Even though Hermione was going to be going back to her time she still took her work seriously. She never missed a chance to do homework or read up on her textbooks. Lucky for her Severus was the same way. They found the perfect schedule working together. They spent a lot of time in the library together working on homework. Hermione also found times to hang out with her friends in her house. The students in Severus's house have ended up leaving them alone and Hermione's friends have learned to accept it. They weren't exactly happy with it, but they knew that Hermione wouldn't be friends with them if they kept bugging her. Severus never ended up hanging with her friends and always stayed away, but today they were all expected to hang out and head to Hogsmeade this time as a group. Hermione was hoping that they all can get along and be friends, but she also knew being friends was not realistic. She just wanted them to be amicable. Hermione and her friends waited outside the Great Hall for Severus
Sirius looked at Hermione and said, "Are you sure you want him to come kitten? Wouldn't it be better with just us 5?"
Hermione crossed her arms and said, "No Sirius. I want him to come. I am not choosing between my boyfriend and my friends. If you can't be nice to him then maybe you should just stay here."
Sirius put his hands up and said, "Alright Hermione I was just saying."
James said, "Yeah Hermione it might be kind of weird of him to tag along."
Lily glared at them and said, "Knock it off you two. I think it's nice that Severus is coming along for once."
Hermione smiled at Lily and said, "Thanks for saying that. It took a lot of convincing for Severus to come with us. I promised him that you two will not bully him or try to do anything stupid. I will make sure you two keep that promise or I will use my wand against you and you don't want that to happen."
Severus approached them with his head down. He wasn't exactly willing to go with them, but he knew Hermione really wanted this to happen. He promised Hermione that he would be on his best behavior. When he finally got to the front of the Great Hall Hermione pulled him into a warm hug.
Hermione smiled at him and said, "Good morning Severus. Are you ready to go?"
Severus said, "Yes I am ready to go."
Together the six of them left the castle and walked in comfortable silence to Hogsmeade. Hermione was holding Severus's hand and James had his arm around Lily.
Remus said, "So where should we head to first?"
Hermione said, "I want to go to the book store."
Sirius said, "Boring. Who wants to go look at dumb old books? Most of them are probably covered in dust anyway."
Hermione said, "Maybe if you actually picked up a book now and then you can stop asking me to help you on your homework."
Sirius said, "I don't need to though. I can get people to easily give me the answer."
Hermione said, "You're going to regret that one day Sirius Black. Not everything can be bought."
Remus said, "I will go to the book store with you."
Sirius rolled his eyes and said, "Meet us at Honeydukes then when you're done." Sirius, James, and Lily headed their own way and Hermione, Severus, and Remus headed their way.
Hermione said, "Thank you Remus for coming with us."
Remus said, "Well I secretly like books too. Sirius and James are too obsessed with Quidditch and don't care to get their work done." Hermione smiled slightly. That sounds just like Harry and Ron. Those two are always talking about Quidditch. Well at least I'm not too homesick.
Together the three of them walked into the bookstore. The bookstore smelled like old parchment and had so many bookshelves stacked full of books. Hermione knew that the only way they can fit all these books was by an enlargement spell. Hermione didn't know where to start, but Severus started pulling her towards the far left of the store.
Severus said, "I love coming here. They have so many rare books about thousands of topics. I always wanted to buy some of the books but I can't afford it." His voice trailed off in the end. He felt ashamed about not having any money. He grew up in a poor household on Spinners End. His father only ever paid for was his alcohol.
Hermione squeezed his hand and said, "I know how you feel Severus. Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my Gringot's account. Tell you what if you pick out a book you really want I will buy it for you."
Severus looked at her and said, "Hermione I don't need you to buy stuff for me."
She said, "But I want to."
He said, "Hermione it's awkward to have a girl buy something for you. I don't need you to."
She said, "Please Severus just let me this one time."He sighed and slowly gave into her.
He said, "Okay Hermione just one book."
Hermione and Severus walked through each aisle searching for what books they wanted to buy. Severus, like he promised Hermione, picked one book and Hermione ended up buying two of her own books. Remus bought one book as well. The three of them walked out of the bookstore holding their bags. They walked a few stores down and went inside Honeydukes. They found James, Lily, and Sirius in the corner of the huge candy store.
Sirius said, "Did you enjoy buying your books?"
Hermione said, "Yes it was nice seeing how many books they have. We all ended up buying a book. Maybe next time you can join us." Sirius snorted and shook his head in disagreement.
James said, "Are you going to buy any candy Hermione?"
Hermione shook her head and said, "I'm not a big fan of candy honestly. With my parents being dentists I have learned to avoid candy and try to take care of my teeth."
James turned to Remus and said, "Are you going to buy any candy Remus?"
Remus said, "Of course James. You know I have a sweet tooth." Hermione noticed that no one even bothered asking Severus if he was going to buy any.
Hermione said to Severus, "Are you going to buy any candy Severus?"
He said, "I like a few things and I do have a few coins left in my pocket." James begrudgingly handed Severus a bag to put candy in. He also gave Remus a bag as well. The six of them walked around the candy store putting candy in their bag except for Hermione. She walked next to Severus holding his hand.
Sirius said, "Kitten are you sure you don't want not even one piece of candy?"
Hermione glared at him and said, "Stop calling me that Sirius and no I do not want any candy."
Sirius said, "Do you always do what your parents tell you to do?"
She said, "Of course. I adore my parents and they know what's right for me."
Sirius snorted and said, "Ah so that's why you're such a goody goody."
She said, "I am not a goody goody."
Sirius said, "Oh yeah? Then tell me a time that you did something bad or wrong?" Hermione smirked knowing she had a few good stories to tell, but also knew she had to be careful of what information she gave out.
She said, "In my first year of coming to wizard school I set my professor's robes on fire purposely with my wand."
James said, "No way Hermione. Is that true?"
She said, "Yes totally true. I thought he was trying to curse my friend."
Sirius said, "Wow Hermione. Maybe you really aren't such a goody goody after all. Do you have any more stories?"
She said, "My friends and I always broke the rules. We snuck out of our rooms late past curfew and always seemed to be looking for trouble."
Severus said, "I didn't know I was dating a trouble maker."
James commented, "Maybe that's why she likes the Slytherin's. She's one of them." James was trying to say it quietly to Lily, but all of them ended up hearing it. Hermione put her head down feeling slightly hurt by what he said. Severus was about to say something, but Lily beat him to it.
Lily said, "That was mean James. She can hang out with whoever she wants to." Hermione put her head back up and smiled at Lily in thanks.
Severus said, "What's wrong with her liking Slytherin's or even if she was one?"
James said, "They all believe in blood superiority and do dark magic."
Severus said angrily, "You are so ignorant Potter. Not all of us believe in that. I don't. Not all of us really do dark magic. Some of us do study it and research it, but that doesn't make us bad people."
Awkward silence filled the room. No one said anything for awhile. They all continued to add candy into their bag and approached the counter. They bought their candy and headed out of Honeydukes. They all agreed to go to The Three Broomsticks next for a butter beer. The six of them walked down the street and headed inside. They went to an enlarged booth and sat down. On one side sat Lily, James, and Sirius. On the other side sat Hermione, Severus, and Remus. All six of them ordered a butter beer and they started sipping their drinks.
Sirius asked, "So what are you all planning to do once school is over?" James was the first one to respond.
He said with a smirk on his face, "I plan on marrying the love of my life." Hermione felt a pang of sadness hit her. She knew that there would be no happy ending for them.
Lily smiled at James and said, "I love you James."
James smiled back at Lily and said, "I love you too."
Sirius said, "What about you Remus?"
Remus said, "I am unsure myself honestly. There are so many options out there. Maybe I'll become an auror maybe something in the Ministry. Who knows?"
Sirius said, "How about you Hermione?"
Hermione said, "I am unsure of my future. I know I want to stay in the wizarding world. I am leaning towards being a professor though or maybe a healer." Hermione couldn't tell them about her supposed future. She was honestly worried about the war that was coming in her time. She didn't know if she would even have a future. Severus didn't end up saying anything. He just sat there quietly drinking his butterbeer. They all finished up their drinks and headed back to the castle. It was getting late and they all wanted to be back in time for dinner.
