HERMIONE
When I woke up I took notice that it was light out, probably morning. I sat up and was delighted to find that the pain was considerably less. I looked around for my wand and beaded bag panicking that they aren't next to me. After spending almost a year on the run, I've grown rather attached. Only when I'm verging the point of hysterics does Madame Pomfrey come over to my bedside to once again give me potions and change my bandages.
"Where is my wand and bag?" I break off into a coughing fit, my throat still dry and raw from the nighttime excitement.
"Just over there. Here. I'll get them for you." She hands me a glass of water and I sip greedily before being reunited with my belongings. There was a palpable sigh when my wand was finally back in hand.
"How are you feeling, dear? You don't seem to be shaking as bad which is a good sign for a fast recovery. How are your pain levels?"
"Fine." I answer tonelessly. She frowned.
"I researched your wound and found that typical healing charms and salves will not close the wound so I'm afraid we're going to have to stitch it up the muggle way. Is that alright, dear?" She said holding up needle and thread.
"Yes, fine." Leave it to purebloods to not think about muggle medicinal treatment when cursing a wound. "Could you send for Professor Dumbledore? Now that I'm awake, I'd like to continue our conversation from yesterday."
"Of course." She said and she sent her patronus away with a message.
I used to be afraid of needles when I was younger. But now as Poppy stitches my arm, the repetitive sticking hardly phases me. Quite depressing that I realize I've been through much worse and fear worse things than silly needles. She wraps my arm once more and I'm pleased to note that the bandage isn't immediately soaking through. The doors to the wing open.
"Feeling better today?" Dumbledore asks as he approaches.
When I don't answer he continues on. "I always find that a good night's sleep always help."
I don't even bother to point out that my sleep was most certainly not good. I put up a silencing charm around the area. "Sir, I think we need to discuss my situation as I am, as of right now, here indefinitely, and have no money, clothes, place to stay…" I trail off.
"Ah, straight to business I see." He begins with a twinkle that's far brighter than what I saw in my own time. "You look to be around seventeen, correct? So I will have no qualms placing you in with the current seventh years." I wonder what finally dulls that sparkle in my headmaster's eye. "There's a fund here at Hogwarts for muggleborns to be able to fill their needs. I have no doubt that you will be able to use a portion of that. Now tell me, what house were you in when you came from?"
"Gryffindor."
"Excellent. And what classes will you be taking?"
"Newt level."
"Wonderful, you will fit right in. When you feel well enough to attend class, I'll let you get acquainted with our Head Girl, Lily Evans."
He kept talking but I couldn't hear anything else. My breath caught in my throat. Despite meeting the infamous Marauders, it never sank in that I'll have to attend class and converse with everyone knowing their fates. How will I be able to look at Harry's parents and Harry's godfather without being overcome with guilt and grief?
"And what of my cover story?" I asked with a shaking voice.
"I've thought this through and I believe it would be best for you to be my godchild. You went to Beauxbatons but lived in London during summers. Deatheaters raided your home, murdered your parents, and, to explain your current state, tortured you before a house elf was able to apperate you here to me, as your sole guardian."
"As long as nobody asks too many questions, I should be fine."
"Well then, welcome home, Hermione…?"
"Granger, sir." I said tried to hold in my tears.
"Welcome home Miss Granger."
It's true, I'm home.
SIRIUS
"Okay what's the plan?" I ask looking at James's tactical breakfast plate.
"We have double potions today with the Slytherins," I nod. "We sit in the back of the class here." He continued pointing to two broken pieces of bacon.
"You two are idiots." Remus interjected.
"Snivellus sits here." He points to a bit of sausage continuing on as if he didn't hear. "Now we-"
"No, no hold up." I cut in. "there's no way he's that big, come on, mate. And he's not greasy enough- oi! Moony, pass me the gravy!"
"Why do I associate with them?"
"I wonder that every day, Remus." A new voice adds.
"Lily-flower! How lovely of you to join us!"
"Sod off, Black. Close your mouth, Potter, you'll catch flies. Now, tell me, what horrible scheme am I going to have to deduct points for today?"
"I'm so very glad you asked, love. Padfoot and I are going to get hurt in class so we can go to the hospital wing."
"As much as I love the idea of you getting hurt, what's so special about the hospital wing?"
"There's a girl there!" James exclaims excitedly.
"Oh. Do I know her?" She asks barely containing her jealousy. I give Remus a look wanting to see if he caught it. By the twitch at the corner of his mouth it seems he did.
"Nah she's new. Arrived two days ago." He's oblivious. The git chases her since year one but can't see she's jealous. Amazing.
"Well, I hope she's worth it." She said indignantly.
"She is." I say before I can stop myself. Remus gives me a questioning glance. The prat probably picked something from that. Lovely. I clear my throat.
"Where's Wormy?" I ask effectively drawing attention away.
"Dunno. Hopefully he won't miss the show in potions." James says going back to his tactical breakfast.
"There's no point with these two is there?" Lily asks Remus.
"I stopped trying years ago." He says.
"There's the list of ingredients, now get to it! Those laughing potions aren't going to make themselves!" Slughorn said jovially.
"Alright, Pads, you go switch the git's alihotsy with a vile of aggripa and I'll distract him. Oi! Snivellus!"
I made my way over to the storeroom chuckling as I went. I caught Remus's shake of his head and laughed harder. When I returned with the purple vile, I noticed Snape's face turning a deep shade of red. Amusing really, it's a simple formula we figured out long ago: mention Evans, Snape changes color. No charm required. I deftly switched the ingredients and went back to James's side.
"Shit, mate what'd say to make him that red?" I questioned.
"Oh just the usual, "Lily will never forgive you, you're a deatheater" routine."
"Wonderful. Now if I am correct-"
"A rare occurance"
"Then he should be on his last few clockwise stirs before we get blasted hot potion and infected with painful acne." We shared a triumphant look.
"Have you thought about what we're going to say to her when we get there?" He asked.
"I don't have the foggiest." It thoroughly escaped my mind through the planning that we will actually talk to her when we get there. I've wanted nothing more than to visit her and speak with her again but with no excuse to go-
My thought process was cut off by the predicted bang. Satisfied that James and I are thoroughly covered in the mess.
"Oh no! Boys, go, off to the hospital wing, the three of you, go on, I'll clean this mess up."
Wait three? Did I hear Slughorn correctly? Then I notice Snivellus practically drowning in the mess of potion. Hopefully we'll make it to the infirmary with no incident.
"I knew you two were up to something." No such luck. "Is it even worth it then? Your idiocy has hurt you both as well."
"Actually, Snivellus, it wasn't about you. Don't get narcissistic on us."
"The only narcissistic one here is you, Potter." He drew his wand but before he could cast anything, Pomfrey burst through the doors to the wing.
"Yes, Slughorn told me you three would be arriving. Put that wand away Mr. Snape. I will not have you boys dueling in my infirmary." And with that she led us each to a bed and went off to collect the appropriate salves.
When she came back and started treatment, she was grumbling on about "unsafe conditions" and "what kinds of things they teach these students".
"Who's that?" Snape asked, his slytherin mask expressionless despite his curious voice.
"Never you mind, dears. Leave her be. Now I have to let that sit for a few hours, can I trust that you three won't kill each other while I get some paperwork done?"
"Of course Madame, what makes you think you can't trust us?" I asked with a wink. She scoffed and retreated to her office.
"Oh honestly." A small voice whispered, inaudible to those lacking canine hearing.
I looked over, and I saw her. She was sitting in a chair near her bed looking out the window toward the Scottish mountains. The late morning sun lighting her silhouette, making her curls glow. She looked better than we last saw her.
"Honestly what, love?" She nearly jumped out of her skin at my voice. James looked confused as did Snape.
She locked eyes with me and I drowned in caramel.
