The Great Hall was full of chattering students yelling greetings back and forth when the five girls walked in. It was almost exactly as Hermione would see it in twenty years, four tables filled with students of varying ages in black robes and conical hats smiling, laughing, flirting, and acting just like teenagers should. She followed her new roommates to what was obviously their regular spot, about a quarter of the way down the table, closer to the teacher's table. The people around slid in either direction so that they could sit as they approached.

Hermione was sure the other girls didn't even notice the power they wielded over their housemates. Part of it was, she was sure, because they were seventh years, but they also carried themselves as if they were quite used to the arrangement. Several boys from all the houses watched as the seventh year Gryffindor girls walked past, laughing amongst themselves and pointing out different people to the new girl. Who was a topic of conversation unto herself. A complete stranger didn't enter their ranks without a certain amount of gossip and talk to follow. Who was she? Why her? Where did she come from?

The four seventh year Gryffindor boys took a spot in the middle of the table, which also seemed automatically reserved for them. They, too, commanded a presence, though in a slightly different way. All were good looking, ranging from cute to amazingly fit, and all swaggered with a confidence built upon years of mischief and popularity. People from all around called out to them and vied for their attention as they sat down, Sirius and James on one side, Remus and Peter on the other. And they certainly weren't lacking for female attention.

"I still can't believe Dumbledore made him head boy. The man is going daffy in his old age." Hermione turned back to the conversation as Lily brought up James' appointment once again.

"Oh don't be ridiculous Lily." Dorcas said. "He's perfectly fit for the job; you're the only one who doesn't think so."

"Daffy indeed." Snorted Mary. "That man will have all his wits when the rest of us are old."

"Exactly. I think Potter will do a fine job." Dorcas added.

"A fine job? Potter? You've all gone mad." Lily fumed. "He's still a complete and total toe-rag with not respect for anyone and the rules, no sense of duty, decorum, or hygiene, and he is just so bloody annoying."

"Give the boy a break, Lily." Emmaline admonished. "Honestly, he has grown up a bit. He really seems quite matured." The girls glanced down the table to see James doing what may have been either a charade of mental chimeras, or a sacred baboon mating ritual. Hermione's head cocked to one side.

"Huh. Well, he does seem a good sort, anyway." She added in. "What's so bad about him?"

"Oh Lily's just mad because he's been madly in love with her for years but she won't give him the time of day."

"It's true." Emmaline confirmed what Mary said. "He's asked her out at least once a week since fourth year."

"Third." Lily mumbled.

"What was that?" Dorcas questioned.

"Third!" She said more loudly. "Since third year."

"Ah, how sweet. She's keeping track." Mary said with a fake coo.

"Not sweet. I've been counting the years he's spoiled with his incessant, ridiculous, irritating nagging for a date. Honestly, I don't know why he doesn't just give up and leave me alone."

"Because he loves you!" Emmaline declared.

On that note, McGonagall demanded attention as she opened the double doors and marched in the first years, a ragged hat in hand. As Adams, Heather came forward, Hermione surveyed the room. There were just as many students as there were in the future, and they didn't look so different. Except some of the older boys were sporting the funny sideburns that seemed to be in style and the shoes and hairstyles were different. All the styles were different really, from eye glasses to high heels. Uniforms hadn't changed much, neither had the long robes they wore or the look of delight on so many faces. She scanned the faces that were all watching the sorting, clapping at appropriate times. Across the way, at the Slytherin table, she saw a young man who was unmistakably Sirius' brother, she recognized him from old photographs. He was talking to the girl next to him, a lazy grin similar to, but not as carefree as, Sirius' on his lips. She couldn't help but watch him for awhile.

She let her gaze move on after a minute, and they met the stare of black ones. Snape was looking at her, a slightly puzzled and curious look on his face. He sat just a little apart from everyone else, probably by choice she noted. His dark hair was hanging free again and it shadowed his face on either side, but she could not mistake the direction of his gaze. Their eyes held for moment and Hermione offered a tentative smile. At this, a blank look descended and he looked to the front as Perkins, Nancy was sorted to Hufflepuff.

"Ginny?" The tone of Mary's voice made Hermione realize it wasn't the first time she'd been addressed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, what?"

"You just looked lost for a moment there. Are you alright?"

"Yes, fine thanks."

"Just a lot to take in I'm sure." Dorcas said.

"Oh goodness, I can just imagine." Emmaline commented as Hermione nodded. "Going from being schooled at home to all this. You must be positively overwhelmed!"

"No, not really overwhelmed. It's just all so new."

"Did you have a large family?" Dorcas asked her. "Because this is a bit like that."

"No, I'm an only child."

"I am too." Emmaline told her. "Mary there has more family than she can name, but I still have to get used to the bustle every year. First year was traumatizing. I woke up my first morning here and nearly screamed when I saw these three walking around."

"Oh it wasn't all that bad." Mary said.

"Yes it was. She had a bed head you just wouldn't believe and Dorcas was walking around in a towel. I'd never even had to share a bathroom, much less a bedroom." The girls were laughing then. "But it does grow on you."

Hermione joined in the laughter as the girls shared stories on one another. Mary was the outspoken funny one with an air for the dramatic; Dorcas was softer and sweet, while Emmaline was the great beauty. They all welcomed her and seemed open and friendly. Mary was gesturing wildly, regaling them with a tale involving Emmaline, a broom cupboard, and mistaken identities when the food vanished and Dumbledore stood up to command attention. Nothing had changed about this, he had the same presence in the future as now, every student fell quiet and looked up expectantly when he stood.

"Welcome back, everyone, and what a fine feast of welcome we had. A few announcements before you head for bed. First of all, the Forbidden Forest is just that: Forbidden." His eyes seemed to linger in the middle of the Gryffindor table for a moment as he said it. Hermione heard boyish snickers behind her but didn't turn to look. "Mr. Pringle has a full list of forbidden objects on his office door if you wish to review those. Also, he has taken on an assistant this year, a Mr. Filch, who will assume his duties next year." Hermione smiled just a little. She had never really liked the slimy man, but he had provided some entertainment on occasion. "And last but not least, as some of you have already realized, we have a new student in our midst."

There were whispers circulating around the room as soon as he said it. Of course there was a new student; there were thirty-one of them actually. What was he talking about? Most eyes at the Gryffindor table and at least one pair from Slytherin were looking at her already. She had known this was coming, they had agreed that identifying her early on would help to dispense with some of the questions surrounding her appearance. If she didn't have to explain so many times, they believed she would keep her story straighter.

"Miss Ginny Prewett was here over the summer with her parents and has been sorted into Gryffindor as our newest seventh year student. She was schooled at home and has decided to join us for her final year of school. I hope you'll all welcome her warmly." He smiled at Hermione then, along with her four new friends. "Goodnight."

The sound of hundreds of feet and benches scraping across the floor was met with instant chatter as everyone filed out of the hall. Hermione knew that many were sending curious looks her way, but she was spared any immediate interrogations by the presence of the other Gryffindor girls. As they exited the Great Hall, they were also joined by the four Gryffindor seventh year boys.

"Hello Ginny, did you miss me?" Sirius grinned and looped an arm over her shoulder, which she promptly shrugged off.

"I had a very nice dinner, thank you."

"Evans, we've rounds together tonight." James looked hopefully at Lily.

"I know." She ground out through her teeth.

"Would you like to meet in the common room at nine? I know you probably want to do some unpacking tonight, and catch up." The other four girls stared at James with something akin to amazement, while Lily kept studiously looking anywhere but at him. Hermione was the first to recover.

While Lily and James continued their conversation, which escalated into a small argument, Hermione watched the other students. The Hufflepuffs were headed one way, going down, the Ravenclaws were headed up as well; she knew they'd veer off on the sixth floor while the Gryffindors continued to the seventh. The Slytherins were going down the other way, toward the dungeons, and near the back of the group, exiting the doors at the same time as the seventh year Gryffindors was Severus Snape.

Hermione spotted his skinny frame and long black hair, his dark eyes watching Lily with James. They were stormy as he saw his former best friend arguing with the handsome, popular Quidditch star. Hermione's heart ached for him, knowing what his future entailed. She'd been there, in the Great Hall they'd just left, when Harry had told Voldemort and, consequently, everyone else, exactly what Snape had done for Lily's memory and why. He had also shared with her and Ron the memories that she had watched Harry gather. She had seen firsthand what had happened during their fifth year, when Lily had sent him away for good, how he had begged for her life, how he had sacrificed the rest of his life to protect the only thing left of her, no matter how he hated James. He looked over just then and caught her watching him.

Unlike earlier in the Great Hall, his eyes didn't immediately leave hers, but held. She examined him anew, taking in the smooth face unmarred by trials he had yet to face and while it was bitter, it wasn't guilty and sorrowful. His eyes too examined her face, learning the features he had first seen in Diagon Alley. There was a veiled curiosity there; he wondered who this girl was that watched him. A Gryffindor girl, the new girl, the one that had smiled so brightly when she'd seen him before. Who was she?

Hermione hadn't realized that she'd stopped until Emmaline tugged on her arm. "Ginny?"

Their eye contact broke and he disappeared down the hall in a crowd of students. Hermione drug her eyes away and looked at the other girl. "Sorry, what?"

"You just stopped and were staring. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I was just – I don't know. Sorry."

"Let's go."

"What have you got first today Ginny?" Mary was tying her shoes when she questioned Hermione the next morning.

"Um…" Hermione looked at her timetable. "Looks like Ancient Runes."

"Ugh." Groaned Dorcas. "Me too, this is brutal."

Hermione smiled. "I don't mind, actually. They're simple enough once you know them."

Emmaline gave her an eye roll. "You're just like Lily. Complete book worm." Lily came out of the bathroom in time to hear that and while Hermione smiled at the familiar term, Lily stuck her tongue out.

"You would do well to try it sometime Vance."

Emmaline sniffed. "I do just fine thanks."

Lily glanced over Hermione's shoulder. "Oh! We've potions and Charms together this afternoon. I love those classes."

"I've got Potions today too." Dorcas told them. "And I do not love that class. I only need it if I want to become a healer."

"And I'll have Charms with you." Mary said.

"Me too." Said Emmaline.

"I still have got Ancient Runes and Arithmancy this morning." Hermione said.

"You're on your own for Arithmancy, I'm afraid." Mary said.

"Nope," Lily informed them. "I've got Arithmancy second too."

"Tomorrow is Defense, Astronomy, and Potions." Said Hermione.

"I've got Defense too, and Potions." Lily said. Soon they had compared all their schedules. All of the girls had Defense at the same time, and they shared many of their other classes. Lily and she shared most of their classes.

"Let's go, before all the food's gone." Mary was the first out the door and the other four were soon behind.

"I will never understand the phenomenon." Dorcas said as they filled their plates.

"What's that?" Mary asked her.

"Boys. And men for that matter. They are lazy old arses that are rarely on time to class, they're always dashing in late, yet here they are. Never once late for breakfast. Not once, in six years. Going on seven."

The five girls watched a tableful of boys, with a bit of revulsion coloring their expressions. Every male from first year to seventh year was eating as fast as they could, plates piled high with potatoes, toast, sausages, and any number of everything else offered. Hermione herself had potatoes and a sweet roll on her plate, and a bowl of fresh fruit. They specifically watched the four seventh year boys, who were sitting just a little way away from them.

"Eurgh." Emmaline let out a disgusted grunt.

"That's just… ridiculous." Said Mary.

"Eww." Agreed Lily. Dorcas simply nodded as the three conceded her point.

Hermione laughed. "I've seen worse." She was thinking, of course, of Ron and his brothers. Even Percy could put it away rather impressively.

"You're kidding." Dorcas said.

"No. Really."

James glanced in their direction then and saw them looking his way. Grinning, he elbowed Sirius, who gave him a disgruntled glare. "Wha'?" He mumbled through an overlarge mouthful.

"Look." James hissed. "She's looking at me!"

Sirius looked down the table and saw, indeed, the girls looking at them. More specifically Ginny and Lily. He grinned too. "Yeah. Me too."

James elbowed him again. "She is not looking at you, you –"

"Ow! Not her you git."

"Oh, yeah, you're right. Her too." The girls' looks of disgust grew as their speech showed off their partially masticated food.

"Do you suppose they know we can hear them?" Emmaline asked quietly, so that the boys would not hear them.

Lily shook her head slowly. "I don't think they care. Idiots."

The boys did not, indeed, hear what they were saying, made obvious as James turned to Remus. "Mooney! Look, they're watching us. She's interested!" His excited voice got Remus' attention. Remus, the only one eating with a bit of decorum, looked up. His eyes caught Hermione's and he smiled.

Hermione felt her cheeks heat as she looked down. "No, they're not." He told them.

"Are too!"

"Prongs, that's disgust, not interest." Remus muttered with mirth.

"Pshf, not possible. She's staring at me Mooney!"

"James, you're eating like a badly mannered troll. That is not making a good impression."

James looked blankly at the plate in front of him, a jumbled mass of once fine food slathered with ketchup. "What? What's wrong with the way I eat?"

Remus caught Hermione's eye again and winked before going back to his breakfast, ignoring James' further protests. The girls went back to their breakfast and the other four kept talking about the disgusting habits of men, but Hermione was distracted. She knew Remus well, her Remus, the one asleep in St. Mungo's, but this Remus was something new. Her Remus would never wink at her like that. Of course, this Remus was hardly worn down by the deaths of his friends or the loss of everything he held dear. He wasn't haunted by betrayal or rejection. He hadn't fallen in love with Tonks yet, he hadn't been an outcast in society. Here his secret was safe; here he was just another teenage boy that had a problem. This Remus was all new to her.

"Ancient Runes. You ready?" Dorcas was looking at Hermione expectantly, after groaning over her least favorite class.

Hermione gathered up her bag and stood. "Yes, let's go." She let Dorcas lead the way as they made their way out of the Great Hall. The halls were filling with students on their way to their first class, and Hermione was startled when none other than Remus Lupin fell into step beside her.

"Good morning."

"Oh! Hello, how are you?"

"Fine thanks. How's Hogwarts treating you?"

Hermione flashed him a warm and genuine smile. "I like it. It's definitely a new experience," She jumped as he pulled her out of the way of two rough-housing boys. "Overall, it's been a good experience."

He laughed when she shot the younger boys an annoyed look. "Yes, different. I can imagine."

No you can't.

"The girls haven't chattered you out yet."

"I heard that Remus!" Dorcas, who had pulled a few meters ahead of them, tossed the comment over her shoulder, pulling more good natured laughter from him.

"Well," He whispered conspiratorially. "They do natter on sometimes."

Hermione giggled just as they reached the classroom and he held open the door for her. "I rather like my roommates. We have good conversation. Really, though, they are wonderful. They made me feel right at home."

"Good. Don't tell them I said so, but they are a decent lot."

"I won't breathe a word."

"Ginny!" Dorcas came rushing over to where they stood chatting by the doorway. "Sorry Remus, I'll only be a moment." She pulled Hermione aside and grinned. "I hate to do this to you, so tell me if it's not all right. Nathan Mercer just asked me if I wanted to sit with him."

"Is this the same Nathan that you got a good ribbing about last night?" Hermione asked with a matching grin.

"Maybe."

"Go on then, I'll find a seat. I'm a big girl, you know."

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" With a squeal, she turned and made her way over to a tall, blonde boy who held a chair for her. Hermione smiled after her new friend before turning back to Remus.

"About time the git noticed her." He told her.

"What?"

"Hey, when we blokes notice that a girl fancies someone, it's about time said someone does something about it. Honestly, she's fancied him for ages. Want to grab a table?"

Hermione blinked up at him for a moment. "Sure."

His grin was bright and full, unlike anything she'd ever seen grace his face before. "Brilliant." Remus led her over to a table in the middle of the room and held a chair for her. They continued talking until the professor called class to order.

"Today we'll start with a review. Very simple, just the basic characters you should know. You should try it alone first, and then you may work in tables, but no more than that." She magicked the worksheets to the tables, one settling in front of each student, and then returned to her desk. "And be quiet about it."

A quiet scratching of quills began, along with a few groans. A review first day back? That was just cruel. Hermione breezed through hers and had just finished when the professor told them they could now work together. To occupy herself, she rechecked them, but they were all already perfectly translated.

"Did you finish?" Remus asked her quietly.

"Yes, did you need help with any?"

He gave her a skeptical glance. "Are they right?"

"No, I made it all up." She rolled her eyes. "I'm good at Runes."

He gave her one more wary look, but slid over so she could see his sheet. "I'm not sure of this one and these two." He told her, pointing to the three he was having trouble deciphering.

"Oh, alright. Well, see the accent above the upper left slash rather than at the bottom? That means the tense has changed." Hermione continued to explain the translations to him, referencing her own neatly penned sheet for example. They were the first done, with Remus soundly impressed.

"I've always done well at Runes, but you know them inside and out." He complimented her with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, well, yes. Hobby, I guess." She thought of all the months she'd spent translating the Tales of Beedle the Bard, in hiding, leading them to the key of Voldemort's defeat. She had given the translation to Professor McGonagall, who had said she would like to have them published. Literal and original interpretations so rarely existed anymore.

"A hobby?" He shook his head. "You're like Lily, a complete –"

"Bookworm, yes I heard." She commented dryly. Giving him a smile to let him know she didn't mind. "I do love books and learning."

"You're a very interesting girl, Ginny." Remus said, after watching her silently for a minute.

"Nathan Mercer asked me to sit with him this morning!" Dorcas was gushing to the girls at lunch. "He noticed me!"

"About time." Grumbled Mary. "You've bloody well fancied the pants off him for two years."

"Oh please, I'm nowhere near as pathetic as that."

"Yes you are." Confirmed Lily. "I specifically remember you noticing him at Halloween fifth year. So that's nearly two years."

"Oh Merlin, I am that pathetic." She made a face and reached for the butter crock. "Well, no matter. I've got him now!"

"That doesn't sound creepy at all Dorcas." Mary snorted.

"I think it's sweet." Commented Emmaline.

"You would."

"Well, it is. Two years, pining after the same boy. Sort of tragically romantic in a way."

"Yes, it is a tragedy."

"Oh hush, you!" Nothing Mary said though could dampen Dorcas' spirits. She continued to chatter on as they ate, one of the girls commenting on something every once in awhile. Lunch was halfway over when Hermione felt someone slide in next to her. Glancing to her left she saw Remus and smiled. Sirius had sat next to Mary with James on his other side and Peter next to Remus.

"Hello." She greeted him with a smile.

"Hey, how was Arithmancy?"

"I enjoyed it, actually. I much prefer a class like that over Divination." She wrinkled her nose, thinking of Professor Trelawney.

Sirius grinned and answered before Remus could. "Yeah, but Divination's right easy. The trick is to make everything up." The boys laughed at this, all would willingly admit to taking the class because it was so easy to laze their way through.

"That is exactly the point. If you can make everything up, what is the point?"

"Naptime." Peter told her. She rolled her eyes and turned back to the other girls. Dorcas was still chattering about Nathan with Emmaline and Mary offering bits of advice, but Lily was looking at Hermione pointedly.

"What?" Lily looked from Hermione to Remus and back, her eyebrows rising. "Oh don't be ridiculous."

"What are you talking about?" Sirius asked.

"I was talking to Lily."

"She didn't say anything."

"Yes she did, you just didn't hear it." He looked at Hermione who just stared right back, then at Lily, who was calmly sipping her tea and listening to Dorcas, then back to Hermione. Shaking his head, he took another bite of his sandwich, muttering something about 'girls' and their 'strange ways'.

"Why were you late?" Mary suddenly turned to the boys and asked them.

"Don't know what you mean McDonald." Replied Sirius.

"Yes you do. You're never late for a meal."

"Yes we are." Insisted James. "Often enough."

"Lunch, anyways." Added Peter. "Never breakfast, hardly ever dinner."

"That's just it." She looked at them shrewdly. "You're up to something."

"Us?" Said James innocently. "We are not."

"What did you do Potter?" Lily's sharp voice interrupted.

James sighed dramatically. "She always assumes I've done something."

"That's because you always have done something."

"Don't know what you mean." Everyone settled back as the two started bickering.

"Have they always been like this?" Hermione whispered to Remus.

"It's gotten better. Half the time I don't think she minds him hardly at all. A couple years ago she would have left the table when he sat down."

"Better?" Hermione watched the two spar vehemently. She recalled Harry being concerned about his parents after having seen old memories, and she found herself feeling the same sort of doubts. These two were to marry and have the baby who would save the world? At this rate, there wouldn't be a world to save.

"Much better. It's all just verbal now; it used to get quite physical. James always had a fresh set of bruises. I'm not really sure which he prefers." They watched for a few more moments before tuning it out. "So, which lesson have you got next?"

"Potions."

Remus nodded. "Professor Slughorn. He's quite the character that one."

"Is that a nice way of saying 'Watch Out'?"

Remus grinned. "He's perfectly harmless. Batty old walrus really, but very good at his subject. He's head of Slytherin too, but he never shows an ounce of favoritism."

"Is that common?" She asked innocently, thinking of Professor Snape.

Remus shrugged. "Not really. It has been in the past I guess, not while I've been here though. I've heard stories is all. It happens."

"What do you have next?"

"Potions, incidentally. We all do." He said, motioning to the three other boys.

"Oh, wonderful." He grinned at her. "No, really." She gave him a guilty smile.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes." They stood and left, leaving a still bickering James and Lily behind, everyone else watching after them. Sirius with an odd look on his face.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to seventh year potions." Professor Slughorn obviously didn't change much over a twenty-year period. Except, perhaps, to expand his waist. Hermione was sitting at a table with Lily this time, Remus and Peter were next to them and James and Sirius had claimed the table behind them. The two girls had been talking about that mornings' Arithmancy lesson when Slughorn came in.

"So, I have four potions here before you." Hermione remembered him starting his lesson out just this way during her sixth year. She also remembered embarrassing herself royally when she described the Amortentia potion, which was one of those before them. "Who can correctly identify them for us?" Lily's hand went up at once, as did Hermione's and Remus' and at least one other, though she couldn't see whose it was. Hermione smiled to herself, wouldn't Harry, who teased her about it all the time, love to know his mum was just like her.

"Excellent! You can each have one. Ladies first then, shall we? Miss Evans? No surprise there, eh?"

"The first is Amortentia sir." She went on to explain how she knew that, giving almost the same answer Hermione herself had, or would, as it were. "It's the most powerful love potion known." She finished, smiling at the professor.

"Very good, Miss Evans! Five points to Gryffindor, I think. Now, you must be our newest student, Miss Prewett, was it?" Hermione nodded, giving him a smile. "Well, well, can you tell us about this next potion?"

"Yes sir. That's the Polyjuice Potion sir. When consumed with the hair of someone else, the drinker takes on the physical appearance of that person, but not the voice. It changes color and taste depending on whose hair it is. It lasts an hour after consumed and takes a month of careful monitoring to make. The potion is meant for only human to human changes, not human to animal."

"Very good! Yes, human to animal transformations are best left for transfiguration. I don't suppose you can tell us the consequences?"

Hermione laughed dryly, remembering her own personal disaster second year, when she discovered the hard way that Millicent Bulstrode had a cat. "Yes, sir, I can. Say, for example, someone mistakenly added a cat hair rather than a human hair to the potion, a partial transformation would take place. Such as the drinker would have ears, whiskers, a tail, and lots of fur, but still be fundamentally human. This person would spend several weeks in the hospital wing."

"Very good! Very good indeed, yes, yes, another five points for Gryffindor I think. Quite the mind Miss Prewett." He moved on to Remus, who described the Draught of Living Death, and then the last person, which turned out to be Snape, who was left with the Pepper-Up Potion.

Of course. Hermione thought. Who else would it be?

"Excellent, Mr. Snape, yes ten points to Slytherin I think. Very ingenious thinking there." Snape looked very smug as Slughorn rewarded him for telling him what would reduce hiccups in the drinker. "Now, I'm sure you're all just dying to try these out, are you not? Excellent, excellent. Now, we'll try out Polyjuice tomorrow when we've got the time for the effects to wear off! First, why don't we all gather round and I'll need a volunteer. Mr. Black? Good, good, here we go my boy. Just sit right there on the edge of the table. Excellent."

Sirius was grinning madly as Slughorn scooped up a vial of Living Death. "Now, I have the antidote handy, so you won't miss much. Watch closely everyone." Sirius toasted the class and drank the potion. He blinked for a moment, and then slumped. Professor Slughorn caught him and laid him back on the table. He made no sound, didn't move at all, he just lay there perfectly still. As if dead. Hermione shivered.

"See there? No sound, no movement, nothing."

"Weird," Remus muttered. "He snores like an angry hippogriff." Hermione giggled then, the shiver gone. Slughorn continued to talk, pointing out how they could know if someone was dead or had been given the draught.

"Of course, too much of this and they'll never wake up. But, I do have the antidote here today. So,"

"Oh, great. I like him so much better like this." Lily muttered. She didn't say it too quietly, for the room twittered and even Slughorn chuckled good-naturedly. He poured the antidote between Sirius' lips and the boy's eyes suddenly opened.

"Whoa." He sat up and blinked rapidly. "Weird."

"Yes, weird, now Mr. Black, could you tell us what that was like?"

"One second I was looking at you, and the next I was staring at the ceiling."

"You were out for fifteen minutes I believe."

"Weird. It was just like I blinked, except everything was black instead of dim, and then I was on my back."

"Thank you Mr. Black, you may return to your seat now." Sirius hopped down and swaggered back to his seat. "Now, if you'll form a line, you can all come through and take a whiff of Amortentia."

Hermione got in line behind Lily and in front of Remus, behind them she could hear James talking to Sirius and Peter. "I already know what I'm going to smell."

"You do?" Peter said.

"Of course."

"Pray tell, Mr. Potter." Professor Slughorn had obviously heard him too.

"Vanilla and strawberries, and books and something, I'm not quite sure what it is, but it's floral." James listed these as if they were the most obvious things in the world. Hermione just shook her head, thinking he was silly. When it was her turn, she smelled new parchment, and freshly mown grass, a woodsy musk she couldn't quite identify, and the distinct scent of gardenias.

"See? Told you so." James grinned triumphantly. "Vanilla and strawberries, and books, and a flowery something."

"Very impressive Mr. Potter. How did you come to your conclusions? I've never heard of someone knowing what they would smell."

James gave him a blank look as if everyone should know the answer he was about to give. "That's what Lily smells like."

Lily's face dropped into her hands.

And there we have it! Chapter 12. Which, by far, is one of my favorite chapters written so far. Please review!

~Shiloh