A/N: I just wanted to mention that there is a mistake in chapters 4 and 5. Lucius Malfoy is 6 years older than the Marauders, so he would only have been at Hogwarts for their first year. We are ignoring that for this fic. I was going to fix it and replace him with Regulus Black but my sister said I needed, "an unrelated outsider". So there you have it. Also, I have received quite a few reviews asking the same questions. I will answer them here for you.
- I update on Thursday, every Thursday, unless there is a family emergency of some sort. (Except today. Happy Christmas!)
- Hermione and Remus will have an interesting relationship, but it is platonic. Their relationship will be important for a future plot point. I can't reveal anything more without ruining it.
While the entire plot, character deaths, and major storyline is completely planned out, I am all up for suggestions of content! Feel free to offer ideas in your reviews Also, I'm looking for a British beta-reader. Grammar and spelling are not a necessity, I need help with Britspeak. I'm American and I do my best but I could use the help. PM me if you are interested! Now on to the good stuff! P.S. I hate long A/Ns too. I apologize!
-.-.-
Friday. October 3, 1975
Hermione was getting desperate. She was determined to save not only Lily and James, but also Snape, Peter, and the endless list of innocent victims she stashed in her clutch. With no idea where to start, she was contemplating her options.
If Harry was in my place, I would be telling him to talk to Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore always knows what to do, and isn't he the reason I'm here anyway? she thought.
In between classes, she decided to see the Headmaster as soon as she got a chance to get away from everyone. For the time being, she was still being escorted around the castle, and doubted she'd be able to convince them she would be okay.
Hermione, Sirius, and Remus were walking up to the Common Room from lunch to switch their books out for their afternoon classes. Without thinking about it, Hermione took an extra step, right over the trick-step she had grown accustomed to skipping through her years of school with Harry and Ron.
Sirius exploded into laughter at the sight. Remus, looking healthier than she had seen him in the past two weeks, rose his eyebrows at his friend's outburst.
"Care to share the joke?" Remus asked, continuing up the staircase.
Finally catching his breath, Sirius nodded. "Hermione, you looked so silly taking that extra step. What was that about? Forget how to walk for a minute?" he asked, still chuckling.
But wasn't that the trick-step? Wasn't that the same step she'd trained herself to skip? Hermione looked down at it. Yes, that was definitely the one. The same step she had skipped for the past month as well. She tried to hide her confusion.
"No?" she replied, unsure of herself. She looked to Remus for help, but he only shrugged. Then she understood the step must have just been a regular step. It wasn't turned into a trick-…
Oh. Realization hit her like a brick wall. It's not a trick yet. Yet. And no one noticed because she was usually in the back of the crowd or so in a conversation no one had taken notice.
"I was just…practicing. I wanted to have a go at pulling a prank," she recovered skillfully.
Reaching the Portrait Hole, Remus gave the password and they stepped inside. Sirius stared at her.
"Are you going to tell us what it is?" he asked impatiently.
"Uhm, well… I was thinking I could do a Disillusionment Charm on that step and make it so it only looks like a step… And if you don't step over it, you'll fall through, and your foot will get stuck. I'm still working out the kinks though, like how to actually make the step disappear," she elaborated.
Sirius looked like he could have kissed her. "You. Are. A. Genius! Hermione, that is bloody brilliant!"
She blushed, excusing herself up the stairs to switch out her textbooks. When she returned to the Common Room, Sirius was telling James all about the trick-step idea Hermione came up with.
James hugged Hermione, "You truly are my sister," he said with a laugh. "Planning jokes all your own… I'm so proud," he added, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye.
Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile.
-.-.-
It took a lot of convincing for Hermione to be by herself. She had told her dormmates as well as the Marauders that she could handle the castle. "You said so yourself, James: I'm a genius. I can find my way around."
James scrunched his face. "And if you don't? What if a Slytherin finds you instead? They're not nice, Hermione. You saw how Malfoy was on the train. He's not even the worst of them, and that's saying something."
She was inching her way towards the Portrait Hole and when Lily came through it, she took it as an escape to leave. Lily would distract James long enough, she thought with a sly smile.
The Extended black bag in her bookbag, Hermione made her way down to the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office. McGonagall was exiting, her hair in its usual tight bun.
"Oh, Miss LaBaugh. Can I help you with something?"
"Actually, Professor, can you get me into the Headmaster's office? I need to see him," she said.
The Scottish witch quirked an eyebrow, "The Headmaster is very busy, Miss LaBaugh. Can I help you instead?"
Hermione's shoulders fell in defeat. "Oh. No thank you, Professor."
She turned around and started to make her way back when Dumbledore came down his office.
"Hermione? Is there something you needed?" he asked. Hermione turned around, face lighting up in relief.
"Professor Dumbledore! I uhm… Can we speak in private?" she replied, nearly begging.
The Headmaster gave a small smile, his blue eyes twinkling behind those familiar half-moon glasses. "Of course, Miss LaBaugh. Why don't we step into my office… Cockroach Clusters," he said to the gargoyle, and it sprang aside instantly.
Up the stairs and into the comfortable chairs once more, Hermione felt like it could have been 1997 again. Save for the length of Dumbledore's beard and a few missing trinkets on the shelves, everything seemed the same.
The Headmaster sat in his throne-like chair, arms crossed on the desk in front of him. Hermione pulled the bookbag off her back and pulled the black bag out. She fumbled with the fabric for a moment, unsure if she was doing the right thing.
I could wait a little longer… at least try to save someone. Anyone… her mind wandered. Her fingers continued to play with the clutch, and Dumbledore cleared his throat lightly.
"Miss LaBaugh?"
Hermione jumped, "Right… Yes. Uhm… I just… I have something for you," she said simply, reaching into the tiny purse. The cool metal of the Hands of Fate shot chills up her arm, but she grabbed hold anyway and pulled it out.
Dumbledore didn't move. He didn't question or get impatient. He simply waited for Hermione to reveal what was troubling her. She let her fingers graze over the glass of golden liquid, staring at the beauty of it before placing it in his hand.
No words were spoken. No words were needed. A small tear escaped his eye, tumbled down his cheek and got lost in his beard. His fingers closed around the special Time-Turner and he looked up at her.
"Miss LaBaugh-"
"Actually, my last name is Granger. Or, it used to be before you sent me here. You gave this to me and I only thought it polite to return it to its rightful owner."
The old wizard let time run away from him. He looked at the Hands of Fate again, unspoken questions dangling from his lips.
"Professor Dumbledore?" she pulled him from his thoughts and back to earth, "Professor, I need help. I can't do this alone. I have names, stacks of newspapers full of names, of people I have to save. I have students that I'm supposed to help, to keep them from turning to the wrong side! I can't do it alone. I don't know what to do," Hermione was becoming emotional, and she took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
"Hermione, I am so… so sorry. I asked you to leave your family and friends, everything you knew to come here. What year was it? How did it happen? What was the Wizarding World like?"
The emotion was building in her chest and she wasn't sure how long she could keep it in. She let out a choking sob and wiped the tears that cascaded from her cinnamon eyes.
"It was 1997. It was the end of my sixth year here – at Hogwarts," she elaborated. "Things were changing, everyone could tell."
Hermione wasn't sure she could go on. She could handle the sadness and confusion, but another thought came to her.
"Should I tell you this, Professor? Should I reveal the future to you?"
Dumbledore took a moment to think, placing the Time-Turner in his desk drawer and folding his hands on top.
"Yes, Hermione. I believe you can tell me. If you have come here with a mission, my mission, then you can tell me everything. You're here to change time, and that's what we are going to do."
Hermione nodded, taking another breath to gain her thoughts again before she recapped everything. "The Minister was in denial about You-Know-Who coming back to power-"
"Back to power?" Dumbledore interrupted. Hermione nodded.
"Yes. After You-Know-Who fell in 1981. By Harry Potter?"
"Harry Potter lived?"
She nodded, almost worried for his sanity. "Yes, Lily and James had the protection of the Fidelis Charm, but their Secret-Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, ratted them out to V-Voldemort," she forced herself to say the name. She would have to get used to it. "Voldemort killed James and Lily, but when he tried to kill Harry, the curse rebounded. You-Know-… Voldemort was wounded, but not dead. He had the horcruxes as protection against truly dying. He lived off of one of our Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, for a few months…"
And there, in that grand office, Hermione told the Headmaster everything she could; from the Philosopher's Stone to the night of his own death, Hermione shared everything. By the end of the night, she was exhausted and parched. Dumbledore summoned a glass of water and she drank it, thankful for the cool liquid that soothed her throat.
He processed it, allowing the full story to seep into him as though he was a garden and her words were the rain.
"Would you allow me to… ah, no, perhaps that is too much to ask," he waved off his words like an irritating insect.
"Anything, Professor. I'm here because you asked me, begged me, to change the world. I need your help, and if you need something of me, you need only ask. I trust you. I told you that the night you gave me that," she motioned to the Hands of Fate in his drawer.
A thankful smile graced the old man's face. "You are an amazing girl, Miss LaB- Granger. I was going to ask to see your memories. I have a Pensieve, you see," he motioned to the cabinet to her right.
Hermione nodded, remembering Harry's replays of the Headmaster's memories with him. "I-… I don't know how to do that, but I'm willing to learn."
"A few at a time, I think," he said, walking to the Pensieve. "Don't want to overdo it. It can be a very exhausting thing, retrieving memories. I'll do it the first few times, but eventually I would like you to learn. It's a wonderful skill to have."
Dumbledore placed the tip of his wand at her forehead. "Choose a memory - any memory - that you wish to share with me."
Hermione closed her eyes, concentrating on a memory she thought might be of importance. Flipping through her memories as though it were a catalog, she decided on the memory of going through the tasks on the third floor – Fluffy, the keys, the Chess Board, everything.
She gave a slight nod, motioning to the old wizard that she was ready. With both their eyes closed, a silvery wisp, like smoky liquid, pulled from her temple and into the Pensieve.
"Thank you, Hermione. Truly. Thank you."
Offering a small smile, Hermione rubbed her head in exhaustion.
"Best get to bed now, Miss LaBaugh," Dumbledore said. "And best to keep your identity a secret, wouldn't you agree?" She nodded, understanding his cryptic message. This secret was still hers to bear, alone.
With a scribble on a parchment, the Headmaster gave her a note to return to Gryffindor Tower without being penalized for being out after curfew.
She descended from the office and began to make her way to bed. Her eyes were dry and her legs felt like they weighed a ton. If she wasn't so tired, she would have felt immensely relieved to have finally told someone the truth about her. She made it to the fourth floor corridor only to be stopped by a Slytherin Prefect she didn't recognize.
"And what do you think you're doing out of bed, little Gryffindor?" he asked, swaggering towards her. He had a broad build and gleaming white teeth that were entirely too crooked to be appealing. Dirty brown hair fell into his eyes and he pushed it back.
"I have a note from Professor Dumbledore," she replied, holding up her hand to realize… it was empty. She'd dropped it in fatigue. He didn't take notice to her words, but grabbed her wrist and pinned her against a wall.
"Do you know what I do to little girls who are out of bed past curfew?" he growled in her ear. Her wand was in her back pocket, if only she could reach it…
His leg was between hers, and his entire body weight leaned on her. He was twice her size, she was struggling to catch her breath.
"I'm just going to bed-"
The Slytherin growled again, "I know you are. You're going to bed with me."
With all the energy she could muster, she pushed him off and reached for her wand, but not quick enough. He was fast for his size, and he clutched at her wrists, holding them together over her head.
"Get off of me," she begged, too tired to move much more. "I won't do it again, I swear. Just let me go…"
"What are you doing, Flint?" a voice from behind him called. The large boy kept his body against Hermione's, turning his head to see the interruption.
"None of your bloody business, Snape. Finish your rounds and get back to the dungeons," Flint exerted his masculinity against Hermione and she whimpered in fear. Her eyes stung with unshed tears; she refused to let this boy see what the fear he had instilled in her. He wanted control, and crying would only push him farther.
"You're in the middle of the castle trying to feel up some Gryffindor? What happens when Filch or a teacher find you, huh? Use your brain, Flint," Snape reasoned. With a final growl in anger, the broad boy let off of Hermione and pushed her to the side.
Oh thank Merlin! Hermione's mind screamed, although she stumbled to stand properly. Flint stormed away, presumably to find another victim.
She wiped her eyes quickly, removing all evidence of her emotions. "Th-Thanks," she whispered.
The greasy-haired Snape said nothing, only turned on his heel and left her to her own devices. With a final breath to calm herself down, she walked as quickly as possible to Gryffindor Tower and collapsed on the scarlet couch, fully clothed and fatigued.
-.-.-
Saturday. October 4, 1975.
"Hermione," someone whispered her name, an attempt to wake her. "Hermione?" They were nudging her now, but exhaustion had its grip on her and she slept on.
-.-.-
The sun was high in the sky when she finally woke, and Hermione frantically looked at her watch for the time, and for her black clutch. It was lunchtime, and the tiny bag was safe underneath her. With a sigh of relief, she ran upstairs to put the purse in its safe place, showered and went down for her first meal of the day.
"I thought you died right there on the couch!" Marian exclaimed when Hermione sat across from her at the Gryffindor table. The Great Hall was abnormally quiet for a Saturday, and Hermione looked around at the lack of students.
"Where is everyone?" she asked, placing some finger sandwiches on her plate.
"It's a Hogsmeade weekend! Didn't you hear?" Marian replied. "I stayed behind today; Alden said he didn't particularly want to go today. The boys said they'll come back around-" she checked the silver watch on her wrist, "anytime now, actually."
"I'm sorry but… who's Alden?"
"Oh, sometimes I forget you're new," Marian laughed, "Alden Moore is my boyfriend. He's in our year, I'm surprised you haven't noticed him. Actually, come to think of it, no I'm not. He's kind of quiet. A man of few words," she added dreamily. Hermione offered her a smile, happy that her friend was happily in love.
Sirius plopped down next to her, "About time you woke up…what'd you call her earlier, Marian?"
"Sleeping Beauty. Muggle children's tale," the blonde replied. Sirius nodded.
"Right. That. Stay up late last night, Hermione? Did you have a date?" he wiggled his eyebrows teasingly.
Hermione snorted in her goblet of pumpkin juice, the memory of her run-in with Flint making her feel nauseous. "No. I was in the library looking for a book on that Potions essay that's due," she lied easily.
"Due in two weeks," he replied. "How's that prank coming along?"
She shrugged, "I er… I forgot about it. I'll work on it, I promise."
Sirius was satisfied, "Good. Let's go to Hogsmeade!"
"Uhm… Sirius? I'm afraid you'll have to go without me. I don't think I have permission…" Hermione bit her lip.
"What do you mean? Didn't Mrs. P. give you the form?" She shook her head silently. "Well, that's too bad then," he said nonchalantly. "C'mon, I'll walk you back to Gryffindor Tower then."
Marian gave them a wave and a smile, enjoying the last of her lunch innocently. Hermione saw right through Sirius' act. As soon as they were out of the Great Hall, he led her up to the fifth floor to a statue with a one-eyed witch.
"Sirius?" she said, staring at it awkwardly.
He put his finger on her lip to silence her. It felt weird that he was doing something so intimate, or at least in her mind. No one had ever touched her lips before, and that was a weird thought to have. Sixteen and never been kissed, her mind taunted.
With a quick look around, Sirius tapped his wand on the statue and whispered, "Dissendium." The one-eyed witch opened at its side like a tiny doorway, and Sirius squeezed through it, taking Hermione's hand in his and led her through it.
His hands were warm and soft, not at all what she'd imagined. Not that she'd imagined holding his hand, but he was a Quidditch player, and weren't they supposed to have rough hands from grasping their brooms, throwing Quaffles, and swinging clubs?
The tunnel was dark and narrow, stifling claustrophobia began to set in. This was wrong. Hermione had reprimanded Harry for sneaking into Hogsmeade and now she was doing that exact same thing.
"Sirius, I don't-"
"What? You didn't expect me to leave you out of all the fun, did you?" he asked. She could almost hear the smirk on his face, no matter the lack of light. "C'mon, it'll be fun! No one has to know."
Hermione couldn't quench the guilt that had nestled into her stomach, "I don't know, Sirius…"
Sirius stopped walking, turned to face her and took her other hand in his, "Do you trust me?"
His face was close to hers; even in the dark she knew they were only inches away from each other. She could feel his breath on her face and found it not at all unpleasant. "Y-yes," she whispered, finally releasing the breath she didn't know she had been holding. If only you knew how much.
Sirius continued to walk, "It'll be fine, I promise. And if you don't like it, I'll bring you back. Deal?"
Hermione contemplated it for a moment. I'm uncomfortable with this because of Harry… but I didn't want Harry to do it because we thought Sirius was trying to kill him… and there were Dementors everywhere. This isn't the same; there's no one trying to kill me, and no one to see me. Deciding it was a fair arrangement, Hermione nodded, "Deal."
Sirius squeezed her hand in reassurance as he continued the last hundred meters to their exit.
When they were finally in Honeydukes, surrounded by other students, Hermione felt camouflaged. "Oh, and don't forget to get something for Marian; her birthday is on the thirty-first," Sirius said over the raucous crowd of shoppers.
"But I didn't bring any money," she thought sadly. She still had the small fortune that Dorea and Charlus gave her for her birthday, and it sat safe in her trunk in Gryffindor Tower.
"Six of one, half a dozen of the other," he replied, brushing it off, "James or I can spot you."
Hermione scrunched her nose at the thought, but figured she could pay them back as soon as they got back to the castle.
After grabbing a handful of Blood Pops, Marian's favorite, and some Chocolate Frogs in memory of Ron, the two made their way out to find James, Remus, and Peter.
"Marian loves Muggle romance novels. Do any of the stores here sell those?" Hermione asked, feigning innocence. "I guess not," she added when Sirius took too long to answer. "It's okay, I'll find something else."
The other three Marauders were found outside of Zonko's, pockets overflowing with goodies.
"I can't believe Mum forgot to sign your slip, 'Mione. That's not like her. She's usually very on top of things," James said, sucking on a Fizzing Whizbee.
"Yeah, like on top of your dad," Sirius joked. James elbowed him in the stomach.
"Yeah? Well your mum's so fat, her Patronus is a cake," James retaliated.
Sirius burst into laughter, allowing the others permission to laugh at the awkward jest. "Your mum's so fat, the Sorting Hat put her in all four Houses!"
"Your mum's so dumb, she brought syrup to a Quidditch match because she heard there'd be Quaffles."
As funny as their jokes were, Hermione was wondering if the boys were still sane.
"I'm just going to…find the girls…" she trailed, backing away slowly.
James tossed her a pouch of coins, still laughing at the joke.
Rose, Jubilee, and Lily were found in Gladrags Wizardwear, searching through racks of clothes and rows of jewelry to find the perfect gift for Marian.
"Do you think she'll like this one?" Jubilee held out a bright yellow peasant top.
Lily made a face. "Definitely not; it will clash with her hair. Besides, she hates yellow."
Jubilee put the garment back, catching sight of Hermione. "Hey! I was wondering what kept you. Welcome to Hogsmeade! Now quick, help us find something for Marian."
"I don't really know what Marian likes, besides Muggle romance novels," Hermione replied.
"I was going to get her some new Potions books. That girl loves Potions, for some odd reason," Rose said. "I swear, she just might be the next Potions Mistress at Hogwarts!"
Hermione bit her lip to keep from laughing. That would be Snape's position, actually her mind answered.
Eventually, after a stop at Tomes and Scrolls, a small bookshop, and Dominic Maestro's, the music store, the girls all found a present for their friend and headed to do their own shopping. Lily spotted James and immediately did a 180 degree turn, covering her face. "I… I just forgot I have to get something for Severus. I don't know if there will be another Hogsmeade visit before his birthday! I'll see you lot at dinner!"
Jubilee scoffed, "I don't know why she's friends with that weirdo."
"But men are men; the best sometimes forget," Rose said with a sigh.
When Hermione's eyebrows rose in question, Jubilee and Rose explained, "Shakespeare," simultaneously. The look on Jubilee's face was pricelessly annoyed.
The wind was picking up a bit, and the swarm of students was dwindling down. People were heading back to the castle, and Hermione was worried there wouldn't be a big enough crowd in Honeydukes to sneak back through their cellar.
James strolled over to them, watching Lily hurry off with a puppy-dog expression. "Where's she off to?" he asked desperately. Before they could answer, Sirius took Hermione's elbow and dragged her off.
"We've got to get you back in the castle, before too many students have gone," he whispered.
"I was just looking for you," she reassured, "and you're hurting me. Sirius, let go." She didn't give him a chance to comply, instead ripped her arm from his grasp. "I can walk."
Sirius rolled his eyes, "You can assert your feminine dominance another time, we have to go!"
"Don't speak to me like one of your little floozies. I actually have a brain, you know."
Hermione wasn't sure where this aggravation was coming from. She had really enjoyed their walk from the castle to Honeydukes, but now all she felt was belittled.
"I didn't say you were!" Sirius defended, his eyebrows furrowing in anger, "And who says I want you to be?" He continued to lead her, through the crowd on the beaten path and into the sweet shop.
"What, now I'm not good enough for you?"
Sirius turned, placing his entire hand over her mouth and staring into her eyes. They stood like that for a moment before he spoke, "Please stop. You're only making a fool of yourself," Hermione glared at him, attempting to open her mouth to speak, but his hand was still covering it. "You're my best mate's sister, whether I wanted to date you or not is inconsequential: you're off limits."
Hermione's expression softened. What did that mean? If she wasn't James' adopted sister, would he…like her? No… it couldn't be.
-.-.-
(Published 12-25-12 Happy Christmas!)