The Time Of Our Lives
Chapter 4
Hermione woke up the next morning, feeling considerably well rested and relaxed. She stretched on her bed and groaned as she tried to shield her eyes from the direct sunlight streaming in through the tall French windows of the Hospital Wing. Her first thought was that she was still recovering from Dolohov's curse and started drifting back to sleep beneath the warmth of her blanket…
With a jerk, she sat up straight as her brown eyes flew open. She looked around once and immediately knew that last night had been no dream. Well, not that she could dream in the first place due to the Dreamless Sleeping potion she had consumed on Madam Pomfrey's insistence. She remained in her bed for a while longer, simply watching minuscule particles of dust swirling around in a beam of sunlight as she tried to gather her thoughts.
And tried not to hyperventilate.
This was precisely why she was after everyone to follow the rules properly. Her situation couldn't possible get more ironic than this. Well, hopefully.
With a plan starting to brim in her mind, she pushed off the bed and put her shoes on, stifling a yawn behind her hand as she did so. Her stomach was growling for food but breakfast would have to wait. She noticed for the first time that a mint green partition had been drawn on the left side of her bed, which hadn't been there the previous night. She shrugged and was about to move on when she heard a muted groan from the other side of the partition. Her curiosity got the better of her and slowly, she made her way towards the partition, hand raised to part the curtain. She checked once over her shoulder to see if someone was watching her but the Hospital Wing was empty.
She parted the curtain and peeked in, her eyes coming to land on…
"Remus!" she gasped, hurrying inside the partition covered area. Even though she was gazing down upon a twenty year younger version of Remus Lupin, he was unmistakable. His features were more or less the same, lacking the wrinkles and grey hair which would become a part of his appearance over time. The boy lying on the bed beneath her had sandy brown hair and an unhealthy pallor. His skin appeared almost translucent and each and every scar on his body stood out, raw and red. The bad ones had probably been tended to by Madam Pomfrey and were wrapped under bandages which adorned both his arms and his legs. Hermione could count each and every rib on the boy's scrawny chest as the bones jutted out against his skin. His eyes were screwed shut tightly and he had a pained expression on his face.
"Oh Remus…" Hermione whispered, automatically sinking down on a stool beside his hospital bed. She took his dry and calloused palm into her own, squeezing it lightly as she gazed upon the abnormally thin and weak boy, who lay unconscious on the hospital bed. She had read all she could about werewolves in their third year and knew everything about them. Their usual diet, their normal height and weight, the mechanism behind their transformations every full moon, the differences in their fur colour.
But actually seeing what it did to a person with her own eyes, that too someone she considered to be a dear friend…
She dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt as Remus groaned and stirred on his bed but didn't wake up. Despite Madam Pomfrey's care, one of his deeper cuts was starting to bleed again. Determined to help him, Hermione took out her wand and placed the tip along the bleeding gash, murmuring a string of healing spells under her breath. Soon, the skin around his wounds began giving a faint blue glow and the bleeding stopped. However, the scar remained much to her surprise.
Scars caused from a werewolf bite or scratches are deeper than a normal wound. She remembered a passage from her third year studies. In most cases, they don't fade over time unless attended to immediately.
Hermione was pretty sure that essence of Dittany would do wonders on Remus' scars but to which extent, she was unsure of. She stood up and smoothed his hair over his forehead and to her surprise, his pained expression dulled somewhat, morphing into a more peaceful one.
"You." Hermione whipped around, instantly taking her hand off Remus' forehead.
"You're the girl from last night!"
Hermione had been so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn't realized that the marauders might show up sometime soon to check up on their best friend. And indeed, three highly suspicious faces were staring at her as she tried to come up with an excuse. It was still nerve wracking to be so close to Harry's father and a younger version of Sirius. On top of that, add a fidgeting Peter Pettigrew and a panic attack was waiting for Hermione.
Hermione realized that Sirius had been the one to speak. Now that she saw them in broad day light, there was no mistaking that indeed, they were the famed marauders. Sirius Black stood beside his best friend James with Peter Pettigrew standing a couple of steps behind them.
Sirius was the tallest among the three and towered over Hermione as he took a step towards her, his stark grey eyes narrowing down considerably. Had it been any other scenario, Hermione would have never recognized him. He was nothing like the Sirius Black she was used to. The person she had saved from imminent death in her third year had a sickly pallor and hollowed cheeks. He had rough shoulder length hair which sprang about in an unruly fashion around his head and was gaunt and lean as a skeleton.
This version of Sirius was the exact opposite.
Aside from the impressive height, he had a strong jaw line and the most piercing pure grey eyes, unadulterated by any other colour. Everything about him screamed aristocracy, from his high cheekbones to his wavy black hair which caught the sunlight in an enticing manner.
Her eyes flickered from him and came to rest on James, who was watching her rather warily. He was a couple of inches shorter than Sirius and wore a pair of glasses eerily similar to that of Harry's. He had keen hazel coloured eyes and a shock of messy black hair.
"Come on, we know you're neither deaf nor dumb. Your incessant screaming last night ruled that out." Sirius snapped at her, diverting her attention back to him. "Who are you?"
"I-I mean no harm," she clarified quickly, holding up her hands. "I am Hermione. Hermione…" she almost bit her tongue. She should have thought of an alias name. "Clearwater." She finished, choosing not to reveal her original surname.
Sirius opened his mouth to speak again but James placed a hand on his shoulder, halting him. He stepped forward, coming to stand beside Sirius. "Well, Hermione Clearwater, how do you know our friend Remus?" James asked her, nodding towards Remus' bedridden form.
"I don't." Hermione supplied with as much conviction as she could. "I was just-"
"We saw you heal him." Peter Pettigrew pointed out from behind, his tone high and almost accusing.
"Oh forgive me for doing such a horrible and atrocious thing to your friend!" Hermione snapped, unable to keep her composure this time. She gave a satisfied huff when Peter shrank back at her sharp tone.
"Real smooth, Pete." Sirius muttered under his breath, snorting slightly.
"All my friend Peter meant was," James rolled his eyes, "that you somehow seem acquainted with Remus and we were just wondering how."
Hermione tried her level best to appear calm on the outside even as her mind raced a hundred miles an hour, trying to come up with an explanation. While she was usually quick to think up of one thing or another, three suspicious pair of eyes were putting her under considerable pressure.
"I repeat, I don't know him." She lied through her teeth. But was it indeed a lie? She knew an older version of Remus, not this one. "I was here for some other matter, which doesn't concern you-" She added as James opened his mouth to inquire. He crossed his arms across his chest, still not satisfied with her explanation. "-and that was when I heard his…groans of pain. I was merely helping him be more comfortable, that's all."
"Let's say we believe that for a minute," Sirius stepped forward and Hermione noticed a limp in his gait for the first time. It was probably an injury from the night before when Remus' werewolf form had managed to throw Sirius off him. "You still didn't explain who you were, Hermione Clearwater."
"I don't think I am answerable to any of you regarding my personal-"
"Yes you are!" Sirius cut her off, his grey eyes flashing down at her. "You know about Remus, that much is evident. And you've seen us in our animagus forms." He lowered his voice, glancing around him once. "Give us one good reason as to why we should simply let you walk away."
Hermione's mouth felt as dry as cotton and she felt ganged upon. The three of them, Peter included, were extremely protective over their friend Remus and while it warmed Hermione's heart to see how well he was being looked after, she mostly felt like a nervous mess as Sirius arched an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to speak. However, relief flooded her very veins as she caught sight of a familiar face behind the marauders. "I believe the reason is standing right behind you." She said, pointing to Professor Dumbledore.
"Dumbles." Sirius spoke up as he turned around, nodding a greeting to the old headmaster who merely looked amused. Hermione's eyes widened at the way Sirius addressed the headmaster but he didn't seem to mind…much.
"Mr. Black," Dumbledore stepped forward, smiling at them benevolently. "I see you're here to see Mr. Lupin along with Mr. Potter and Mr. Pettigrew," he glanced down at his pocket watch. "while you should be attending your Transfiguration class."
James shrugged without a hint of apology. "I am sure Professor McGonagall is breathing a sigh of relief, sir."
"Naw, Minny loves me." Sirius pitched in, grinning.
Hermione actually blanched at that when she finally got who Minny was. She nearly gave Sirius a lecture on how to properly address a teacher but snapped her mouth shut when she realized where she was.
"Careful, Mr. Black. You'll be serving year long detentions if Minerva heard that nickname." Dumbledore warned him, all in good humour. Hermione simply watched the exchange with wide eyes. Oh Sirius…
"Ah, Mr. Lupin is recovering rather nicely." Dumbledore stepped forward, glancing down at Remus from behind his half moon spectacles. "I believe he won't be requiring a trip to St. Mungo's this time around."
Hermione blinked and looked back at Remus, her eyes going to his skeletal chest as it rose and fell rather irregularly. Remus had to be taken to St. Mungo's last time? The thought made her heart clench rather painfully. She wanted to reach out and smooth his sandy-brown hair over his forehead but something told her it wouldn't be a good idea.
"Professor, this girl-" Sirius began, pointing to Hermione. Her eyes flitted up to look at him, fixing him with a glare, which he returned.
"Ah, I see you've met our guest." Dumbledore interjected politely, gesturing to Hermione. "This is Miss Hermione-"
"Clearwater. Yes, I've told them that much, Sir." Hermione cut him off quickly. Dumbledore gave her a glance and seemed to catch on quickly as he continued.
"Miss Clearwater is a transfer student from Beauxbatons and will be joining us soon."
"I will?" Hermione swallowed.
"Of course, Miss Clearwater. I've handed in your transfer application already." Dumbledore smiled down at her even as his blue eyes cautioned her. Play along.
"What?" Sirius snorted. "She doesn't sound French."
"That's because I am not French, Mister…" Hermione made a great show of fishing for his name.
"Sirius Black." He offered grudgingly.
"Right, Mr. Black. I was born and brought up in England but my parents moved to France with me when I was seven and hence I was enrolled into Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, merci beaucoup."
This answer seemed to satisfy Sirius, who simply huffed.
"Welcome to Hogwarts…?" James gave her a slight smile, which Hermione returned willingly, wondering for the second time over how much Harry looked like his father.
"What brought you back to England?" He asked her curiously.
"My…" Hermione hesitated for a moment, "Parents don't exist anymore." Technically speaking, it wasn't a lie. While they were alive somewhere, they weren't her parents, not yet. "Hence I decided to move back to my ancestral home in England."
"I am sorry." James said after a while and even Sirius and Peter looked away uncomfortably, mumbling condolences of their own. Hermione simply nodded, already feeling guilty for all the lies she was being forced to spin.
"Hence, Miss Clearwater will be joining us and I will be making accommodations for her here at Hogwarts till her ancestral home gets renovated." Dumbledore beamed down at them, catching up with Hermione's story easily.
"She knows about Remus." Peter, who had been mostly silent, burst out suddenly. Hermione's eyes narrowed down at him on their own accord. Traitor. Betrayer. Coward. Her mind supplied as she felt true hatred bubble at the pit of her stomach for this nervous, mousy boy. In a few years, he would betray Lily and James, hence causing their demise, which would leave their infant parentless with the weight of a prophecy on his head.
"I can assure you that Miss Clearwater would be able to keep his secret safe with her, just like you three." Dumbledore answered impassively. "Won't you?"
"Of course." Hermione nodded vigorously. "I have no reason to betray him, or any of you."
"You also have no reason not to betray him either." Sirius shot back.
"Come on, Pads, give the poor girl a chance." James groaned.
"For your kind information Mr. Sirius Black, I am nothing like those-those other girls whose life aim is to gossip and spread rumours!" She replied back hotly, getting fed up with his attitude towards her.
"Oh?" He stepped closer to her, his storm grey eyes boring down into hers. "What kind of a girl are you then, Clearwater?"
"I guess you will have to wait and find out for yourself." She refused to back down and stared right back at him defiantly. The tension in the room was so thick that it could be sliced through with a knife.
"Padfoot!" James was finally successful in getting his friend's attention. "Come on, mate."
"What in the name of Godric is going on in here? Out! Out everyone!" Madam Pomfrey's presence interrupted their conversation as she ushered everyone out and closed the curtains shut behind Remus, who was beginning to groan in his sleep once more. Sirius tried to move past Madam Pomfrey as concern replaced suspicion in his eyes but the matron wasn't having it.
"There is a time for visitors, Mr. Black!" She shooed him away. "Albus, please. Remus needs to rest."
"Of course, of course." Dumbledore ushered everyone out of the room and with a wave of his wand, shut the hospital wing doors behind them. "I expect the three of you to resume your classes as soon as possible," he said, turning to address Sirius, James and Peter who nodded unenthusiastically. "And Miss Clearwater, I would like you join me in my office in about half an hour. I must take off now; I believe the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher must be arriving any time now." And with that, Dumbledore turned around and walked away with surprising agility, given his age.
"Wanna bet how long this one would last?" James asked the other two.
"Nah, he or she will be gone by the time the year is over." Sirius shrugged one shoulder. Peter, who looked like he wanted to bet opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before choosing to remain quiet. The three of them turned around to face Hermione, each wearing a different expression.
"What?" Hermione asked, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. Their scrutiny was really beginning to bother her. "Are the three of you going to stare at me all day long? Because if so, I think I'd better go and spend my time in the library by myself."
"Did she just say library, Prongs?"
"I believe she did, Padfoot."
The two boys simultaneously shook their head in disappointment even as Hermione rolled her eyes. They were even worse than Ron and Harry.
"Hermione, I have one last question for you." Sirius spoke up even as James exchanged an exasperated look with Peter.
"I suppose you won't leave me alone till I answer it."
"Nope." He replied with an air of mock cheerfulness. "Well, what were you exactly doing near the Shrieking Shack at three in the morning?" Sirius asked, this time genuinely curious.
"Oh um…" Hermione hated how unprepared she was. "I was taking a walk." Pathetic.
"Uh huh."
"Professor Dumbledore had made accommodations for me at the local inn and I couldn't sleep." She added hastily, trying to make her story sound more convincing. "So I thought taking a walk might help. That's when I heard a growling noise and…"
"And you decided to go investigate it on your own like you're Merlin reincarnated or something. Real brilliant, Hermione." Sirius snorted.
"Whatever! And its Miss Clearwater to you." She added haughtily. "I promised you and Professor Dumbledore that I would keep all your secrets safe and I would do so, whether you believe me or not. Now, if you don't mind!" With that, she turned around and stalked away in the opposite direction, heading straight for the library. It seemed to be the only place she'd be able to find some peace and familiarity.
OoOoOoOo
Thankfully, the library had been relatively empty since most of the students were attending their classes. She chose her favourite seat in the corner, away from everyone and propped an old copy of Hogwarts: A History in front of her. She had it memorized by heart at this point but there was no denying its familiarity and that's what comforted Hermione. After half an hour, she approached Dumbledore's office and knocked at his door, fidgeting nervously. She was forced to step back rather hastily as the door opened suddenly and a rather tall woman stepped out, shutting it behind her.
She was dressed smartly in an emerald green robe with a matching hat and carried a sleek black briefcase in a gloved hand. She was pale and her striking green eyes stood out against her complexion.
"Oh, did I startle you?" She asked Hermione but her question lacked any sort of concern and was more of an automatic response.
"A bit. It's not a…" Before Hermione could even finish the sentence, the woman brushed past her and went down the stairs of the spiraling staircase that led up to Dumbledore's office. "Problem." Hermione finished under her breath.
"Ah Miss Granger, come on in." He greeted her, turning away from the window. It was raining heavily and big, fat drops pattered against the window pane. Hermione stepped into Dumbledore's office and took a seat.
"I believe you just met your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Mrs. Melania Parkinson."
Hermione wondered if she was somehow related to Pansy Parkison, the girl who usually hung around Draco Malfoy. "She seemed a bit…"
"Cold? Uptight?" Dumbledore supplied and Hermione nodded uneasily. "Well, let's just say she is a devout Slytherin and leave it at that."
"That does explain a lot." Hermione muttered under her breath.
"It's getting harder and harder to get new Defense teachers each year." Dumbledore sighed, offering Hermione a bowl of candies. She accepted one and thanked him, figuring she could use a little sugar.
"Perhaps you should consider the offer for the post of Minister of Magic after all." Hermione supplied, not really meaning it. Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled as he regarded her with interest.
"Perhaps." He chuckled, fishing inside a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans. "Hmm, I wonder if this one…" He popped a brown bean into his mouth and made a face. "Ah, no." he sighed in disappointment. "Dirt flavor, I am afraid."
"Professor," Hermione began, "About my apparent transfer…"
"Ah yes, yes." Dumbledore nodded, fishing out a scroll from his desk's drawer. He passed it to Hermione, who opened it.
"You've been officially enrolled in Hogwarts. If I am right about your age-which I am- you should be eligible to start your sixth year."
Hermione glanced down at her letter of acceptance, reading it over once before she looked back at Dumbledore, her eyes reflecting her uncertainty. "But…"
"I think we went over this the night before, Miss Granger. You don't mind me addressing you by your real name when we are alone, do you?" Dumbledore leaned forward on his desk, crossing his fingers together as he gazed at her with his brilliant blue eyes.
"No, I don't." She shook her head. "But Professor, I can't stay here…"
"Would you rather I make different accommodations for you? You are a bright minded witch, Miss Granger, that much is evident. You will be here for at least another two to three years and I highly doubt you are one to sit around and miss out of your education."
Oh, he is good. Hermione thought, sighing in defeat. He did have a point, however. This way, she would not feel like she is wasting her time and she would also have access to the Hogwarts library for her research work. Plus, having an extremely skilled and experienced wizard like Dumbledore nearby was a plus.
"Professor, the bit about having an ancestral home was a lie. I don't have any place to stay." She confessed, lowering her eyes.
"Hogwarts will always help those who ask for it." Dumbledore's words made her look up, "All you need to do is ask."
"Money? Clothes? Books?"
"I believe we have a fund for students who lack such privileges, so that won't be a problem."
"Why are you helping me out, Professor? You can simply turn me in and get rid of me." Hermione said rather petulantly, "Would save you a whole lot of trouble and effort."
"Am I such a horrible person in the time you come from, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked her lightly and Hermione immediately shook her head. "No, of course not! You're the same, really, from what I've seen so far."
"That's an immense relief to hear, is it not?" Dumbledore stood up, waving his wand once. The candy wrappers which littered his desk vanished, leaving it impeccably clean. He walked over to his bookshelf and reached up, pulling the ancient sorting hat from atop and held it in his hand as he motioned for Hermione to take a stool near Fawkes' pedestal.
With a small smile, Hermione sat down on the stool and Professor Dumbledore placed the hat on her head.
"Oh, is it time already?" The hat muttered in her ear, coming to life all of a sudden.
"Not really." Hermione replied, knowing that the hat will be able to see everything inside her head for nothing could be hidden for it.
"Now this is a peculiar one. You have been sorted before, it seems but in another time, another place. How very peculiar indeed."
"Tell me about it." Hermione muttered, shifting uncomfortably on the stool as the hat contemplated its options.
"Mind sharper than the edge of a sword but the heart of a lion, I see. I am in the same dilemma as the first time round…"
"I'd do better in Gryffindor, at least its familiar. Somewhat…" Hermione swallowed. Will she really? Harry and Ron weren't a part of this timeline. But James Potter was.
"Are you certain? With a mind like yours, you could achieve great things in Ravenclaw .Great things."
"I'd consider your offer but I don't belong here." Hermione sighed, wishing for the sorting to be over as soon as possible.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that…but yes…better be… Gryffindor!"
Hermione removed the hat from her head after silently thanking it and placed it on the stool as she stood up. "Same as the first time, really. Either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor."
Dumbledore seemed satisfied with the sorting hat's decision but before he could say anything, the door to his office opened once more and in the entrance stood a younger Minerva McGonagall. Her face had less wrinkles than Hermione remembered and her jet black hair were up in a tight bun. The witch looked as formidable as usual, even more so as she gazed at Hermione and Dumbledore in quick succession.
"You sent for me, Albus?" She asked, getting straight to the point.
"Ah yes, Minerva. Meet the transfer student I was talking about." He ushered Hermione forward.
"Good evening, Professor, I am Hermione Clearwater." Hermione greeted her with a nod, which she returned.
"You shall address me as Professor McGonagall." She told Hermione, thought not unkindly. "Is the sorting over with?"
"I believe so. Gryffindor has a new, rather bright addition to it I believe." Dumbledore beamed, placing the sorting hat back on the shelf. Hermione blushed slightly at the compliment.
"Ah, good. Come, Miss Clearwater, I will show you to your tower. Merlin knows this house can use a few level headed students." For some reason, Hermione instantly knew who Professor McGonagall was talking about.
"Um…Professor…" Hermione felt embarrassed for some reason. "I don't have any clothes or books."
"They will be provided for, shortly." Dumbledore answered even as McGonagall gave her a questioning look. "As for the books, I will accompany you to the Diagon Alley myself tomorrow so you can buy all the necessary items."
"Thank you, Professor." Hermione finally gave him a warm smile, expressing her gratitude as best as she could. She knew confiding in Dumbledore had been the right choice.
She followed the head of her house down the various corridors and stairways which led up to the Gryffindor tower. She had to keep a brisk pace to match that of the Transfiguration teacher.
"Longbottom, why are you loitering around? There is a class going on!" Professor McGonagall reprimanded a lanky, dark haired boy who Hermione recognized as Frank Longbottom, Neville's father. Her heart clenched as she remembered him from her visit to St. Mungo's. Him and his wife Alice Longbottom had been tortured to insanity by Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange by the illegal use of the Cruciatus curse.
"Professor..." he panted, clutching a stitch at his side. "Forgot…my…essay…in… my…dorm."
"Maybe Augusta should send you a remembrall this Christmas, Mr. Longbottom. It might do you some good. Go, quickly!" McGonagall waved him ahead impatiently and the boy scurried ahead of them, heading for the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione suppressed a smile. Like father, like son.
Soon, they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady who allowed them entrance when provided with the correct password- Hippogriff
Hermione entered first and there was a flurry of movement at her entrance. At first glance, the common room appeared deserted but Hermione caught sight of black fringes poking out from behind the sofa and a hint of a school robe beneath the table in the corner.
"Albus explained earlier you're a transfer from Beauxbatons and he explained the reasoning behind it too." To Hermione's surprise, Professor McGonagall's usually stern expression softened a bit. "You see, Hogwarts is slightly different from Beauxbatons. It might be a bit unnerving at first but you will get used to it soon. This is the common room to your house and the girl's dormitories lie separate from the boy's and yours is on the ride side," she pointed to the staircase leading up to the girl's dorms, which Hermione was all too familiar with but she nodded along anyway.
"Now, certain rules are to be followed by all students of Hogwarts and the same will be expected from you, Miss Clearwater." Professor McGonagall fixed her with a stern gaze. There she is, Hermione thought.
"You are not allowed to venture anywhere near the Forbidden Forest under any circumstance unless a Professor is accompanying you. You have to maintain a proper dress code and I will not tolerate hiked up skirts or un-tucked blouses, God forbid shirts opened halfway to display your assets to the whole world."
There was a slight snicker from behind Hermione but she did her best to ignore the sound even as her face became slightly pink. "Yes, Professor. I am-I am not into all that."
"I hope not, Miss Clearwater." McGonagall continued, "Magic in corridors is strictly forbidden and there is a curfew. Students must not be found loitering about in the corridors after night falls or the consequences will be dire. Any questions so far?"
"No, Professor."
"Good. Now, I have a class to teach. Your dorm is on the first landing, third door on the right. Your clothes will be delivered shortly to you." Professor McGonagall moved towards the portrait role but paused for a moment, "Oh and detention to you three, Mr. Potter, Mr. Black and Mr. Pettigrew." With that, she ducked out of the opening and left.
"Man, every single time!" James hopped up from his hiding place behind the sofa and whacked Peter on the back of his head. "Why did you snicker?"
"Did not!" He protested, rubbing his head.
"Did so!"
"I heard you too," Hermione pointed out.
"And who asked you?" Peter scowled at her petulantly and Hermione simply rolled her eyes, crossing the room to make her way to her assigned dorm. However, she was startled as another figure popped from underneath the table and she nearly fell back-or would have done so had a hand not shot out to stabilize her.
"Whoa, Miss Clearwater, easy." Sirius cautioned her, grabbing hold of her arm.
"Don't do that!" Hermione protested weakly, placing a hand on her chest. She was still not used to seeing such a young version of Sirius Black and add Harry's apparently dead father and their traitor friend to the mix…not to forget their werewolf best friend who was recovering in the Hospital Wing. It was almost too much to handle all at once.
"Or what? You'll curse at me in French?" He snickered and Hermione yanked her arm away from his grip.
"I just might." She scowled at him, intending to brush past him and head for the dorms but Sirius blocked her way.
"What do you want, Black?" She sighed in exasperation.
"I've got my eyes on you, Hermione." He pointed two fingers towards his eyes and then at her. Hermione had only seen people do that in movies previously and couldn't help but let out a snort.
"Yeah? Well, I hope you don't have to blink." She shot back, brushing past him by intentionally bumping hard into his shoulder, making him stagger this time.
"Savage." James muttered.
"Humph." Peter supplied.
"Lioness you are, no doubt about that." Was the last thing she heard Sirius say before she slammed the dorm room shut.
A/N: At the end of chapter three, I left Dumbledore's statement about the marauder's nocturnal adventures open to interpretation. He might not necessarily be aware that they can transform into animagi but he certainly knows that they have been sneaking out after curfew every now and then!
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