AE - 9

                                    

                                          
Hermione walked down the staircase and moved silently through the house, followed closely by Crookshanks, to find the matriarch in the kitchen pour two cups of tea. The ancient witch smiled without looking and motioned toward a chair close by as she levitated the cup and saucer to where she wanted Hermione to sit.
                          
"Sissy," Hermione exclaimed with surprise, yet quietly. "What..."
                          
"I happened to view the tapestry this morning," she said in her German accent. "Penelope Astor Rogers? What has he gone and done now," she asked, sounding almost annoyed.
                          
Hermione breathed in deeply. "Well, he was still a wanted man and he was aware..."
                          
"Was? Has something changed?"
                          
Hermione's face registered surprise. "Oh my god yes! Sirius has been exonerated! He is a free man!"
                          
Sissy closed her eyes and clasped her hands together as if in prayer. "Gods be praised," she whispered. "When?"
                          
"Two days ago."
                          
"Is that so?" The old witch rolled her eyes, causing Hermione to touch her hand and apologize. 
                          
"Yes, they caught the man responsible, finally." She turned when she saw Sissy's eyes focus on someone walking into the kitchen. Hermione craned her neck and smiled when she saw the familiar lycan approach. He looked down at the now sleeping baby in Hermione's arms.
                          
"You know, they tell me that she's been screaming at the top of her lungs all night. She'll probably sleep like the dead now."
                          
"If we're lucky," Hermione replied.
                          
Remus' attention moved to the elderly witch seated perpendicular to Hermione and he nodded his hello, knowing full well that while she might not know who he was, she was aware of what he was. "Madam," he said as he held out his hand for hers; Sissy placed her hand in his and he kissed it.
                          
"Ah, le Chevalier complet de la Maison de Noir. I am honored to finally meet you, Monsieur Moony," she said smiling mischievously.
                          
Remus' eyes misted over...he wasn't used to being so honorably greeted and he bowed in reverence.
                          
"I never thought that I would ever meet you...I thought you were but a figment of our Sirius' broad imagination!"
                          
Remus chuckled as he sat down to Hermione's right, but across from the old witch and poured himself a cup of tea with a wave of his hand. "I assure you, I'm real enough."
                          
"How are you feeling?"
                          
"A bit rough. I need to be getting home soon..."
                          
"Oh nooooo," Hermione protested.
                          
Remus sighed and lowered his head, then looked into her brown eyes. "Hermione..."
                          
Hermione lowered her head and nodded. "I understand. I don't like it, but I understand."
                          
Remus smiled sadly.
                          
"Monsieur, we have a hold within the castle if you wish to make avail of it," Sissy offered. "Unless you'd rather go home where you are more comfortable...no one could certainly blame you for that..."

                          
Remus chuckled uncomfortably. "It makes no difference actually. I'm pretty miserable no matter where I am." He stared into his cup as if trying to divine some kind of supernatural information.

                          
"Well then, how about this," the old woman said as her eyes twinkled, "perhaps a vial of wolfsbane is in order then?"
                          
Remus looked up. "You have aconite on the property!"