Guys! So I decided to do something odd. This is going to be a prequel to my story Inter Sagnum. Yes, weird as it is, but I thought something was missing from it while I was reading both the first and the incomplete second half. I don't know how long it's going to be, but I do know the storyline. I plan to go back, edit and apply my upgraded skills to the other two stories as well.
Summary: Hermione Granger knew she was dead. The explosion had to have killed her because now she's stuck in Elsewhere. The In-between. What does that mean? Well, lucky for her, two marauders were there to greet her on the other side. Using her new found world, she has grown to love both the setting and quite possibly the pair unwilling to part with the witch. But when she discovers just what Elsewhere is, will she believe that being in love with two dead marauders is a life-changing experience?
Her watch read at half past noon. They were late, and that irritated the shit out of her. The tapping of her toe on the concrete was distinct as she breathed deeply and swallowed her angst. Her concept of summer mixed with frustration was causing the humidity to rise, and her curls weren't sitting well. Even the sweat dripping off her plastic cup wasn't enough to soothe her baking skin.
Where were they?
"Shit, Hermione, we're sorry. Sirius had to finish up his rounds, and I was caught up in a book," Remus's voice was loud over the ambient sound of birds.
Hermione glanced over at the approaching man and blew a large puff of air. "Could you have taken any longer? We're going to miss it," she grumbled as she erected off the park bench.
The werewolf was wearing a jersey saying Potter #1 and probably the oddest color pink shorts Hermione's ever seen in her life. "Did you lose a bet?" she asked with a stifled smirk.
Sirius grinned with a motion of agreement. "I bet him that you would chicken out last night when I offered you a place to stay instead of walking home."
Hermione waved him off and took Remus's arm within her own. "How do we get stuck with him even now?"
The werewolf laughed and pressed his lips to her temple. "We love him; that's why."
She turned her face to his and nosed his cheek. "Let's try to get through this installment, shall we?"
Sirius popped up between them and kissed her cheek. "Love, you are by far the prettiest woman I know," he snickered.
"I'm the only woman who's here, Pads," Hermione huffed and pulled away from them, marching off toward the large building.
The marauders shrugged at each other and jogged after the woman who was still clutching her iced drink. It was purple in color but tasted of her favorite tea over ice. It was a perk for being dead. She could wish for everything she wanted, but somehow, it still wasn't living.
The golden doors opened at her arrival, and Fred was standing at the concession counter, digging through the candy. "Ello, Hermione. What's it gonna be today?" He asked with a smirk.
"Chocolate covered strawberries, Champagne and some of that popcorn that tastes like laughter. We're watching James being born," she told him as her hands touched the counter.
Fred waggled his eyebrows and sighed. "A good choice. A bit disappointing that you haven't decided on anything a bit," he paused when the marauders approached. "Naughty," he finished with a toothy smile.
Hermione exhaled and gathered up the items he set on in front of her. "Well, there's no place like home," she grumbled as her cheeks bloomed with color.
Sirius bent over the counter and snagged up some redvines as he pursed his lips at the Weasley. "She still won't share that with us. I'm mortally wounded from it."
Remus shoved the animagus and reached for a large chocolate bar. "Well, if someone would stop asking, she might just do it one of these days."
"Which is why I won't," Hermione snorted and waved at Fred. "Come on; let's go see today's installment."
The theater was small but luxurious. The seats were couches and tons of tables to set the food items on. The screen was at least four stories tall and placed in the highest definition her memory could retain. Fred collapsed on a couch in front of them, while several others shuffled into the room. Severus Snape sat by himself to the left. The Longbottoms sat with a little boy Hermione knew as a child that died from a car accident. Several muggles… the theater was soon packed with people Hermione once knew.
The lights blinked and the show started. "Brought to you by the safest place in Elsewhere, the in-between," a female announce said smoothly as the screen flickered.
Somehow between all the oddities and weirdness, this was starting to feel normal. The scene was Ginny being rushed through a fireplace; Hermione's hands were gripping the woman as Harry was shouting in surprise in the background. The woman tugged both the Marauders to her, and they rested against her shoulder as they got to observe first hand, James Sirius Potter's birthday from Hermione's perspective.
Death was kind. At least they were here with her.
Hermione was still sipping on the bottle, like a silly lush as they walked along the vast beach. Nowhere in the Atlantic was a beach this pristine, but Hermione always wanted to visit Greece. Even after the war, she wanted to sip on a drink and enjoy the sun on her skin. The sunset waited for her to decide when she wanted stars- Hermione had absolute control over her environment she discovered. At least the appearance and textures. The people were a different story entirely.
"How lovely, if I could paint, I would choose this scene," Remus sighed from behind her.
The woman laughed and threw her hands in the air; the bottle was sloshing about in protest. "Couldn't we live here forever, Moony? I wouldn't mind as long as Harry and Gin meet me here when they're through," she huffed and landed in the sand with a giggle.
Sirius had made himself occupied by chasing giant parrots down at the water as a dog. Hermione sat up enough to watch the dog sprinting like a puppy after the singing birds as they danced in a circle before flying off in fits of color.
The werewolf stole the bottle from her hand and sipped from it. "I do miss life at times. I miss the feeling of my son holding my fingers. I miss the imperfect smell of an old book. Those things we can't replicate in our minds, they exist only to experience," he voiced before sipping the bottle.
Hermione rocked her head and slumped over his lap. "I most certainly miss those things. Tell me, does it get any easier?" she questioned with a pout.
Remus stroked her hair and exhaled. "No, it doesn't. But we still have each other. That's what matters."
"What about Tonks?" Hermione inquired as she scowled up at him.
Remus's despair was displayed in his expression. "She's not here. I looked. Where ever she is, I hope she's happy. That's all we can hope for."
Hermione reached up and touched his cheek. "If it's my fault, I'm sorry. I loved you both and knew I wouldn't be able to do this without you. The astute nature of my former professor and Sirius with his need for laughter. It was the only thing I could think of that would fill this space with joy."
The werewolf continued to stroke her hair and made a soothing sound through his lips. "Now, don't you worry about me. I'm quite content with that arsehole over there and your company."
"You promise me? Promise that you'd tell me if you needed to go so you could find her?"
"I promise, but this life, the after bit, it's only the beginning, Hermione. We have so much time. Why should we waste what joy we are given?"
Their tender moment was interrupted when the floppy dog launched himself on the woman and started licking her face. "Okay, okay! I'm not sad!" Hermione shouted through the assault.
Sirius appeared next to her and laughed. "Well, that was easy."
"You're a bloody wanker," Hermione spat as she rubbed her face.
"I know, but you love me," Sirius retorted with a grin.
The woman's eyes trailed upward as she expelled a deep breath. "I do. I love you both quite furiously."
The sky was blending to night finally as the sun dropped below the horizon. However, the green light flashing overhead seemed so out of place. She didn't produce that. Her thoughts were interrupted as Remus shifted. It drew her pondering from the odd light and back to the marauders.
"Dinner and then swimming on the roof?" Remus asked.
"Yes, that sounds like a good night," Hermione said as she sat up.
The woman snaked the bottle from the werewolf and climbed from the sand. Sirius helped Remus up, and they all wandered back toward the city. The lights were glowing, and it was as welcoming as ever — their home in Elsewhere.
