AN: I'm actually getting really pumped. So I only have 3 comments and they are all from the same (brilliant, amazing, wonderful) person, but they still make my day. (: So thank you, you beautiful human being ;) I wish I could hug you!
Two weeks had passed and she had accomplished next to nothing. Monday, when Dumbledore arrived he had questioned her with truth serum before releasing her with the same conclusion that McGonagall had come to: She would have to remain at Hogwarts for the remainder of the school year.
Despite her protests, Dumbledore remained adamant that she stay and convinced her that she could accomplish whatever need be accomplished inside the castle as easily as she could outside it.
So now she was getting into a routine into routine with all of her classes and, consequently, the Marauders. Despite the promises she had made to herself of not tying herself to this time in anyway, she found that she very much liked all four boys—even Peter, though it had taken her significantly longer to warm up to him than it had taken her to befriend the others—and her roommates.
Lily Evans was even more amazing than everyone said. The first night Dumbledore had placed Hermione in a room with her, she had grinned and introduced herself brightly while still avoiding any questions that Hermione might find uncomfortable. A welcome relief from the four boys she had just spent the entire day with. Lily was Head Girl, she had explained, though Hermione already knew as much, and James was Head Boy. Lily was to "watch out" for Hermione, as Dumbledore had made sure to give them the same schedule.
"I can already tell that we are going to be great friends," Lily had gushed with a happy smile as she showed her to her bed and gave her two of her own school robes.
"Oh, no. I can't take your robes!" Hermione had protested only to the amusement of Lily Evans.
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course you can. Besides, those are a bit small on me. They should fit you perfectly." She had reassured Hermione.
And so her rules went out the window.
"Hello, Love. Lovely morning, don't you think?" Sirius slid in beside Hermione for breakfast and threw his arm around her shoulders.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "What do you want, Sirius," She asked impatiently. It was much too early to be dealing with Sirius's antics.
Lily laughed. James stared at Lily laughing. Sirius pouted.
"Honestly, I'm hurt. What would make you think that I wanted anything?" Sirius asked with a seemingly real look of hurt on his face.
Hermione eyed him for a few seconds before pulling out a roll of parchment, "Potions essay or Transfiguration assignment?"
"Potions," He admitted not looking guilty at all.
She chuckled and handed him her Potions essay, "Paraphrase, Padfoot," She warned as she did every time she handed over her homework.
"But of course, my lady."
Lily leaned in and stage whispered, "I'm just glad it's you and not me," with a laugh as Hermione mock glared at her.
"See? These idiots are why I make it a point not to ever do too well in class. They are like leeches!" Marlene McKinnon exclaimed with a laugh.
"Oh yes," Peter nodded, "I'm sure that's why."
Marlene snapped her head in his direction, "Why, Peter, this is the first I've heard you speak in ages. Welcome back, ole pal," She grinned, as Peter blushed scarlet and stared back down at his robes.
"And there he goes. Way to send the poor boy back into his shell, Marly!" Alice Prewett accused jokingly.
Marlene simply shrugged and went back to her breakfast.
Sirius perked up, "So what are our plans for today? We have a whole afternoon to ourselves!" He said happily.
"How about a nice candy run," James suggested with a mischievous grin, "I'm running low on chocolate frogs and sugar quills."
Lily frowned, "You are Head Boy, James."
He simply smiled broadly at the sound of his name from her mouth. A month ago he wouldn't have thought it would ever happen.
"So, Hog run with my boys. And my ladies," Sirius stated, throwing arms around both Lily and Hermione while throwing a wickedly crooked grin at Marlene.
Hermione shrugged off his arm with a roll of her eye, "Afraid not. I have a bit of reading to do tonight."
Sirius opened his mouth to object but Hermione cut him off, "And I cannot put it off. You will just have to go without me."
Sirius pouted and Hermione laughed, "Oh, you will survive. I'm sure you have plenty of poor innocent girls you can harass."
"Oh," Sirius responded, "But it's not me that I'm worrying about survival without you. It's poor Remus. I'm not sure he'll be able to make it."
Remus, who was in the middle of taking a deep swig of pumpkin juice all but spit it all over the table. As it happened, he did choke a bit before coughing a few times and sputtering a response.
"I beg your pardon, Padfoot?"
"Oh, I was just telling dear Hermione how much you are going to miss her on our outing tonight." Sirius answered innocently with a smug grin.
Remus cleared his throat and tried to hide his blush, "I'm perfectly capable of expressing my own feelings, thanks. And as for the outing I'm afraid I won't miss her at all. I'm staying to finish a few assignments. I expect I'll see her a bit more than you will."
Sirius was just about to object when he thought better of it. Best to give them a bit of alone time. After all, this was the first time he had ever seen his friend ever truly take interest in a girl. Yes, perhaps in their absence both would confess their undying love for the other. (One could hope, right?)
"Fine. Be a party pooper, then. Just Peter, James, Lily and myself then."
Lily shook her head, "Oh no. Absolutely not. I am not sneaking out of the castle. I'm Head Girl."
"Oh, come on, Lils," James said, smiling at her with that happy, irresistible twinkle in his eyes, "Live a little."
Hermione could see the resolved crumbling in the Head Girl's eyes. The student in her wanted to understand, but the girl in her wanted… that. Wanted to like someone so much that just one look can make you melt.
Lily groaned after a minute of James's puppy dog eyes, "Fine. I'll go, but only for a few minutes."
Sirius put his hand over his heart, "Long enough to grab some candy and drop off some money then we are gone."
Lily nodded and went back to her breakfast.
"I'm gonna regret this," She mumbled under her breath as she shoveled a large spoonful of porridge into her mouth.
(Page Break)
"How's your reading going?" Remus popped his head over Hermione's shoulder making her jump and point her wand at her "attacker"—all completely reflexively, she swears.
"Merlin, Remus! Don't scare me like that. You almost got jinxed. " She said, exhaling a huge breath.
Remus tried to hide his amused grin without much success, "So sorry. Next time I'll try to announce my presence before I surprise you."
Hermione huffed and went back to her book.
"You never answered my question," Remus reminded her as he settled in a chair beside hers.
"There's hardly an answer," Hermione monotone as she flipped through more pages of the thick volume in her lap.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked, perplexed.
Hermione shook her head before throwing the book in a stack on the floor with all of the other books she had discarded in frustration. She grabbed another and began skimming it quickly.
"What are you looking for?" He asked again.
"Hermione shook her head, "Answers," She sighed, frusterated.
Remus peered at her curiously. Why was this upsetting her so much? He wondered as he noticed her eyes start to water while she slammed book after book open and shut again."
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Remus asked worried.
A fat tear slid down her cheek slowly and she responded through clenched teeth, "I can't find it. I don't know what to do." Her voice sounded angry.
"It's okay. Tell me what you're looking for and maybe I can help." He tried desperately. He wasn't sure why but watching her fall apart like this was killing Remus.
She shook her head, "There's nothing you can do."
Remus leaned in and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, "What are you trying to do, Hermione?" He asked again.
"I'm trying to save Lily and James."
AN: How did you guess, bookluver1997?! So, actually I was planning on ending this chapter differently but your review gave me an idea. :} Thanks so much! Anywayyyyy, (:
Hope you enjoyed! Love ya! Jess
