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September 1977
Hermione sat alone at a small heavy table at the back of the library, watching Lily and James have a silent fight. "How do those two get together?" she thought to herself, vaguely amused and largely disappointed. She had hoped that they would already be a couple, or at least be civil to each other.
James had apparently sat down at Lily's table and proceeded to write notes and charm them to flutter about her head in the shapes of flowers and hearts. Hermione winced when the redhead waved her wand, incinerated every one of them and then gave James a glare so severe that he shrugged in defeat and grabbed his books. To her dismay he looked around and spotted her, putting a large grin on his face.
"Hello! I don't believe we've met," he whispered. "May I join you?"
She wanted to say no, but as he'd already thrown his books about and sat down she didn't feel as if refusing was an option. "Well as you're already situated I would dare say you could."
He threw her a most charming grin and held out his hand, "I'm James Potter, Head Boy."
"Well I suppose if I get to know them it would be easier for me to tell Harry things about them," she thought to herself. Out loud she said, "Hermione Glenn, I just transferred."
"Well, if you need me to show you around sometime, I'd be more than happy to," he said, a strange gleam in his eyes.
"Yes," drawled an amused voice from behind her, "he has a quite extensive knowledge of the dark alcoves and broom cupboards."
"Oh stuff it, Padfoot," James said, grinning broadly.
Sirius Black sat down beside Hermione and looked her over, causing her to blush slightly. "Of course, I have the same amount of knowledge, if you'd rather have a more handsome tour guide," he said, winking at her.
"I think I can find my way around quite easily, thanks," she replied politely. "Well I think I'll go back to the common room, it's getting late."
The young woman stood, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and gathered her books, shoving them in her bag. She sighed when the two amorous young men stood, shoving their own books inside large bags. Sirius snatched her satchel right out of her hand and slung it over his shoulder to rest beside his own. Each boy then looped his arm through hers and said together, with identical grins on their faces, "We will escort you, fair lady." Hermione couldn't decide whether to be amused or exasperated, and sighed in defeat as the two of them drug her out of the library.
Over the next few days it seemed everywhere she went there was either James or Sirius; the only time she could be sure to escape them was when she was in the loo or the dormitory.
"Why do you keep following me?" she practically yelled at James on one occasion where he'd lunged out of a hallway and caught her off guard, causing her to drop her books.
He waved his wand, causing them to soar up and land in her arms; James then wrapped an arm about her waist. "Because you are so fascinating, being the new girl and all."
The other Marauders suddenly appeared out of nowhere and Remus said, "That and he's trying to make Lily jealous. It's working too, by the look of her these days whenever you're around."
"I'm doing no such thing, Moony," James replied, looking hurt. "I think our dear Hermione is a lovely and admirable creature and I would love to get to know her better."
"In a broom cupboard no doubt," Peter snickered.
Hermione sighed at the insensitivity of boys and removed James arm from her waist. "I would like to get to dinner, if you please," she said primly, walking off down the hall. However, she hadn't made it three steps before James hand was firmly around her waist again.
"I'll escort you. Go on, you three, we'll catch up," he said, gesturing with his head towards the Great Hall.
Her eyes narrowed but she thought Harry might be quite perturbed if she hexed his father, besides; she rather liked the attention, even if it was a bit annoying. Once the three boys were quite a ways down the corridor James spoke again, voice holding a tone that Hermione had only heard in the past from Viktor.
"I do find you admirable and lovely, you know. I'm really not using you just for a possible snog or to make Lily jealous."
"Not just or not at all?"
He looked a bit uncomfortable at that. "Well…not just. Snogs are nice, and I was hoping if Lily got jealous she might go out with me. She's really the only girl I see going with long term. But for a short term girl, you really are one of my top picks."
"Well that was so romantic. I really can't see why Lily isn't over here now, demanding to be your girl," Hermione said scathingly.
"I try," he replied with a grin. "So…want to go out with me for a little while?"
"Aren't you really just asking me to help you make Lily jealous?"
"Well…I thought you'd say no to that. It is a bit of a degrading question. I suppose I am bored and you are pretty and available and I thought you might like to be my girl to pass the time. And perhaps while we are together your presence might make Lily realize what she is missing."
Hermione shook her head and thought to herself, "Oh my God, Harry's dad just asked me out! In an insensitive manner…but still!"
She decided to use an evasive tactic. "You making her jealous won't work exactly. You have to open up, to show her that you've matured and aren't an egotistical git anymore."
He nodded, "You have a point."