Hydrus's back story had been published years ago and he was known as a Muggle-raised orphan who was taken in an unknown magical couple and home schooled, since the couple was in hiding from the Death Eaters. When asked who the couple was the immortal would simply say they were dead and their family name died with them.
The detectives came to the conclusion that Skeeter was coming and going from The Daily Prophet in bug form. She must know that someone was looking for her. They made sure they weren't carrying any passengers when they left their stakeouts. The only way they made contact with Hydrus was via the telephone.
Hydrus did wonder if Skeeter was his stalker. She was good enough to hide from him. He would have to make sure that the bitch wasn't around if he talked about anything in public, which he rarely did.
The gambling paid off; they won quite a bit, and lost a few, which actually worked in their favor—for a while. The goblins were in an uproar over their losses. They banned Sirius from betting, so Remus took over until he too was blocked. They simply hired others to place their bets from there. It would take a while, but the goblin nation would start to feel the losses. Yeah, it was petty, but it made Hydrus feel good inside, until he could find another way to get them back.
The weeks passed and it was warmer now and Hydrus decided it was time to go to the park near Hermione's house. Though whether the little girl was there or not was uncertain, he had to try. So he told Sirius to ask if Neville could come and plans were made for that Saturday.
The day came and Sirius picked up Neville and met Hydrus and Harry at the park. The boys whooped at the swing set and jungle gym and ran to play. Sirius, being the kid at heart he is, joined them. Hydrus looked around to see if there was a bushy-haired girl anywhere, but unfortunately there was not. He sighed and turned his attention to the playing boys, who seemed to have started playing with a few of the other kids. If what he was seeing was correct they were playing pirates on the jungle gym. He sat on the nearest bench, smiled and kept watch.
"Which one is yours?" a voice said from his left.
He turned his head and spotted a young woman with short blonde hair and startling blue eyes. He shook his head and smiled. "The dark-haired, green-eyed one, hanging upside down," he answered, pointing to Harry.
"Oh, he's a cutie," the woman cooed.
"The sandy-haired kid next to him is his friend." He waved to Neville who was trying to do the same as Harry with little success. "Which one is yours?" Hydrus returned the question.
"None of them really, I'm the nanny for a young girl who lives near here. I just come to watch the children play. My employers come home for lunch and eat with the child, so I come here. My charge doesn't get out much, she's a bit of a bookworm," she said with a soft smile. "Grace Banks," she added holding out her hand.
"Hydrus Black," the immortal replied as he shook the very soft hand offered to him. He did have a fleeting thought if her charge was Hermione, but his best friend never said anything about nannies, so he waved it aside.
"What an unusual name, the water snake star, isn't it?" Grace cocked her head to the side.
"Yeah, it's my family's tradition, to name the children after stars," he said with a shy grin. "That's my cousin Sirius over there, playing with the kids." He pointed to the man trying to climb the gym and laughed at his efforts.
"And your boy's name?" the blonde inquired, looking to the playing children and Sirius.
"Oh, well, he's adopted by Sirius. His name is Harry, so no star name for him," Hydrus answered, and the two fell into a quiet conversation about the stars and their names until Grace had to leave, her lunch break being over.
"I'll bring my charge here to play, if you're going to be around they can meet," she said shyly, once again offering her hand.
"That'll be great," Hydrus said, this time kissing the knuckles, making the young woman giggle.
"Next weekend?"
"We'll be here."
Grace then went on her way, while Hydrus watched the sway of her hips. He then sighed and berated himself for thinking about setting up dates, especially innocent ones. He was still a firm believer that he being immortal would mess up any relationship.
"Who's the bird?" Sirius asked as he flopped on the bench, tired from playing.
"Her name is Grace. She's a nanny," were the succinct answers.
"Nice name. She's not your normal type. I don't think she's a love them and leave them type of gal," the dogman said thoughtfully. "You two seemed rather cozy. Are you going to see her again?" He was actually hopeful the immortal would say yes. He had tried time and time again to get the man to date, but so far to no avail.
"We're coming back here next weekend to meet her charge," Hydrus said reluctantly.
"Yes," the other man shouted, pumping his fist in the air, making the kids look at him as if he were weird. "It's about time." He slapped the older man on the back.
"It's only a play date with her charge. Quit getting all worked up," the time traveler snapped in denial.
"Whatever you say, old chap, whatever you say," the cousin grinned.
Hydrus let it drop and watched the children playing until it started to get dark. He called them over and had Sirius take Neville home, while he took Harry to the car. They made it home and had a quiet night, listening to Harry tell of his pirate adventures, until it was time for bed. Hydrus went to sleep that night thinking of a short-haired blonde with nice hips.
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