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: I tried to time it so the Christmas chapters came out actually around Christmas, but it didn't work out. Nonetheless, please enjoy an extension of the holiday season through the next few chapters. Enjoy! And let me know what you think!
Chapter 25: Caeca Nvidia Est*
The weeks were passing quickly now. The year was coming to an end, and Hermione wasn't sure if she was ready or not. The end of the year meant a break from school, time to reflect and figure things out, but it also meant the end of 1977… and the beginning of 1978. The further forward she moved in time, the farther Hermione felt from Harry and Ron.
Luckily, Hermione had plenty to distract her. She spent her weeks in the library with Regulus, in the common room with the Marauders, and staying up late with Lily and the girls. She spent her weekends learning chess from Peter or down at the quidditch pitch cheering on James and quietly cheering on Regulus (but only if Gryffindor wasn't playing). She constantly surrounded herself with her friends, so she didn't have to think about the war crawling over the horizon.
19 November 1977
Hogsmeade Village
Hogsmeade was abuzz, as the students of Hogwarts returned for the weekend. Hermione was frantically trying to hit every shop in order to get all her Christmas shopping done. Shopping for the girls had been easy, much to Hermione's surprise. But then again, they weren't Lavender or Pavarti.
The boys were more difficult to shop for. Hermione wandered all through the shops hoping something would jump out at her. She wanted to get each of the Marauders something meaningful. Well, truthfully not each of them, but she couldn't just get Peter a sack of candy from Honeydukes.
Hermione ducked around a group of second years into Spintwitches Sporting Needs. Hopefully she could at least find something for James.
"–and that's not all. Last week, I heard he was caught with some Ravenclaw in Slughorn's office by Slughorn!"
"No! Really?" Hermione tried to push her way around a group of girls gathered by the wall of catalogs displaying "Quidditch's Foxiest Players" and "Players and Keepers: Who's Who in the Quidditch World." The girls ignored Hermione and filled the aisle.
"A Ravenclaw? But wasn't he with a Slytherin last week?"
"Oh honestly, Amanda, this is Sirius Black we're talking about. Do you honestly think he'd keep a Slytherin around for that long?" Hermione froze at the mention of Sirius. She busied herself with a copy of "Which Broomstick," tilting her head to hear the gossipers more clearly.
"What was her name? Do I know her?"
"Does it matter?" Hermione winced at the mixture of squealing and giggling.
"Ugh that Sirius Black…"
"Really though, I mean I would sooooo go there."
"Oh yeah, no question. I mean he'd probably break my heart–"
"Oh, no doubt about it! I'd be crushed, but–"
"But so worth it!"
"So worth it!"
Hermione scoffed, shoved the magazine back with the others and turned on her heel. She could hear the girls laughing at her, but she didn't care. Her face felt hot, and she just wanted to get out into the cold air.
Hermione wasn't stupid. This wasn't the first time she had heard girls talking about Sirius. And Merlin, how many times did she have to listen to Harry and Ron talk about Sirius' past like it was the true definition of glory days? But she didn't want to hear it anymore. For some reason it was getting under her skin. These rumors, these girls—Hermione didn't know where it came from. The more she got to know him, the more she thought the Sirius she knew, this Sirius, wasn't like that at all. Or was he? Suddenly feeling worn out from shopping, Hermione darted in the Three Broomsticks, eager to reunite with Lily and warm herself with butterbeer.
"Hermione!" Lily called from a cozy booth in the corner. Hermione's mood brightened immediately at the sight of the redhead.
"Hi!" Hermione slid into the seat across from Lily. "Where are the others?"
"Still shopping, but I think they'll be here soon. Did you get all your shopping done?"
"No," Hermione sighed. "But I figure I have a little extra time. I can always give them to everybody when we come back."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I was thinking I could ask Dumbledore if I could come to Hogsmeade during the holiday."
"Wait, you're not going home?" Lily stared at Hermione with wide eyes. Hermione smiled sadly at her. "Wait, I'm sorry, forget I said that."
"It's okay, Lily."
"So, you'll be here then? All by yourself?"
"I'm sure I won't be the only student staying behind. I'll be okay." Lily opened her mouth to protest, but at that moment Madame Rosmerta came to their table to take their order. After she left, all talk of the winter holidays was forgotten.
24 November 1977
Gryffindor Common Room
Hermione felt more in control now, of her emotions and actions that is. Unlike last month, Hermione was able to calmly walk around the halls of Hogwarts with the façade of a normal witch instead of a burning ball of fire. After classes, she walked with Remus back to the Seventh Floor and dropped off her books. As she descended the stairs again, she caught Sirius' eye.
Sirius got up from the table where he was playing chess with Peter. He walked purposefully over to Hermione, stopping her before she got to the door.
"So this is really a thing now?" Hermione looked away. "Every month you're going to run off to my brother for help?"
"Sirius," Hermione's voice was soft. She may have been full of pent up aggression, but she didn't want to fight with Sirius. "We've talked about this."
"I know, I know, he helps you." Sirius ran a hand through his raven locks. "I just—dammit, Pup, I just don't like it. Why him? Why don't you let me help? Or Prongs? That's what we're here for."
Hermione felt terrible looking into Sirius' eyes. She knew this was killing him. She looked at him sadly.
"You wouldn't fight back. And, and I don't think I would want you to." Hermione put a hand on Sirius' arm. "And you do help me, Sirius. You may not think so, but you do. Just by being here, being here for me."
Sirius looked away. Hermione stepped closer.
"Sirius, I–"
"It's okay. I'll get over it. You gotta do what you gotta do, Pup. I'm with you."
"You are?"
"Just, just come straight back when you're done. You don't have to spend any extra time with him." Hermione smiled, knowing she needed to say only what Sirius wanted to hear.
"I promise." She pulled back her arm and starting moving toward the door.
"Hermione?" She turned around. "If there's anything I can do; if there's anything you need…"
Hermione nodded and walked out the door to meet the other son of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.
26 November 1977
Shrieking Shack
It wasn't so much a loss of self. Sure she never really remembered what she did, but Hermione was now used to waking up the next day with a lingering feeling of contentment. It wasn't just any old type of contentment either. It was more the kind of contentment that follows the feeling of absolute, unadulterated freedom. The feeling you get after running in an open field or standing in the middle of a thunderstorm. She probably should have been scared when it happened or at least guilty or ashamed. But despite the dull ache in every single one of her muscles, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that for a couple hours she had let her walls down.
This fence, this cage in her mind that she worked so hard to protect was obliterated in one night. And it felt amazing. Granted, she only felt the residual effects, but it gave her a sort of twisted thrill that her fortress could still be broken, that she hadn't completely imprisoned herself. But she could feel each brick, each stone, each nail moving slowly back into place almost as soon as her eyes opened.
Each time it happened, she would clench her eyes shut, willing her defenses to rest, to leave her in peace for just a little longer. But each time it happened, her walls grew back, just the same as before.
James had taken his position as her adopter very seriously. Just before the moon fell, Prongs would usher Padfoot and Wormtail from the room, the two werewolves already howling in pain. He stood there, right by Pup, until he was sure it was safe to shift out of his Animagus form. Then, with alert but averted eyes, he would cover her with a blanket and save her some dignity.
It was one of those things James did for her that they never addressed. She knew he was there for her, and he knew she was grateful. It didn't hurt that the first face she saw when she woke up was Harry's. And if she let the sleep linger in her eyes, she couldn't even tell his eye color was off.
Once Remus and Hermione were awake enough to make it back to the castle on their own, the Marauders would depart only to reunite with them in the Hospital Wing.
The Hospital Wing
"It's so weird," Hermione said, mainly to herself. She was watching Sirius and Peter stack miscellaneous items on Remus as he slept. James sat himself at the foot of her bed.
"What's weird?"
"Oh, I was just thinking. Remus and I are affected so differently around the full moon. It's weird."
James thought on this for a moment.
"Well, you don't technically have to be the same, right? I mean, it's not like your wolves are related."
"Right," Hermione forced a laugh. "Of course not."
"So listen," James started, ruffling his hair. "Lily and I had a talk yesterday…" He grinned at Hermione's raised eyebrow. "Yes, Lily and I had a talk yesterday, and she told me you were planning on staying here for the holidays."
"She told you?" Hermione groaned.
"I told you that you needed to get used to people looking out for you," James smiled. "Anyway, she wanted you to stay with her, but her sister is a bit crazy when it comes to magic. So, bright idea courtesy of yours truly… you're coming home with me!"
"What?"
"That's right, you, yes you Ms. Hermione Granger, have won an all-expense paid trip to the home on none other than Gryffindor God James Potter!" Hermione laughed at the voice James had adopted for his little speech. "This trip is non-negotiable so don't try to get out of it. Because no one should be alone for Christmas!"
Hermione looked at James and practically burst into tears. James' face, in two seconds, switched from playful and happy to frightened and awkward. He looked at the crying girl in front of him.
"Um, Pup?" He patted her arm in a show of comfort, although he wasn't really sure what was going on. Hermione wiped her eyes and looked at him.
"I'm sorry," she spoke through sniffles. "It's the moon. That's why I'm so emotional. But really James, that's-that's so kind of you. Thank you."
"Oi, Prongs, mate! Why are you making Pup cry?" Sirius wandered over from Remus' bed. Hermione laughed a bit and attempted to clear all the tears away.
"It's not sad tears. It's happy tears." Sirius looked as if he didn't understand the concept. Hermione looked at James to explain.
"She's coming home with us for Christmas!"
"Really?"
"Really!" Hermione swatted at James' arm lightly.
"I haven't said yes yet!" Both boys looked at her expectantly. She sighed and responded. "But I'm guessing there's no way I could say no, so yes!"
"I always knew you were smart, Pup. Merlin, Mum is going to love it. I think she's grown bored of Sirius already."
"He's just jealous she loves me the most," Sirius fake-whispered in Hermione's ear. Hermione's smile grew to reach her ears. James swatted at Sirius.
"Nonsense!" He turned to Hermione. "Okay, so here's the plan. You come home with us, meet the parents and all that good stuff. We'll all hang out and have loads of fun. Then, Christmas Eve we have our annual Christmas party. Remus and Peter will be there, and I think Lily and the girls are coming too. Then Christmas! Presents and food and more food!"
Hermione's face fell all of a sudden.
"Oh wait." She looked over toward Remus. "Christmas, the 25th, it's a full moon this year."
James and Sirius' faces fell as well. The looked at each other for a minute before Sirius got an idea.
"Don't worry about it, Pup. We'll talk with Remus. You're still coming home with us. We'll figure something out." Hermione smiled sweetly at Sirius. They looked in each other's eyes, and Hermione felt something in the air shift.
"You know what this means?" James' voice broke them away from each other.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"This means you have to get us really good presents." Hermione laughed, pulled her pillow from behind her, and hit James' over the head with it.
The Hogwarts Express
The last weeks of school had passed in an absolute blur. Hermione had met with Dumbledore to let him know she was leaving for the holidays. Although she had arranged plans to meet up with Remus on Christmas to go to his house for the transformation, Hermione was having trouble pushing the upcoming moon from her mind.
And of course she had ordered presents for everyone. Thankfully, she had been able to have everything delivered by owl, so all her presents were wrapped and packed away. As Hermione made her way onto the train into a compartment with all of her friends, she felt calm. As she slipped into the seat, a feeling of safety seemed to wrap around her as if the seat behind her had arms. She let herself relax into the seat, letting out a sigh.
The countryside passed in a blur, and before Hermione had time to fully appreciate being once more on the Hogwarts Express, she was following all the students disembarking.
Once on the platform, she separated from her group for a moment, weaving in and out of students with her eyes trained for a certain grey-eyed boy. And suddenly there he was, exiting the train. Hermione looked around briefly, hoping none of the older Blacks would see her. She stepped toward Regulus quickly.
In a seamless motion, Hermione bumped into Regulus' shoulder and shoved a small red and gold package into his hands. She turned her head and whispered just as they passed each other.
"Merry Christmas, Regulus."
She turned and walked back to find her group, her fingers wound tightly around a square package wrapped in silver and gold.
A/N: *Envy is Blind