James had, surprisingly, forgiven Hermione pretty quickly- at first it had been rather tense, but he seemed to forget about it after a few weeks. She still couldn't believe that he had forgiven her at all. Any time she brought it up, he'd reply with, "It's fine, I was in the wrong." Or, "I would have punched myself if I'd realised what I was saying." It was all very bizarre; Harry was always quick to apologise, but she would have never guessed he got that trait from his dad.

It was nearing the end of the year, which she could honestly say was her first year at Hogwarts without her or one of her close friends nearly dying, and it was satisfying. She really did enjoy school- there was a certain level of simplicity and organisation about it. Although having her favourite teacher not like her was a bummer. But everything else was good.

She was sitting in the Astronomy Tower, thinking about the last time she had been here- it had been just her, Ron and Harry. The golden trio. Another one of her bittersweet memories.

The sound of an owl chirping caught her attention and she looked around to see James' owl. "What are you doing here, Godric?" She asked the owl- once again thinking how typical it was for James to call his owl that. "Is that a letter for James?" She questioned, taking the letter from the owl, which had its little foot sticking out. "Oh, it's for me." She muttered with genuine surprise.

Hermione stroked the owl for a few moments before letting it fly off and opening the letter. She presumed it would have the details of where she was going over the summer, which was why she was surprised when she saw at the bottom that it was from Charlus Potter.

Dear Hermione Granger,

I hope you are well and enjoying school. I've heard from James that you're doing outstandingly in all of your classes- well done.

After what happened over Christmas and the small incident with James earlier this year, Dorea and I felt that you may prefer if you didn't come back to ours. However, we are extending the offer for you to live with us permanently. We are not asking to replace your parents- just to become an extension of it.

I know this is a big decision and we are not expecting an immediate answer.

However, a final answer will have to be made nine days before the end of term so that we can make arrangements either way. If you wish to not live with us or stay with us over the summer, I have secured you a place at Mungo's Orphanage; it is an all-girls wizarding orphanage that has a very good reputation.

Dorea and I will support you in whichever decision you make.

Sincerely,

Charlus Potter.

Hermione couldn't help but re-read the letter three times; she had not been expecting that. She had gone over every possibility- but being adopted by the Potters and living with them? That wasn't even on the list.

Mission. Think about this in terms of the mission- being this close to James would definitely help. But she already knew where they would be- where Voldemort needed to die. However, her being in this timeline could change a lot, and she didn't know how much things would change. Being close to James and Lily would be beneficial for that- but this close? Family close?

But, if she chose to live with the Potters, would it be right? Or would it just be easy?

She sighed. There was too much to think about; there was no definite answer. But first things first- she needed to know where James stood on the issue. If he didn't want her there, then she wouldn't do it. That would be a good place to start. With James.


Hermione found James, and the other Marauders, in the common room, "Hey, James-" she started, but was interrupted by a chorus of 'Hello's from all of them. "Hey, guys… James, could I talk to you… alone?"

James jumped up. "Of course." He said before turning back to his friends. "I told you all the ladies loved me." He gloated before shuffling over to her and walking into the corner. "What's up?"

Hermione glanced at the other boys, who were staring at them- nosy buggers- and handed him the letter. "Did your parents talk to you about this?"

James took the letter. As he read it, his expression went from cocky and confident to surprised and affronted. "They want to adopt you?"

She gave a small nod, looking away from him and over to the three curious boys, offering them a small wave. "I take it they didn't talk to you first, then?" She asked, looking back at him.

He smiled at her. "It's great."

To her, that didn't sound genuine; decision made. "I'm going to say no." Hermione stated, taking the letter back quickly.

"What? No… that… say yes." James spluttered out quickly; he was definitely thrown off by the information.

As she turned to leave the tower, she noticed him right on her tail and quickly headed for the girls tower.

"Hermione, wait a second! Talk to me!" James pleaded, grabbing her arm.

Hermione stopped, waited two seconds for him to let go- thinking she'd stopped to talk- before continuing her route and running up the stairs.


Hermione was absentmindedly writing a letter to her parents, seeking their advice- she knew she couldn't send it, because there was a chance it'd actually get to her parents; who were both currently teens, barely older than herself right now.

Lily literally came flying in, feet hitting the ground loudly. "I told you not to shove me!" She shouted down the stairs before huffing and approaching Hermione. "Jamie down there needs to talk to you." She said, rolling her eyes. "Could you please come down so he'll stop bothering me?"

"No, I'm busy," she replied softly, looking down at her letter.

Lily exhaled frustratedly before apparently coming to a decision. "Alright, but this is your fault." Without giving Hermione a second's warning, she lurched forward and latched onto her upper arm, yanking her from her seat and towards the door.

Hermione jerked back, pulling herself free. "I said no!" She screamed, her wand pointing at Lily's heart.

Lily froze, eyes wide. "Hermione…?" She asked, voice full of total shock. She recovered rather quickly, raising her arms placatingly and closing the door, effectively relieving the tension. It was only them in the room. "Alright, I'm sorry."

Hermione lowered her hand and the dropped her wand onto the bed. "Sorry. I-" she shook her head as she let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry, Lily."

Her friend nodded kindly and gently put an arm around her, guiding her to the bed and sitting down next to her on it. "What's wrong?" She asked, genuine concern lacing her tone.

Tilting her head to the side, Hermione looked at her. "I wrote a letter to my parents today. Asking them what I should do about…" She paused, not knowing if James had told Lily what was going on. "This." She reached over and grabbed the Potters' letter, handing it to her.

Lily's eyes scanned over the page quickly before she looked to Hermione again. "Are you going to live with them?" She asked.

"James doesn't want me to- it was easy to see," she replied solemnly. She hadn't realised how much she wanted to live there, to have a place she could call home, until after she had spoken to James.

Lily hummed in thought before grinning slightly. "Are you sure he didn't want you to? James has a tendency to be hesitant with expressing genuine emotions."

"Since when did you become a James expert?"

Lily blushed slightly before frowning indignantly. "I'm just… good at reading people, Hermione." She defended.

Hermione nodded but remained silent for a few moments. "Sometimes somebody's first reaction is the true reaction."

"But the true reaction might not be the honest reaction." Lily said, not making any sense. She gave a knowing look and explained. "James is a boy. Boys think girls have germs. It's not a conscious thing- it's just a natural mindset. So while he's probably very happy at the prospect of you living with his family, his first reaction was 'Oh no, a girl!'"

"Lily, not everybody is selfless. I don't want to take his parents away from him or take attention away… he's always been an only child and deserves to have every second with them focused on him. I don't want to…" Hermione sighed. She knew his parents would die in the next twelve years, as they were deceased before James and Lily died, but didn't know when or even how. "They're his parents."

"And he's willing to share them with you. That's what siblinghood is all about." Lily retorted with a wink.

"I'm not his sibling- I'm not related to him at all!" Hermione reminded her frankly. "I'll talk to him tomorrow and I won't write to the Potters yet, like I had planned." She promised.

Lily seemed to ignore the promise and latched onto the first thing she'd said. "You might not be related by blood, but you are related by bond. And that's what really matters." She enunciated clearly. She stood and brushed off her skirt before offering Hermione a crooked smile. "I would at least rethink your decision before doing something drastic." She advised, heading back down the stairs and leaving Hermione with her thoughts.

Hermione watched her leave, laying down on her bed and looking at the ceiling.


Hermione had been hiding in her dorm for most of the day, even missing dinner, in the attempt to avoid James. However, she was really hungry and knew the only way she'd be able to eat would be to sneak down to the kitchen. Checking the time, she realised it was 1am- hopefully she wouldn't get caught. She slipped on her cloak over her pyjamas and snuck down from her dorm.

As she was walking past the common room, she halted, hearing a noise.

"Hermione!" James's voice sounded before he magically appeared- he must have been under the cloak.

It took a lot of control to not grab her wand; she gasped and backed away, looking around in surprise. "Where did you come from?"

"I've been waiting for a while." He confessed sheepishly. "I just want to talk to you, but you've been impossible to get ahold of…"

"Did you ever think that I didn't want to talk?" She interrupted, her stomach growling lightly- thankfully, not loud enough for him to hear.

He winced. "I know you don't want to, but I just want to apologise… I really do want you to stay with us, I swear on my life." He said seriously. To Hermione, who had lived to age eighteen before, this sounded particularly childish. But he was being sincere. "You're a lot of fun to be around, and I really want you to live with my family."

Hermione sighed. "James, I don't think I'm right for your family, anyway…"

"No, you are! I've always wanted a sister or a brother… but mostly a sister. But my Mum… but my parents say I'm perfect. But now they are finally getting me a sister. It'll be fun."

"Really? Since when have you wanted a sister? I thought boys were all about getting little brothers to teach and all that." She retorted incredulously, her argument losing steam; she didn't want to admit that, however, and so kept up an arguing facade.

James smiled guiltily. "Well, I've always wanted a sibling, and I did want a brother before, but… well, after meeting you…" He trailed off, a bit embarrassed.

Hermione wanted to just agree now, but didn't want it to be strange, or like she was giving in too easily. There was a small voice telling her that she was just taking the easy route right now, and not focusing on the mission, but she ignored it. "I'll make you a deal: if you are able to get me to the kitchen, fed, and back here without getting caught or in trouble, then I'll agree to let your parents adopt me. Okay?"

James pulled a face. "Really? Your answer depends on food?" Then he nodded. "Alright, fine. Let's go." He beckoned for her to join him under the invisibility cloak. "This an invisibility cloak- it will make it so people can't see us. Isn't it cool?" He explained.

"I didn't know those things existed!" She replied with the best surprised face she could muster. "No way!"

He seemed to cherish her surprise as he smiled smugly. "Alright, c'mon, we need to get going." He insisted, beckoning again for her to join him.

Hermione did just that. "Okay. To the kitchen!"


Thank you for reading!

I'm thrilled by the fact that there are still people reading and reviewing this story! That's amazing! Thank you!