February 1990

The boy who lived. It was sheer impossible to find even a single blasted picture of the supposedly famous child. Hermione turned around another page of the faded newspaper from one of the many abandoned rooms of the house. Just who was Harry Potter, her father's godson?

She hadn't seen much of the man in the two weeks since his return. He spent most nights at a friend's house. Walburga despised that friend of his, which only made him that much happier when he left, bags in both hands. When Sirius learned that his godson was staying with his aunt and uncle he'd raged on for days, even giving his mother a run for her money. Kreacher was still busy removing the last charred marks from the walls around the house. The other two Blacks were displeased with Sirius' constant disappearing acts, scolding him every time he didn't manage to escape the house in time. Hermione had realised pretty quickly that Sirius Black hated the oppressive atmosphere of the house even more than she did. She couldn't blame him.

The clock on the wall behind her struck once, signalling that she'd to get ready soon. There was a reason she'd read up on the boy who lived. Today she'd actually meet him for the first time. A few nights ago, Sirius had boldly announced that he'd bring Harry here, much to the Walburga's displeasure. Arcturus had once again returned to his own home, but Hermione figured he wouldn't like that plan that much either. Judging by the screaming match that had ensued, she figured Harry Potter was a highly sensitive topic. First, there was Albus Dumbledore, her headmaster who had placed Harry with his mean relatives in the first place, something that had taken days for Sirius to come to terms with. Then there was the issue of his mother being a mudblood, as far as Hermione understood that meant, that his parents had been like hers, muggles.

Hermione sighed as she made her way downstairs where her father was waiting for her, already looking much healthier than when he first arrived. His unruly curls mirrored her own, as she came to a halt next to him. "Hermione, there you are. Ready?"

He tried. Even a blind man could tell Sirius was still uncomfortable in her presence, his eyes constantly shifting away from her face and his hands tightly crammed inside his trousers pockets. Hermione felt the familiar ache in her stomach as she nodded silently.

"Great. Would you-?" He held out his hand with a strained smile.

"Where are we meeting Harry?" She asked, trying to dispel the awkward silence that followed.

"He's waiting for us at the leaky cauldron." Her father explained before she grabbed his hands.

The world warped around her before they re-appeared in the entrance of a dimly lit pub. Abruptly letting go of her father's hand, she craned her neck in an effort to take in the entire room. Her parents would throw a fit if they knew Sirius had taken her to such a place. The heavy smell of smoke and beer assaulted her nose, "Is it really okay for you to bring me here?" She asked Sirius who grinned cheekily at the suspicious girl. Hermione was taken aback by the carefree expression on his face.

"Don't worry kid, this is a reputable establishment." He guided her through a gaggle of chattering witches before taking a sharp turn to the right towards the far corner of the pub.

It didn't take long to spot the lone boy sitting below a stained window a few tables ahead. "Harry! I hope that isn't Butterbeer in that mug of yours."

Sirius was positively beaming and suddenly Hermione felt as if she was intruding. She wasn't so sure if she wanted to meet the obvious favourite of the two of them anymore.

The black-haired boy chuckled at his godfather's comment, clearly accustomed to this foreign personality he had suddenly adopted. Sirius had smiled more in the few minutes since they had set foot into the pub than he had during the entire two weeks back at home. "Don't worry I went straight for the strong stuff." He sounded nice.

"That's what I wanted to hear!" Sirius exclaimed as he made himself comfortable next to Harry, leaving Hermione to slide down on the opposite bench.

"Harry meet my amazing daughter Hermione." Her father swung an arm around the scrawny boy's shoulder. Wasn't this supposed to go the other way around?

"Nice to meet you, Hermione, I'm Harry."

She shook his hand, "I gathered," sounding more condescending than she intended to.

"Er, yeah, sorry. Seems like I'm more nervous than I thought." Harry rubbed his neck, just as Sirius subtly raised his brows.

Swallowing her unwarranted animosity towards the other boy, she forced herself to smile. "I didn't mean to be rude. I'm really excited to meet you too."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, are you hungry?" Sirius chimed in.

Harry shook his head. "I had a sandwich before you picked me up."

So, Sirius had collected Harry first. Hermione balled her fists under the table.

"Good, good. Then are you two ready for some exploring?" Rubbing his hands Sirius hadn't even thought about asking Hermione if she wanted to grab something to eat before they left. She'd skipped breakfast to read up on Harry today.

Ignoring her grumbling stomach Hermione followed the two to the back of the pub. She was surprised by the many glares her father received on their way through the winding corridors. She thought she even heard someone curse after the man. Leaving the two to stand back a little, Sirius pulled out his wand and tapped it in a strange pattern against a brick wall, wholly unfazed by the stares.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley kids!"

Her jaw hit the floor. The wall moved away, revealing a bustling street, lined with wonky houses and the most curious store signs Hermione had ever seen. She'd heard Walburga talk about this place when they'd ordered her new wardrobe but never in her life would she have imagined it to feel so magical. Nothing about the people or stores felt familiar. Her heart surged as she truly realised for the first time, that she was part of a completely different society now.

"Wow, this is-" Harry was just as speechless as they stepped through the wall.

"Magical? I know, I know. Wait 'till you see the broom store." Sirius said, keeping the two of them close as he manoeuvred his way through the busy street.

Hermione wasn't really interested in brooms, but as long as they'd also visit other places, she was fine with looking at them. Sirius told Harry something about how his father was one of the best chasers he'd ever met, whatever that was, while Hermione continued to take in the whole scenery. A laughing family pushed past them, their two young children running towards what seemed to be a candy shop, judging by the colourful decorations.

After a few minutes, they finally arrived at the broom store and Hermione watched Harry's eyes instantly light up. Sirius smiled warmly at the boy's enthusiasm filling her own heart with longing for her own parents. They might share the same blood, but Sirius seemed like a stranger at that moment.

"Sirius Black, so they really got you out." Hermione whirled around to see who had spoken up behind them. She was met with the sight of an imposing man and if she had to guess, his son. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Vain. Was the first thing that came to her mind as she examined the two strangers.

"Malfoy, what a not so pleasant surprise. I see you still haven't found someone to take care of that ridiculous haircut." Her father mocked, making Hermione gasp at his rude comment. Harry seemed just as surprised by his behaviour.

"The ministry must truly have lost it to let a man like you walk free." Malfoy drawled before his eyes wandered over Harry and her. "I was under the assumption you only disgraced your house once before they locked you up."

Sirius bristled, "Keep away from my kids if you know what's good for you Malfoy," and pushed the two children behind him.

"Hermione Black. Arcturus told me a great deal about you." Hermione's pulse quickened at the blonde man's words. Walburga's countless lessons echoed in her mind as she dipped her head in a formal greeting.

"Don't talk to him, Hermione." Sirius hissed and her teeth clacked audibly as she closed her mouth again. Walburga would throw a fit if she heard of Hermione's rudeness towards a Malfoy. Her cheeks grew hot in embarrassment as she followed her father's order.

"No offence taken my dear girl; Draco introduce yourself." The pale boy next to the man flinched before nodding his head.

"Draco Malfoy, pleasure to meet you Mr Black, Miss Black." It didn't escape anyone's notice that he'd left out Harry.

"Same goes for you boy, stay away from them," Sirius spoke coldly.

Hermione was mortified by his rude behaviour, wishing to be anywhere but with them at this moment. Apparently, Mr Malfoy has had enough as well, "Disgraceful. Draco, come." Sneering one final time at her father Malfoy Sr turned around, his expensive coat whirling around his ankles. Draco mimicked the older Malfoy's expression before following after his father.

"Annoying git. He somehow managed to get worse after school." Sirius scowled before focussing his attention back on them. "The Malfoys are trouble, I want you to stay away from them, even in school, got it?"

Hermione didn't know what his problem was, "the Malfoys are a respectable family."

Sirius' scowled, "Did my mother tell you that? From now on, just assume the complete opposite of whatever she tells you."

Hermione gaped at the man. Did he want her to get grounded for the rest of her life?

Rolling his eyes at her shocked expression her father chuckled. "Don't worry kid, as long as I'm here she wouldn't dare to throw a fit."

Was he serious right now? Indignation burned through her whole body as she took in the man's carefree smile. He wasn't even home most nights, what did he know of Walburga's temper? Did he think she just stopped after he put that ring on his finger? Hermione felt her throat constrict. The few times he didn't manage to run from his responsibilities, he spent hissing and yelling at his mother or holed up in his room. If Hermione was completely honest, he sometimes scared her just as much as her grandmother.

She watched the man lead Harry into the store. Did the boy even know about his godfather's other side? The bitter, vindictive man who had no qualms about attacking his own mother? Judging by his uncomfortable shuffling during their conversation with the Malfoys she doubted it.

"Hermione, are you coming?" Sirius' call pulled her out of her whirling thoughts and the girl hurriedly followed after them. She was a strong girl. If Sirius didn't want to act like a father than she'd accept that. She had a great dad waiting for her back at her real home anyways.

xoxo