The rest of the week passed uneventfully, unless you were James. He of course spent all his time going around and bragging to anyone who would listen about how adorable Lily's shy smile looked when she asked him to the ball. Give them an inch and they take a mile…
Everyone was enjoying their breakfast before they all headed off to Hogsmeade. Well okay, not everyone. Pretty much everyone of the female gender who was a seventh year was in a state of panic. Even Hermione was feeling the pressure.
I have no money, how on earth am I going to be able to buy myself a dress? Thanks a lot Dumbledore, you are so awesome for sending me to the past plain ass broke. Oh! My language. Damn those Marauders and their potty mouths. Ah shit...
Hermione's hand flew up and smacked her in the mouth. She glared furiously down at her half eaten plate of breakfast entrees and scrunched up her napkin in her other hand. She had noticed lately that this new era had begun to alter her perception of everything around her. A week ago I would have flipped out if anyone cursed around me, and now I'm going around thinking these words like they mean nothing. What's going on with me? Since when was my life some lame, uncreative soap opera? And why is it called a 'soap opera'? I'll be damned if I've ever heard anyone sing on any of those shows. There I go again saying naughty words…
"Hermione?" Sirius' voice interrupted her thoughts. She raised her eyes to discover that everyone was watching her with quizzical expressions plastered on their faces. James smirked and whispered loudly, "It must be the eggs; they did put in a little too much cheese you know."
Sirius smirked to himself. "If the eggs are starting to make you experience bodily functions that make you uncomfortable, then maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey and ask for a Relief Potion." The boys at the table erupted in lazily covered snickers, each amused deeply by the words 'bodily' and 'functions' in such a close vicinity to the other.
"Hardy har-har Sirius. You are so funny that you just make me want to die." Lily was poking her waffles with little enthusiasm. Food in general had held little interest to the poor redhead over the past few days. She winced as the smell of syrup came crawling up her nostrils. "I better stop," she muttered, pushing her plate away and taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. "I can't wait for the butter beer." She smiled, probably thinking of the warm liquid seeping into her body. She sighed happily.
"Lily, you look high." James was watching her with a raised eyebrow and an amused smile. Lily tensed. "Oh shut it Potter."
He rested his chin on his hand and wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively. "Tisk tisk, so harsh this morning aren't we my wonderful flower." His eyes glazed over dreamily, and heaven knows what on earth he was thinking.
"Someone should probably restrain me," Lily spat as she began feeling around for her butter knife. "Because I am going to stab his stupid face in such a rapid manner that I promise you it will set records!" She found her knife and began to jab it threateningly in James' direction.
The idiot only smirked. "I'll consider it a love stab my dear. Please make a mental note that I also enjoy love bites." Lily's eyes widened and she seriously would have done something to injure James when everyone suddenly got up and started moving around.
James! Stupid prick, now I have to do damage control. Hermione grabbed Lily's arm and stood her up before she could do him any real damage. "Now Lily, don't want to mutilate your date's face before the ball now do you?" she whispered under her breath.
Lily gently pulled herself away from Hermione's grasp. "Like that wouldn't stop him from going down the Dating Path of Terror." She glared down at her school shoes, and Hermione could almost feel her angry hum. I hope she forgets about this when we get into Hogsmeade.
All the seventh years made their way out onto the front grounds of Hogwarts. The sun was starting to creep into the sky and the warm June air was comforting. It's almost like being back in my own time. She sucked in a deep breath of the fresh air, and for a moment, it felt as if Ron was standing next to her with a little too much cologne on, not Sirius. The guy who will end up alone.
Hermione winced at the thought. She opened her eyes and glanced over at the young man standing next to her, his swooshy hair blowing around a bit it the sweeping wind. She remembered the promise she had made to herself a few nights ago. Lily and James would not be the only ones who will benefit from her sudden appearance in the past. No, she was determined to help Sirius find someone, even if it was only for a little while.
She felt someone's hand sweetly intertwine with her own and give a small squeeze before letting go, and she sighed, knowing that Sirius had a hard road ahead of him. The beautiful early summer's day now seemed bleak.
"Oh look, it's the carriages. Come on everyone lets go get ourselves one," suggested Remus. He seemed to have picked up on the sudden mood change and wanted to salvage the fact that this was Hogsmeade and everyone was getting to shop for the end of the year ball. "Come on you guys, cheer up. It's our last trip to Hogsmeade. Let's make it count!"
"Moony is right!" James grabbed Lily's hand and began to lead, or well, drag her towards the horseless carriages that waited for them further onto the grounds. Lily glared at the way James' fingers were gripping hers, but suddenly her face relaxed and she turned around and sent up a reassuring shout of agreement. "Come on Adeline and Hermione, we have dresses to purchase!"
"James, you are not being sneaky. I know that that is your hand you little pervert."
James mouth dropped before slowly pulling his hand away from Lily's bottom area. He cleared his throat, "Sorry, it has a mind of its own really…"
"I think I could make a new crayon color called James' Blush. Your face really is turning the loveliest shade of red," Sirius pointed out, his face taking on a fake contemplative expression. James gave an embarrassed smile before folding his hands and placing them firmly behind his head, making a show of flexing his biceps in front of Lily.
As amusing as this carriage ride was, there was only one person who Hermione could not completely pull her attention away from. I can't believe I forgot all about someone who plays such an important role in everyone's future.
Peter Pettigrew was crunched up against the door, his hands tucked under his lap, his eyes glazed over from some distant thought. His blonde hair had a bed head appeal to it and his strong jaw was clenched. Obviously coming to Hogsmeade was not his idea. Hermione had always been told that he wasn't a very good looking boy, but that is where she disagreed. No, his looks didn't equal to any of his other Marauder friends, but by no means was he ugly. Handsome in a refined way maybe, he didn't take on any of his future rat like similarities.
Hermione let her head droop, trying not to let anyone else see the tears that had weld up in the back of her eyes. Everyone's futures are so austere. How can anyone stand this? None of these people deserve their fate. I can't believe that some of these very people are going to be murdered heartlessly.
"Oh lookey! We are here," said James, a bit of the humiliation he had felt earlier left over in his voice.
The door was opened and Peter tumbled out, but quickly got to his feet before anyone could so much as snort. He brushed some of the grime off his robes before starting off toward The Three Broomsticks.
"The little bugger didn't even wait for the rest of you boys," observed Adeline as she allowed Remus to help her out of the carriage. She looked around and the announced, "Lily, we can get our dresses from the charming shop over there." Without waiting to see if Lily would follow, she began to stroll in the direction of which she had gestured.
Lily stared longingly at The Three Broomsticks. "Butter Beer…" She reached out toward it, as if she could will a drink to come soaring out of the pub and into her outstretched hand. Well, technically she could, but that's beside the point.
James perked up immensely at the mention of butter beer. Staring at the ground, he reached up and scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. "How about Sirius, Remus and I go and get some drinks for everyone, and then we will come bring them to you at that dress shop, which admit tingly, kind of weirds me out."
"Going into a dress shop should weird you out, you're a straight man for heaven's sake," mumbled Sirius, loud enough for everyone to hear. He paused. "Unless of course there is something that you should confess to us…"
"Shut up," James huffed, as he started to turn and walk towards the pub. Sirius chuckled and followed him. Remus shook his head before he too started after James.
The dress shop smelled vaguely of vanilla and feet. Hermione had no idea why the shop smelled this way, and she didn't feel like bringing it up in the conversation that Lily and Adeline were having, which was fittingly about dresses.
"They don't have a damn thing here that I could actually wear!" cried out Adeline in frustration. The shop keeper, a plump woman with bleached blonde hair and a bad perm was eyeing Adeline in annoyance, but otherwise was trying to do her best to please her melodramatic customer.
"Why don't you try this one deary?' She held out a gorgeous pale pink dress that was scoop neck and hit just in the mid calf area. It would look glorious with Adeline's fair skin, blue eyes, and chocolate curls. But Adeline wouldn't hear of it.
"I'm sorry, but pink isn't very me. Why don't you try making yourself useful and staying out of my way?" Adeline pushed the dress away impatiently and began to sort through another rack of formal gowns. "None of these will do," she hissed though gritted teeth.
"Take a breather Adeline. It's just a dress after all. That pink dress really would look lovely on you." Lily was lazily looking through dresses on her own, every once and awhile looking out the window to see if James and the others were on their way with everyone's drinks. Adeline gave a huff before grabbing the dress and heading toward the fitting rooms, the shop keeper trailing behind warily.
Hermione hadn't really found a dress of her liking either, but that was because she wasn't really searching for one. She had too much on her mind to be able to concentrate picking out a silly dress. I'm not sure what I should do. She tugged with irritation on a dress sleeve. How am I going to make this all end right?
The shop door jingled as it swung open, revealing James, Sirius and Remus, each with an armful of butter beers. Hermione chuckled as they all paused and sniffed the air and Sirius mouthed, "Cookies and old shoes?"
"Accio butter beer!" Lily reached out and caught her drink and in a moment had the cap popped off and was guzzling it down. After the first long draw she pulled away and let out a whooshing breath. "I already feel better."
"Did you find a dress?" said James, who was holding up a skimpy golden number that came complete with a small pocket on the skirt, and a very low cut top. "Because if you didn't…" he trailed off leaving little to imagine. Lily walked over and smacked him across the head and gestured toward the rack. James grinned sheepishly and put it back.
Someone nudged Hermione's side. "Did you find anything you like?" Sirius asked. He frowned when he noticed that Hermione wasn't even carrying anything to try on. He opened his mouth to say something when suddenly a loud shriek reverberated around the room. Adeline came barreling out of the fitting rooms, looking furious.
"How dare you suggest such things!" she screeched, flinging the shop door open and storming out. The door clamored loudly behind her, the little bell ringing. The shop keeper huffed and mumbled, "It's not my fault you needed a larger size, spoilt wench." She muttered other rude things under her breath before she returned behind the cashier's desk.
Thirty five minutes later and Lily still had not found a dress she had liked. Hermione had found a dress, but there was no way she was going to be able to afford it. It was a beautiful all black dress with a corset like top and a flowing skirt underneath. It would have suited her well, but she had put it back on the rack quickly when she spotted the price tag.
"No, that won't do," Lily shook her head as the three Marauders pulled out random dresses in Lily's size. It was getting to the point where no one was really caring anymore. "Can't you just pick something?" Remus requested tiredly.
Lily sighed. "It's a lost cause, why don't we just go."
Most everyone had turned to leave when James cried out "Wait!" He pulled out a stunning mint green dress. It was a halter top that was floor length, girly but sultry, a very Lily dress. Her eyes widened when she saw it, and with a squeal she ran over, grabbed it, and rushed to the fitting room. It was only a moment later when another happy shriek rang out from the enclosed space.
She ran out of the room and over to the cashier's desk, and with a smile paid for her ball dress.
That evening in the common room Hermione sat but the fire, reading a book Lily had let her borrow. Something large and plastic landed by her side, causing her to jump. She put the book down and looked at the shopping bag. What on earth? She reached her hand inside and immediately felt lacey fabric. She let out a small gasp as she pulled out the long black dress that she had had to put aside.
"What the hell?" she spoke wistfully. She stood up and held the dress up against her; she hadn't tried it on or anything. But it looked as if it would fit her.
"I saw you gazing at it, so…well… I thought I would just…Hermione?" Sirius was leaning against the stair post, his hands clenching and unclenching. Poor guy is nervous that I won't like it.
Hermione couldn't keep the smile from spreading across her face. "This was so nice of you. You didn't have to do this you know." She folded the dress up neatly and put in bag in the bag.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah well I noticed you hadn't picked anything out, and you kept looking at that dress so I thought I would get it for you. Its not like I don't have the money to burn," he said softly.
Hermione put her a hand to her mouth, honestly surprised. This was so sweet of him. I wish he would turn into his dog form so I could huggle him. Oh well, I might as well huggle him while he's a human. I'm sure he appreciates that more.
"You're amazing. Thank you so much." And with that Hermione walked over and gave Sirius a big old hug, and ruffled his emo hair playfully. "Hey I'm not a dog," he laughed, which made Hermione laugh too, though she couldn't quite get the image of the future Sirius out of her mind. I cannot fail. I will not fail.
