The Marauders and the game of 'I never'

A/N: Guys, I'm so sorry about the major delay. I didn't realise it had been so long since I'd put up the first chapter. Now this chapter better be up to your expectations. So sad that now, all the Marauders are dead…but, at least they're together, although, I bet Peter has probably been tortured by his old friends. Wish me luck…

Hermione breathed in deep, was she not going to be in Gryffindor?

"I think, maybe a bit of Slytherin coldness will toughen you up for your fight in the future-"

I don't need toughening up! I'm very capable to fight Voldemort! Hermione thought indignantly to herself.

"If you're so capable, why would you come back in time, I know it was an accident, but don't you think, there's a reason why you're back in your best friends parents era, your best friend, who, coincidentally, has to fight You-Know-Who?

"No, I don't think you understand yet. You're naïve. And I'll put you where your brain will be tested but where you could fall trap of changing. You're in –

RAVENCLAW"

Hermione could've fainted, but somehow didn't. She took the hat off her head and bounded towards the Ravenclaw table. She glanced at the familiar Gryffindor table, caught Remus' eye and smiled, then she struck up a conversation with the guy opposite her. He looked an awful lot like Michael Corner, who existed in Hermiones old time.

"So, Hermione, is it?"

"Yeah, Hermione Delacour"

"That's an unusual name. Where're you from?"

"I was born in France, but raised in England" Hermione said, thinking fast, "I went to Beauxbatons at my grandmothers request. But my father and grandfather died recently, so I transferred here, to be closer to home" Hermione said, lowering her eyes as she felt so guilty, wishing now she'd made up a different story.

"That's horrible. Well, my name is Kevin Corner, and I'm here for you if you ever need a shoulder to cry on or anything like that." He smiled warmly at Hermione.

"Thanks, I appreciate it" Hermione said, smiling just as warmly back.

Dinner past in a blur, Hermione talked to Kevin for most of it, but she also chatted with Niles Bletchley, father of Miles Bletchley, the one-time Slytherin goalkeeper, and discovered him to be extremely funny, nothing at all like his son who cursed Alicia Spinnet before a Quidditch match. She also talked with Ernie MacMillans mother, she looked a great deal like her son and was slightly pompous too.

Hermione and Kevin made their way up to Ravenclaw tower and came face to face with a wooden door with no handle, but an eagle shaped knocker.

"Which is correct to say, 'The yolk of the egg are white' or, 'The yolk of the egg is white?" The knocker questioned.

"Err…" Kevin was thinking, "The yolk of the egg is white"

The knocker clanged shut. Kevin turned to Hermione, "How did I get it wrong?"

"Easy" Hermione lifted up the knocker and answered the riddle, "The yolk of an egg is yellow not white!"

The wooden door swung open and Kevin ushered Hermione in before him, slightly red in the face.

"Oh my Gosh!" Hermione gasped. The Ravenclaw common room was beautiful - there was no other word for it. It was quite airy, and it had several wall-to-floor arched windows giving a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. It had a domed ceiling with stars painted on to it and had a thick midnight-blue carpet.

Kevin grinned at Hermione, "Nice isn't it?"

"It's gorgeous! If it were possible, I'd marry it!"

Kevin laughed. Then he and Hermione climbed the spiral staircase. They stopped where the staircase split into two.

"Your dormitory is up the left staircase and on the third right. Well, er, goodnight"

"Goodnight Kevin, thanks for showing me around"

"No problem" He gave her a small wave and then took the right set of stairs.

Hermione found her dormitory enchanting. It had four beds, slightly smaller than double beds in the muggle world, and there was a midnight blue canopy over each bed. The covers were bronze, and looked thoroughly inviting. There was also a wall completely covered in books and a large window, which gave a breathtaking view of two very large mountains.

"Hi, you're the new girl aren't you? I wondered why another bed had been put here. I'm Jessyca Ryedir, by the way"

Hermione looked at Jessyca, she was very pretty. She had raven hair that reached her chest. She was slim and looked athletic. Her eyes were an electric blue. Hermione smiled at her.

"Yeah, I'm the new girl, my names Hermione Delacour. Were there only three beds in this dorm? Isn't that kind of small?"

"Yeah, I guess it's to try and have us focus on our studies instead of talking, but it doesn't really work that well! Your bed, is the one nearest the window, it's opposite mine! Feyona Nighy is in that bed" She said pointing at the one nearest the door, "But she's probably out with her boyfriend, Amos Diggory, in Hufflepuff! And Cordelia Benedict sleeps in the bed opposite her. She's Head Girl though, so is off doing her duties"

Hermione took a moment to relax. It was, after all, a lot to take in.

"How do you spell your and Fiona's names? You pronounce them differently than muggles" Hermione finally asked.

"Well I spell my name J-e-s-s-y-c-a R-y-e-d-i-r"

"That's a pretty cool name"

"I hate it! Feyona spells hers F-e-y-o-n-a"

"Whoa, that's different to how my cousin spells it!"

"Yeah, well, she is a bit…different. Anyway, I expect you're tired so, goodnight"

"Night" Hermione called out to her as she changed into her pyjamas. She than crawled under the covers and found the bed warm as house-elves had placed a bed-pan between the sheets. Hermione, stayed awake for a long time, waiting for the other girls to come in and fall asleep, finally, they were asleep and Hermione began to cry. She was worried about how she would be able to go back and also, about Harry and Ron, she especially missed Ron. She wondered how they were doing without her and ended up crying herself to sleep.

---

"I cannot believe that we've sent her back in time" Ron moaned into his hands as himself and Harry were alone in the common room, it was, after all, one in the morning.

"I know, it feels so strange, so foreign not to have Hermione to look at-"

"Why do you want to look at Hermione?" Ron demanded, his ears reddening.

"-and to talk to, and to bask in her knowledge, she's the one person we need right now but the one person we have no way of communicating with!" Harry continued ignoring Rons question – he'd been snapping at anyone who mentioned Hermiones looks since the incident.

"Why was she off with me though? I mean I noticed her hair!" Ron wondered aloud.

Harry snorted, "Yeah, you noticed its length. Did you even notice it wasn't bushy anymore? That it now has perfect curls?"

"I-but-you-no" Ron finally admitted, "But she looked…and then…Malfoy…pug…back in time" He muttered darkly to himself.

"Don't blame Malfoy" Harry heard himself say, as he seemed to be separated from himself, he was watching, as though from someplace far away, flashbacks of moments with Hermione, "We were also involved in sending her to wherever she is. Why though, would she jump in the way?"

"Why did she jump infront of Malfoy?" Ron asked.

"I dunno, maybe…" But neither Harry nor Ron could work out why, out of all the people present, Hermione would choose to protect Malfoy.

"Do you, only, do you think she fancies him?" Ron asked, staring into the now, distinguished fire.

Harry gaped at his best friend incredulously, "NO WAY! He calls her a mudblood, why would she? Maybe she was trying to stop us getting in trouble?"

"Yeah, that's her alright" Ron agreed, and then he stood up, looking less troubled than Harry had seen him since Hermione had disappeared, "Well, g'night Harry, maybe we'll wake up and this will all have been a dream!"

"Yeah, maybe"

---

Malfoy was tossing and turning, he kept having visions of mountains and of a midnight-blue canopy. Which was freaking him out as he had no view in his dormitory and had green hangings, he then saw a very pretty girl, say her name was Jessica, but it was spelt Jessyca. He fell asleep but after an hour or so, but woke up again, having a sudden urge to cry which deeply shocked Malfoy, who hadn't cried since his eighth birthday. Then he felt a pang for the Weasel, which made him sit up as if he'd been cursed.

"What's going on with me?" He murmured to himself.

He fell back to sleep and he dreamed, reliving the summer just gone, his best summer yet. He saw Granger walking her grandmothers dog. It was extremely sunny and she was wearing a white knee length skirt, a green top, and silver flip-flops. He then, not knowing who she was crossed the street quickly, and spoke to her in French.

"Bonjour Madamemoiselle, je m'appelle Draco, peux-je marcher avec vous?"

Hermione looked up smiling, then once seeing who had spoken, stopped herself from crying out in shock. Draco was nearly vomiting, how could the Mudblood look like that?

Pansy had entered the bed next to him, as he slept, she wrapped her arms around him and watched him sleep, guessing that the smile on his face could only be because he was dreaming of her. She kissed his cheek softly and he shook her away, obviously his dream about her was better than the real thing. Then he woke with a start and was drenched in sweat, like he'd been swimming, he was clutching his cheek as if he'd been slapped in the dream. He took deep breaths to calm himself and then noticed Pansy. He shrieked and tumbled out of the bed.

"Drakey? What's wrong?" She pouted.

"Get out!" He whispered hoarsely.

"Wha-?"

"Now!"

She jumped up and scattered from the room. Draco walked over to the adjoining bathroom and splashed his face with water. He hated dreaming about the summer, because, it had been perfect. He'd stayed with his fathers' old friend and had, somehow, befriended Granger. It still puzzled him the way he'd let that happen, but what followed was the greatest summer experience of his life. But he was back in reality now, it had been stupid to befriend her, and she would always be a Mudblood to him. Always.

"Always" He muttered to reassure himself as he climbed back into bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.

---

"Wake up, Hermione! It's nearly time for class"

Hermione sat up straight away. Jessyca was smiling down at her, goofily.

"Mornin' Jessyca" Hermione mumbled as she rubbed her eyes.

"Morning" Jessyca squealed at her. Hermione dragged herself out of bed and started to undress quickly. She put on her uniform; it was strange to have the Ravenclaw crest on her jumper. Hermione was just tying up her hair when Jessyca stood up on her bed.

"Attention! Feyona! Cordelia! This here" She said, pointing at Hermione, who reddened slightly, "Is Hermione Delacour. She's a transfer, and is our new roommate! Thank you" Jessyca jumped off her bed looking very pleased with herself.

"Hi, Hermione. I'm Feyona Nighy. You can call me Fey for short, all my friends do!" Feyona was tiny, around 5'2, she was skinny, but she really had no other choice or else she'd look overweight because of her height and she had short blonde hair. It was a mess and sticking up everywhere, though, that was the style in which she wore it. Hermione guessed that she must've ended up marrying Amos, because she could see those grey eyes in her mind, belonging to a handsome guy, with the name Cedric.

"Well Fey, nice to meet you. I'm Hermione, though my friends in my…old school…used to call me Mione"

"Cool name!"

"Mione, I like that! Hi-dee-doo, I'm Cordelia Benedict!!"

Hermione thought she was back in the future for a second, because Luna was standing infront of her, except she was a bit taller and her hair an inch or two longer than her future daughters. Hermione was stunned. They even acted the same, although, Cordelia, was, admittedly a bit weirder.

"Hi Cordelia"

"Don't call me that! I hate my full name, it's so…stiff, anyway call me Cordy, everyone does"

"Okay, Cordy it is. It's nice, I like it! Well, I've got to go to breakfast, are you coming Cordy?" Hermione already felt as if she knew Cordy because of her friendship with Luna.

"No, I think I'll go and try and find some Gernumbli gardensi. Bye, see you later"

Jessyca dragged Hermione, who was frozen to the spot, remembering Luna say the exact same thing over the holidays when they'd met up with her for a day in Diagon Alley.

"Don't mind Cordy, she's well…-"

"I know, I've a friend the exact same as her back home"

Jessyca and Hermione walked all the way into the Great Hall chatting to each other and sat down opposite each other too.

"Yes! They have cereals!" Jessyca cried out and then dived for some Cornflakes.

"Don't you have cereals at home?" Hermione asked as she helped herself to some porridge.

"No, I'm pureblood and my parents don't want to eat muggle food. Not that they've anything against muggles, it's just, they prefer Wizards food. Though how they could prefer it when they haven't even tasted it..."

Hermione stayed silent and let Jess jabber on about her parents. She kept picturing Harry and Ron sitting at the Gryffindor table, maybe having Harry's dad there, was adding to her imagination.

"What class do you have first?" Jess asked her.

"I have Ancient Runes, then a free, then History of magic"

"Bummer. I've got Herbology –"

"I do Herbology!"

"Yeah, but our year got divided up. You're in the second lot. See you"

"Bye" Hermione called after her friend. She took a slice of toast and swung her bag over her shoulder.

She had just reached the Entrance hall, when someone tapped her on her shoulder. She turned around. It was James.

"Hey" He said, looking at his shoes.

"Hey"

"Er, do you…like anyone?" He asked, his face reddening.

"Yeah! I like you, Jessyca, Cordy-"

"No I mean, do you like like anyone?"

"Oh, er, not yet. Why?"

"Well, I have this friend. And…he likes you…but doesn't know if you like him"

"How am I supposed to like him if I don't know who he is?"

"I dunno, but I'm to keep his identity a secret"

"Oh, riiight. Cause that'll work" Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, it will. So we're gonna have like, a group hang, after dinner on the Quidditch pitch"

"Who?"

"Me, Remus, Peter and Sirius"

"Aha, so one of them likes me!" Hermione exclaimed. James looked shocked.

"Ya, but you still don't know who! So, will you come?"

"To your 'group hang'? Yeah, but, can I bring a friend?"

"Yeah, just, don't forget, eight o clock"

"I won't. Bye James"

"Bye" He ran up the stairs.

Hermione was just on time for Ancient Runes. She was partnered next to Kevin. He looked really depressed.

"Hey Kev! What's wrong?"

He gave her a feeble smirk, "Kev, now am I?!"

"Yeah. What's wrong?" Hermione whispered as she unpacked her book, parchment and quills along with everyone else.

"My Nan died this morning. My dad, just owled me"

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I guess the weather matches your mood though" He glanced out the window, there were grey storm clouds forming fast. He managed a small smile at Hermione. He didn't talk for the rest of the class. Hermione, meanwhile, focused on what she could do to make him feel better. He was after all, her first friend here at Hogwarts, in the past.

"Don't forget your homework!" The teacher called out.

Kevin left as the bell rang. Hermione raced after him.

"Hey! Kevin!" she shouted after him. He turned and stopped walking.

"Yeah?"

"What class do you have next?"

"Muggle Studies"

"Oh, well, there goes that plan! I have a free" She explained, "Well, what about, tonight; can you come with me, to the Quidditch pitch?"

"What're you gonna do there?"

"I'm going to a…group hang, and I was told to invite a friend!"

He smiled, "Whose group hang is it?"

"Er, James Potter, Sirius Black-"

"Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Yeah, no thanks" He said turning to walk away.

"Awh, come on, they're not that bad! Please…for me?" Hermione pouted.

"Well, I suppose Remus and Peter aren't that bad, they're in some of my classes" He relented.

"So you'll come?"

"Yes, I'll come!" He answered finally.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Hermione squealed. She gave him a quick hug and then went up to the Library.

The day flew, and before Hermione could blink, it was five to eight. She was in her dormitory with Jessyca and Feyona.

Hermione stood up.

"Where're you going?" Feyona asked.

Hermione had decided it was best not to tell them where - you couldn't know how many girls knew the Marauders, "Library. I've got to return a book, then I'll probably go for a walk around the lake"

"I'll come" Jessyca announced.

"No, er, I'd kinda like to be on my own. I'm missing my dad alot today" 'Hermione lied, feeling horrible.

"Okay, you go" Jess insisted.

"Bye" Hermione put on her fleece coat over her long-sleeved top and jeans and left the room. Outside Ravenclaw tower she found Kevin, looking as though he regretted accepting.

"Do I have to go?" He moaned.

"Yes, it'll make you feel better"

They walked out onto the pitch and Hermione saw them. They were huddled together in the middle with some portable fire, her specialty.

Kevin fell into step behind her as Sirius came bounding over.

"Hey! So James managed to convince you?!"

"Looks like it!"

"Lucky, we didn't send Peter!"

Hermione chuckled.

"So, you came alone?" He asked because he couldn't see Kevin in the dark.

"Nope, I brought a friend" She pulled Kevin out from behind her and saw Sirius' face fall and look between the two of them and Hermiones arm as she dragged Kevin forward.

"You brought a guy-friend?"

"Yeah, James didn't specify…"

"No...no worries, come over here, ye must be freezing"

Hermione and Kevin made their way over to the rest and Hermione thought she heard Sirius mutter, "Maybe we should've sent Pete"

For the first ten minutes everyone was awkward, and the tension was high.

"So…how's Snape?" Peter asked Hermione, who burst out laughing.

"Not that again Peter. We told you Shut Up!" James said, smacking him across the head.

"What was that about?" Kevin whispered to Hermione.

She then told him quietly what was going on. James was watching Sirius watch this. His friends face was both paling and reddening at the same time, it was comical to look at.

Kevin started laughing as they reached the end.

Then, out of nowhere, Remus asked a question.

"Seen much of Malfoy lately?"

Everything went quiet.

"No, well except for when he passed me in the corridor" Hermione answered.

"And, how'd he react when he saw you?"

"He, didn't"

"Huh?"

"He had his tongue down Camilla Summers throat at the time"

Everyone cringed.

"I don't know who to feel sorrier for, Camilla, for being with Malfoy, or Malfoy, for being with Camilla!" Sirius exclaimed.

After that, the tension melted away, Sirius pulled butterbeer out of a rucksack and everyone huddled together as the night wore on.

James pulled out a bottle of Firewhisky an hour later.

"How about we play I never?"

"I've never played that!" Peter announced.

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me, Pete" Remus replied.

The game was okay at first, Hermione who had never drunk this much in her life was becoming a bit weary though. What if she blurted something out, like Hagrid usually did when he was drinking? Would she say something like, Harry's just like you James, and blow everything?

"Okay, I've never kissed two people, one straight after the other" Hermione announced as it was her turn and she'd run out of things to say. Everyone drank, even Peter.

"Never?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"Never" Hermione replied, feeling nervous, she'd seen a glint in his eye.

"Well, how about you do it now?"

Hermione just continued staring at him, too shocked to speak.

"Okay, er, who'll kiss you?" He said peering around the circle. After sending death glares at the remaining three Marauders, he volunteered himself.

He leant towards Hermione but then someone spoke, it was Peter.

"Wait! Shouldn't there be another person. Kevin? Do you want to do it?"

Hermione could feel Sirius tense as he was that close to her.

"Oh, no, we're just friends, right Mione?" Kevin said from her left.

"Right"

"Yeah, well, Sirius was friends with Cathy Simmons when they kissed, and they're still friends, it just happened the once. Right Sirius?"

"Yeah. . .right" Peter obviously didn't hear the anger in his tone and continued on.

"See? And plus, you've got to help her feel experienced don't you Kev, I mean you'll always be her friend, not just another boyfriend. Just one friend helping another out, what'd you say?"

"Er…Oooookay" He said, with the air of someone being forced to do something.

"Great! You can go now Sirius"

Sirius leaned in and passionately kissed Hermione, who was still in shock, it was like fireworks going off, he was great! She'd just started to respond, and come out of shock when she heard Peter say, "Times up!"

Sirius pulled away, and he sat down, next to a laughing James, he looked murderous as he glared at Peter.

"Okay Kevin, you're up!"

"You make it sound as if I'm some game!" Hermione said jokingly as her stomach preformed flips. She'd never done anything like this before.

Kevin got onto his knees and leant towards Hermione. They were nose to nose when he whispered to her, somewhat awkwardly, "Er, sorry bout this. But I can hardly back out infront of them can I? I mean, they'll ruin me!" Hermione smiled and he kissed her. It was slow, but then became more and more intense, Hermione felt herself succumbing to his wants. He was an incredible kisser. And then Peter called, "Times up!"

Kevin pulled away and sat down on Hermiones left again. The game continued for another twenty minutes.

"Well, uh, goodnight guys" Hermione called out to the Marauders.

"Night" They called back. She and Kevin headed back into the castle, and up to Ravenclaw tower.

"Kevin?" Hermione asked as they stood at the foot of the split staircase.

"Yeah?"

"Did I distract you from your Nan?"

He smiled at her, "Yeah, you did, thanks. Good night"

"Night"

Hermione headed up the stairs and fell into her bed. It was one in the morning, and she fell straight to sleep.

A/N: Everyone, I cannot apologise enough for how long it's taken me to update this fic. I'm just begging your forgiveness. Hope you like it. I loved describing the dormitory; I fitted phrases from the actual seventh book into my fic, but under different circumstances!! Er, just, let me know what you think, please!

Love Always,

FireboltPheonix

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