Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. All characters, places, descriptions, etc (unless original and created by me) belong to her.
Summary: It was a small pack, of course, just the five of them, but together they were something wild. Hermione finds herself in the Marauders' Era with four new best friends.
A/N: In keeping with traditions of time-travel pics, here is the obligatory scene with Dumbledore. Enjoy and please review!
Chapter 10: Domi Adsum*
1 September 1977
Outside Dumbledore's Office
The two werewolves stopped outside the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Hermione looked at the young Remus who seemed to be lost in his own little world. Feeling Hermione's eyes on him, Remus started and realized she was waiting for him to say the password.
"Lemon Drop." Hermione smiled. It seemed as though some things never changed.
Again the two traveled in silence until they reached the door to Dumbledore's office. Remus raised a hand to knock, but a voice called out from within before he could make contact with the door.
"Come in, Mister Lupin." Remus shrugged at Hermione and pushed open the door. Hermione's head immediately felt heavy. Nervousness crept up her arms, and a strange itch, an almost pressure, appeared in the back of her mind. She stumbled forward, making an effort to stay behind Remus.
Dumbledore was seated at his desk, so the two students had to walk a bit to reach him. Hermione blinked. This "younger" Dumbledore didn't see so different from the one she remembered. His beard was a bit shorter, but all in all that was it. Hermione was instantly comforted by this familiar face.
"Ah, Mister Lupin, and how was your visit with Madame Trapner?"
"Um, she said all's well, sir."
"And how are you feeling about your final year at Hogwarts?"
"Happy to be back, sir." Remus seemed a little thrown by the fact Dumbledore had yet to ask about Hermione or even look at her. He turned his head to glance behind him.
"Good, good. Now, I expect your friends are eagar to see you. Would you please excuse Miss Granger and me? We have a few things to discuss." Hermione's eyes widened at Dumbledore's use of her name. Thankfully, Remus was standing several steps in front of her so he didn't notice her shock.
"Of course, sir." He nodded at the headmaster and turned to leave. As he passed Hermione, he held her gaze for as long as possible before making his exit. Hermione watched him leave and then turned to face Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling with amusement.
"Sorry, sir, but how do you know who I am?" Hermione moved closer to the Headmaster's desk.
Dumbledore waved a hand toward the open book in front of him. Leaning down to read, Hermione's eyes flitted over the names and dates that littered the page in front of her, each one faded just a bit. Except for one. Just one name and one date stood out from all the rest, as if the ink had just been set.
Hermione Jean Granger. 19 September 1979.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Is this–"
"–Hogwarts' Book of Admittance, yes." Dumbledore nodded. "Imagine my surprise when the name added not but an hour ago belonged to a child not yet born."
"I can explain," Hermione started.
"Time is a fickle thing, don't you think, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore squinted his eyes, looked her over, and nodded. "Hm, 1997 was it? My, you certainly have come a long way. Now, Miss Granger, what exactly do you know of time travel?"
"The time-turner was invented in 1234 by Gibbring Spalder. The Ministry of Magic regulates all use of time-turners through the Department of Mysteries. However, time-turners are rarely issued because of the strict rules that govern them." Hermione repeated for Dumbledore some of the information Professor McGonagall had shared with her during her third year.
"Yes, yes, the time-turner has proven to be a very interesting piece of magic," Dumbledore nodded. "But that's not what brought you here, is it?"
"I'm sorry, sir," Hermione looked down. "I'm not actually sure how I ended up here."
"The tricky thing about magic is that many assume it is something one can master. This of course is wrong. We do not own magic; magic owns us."
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Likewise, Miss Granger, many people assume that by traveling through time, history can be rewritten, changed. But in actuality, this too is wrong."
"But sir, I've chang—I mean, I've heard stories of time travel, and people do change the course of history." Hermione corrected herself, careful not to divulge the specifics of her past, well, future.
"Ah, but that's it! The course of history, which is in truth the future, not the past. I assume you believe that your existence here has changed a great deal of the world as you knew it."
"Well, yes, but hasn't it? I mean, I'm not supposed to be here."
"Oh, but aren't you?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "The time you spend here has already happened in the future you left. You were always meant to come here. Time is a powerful thing not easily moved. Time is consistent in and of itself. Nothing can happen that hasn't already occurred. The events which happened to bring about the specific circumstance of your arrival here will be produced again, no matter how you try to affect them."
"So, I'm meant to be here? And I can't change anything? Anything at all?" Dumbledore's face became grave all of a sudden.
"No matter how much you will it, the events that must unfold will indeed unfold."
Hermione stepped back. It was all too much. If what Dumbledore said was true, then… then Remus must have known she would travel back in time. But he had never said anything… Maybe he didn't remember meeting her.
"Sir, how soon can I return home?" Hermione fiddled with her, fearing Dumbledore's answer.
"I'm afraid that's not up to me, my dear. You've come by extraordinary means, and it would seem that is exactly how you will depart.
"For now, I think it wise for you to stay close by. You shall stay here at Hogwarts as a student. But I must implore that you not share a word of your circumstances with anyone. These are dark times we are living in, and I should hate to think what would happen if the information you possess were to reach the wrong hands."
"You want me to stay? Here? At Hogwarts?"
"Why yes, my dear, don't you want to attend your seventh year?" Dumbledore stood up and moved around his desk. "Now, there is another matter we need to discuss." Hermione looked up at her headmaster, suddenly understanding what he was referring to.
"How long have you been a werewolf?"
For the next two hours, Hermione and Professor Dumbledore went over the logistics of Hermione's stay. She was to be a transfer muggleborn from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Hermione had plenty of knowledge of Beauxbatons from her fourth year at Hogwarts as well as conversations with Fleur at the Burrow. During her childhood, Hermione's family had often vacationed in France, so Hermione knew enough of the French language to pass if the need ever arose.
The reason for her transfer would be the death of her parents, after which, Professor Dumbledore contacted her and offered up a place at Hogwarts.
The circumstances of Hermione's lycanthropy were also discussed. She admitted to Dumbledore that the younger Remus already knew, but she kept to herself that the older Remus was the one to infect her. And thankfully, Dumbledore didn't ask. The Headmaster proposed the idea of her spending her full moons with Remus in the Shrieking Shack, and Hermione jumped at the idea, though she decided, silently, that she would first need to deal with the other Marauders.
Finally, after two hours, Hermione's fake life was set. Dumbledore had produced a set of texts for her to use in classes, as well as a trunk full of clothes. While the trunk contained mainly uniforms, Hermione still had her beaded bag full of clothes, money, and other items she had intended for her time away from Grimmauld Place. Thankfully, she wouldn't have to rely on Dumbledore for everything.
"Now, Miss Granger, before you go," Dumbledore spoke as he walked to a shelf and reached for the Sorting Hat. Hermione grimaced as she realized he meant to sort her.
"Oh no, Professor, please. I-I don't want to be sorted again. I am a Gryffindor and would like to remain so." Dumbledore paused before placing the Sorting Hat back on its shelf.
"Very well, Miss Granger." With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore transfigured all of Hermione's new standard-issue uniforms to Gryffindor uniforms. "Run along now, your trunk will be waiting for you in Gryffindor tower."
Hermione nodded and left. Descending the stairs, a wave of déjà vu hit Hermione as she thought back to her third year and her adventures in time travel. She took a moment to lean on the castle wall and compose herself. She closed her eyes. If magic is what brought me here, then magic is what will take me home. A churning storm of feelings took root deep in the pit of Hermione's stomach, but she willed it to be calm. Opening her eyes, gold lightning flashed behind her pupils before a temporary calm fell back into place. Finally stepping off the stairs, Hermione was surprised to see a group of boys waiting for her. Remus, James, and Sirius.
The three boys were sitting against the wall opposite her, Remus in the middle with James and Sirius on either side. James was instantly recognizable, but Hermione was surprised how different he looked from Harry. She had lost count of the times people had remarked that Harry was the spitting image of his father, but now it seemed to her that the comparison between the two had more to do with fond recollection than actual truth. The hair however was spot on. Hermione even thought James' hair was wilder and messier than Harry's, though she wasn't sure how that could be remotely possible.
Seeing Sirius was positively alarming. Gone were the gaunt face and furrowed brow. Gone were the tattoos and wild eyes. This Sirius was so… youthful. His grey eyes, though still troubled, were clearer than Hermione had ever seen them. His dark locks fell almost to his shoulders and a few pieces brushed gently against his eyes. Hermione quickly blinked and averted her eyes, so it wouldn't appear as if she was staring.
Remus was the first to rise.
"Um, Hermione, was it?"
"Yes. And you're Remus, right?" Remus nodded. By this time, Sirius and James had managed to get to their feet and Sirius nudged Remus.
"Oh, these are my mates, James Potter and–"
"Sirius Orion Black, at your service." Sirius stepped forward and bowed in exactly the same manner as his brother had just hours before, except Sirius' tone was a bit playful. Hermione chuckled. Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, it's just your brother introduced himself in exactly the same way." James, Sirius, and Remus all shared a concerned look.
"My brother?" Hermione suddenly realized the position she had put herself in. This was supposed to be the first time she was meeting Sirius. She wasn't supposed to know that he had a brother.
"Um, well, I'm guessing he was your brother. His name was Regulus Black. You have the same last name and look quite similar, so I just assumed." Sirius' eyes narrowed.
"And how do you know my brother?" Hermione was a bit shocked at the sudden turn of Sirius' tone. She felt almost as if he was preparing to interrogate her and check her forearms for the Dark Mark. Hermione thought for a second and settled on telling the truth, or at least a vague version of the truth.
"He found me. I ran into trouble with my portkey and ended up near the forest. He and another boy found me and brought me to the hospital wing."
Sirius opened his mouth to ask another question, but Remus put a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you going to be staying here?" Hermione's heart swelled at the hope in Remus' eyes.
"Yes, actually, I'm going to be a seventh-year student here." Remus' face lit up, but Sirius was the first to speak.
"Where did you come from? Why here? Why now?" Hermione was confused and rather a bit hurt by Sirius' suspicion. Remus hit Sirius on the back of his head and smiled at Hermione.
"We're seventh years, too. Have you already been sorted?"
"Yep. Gryffindor," Hermione said proudly.
"Awesome, so are we!" James finally spoke up. "Come on, we'll show you the way." The four started to make their way to the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione didn't even have to try to look like she'd never been to Hogwarts before as she was looking around everywhere, just appreciating being at the castle again. While she was busy taking in the familiarity of the school, she failed to notice that James and Sirius had walked a bit ahead.
"Listen, Hermione," Remus started to speak and Hermione turned her head to look at him. "I just want you to know I'm here for you. You're pretty young, right?"
"Well, I'm almost 18–"
"Oh, no, I meant you're a young werewolf."
"Oh, that. Yes, very young."
"How young, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Um well, I haven't exactly even transformed yet." Remus swore under his breath. "I haven't had my first full moon." Hermione made sure to whisper so there was no chance of James or Sirius overhearing. Remus stopped walking. He took Hermione by the arms. She looked down at Remus' hands and tried to step away. Remus looked confused.
"I'm sorry. I-I don't have complete control over myself, yet. I've been working on it, but…"
"There's no need to apologize. I've been there before." He dropped his arms to his side, and the two began walking again. Remus looked nervously ahead to James and Sirius, unsure if he should spill his friends' secret.
"Hermione, if you want I could be there for you, for your first time. I can help you through it." Hermione looked at Remus with shining eyes. Some things, she decided, never changed, and Remus' compassion was one of them.
"I would really appreciate that, Remus. You have no idea."
"My friends, James, Sirius, and Peter—you haven't met him, but you will—they all know about me. And they're really good about it, really accepting. I'm not saying you have to tell them, but just know they understand, as much as they're able. And, well, they also know the signs so they might figure it out."
"They must be really great friends."
"They are. James is hilarious and can make just about anyone laugh. Sirius is a bit arrogant, but we forgive him for that. And Peter's just kind. He's always bringing me chocolate after the full moon." They walked in a comfortable silence for a while.
Hermione thought about Peter Pettigrew. She had forgotten that he would be here. The man responsible for the death of Harry's parents, the reason Harry was an orphan, the reason Sirius spent 12 years in Azkaban. She shuddered, wondering how she was going to face the horrid man.
She couldn't be outright cold to him. She needed Remus right now, and Peter was one of his best friends. And according to Dumbledore, she couldn't change anything either. Peter was going to betray the Marauders whether she was nice to him or not.
"Um, Remus," Hermione started tentatively, unsure if he was going to believe the lies she had to say. "Um, where I was before, before coming here, I had a mentor who was a werewolf." Remus looked at her astonished.
"He's-uh, he's gone now, but for a while, he was helping me adjust to everything. And he told me that, at least for the first two moons, I would respond well to the directions of other werewolves. See, there was an incident before and he, well, his wolf, kind of talked to me, and I stopped.
"So, maybe what I'm saying is that, if I get out of control, would you make sure I stopped?"
It took Remus a moment for the information to sink in. He had done a lot of research on werewolves since he had been at Hogwarts, but he had never heard of something like this. But then again, he had never even known another werewolf. He had always been alone.
"Of course, Hermione. I'll be here for you." Hermione felt a weight lift from her shoulders, and she smiled at Remus.
"Thank you." Again the two fell into a comfortable silence. Now that they had caught up to James and Sirius, they didn't want to be overheard.
Hermione took the time to observe James and Sirius. Out of the three boys, Remus appeared to have changed the least overtime, but then she didn't know James in the future. James walked with a casual confidence whereas Sirius walked with a subtle air of aristocracy. She could tell it was innate as his gate and posture weren't completely perfect.
She took a deep breath, careful not to let Remus know she was literally trying to smell his friends. Sirius smelled almost the same—fresh leather, whiskey and honey, and some kind of berry. But Hermione wasn't hit by the same feeling as before when she breathed him in, and that made her heart sink a bit as she realized she clearly didn't truly know this Sirius. And yet when she had smelled Remus before, in the Hospital Wing, she had felt safe like before. Then she remembered what Remus had said.
It's because we're connected, we're the same lineage. Since I'm technically your alpha, my smell should reflect that. Comfortable, safe, familiar. To me, your smell makes me feel protective.
Hermione eyed Remus. Did he feel protective over her now? Did her smell affect him the same as in the future? Would he figure out that he was the one who bit her? Hermione cringed at the thought of this young Remus thinking he infected someone. No, I have to keep this from him. He doesn't need to know. It would kill him.
Before she knew it, the three Marauders and Hermione were standing in front of the Fat Lady. The Fat Lady rolled her eyes at the Marauders as Sirius winked at her.
"Virtus." The portrait swung open, and Sirius and James stepped through. Remus stepped to the side so Hermione could pass through first, but she hesitated and looked up at him.
"There's no reason to be nervous, Hermione. You've already made three friends, and I promise Sirius will calm down. Don't worry." He grinned at her. "I'll be here for you."
Hermione smiled, despite the storm in her stomach. As she followed Remus into Gryffindor tower, her mind struggled to tread in a sea of questions.
How long was she going to be here? When was she going to get home? How was she going to live with the Marauders knowing what she knew? How could she bear to face them, to talk to them? And what about their future selves? What were Remus and Sirius doing in the future? Did they know where she was? Did Harry and Ron know where she was? Were they safe?
As Hermione's eyes met the warm crimson and gold of the common room, tears swam behind her eyes. She had honestly thought she might never see this room again, and yet here she was. She looked around at the various students hanging about. A couple students were playing chess by the windows, while a few girls were gossiping on a couch by the fire. This was what she had wanted, one final year at Hogwarts. Just… not this way.
A/N: *I'm Home