Chapter 1: First Impressions
"It's not going to work," Hermione said softly. "I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Sirius Black asked desperately.
"I'm sorry," she repeated. Hermione had to muster every bit of energy inside of her not to cry. Don't cry, don't cry, you have to do this, don't cry, she kept telling herself. "I gotta go." She started to leave when he grabbed her arm.
"Don't go, I want to know why," Sirius demanded. Hermione could tell that he was also trying his best not to cry.
And she wanted nothing more at that moment than to burst into tears. But she knew she couldn't. She had to be strong here. She gathered all the courage she had. "The truth is..." she hesitated. "The truth is that I don't love you." And Hermione knew right after she had spoken those words that she would never forget the look of hurt on Sirius's face. Oh Merlin, don't make this harder on yourself than it already is, just leave, her mind told her. "I have to leave now, let go."
He let go of her arm. She wanted to say more. She wanted to tell him that she was lying, that she really did love him, but she couldn't. She just couldn't. So she walked over to the door and left without another word. She was lucky that Sirius hadn't seen the single tear that escaped her eye.
3 Months Earlier
"Harry, Ron, hurry up, we'll be late for Potions," Hermione said frantically.
"We're comin', we're comin'," Harry said shoving a last little bit of food in his mouth.
"Hurry up!" she said loudly.
"Geez woman, I'm going as fast as I can! What's the rush anyway? Class doesn't start for like fifteen minutes," Ron replied.
"Well, I'll probably still be yelling at you to hurry up in five minutes and at the rate you two walk we won't get there for ten minutes so that is why I am rushing you," Hermione shot back.
"Okay, come on Ron," Harry said getting up from the table. Ron reluctantly got up and followed Hermione and Harry to Potions. They got there a couple minutes early and sat in the very back row.
Professor Snape sat at his desk reading over something. The bell finally rang and Professor Snape got up and faced the class. "Today, we are going to be making an invisibility potion. But I'm warning you, one wrong ingredient and the consequences could be drastic," he glared over at Neville who gulped. "Partner up with the person sitting next to you."
Harry was relieved that he was sitting next to Hermione. He basically just watched as she carefully began reading the instructions and adding the ingredients into their cauldron. "Can I help?" he asked.
"Yeah, just add a pinch of that purple stuff next to you that looks kinda like salt," Hermione explained. "Just a pinch."
"Right," Harry said as picked up the container it was in. He started to pour just a little amount when all of a sudden he smelled it and sneezed right into the open container. Half of the stuff flew out and into the cauldron.
"Oh no!" Hermione exclaimed as she put her head over to cauldron to examine it. Harry did the same and just then, it exploded hitting both of them in the face. And all of a sudden, Harry felt funny. Everyone around him was swirling. He felt like he was going to throw up. He hit the ground hard. He slowly lifted his head to see Hermione next to him. "What happened?" she asked in a panicked voice.
"I don't know, where is everybody?" Harry said looking around. They were still in the Potions classroom, but it was deserted.
Hermione stood up and Harry did the same. "It looks different," she said.
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Cleaner."
"Newer," Hermione said. "Come on Harry, let's see what's going on," she said as she led him out of the classroom and into the hallways. There were some students there, but none they recognized.
"James!" Harry heard a voice yell found behind him. He immediately turned around to face a younger Sirius Black. "James, we've been looking everywhere for you, where have you been?"
"I---" But Harry could not respond. All of a sudden he fainted and fell to the ground.
"James, are you okay?" Sirius said a little panicked as he knelt down next to Harry.
Hermione normally would have run over next to Harry also, but she was too shocked to move. "Sirius?" she managed to mumble.
"Yeah, who are you? How do you know my name? I've never seen you before. And you have Gryffindor robes on. Are you a seventh year?" Sirius asked.
"I---" But Hermione had no idea what to say. She couldn't say she was a seventh year because he was probably also a seventh year. "We should take Harry to the hospital wing," she finally managed to spit out.
"Harry? What are you talking about? This is James. James Potter," Sirius said as he threw Harry over his shoulder. "He's a lot lighter than I remember him."
Sirius started to walk to the hospital wing, and left a very dazed Hermione there. What happened? We're back in time? That can't be. There aren't any potions for that. It's not possible. Maybe it's a joke. Or a dream. Yes, that's it, I'm dreaming. No, this is too real to be a dream. A million thoughts were racing through her head. I should follow Sirius, she finally decided.
Hermione quickly began running trying to catch up to Sirius. She ran to the hospital wing to see Sirius talking to Madam Pomfrey.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I don't know, he just fainted," Sirius replied looking a little worried.
"Set him over there," Madam Pomfrey ordered. Sirius set Harry down on one of the hospital beds. But as Sirius laid Harry down, his hair fell from his forehead and Sirius noticed a lightning shaped scar there.
"Weird," Sirius muttered examining the scar. Hermione rushed over next to Harry.
"Harry, are you okay? Wake up!" she was shaking him now.
"Who are you?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I'm his best friend," Hermione said automatically.
"What?" Sirius exclaimed. "You're not his best friend, I'm his best friend. Who are you? And why do you keep calling him Harry?"
"Because that's his name," Hermione replied. "Harry P..." she hesitated, "Harry Parsons." Sirius looked at him more closely. Actually, his nose wasn't quite the same. Wait, this wasn't James. Wow, he felt stupid. But he did look a hell of a lot like James.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Sirius said backing up. "He looks a lot like a friend of mine."
"That's okay," Hermione said. She had calmed down a bit. "I'm Hermione Granger," she said extending a hand.
"Sirius Black," he said shaking it. "So why have I never seen you before? I doubt I wouldn't notice someone as beautiful as you."
Hermione blushed slightly. "Oh well... we transferred here," she said saying the first thing that came to her mind.
"But Hogwarts doesn't take transfer students," Sirius said confused.
Oh shit, what should I say now? she thought frantically. "Yeah, well... Dumbledore made an exception for us."
"Oh," was all Sirius said. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen," she replied.
"Me too. Have you been sorted yet?" he asked.
"Yeah, Gryffindor," she mumbled.
"That's great. Me and my best friends are in Gryffindor. I'll introduce you to them. Is um... Harry in Gryffindor too?" he questioned.
Hermione nodded. She felt bad for not saying much, but she was still so shocked. She really needed to talk to Dumbledore, but she wanted to be there when Harry awoke. She turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Excuse me, Madam Pomfrey? Are you going to give him a potion to wake him up?"
"Yes yes, that's what I'm doing, be patient girl," Madam Pomfrey said as she started mixing some ingredients.
"Couldn't you just throw water over him?" Sirius asked grinning. Hermione smiled also.
"She does smile," Sirius said still grinning. Hermione blushed again.
"Here, pour this down throat," Madam Pomfrey said shoving Sirius out of the way and handing a cup to Hermione. Maybe Sirius shouldn't be here when Harry wakes up, but how do I get him to leave? she thought.
"Um, Sirius, don't you have class?" Hermione asked.
"It's dinner, classes are over," Sirius said as if it were obvious.
"Oh right," Hermione said feeling stupid. "Well, shouldn't you go eat?"
Sirius grinned. "Sure, I'll leave. I can tell when I'm not wanted," he said pretending to be offended but Hermione knew better. "I'll see you later Hermione," he said in a charming voice. With that, he turned around and left.
Hermione opened Harry's mouth and slowly started to pour the liquid down his throat. Harry's eyes immediately shot open and he spit out everything that he hadn't swallowed yet. "Oh Hermione," he said looking relived. "The weirdest thing happened. I had this dream that I saw Sirius, except he was young, and---"
"Harry, listen to me," Hermione said cutting him off. She swallowed. "It wasn't a dream. It really happened."
"What?" he said looking up at her bewildered.
"Harry," she lowered her voice into a whisper, "I don't know how but somehow we went back in time. It must have been the potion. So, if that was Sirius, we must be somewhere in the late 70s. And that means your parents are here too."
"Are you sure?" was all he could say.
"If I'm wrong than this is a very mean joke Malfoy is playing on us," she said. "We have to see Dumbledore immediately."
"And tell him what? That we're from the future? Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?" Harry asked.
"Well what do you suggest?" Hermione said. Harry knew she was right, there was nothing better they could do.
"Let's go," he said getting up and running out of the hospital wing completely ignoring Madam Pomfrey's protests. They stopped at the gargoyle leading up to Dumbledore's office.
"Lemon drop?" Harry tired. Nothing happened. "Chocolate frogs?" The gargoyle swung open. They stepped onto the stairs as it slowly went up. Harry knocked loudly on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore said.
Harry and Hermione burst through the door and Dumbledore looked up at them. "Right James, what is it now? Is Ms. Evans threatening your life again?" he asked with an amused look on his face.
"What?" Harry asked confused. "No Professor, you don't understand. I'm not James." Dumbledore looked at him closer.
"Oh my, you're not. My sight is getting worse at my old age, you'll have to excuse me. You look remarkably like him though."
"It's fine," Harry replied. And with that, Harry and Hermione told Dumbledore everything. How he was James Potter's son, going back into time, seeing Sirius and fainting, to then deciding to come to him. Dumbledore sat there patiently and listened.
"You do believe us, don't you Professor?" Hermione asked once they had finished their story.
"Yes, I believe you. Did you tell Mr. Black who you really were?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I told him my real name because I'm a Muggle-born, but I used my mom's maiden name for Harry," Hermione explained. "First thing I thought of."
"Good. What would that happen to be?" he asked.
"Parsons."
Harry repeated the name a few times so he would remember it. "And you're both in Gryffindor as I can see by your robes. And I must trust you two know not to tell anyone who you really are or divulge any information about the future?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione nodded but Harry was reluctant to nod.
"When are we going to be able to go back?" Hermione asked.
"You could be stuck here for a few months."
"But, won't everyone back home worry about us?" Hermione questioned.
"Hermione, you're not thinking logically. All we have to do is send you back to right after you left, and no one will know that you were ever gone," Dumbledore explained.
"Oh yeah. What about our things? We don't have any of our stuff."
"I'm sure your fellow Gryffindors will let you borrow some of their things," Dumbledore said smiling.
"Okay, I guess we'll go now," Hermione said standing up. Harry followed.
"Good, off you go then. The password is golden snitch. We owe that to your father Harry." Harry smiled and then both he and Hermione left. They slowly walked to the Gryffindor common room and stopped right outside the portrait hole.
"Harry, you have to understand, if you see Pettigrew, which you will, you can't attack him. I know what he did, but try to think of it this way. He isn't bad yet. He doesn't turn to the dark side until later." Harry nodded showing he understood.
"Okay, let's go. Golden Snitch," she said as the portrait hole swung open. They walked inside to see five people sitting in the common room. Harry had never been so shocked in his life. He knew he was going to see them, but this was just--- too much. Remus sat there reading a book, Sirius seemed to be frantically trying to finish an assignment, Peter just sat there doing nothing, and there was his mother and father, sitting there, holding hands and talking. Right, they started dating seventh year, he reminded himself. He was glad he had come when they were dating.
"Hermione," Sirius said standing up.
"Hi Sirius," she said walking closer to him.
"Everyone, this is Hermione Granger and her friend Harry Parsons, they just transferred here from..." Sirius looked at Hermione.
"Oh, um... well, we didn't actually transfer here per say. You see, we were home schooled. So it feels like we're transferring," she lied.
Sirius just smiled. "Right."
"I'm Peter," Peter said shaking Harry and Hermione's hands.
"Remus," Remus said doing the same thing. They smiled. He looked so, well... young. That was the only word that could explain it.
"I'm James," James said politely. But Harry couldn't seem to take his eyes off his mother, she was so beautiful. He was seeing his mother for the second time in his life. It was so wonderful. It was wonderful seeing his father too of course, but for some reason he couldn't stop staring at his mother. James seemed to notice this though. "And this is Lily Evans. My girlfriend," he said putting emphasis on the word girlfriend.
"Nice to meet you," Lily said happily. "You look so much like James. It's strange."
"Coincidence," Harry said automatically.
"Are you two dating?" Sirius asked abruptly. Harry was a little surprised.
"No," Hermione responded. "We're best friends."
Sirius grinned. "Just wondering."
Oh Merlin. Does Sirius like Hermione? That is beyond gross, Harry thought. He shook off the thought.
"Where are your things?" Remus asked.
"Stolen," Hermione said at the exact same time that Harry said "lost."
"Well, which one is it?" Peter asked.
"Both," Hermione replied. "They were lost on the train here so we assumed they were stolen." Everyone looked at her suspiciously.
"Oh well, we'll lend you some stuff," Lily said happily.
"Thanks." They all made small talk for a while, and whenever they asked Harry or Hermione anything about their past, Hermione would make up something. Finally, it was getting late and Lily announced that she was going to bed. She bid everybody a good night and kissed James softly on the lips. She headed up to the girl's dormitory and Hermione went with her.
Harry, now feeling awkward left alone with the marauders, also decided to go to bed.
"So what do you guys think?" Peter asked.
"I don't like him," James said immediately. "Did you see the way he was looking at my girlfriend?"
"Merlin James, you're exaggerating," Sirius said. "What about Hermione? She pretty cool, don't ya think?"
"She's a very pleasant girl," Remus said.
"Yeah, she is," Sirius said smiling.
"But didn't you think some of the stuff they said sounded a little weird?" Peter questioned.
"Yeah, it didn't all quite make sense," Remus said. "Oh well, if they are hiding something I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. Nothing can stay a secret at Hogwarts."
"It's not going to work," Hermione said softly. "I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Sirius Black asked desperately.
"I'm sorry," she repeated. Hermione had to muster every bit of energy inside of her not to cry. Don't cry, don't cry, you have to do this, don't cry, she kept telling herself. "I gotta go." She started to leave when he grabbed her arm.
"Don't go, I want to know why," Sirius demanded. Hermione could tell that he was also trying his best not to cry.
And she wanted nothing more at that moment than to burst into tears. But she knew she couldn't. She had to be strong here. She gathered all the courage she had. "The truth is..." she hesitated. "The truth is that I don't love you." And Hermione knew right after she had spoken those words that she would never forget the look of hurt on Sirius's face. Oh Merlin, don't make this harder on yourself than it already is, just leave, her mind told her. "I have to leave now, let go."
He let go of her arm. She wanted to say more. She wanted to tell him that she was lying, that she really did love him, but she couldn't. She just couldn't. So she walked over to the door and left without another word. She was lucky that Sirius hadn't seen the single tear that escaped her eye.
3 Months Earlier
"Harry, Ron, hurry up, we'll be late for Potions," Hermione said frantically.
"We're comin', we're comin'," Harry said shoving a last little bit of food in his mouth.
"Hurry up!" she said loudly.
"Geez woman, I'm going as fast as I can! What's the rush anyway? Class doesn't start for like fifteen minutes," Ron replied.
"Well, I'll probably still be yelling at you to hurry up in five minutes and at the rate you two walk we won't get there for ten minutes so that is why I am rushing you," Hermione shot back.
"Okay, come on Ron," Harry said getting up from the table. Ron reluctantly got up and followed Hermione and Harry to Potions. They got there a couple minutes early and sat in the very back row.
Professor Snape sat at his desk reading over something. The bell finally rang and Professor Snape got up and faced the class. "Today, we are going to be making an invisibility potion. But I'm warning you, one wrong ingredient and the consequences could be drastic," he glared over at Neville who gulped. "Partner up with the person sitting next to you."
Harry was relieved that he was sitting next to Hermione. He basically just watched as she carefully began reading the instructions and adding the ingredients into their cauldron. "Can I help?" he asked.
"Yeah, just add a pinch of that purple stuff next to you that looks kinda like salt," Hermione explained. "Just a pinch."
"Right," Harry said as picked up the container it was in. He started to pour just a little amount when all of a sudden he smelled it and sneezed right into the open container. Half of the stuff flew out and into the cauldron.
"Oh no!" Hermione exclaimed as she put her head over to cauldron to examine it. Harry did the same and just then, it exploded hitting both of them in the face. And all of a sudden, Harry felt funny. Everyone around him was swirling. He felt like he was going to throw up. He hit the ground hard. He slowly lifted his head to see Hermione next to him. "What happened?" she asked in a panicked voice.
"I don't know, where is everybody?" Harry said looking around. They were still in the Potions classroom, but it was deserted.
Hermione stood up and Harry did the same. "It looks different," she said.
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Cleaner."
"Newer," Hermione said. "Come on Harry, let's see what's going on," she said as she led him out of the classroom and into the hallways. There were some students there, but none they recognized.
"James!" Harry heard a voice yell found behind him. He immediately turned around to face a younger Sirius Black. "James, we've been looking everywhere for you, where have you been?"
"I---" But Harry could not respond. All of a sudden he fainted and fell to the ground.
"James, are you okay?" Sirius said a little panicked as he knelt down next to Harry.
Hermione normally would have run over next to Harry also, but she was too shocked to move. "Sirius?" she managed to mumble.
"Yeah, who are you? How do you know my name? I've never seen you before. And you have Gryffindor robes on. Are you a seventh year?" Sirius asked.
"I---" But Hermione had no idea what to say. She couldn't say she was a seventh year because he was probably also a seventh year. "We should take Harry to the hospital wing," she finally managed to spit out.
"Harry? What are you talking about? This is James. James Potter," Sirius said as he threw Harry over his shoulder. "He's a lot lighter than I remember him."
Sirius started to walk to the hospital wing, and left a very dazed Hermione there. What happened? We're back in time? That can't be. There aren't any potions for that. It's not possible. Maybe it's a joke. Or a dream. Yes, that's it, I'm dreaming. No, this is too real to be a dream. A million thoughts were racing through her head. I should follow Sirius, she finally decided.
Hermione quickly began running trying to catch up to Sirius. She ran to the hospital wing to see Sirius talking to Madam Pomfrey.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I don't know, he just fainted," Sirius replied looking a little worried.
"Set him over there," Madam Pomfrey ordered. Sirius set Harry down on one of the hospital beds. But as Sirius laid Harry down, his hair fell from his forehead and Sirius noticed a lightning shaped scar there.
"Weird," Sirius muttered examining the scar. Hermione rushed over next to Harry.
"Harry, are you okay? Wake up!" she was shaking him now.
"Who are you?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I'm his best friend," Hermione said automatically.
"What?" Sirius exclaimed. "You're not his best friend, I'm his best friend. Who are you? And why do you keep calling him Harry?"
"Because that's his name," Hermione replied. "Harry P..." she hesitated, "Harry Parsons." Sirius looked at him more closely. Actually, his nose wasn't quite the same. Wait, this wasn't James. Wow, he felt stupid. But he did look a hell of a lot like James.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Sirius said backing up. "He looks a lot like a friend of mine."
"That's okay," Hermione said. She had calmed down a bit. "I'm Hermione Granger," she said extending a hand.
"Sirius Black," he said shaking it. "So why have I never seen you before? I doubt I wouldn't notice someone as beautiful as you."
Hermione blushed slightly. "Oh well... we transferred here," she said saying the first thing that came to her mind.
"But Hogwarts doesn't take transfer students," Sirius said confused.
Oh shit, what should I say now? she thought frantically. "Yeah, well... Dumbledore made an exception for us."
"Oh," was all Sirius said. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen," she replied.
"Me too. Have you been sorted yet?" he asked.
"Yeah, Gryffindor," she mumbled.
"That's great. Me and my best friends are in Gryffindor. I'll introduce you to them. Is um... Harry in Gryffindor too?" he questioned.
Hermione nodded. She felt bad for not saying much, but she was still so shocked. She really needed to talk to Dumbledore, but she wanted to be there when Harry awoke. She turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Excuse me, Madam Pomfrey? Are you going to give him a potion to wake him up?"
"Yes yes, that's what I'm doing, be patient girl," Madam Pomfrey said as she started mixing some ingredients.
"Couldn't you just throw water over him?" Sirius asked grinning. Hermione smiled also.
"She does smile," Sirius said still grinning. Hermione blushed again.
"Here, pour this down throat," Madam Pomfrey said shoving Sirius out of the way and handing a cup to Hermione. Maybe Sirius shouldn't be here when Harry wakes up, but how do I get him to leave? she thought.
"Um, Sirius, don't you have class?" Hermione asked.
"It's dinner, classes are over," Sirius said as if it were obvious.
"Oh right," Hermione said feeling stupid. "Well, shouldn't you go eat?"
Sirius grinned. "Sure, I'll leave. I can tell when I'm not wanted," he said pretending to be offended but Hermione knew better. "I'll see you later Hermione," he said in a charming voice. With that, he turned around and left.
Hermione opened Harry's mouth and slowly started to pour the liquid down his throat. Harry's eyes immediately shot open and he spit out everything that he hadn't swallowed yet. "Oh Hermione," he said looking relived. "The weirdest thing happened. I had this dream that I saw Sirius, except he was young, and---"
"Harry, listen to me," Hermione said cutting him off. She swallowed. "It wasn't a dream. It really happened."
"What?" he said looking up at her bewildered.
"Harry," she lowered her voice into a whisper, "I don't know how but somehow we went back in time. It must have been the potion. So, if that was Sirius, we must be somewhere in the late 70s. And that means your parents are here too."
"Are you sure?" was all he could say.
"If I'm wrong than this is a very mean joke Malfoy is playing on us," she said. "We have to see Dumbledore immediately."
"And tell him what? That we're from the future? Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?" Harry asked.
"Well what do you suggest?" Hermione said. Harry knew she was right, there was nothing better they could do.
"Let's go," he said getting up and running out of the hospital wing completely ignoring Madam Pomfrey's protests. They stopped at the gargoyle leading up to Dumbledore's office.
"Lemon drop?" Harry tired. Nothing happened. "Chocolate frogs?" The gargoyle swung open. They stepped onto the stairs as it slowly went up. Harry knocked loudly on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore said.
Harry and Hermione burst through the door and Dumbledore looked up at them. "Right James, what is it now? Is Ms. Evans threatening your life again?" he asked with an amused look on his face.
"What?" Harry asked confused. "No Professor, you don't understand. I'm not James." Dumbledore looked at him closer.
"Oh my, you're not. My sight is getting worse at my old age, you'll have to excuse me. You look remarkably like him though."
"It's fine," Harry replied. And with that, Harry and Hermione told Dumbledore everything. How he was James Potter's son, going back into time, seeing Sirius and fainting, to then deciding to come to him. Dumbledore sat there patiently and listened.
"You do believe us, don't you Professor?" Hermione asked once they had finished their story.
"Yes, I believe you. Did you tell Mr. Black who you really were?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I told him my real name because I'm a Muggle-born, but I used my mom's maiden name for Harry," Hermione explained. "First thing I thought of."
"Good. What would that happen to be?" he asked.
"Parsons."
Harry repeated the name a few times so he would remember it. "And you're both in Gryffindor as I can see by your robes. And I must trust you two know not to tell anyone who you really are or divulge any information about the future?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione nodded but Harry was reluctant to nod.
"When are we going to be able to go back?" Hermione asked.
"You could be stuck here for a few months."
"But, won't everyone back home worry about us?" Hermione questioned.
"Hermione, you're not thinking logically. All we have to do is send you back to right after you left, and no one will know that you were ever gone," Dumbledore explained.
"Oh yeah. What about our things? We don't have any of our stuff."
"I'm sure your fellow Gryffindors will let you borrow some of their things," Dumbledore said smiling.
"Okay, I guess we'll go now," Hermione said standing up. Harry followed.
"Good, off you go then. The password is golden snitch. We owe that to your father Harry." Harry smiled and then both he and Hermione left. They slowly walked to the Gryffindor common room and stopped right outside the portrait hole.
"Harry, you have to understand, if you see Pettigrew, which you will, you can't attack him. I know what he did, but try to think of it this way. He isn't bad yet. He doesn't turn to the dark side until later." Harry nodded showing he understood.
"Okay, let's go. Golden Snitch," she said as the portrait hole swung open. They walked inside to see five people sitting in the common room. Harry had never been so shocked in his life. He knew he was going to see them, but this was just--- too much. Remus sat there reading a book, Sirius seemed to be frantically trying to finish an assignment, Peter just sat there doing nothing, and there was his mother and father, sitting there, holding hands and talking. Right, they started dating seventh year, he reminded himself. He was glad he had come when they were dating.
"Hermione," Sirius said standing up.
"Hi Sirius," she said walking closer to him.
"Everyone, this is Hermione Granger and her friend Harry Parsons, they just transferred here from..." Sirius looked at Hermione.
"Oh, um... well, we didn't actually transfer here per say. You see, we were home schooled. So it feels like we're transferring," she lied.
Sirius just smiled. "Right."
"I'm Peter," Peter said shaking Harry and Hermione's hands.
"Remus," Remus said doing the same thing. They smiled. He looked so, well... young. That was the only word that could explain it.
"I'm James," James said politely. But Harry couldn't seem to take his eyes off his mother, she was so beautiful. He was seeing his mother for the second time in his life. It was so wonderful. It was wonderful seeing his father too of course, but for some reason he couldn't stop staring at his mother. James seemed to notice this though. "And this is Lily Evans. My girlfriend," he said putting emphasis on the word girlfriend.
"Nice to meet you," Lily said happily. "You look so much like James. It's strange."
"Coincidence," Harry said automatically.
"Are you two dating?" Sirius asked abruptly. Harry was a little surprised.
"No," Hermione responded. "We're best friends."
Sirius grinned. "Just wondering."
Oh Merlin. Does Sirius like Hermione? That is beyond gross, Harry thought. He shook off the thought.
"Where are your things?" Remus asked.
"Stolen," Hermione said at the exact same time that Harry said "lost."
"Well, which one is it?" Peter asked.
"Both," Hermione replied. "They were lost on the train here so we assumed they were stolen." Everyone looked at her suspiciously.
"Oh well, we'll lend you some stuff," Lily said happily.
"Thanks." They all made small talk for a while, and whenever they asked Harry or Hermione anything about their past, Hermione would make up something. Finally, it was getting late and Lily announced that she was going to bed. She bid everybody a good night and kissed James softly on the lips. She headed up to the girl's dormitory and Hermione went with her.
Harry, now feeling awkward left alone with the marauders, also decided to go to bed.
"So what do you guys think?" Peter asked.
"I don't like him," James said immediately. "Did you see the way he was looking at my girlfriend?"
"Merlin James, you're exaggerating," Sirius said. "What about Hermione? She pretty cool, don't ya think?"
"She's a very pleasant girl," Remus said.
"Yeah, she is," Sirius said smiling.
"But didn't you think some of the stuff they said sounded a little weird?" Peter questioned.
"Yeah, it didn't all quite make sense," Remus said. "Oh well, if they are hiding something I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. Nothing can stay a secret at Hogwarts."