All the way IIII: Change

Eileen was awake early the next morning. She was nervous, but very, very excited. She had forced Sirius to get dressed under the threat of several nasty hexes, and they were almost ready to go.

Before they left, Eileen looked in the mirror, trying to decide whether she look alright or not. She asked Sirius. He told her - in no uncertain terms - that she looked 'absolutely beautiful' and that her parent wouldn't care anyway; they would just be glad to see her.

She had agreed and they had nearly left the house, but then Eileen decided she just needed to be completely sure she looked ok, and went back to the mirror.

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Severus was awoken the next morning by a terrible coughing and rasping. His neck was slightly stiff, he found, as he opened his eyes and turned his head.

Poppy bustled out of her office as Severus blinked and tried to understand what was happening. Once Poppy had helped Hermione to sit up and stop choking, she started checking her over.

His wife’s lips were blue and she was pale, but even as she struggled to regulate her breathing and get her eyes used to the light, she reached out for his hand that was lying uselessly on the bed.

His tired, worry fogged brain jerked into action, and Severus curled his fingers about Hermiones. The Medi-Witch hurried into her office, muttering about potions.

Severus moved from the chair, onto the bed next to Hermione. He brushed her hair gently away from her face, still unable to believe that she was alive. She had made it though the night and now she was awake and breathing.

Hermione took a deep breath, "Did you... talk to Ruby?"

Severus frowned, "What...?"

"I was awake, Severus." She smiled, "Three breaths a minute isn't... exactly healthy. So? Did you talk to her?"

"Of course -" Severus had barely finished the word when Poppy came back from her office and Minerva came through the main doors.

The Medi-Witch was about to speak, but the Head Mistress cut beat her to it, hurrying up to the bed, waving an envelope.

"Oh! Hermione! I'm so glad you're alright! You scared us!" the old Professor beamed and held out the envelope, "This came to me, but on the front it says it's for you."

Hermione smiled weakly and opened the envelope. Severus watched as her eyes moved from left to right and, as she read, her smile grew, until she threw her head back and laughed. After a minute, she wiped the tears from her eyes and handed the letter to Severus.

Still keeping possession of her hand, he read:

Dear... hang on, it'll come to me in a second. Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot I’m not supposed to write my thoughts down! Sorry!

Dear Hermione, (I knew I’d get it in the end!)

I forgot to tell you that the potion I gave to you might have one or two side affects. I can't remember how many exactly. And I can't remember what potion you took, so, either, you'll grow green hair and give birth to a few frogs (Or maybe it's newts?) or you'll have some breathing problems. One or the other. You'll find out soon enough.

Hope you're well... or did you take the potion to make you better? My memory's terrible! I researched a charm to help, but I forgot it and what book I got it from!

Anyway, I do hope you're well,

Love Toni. Xxx

Hermione obviously found the letter hilarious, but Severus certainly didn't. Poppy gently took the letter from him, read it and told them that - as everything had been explained - Hermione could leave.

When Hermione was ready, Severus put his arm around her and they left the ward.

"You are going to give me a heart attack." He growled quietly.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, "I'm sorry. Toni's very forgetful. It was my fault for not asking about any side affects... But, guess what!"

"Please," Severus said, "No more surprises!"

"Eileen's back!" Hermione smiled excitedly, ignoring him, "She's staying with Sirius and they're coming to see us soon. I can't wait! My baby girl - all grown up..." She sighed as they got to the Entrance hall, "Come here."

She turned and curled her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply.

He stroked her hair as she pulled away, "I am going to put a tracking charm on you, so I know exactly where you are and what you're doing. You are a magnet for trouble and I don't like it. At all."

She smirked, suggesting, "You should just buy me a lead."

His eyes narrowed, "Don't tempt me -"

"DADDY!"

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Sirius watched as Hermione moved away and Eileen threw herself into her fathers’ arms. Hermione hugged him.

"Sirius!" She smiled, standing back, "It's lovely to see you! Are you alright?"

He nodded, "I'm great. How're you?"

She shrugged slightly, "Ah, you know... I'm fine."

"Eileen's been really excited about coming." He told Hermione, but he couldn't say much more, as Eileen turn her attention to her mother.

Hermione put her arms around her daughter and kissed the top of her head, "Oh, my baby! I've missed you so much!"

Eileen hugged her mum tightly, laughing, "I've missed you too, but you don't have to go all gooey on me." She sighed and pulled away, "I... um..." She looked over at Sirius and he nodded in encouragement, "Well, I really think I need to tell you something."

Hermione nodded, "I know you do."