.
Sirius opened his eyes, after closing them for a minute, wondering if he should open the door in front of him; having already knocked twice, to no avail.
Sighing, he opened the door carefully, preparing to shut it quickly if the need arose.
But the sight in front of him wasn't shocking or indecent. The scene in front of him made his Marauder heart smile.
Life had never given Sirius a chance to have children, a family. When James got married he truly thought that it was too early - he was too young, he would have plenty of time to find his ideal witch and clean Black's name with new blood...
But he didn't get that chance.
Simply put, life just got in the way.
However, Sirius wasn't the kind of person to mope over his misfortunes and the cruelties in his life. No, he just went on living- or re-living- his life.
And Hermione would be that child- the daughter he never had.
Of course he loved Harry deeply, but he would never consider himself Harry's father- he could never replace James...
The old Marauder took a deep breath, gazing at the young couple lying in the bed; the thin sheet covering Harry and Hermione's naked bodies, she on her stomach, her hair all over the pillow, his arms holding her protectively.
Smiling slightly, Sirius closed the door.
****
Remus Lupin was eating his breakfast when Sirius entered the kitchen, a glint in his eyes.
"Is everything alright, Pad?" Remus asked concerned.
"Yeah, yeah," the Animagus responded absently. "Um, Remus, pass the butter, will ya?"
However, Remus Lupin knew Sirius Black too well to let it go; he was about to make a comment when Tonks entered the kitchen, looking a little apprehensive.
"Have you seen Hermione?" she asked. "I went to her room, and it was empty!"
"Oh, that's because she's in Harry's room," Sirius said vaguely, between bits. "Hum, Remus, this toast is really something, you should try it."
Tonks gasped; Remus choked on his coffee. "What?!" the two exclaimed. "What did you just say?"
"I said that Hermione is sleeping with Harry in his room," Sirius repeated, and took another bite. "This toast is really good!"
Angrily, Remus plucked the toast from Sirius' hand and threw it across the kitchen.
"Hey!" Sirius cried indignantly. "What did you do that for?"
Ignoring Sirius' cry, Remus asked, "What did you mean by 'sleeping with Harry'? You mean that they talked until late last night and fell asleep, right?"
"Only if being naked is involved," Sirius muttered, his words laced with bitterness.
"For Merlin's sake, Sirius!" Remus cried, impatiently. "You're talking like there's a new flavor in Bertie Bott's Every Flavors Beans!"
Sirius sighed heavily. "What do you want me to say, Remus? Harry and Hermione had sex last night? Yeah, they did. My godson and the girl I consider like my own daughter shagged, made love, had sex! Just pick a word!"
Tonks plopped down into a chair beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Sirius? And what of your bond with Hermione?"
Sirius looked at his cousin, and then closed his eyes briefly, opening them a second later. "Do you want to know if I felt something? Yes...and no," he said. "I took a Sleeping Draught last night, but I could feel something in my chest; I really don't know how to explain." He sighed. "I felt warmth, pleasure, love."
Remus observed his friend carefully; he knew Sirius too well, he knew something was amiss, something big.
"It's time for a love bond to be fulfilled."
Oh.
"They bonded, didn't they?" he finally asked.
The corner of Sirius' mouth lifted in a slight smile; he nodded. "Yeah."
Tonks watched the exchange between her cousin and boyfriend with interest, feeling confused; she even heard Remus' reply. "But then-"
But then, she realized she had enough. "Can you please tell me what the bloody hell is going on?"
Remus and Sirius exchanged a knowing look. It was Remus who spoke. "They bonded, love," he said, gazing meaningfully at her. "They are soul mates, and they just bonded last night."
Tonks brought a hand to her mouth, in shock- not in horror, just shock.
"Oh, my!" she gasped, her eyes beginning to tear.
Unconsciously, the young Auror smiled.
Nymphadora Tonks was much more observant and intelligent than most gave her credit for. Of course no one thought her stupid, she was an Auror after all, but her clumsiness fooled some.
She always had known that Hermione and Harry's relationship/friendship was special, different. She always had known that there was much more to read between the lines: the touches, words, the looks and silent conversations exchanged.
When Harry had started to date Ginny Weasley, she thought it was strange-almost unbelievable; it wouldn't last long; and it didn't.
Nymphadora Tonks knew that Ginny Weasley wouldn't stand a chance against Hermione Granger, even if either Harry or Hermione hadn't realized it at the time.
But then, Hermione showed up at the Ministry with that book- and the ritual.
And Tonks just knew it would only work if they were soul mates; she had even asked Flitwick about it.
And he had confirmed.
She sighed. They had bonded, and she wondered if they knew what that meant, or even if they knew what had occurred.
She wondered if they knew about the consequences.
"And what are you going to do, dear cousin?" she asked.
"Well, I don't think they would appreciate a threesome, Dora." Tonks and Remus glared at him. Sirius held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Bad joke. I'll talk to them, but as a godfather, a parent," he whispered the last word, "I don't believe they know what they did, the significance of their actions, and I really don't want to scare them to death. I think I should talk with Filius first.
"Yeah, you're right." Remus chuckled. "I can't wait to see you giving them the talk. Lily must be rolling in her grave."
"Oh? Do you think it's funny, Mr. Lupin?" Sirius retorted. "You don't know the best part. Something I think they didn't, er, notice..."
"What?"
"The bird was there in the room," Sirius replied, looking meaningfully at Remus and Tonks, "the whole time."
"Oh, my! Naughty bird!" Tonks exclaimed, and they all laughed.
***
Harry's bedroom
Harry leaned towards Hermione, who was lying against his chest, and whispered into her hair, "He's already gone, love." He kissed her head, his lips being caressed by soft, curly locks. "You can lift your head now."
Hermione shook her head stubbornly. "I'm never leaving this room."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle. "Sweet, As much as I would love to stay here with you, we can't."
Hermione lifted her head, and gazed into his eyes. "But how can I face Sirius now? And he probably already told Remus..." She looked down. "They must think I'm some kind of loose woman-" she sobbed, "- a t-tart!"
Harry put his hands on her shoulders, and looked at her seriously. "If someone, anyone, says anything about you they'll find out why Voldemort fears me." His green eyes were penetrating and he held her gaze, utter conviction in his expression.
"You-" he said, placing soft kisses on her bare shoulders, his hands slid down to her waist, "-are-" A kiss on her neck. "-amazing." He tugged on her earlobe gently with his teeth, making her giggle. "Never forget that." He finally kissed her fully on the lips, his hands traveling up and down her back; a delicious shiver running up her spine as she ran her fingers though his unruly hair.
.
"Oh, Harry..." she moaned against his lips, and he pulled her even closer to him, secretly wishing to never let go.
"I love you so much," he said as they finally broke the kiss, in need of air. "So much..." he repeated. "You know that, right?"
Unable to speak, Hermione only nodded.
"Hermione," he whispered her name as if it were the most beautiful thing in the world, "no matter how many times I say how much I love you; it'll never be enough." He smiled. "And, maybe, maybe we should keep this between us for a little while - just until I defeat Voldemort- and- er- I understand if- you know- you don't want-"
"Harry, love." She tenderly cupped his cheek, his skin feeling strangely warm under her fingers. "You're babbling."
Blushing to his roots, Harry finally blurted out, "Do you want to be my g-girlfriend?"
"What?" Hermione asked, not quite believing what she was hearing. Of course she wanted to be his girlfriend except - she couldn't. He already had a girlfriend.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" he repeated, conviction and strength in his voice as he smiled broadly.
And whatever expression he thought he might receive from Hermione, none was the one she actually gave him.
An expression of incredulousness...
An incredulous and angry expression marring her features.
"H-Hermione?" he whispered; the smile on his face faltering.
Without saying a word, Hermione stood up from the bed and began to dress. Oh no, he wouldn't fool her like that...
"Hermione?" he asked, shocked by her behavior. "What's the matter?"
"Tell me, Harry," she finally spoke, facing him, her voice bitter. "And how will our relationship be Harry?" She paused, "Perhaps you want something a little low profile, I guess? Just between us?"
"Y-Yes," he answered, completely oblivious to why Hermione was acting so strangely. "Yes, it would be better if no one knows about us and-" slap! Hermione slapped him.
"You bastard!" she cried, as the tears began to fall.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed in shock. "What the hell?"
"I-I thought t-that y-you at least would be honest-"
"Hermione-"
"Do you want to be with the two of us, Harry?" she asked through her tears. "I already know, alright? When I gave myself to you- I already knew! Was this a mistake? Perhaps. But I did what my heart was telling me- even if I knew that you would never be mine-" She wiped her tears with the back of her hands. "But- but I would never expect that you would try to fool me..."
"Hermione, sweetheart, I don't understand! What are you...?" Harry's voice was voice full of concern, despair, and loss. "I-I thought- I thought that after-after last night you would like to be my girl-"
"For Merlin's sake, Harry!" she cried exasperated. "How can I be your girlfriend if you already have one?"
Harry stopped dead. "W-What?"
She let out a dry laugh. "I already know about Ginny, Harry." Her face was hard to read, "I-I always knew." She closed her eyes briefly, to open them again a moment later. "Yes, I knew I was betraying a f-friend..."
"Wait-wait- minute. What do you mean by Ginny? What about her?"
Neither of them noticed as the room temperature began to rise.
"What about her!?" Hermione asked in disbelief. "She's your girlfriend!"
"What!?"
Oh, no! Please Ginevra Weasley...please...You better have not told more lies...
"S-she..."
"She's not my girlfriend," he said firmly, not hiding his anger.
"You can't hide this anymore- I-I know the truth, Harry. You and her-" She blinked some tears away. "I-I always knew it would be this way- I-I just don't want to be fooled. I already know Ginny is the perfect girl for you - I've accepted that, but don't-"
"Ginny is a liar," Harry cut her off. "Ginny Weasley is a liar, Hermione."
"What?"
"She's not my girlfriend."
"Harry-"
"No, Hermione. She's a fucking liar!"
"Harry!"
"Hermione!" He grabbed her by her shoulders, the two of them standing in the middle of the room. "She lied to you- like she lied to me."