A/N: So. 51 reviews for the last one. Thank you all so much. I'm so grateful and please keep your wonderful reviews coming-I hope the rest of the story doesn't disappoint! We're finally at Hogwarts, everybody! Enjoy!

Fawkes.

"Well, Miss Hermione Granger. I would say that I am glad to see you again but I do not believe we have met, though your brain says that we in fact have." The familiar small voice of the Sorting Hat spoke from a spot behind Hermione's ear. "You are a time traveller, yes?"

'I am.' Hermione replied in her mind. 'I'm originally from the 1990's.'

"I see." The hat murmured. "Did you know," It suddenly spoke with a conversational tone, "that you are the fifth traveller I have sorted since I was created?"

"The fifth?" Hermione spoke aloud in her surprise. "Really?"

"Yes indeed, my dear." The hat replied, almost smug. "I must admit however that you have been the first in over a century now. So I do doubt that you would be able to communicate with traveller who came before you. Though by looking into your mind your predecessor had originally died within similar circumstances. Died before he had the chance to live out a life that he would be proud of and died before fulfilling his life's purpose. So They sent him back; just as they have you. You appear to have the weight of Europe on your shoulders, little one."

'They?'

"Sweet child, where are those impressive brains of yours that had me debating putting you in Ravenclaw? Did your Gryffindor recklessness drown them out?" The hat retorted, laughing in Hermione's head when the girl stiffened at the insult. "The Gods, child." It stated as if Hermione were a very slow child. "The deities. The divine, the celestial beings, immortals, the avatar, the angels; call Them what you will, but divine intervention has taken place here Miss Granger and you are the Chosen One."

'...You cannot be serious.'

The hat sighed. "Miss Granger you are in the world of magic. Where there really are such things as goblins and ghouls; where potions can revitalise you in one instant and kill you the next. Where a simple incantation can end your life in a flash of light and where you can turn a teacup into a toadstool with a flick of your wand. Tell me, if you are able to bear witness all of these things since being introduced to the magical world, which might I add before you came to Hogwarts you believed were not real, what right do you have to say about the Heavens and such? Your friend Luna Lovegood had the right idea. Some things are not always in plain sight, child. You are going to have to open your eyes and see everything that you possibly can. Open your eyes to the possibilities. You died, did you not? And yet here you are? It is strange. It is not normally done. You are special."

The hat was quiet for a few moments and Hermione could hear the whispers of the other students, all curious as to why Hermione hadn't been sorted yet. It wasn't often that the hat took so long to decide the house of a future student. The hat's silence was eerie.

"Do you believe me, Hermione Granger?" The hat spoke again. "Do you believe that you were chosen for a reason?"

'If I were not chosen I wouldn't be here.' Hermione replied softly, 'I would be dead and who knows where?'

"Nobody really knows what its like to die. ...Though then again, you do know what it's like, don't you?"

"It's quicker and easier than falling asleep." Hermione spoke aloud again and the whispers started once more. "Not painful, not at all."

The hat hummed. "Well Miss Granger I do believe you and I have been talking for far too long. Your fellow students must believe you may be a future Dark Lord in the making or something along those lines."

Hermione laughed, 'Just what I need. And I'm quite far from that point, regardless.'

"Indeed, indeed. Now, let me take a look inside your head. Intelligence in spades, the key criteria for Ravenclaw, though apparently I have told you such before. Hardworking and determined and your loyalty...your loyalty knows no bounds, does it Miss Granger? Very Hufflepuff of you there. Then there is your ambition and resourcefulness...that is the Slytherin in you too, Miss Granger. But that bravery and nerve...I see why I ultimately placed you in Gryffindor. Do not lose sight of it. It will take you far, child. Remember what I have said to you today, Hermione Granger. Or should I say Potter?"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione barely made it to her seat in between a beaming Remus and a laughing Sirius before she was assaulted with hugs and shouts from the Marauders and the girls beamed at her from across the table. Dumbledore rose to his feet again, arms spread wide in greeting. "And now that everybody has been sorted, welcome!" The old man voiced with a wide smile. "Welcome to another wonderful year at Hogwarts! We will discuss general housekeeping after we all tuck in."

The golden dishes along the tables all filled with foods of different kinds and Hermione smiled, helping herself to some roast chicken. Sirius to her left speared a roast potato in a gravy dish that he'd stolen for himself and set beside his plate while Remus to her right slapped roast beef onto his.

"So what took the hat so long to sort you?" asked Sirius with a half-chewed potato in his mouth, bits of food flying as he spoke.

Cringing, Hermione waited until she swallowed her food before she spoke. "The hat and I had a conversation."

"Really?" asked Lily from directly across Hermione with wide eyes. The red head had tucked into some Yorkshire pudding while waiting for Hermione to answer.

"Yeah, really." Hermione replied softly. "What, hasn't anybody talked to the hat for so long before?"

"Not really, no." Remus said, sipping his pumpkin juice. "Most people barely have the hat on their head before their house is announced, but sometimes the hat will take a minute or two to decide."

"But you," finished James, grinning at Hermione over Remus' head, "had to be unique and make the hat take forever, eh?"

Hermione winked. "It's what I do."

Everybody chattered about meaningless topics until the the food and drink all vanished from their plates and Dumbledore rose to his feet again. The hall fell silent. "Now that we've all eaten and drank until our hearts' content, I do believe that now is the time for some general housekeeping rules. First years should note that the Forbidden Forest is as its title suggests, forbidden to all students. And a few of our older students," blue eyes turned to the direction of the Marauders, all of whom grinned shamelessly in their seats. "should do well to remember that as well. I've been also been asked by the Caretaker Mr Filch to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Quidditch trials will be held during the fourth week of term once everybody is settled and anybody interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch who will then pass along the information to the Quidditch team captains. Also, this year I would like to announce that we have a new teacher joining our ranks. Professor Rowan Doyle has kindly consented to fill the vacant Defence Against The Dark Arts post." Dumbledore gestured to the burly red haired man sitting beside Professor Flitwick who raised a large hand in greeting. The man received a warm welcome in response and while everybody was still applauding Sirius leaned over Hermione and James leaned over Remus. In unison, both boys asked, "Betting pool?", which caused both to laugh at the other in amusement before they returned to their original seating. Hermione glanced at Remus who grinned at her as if telling her to ask again later. "Now," Dumbledore continued after the applause died down, "before we all trot off to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore beamed and just like Hermione remembered when she was a first year the teachers' smiles turned brittle.

Glancing at the table, Hermione recognised quite a few members of the staff that were around in her time, though the teachers were all a lot younger and less grey looking. She spotted a stern faced Minevra McGonagall to the left of Dumbledore and Professor Filius Flitwick sat to Dumbledore's right. The Herbology Professor Pomona Sprout was beaming at the table as well, and Professor Horace Slughorn, who still large sat beside her. Down the way Hermione was delighted to see the Ancient Runes Professor Bathsheba Babbling beside Arithmancy Professor Septima Vector. But Dumbledore, seemingly not noticing the teachers' souring expressions flicked his wand and a long golden ribbon flew out the end, rising high above all the tables and twisted itself into words. "Everybody pick your favourite tune," cheered the old Headmaster, "and off we go!"

And the school sang.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald,

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling,

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Just as they had in her own time, everybody finished the song at different times and Hermione found herself not at all surprised when the Marauders were the last ones left, the four sounding very much like a muggle gospel choir singing at a Sunday Mass. James' baritone contrasted beautifully with Peter's soprano while Sirius' tenor and Remus' alto melded together quite nicely. All four were surprisingly talented singers, if Hermione knew any better they would probably make an excellent music group. The Wizarding's version of The Beatles perhaps? Dumbledore conducted the last lines with his wand and when all four had finished, the group stood on the bench and saluted their Headmaster who was by far applauding the four the loudest.

"Well that was much better than last year!" Dorcas laughed when the four finally took their seats. "You guys were literally screaming!"

Peter laughed. "We thought we'd mix it up a little this year, right mates?"

The remaining Marauders all nodded with cheerful laughs of their own, quieting when Dumbledore raised his voice again.

"Well now that the song is done, I believe it is time for you all to go to bed. Off you trot!"

Standing with the rest of the Gryffindor table, Hermione held back from walking ahead of everybody else to Gryffindor tower, remaining behind with the Marauders and the sixth year girls who were apparently waiting for the crowd to fill out before they too were to head to bed.

"Miss Potter!" Professor Dumbledore called from the Head's Table and glancing up at the elderly wizard, Hermione smiled.

"Professor Dumbledore?"

Dressed in star spangled midnight blue robes, Dumbledore looked as eccentric as ever as he approached the smiling Gryffindors and pausing in front of Hermione, his smile widened. "Miss Potter, why am I not surprised to find you a Gryffindor?"

Hermione laughed, "Well the hat said I fitted all the houses to some extent though the scarlet and gold won out overall."

Dumbledore peered at Hermione over half-moon glasses. "Indeed? Well Miss Potter if you wouldn't mind I would greatly appreciate seeing you later on this week to discuss matters amongst other matters." The old man's eyes twinkled and Hermione nodded.

"Of course, Professor." Her eyes were suddenly steely. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Shall I bring ice mice?"

Dumbledore's pleasant smile widened and there was a knowing look in his eyes. "Oh, that would be lovely Miss Potter. Some ice mice to eat while chatting sounds excellent. Well I do believe you should all kindly escort Miss Potter to Gryffindor Tower, though I do hope you ensure she arrives before sunrise boys."

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Hermione woke early the next morning to find all the other girls were still asleep in their beds. Padding into the bathroom adjourning the bedroom, Hermione showered, dressed and walked down to the Common Room to find Remus crashed out in an armchair. Smiling to herself Hermione flopped onto the seat beside the werewolf and grinned when Remus started awake, his wand instantly in Hermione's face.

"Good morning Remus~" Hermione sang cheerily, winking at the glaring teenager. "Nice reflexes you have there."

"Hermione!" gasped Remus in surprise, his eyes wild. "Tu m'as fais une peur bleue ! / You scared the Hell out of me!" He babbled in French before realising his mistake and switching back to English, though slightly accented. "How long have you been sitting there?"

Hermione adjusted her robes while seated and grinned. "I just got here, you woke up pretty quick. But Remus, why are you sleeping on the couch?"

Remus sighed, running a hand down his tired face. "Well, James and Sirius were being idiots last night and wouldn't shut up. So I came down here for a bit until they calmed down...but I guess I fell asleep." Hermione would've almost believed the lie if not for the dark tint to his cheeks.

'He's lying to me? Oh ho, Remus John Lupin, what are you hiding?'

Playing along, Hermione nodded. "Yes, they can be a bit much sometimes, I'll admit. But they are usually rather excitable, it's almost endearing." Remus smiled in response. "Well, I think you should go and get ready Remus and take me to the Great Hall for breakfast, what do you say?"

Remus flushed. "O-oh, of course. Give me a few minutes to change." Remus shot to his feet and raced up the stairs to the boy's dormitory leaving Hermione sitting in the chair in front of the empty fireplace. She smiled.

Remus Lupin what are you hiding indeed.

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"So what classes are you lot taking?" asked Marlene at breakfast forty-five minutes later, yawning widely as she spread marmalade across her toast.

McGonagall had just breezed by with the class schedules and Hermione skimmed through her own, grinning widely. "Well I'm taking Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Defence Against The Dark Arts, Astronomy and History of Magic."

Forks simultaneously clattered onto plates and the sixth years all openly gaped at Hermione.

"What the fuck!" exclaimed Sirius, "Ten NEWTs subjects!"

Hermione blinked. "Yes, and?"

"H-Hermione!" James squeaked, "Remus isn't doing that many classes!"

The copper haired boy nodded. "Yeah, I'm only taking Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and Defence Against the Dark Arts from this year on. ...I'd take Potions, but I really am pants at it. Like, seriously pants. Professor Slughorn asked me not to come back after I melted seventeen cauldrons last year."

Hermione blinked.

Seventeen cauldrons! Last year? Not even Neville melted that many throughout his Hogwarts career and he was taught by Snape! ...I suppose that explains why Snape made his Wolfsbane Potion then...

"...Uh...wow, Remus. Just...wow." The others all laughed at Hermione's reaction and she pouted. "But that's it though? I got nine Outstandings and one Exceeds Expectations for my OWLs-its not like it can't be done, you know. ...Though I am rather disappointed with that E..."

"What the actual fuck!" shouted Sirius again, staring at James who looked as flabbergasted as he.

"Language, Sirius!" Hermione crossed her arms under her chest and frowned. She glanced over at the girls. "Tell me what you lot are all doing."

"Same as Remus except I'm not taking Arithmancy or Ancient Runes but I am taking Potions." Marlene said first. "I wanna be an Auror so I'm taking all the criteria they asked for."

Alice, who had joined the group for breakfast nodded. "Same as Marlene, though I'm also taking Care of Magical Creatures."

"I'm taking the Auror package," said Dorcas with a flip of her hair. "So Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Oh, and with the addition of Divination. I have fun there."

Hermione frowned. "But didn't you want to be a robe-maker, Dorcas?"

Frowning slightly at Hermione's use of her full name, Dorcas sighed. "...While being a robe-maker is my dream, yes, I think my skills are needed elsewhere right now. I think I'd be more useful as an auror than a robe-maker right now."

The air around the group was serious now and Hermione nodded shortly, understanding.

Lily suddenly smiled, directing the dark conversation into something brighter. "Well Hermione, I'm taking Potions, Charms, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. And I think seven NEWTs classes is plenty. Do you think you could handle ten?"

Hermione snorted at Lily's tone. "Did my OWLs not give you an inclination, Lily?" She asked playfully. "I think I'll be just fine."

Lily smirked, the challenge clearly in her expression. "It should be interesting to watch."

Turning to the remaining Marauders while smiling at the idea of competing with the Lily Evans for grades, Hermione questioned them next. "Sirius? Peter? James?"

Peter went first. "Well I'm the same as Marlene."

Sirius and James then looked at each other and in unison they spoke. "Potions, Transfiguration, Charms. Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures."

James spoke alone next. "Then on my own I'm doing Arithmancy." He pushed up his glasses with a smirk and looking purposefully geeky.

"While I," Sirius stated next, "am taking on Ancient Runes and Astronomy. Hermione, we're gonna be together!"

James and the remaining Marauders looked at Sirius in surprise. "You're doing eight classes Padfoot!"

"Merlin, that's almost as many as Hermione!"

"What the Hell!"

Sirius pouted. "You don't think I can do it?"

James snorted, but there was an odd look in his eyes. A mixture of sadness and anger. It was an odd combination. "It's not as if we think you can't, Pads, it's the why here. If anybody could do it it's you! ...Or obviously Hermione. But what's your motive?"

"To see if I can?" Sirius snorted. "Why else would I do it?"

A small frown tugged at James' lips and Sirius as if knowing what James was thinking (and he likely did, too) suddenly scowled, turning back to his pancakes.

"So what do we have first?" asked Marlene with a mouthful of toast, grinning at a disgusted Lily.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Marls." Lily brushed crumbs off her robes. "But we all have Herbology first up."

"Okay, brilliant. If we're in partners, I'm with Alice!"

"Hey! What if I wanted to work with Alice?" Dorcas pouted. "She's great at Herbology!"

"It's nice to know my skills and not my person are so appreciated, guys." Alice replied dryly, smiling.

"You know we love you, Alice!" chimed Dorcas and Marlene in unison and Alice couldn't help but laugh.

"You know though girls, Professor Sprout will probably put us all in alphabetical order, anyway." The round-faced girl informed with a smile, snickering at the two girls' devastated expressions.

"So we'll probably be together!" Dorcas and Marlene both exclaimed, glancing at each other. "Blimey!"

Lily, Alice, Remus and Peter all laughed raucously at this and Hermione sighed. She hated being out of the loop.

"Want to tell me how this is funny?" She asked the sniggering Remus beside her who grinned in response.

"Well last year when we were working with Fanged Geraniums for Herbology Marlene and Cas were both put into a group. Anyway, during the lesson Marlene was distracted I think by Sirius getting bitten on the arse by his plant-" "And that bloody hurt, too!" Sirius interrupted and James snickered, "and didn't realise that her and Cas' plant had gotten loose. Needless to say, Marlene lost a lot of blood when the plant went for her throat and instead of being of any use the plant tripped Cas and knocked her out cold when her head smacked against the table." Hermione gaped when Remus started laughing again. "Oh, if I owned a Pensieve! Hermione you would cry you'd laugh that hard. One of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life."

"Hey!" Both girls shouted in response but it merely brought on more snickers from the table, even Hermione couldn't help but smile at everybody's enthusiasm.

Seeing students all beginning to file out to head to their classes, Hermione too rose to her feet. "Ready to go, guys?"

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"So what species would you be interested in growing, James?" Hermione in a stroke of luck managed to be partnered with James for Herbology for the duration of the semester. Professor Sprout, who was as jovial and lovely as she would be in the nineties informed the sixth year class that in partners they would be assigned with growing a magical plant from seedling until whatever level the plant was at when the semester ended. In theory it sounded like a simple assignment, but when they were given a list of species to choose from Hermione realised that it wouldn't be that easy at all. All of the seedlings that the students had to choose from were rather temperamental and dangerous or extremely difficult to cultivate.

Most people all seemed to get along with who they were partnered with except for Peter who was stuck with one Xavier Mulciber, much to the Marauders' horror and disgust. Shivers ran down Hermione's spine at the sight of the much younger Death Eater. She hadn't seen him since she fought against him in the Department of Mysteries all those years ago. Even though Peter was the one who was working with the Slytherin, Hermione's gaze would constantly shift toward Sirius, as if worried he'd suddenly disappear and Hermione would never see him again. But if her hatred for Peter Pettigrew was hard to deal with, it was nothing compared to the loathing she felt when she saw Severus Snape for the first time.

He was so young.

It was hard to believe that the young man who seemed so intent on working with his partner Clarissa Stebbins, a Ravenclaw who wore her long blond hair tied in a plait down her back, would turn out to be the killer of one of the most brilliant wizards of all time. A pang caught in her chest when she remembered Albus Dumbledore's broken form at the bottom of the Astronomy Tower and she decided then that she would visit Dumbledore that night.

"Well how do you feel about a challenge?" James replied with a wide grin, leaning on his elbows at his and Hermione's table.

"Well Mr Potter I do in fact like the idea of a challenge." Hermione spoke slowly. James' grin was rather infectious. "What do you have in mind?"

"I think we should have a shot at growing Gillyweed." James' smile only grew wider at the clear intrigue in his fellow Gryffindor's eyes. "Sure, it'd be a little difficult, but I think you and I could pull it off, Miss I-Got-An-O-In-Herbology."

"Hmm," Hermione rested her chin on her palm, tilting her head in James' direction. "Well I know I could do it, you're right about Gillyweed being a challenge, but how do I know you wont drag me down, Potter?"

James' expression turned scandalous. "Oh!" He exclaimed, apparently wounded. "You doubt my simply smashing Herbology abilities?"

Hermione smiled. "No not really."

"...Wha?"

Hermione winked. "I think you're a lot smarter than you let on, brother dear. You and Sirius Black, for that matter. So, Gillyweed then?"

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Well after dinner that evening Lily and Remus, who both had Prefect rounds led Hermione up to Dumbledore's office. Pausing in front of the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office, Hermione smiled. "Thanks for the help, guys. I should be good to get back myself."

"Are you sure?" asked Remus worriedly, "This place is pretty huge and its even more so in the dark."

Hermione smiled. "I'll be fine, Remus. Besides, I don't know how long I'll be here this evening so there's really no point in you two waiting for me. And you've got your patrols to do as well! I might see you both when I get back, I want to write up that Arithmancy chart so I have it done before its due."

"But its not due for a good two weeks!" Remus exclaimed in slight surprise, his eyes wide.

Hermione smiled. "All the more reason to get it done. Well you two, I'll see you both later. Have fun on your rounds!"

Hermione waved at the two and spoke the password to the gargoyle who leapt aside at the correct queue Hermione had given it, revealing a spiral stone staircase that had appeared from behind the wall. "Oh wow," The muggleborn breathed. "Hogwarts is so amazing." Stepping on the staircase inside the split in the wall, Hermione let out a quiet gasp of surprise as the stair slowly began to move upward on its own, the gargoyle quickly standing back in its original position before it vanished out of sight. The staircase finally stopped moving as it appeared in front of a highly polished door that had a large brass knocker in the shape of a griffin.

Hearing no sounds from inside the room, Hermione brought up a hand to knock the knocker.

Before Hermione could even knocked, Dumbledore's slightly muffled voice called, "Come on in, Miss Potter."

How Dumbledore knew it was Hermione she had no idea but Hermione opened the door nonetheless and having never been in Dumbledore's office was instantly spellbound. It was beautiful. The door opened to reveal a beautiful circular room that had a large window to the east with a magnificent view of the mountains surrounding the castle, and there was also a glimpse of the Quidditch pitch. The walls of office were covered with portraits of whom Hermione believed to be previous Headmasters of Hogwarts, for Hermione could see a snoozing Armando Dippet near the magnificent Headmaster's desk and a scowling Phineas Nigellus Black. The desk was just beautiful, claw-footed and papers were stacked tall on the highly polished surface. To the right hand side on the table sat a silver ink pot with what appeared to have a phoenix feather quill resting inside. Around the office there were a few spindly-legged tables supporting rather odd looking silver instruments that were whirling and emitting little puffs of smoke. It really was quite amazing. And seated in the Headmaster's chair that had a very high back was Albus Dumbledore, who smiled at Hermione over his half-moon glasses.

"Good evening, Miss Potter. Please, take a seat." With a flick of his wand Dumbledore conjured what looked to be a rather squishy chair and Hermione sat down. "What brings you to my office so late in the evening, Hermione?"

Hermione flushed. "O-oh, I'm sorry if I'm inconveniencing you, Professor. You said I was welcome whenever for a chat so I thought I would pop in tonight."

Dumbledore's smile widened. "Oh, not at all Miss Potter, I was merely curious. And yes, do feel free to pop in anytime though I may not always be in Hogwarts, you must understand. I unfortunately have many other duties to attend to, though I would a lot of the time rather just remain here at my beloved school."

Hermione smiled. "Hogwarts is after all home."

"It is indeed." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. "Now Miss Potter while I am pleased that you have come all these way to visit me, I can tell something is on your mind. Something you feel you cannot confide in the people of your age bracket."

Hermione's smile turned brittle. "I'm uncomfortable." She suddenly stated shortly, staring at Dumbledore. "In my classes there are well-known Death Eaters that have tortured and killed friends of mine, or family members of friends. You'd be surprised to know how many people who are sitting in my Common Room who are murdered or tortured so brutally by these Death Eaters that it would have been better if they had died after all, God forgive me. I find it hard to sit in my classes and keep cool while those...those bastards are allowed to waltz around these corridors without a care in the world. It has been hard enough adjusting to the Marauders. Sometimes when I look at James I forget it's not my Harry standing in front of me. When I look at Sirius sometimes I have to fight so hard to avoid crying. I remember the Sirius I knew who lived in a cave for a year and lived off rats so he could stay close to Harry, the Sirius trapped inside Grimmauld Place, the house he hated more than anything just to keep an Order headquarters open. I think of the Sirius who whispered 'thank you, thank you' in my ear over and over as Harry and I freed him from the Ministry on a Hippogriff. I think of Sirius who died and then Harry who was never the same. The death that changed us all and one of the first deaths of many in the war. And then I look at Remus and I see myself and it hurts, it hurts so much to know he is the last one left. That he kept so much information from us about his time here at school. I didn't know that Remus was French, professor. I didn't know that he was into 70's punk rock. But I look at him here and I see the broken Remus he became in my time; the last one left, the werewolf, Moony, the best Defence Teacher I'd ever had." Hermione paused for a moment, wiping the tears from her cheeks and taking a few deep breaths. "It's just so hard, Professor Dumbledore."

Dumbledore sighed. "I don't believe I could possibly come to comprehend how you are feeling right now, Miss Potter. It must be difficult beyond imagination."

Hermione was startled when a flash of flame appeared on her chair's armrest, and glancing down, her eyes filled with tears at the sight of Dumbledore's stunning familiar Fawkes. "'Lo, Fawkes." Hermione breathed, bringing up a shaky hand to pet the phoenix's beautiful red plumage.

The bird trilled in response, and a warm feeling spread through Hermione from her fingers to her toes, calming her. She smiled slowly at the bird, before glancing up at a curious looking Dumbledore.

"You know of Fawkes?" The old man asked kindly, glancing fondly at the bird that suddenly sat in Hermione's lap, the girl continuing to pat its majestic head.

"I do. I've heard his song once. The most terrible, yet the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life." Hermione's smile turned fragile again. "You are very lucky to have him as your familiar, Sir. He was such a beacon of light for us in the war."

Dumbledore looked at Hermione and then Fawkes before smiling. "I am indeed."