A/N: Quick chapter for all my lovely readers. Thank you so much for the love you've been sending, and your patience. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter (book series or movie franchise) WB studios, or any of its characters.
After catching up with the girls at dinner, I was whisked away to get ready. I fished my red dress out of my purse, surprising the girls, who fawned over its design. It was not at all 1976 fashion, but they wouldn't know that. They simply thought it was American.
It was a little dirty from rattling around with my books and the tent I still had in there, but Lily was quick to Scourgify it, assuring me it looked beautiful without jewelry. After a quick strengthening of the glamour on my arm and chest, I slipped into the dress. Marlene whipped my hair into an updo that reminded me of the Yule Ball, and I let Alice beautify my face with her makeup.
The girls got ready, each going down to make sure the boys were setting up or following Lily's orders. I was really worried about how crazy this party might get, but Lily assured me that she was gonna stay sober tonight to make sure everyone behaved. I wasn't sure how much I would imbibe myself, depending on whatever assortment the boys had procured for the festivities. Athena wound herself around my ankles as I waited for the girls to get me. Lily kept me company, asking what I got up to with Sirius today.
"Just a walk around the lake," I shrugged, "He told me about his family a bit and we talked about my life in America. The war going on, things of that nature."
"Deep talk for your birthday," She teased. Sighing, I replied, "It's hard to not think deeply on one's birthday. This year is the first without my parents, without my friends. It crept up on me really, and now I'm not sure how much fun I will be tonight."
"It will be okay," She smiled genuinely, "It's okay to be sad Hermione. You just can't let it take over your life. They will always be with you."
I knew what she meant, that they would always be with me. I had my memories, and I had my mission. I just didn't know if I was going to live past it.
"We're ready!" Mary called up to us.
"Are you?" Lily asked, looking at me concerned. I took a deep breath and nodded, "I don't want to be a downer at my own party, since lots of people have been so kind as to put it together for me. Though, if my friends were here, they'd be dragging me out anyways."
"Well, you are my friend, Hermione," Lily smiled, linking her arm in mine, "So I will drag you. But you tell me your limits."
"As long as no one tries to make me fly a broom, I think I can handle a party," I joked as we walked down the stairs.
"You've never been to a Marauder's party before. They can get pretty intense," She warned before I was blasted in the face with confetti as we reached the Common Room.
"Happy birthday Hermione!" The whole of Gryffindor cheered, and I smiled slowly as I noticed that they were genuine in their congratulations. It wasn't just that they had an excuse to party, but they welcomed me with open arms as well.
"Happy birthday Kitten," Sirius' voice startled me from the right, handing me a drink as the girls came to drag me towards a table of brightly wrapped boxes. I stole a glance back at Sirius, seeing him eyeing me as James came up to him, whispering something into his ear.
"The bet is off," I heard Sirius say, "No bet ever, I'll accept my fate. She deserves better."
"Well," I heard Mary say expectantly, making me turn my head back to face them. Eyeing the presents, I started, "You didn't have to-"
"We wanted to. Now, off you go!" Lily insisted.
Sighing dramatically in defeat, before giggling with the girls. I sat down as they started handing me packages, Remus starting some music in the corner. Each small box was opened, and I collected Sugar Quills, chocolates, a few Zonko's products and a bottle of Elderflower wine, that Lily merely covered her eyes at. I saw the tag was from the boys and I laughed.
As I got to the last box, I noticed it looked a little different. Muggle, my brain supplied. I opened the velvet lid and gasped as I took in the gold earrings, adorned with beautifully cut rubies.
"Now, you are official," Alice smiled as I looked up in confusion. All the girls moved their hair away or cupped their ears for me to understand better. It was an identical pair to the ones they all wore every day.
"They are beautiful," I smiled at them, "Thank you."
"You're a Ruby, always and forever," Marlene spoke softly, "Even if the boys claim they got you first."
"No, it was definitely you girls," I chuckled, deciding to put on my new earrings right there. They then dragged me out to dance, and I suddenly felt very free after the last year. Sirius and Lily had both told me to relax a bit and enjoy the moment. I sang along to all the songs I knew, dancing with a few of the Sixth Year boys. James cut in at one point, more to make Lily jealous, but I still appreciated the dance. I had told him he looked so much like my friend back home, that he'd taken it upon himself to watch out for me.
"May I cut in?" Remus asked James, who gave a wolfish smile and twirled me off to his friend.
"I'm going to see if Alice might dance with me. It will drive Lily mad," He grinned, as a slow song started.
"So, Mr. Prefect, have you had to send anyone to bed yet?" I smirked over the music.
"No, but the night is still young. McGonagall pulled us aside and told us to have it wrapped by 11, as I have rounds. And the youngsters should be in bed by 9 as well," He answered, "You're Aunt seems to think you need some fun."
"Not too much, we still have class tomorrow," I laughed.
"There is a certain someone, giving me a death glare at the moment," He teased me, and I gave a quick look back to see Sirius standing by the refreshments table. He was indeed giving Remus a glare that could kill, but averted his gaze when he noticed I was looking.
"Could he be more obvious that he wants to get in my knickers?" I sighed, and Remus gave an apologetic smile, "He's actually being… surprisingly gentlemanly. Doesn't talk about you like he would the other girls."
"How is that?"
"If someone were to… make a comment about how fit you look, he would tell them to shut up or threaten to hex them. More to defend your honor," He explained, as the song changed to a slow song.
"Defend my honor?" I asked, a little incredulously.
"Surprised us all too," He smirked, "James suspects he fancies you."
"I thought he and James talked about everything? Wouldn't he tell James?" I asked, confused.
"No, because when Sirius is serious about something, he gets quiet. Which is usually a very suspicious thing, coming from a Marauder; but in this case, he's overthinking. How to get your attention, little things you do… He's thinking about you," Remus explained.
"Should you be telling me this? Isn't this breaking a rule between boys?" I teased, feeling a little embarrassed about Remus telling me these things.
"Maybe not, but if it makes him happy, I'd happily talk him up to you."
"Ah, you are the wingman," I smiled in understanding.
"Yes. But as his 'wingman', I need to know if you don't return those feelings. I will protect him as well," He warned me softly. I nodded, "He's part of your pack."
He stiffened a little but relaxed as he realized the music would have drowned out my soft voice.
"He is."
"Why isn't James telling me this?" I asked, and Remus sighed, looking for the right words.
"James worries about you. He sees you looking off in class, sees the thousand-yard stare of someone who has seen war. He is looking out for your interests, and he worries that while Sirius is acting more mature, he may do something stupid and rash and hurt you. He sees you as a sister. He always wanted one, but his parents had him so late in life that he was an only child."
"A sister?" I asked, a little skeptical.
"Yes, even with only knowing you a month. James protects his family," Remus explained, and my mind flashed to the graveyard in Godric's Hollow.
Fresh snow covering the grave marker of James and Lily Potter, Harry's sorrow surrounding us like a cloak, silent except for the singing from within the church and the crunch of snow under our feet. I saw Remus's body lying in a cot next to his wife's in the Great Hall. Sirius falling through the Veil, Harry's screams of agony as he lost another person he loved. Ron's vacant stare as the numbness set into my body.
"I won't let anyone else die for me."
"That stare," Remus spoke gently, "That's the one James noticed. What are you seeing?"
"A future that I won't let happen," I breathed. Remus regarded me silently, confusion and curiosity dancing in his eyes, unsure of what I meant.
I was quiet for a moment as we danced, and looked back at Sirius to discover he had started his way over. He smiled at Remus asking, "Could I steal her away?"
"I would be worried if you didn't," Remus teased his friend, stepping back to let Sirius take my hand. I was sure he wanted to dance, but he led me towards a patio. It was a little quieter, the music coming from the Common room muffled by a silencing charm. We were still visible to everyone, Lily giving me a look as I turned back to watch them. Sirius guided me down to a bench and I asked, "Do you take all the girls out here?"
"I thought you weren't going to use my past against me?" He teased, "No, I don't bring any girls out here. We only create it for parties. It's charmed to stay the perfect temperature. Usually for a smoke, or to set off fireworks easier."
"I'm sorry," I whispered, and he chuckled, "Mia, I'm not offended."
"Why do you call me that?" I asked, confused, "You've done it several times today. I was too distracted by my self-loathing to speak up about it."
He shrugged, "It seemed like the only appropriate nickname from your full name. Why, do you not like it?"
"Um, I actually like it. Much better than Herms or 'Mione," I wrinkled my nose in distaste.
"Did your friends even like you?" He smirked, making me roll my eyes fondly as I replied, "Yes. They just had weird ways of showing it."
His grey eyes shone under the starlight outside, placing a hand on my own as he whispered, "Happy birthday, Mia."
"You've already wished me a happy birthday, Sirius. Do you remember trying to get the Great Hall to join in your rendition?" I smiled, watching as he tucked a few curls behind his ear.
"Not one of my finest moments, as I believe I embarrassed you," He admonished himself with a laugh.
"It could have been worse," I gave in, looking out over the grounds. I felt him gently curl his fingers around my own, lifting my hand and turning it. I watched him pull a box from his pocket and place it in my hand. I eyed it warily, glancing up at him.
"It's not going to bite," He promised, giving a small smile.
"It better not," I muttered, opening it. I was confused, seeing a piece of paper. Putting down the box, I plucked the paper out, opening the folds to reveal a note.
Good for one mind-blowing kiss. Redeemable from Sirius Black ONLY.
"Cocky much?" I smiled up at him, seeing him a little worried. As he registered my response, he smirked, "I would answer that my normal way, but I fear I would lose an appendage."
"I'll put this away for safekeeping," I smiled, pulling out my copy of the Beetle and the Bard and tucking it in the front cover.
"Why do you carry a children's book in your purse?" He asked as I put it away.
"It was gifted to me in a will. It is very important to me," I answered honestly.
He was about to ask more about it; I could see the questions dancing in his eyes, when he suddenly looked down in suspicion. Before I could clue in, he had whispered the spell to undo my glamour charms. I jumped up in shock, covering myself as best as I could, keeping my back turned to him as I pulled out my wand. He grabbed my arm as I hissed in pain from his grip, where the last of Bellatrix's carved word still wasn't quite healed. I couldn't look at him, ripping my arm back and grabbing my wand to reapply the glamour. He walked around me, lifting my chin to see the extent of the curse I received from Dolohov in Fifth Year, or at least what was visible on my exposed skin.
I glared into his eyes as they finally looked back into mine.
"Hermione, who did this to you?" He whispered, gently touching one of the spider webbing scars on my chest.
"Tell me," He urged, as I glared defiantly at him. I felt the tickle on my mind, of him trying to push past my mental defenses before I slapped him. It ended his Legilimens rather effectively, as he grabbed his cheek in shock.
"How could you?" I spat, backing away from him, angry tears gathering in my eyes.
"What?" He asked, confused.
"I trusted you," I whispered, before quickly reapplying the glamour to my scars. I fled back into the Common Room and stole up the stairs. The party sounds got farther and farther away as I made it to the room I shared with the Rubies.
"Hermione?" Lily called after me. I still shut the door, crawling into bed and shutting the curtains with a wave of my wand. I curled up into myself, trying to breathe deeply as I was confronted with a panic attack and the hurt of Sirius removing my glamor.
"Hermione," Lily asked softly as I sobbed quietly, "What did he say? I'll hex him fifteen ways till Sunday if he hurt you."
"He didn't… hurt me," I choked out.
"Did he say something?" She asked, peeking her head in the curtain, wand lit up from the Lumos she whispered.
"Sort of," I wiped my eyes and sat up.
"I saw him grab your arm, but it didn't look like it hurt. Was he trying to force himself on you?" She asked seriously.
"No. He just… I don't even know how I would explain it."
"Is it about the glamour on your arm?" She asked, and my eyes snapped up to hers.
"You are far too perceptive," I gave a small smile before a residual sob escaped my lips.
"If I see it, will I understand why he grabbed you?" She asked gently. I sighed, whispering the reverse charm. I felt the glamour's lift and Lily let out a small gasp, her hand held to her mouth in shock.
"Hermione," Her voice quivered, seeing the word inscribed on my left forearm, and the scars spider webbing up my chest from Dolohov's curse.
"They are hiding me," I explained, putting a quick silencing charm on my bed. She looked confused as she asked, "McGonagall isn't your Aunt?"
"Not even close. I'm a Muggleborn, like you," I explained, "But because I was just coming to the school after the attack on my family, they wanted to hide me as a half-blood. They couldn't suddenly claim all the Muggleborn's were half-bloods or Pure."
"But, why you?" She asked, "Why do they need to hide you?"
"The Order benefits from me being invisible," I spoke softly, watching her eyes widen.
"You're working with the Order?" She whispered.
"Yes. I'm not 18 years old; I'm 19 years old. Me being in school, was the easiest way to keep me safe, and I am Dumbledore's eyes on the students. Future Death Eaters and the like," I sagged in relief, being able to tell someone even part of the truth of my mission.
"Why are you telling me?" Lily asked, eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.
"Because I trust you. I can't explain it, but you remind me so much of my friend, the one I left behind, that I know I can trust you. Is my trust misplaced?" I asked, looking at her pointedly.
"No. Not a word shall pass my lips," She promised, "I'll keep your secret. What is your real name then?"
I held my hand out to her, "Hermione Granger, it's nice to meet you."
She laughed, "Lily Evans. It's nice to meet you, Hermione Granger."
"I'm not ready for anyone else to know," I explained, "I don't want to keep it from them, but I don't want to undo all of Dumbledore and McGonagall's work if someone ever overheard."
"Of course. You just tell me when you are ready and we can find a safe spot," She promised, before asking, "Do you want to join the festivities again?"
"I think I'm just going to go to sleep," I declined, Athena sneaking underneath the curtain to greet me.
"It's been a long day," She agreed.
"Thank you, for giving me a wonderful party. Please give my excuses to everyone," I asked her softly.
"Of course. And you are welcome. I just wish Black didn't spoil it for you," She sighed in exasperation, reaching forward to pull me into a hug. I needed the comfort, relishing the joy of physical touch. Sirius's hug this afternoon had been the first real hug I'd had since… since Dobby died. Even then, Ron's arms were simply holding me together after Bellatrix's torture session.
"We stick together, you and me," She whispered.
"I'll protect you," I promised her, and to Harry.
"And I'll protect you," She smiled as she pulled back and winking, "Get some sleep. And if you hear Black yelp, it wasn't me."
I chuckled once, "The Head Girl, hexing a student. What would McGonagall say?"
"Considering I was defending her 'niece's' honor, she'd applaud me. Maybe even award house points," Lily teased, slipping off my bed and walking out the dorm door. As it closed, I let out a breath I'd been holding in.
Athena meowed as I fell back against the pillow, padding up to pat my face with a little paw.
"Thank you for being here," I smiled as she licked the end of my nose, bathing my cheeks as well, before settling on my chest to sleep.
