Chapter 3

The sun was just about to rise as her brown eyes closed from exhaustion. Moving her body to the other side of the bed, she let out a frustrated grown. Pain, which she recognized just too well, was overwhelming her still mangled body again, daring her not to move her body any further. Her whole body felt limp, recurring thoughts running through her mind.

"Pettigrew, I was wondering when you would pay me a visit."

She could sense his presence, knowing that she was no longer alone, her wand raised on instinct, aiming at the dark corner of the room.

A low squeak was heard, before the shadows began to move, sending shivers down her spine.

"How did you know?" The voice that was constantly haunting her every nightmare shot through the dark. Again, the shadows on the wall began to move, this time revealing the figure of Peter Pettigrew who slowly made his way out of the corner, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Just an instinct", the brunette hissed, her voice low and cold. It took all her willpower to fight the disgusting, aggravating feeling that overcame her body as her eyes scanned the plump boy with watery eyes who would be the cause of so much agony and death in the future she knew.

Tears began to fall as she desperately tried to hold herself together. Suddenly memories began to flood her mind, a flow of pictures which hit Hermione with such an intensity that nearly crashed her on the inside.

She saw Harry sitting alone in the common room at midnight, the hurt and loss he'd felt was clearly written on his face, his green eyes had been glued to an old photograph in his hands. On the picture stood several people, but he'd only gazed at one side of it - the left side, where Lilly and James Potter smiled happily into the camera, a carefree looking Sirius beside them, all of them full of life and joy.

"They trusted him, you know?" Harry's voice echoed in her mind, the pain which had filled his words reached out to her, washing over Hermione like a cold wave, stopping her breath for just a second. Yes, so many people had trusted Pettigrew, in the end they had to pay the price.

Just in time, she saw Peter's mouth open, concentration shone in his eyes, as his wand aimed at her as he tried to use her distraction against her. Using her battle skills her mind snapped immediately into action.

"Immobilus!"

The hex hit Pettigrew just in time, causing his body to freeze.

A low groan escaped her lips, her body ached in pain but she ignored it, using once again the effects that were the consequences of fighting against Voldemort in the Second Wizarding War and being constantly on the run, being seriously injured several times.

"I swear, if I you ever point your wand at me again, Pettigrew, I'll use an Unvorgivable on you without batting an eye." Standing in front of him she could see the panic flicker in his eyes, caused by the cruel intensity her words held. His eyes searched desperately for a way out. She could see them flicker from one corner to another, but realization came soon to his mind; totally aware of the fact that there was no escape, a low scream was heard from the plump boy who's eyes turned once again to the brunette witch.

Her cold gaze was focused on his left arm, the arm that would soon be the indication that the apparently innocent Peter Pettigrew would betray his friends and become one of the Dark Lord's followers. If she wouldn't be able to stop him, there was no way for her to prevent history from repeating itself. Harry would still have both his parents, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Fred Weasley, Remus and Tonks Lupin, Sirius - they all could be still alive. Right that moment, Hermione swore herself that she would do everything to save all this people, even if it meant her own death.

"Listen and listen carefully, Pettigrew", her low voice was threatening, "if..."

Low footsteps echoed through the Hospital Wing, a little ball of dim light appeared and her eyes managed to catch sight of Madame Pomfrey's small silhouette in the dark.

He'd never had a thing for potions. So instead of James, who currently was busy glaring daggers into Avery's back for being paired up with his dearest Lily, Sirius found himself next to the greasy haired, young Severus Snape.

"Black, stop being your normal useless self and cut this ingredients", mocked the Slytherin, hate and disgust clearly visible on his face.

A low growl escaped his mouth. What did he ever do to anyone for Merlin's sake, that he deserved this? He gritted his teeth to hold back some rude responses, recurrently thinking about the things he had to do last time, as he got himself detention in potion for blowing up some of the snake's cauldron, spilling the intimidating half-brewed liquid about the student who's skin had swollen eventually, turning into an ugly shade of green, letting blains appear all over it, hair burning. The effects were impressive, but he got himself one full month detention. One month of cleaning the owlery every day. The penetrant smell of dung had stuck with him for weeks!

One last glare was sent at the Slytherin, slowly he began to carelessly cut the ingredients in front of him. Suddenly the door to the dungeon was pushed open, the loud sound caused everyone in the dark room to pause, all eyes were fixed on the petite girl. They were watching her every move warily while whispers were soon erupted among the students as they recognized who she was.

Hermione was sure that she'd never felt this awkward before, walking into a classroom that was full with people she'd known to be dead, after being thrown back into the past twenty years before she had been even born.

"Oh, Mrs. Granger, I just started to worry that you may have gotten lost. Come in and take a seat next to... yes, I believe you and Mr. Diggory would get along pretty well. He's one of my best students actually, his father's a dear friend of mine."

While Slughorn was giving his little speech, the brunette turned her head towards the whispers. Immediately her eyes landed on several people who she instantly recognized. There, in the front of the class was a beautiful young woman with fiery red hair and the brightest eyes Hermione had ever seen, a breathtaking green colour shimmered in them - Lily Evans.

Behind Lily she could see an almost exact copy of Harry staring back at her, mischief and joy in his eyes. His hair messy and a warm smile on his face, now and than she watched his eyes flicker to the redhead in front of the class, admiration and love clearly visible whenever he looked at her - James Potter. For a moment the brunette felt tears begin to well up, but she forced them down a second later. It hurt her looking at her best friends father, the man who reminded her so much of 'her Harry'. Not daring to look at him a second time, she turned her gaze to the other students.

A younger, much more carefree looking Remus John Lupin sat in the back of the classroom, his amber eyes never leaving her and she could practically see his brain trying to connect all the things he knew about her, trying to figure out if he could trust her.

Hermione held her breath for a second as her eyes landed on Peter Pettigrew who was sitting next to her. His watery eyes currently boring into her brown ones. The memories of last night flooded her mind and she needed to clench her fists to fight the once more upcoming feeling of hate and disgust.

Her eyes grew wide as they found the last, and most unlikely pair in the room: Sirius Black and Severus Snape. Her heart stopped for a second as she saw him, his dark eyes, the muscular, lean posture and the infamous Black smile; now she could understand why he was announced as Gryffindor's heartthrob, but as quick as this thought had appeared in her mind, she banned it from it and turned to walk towards Amos Diggory - who exactly looked like his son. Oh, this was all so great, she thought bitterly.

"Great, now that this is all settled, I believe we could carry on with the lesson", Slughorn's enthusiastic voice raised, his eyes still on his new student "If you have any questions, Mrs. Granger, I am fully convinced that Mr. Diggory would be very pleased to assist you."

"Of course, sir", they young man next to her answered in a polite, deep voice, sending her a reassuring smile. This smile caused a low, unheard growl from the other side of the classroom, but no one except Severus Snape, James Potter and Remus Lupin took notice.

The end of the lesson arrived quickly, everyone who was not sorted into Slytherin sighed in ease.

Slowly packing her books, she didn't notice Lily approach her until her kind voice spoke up, still being haunted by nightmares, memories and other recurring thoughts. Hermione jumped, her wand instinctively shot up, pointed at the young woman in front of her, ready to throw a hex to defend herself from any harm. Her breathing was heavy.

Lily's eyes widened in shock and a frown appeared on her beautiful face.

Suddenly realizing what she had just done, she grabbed her bag and ran towards the stairs, leaving Lily alone in the dark classroom. The lump in her throat grew heavier by the second, her eyes fixed on the ground as she headed outside the school and for the lake.

What had she done?

Her mind was empty except for one thought that was echoing in her mind - she had been so close to hexing Harry's mother. Her feet moved without her noticing it, her mind wrapped around this one thought. What would have happed if she would have given in to her inner instincts that moment? The thought sent shivers down her spine, the shocked green eyes she knew just too well hunting her down.

"My Lord, I have news", the high voice squeaked, the plump figure kneeling in the shadows, eyes glued to the dirty floor, fear radiating from every fibre of his being.

Darkness engulfed the shabby room, a single fire was the only source of light.

"Go ahead, wormtail, it must be something highly important, otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"Yes, my lord..."

I feel the need to apologize for this one, I'm not really proud of it and it's also a little short :/

I promise that the next chapter will be online soon, also it will be longer and hopefully much better!

Also, there will be the first real meeting of Lily, Hermione and the marauders - please read and review.

Bellibies