Hey everybody! A very special thanks to ChamberlinofMusic, LoveIt123, padfootsgrl79, Skiffle-Rose, irishblue69, curlyjor, MollieJames, ocard99, TexasWildFlower, and Euphoria123 for reviewing. I really appreciate it. Please keep doing so! I love to hear what you guys think. I'll do my best to update again within a week. And here is Chapter 3….

Chapter 3 Introductions

We know what we are, but know not what we may be. ~ William Shakespeare

"So what happened?"

"Peter, we've told you a thousand times. She just appeared out of nowhere, tumbled down the stairs, and made Sirius a very happy boy."

Sirius smiled in spite of himself. "Moony, I WILL hide your chocolate again. Don't think I won't."

Remus stopped smiling.

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"That's low, Padfoot. Even for you."

"What can I say? I have very low morals…and I really have been eyeing your Chocolate Frogs." James and Peter laughed, quickly followed by Remus who couldn't keep a straight face.

"So who do you think she is?" asked James.

"No idea, but I'd certainly like to find out." Sirius had been thinking about her all day. He had no idea who she was, and that was saying something, especially since she was wearing Gryffindor robes. Plus, her behavior was incredibly odd. Putting her unexpected entrance aside, why did she react the way she did when he and his friends had introduced themselves? Maybe he was over thinking the episode. She had just fallen down an entire flight of Hogwarts stairs. That could easily explain why she had fainted.

"Maybe she's a new student?" Remus mused. "Yeah, that's probably the case. We would recognize her otherwise."

At this moment, the girl whom they had been discussing slowly made her way through the doors at the entrance to the Great Hall. Sirius' eyes were immediately drawn to her figure. She was walking slowly, like she was trying to delay the process. She was keeping her head down as well. If he didn't know any better, he would have bet that she would walk into something…which she then did. Sirius and the other Marauders resounded in a collective, "ouch", as they watched her walk directly into Frank Longbottom.

***********

Unbelievable. I can't even get to the table without making a fool of myself. What happened to, 'Get to the table without drawing attention?' Might as well throw that out the window along with, 'Let's all just have a normal year for once.'

After quickly apologizing to the poor boy with chocolate pudding now covering his shirt, Hermione made her way to a free spot at the Gryffindor table. She had seated herself with some girls who looked to be around her age and immediately began to load a heap of food onto her plate. The other girls looked at each other before looking again curiously in Hermione's direction. One of the girls with long and wavy brown hair and a round kind face turned towards another of the girls with an expression that clearly said, Well, aren't you going to say something?

"Hi there", spoke the girl sitting directly next to Hermione. "I'm Lily Evans. What's your name? I don't think we've met."

Hermione froze. With a mouthful of food, she turned toward Lily with an intense feeling of anxiety. Lily had fiery red hair that fell half way down her back, bright green eyes, and a genuine smile. At first glance, she reminded Hermione of Ginny. There was that same level of intensity in Lily's gaze that made her feel like she could see right through her. Ginny always had that uncanny ability in being able to tell whenever Hermione was lying. Maybe that was why she was so nervous to speak.

"Is something wrong?" asked Lily with concern.

Hermione then attempted to say "no" but it came out garbled. She swallowed and then tried again. "No, no. Nothing's wrong. I just got distracted. Hi, I'm Hermione Bennett."

"Nice to meet you, Hermione", said Lily offering her hand. "Are you new to Hogwarts?"

"Yes actually. I just transferred from Beauxbatons."

"Really? What was that like? You're not originally from France are you?" The girl sitting opposite Lily and Hermione jumped in to the conversation. "I'm Margo Knight by the way. Pleased to meet you", said she with a friendly smile.

"No, I'm not from France. My family just moved back to Britain. My parent's jobs kept us in France."

"Wow, so do you speak French?"

"How long did you live there?"

"What did your parents do?"

This was not good. They were asking too many questions. Hermione started to become nervous that she might let something slip. Damn. Focus, Hermione.

"Uh…I speak enough to get by. I'm not fluent though. And we moved there when I was ten. My parents are muggles. They're dentists."

"They had to move to France for that? Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude", asked Margo.

Shit. Now what do I say? They were travelling dentists?

"Well, uh, they wanted a change of scenery so they restarted their business in France…since we have extended family…who live there. They thought it might be easier having relatives close by", mumbled Hermione.

Lily and Margo exchanged looks but didn't question it.

Hermione exhaled. This was difficult.

"So what year are you?" asked Lily.

"Sixth."

"Really? So are we. That will make us roommates then!"

"Don't worry. We'll show a good time", added Margo. Hermione did not doubt it. Thus far, Margo was giving the impression that she was one of those people who snuck butter beer out of Hogsmeade.

The three of them continued to talk and get to know each other. They both struck her as being incredibly smart. She was beginning to feel relatively comfortable after awhile but as dinner became dessert, she started to become increasingly aware that she was being watched. She started to look around without being horribly obvious and her eyes eventually connected with those of Sirius Black.

She immediately looked down and couldn't keep herself from turning a bright shade of red. After a few moments had past she felt compelled to look again and she saw that he was indeed still fixated on her. Hermione swallowed. She didn't want to be flustered.

He was so much younger. It took her by surprise to see him like this. She noticed how there were no lines in his face. His hair was black and flowed with ease. She hated to admit it, but he was rather handsome. It occurred to her that this was a much different Sirius than she had come to know since that first meeting in the Shrieking Shack. With this thought, she felt a pang of sadness. It had only been two and a half months since the night in the Ministry and things had changed. The two of them had never been close, but everything still seemed a little grimmer in his absence. It was so strange to see him here in this way, not just younger but alive.

"Hermione?"

"Is anyone in there?"

They finally caught Hermione's attention. She had been lost in thought for almost a minute and had lost track of the conversation. "Hmm?"

"So do you want to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow then?" asked Lily for the second time.

"Yes, that sounds great." Hermione smiled in reassurance.

The three of them soon finished eating and decided to make their way upstairs.

As they stood, Sirius did as well who was quickly followed by James, Remus, and Peter. He wasted no time in catching up to them as they made their way out of the Great Hall.

"Hello, love, I don't think we were ever properly introduced", said Sirius as he rushed out to stand directly in Hermione's line of vision.
"Don't start, Sirius. She hasn't even been here for twenty-four hours", spoke Lily, her voice dripping with disdain.

Sirius took on a look of mock offense. "What are you suggesting Lily?"

"You know very well what she is suggesting" said Margo. "Leave the poor girl alone. She has a pulse. She wouldn't be your type."

Sirius stayed silent for a moment looking hurt. He then pulled himself together in an exaggerated sort of way. James snorted and Lily's attention then changed to James. "You're no better you know."

Now it was James' turn to look hurt. "What do you mean, 'You're no better'? I'm totally better! You have never seen ME in a broom closet!"

"Hey!" yelled Sirius in James' direction. However, James was paying no attention. He and Lily were now in a heated bickering match. Sirius took this opportunity to finally speak to Hermione.

"Sorry about that. I'll introduce myself one more time. I'm Sirius Black."

Hermione just stared for a moment. She had remained silent during the entire multiple person exchange. His abrasive manner was a little difficult to process. As she had known him in the past, he had always seemed to keep a distance. She had a hard time admitting it to herself, but this had bothered her. He never had any trouble talking with Ron and Hermione didn't see why he should treat her any different.

"Oh, um, hi. I'm Hermione…Bennett", she started. "Sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to knock you over."

"That's quite alright. It's nice to occasionally be knocked off your feet by a pretty girl." Sirius grinned.

Wow. Hermione blushed in spite of herself and stammered when she tried to speak. Not good. Not good at all.

"These are some of my friends by the way." Remus and Peter, who had been hanging back now came forward. "This is Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. And the hopeless one over there is James Potter."

Anger washed through her as she caught sight of Wormtail but she tried to keep it under control. She could not afford to lose it.

"Hello Hermione", greeted Remus.

"Hello. Nice to meet you." Hermione shook Remus' hand and gave him a genuine smile.

Peter then pushed himself past Remus to say hello. Hermione did not say anything but she produced a forced grin when she shook his hand.

"So what's your story Hermione?" asked Remus pleasantly.

Hermione told them what she had previously explained to Lily and Margo. Margo was still walking with Lily and James, trying to prevent an apocalypse. Her explanation was occasionally interrupted by the yelling but that did not seem to break their attention or interest in her. Apparently the bickering was nothing new.

"So what caused you to appear out of thin air and come tumbling down a flight of stairs?" asked Sirius.

"Spell gone wrong." This was the only question to which she had prepared an answer. Not a very detailed answer, but an answer none the less.

"Which spell?"

"Uh…Levicorpus", Hermione made up. "I didn't know what it did and I got stuck hanging in the air. I was able to reverse the spell but I was unfortunately at the top of that staircase."

"Well, you've had a very eventful day." Sirius smiled again. He found her incredibly entertaining. "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"

"Yes she does! We are going to Hogsmeade so don't go getting any ideas!" yelled Margo who had been listening to the entire exchange.

The group finally made their way up to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione was rather amused as they all insisted on showing her how to get through the portrait hole. Everything was exactly the same. The Fat Lady greeted them as they passed. The fireplace was lit in the corner. Gryffindor banners hung from the walls. At least some things don't change, thought Hermione.

The Marauders parted ways with Lily, Margo, and Hermione and everyone headed upstairs. When they reached their room she realized it was the same one that she already had. The only difference was the inhabitants. She was sharing a dorm room with Harry's mother. It was such a difficult concept to grasp. She wished he were there with her. It wasn't fair that he didn't get to have this chance, as odd of an opportunity as it was. Hermione sighed and crawled into bed. This had been one of the longest days of her life, and she still had another eight more months.