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September 17, 1977- Hermione Granger
One of Hermione's favorite parts of Hogwarts was the meals. As much as they were over worked, Hermione had to admit that the house elves outdid themselves with the food. Even on normal days, the food far exceeded a person's expectations of "satisfactory" and even "brilliant". And maybe it was just the excitement from the night before, but to Hermione that morning's pumpkin juice and omelet was impeccable.
Hermione let her thoughts wander to her last night. Sirius, sweet Sirius. He was hilarious and witty and charming…and reliable. She knew from the way he treated Harry that he was a good man. He didn't have to prove that. They had ended up falling asleep together in the chair, waking up the next morning to the sound of birds chirping and light beaming into the common room. And an awful crick in her neck.
Hermione loved that he knew the entire story. She had learned from previous mistakes that lying or keeping secrets was never good for a relationship. She loved that Sirius accepted this in the same token, that he appreciated her and wanted her to feel safe. He'd keep the secret…she knew it. The only thing that Hermione really worried about was that she didn't tell him about his death. She knew that she would try her hardest to prevent it, but to do that they would have to stop the entire Battle of the Ministry, thus preventing the creation of the prophecy. So to destroy Voldemort….now. She didn't know how, but that would be on her never-ending agenda between passing her NEWTs and figuring out her predicament entirely.
On other terms, she and Sirius had decided to be quiet on their relationship, no PDA or anything…..because with Sirius' reputation it would drag Hermione into the limelight more than needed. And although, as usual, Hogwarts would gossip…. It was better that they make up things then know the extent and details of their full story. Lily and the Marauders would know….Sirius and Hermione thought it was vital to keep all of them close by.
So, Hermione sat at breakfast pondering this while reviewing charms notes when Sirius and James entered the Great Hall. Sirius slid down the bench ending up next to her and throwing and arm around Hermione.
"Geddit Padfoot" James cat called, and was immediately shot down by a death stare from Hermione.
Lily walked up and sat down next to James, who immediately swung his arm around her waist. And for the first time, she didn't shake it off. When Sirius' face lit up in surprise, Hermione nudged him as if to say "just let them be".
"So did you, you know, 'work things out'?" James questioned.
"James, you half wit, it's kinda obvious what we did." Sirius said.
"Fiesty!" Remus said as he sat down at the table.
Hermione couldn't help but notice Peter's absence.
The breakfast continued along the same note, until Hermione jumped up realizing that she was late for her study period. Well, it wasn't technically a study period. Being Hermione, she used every second of her free periods to study and this was no exception.
Hermione excused herself from the table and grabbed her satchel. She started walking through the labyrinth of Hogwarts hallways. After she turned into the hallway of Lilith the Lovely, one of Hermione's favorite pictures, Hermione heard a moaning noise in one of the unused classrooms. Being the ever curious Hermione, she decided she would investigate.
Hermione stood flat against the wall, staying deathly silent—straining to hear whatever she could.
"She may be his greatest asset." Hermione heard a voice hiss.
"Yes but she could be dangerous! Betrayal! Look who the filthy mudblood associates with!" Another voice responded "She is nothing but a mudblood."
The first voice replied "Never the less, Severus, the Dark Lord has given us strict orders. And I, for one, don't want him displeased with me. Just when we are beginning to get into his good graces. Imagine how he would reward us"
Hermione took a sharp intake of breath…. Severus. It must be Snape and Regulus. Regulus sounded so much like his relative, dear Bellatrix. And the mudblood must be her. But what would the Dark Lord want with a mudblood like her? She kept listening, and sure enough it was answered.
"She knows things Severus. You can tell by the way she carries herself, and flinches at a pin drop. She is dangerous, a threat to the Dark Lord. You can't deny that it is tempting to him…he either needs to eliminate the threat, or get her in our ranks." The voice, now assumed as Regulus' persuaded.
Snape seemed to pause, consider the information then sighed. "Alright." He snapped."We'll do it." Hermione immediately turned on her heels, sneaking away from the door as not to be heard.
The wheels immediately started turning in her head….she knew how powerful Voldemort would become, whether or not anyone else in this time could guess it. She knew that he would get his way, he was just too powerful. Hermione also knew that she wasn't ever going to betray the Potters-er, Lily and James- nor give information to Voldemort, no matter how much he tortured her.
And so, Hermione reached the decision that she would need to contact the Order. She raced through the halls of Hogwarts, ignoring her original study plans, instead opting to go meet with Dumbledore.
"Hershey Bar!" Hermione said as the stone gargoyle turned revealing the well known spiral staircase. Hermione raced up the staircase, rapping on the door until Dumbledore answered.
"Urgent matters, I suspect Miss Granger?" he calmly said.
"I know about the Order. And I have information that can help you…. and I know how it will develop." Hermione said.
She was suddenly reminded of a concept that Harry often dealt with, concerning the prophecy. One never works to prevent, or fulfill a destiny or prophecy…often times she remembered that those actions taken to prevent the outcome cause them. She wondered if these actions she was taking would cause her original destiny… a fleeting instinct inside of her said "yes".
"Ahh the Order…. ironically, of course, Ms. Granger I was soon getting ready to look over possible new members from your graduating class. Alas, I will cover that after your information. Please indulge." Dumbledore said.
"Severus, Regulus…. They're working to turn me over to the Dark Lord…he knows I have a secret." Hermione panted
"Tom never did like being on the outside…" Dumbledore said, explaining Voldemort's motives behind wanting Hermione.
"Well, they already tried getting me to reconsider my loyalties once…." Hermione said.
"And I have no doubt that was the last time," Dumbledore said. He went to his desk, jotting down a quick note then duplicating multiple copies with his wand. He went over to Fawkes, attached the letters and came back to Hermione. "I've scheduled an Order meeting for next week, however why don't we go ahead and discuss new members. Perhaps at the next meeting they could come, and come a bit early for an introduction. Have a seat."
Hermione walked to his desk, pulling out a well cushioned chair while nodding along "That sounds good to me."
The signature Dumbledore twinkle developed in his eyes as he smiled and said "So tell me what you know of the Order."
"The Order of Phoenix is around, in a Second Wizarding War… against a very real threat, of Lord Voldemort." Hermione blurted out…. Quickly realizing all she had just given away. 'Screw changing the future' she remembered again, then continuing to say "I'm going to tell you a story."
Hermione proceeded to explain the same story she had just told Sirius, dropping details that might benefit the Order…. to make the future the best that she could.
"I see…" Dumbledore said "If this is a future that is in our midst, then I say we embrace it—perhaps your arrival may change the pathway… however we can still end in the same destination. If it is true, you say, that Severus was hesitant, then perhaps we could get him with us, helping… with the Order. I shall talk to Severus separately."
Dumbledore seemed to ponder this thought for a second, then nodded decisively—with an unspoken agreement that this would be the future, the decision, the ultimate plan of things. "Now, for potential Order members. I assume, you will join?"
"I would be honored" Hermione said.
"And of course, your comrades- the Head Boy and Girl, and the Marauders… oh, boys will be boys!" Dumbledore said, with a jovial smile—as if recalling some memories of his childhood- while stating the last segment of the sentence.
Hogwarts 1996…. Remus Lupin
Remus Lupin was no ordinary man. In fact, Remus was not even a man. Sure, he was a werewolf… but ultimately he had a human heart and lifestyle. He was not cruel, not one of Greyback's minions. But there was one thing he loved about being a werewolf…. the heightened senses.
Specifically, of course, Remus loved the memory. In his school days he could call anyone on anything they ever said they said… or didn't. Remus loved in school the ability to recall details at a drop of a hat, the ability to be the top of any class he took. And right now, if Remus wasn't mistaken… he was gaining memories of a certain bushy-haired brunette at increasingly rapid speeds. Needing to think clearer, Remus walked over to his pensive and pulled a long, silvery memory out of his brain. Plunging into the liquid, Remus was immersed in memory….
Remus Lupin's Memory of September 27, 1977…
It was the big day of the Slytherin-Gryffindor Quidditch match….and the first match of the season. Remus could see his James and Sirius warming up on the Quidditch field, and himself, Peter (the rat), Lily, and Hermione walking towards the pitch. A jovial mood filled the crisp autumn air, leaving the slight breeze and mid-50's temperature unnoticed.
Lily and Hermione seemed to be involved in a story, with the younger Remus chiming in every now and then. Peter seemed sheepish, but no different than his usual self that year.
As they reached their seats the game began with Sirius walking across the field, shaking his brother's hand—the seeker of the Slytherin team- signaling the start of the game and respectively, the season.
The two teams kicked off into the air with incredible speed, and soon enough the game was 160-130, Gryffindor lead. Remus had forgotten all about Sirius' impeccable Quidditch skill. James and Regulus were circling the pitch, keeping a sharp eye out for the so far unseen Snitch.
Remus continued to pay attention to the game, however, being his memory Remus knew that Gryffindor would win. He smiled, taking pride in his house. Glancing over to Hermione and Lily, he started to listen to their conversation.
"Are you excited for the meeting tonight?" Hermione asked Lily (perfectly natural, Remus noted… she didn't seemed too phased by the time difference)
"Shh…. He said to keep it under taps." Lily said.
Remus almost hit himself in his head… this was a memory of the day of his first Order meeting.
Peter turned to the girls, questioning them by asking "Do you know what the order is?"
Hermione seemed to tense…. knowing that Peter was going for the power play. Not the Order… just what would keep him safe. "Er.. yeah. Kinda. Just make sure you come tonight… I can't really explain it." She said.
Good answer, Remus thought to himself. At least Hermione wasn't blabbing what shouldn't be blabbed.
The more Remus thought about it, the more Hermione entered his memory. And the more he thought about it….. she wasn't changing too many things. Sure, she was with Sirius. But it wasn't the end of the world…. Because if Remus remembered right… and he always did, Hermione was Sirius' saving grace. Remus could remember pre-Hermione, and post-Hermione…..and Hogwarts, 7th year normally… without-Hermione.
He didn't know if that was good, or bad…. But he knew that sometimes one didn't mess with things just to get an outcome they wanted. Sometimes one went along with the flow of things, until whatever was meant to happened happened. Remus thought that perhaps, if they weren't able to get Hermione back to the future then at least they could let her work her 'magic'….literally… in the past, until whatever was meant to happen came about.
At that moment, Remus was woken from his train of thought with a scream from the announcer…. Gryffindor had won the match. James and Sirius collided mid-air with a triumphant hug, quickly surrounded by the rest of the team. The dejected Slytherin team flew straight to their locker rooms, followed by the elated Gryffindor team a few minutes later.
Remus followed himself, Peter, Hermione, and Lily down to the locker rooms—and smiled as the Marauders gave each other slaps on the back and high fives. The rest of the team filed out, surely headed towards the common room for the well-known Gryffindor after-parties.
James sheepishly walked over to Lily, smiling. He proceeded to kneel on one knee, causing awkward stares from everyone in the room. However, the next few moments were one of the cutest things Remus had ever seen… and re-saw.
James slowly opened Lily's hand, embedding the Snitch inside, closing her fingers one by one around the golden metal, finally kissing her hand. He smiled and said "Keep it safe, Evans."
What came next, however, Remus was sure was an addition to his memory. Smiling, Sirius approached Hermione … grabbing her by the hand, as an escort does to a date. He then twirled her around, holding her tight. Hermione was laughing the entire time, trying to hide her glee. But when Sirius pulled her into a kiss, their passion was evident. Remus chortled to himself, smiling at the picture perfect moment. 'They really were meant to be' he thought.
Sorry for such a long time between updates… it is summer and I am all over the place!
Please read...well I guess you just did… so please review! Thanks so much!