Tainted Blood (WATTY AWARDS 2012)

9. The Burrow

Sirius woke up the next morning, his eyes bloodshot from all the crying he had done in his sleep. He jumped slightly on seeing a young ginger haired girl cuddled into his side though he couldn’t help but give just a little smile as he realised who the young girl must be and all the memories from the night before came back and he began to cry once again, realising that he would never see his mum or dad again. He couldn’t stop the tears from falling, there was nothing he wanted more than to be with Cassi right now but he knew that he didn’t want to spoil her Christmas by telling her about the information he knew. He decided that he would tell her after they had a good time, though he didn’t really want to tell her at all. Rose slowly began to wake up and looked up at Sirius “who you?” she asked softly but before he could answer Hermione walked in and sighed with relief “There you are Rosie!” she exclaimed as she picked her up and held her close before sitting on the bed and giving Sirius a hug “Come downstairs and get some breakfast Sirius, you need to eat” she said softly as she held her hand out to the young boy.

Sirius was scared but he slipped his hand into Hermione’s and slowly walked down the stairs with her. The living room and kitchen was so busy, it made the young boy even more nervous and scared than he already was “it’s okay Sirius, why don’t you go and sit beside Harry…” Hermione said softly as she watched him walk over to the spare seat beside Harry and cuddled into him slightly, it was obvious that he was really shaken up and he didn’t like so many people around him. “How are you today Sirius?” Harry asked him softly but he just shrugged not really talking at all. Hermione sat at his other side as she wrapped her arms around Sirius and just held him close as they ate. Sirius only ate a couple of slices of toast before leaving the table and sitting on the couch, staring outside. Little Rose walked over and took his hand “Play?” she asked softly and smiled up at him. Sirius looked to Hermione who nodded so he picked the little ginger up and headed outside where he chased her around and tried to forget about the night before. After a while two dark haired boys came out and played as well.

For a while Sirius really did have some fun with the kids but when he returned into the house it all hit him again and he found himself curled up in Hermione’s arms as he cried and told her all about them. He couldn’t believe that it had only been a day since she had found them dead in his house. “Hey Sirius, its Christmas in a few days… What would you like?” Harry asked him as he came down the stairs. Sirius shrugged “I don’t know” he mumbled quietly and Harry gave him a brave smile “How about you come with me tomorrow when I go to buy Ginny her Christmas present and you can pick something for yourself?” Harry suggested and Sirius smiled slightly and gave a nod. Hermione smiled at her best friend before he went outside “James! Put the broom away and come inside to get ready for bed!” he called as he walked back in and chuckled “So much like me when it comes to the broom” he muttered to Hermione who laughed and nodded. The older of the two boys that had been playing with Sirius and Rose walked in covered in mud and grinned “I’m getting better dad!” he exclaimed as he ran upstairs to get ready for bed.

Harry smiled as he took a seat beside Sirius as he ruffled his hair “How about we make you a hot chocolate?” he suggested and Sirius grinned “Yes please Harry!” he said cheerfully. Harry smiled as he went over to the kitchen and used magic to make four small mugs of hot chocolate and four larger mugs also, he smiled as he put cream and marshmallows on top of all of them and magically moved them onto the table “James! Albus! Rose! Ron! Ginny! Hot chocolates!” he shouted up the stairs and laughed as the three kids ran down dressed for bed. “Dad, who is this anyway?” James asked curiously as he looked at Sirius. It was Hermione who spoke “Well… He is Rose and Hugo’s big brother” she said softly and Rose looked shocked “I have a big brother!” she giggled and ran over, hugging Sirius who smiled and hugged her back. “You have a big sister as well Rose and you will meet her after Christmas” she said with a smile softly.  The three younger kids drank their hot chocolates up before they were sent to bed to go to sleep. Sirius sighed as he looked to Hermione “I really don’t want to go to sleep, I had a nightmare last night” he admitted, “Oh Sirius!” she pulled him close and hugged him tightly as she stroked his hair.

“You’ve been through so much the last couple of days but things are going to get better, I promise you that things will get better” she said softly, keeping him close to her as he began to cry again. “Let’s get you up to bed” she whispered to him as they stood up and walked to the room where he was sleeping. “I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep” she smiled as he climbed into bed and Hermione sat beside him stroking his hair, she slowly began to sing a lullaby and within ten minutes Sirius was fast asleep. Ron smiled as he stood by the door “You are doing amazing Hermione, no one would have suspected that only a couple of months after you found your long lost kids that they would have to live with you” he said softly as she walked over and he wrapped his arms around her “I’m proud of you” he said softly and kissed her cheek. “I know I’ve not been about but I just don’t know how to act around him, not because he’s Malfoy’s kid… But because of what he has been through” Ron explained.

Hermione smiled softly as she stroked her husband’s cheek “I understand Ron and it’s fine… I think this has been what we needed, just some time on our own” she said softly as they walked out and went into their own room “I’m just scared about how Cassiopeia will react, she seemed so much more fragile and like me… I am scared to tell her” she sighed slightly as she got ready for bed and climbed in. Ron climbed in beside her and wrapped his arms around her “You are an amazing mum, we won’t tell her until after Christmas, we don’t want to upset her more than need be” he mumbled and she nodded in agreement “Night Ronald..” she whispered as she snuggled under the covers. Ron smiled as he turned the light out and held her close to him “Night Hermione” he whispered as he kissed her head lightly and the two fell asleep. That night Sirius was able to sleep with only waking up a couple of times in the night, he knew he was safe at the Burrow… No one could hurt him there.