Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it's all JK.
A/N: So it feels like ages since I've updated, but this chapter was being especially troublesome. Read on! (Also, guys- like a grillion faves/watches/reviews. You guys completely rock and have my undying affection.)
"No."
Hermione watched her pale self shake her head.
"No. Just-no." She said again. She was trying to make herself sound forceful and in command. It came out a bit quieter and squeakier than she'd have liked. Lily's warm hands closed over her shoulders comfortingly.
"Why don't you like it?" Lily pouted, looking like a perfect painted doll.
Hermione didn't know what to say. After all, it had been she that woke up late. It had been Hermione that had requested situation-appropriate wardrobe help from Lily and Alice. But this? This wasn't what Hermione was used to.
Her usual downtime ensemble was a pair of jeans and one of the Gryffindor tank tops or t-shirts that Dumbledore had kindly provided. She took her role as 'one of the guys' very seriously. Even in her own time. At least her fears weren't actualized in becoming a duplicate of one of her roommates. Really, she was half expecting something along the lines of what Lily and Alice were wearing, and really, that just wasn't 'her'. She looked on either side of her to compare herself to the other girls.
Alice was very conservative in a red and pink blouse/skirt/jacket combo. She looked like she'd stepped out of a black and white movie with her innocent makeup and gentle golden waves of hair. She looked like cotton candy. Soft and sweet.
Lily, on the other hand, looked like a model. She wore a short green dress and darker green tights and everything about her screamed "I'm tall, glamorous, and a model. Be very jealous." From her kohl-lined eyes to the high heels that would've broken Hermione's ankles, she exuded more dark appeal than a bottle of absinthe.
It was Lily's insistent voice that brought Hermione out of her reverie and back into the present.
"You said, and I quote, 'Just pick something out that's not too girly and won't clash with the guys and I'll wear it.'" Lily said, twisting Hermione's hair into her usual bun and securing it with an elastic.
"Yeah, but the Sex Pistols?" Hermione said with raised eyebrows, tugging at the dark red t-shirt she was wearing that she'd never seen before in her life.
"You're the one that refuses to listen to anything else while we're studying." Alice shrugged. "It seemed appropriate."
" 'Appropriate' may be a stretch." Hermione said dryly, but a smirk played on her lips nonetheless.
She re-examined herself in the mirror. Objectively, she had no reason to complain. She still looked like Hermione- just Hermione as if she were actually a girl and not an asexual book. The shirt was soft, comfortable, and modest. The black skirt she was wearing flared out at her hips and hit her a little above the knees, mercifully long compared to Lily's mini. She eyed the fishnets that Lily had magic-ed onto her legs. They were of a blessedly tight weave that would keep her warm, but still-
"Couldn't I just wear my school stockings?" Hermione asked, looking to Lily.
"If you really want to be the girl that goes to Hogsmeade with the most eligible bachelors in Hogwarts wearing her uniform, then I suppose we can't stop you." Lily said, giving her a look that said they most definitely would stop her if it came to that.
"I look-" Hermione trailed off.
"Sexy." Lily grinned into the mirror. For a second she looked so much like Harry that Hermione's heart broke with homesickness. That's what did it in the end.
"We're going to be late." Hermione said, turning away from the mirror so the others wouldn't see that her eyes had gone shiny. She hastily grabbed her wand and money bag, shoved her feet into a pair of high tops that were her only non-school shoes, and made for the door.
Lily and Alice walked with her towards the Entrance Hall, but when they got closer Alice sped ahead of them so she could meet Frank in Hogsmeade. She was certain that today would be the day that he proposed. Lily showed greater restraint, but the minute she locked eyes with James, she too skipped off to meet her date.
Following Lily's progress, it wasn't hard to spot the other Marauders. She was comforted in knowing that she was, indeed dressed appropriately as they were sporting worn t-shirts, jackets, and jeans as well. They would've passed for Muggle if it weren't for the wands sticking conspicuously out of their pockets. She made her way over to her friends through the throng of students gathered in the hall.
.
Sirius gave Remus a violent nudge in the ribs upon seeing Granger step into the hall. Remus glared at Sirius for a moment before following his gaze to land on Hermione.
"Sirius, is she wearing-" He started, looking at Sirius with raised eyebrows.
"Yep." Sirius sucked in a breath. He knew his face would be bright red if all the blood in his head hadn't rushed south at seeing the girl he fancied wearing his shirt.
He forced himself to stand still and retain his casual posture as opposed to the girlish jumping around he wanted to do. If it had been just he and Remus, he would've done a victory dance. As it were, he didn't think that would come off so well. So instead he just flashed his lycanthropic friend a grin that Remus returned with interest.
By the time Hermione had gotten to where they were standing, Sirius and Remus had resumed the beautiful nonchalance that they'd perfected over the years. Of course, their cool was blown the moment Hermione's smiling face appeared at Sirius' side. Both boys' faces broke out in stupid grins. Sirius swung his arm heavily onto Hermione's shoulders.
"We have terrible news, love." He said, dropping his smile and giving her his best puppy eyes. Hermione, sensing something was afoot just raised her eyebrows in question and assumed a wary stance.
"We're afraid Peter's gone and spilled potion all over himself and Slughorn." Remus said, moving to face Hermione. He had adopted a pitiful expression of his own. "He'll be in detention for the rest of the day."
"And while we realize that three Marauders are better than two, and four better than three for that matter, " Sirius went on, raising his voice and dropping his arm from her shoulders to rest a hand lightly on her waist.
"We have hope that you'll still allow us," At this point in his speech, Remus dropped to his knees and took one of her hands in his as if to worship it. "your humble admirers, to squire you about Hogsmeade,"
Sirius genuflected as well, taking hold of one of her calves. At this point, there was definitely an audience- something the boys lived for. Hermione's face had turned the most vibrant shade of magenta Sirius had seen in awhile which only egged him on.
"Please, Oh fairest Hermione, allow us to take you 'round the shops," Sirius bellowed for the whole hall to hear.
"-And to the pub," Interjected Remus as if he were reciting Shakespeare. Badly.
"-And to buy you lovely trinkets to adorn your dainty wrists" Sirius went on. Hermione was looking down at them with all the quiet fear one would usually reserve for a pair of venomous snakes. She tried to take a step back slowly, but Sirius' hold on her lower leg prevented this.
"My life!" Sirius exclaimed.
"My love!" Remus shook her hand (which he still held) for emphasis.
"Milady!" Sirius gestured to the now laughing crowd that surrounded them.
"Say you'll have us!" Remus pleaded, and for his tone he could've been proposing marriage. He and Sirius were looking up at Hermione with shining, hopeful eyes.
Really, Hermione had no idea what had happened. One moment she was pushing through a thick crowd, the next she had the Marauders on their knees and there was a good six feet of separation between her and the next nearest student.
"O-ok?" Hermione choked out when it was clear that Remus and Sirius were waiting for an answer.
The reaction was immediate. The rest of the students in the hall burst into applause with a only a few exceptions. Some of the ladies in the hall were looking at Hermione accusingly as if she'd put them up to such a show, and in their unanimous opinions, it wasn't funny at all.
Upon Hermione's answer, Remus gallantly placed a kiss on the back of Hermione's hand and rose. Naturally, Sirius wasn't to be outdone and hopped to his feet. With a practiced twirl that spoke volumes to his aristocratic upbringing, he dipped Hermione and with a loud pop kissed her on the cheek before righting her. Hermione decided to let the boys have their fun.
Remus and Sirius took bows in all directions, practically sweeping the floor with their hair, and Hermione gave one ladylike curtsey that earned a wolf whistle from James before dragging the showboating teenagers out of the hall by their arms. She breezed by Filch and out the door finally clearing her head with the crisp autumn air.
"Was that entirely necessary?" Hermione inquired. She was trying to be stern, but it was hard to maintain as she had to swivel her head from side to side in order glare at each of them in turn whilst walking briskly toward the village.
Sirius' and Remus' exchanged a glance over Hermione's head.
"Absolutely." Remus stated solemnly.
"Meant every word of it, pet." Sirius said with a cheeky grin. He decided to press his luck and put a casual arm around Hermione's waist.
At that precise moment, they were overtaken by James and Lily. Lily was hanging back slightly, clearly unsure if she should be laughing or outraged on Hermione's behalf. James however wasted no time in jumping onto Sirius' back.
Sirius roughly pushed James off of him which only made James laugh harder. He grabbed Lily by the hand before quick stepping it to Hogsmeade. He loudly called back in a dreamily mocking voice, "Ah! To be young and in love!" throwing a wink the group's way. Hypocritically, he wrapped an arm around his girlfriend and nuzzling her hair.
Seeing this, Remus, Hermione, and Sirius chorused "Ah! To be young and in love!" with even more sappy mocking than even James could muster before dissolving into giggles (though if you asked the Marauders later, they were chuckling. It was manly.)
"Remus, how?" Hermione asked, eyes wide.
It was nearly noon, and the Marauders had been good to their word, dragging Hermione in and out of every shop Hogsmeade had to offer. Just now, they were exiting Honeydukes.
"What?" Remus asked, genuinely not knowing to what Hermione was referring. To him it was not only reasonable, but inevitable that he leave with no less than three large sacks full to the brim with Honeydukes chocolate.
"Where does it all go?" She asked, moving around him in a circle to ensure that she hadn't missed him gaining some one hundred pounds. But no. He was a trim as ever, a picture of lean muscle with even a hint of lanky height to him. Life just wasn't fair sometimes, Hermione thought.
"What do you mean?" Remus was really confused and kept trying to turn with her as she circled him.
"By all accounts, you should be massive." Hermione stated as fact. "It's a physical impossibility to consume that much chocolate and stay fit like you are."
"Well, see, Mooney and I like to go for a bit of a run from time to time." Sirius said, with a conspiratorial smirk in Remus' direction.
"Keeps us trim." Remus said, an easy smile on.
They were headed to the Three Broomsticks for a butter beer and lunch, Sirius' treat- he insisted. When they got to the door, there was a slight problem. It wouldn't open.
First Remus tried, pushing as firmly as one can with three bags of chocolate, two books, and a handful of new quills can. After two tries, he acquiesced to Sirius' insistence that he could get it open. After throwing his shoulder into it, the door finally gave way. About an inch.
It quickly became apparent that the reason the door couldn't and wouldn't open was that there were people in the way. In fact, the bar was so packed that actually fitting three more students in would be an impossibility- not to mention the wait for a table.
Sirius' stomach chose that moment to let out an almighty growl. His face crumpled into an adorable pout, but Remus' broke into a bright smile.
"I-" Remus said with a voice that proclaimed brilliance, "-have a better idea."
And with that he set off briskly down the street, Sirius and Hermione following with enthusiasm.
.
A/N: Love it? Hate it? Worth the wait? I love reviews in all forms and from all readers. Please and Thank you.
