Hermione was letting the water calm her as it beat against her back. It had been a stressful morning and seemed only to be getting more complicated. The heat poured over her and steadied her irregular heartbeat, but she could still feel the anxiety in her limbs. The curtains had sounded, making her eyes catch the delightful form of one of her partners.

She did not speak as he slowly pressed her against the wall. "Love, you are far too tense for my sensitive nose. Let us correct it," Remus whispered as his arms confined her to the wall.

Her lengthy pale limbs wrapped around his waist as her arms sought balance by grasping his shoulders. The werewolf licked at the droplets accumulated around her neck as she moaned. It was slow and steamy, but Hermione had grown to love these moments separate from all else.

Remus had not pressed forth, taking his time to melt her. He had an abundance of patience, some of which their partner did not. Hermione was quick to turn aflame and even swifter to sing ballads of her love for them through the climax. He had never known a woman to be so desirable and enchanting in his life.

She leaned back ever so gently and sighed. "Remus, my wonderful Remus… please save me from my dependence to your touch." Her voice was heady, and he growled over her skin.

He knew she needed his ownership, to take control. He could smell it come off her mixed with the freshness of the water and the potency of her sudden arousal. The werewolf pulled away and twisted her, pressing her chest firmly against the tiled wall. "Hermione," he started and yanked her hips to bend slightly. "Hold still," he demanded, and she felt her insides clench in anticipation.

His fingers ran over her back, and down her spine, shivers were evident as she pressed her hands firmly into the wall. Remus watched his digits glide over her supple form in greed, grasping her behind roughly. Her throat gave way to a lovely stream of whimpers and gasps as his fingertips ran over what he sought.

It always seemed to surprise the werewolf how lustful his partner was for them. The heat and dampness could make any man crumble and beg to worship such a creature. Remus explored her reaches for a moment, tending to the flickering flame until his curiosity was cured and his more primal needs pressed forth.

"There are moments in time, my love, that I replay constantly." He grumbled as he shifted into a better posture behind her. "You outshine them all."

He brought himself to her entrance, and she whimpered. "Please, Remus." Her voice edged with need.

Slowly, as to creep into the moment, he met her, and she arched in relief and desire. Her musical sighs and pants were heard echoing around them in a symphony of love and yearning. Hermione wriggled her hips in a rasping heat as he fully sheathed himself with a bitten smirk. His fingers entwined in her hair as his other hand pressed decisively against her hip. The werewolf tugged her tresses roughly as he pulled out and joined her with more effort.

The unhurried and relentless werewolf took his time. Letting her become undone and feel the moment of blissful carnal relief. Keeping her edged just enough to hear her belt praising and intreating of all different textures. Her core was tightening even with his agonizingly unhurried pace. It was only a matter of moments before it would be too much for them both.

Remus bent forward enough to wrap his arm around her and nip the nape of her neck roughly. She sang loudly in pleasure as he rapidly increased his speed and took her entirely now. When she apexed it was rough and made him shudder with delight and empty his resolve deep within her.

They stayed melded to each other for some time, letting the water run over their conjoined flesh. Hermione was caressing the wall and sighed heavily as the shivers and twitches finally subsided. "Remus, this is so much better than a book…" she sighed, and he chuckled as he slid away from her.

"You are going to wear us out before we are old and gray at this rate."

The witch turned the knobs on the shower, and the water turned off. "Not this time, Remus."

He ran his fingers over her wet skin when she turned toward him. "I promise, you are going to be the only woman I ever love, Hermione."

Her eyes glittered up at him, and she chewed her bottom lip. "We are going to have to finish this soon, love. I- I- this is scary. If something happens, you or Sirius cannot try to save me, alright?" She stuttered, and his hand ran over her cheek.

"We cannot live without you, do you understand? You changed us. You changed our lives. Don't you give up yet and keep fighting with us?"

"Moony! Hurry, get her dressed! Snape is here, and he isn't alone!" Sirius shouted, and his voice held urgency.

Hermione jumped from the tub and almost toppled over herself as she struggled to grab her clothes. Her shirt clung to her skin as she struggled to yank her jeans over her legs. Remus had already yanked up his pants before Hermione finished her dressing. They left the steamy bathroom swiftly and stampeded down the stairs.

Hermione saw the three figures standing together, and her face dropped. It was if someone threw stones in her stomach and made her swallow roughly. "Regulus?" she asked and then ran to him when he smirked.

He grunted when she embraced him and chuckled. "My, aren't we full of surprises? I hadn't an idea you missed me so much."

She pulled away and scowled before slapping him. "I thought you died! This isn't funny, wanker!" she snapped, and he rubbed his cheek.

"I have a plan, little witch, I always have a plan," Regulus grumbled, and Severus cleared his throat.

"She has a point, Reg," he murmured and the younger Black knitted his brows while narrowing his eyes at the potion master.

"Don't you go siding with her now, Sev. I had to do it," Regulus grumbled.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at the bickering trio and cleared his throat. "Shall we have some tea?"

Hermione glared at Regulus who seemed to be sulking. "That sounds agreeable. I want to hear why I was lied to so blatantly."

The older man stifled a smile and followed the angry witch into the sitting room. The Marauders followed last and glanced at each other while everyone grew situated. Hermione sat between Remus and Sirius on the large sofa, Regulus, and Severus on the smaller one, with Dumbledore in an armchair.

"I thought we were having tea," Regulus said dryly, and Albus chuckled.

"Sometimes we forget what we are capable of, don't we, Regulus?" Albus questioned, and on its own accord, a tea tray floated into the room.

Hermione shifted and gave him a slightly smug smile. "I'm a witch who knows my kitchen, Reggie."'

Albus poured himself a cup and lounged a bit. "So, we have ridden ourselves of one of the Horcruxes?" He asked the younger Black.

Hermione grew rigid and gasped. "When?"

Regulus tossed her a challenged smug stare. "When I was in Japan learning Fiendfyre."

"Regulus! That was extraordinarily dangerous!" she shouted in shock, and a strand of excitement quivered in her voice.

"That's what I told him, but he had to do it himself," Severus murmured, and Regulus patted his shoulder.

Sirius frowned at the contact and cleared his throat. "What is the plan, because she isn't marrying you, brother."

"No, she wouldn't now, would she. Cozy between two dogs," Severus sneered.

Hermione was about to launch a vicious wordy attack, but Dumbledore held up his hand. "A fight I am sure we can avoid if we have patience and understand, Severus." His tone warned the potion master who dropped his defensive posture.

"So we do not need to open the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione questioned, and Albus exhaled.

"Unfortunately, Miss Granger, if we leave the basilisk, we might have larger problems in the final fight. You spoke of his affinity for snakes and his parseltongue. It just takes a quick slip up for us to be all petrified or worse."

Regulus waved his hand in a circle and rolled his eyes. "So in essence, my training comes down to destroying all but the diary when the time comes."

Hermione chewed her lip and gulped. "Bellatrix and Lucius were here today. They were looking for the cup. They also spoke of him summoning me soon before him. I have a feeling he knew about the destruction of his Horcrux."

"Then we must give him another reason entirely to focus on something less important." Albus declared after sipping his tea.

"Gaslighting?" Hermione questioned, and all but Albus gave her a puzzling look.

"Exactly, Miss Granger."

Hermione stood up and paced a few moments and arched an eyebrow. "What if, follow me on this, what if we announce that I am the time traveler to the paper. Tell them about me being from the future and that I am a muggle born. I would, in essence, disappear from existence and go into hiding." She finished, and the marauders scoffed at the same time.

"Over our dead bodies!" Remus growled, and Hermione shook her head with a smile.

"Not this time, Moony."

"But if she is at Hogwarts, taking care of a basilisk, then she won't be in harm's way," Regulus responded, and Sirius waved him off.

"What? You want her to fight a legendary giant snake?" Sirius questioned with an accusatory tone.

Hermione groaned and waved him off. "I will bring a rooster and kill it with the sound of it crowing."

Remus cleared his throat. "Well, that's what the little bit of research done on them says. You cannot put merit on that and walk in with just a chicken." The werewolf growled.

"We will discuss this when it becomes closer. Our concern with Death Eaters coming to your doorstep is a far greater issue." Dumbledore murmured, and Hermione slumped in between the marauders.

"Where shall we go then?" Remus questioned, and Albus smirked.

"The children are out for the summer in a week. I have it on good authority that the Prewett's have a safehouse in Ireland."

Hermione sipped her teacup and bobbed her head. "A good distance from the fray. If we release the information about me to distract their forces and spread them out when we provoke the finale of this dreaded era." She finished, and Regulus scrubbed his face.

"I suppose I will have to make myself scarce. Too many people went to my funeral not to be noted." He murmured, and Severus smirked softly.

"Well, my home will be vacant until the turn of the school year." He remarked, and Sirius lifted his index finger high gasping.

"I knew it! I knew that you were diddling my brother!" Sirius shouted with glee.

"Diddling, Pads? You couldn't use another word?" Remus murmured, his cheeks tinted.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Sometimes, Sirius."

Severus grinned over at the witch. "Seems your problems are quite a bit more complex than mine." He purred, and Hermione laughed despite herself.

"I must agree. Regulus is a gentleman for the most part."

Remus scoffed and turned his attention to the Headmaster. "Albus, are we to send word to the twins for access to their safehouse?"

Albus glanced at his pocket watch. "I expect them, and the Potters will be here shortly. I have a task for them and felt it was more reasonable to nip it all at once."

"Professor, you did happen to find out what happened with Peter, didn't you?" Hermione questioned, her face contorted.

The wizened man nodded slowly. "Yes, Peter Pettigrew is in custody awaiting trial once you have moved to a safe location."

She relaxed some and exhaled. "Very good. History, for the most part, will not be repeated."

There was a clatter, and Dumbledore smiled. "That must be Fabian and Gideon."

"Heller?" A voice called out and then a grunt.

"Shut up, prat," a similar voice hissed.

Soon the Prewett twins walked into the room grinning. "We aren't as late as I thought." The man on the left mumbled.

The twin on the right gazed at the woman and winked. "The real Leonne. A pleasure to see you again." He murmured and walked up to her.

He bent down to kiss her hand, and Sirius shoved him. "Not so fast, Fabe. Someone far better at shagging already entertains her."

The wizard chuckled and nodded. "Fair enough, Sirius."

"Please sit," Hermione offered, hiding her blush.

The twins collapsed on the loveseat and Gideon smirked at her. "You are cozy with them now? We had a flutter on which one it would be."

"She decided on both," Remus mumbled, and the twins burst into laughter.

"Hermione?" Lily called out, and the witch jumped up.

"Lily we are in the drawing room!" she called out and moved to the door.

The witch appeared in the hallway with James and Hermione clapped. "Goodness, witch, you are completely twitching with excitement," James commented on Hermione grinning and reaching for Lily's swollen belly.

"How is little Harry today?" Hermione asked and rubbed Lily's tummy.

She felt the baby kick and smirked. "He is actively seeking an escape route." Lily groaned, and Hermione sighed.

"I cannot wait for him to be born. You both are going to be such good parents."

James patted Hermione's shoulder and grinned. "Bought time for you to work on one now too, Granger?"

"James, I told you, this conversation is banned until after we finish up our work."

The Potters followed her into the room with the others, and the twins shrugged their shoulders. "I have to agree with Potter. No time like the present. Our sister is on number five." Fabian murmured.

Dumbledore hemmed and pocketed his watch. "Well, a subject we can return to after business I am sure."

"So, this bit about a safehouse in Ireland?" Remus muttered and pulled at the collar of his shirt.

The twins tilted their head at the same time. "Well, we have one. Is there something we can do for you?"

Hermione nodded slowly as she sat back down after the Potters joined them on the large sofa. "I am going to announce that I am the traveler in the prophecy in order to cause the dark lord to fumble in a fury. I had been under his nose the whole time, and he will grow more frantic to seek revenge for my deception. This will be to finish the mission that Regulus and I started months ago."

"That Basilisk," Fabian started.

"Is going to be," Gideon continued.

"A problem." They finished together.

"We are going to take care of it. After the kids are done with school." Sirius murmured, and the twins nodded.

"We can help with whatever needed."

Dumbledore bobbed his head and ran a hand over his long beard. "Well, I do have something for you two to do."

They glanced at each other. "Alright, we are prepared," Gideon said turning his attention back to the man.

"Visit concerning members of the order. Tell them the nightingale sings in two weeks."

James paled and gulped. "Two weeks? That is so… soon."

Hermione nodded but smiled softly. "It is well overdue. I have spent too much of my life fighting this war. Much longer and I won't know what it would be like to live without darkness looming over."

Remus rubbed his hand over her leg and nodded. "We will fix this sooner rather than later, Hermione."

"Leonne, we have some business to attend to before you leave." Regulus murmured, and she sighed.

"I know, shall we go nab them now?"

He gave her a nod and gave Severus a strained smile before they disappeared together. Neither one of them wanted to touch the Horcruxes after their experiences with them. It was seen in their postures as they left the room.

Fabian smirked and raised an eyebrow. "She is an odd little witch."

"You get used to it after a while," James snickered, and Lily rolled her eyes.

"You forget, this woman had seen horrors and difficulties we could never imagine. There will always be something a bit off about her."

Remus rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. "I prefer someone who is genuine. Why do you think I have been friends with Sirius and James so long?"

Lily giggled and nodded. "Very true, Remus."

Dumbledore shifted and rose from his chair. "Let's ready for farewells. I need to speak to the Potters alone before we head off."

The twins and the two marauders headed from the room in conversation referring to the Ireland house they would stay in for a week. The two Potters were still sitting as Dumbledore approached them.

"I will be waiting outside, Albus," Severus murmured, and Dumbledore gave him a nod.

"We have work to do after Regulus is settled, Albus murmured, and the potion master disappeared from the room.

"Sir," James said and drew the attention of the Headmaster.

"Did you find out what I needed to know, Mr. Potter?" He questioned, and the young animagus nodded.

"Yes, but it isn't pretty, Albus. Hermione Jean Granger was never born. I scoured where she said her parents were and where she grew up. The Grangers had a little boy. A muggle son named William. Minerva said he was not on the registry. As far as Hermione Granger is concerned, she does not exist in the future." James finished and grimaced.

Albus nodded slowly and ran a hand through his beard. "A new line from old, Mr. Potter. Hermione Granger was not born because she already existed at this time now. Souls are keen to do that in time loops. To be certain, this isn't a horrible thing. In fact, I suggest Mrs. Potter tell the girl. Such a thing will likely amuse her."

Lily frowned up at the man she had admired. "Albus, but if she wasn't born. Then how is she still here?"

"We all have our own stories to write. Now, I suggest you pack. It is going to be a long couple of weeks, and I do not want either one of you to be exploited or harmed. You shall join them in Ireland. Consider it paid vacation." He finished and headed toward the entryway.

"Paid vacation? I am not interested in finding out how those three shag," James grumbled and Lily laughed.

"I am sure they will be too paranoid to do so without charms, James. Let's join them before we go pack."

"Alright, but you are going to oblivate me if I grow disturbed by their romps."

Lily snorted and waved for him to help her up. "You have done much worse in your life. Like the night before our wedding? I am sure that rings a bell." She murmured, and he groaned.

"That was different. I thought they were asleep already."

"Don't argue with me James; I am holding your son." Lily snickered with a smirk.

"Fine… a paid vacation in Ireland it is."

"Good, I could use some fresh air. It's good for the baby."