Disclaimer: I must not tell lies. I don't own Harry Potter.
After the eventful Transfiguration class when the nickname 'Mia' was first given to Hermione, it rapidly spread around the seventh year class, and within a few days it was as if everyone had forgotten that she was really; at least in this time; called Hermia. However, Hermione did prefer being called Mia, as the name "Hermia" reminded her of the muggle disease she had contracted at age six, hernia.
Something else had changed that week as well. Hermione and Sirius Black had formed something of an amicable friendship, drifting together slowly but surely. They joked around at mealtimes, sat together in classes, and even shared a love seat (whose name was a source of many of James' jokes about their alleged coupledom) in the Gryffindor common room as they studied in front of the fire. Sirius even flirted with her at times, but it didn't surprise Hermione. She had a sneaking suspicion that Sirius fancied her. Now, Hermione was not a vain girl and very much reserved. She wasn't one to believe she was irresistible like so many other witches her age, and never thought she was fancied unless she had a concrete reason behind it...though her girlfriends, after an incident in the Gryffindor common insisted that Sirius Black was hiding romantic feelings for her, had Hermione wondering if they were right.
Having forgotten her Potions workbook on her favourite chair, she quietly re-entered the common and noticed Peter, Sirius, James, Remus and Jack in the middle of a tense conversation; judging by the aggressive stance the Marauders had taken. Hermione strained her ears to discern what they were saying, thankful that Jack was a loud speaker.
"...make sure to tell Ranger that I'm available if she ever needs a man." He had said, to her annoyance, although Hermione would have been even more miffed had she not missed the beginning of the discussion.
The curly haired girl barely had time to blush after she heard Jack admire her bottom aloud before Sirius unleashed his nasty left hook in the centre of the haughty Gryffindor's face. Not realising or willing to accept what Harry's godfather had meant by this, moreover forgetting why she'd bravely ventured into the common room in the low-cut pyjama top Dorcas had leant her, Hermione ran back up to her dormitory. Of course, the girls all wanted to know why she had taken so long and where her Potions textbook was, so reluctantly the time-traveler explained what she had witnessed.
"I think he fancies you!" Lily declared confidently. Hermione blushed and shook her head, muttering "No chance in hell."
"Same here, Lils," Dorcas agreed. "I mean, hello! Sirius punched the bloke to defend you, knowing he could get one back and ruin his…what is it he calls them now?"
"Aristocratic features," Alice reminded her, grimacing.
The blonde continued, "Yeah, those. He wouldn't do that for just anyone."
Hermione mulled the fact over before shrugging.
"Maybe. Sirius isn't really my type, though," She admitted.
"Okay, Hermia, but you never know," Alice winked.
Hermione was once again sitting, or rather sinking into the cushy chair in front of Albus Dumbledore's desk as he skimmed the list he had asked her to write on a Friday evening a week later. The Hogsmeade visit was the next day and Hermione planned to get some work done during the weekend. She watched the Headmaster set the piece of parchment down on his tabletop, brow furrowed.
"So," Dumbledore said nonchalantly, "you are planning to destroy seven horcruxes, murder a powerful dark wizard, stop four of my students from supporting him and another four from murder?"
Hermione's cheeks coloured faintly. "It sounds far-fetched when you phrase it like that, Professor, but yes. Although I believe there are a few more future Death Eaters at the school," After thinking for a while, she added, "What should I address first?"
The old man sighed. "I believe working within the school is the wisest, as you do not want to alert the Dark Lord of your presence immediately. In addition, you mentioned that these three students will be turning to him shortly. Please hinder it from happening."
The time-traveler agreed, thanked Dumbledore for his guidance, and promptly left his quarters, intending to return to her dorm. Unfortunately, she was hindered when Hermione walked into a tall, well-built figure, landing on her backside. The figure-who was a seventeen-year-old Lucius Malfoy-remained standing but offered a gentlemanly hand.
"Thank you." Hermione said as politely as she could muster to the man who once wanted her dead, blanching a little when he planted a kiss on her hand.
"Gladly," he drawled. "Lucius Malfoy. And you are?"
Hermione introduced herself, "Hermia Ranger. Some people like to call me Mia,"
"What a lovely name," The future Death Eater flirted, smirking at the flush that bloomed across her face. Hermione cursed her ever-blushing state and changed the subject.
"Er, thank you. Right, then, I must be off," Hermione announced weakly. "Nice meeting you!"
"Oh, my pleasure, Miss Ranger. We will meet again tomorrow, I presume."
Damn that blasted smirk! She thought to herself as she retreated to join her fellow Gryffindors, but little did she know she was being watched.
"Padfoot, you'll never believe what I saw!"
The Marauders looked up at a sweaty, red-faced James Potter, intrigued. Sirius raised an eyebrow expectantly. The bespectacled boy was meant to sneak out and make sure the coast was clear for their Hogsmeade prank, so why was he coming back with gossip?
"What did you see, then?" Sirius wanted to know.
"It was…Ranger…and Malfoy," James said between pants. "He kissed...her hand and...they...were talking...and she blushed!" He finished finally.
Remus said, half-smiling "You do know what this means, Padfoot, don't you?"
"What?"
"Lucius probably likes her, and if he hasn't already, he's probably gonna ask her to Hogsmeade," The werewolf guessed. "Before you."
Sirius frowned. "Who says I'm going to ask her out?"
"You didn't, but you act like you are. Come on, Pads, we know you like her."
"Yeah." Peter added.
"I do not!" The oldest black child insisted. "We're just friends. She's too goody-goody for my taste."
James looked a little disgusted. "So you'd rather she...go with Malfoy...than you?"
"Never mind. I'll ask her."
"So, Mia," Sirius said during breakfast the next morning, "Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?"
"No." She said simply.
"Cool, let's leave at...wait, what?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I said, no."
"But why?" Sirius wanted to know, his ego bruised.
"I'll be busy," The time-traveler snapped. There would be no dalliances in this time, she promised herself. Hermione was here to save the world, not score a date with Sirius Black. "Anyway, why do you care? You've got loads of girls willing to go out with you."
Sirius didn't answer, and grumbled for the rest of the meal. Later, Lily pulled Hermione aside.
"What did you do that for?" Lily snapped.
Hermione was taken aback. "Do what?"
"Say no to Sirius, of course!"
"I'm just busy, that's all."
Lily huffed and stomped away. Looks like I've finally witnessed her infamous temper, Hermione thought with a wry smile, but shook the thought away. She had business to do.
A/N: Hello everyone! I am so, so, so, so sorry for the delay. I damaged my laptop and typing is really difficult right now, so this is a bit shorter than usual, but I'll have a new chapter up this week, I promise. :) Thank you for all the kind reviews!
