It's been a couple of weeks since Hermione had spoken to Dumbledore, and she was quite successful in laying low for the time being. She was able to secure a room above the Three Broomsticks through Madame Rosmerta, who looked much younger this time around. She had told Hermione to "not worry herself" with payment. No doubt, Hermione knew, Dumbledore had informed Rosmerta of Hermione's arrival and needs. For the first time in a long time, Hermione was able to live a quiet life. The first few days, she was busy running errands both in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, also with the help of Dumbledore. She wasn't quite sure why the Headmaster was going out of his way to assist her, but she thought he must be slowly realizing how valuable Hermione could be to him.

With Dumbledore's help, she was able to put some money away in her vault, purchase new clothing, a wand (seeing a younger and happier Ollivander was a relief to see), and a few books, both to pass the time and to research her situation. She spent most days in her room, reading her books or answering the occasional owl from Dumbledore.

There wasn't much information on time travel and dark magic that she could find in Flourish and Blotts, which frustrated her. What was left of the time turner she was wearing before she landed in 1978 was lying in a heap of gold chain on her small nightstand next to her wand. The time turner left a small mark on her chest, no doubt from the Malfoy Manor. She was going nowhere with the information she had at the moment, so she decided to leave her room for a bit to clear her head.

James and Remus were wondering through Honeydukes while Sirius and Peter were at Zonko's checking out new merchandise. They haven't seen Hermione since the day she was in the hospital wing with Remus, and they were all curious about the new girl.

"You got enough chocolate there, Moony?" James teased, waving at the basket full of chocolate.

Remus ran his hand through his hair. "I ate the rest of it a few days ago."

James laughed as they made their way to the cashier. James paid for his basket first, then stepped aside to let Remus pay. As he was shoving his money back into his pocket, he looked up and saw a familiar head of chestnut curls. Her eyes grew wide once she realized he had noticed her, and turned to walk away.

"James?" Remus questioned, watching as the Marauder sprinted out the door. He followed him out the door and nearly ran into him.

"She was here," James said, looking around for her. "I saw her! She was here!"

"Who?" Remus asked, looking around the path. James huffed as he laughed at his friend. "You've gone mental, James."

"Nonsense," James said with a mischievous smirk on his face. "The girl that was in the hospital wing with you. She was right here and she was looking at us!"

James wasn't quite sure why he was so adamant on meeting the mysterious girl. There was something about her that he couldn't understand, and he wanted to find out why. There was no doubt he still had the hots for Lily Evans, but there's just something about this girl that he needed to get out of his system.

Remus thought James fell off the deep end, and shoved him playfully.

Hermione leaned against the cold brick wall, closing her eyes and focusing on her breathing. 'That was a close one,' she thought, thinking back to the moment her and James locked eyes on each other.

There was something in his look that struck a chord with her. May be it's his uncanny resemblance to Harry, but there is just something about looking at him that made her heart skip a beat, and it terrified her. She knew where the timeline had to go, she couldn't risk altering key events that she knew needed to happen if she had any chance of making it back to her normal life.

Once her breathing had evened out, she cautiously made her way back onto the path. She was careful in trying to not make any eye contact with anyone as she made her way back to her room. She passed by Zonko's, looking longingly at the joke shop and remembering Fred and George.

She only made it to the next storefront before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Her body tensed defensively, her hand quickly grabbing her wand and turning to point it at whoever was behind her. Her mind ran a mile a minute, replaying her time on the run with Harry and Ron, and the countless times she was close to being attached at Hogwarts. She even thought about second year, when she found out about the Basilisk and her time she spent petrified in the hospital wing.

She could feel the sweat on her face, and her breathing intensified.

"It's just me! The guy that was in the hospital wing with you. I mean no harm," Remus said, showing his hands to her to convince her that he was not a threat.

Hermione looked at him with hardened eyes. She didn't mean to react in the way she did, now knowing who was at the end of her wand, but that reaction had become second nature to her.

She lowered her wand, but didn't put it away. "What do you want?" she asked. She winced a bit, knowing it came out a bit harsh.

"Don't be afraid," Remus said, his eyes flickering to gold. "You don't have to be like that around me."

Moony was aching for her, and Remus was having a hard time keeping the wolf inside. He hated having to fight with his other self, and the more he tried to keep him back, the more the wolf tried to push back.

"You don't understand," she replied, her heart shattering. "I shouldn't even be talking to you."

Hermione could tell Remus was struggling with himself. Spending so much time together at Grimmauld made her grow accustomed to his various moods, and she was able to tell when Remus was trying to hide something. Their nights in the library made their friendship grow, and at some point Moony began to recognize her as part of his little pack, someone he cared for and needed to protect. He never told her, but she was always a clever girl. There was no doubt in Remus' mind that she would have figured it out on her own.

"You don't even know who I am!" he sighed, rubbing his face. He couldn't understand Moony being so insistent right now about this girl.

"Remus! You found her!"

Both Remus and Hermione looked at James, who was currently exiting Zonko's with the rest of the Marauders in tow. Hermione gasped as Remus groaned.

"I did not find her," he said, sternly.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," Hermione quickly said, turning on her heels and continuing her way back to the Three Broomsticks.

"Missed her again!" James said, defeatedly.

"I don't understand," Remus said as the Marauders lounged around in the Gryffindor common room. He couldn't stop thinking about the girl, and Moony became restless after she fled.

"Understand what, Moony? Do you fancy this bird?" Sirius asked, almost sounding jealous.

"No, absolutely not," Remus said, trying to convince himself. "But the wolf keeps insisting that we make sure she's safe. He thinks she's part of our pack."

Sirius chuckled, slinging an arm around Remus. "Well, Moony, if she's a part of our pack-"

"Pads..." James warned.

"Then let's bring her in!"

That was too close for comfort.

She couldn't stay here anymore. She needed help, and she knew where she had to go. It was the last place she would rather be, but with no other options, she decided against her own judgement to send an owl to Dumbledore.

She paced her room, swallowing her anxiety while also trying to construct a backup plan if she couldn't stay at Hogwarts. She was already putting together a backstory to tell students who might get a little too curious.

It was night by the time the owl came back with a response, which simply read:

You are most welcome to stay here at Hogwarts. A room has been prepared for you at Gryffindor Tower, please come at your earliest convenience.