AN: I would like to dedicate this chapter to you. Yes, you. For reading this story. For adding me to your favorites. For putting an alert on my story.. For leaving me comments. I love you for it! (:
Hermione walked in to find four sets of eyes staring her down. She moved slowly closer to them but they never stopped staring at her.
"Hermione, we need to talk," Sirius was the first one to speak up and the first one to wave the now refolded piece of parchment in front of her, "You dropped this when you left."
Hermione's eyes widened to approximately the size of two tea saucers, "Did you four read that?" She asked quietly praying that the answer would be no but knowing that they had.
James nodded and looked at her desperately, "Who is the kid in the paper, Hermione?"
She looked about the common room. Almost empty but there were still some young Gryffindors studying silently in the corner.
"We can't talk about this here," She stated quietly.
Sirius nodded and began leading the group out of the common room where Hermione took the lead and led them all the an abandoned corner of the library.
"Now explain," Sirius demanded, losing patience quickly.
Hermione exhaled slowly, "It was just a project from my old school. We had to write a fake newspaper article." She said calmly.
"Oh, that's a relief," Peter breathed, "We thought the whole thing was real."
Remus stared at him wondering how he had gotten to seventh year.
"It is a real article, Pete. She's lying." He stated, staring down Hermione who was suddenly fascinated with the dark carpet of the library, "Isn't that right, Hermione—if that's even really your name."
She actually rolled her eyes at this, "Of course it's my real name.'
Sirius gave a small smile and leaned closer to her, "Good. Since we are on this honest streak why don't we continue and you tell us what that article was about.
Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and let out a long sigh, "It's an article about a boy who will be very important in the future. And about a war that we won—sort of."
"So you're from…the future?" Sirius confirmed.
James, on the other hand was still staring at Hermione with that desperate look in his eyes, "But, Hermione, who is the boy?"
She couldn't stand seeing James look so torn up. She was positive he knew exactly who the boy was and that look on his face—Harry's face—was cutting her to the bone.
"Harry Potter. He was my best friend. He was the bravest person I have ever met and he died in the war saving millions of people." She hoped he would get what she was trying to say—that he should be proud of his son.
"And, yes, Sirius. I am from the future."
"But why are you here?" Remus cut in.
Hermione shook her head, "It's kind of a long story. You see, I'm here to save Harry."
James looked at her with a hopeful look in his eyes, "You can do that? You can make sure he won't die?"
"I can try. It won't be easy. I will have to be very careful of the things that I change and the things that I don't change."
"So what are you trying to change?" Sirius asked excitedly.
"I can't tell you. And you four have to promise me that you are going to continue your lives like this conversation never happened. It is crucial that you four don't change."
Everyone agreed easily enough but James who looked like he was still deep in thought.
"James?" She asked quietly while the others were deep in conversations of their own.
"Yes?" He answered, snapping out of his reverie.
"Are you alright?"
I think so… Could you tell me about him?"
Hermione's face twisted a she considered this, "What do you want to know?"
"I don't know? What's he like?"
Hermione considered this for a moment before answering, "He is a model Gryffindor. Loyal and very brave. He loves Quittich—made the house team his first year. And he is one of the kindest people I have ever met… he took me in when I didn't have any friends."
James showed a small grin and opened his mouth before faltering.
"His eyes," He managed, "They are green. Just like Lily's. The exact same color. And he had dimples just like her. I don't have dimples, Hermione. Is Lily Harry's mother?"
Hermione bit her lip, torn between doing what was right and the hopeful look that she knew so well, though on a different person.
Finally she nodded but warned, "You have to remember to continue on as if we had never had this conversation! If you make the slightest change, Harry might not even exist."
James nodded solemnly, "What if I just stop acting like a prick?"
Hermione smiled, "Actually, that might help."
James grinned, "I think it would. Thank you, Hermione."
"Alright, well if you two are finished, it's time for lunch and I am starving." Sirius announced loudly.
Hermione shushed him quickly, "We are still in a library you dolt." She hissed.
Sirius shrugged before grabbing James by the arm and leading him and Peter out behind him. Remus made to follow them but Hermione grabbed his arm, "Remus I actually have something to give you." She said nervously, reaching into her robe pocket and pulling out a large bottle of thick liquid.
"What is that?" He asked.
Hermione gave it to him, "It's called wolfs bane. It will help you for tonight."
His eyes widened, "You know about-"
Hermione nodded, "Yes. Take half of that potion after lunch and put the rest in storage. If you keep it cold it should be good for next month as well. And I will teach you how to make it later so that you can do it yourself when I'm gone."
Remus stared at the potion in his hands, "But will it stop me from…you know?"
Hermione frowned, "No, you will still transform but this will help you to keep your wits—remember who you are."
"I don't know what to say."
Hermione shrugged and started taking slow backward steps away from Remus, "You don't have to say anything. It's no big deal, really," She said with a quick friendly smile before turning around and following the other boys to lunch.
Remus just stood there for a few moments staring at the bottle in his hands. She knew. She knew and she didn't run away from him. She knew and she was helping him. He felt his heart clench up inside his chest as he stared at the empty space where she had stood.
The perfect stranger and she wanted to help him.
Unbelievable.
AN: The chapter is not as long as the other, buuuut that's okay. Still over 1000 words :D Anyway, thanks for reading.
Love you! Jess
