A/N - I've decided that you all must love me forever. Because I am posting a FOURTH chapter with only ten reviews... totally unlike my norm. But... it's because I may not update for a couple days. Sunday night probabaly. I have dance tomorrow.

Disclaimer - When the Harry Potter books come to life and bring all the characters to my home, I will still (as sad as it is) not own them.

Read on!

"Look at her…"

"Do you see her hair?"

"I like it."

"Well, I guess…"

"She's hot!"

"Oh, shut up!"

"Ow! What? She is!"

"I don't think she's that great…"

"I think she's amazing."

Hermione actually heard this last comment, as it was said by someone very near to her. She looked to her left and locked eyes with the most stunning boy she had ever laid eyes on.

He was a bit taller than her, and he had a lopsided grin on his face. It didn't look silly though, it just looked like it belonged there. His blue-green eyes pierced deep into Hermione's, and her breath caught in her throat. He seemed so familiar, but she couldn't place it…

Professor McGonagall was the first to say anything after that.

"Hermione Granger, I would like you to meet the Gryffindors. More specifically, I want to introduce you to the sixth years. Could all sixth years please line up in front of me please?"

A moment of shuffling passed, and a row of seven students stood before them.

"Please introduce yourselves."

A small boy with blonde hair stepped forward and shook her hand. "Timothy Jenson."

Hermione nodded. This time a redheaded girl with all too familiar eyes walked up and hugged Hermione.

"Lily Evans. You're going to love it here. Besides," she said, lowering her voice to a whisper. "There aren't any boys at Beauxbaton's, are there?"

Hermione laughed and shook her head.

A brown haired girl took Lily's place. "Emma Rendez," she said, shaking Hermione's hand.

"Peter Pettigrew," said a small mousy boy, who kept his place in line, only nodding in her direction.

"James Potter, but you knew that," said James, winking.

"Remus Lupin," said a taller, sandy haired boy.

"And I," said they boy from earlier, stepping in front of Remus, "am Sirius Black."

He took her hand in his, and brought it to his mouth, brushing his lips softly across the back of it.

Hermione's stomach fluttered and she couldn't bring herself to look away. His eyes were so entrancing, and held so much… life.

The Sirius that Hermione knew was nothing like this. He never looked so happy, carefree…

"Yes, well," broke in Professor McGonagall. "I'm sure the girls will show you to your room."

Hermione reluctantly took her hand back.

"Come on!" said Lily brightly.

Hermione felt everyone's eyes on her back as she left.

The stairs to the dormitories were the same…

The door on the bedroom was the same…

The four-poster beds were the same…

But the ache in Hermione's chest was completely new…

"Okay, this is your bed. It seems someone's already brought your stuff up. Your trunk is right there, and we all share the bathroom, just there," she said, pointing offhandedly behind her. "You'll want to wear your uniform all the time, other than weekends, or after exams."

Hermione nodded. The door reopened and Emma walked in.

"I'm so glad you're here, Hermione! It's so awful in here, with just us two. It seems like Hufflepuff got all the girls this year," said Emma, sighing and plopping down on her bed.

Lily laughed. "I didn't know I was such bad company!"

"You know what I mean," answered Emma.

"Mhm…"

Hermione was quite tired. It was getting late. She lay down on her bed without even changing into her nightclothes.

"So how did you come to be at the party earlier? I mean… we thought the Room of Requirement was a secret, and you're new…" said Emma shiftily.

Hermione rolled over to face away from them.

"I don't know. One minute I was with my friends, and the next I'm here. And the worst part is, there's nothing I can do about it."

A tear dripped on to the pillow.

"Look, she obviously didn't come here by choice. Let's let her sleep. She looked awfully tired last night, and I don't think waking her up is going to get us high on her list."

Hermione rolled over and listened to the girls bickering over her.

"Well, she's going to miss breakfast. I don't think she'd appreciate that much, either."

"I'll bring her some food if she doesn't come down."

"I'm up," she groaned.

"Oh!" Lily exclaimed. "Erm…"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it," said Hermione. "Really!" she added, seeing the disbelieving looks on the girls' faces.

"Just let me get dressed and I'll be right down."

"Do you know where it is?"

"Yes. Er, Professor McGonagall showed me last night."

"Alright! See you there!"

The girls skipped out of the room, shutting the door gently behind them.

Hermione rummaged through her trunk, pulling out the black robes she had gotten the day before. She went into the bathroom, showering quickly and drying her hair with a towel. She slipped into her robes and ran a brush through her hair.

The same old routine, she thought.

"Hey, 'Mione!" said Lily brightly.

"Geez, Lils, one day and you've already got a nickname for her?!" exclaimed James.

"I like it. It's what my friends used to call me," said Hermione.

"Aww, lucky break, Lilybug."

"Stop calling me that!" whined Lily, blushing crimson.

"Looks like you like it. Why else are you blushing?" whispered Hermione.

"Because it's embarrassing!" she snapped.

"Mhm."

"Oh, shut up, 'Mione."

"Ok…"

A pause, and then-

"But you like him."

"Shut up!"

"Hey, what are you two whispering about over there?" asked Remus.

"Not you, obviously," said Lily.

"Oh, that hurt. Right here," said Remus, clutching his chest.

Emma giggled a little too loudly. Remus locked eyes with her, and suddenly the both of them became oddly interested in their food.

Hermione noted that and glanced questioningly at Lily. Lily only nodded in reply.

"Morning!"

Sirius plopped down next to Hermione.

"Hey," she said.

"How are you?" he asked, helping himself to some bacon, and throwing some onto Hermione's plate as well.

"I'm fine," she said, laughing as he scooped some eggs onto her plate too.

"Potatoes?"

"Uh… sure."

As Sirius reached in front of her for the bowl of potatoes, his arm brushed against her and his leg pressed into hers. When he reached back, bowl in hand, his arm left Hermione's, but his leg stayed in place. She felt herself tremble with emotion when he turned to smile at her.

"Anything else, love?"

"N-no… I'm fine. Thanks."

"Anytime," Sirius said, nonchalantly.

James smirked at the two of them, but said nothing.

Breakfast was over as soon as it had begun, and Sirius locked arms with Hermione as soon as she stood up.

"So… I've decided that you're coming with us to Hogsmeade."

"You've decided, have you?" asked Hermione.

"Yes."

"Hm. Well, be that as it may, I have work to do, so I must decline your request."

"You're kidding. It's Sunday! You've got all night!"

"And I've got three weeks of work to do. Sorry, but no."

"Okay, well, I'll bring you back something," said Sirius, striding away before she could refuse.

Hermione was lying. She wanted more than anything else to go with Sirius and the rest of the group as well, but she felt like it was wrong. She shouldn't be having fun with them. She shouldn't even be getting comfortable at all… she wasn't meant to be here…

This wasn't her time.

A/N - Okay, so how did you like it!? Alot!? Next chapter picks up the pace so a few of reviews will give you a chapter soon! Even if I get like... eight tonight I will post again tonight. So review! -smiles-

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3333 -Jeni

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