Hello! Back again with a new chapter! I have officially put the poll live on my profile for you to vote on Severus or Sirius throughout the fic. Hermione's final pick is still up in the air and will be for some time. You guys will help me sway the way the story will flow. :)

Thank you to my beta TRGrimm!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related properties belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.

Reviews/Comments are always appreciated!

*~*~*~*~Chapter 2

Dinner passed quickly. Hermione had enjoyed herself a smaller meal of roast, vegetables and a small orange with a glass of pumpkin juice. Not really sure how her stomach would handle it she went ahead and passed on any dessert. It was likely that the sugar would only serve to rattle an already anxiously upset stomach and that was not something she needed going into her second meeting with McGonagall.

To be on the safe side she had agreed that the Headmistress's office was the best place to discuss such private matters and after finishing her dinner in the hospital wing that was where she headed next. So now, Hermione was sitting nervously in one of the adjacent chairs of McGonagall's office with the door locked and closed for good measure.

"Miss Granger," she had decided that she should be the one to start this off and pulled down her specs to the end of her nose so that she could peer over them better at the student in front of her, "it appears we need to make living arrangements for you. Whether these are permanent or temporary that remains to be seen." At least her tone wasn't overly stern...yet. "After some deliberation and discussing our options with the Headmaster, we have concluded that there are a few in which we may present to you."

Hermione licked her lips in anticipation.

"The first and most obvious was an orphanage."

At that, Hermione's mouth parted slightly with mild shock. Though it was a bit of a logical conclusion, she was after all an orphan technically now, an orphanage was not really something Hermione had wanted to be subjected to. From what she understood, most orphanages were in the muggle world, so doing her homework and reading would pose a bit of a privacy problem in a home with a bunch of other children. Thankfully McGonagall continued.

"However there are a few reasons in which the Headmaster and I are not overly fond of sending you there. But it is on the table." The next option was a paper that was placed on the desk. "The second thing we could attempt," Her light eyes were bright behind the lighting in the chamber, "is that we could possibly have someone sign this form for parental rights…"adopt" you in a sense. You could keep your last name and continue your studies here at Hogwarts. We would not need to resort you since you are already sorted into Gryffindor and you would merely readjust to your new timeline." The matriarch of the school appeared quite proud for a moment. And this was a little shocking considering such a detrimental accident that Hermione had been apart of with a Time Turner of all things.

Although, that option...seemed better but the idea of being someone else's adopted child was uncomfortable for her. Especially if it ended up being someone she didn't know. It was not that Hermione didn't trust Hogwarts or the Headmaster, but it was just that Hermione missed her parents so dearly already and adoption would almost be like pouring salt into a fresh wound. Definitely not pleasant by any means.

"And finally." the woman said in that strict voice of hers, effectively snapping Hermione out of her reverie. She fully removed her glasses and leaned her arms onto her desk, the frames of them sticking up in her hand as she held them. "We could, with Albus Dumbledore's permission, make you a ward of the school. You would become my responsibility, however. And this would include any expenses you may accrue during your time here."

Which in actuality, that did seem like the best idea of the three despite Hermione not wanting to burden the Headmistress Not only was Professor McGonagall someone she knew and was familiar with, but she was also someone who the girl could trust and confide in. The extra Transfiguration help would also be beneficial. And being a ward of the school meant that she would have a roof over her head, food on her table and Hogwarts was a place Hermione considered to be a second home. "I…" She began as she mulled over her options. But the Headmistress interrupted her.

"You do not need to make a decision right away, you do have some time." Her expression had softened and it was easy to tell that the woman sympathised. But Hermione shook her head.

"I rather like the third idea...Being a ward of the school would mean that Hogwarts would become my home, and there are people here who I know I can trust. Rather than worry about adoption or being in a home...I think I prefer to become a ward under your care, Professor."

McGonagall regarded Hermione for a long moment and despite being softened, her eyes were hawkishly watching her. Eventually she spoke and nodded her head slowly. "Very well, Miss Granger. I will inform the Headmaster of your decision and we will take it from there. Hogwarts is home to those who need one and will always help those who ask for it. You seem like a kind, brilliant child despite your incident and I too think that this is the best course." She stood from her desk then, her long green robes falling gracefully. "Go on back to the Hospital Wing for the time being. I will have the house elves prepare proper summer accommodations. But you will be expected to remain in the dorms for the duration of the school year as any other student."

Hermione nodded and stood as well, feeling a bit more confident now that she knew where she was going to be. "What about the summer? Do I remain in the school?"

"I will be more than happy to sign Hogsmede forms and of course you will have the ability to visit with friends like any normal child. This is a school, Miss Granger, not Azkaban." The woman smirked slightly and Hermione too could not help but let out a grin as well.

"Thanks, Professor." She said earnestly and made her way to the door followed by McGonagall. Leaving that office she felt much more at ease and liberated than she had when first going into it. "Good night."

"Good night, Miss Granger." With their parting words the office door shut behind Hermione and she made her way back to the Hospital Wing for the night.

The elf retrieved her in the early morning before sunrise, more than likely to avoid any stray student who may have been walking about. Her arrangements had been prepared on the Fourth Floor on the opposite end of the corridor from the Gryffindor Common Room and dorms across the way from McGonagall's chambers. This was a relatively good placement as Hermione could take the corridor above the archway to get to the path that led directly to the library during the day without being seen by too many people; though not that that would matter during the Summer holiday and that was only days away. Once school began again Hermione would be among the students and did not have to worry about confrontations.

With a sigh she glanced around at her new surroundings. The chamber was not incredible, but was certainly of Hogwarts taste. The draperies and rugs were a beautiful shade of red with gold accents and the bed contrasted with brilliant, gold bedcover and red sheets. There was a small desk in the corner near a stained glass window featuring a Chimera on it roaring at the sun that was framed by velvet red drapes with gold tassels. Next to the desk and chair sat a small bookshelf that Hermione knew already she was going to have to transfigure into something much larger. She had a tendency to collect a lot of books and three shelves were not going to cut it. There was a dresser, a small wardrobe and small side table next to the bed for clothing and other trinkets and a trunk at the end of the bed for other belongings. This room was clearly made for a more long-term stay.

"Mistress Granger is able to rearrange or change as she wishes. This is her home and the Headmaster has asked us to take your needs and wants into consideration. Issis there anything Vimsey can get for you now, Mistress Granger?" The house elf was looking up at her with big, buggy yellow eyes, her overly large ears nearly dragging the ground. "Please. Hermione is just fine. You don't need to call me Mistress . Makes me sound old and you aren't some sort of slave."

But the elf shook her head. "OH no! Vimsey insists on calling Mistress Granger 'Mistress Granger'!" She insisted enthusiastically with a grin and quick bobs of her head. "Vimsey will leave Mistress Granger to it now. Please call for me if you need something!"

"Thank you, Vimsey. I will." With a snap of her fingers the elf was gone. She sighed with relief and sat down on the side of the bed next to the side table. There was also a small, rounded tea table and chair in the corner that she had not noticed before. A lovely white and blue pot with a cup and saucer to match sat upon it, steam rising out of the nose. "So…" She looked around numbly. "I guess this is home now…"

There was only one thing that sounded good to her now...a nap to forget about all the people she left behind. At least for a few hours.

Around the afternoon Hermione finally awoke. She had passed out almost immediately after laying her head down onto the fluffy pillow. Vimsey had brought her here sometime around three thirty am, so she had still been tired from the previous day and the emotions. She really hoped she did not make a habit of sleeping into noon as if anything was going to help her adjust and recover, it was going to be a routine. Hermione knew she had to establish a new routine for herself if she intended to move forward with her life. One thing of comfort was that at least her friends and parents were not dead; she would eventually be able to see them again. It was just going to take time. A lot of it.

She sighed and sat up, running a hand through her hair and wondering if a shower would help refresh her a bit but then realized that she did not have a private bath. Maybe that could be arranged at least until the school year started again and she was back in the dorms with the others. For now Hermione knew she was currently Hogwarts' little secret and thought it would be wise to keep it that way for a while.

Besides Severus, Sirius and Lily, of course. The three of them knew and she hoped that Sirius did not spill her existence to his group of friends...more people she already knew or knew of but did not know her...and there was one of them she was quite anxious to meet.

James Potter is going to be a classmate...Harry's father...my best friend's father whom he had never had the pleasure of knowing. Here I am getting the chance that really should belong to Harry. A large part of Hermione wondered if Harry would resent her for this. The boy deserved a chance like this after everything he had been through. But Hermione also doubted Harry would have resented her. Envied maybe, but not resent. Maybe one day though, Hermione would have the chance to tell Harry all about his parents if she got to know them.

But what if...What if Harry got to KNOW his parents, instead? I know what will happen and when...I could stop it… Hermione shook her head vigorously. What the hell was she thinking!? That was a level of time tampering that was incredibly dangerous. This was yet another reason why Time Turners were so strictly regulated. If one fell into the wrong hands and someone decided to change the past, the entire fabrication of reality of the future could be altered irreparably and not always for the best. It was risky business and also dangerous. Changing the future meant changing almost everything about everyone. Harry and Ron both could be completely different people than they are now.

Or dead...Harry could die instead of James and Lily if Hermione decided to change the wrong were severe consequences for messing with time and Hermione had been trusted with a Time Turner in the first place because she was smart enough to know that the consequences could be dire if she did not follow the rules. Being here now was already breaking them, and she did not want to tempt the carefully woven fabric of reality any more than necessary.

Yeah...best to keep things like they are...even if it is painful.

And she had met Lily. Lily seemed like such a wonderful girl and it made her fate all the more tragic. "This...this sucks." Hermione ran both of her hands up and down her face and stretched, wanting to change the topics going through her head. "The library sounds like a good idea…"

She freshened up with a cleaning spell and decidedly left her Gryffindor robes hanging in the wardrobe to avoid any suspicion.

At least the corridors are all the same twenty years ago. She thought to herself as she made her way down to the library. The library also did not appear changed besides the new face behind the librarian's desk that Hermione knew she was going to have to get cozy to if she wanted to earn the same privileges she had had in her own time. Shouldn't be too difficult. She mused as she took her usual seat at the table at the far end of the library closest to the history section. She had gone ahead and decided that her studies were still going to lean towards figuring out ways to help the Wizarding World's politics. Sirius Black's lack of trial and wrongful imprisonment in Azkaban still stuck stubbornly with her and Hermione was going to do her damnest to make sure she learned all she could in order to make a difference.

In fact..she just had a thought...Now that she was twenty years in the past before the deaths of the Potters and Sirius Black's arraignment she could at least try to make the necessary political changes before it happened...maybe, even if she did not stop the deaths of Harry's parents, she could at least do something to help mitigate Sirius's punishment and framing. Maybe… It was at least worth a try or look into.

Seven piles of books all neatly organized by section and author surrounding her on the desk later, Hermione immediately delved into her work with a scribbling quill on several feet of parchment. Now she had all summer to do this and hoped that there was now an opportunity to utilize the expertise of all the available professors in her daunting task ahead.

One thing Hermione quickly began to realize as she read through chapter after chapter of History of Magical Law and Enforcement of Moral Ideals by Arsenius Cormac that the Ministry of Magic had an incredible amount of power with hardly any options for ensuring that that power was utilized appropriately and fairly. From the beginning of its formation the Wizengamot had absolutely ensured that they oversaw the workings of the Wizarding World with a strong Totalitarian rule. It was only after they had begun sneaking in things like elections that they were able to convince the population that they were more democratic and for the people.

To be honest it was gross. With each major historical event the Ministry of Magic had overstepped what should have been boundaries in order to establish either a new law or implement a punishment on someone. And what was even worse was that the punishments were often dealt to those who had offered a slight in some way to the members of the Wizengamot. It did not even matter if the law had been broken. It only mattered if someone important or in charge was going to be held in a negative light or if the instance could somehow come back on the government.

Just like Sirius and the deaths of those muggles when Pettigrew had escaped that night. If Sirius had been allowed to plead his case he could have proved his innocence with a pensieve... and that would have meant that the killer was still on the loose and the population would have been fearful enough to blame the Ministry for their negligence in being able to capture him and bring the true killer to justice...it was just easier to have the man already available to take the fall. "Bastards…" She mumbled angrily into her text book pages with a glare.

"I agree. Bastards. The whole lot of them…" The sudden firmly agreeing voice caused Hermione to jump and she looked up over her book to see Sirius grinning down at her curiously. He was leaning against the shelf, shoulders relaxed, arms folded across his chest and his ankles crossed.

Speak of the devil. She frowned as she observed him. His robes hung down towards the floor, stopping at his ankles. "Why do you people keep sneaking up on me?" Much to her chagrin, or maybe just more nervousness, Sirius grinned happily and pulled out the chair adjacent to hers and took a seat. His robes fwooshed as he shoved them out of the way.

"So. Who are we talking about? Who's a bastard?" Sirius made himself cozy in the chair, throwing his arm over the back of it and crossing a leg over the other as he leaned back. "Not moi, I hope? Wait. Forgive me, I nearly forgot," He clicked his tongue and pointed at her a second, "You're Greek, not French!" He smiled charmingly at her glare completely unfazed.

It's a good thing he's pretty. Hermione grumbled to herself in her head as she looked back down at her parchment and began scribbling again. Sirius leaned over and picked up one of her unread books to glance at the title.

"Ah. Those guys. Yep. Definitely bastards." He agreed again and began to flip through pages. "Reading up on wizarding politics? Pretty boring, really. Just read the first book written four centuries ago and it's practically the same book that was written last year."

"Unfortunately that's what I'm figuring out." She sighed and put her head in her hands with elbows on the desk. Sirius looked at her sympathetically.

He nodded his head. "Mhm...So...why does a muggleborn such as yourself take so much interest in the politics of our world?

The way Sirius had said that, Hermione wasn't sure if she should have been a tad bit offended or not. "Well, considering I'm muggleborn, wouldn't it be a good idea for me to learn all of the politics?"

He shrugged when she looked up at him. "Yes and no. But typically if you are delving into politics it means you plan to either become a politician or you are looking for answers to a problem."

She scoffed. "Well that's a closed minded way of viewing it. Maybe I just like information? Or reading?"

Sirius gestured at all of the books, smirked and raised a brow. "But these books all contain the same information. Maybe different situations and circumstances, but the rules and outcomes are all the same. Replace names and dates and voila; history repeats itself. So no…" He leaned in towards her, "I don't think you are reading just for the sake of reading or information, Hermione." Again with that name of hers on his tongue.

"Fine. I'm doing it for-" You. "A friend. A friend of mine got himself into a bit of trouble that wasn't his fault...and was sentenced to life in Azkaban for it."

His brows furrowed and he crossed his arms over his chest. "That...sounds like a very serious situation, no pun intended…"

"You have no idea." Hermione sighed and shook her head, glancing down at all the papers and texts. "I'm hoping to find something in these that can help him. Maybe plead his case or something."

"He wasn't given a trial? That's not unusual. If the Ministry thinks it will fit their narrative then they will throw an innocent man, or woman...I'm not sexist..in Azkaban. There doesn't have to be a reason, they will make one and claim it was an old law that had been set aside in favor of 'modernization'." Sirius paused and sat back again. "What did your friend get accused of that got him thrown in?"

How much should she say? Hermione did not want to spill all the cards, especially since the very person they were discussing was actually sitting right here at this table. "Murder...he was accused of murder." She had to add to that when Sirius looked at her incredulously. "It was actually his friend...someone he called his friend, anyway. He killed thirteen people and then disappeared...My friend was found at the scene and was forced to take the blame."

"And let me guess...no trial to give him an opportunity to defend himself because the Ministry had to give the public some sort of 'justice'. They are scapegoating him."

"Yes…." She said sadly and hung her head, "It's utterly unfair. All they have to do is use some sort of truth potion like Veritaserum or a pensieve to get his memories and they would have the real story."

"But they won't. If the Minister wants to be re-elected in the future then he needs to give the public some sense of safety or they will lose trust and faith in him. I'm sorry...but your friend is as good as gone it seems."

She really did not want him to be right, but unfortunately he probably was. His future was looking bleak. They must have sat in silence for too long though, since by the time she glanced up Sirius had moved closer to her. He had pulled his chair to her left in front of the book shelf instead of having his back to the aisle.

"How about a change of topic?" He offered with a charming smile.

Unintentionally she blushed. "S-sure...how did you know I was muggleborn?" With her question came a shrug in reply from him.

"Most purebloods are not interested in reading political history as the majority of us grow up with it or have family already in the Ministry. We learn by observing and listening rather than reading. And," he picked up a particularly large tome from beneath one of the many piles, "we most certainly do not read 'The Hidden Life of First Minister Ulik Gamp' by Maximillian Crowdy." He chuckled. "Much too packed with anti-pureblood rhetoric."

Hermione raised a brow at him suspiciously. "But you have?" He suddenly looked rather proud of himself. His chest puffed out slightly.

"Of course! I'd do anything if it meant pissing off my family." Sirius's grin was so broad that Hermione thought it was going to split his face in half.

"Do I even want to know?"

"Nah. Those are things for me to worry about, kitten. Not you."

Kitten?! Is this guy for real? An eye twitched with slight irritation. "Don't ever call me that again," she warned, "It's 'Hermione'."

He nodded but didn't seem terribly interested in her correction. "So...Led Zepplin or Pink Flloyd?"

She stared at him matter-of-factly. What a bizarre topic change. Though it was not an unwelcome one. Music talk was much better than discussing pet names or nicknames. "If I have to choose then it would definitely be Bowie myself." His jaw dropped and he looked offended.

"What? But Bowie only really has one good song and it was just released last year or whatever...what was it...Ziggy something or another?" His grey eyes rolled and Hermione got the impression that Sirius was utterly unimpressed with her selection. Showed what he knew, didn't it?

"Ziggy Stardust and just wait.. he may come out with something even more smashing and call it 'Starman' or something. Or go all fancy with something like "Life on Mars"."

He 'pffft'ed and shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "No way. Led Zepplin all the way."

"I'm still shocked you even enjoy muggle music."

The grin he flashed her with those perfect teeth of his and that wink he gave was devilish. "You'll be shocked at a lot of the things I enjoy."

He kept giving her reasons to blush and Hermione wasn't sure if he even knew what he was doing when he did it. And of course it was difficult to tell with the way he flashed that Cheshire-like grin at her whenever he thought he said something witty or clever.

"Keep smiling like that and one of these days your face is going to stick."

Sirius was undeterred. In fact, he apparently felt encouraged by her remark as he leaned in close enough that Hermione found herself leaning backwards in the opposite direction. "Sounds terrible."

She rolled her eyes at him but went back to her work. "Starman will be epic." She was surprised when she chuckled and he chuckled along with her.

"Would you like some help?" Sirius pointed to all the books, "I know a thing or two about the Ministry and the Wizengamot...I don't mind offering my assistance if it means helping out an innocent man."

Hermione glanced up at Sirius unexpectedly and gazed at him with a forlorn expression. "S-sure...I'd like that…" She smiled at him shyly then, "I think he would too…"

With a nod and a smile Sirius resituated himself to get comfortable at the table. "Hand me a roll of parchment, will ya? And a quill. I'll write down everything I know that I know won't be in these books." He was already popping open a jar of ink and cracking his knuckles to prepare for what must be a decent amount of writing.

"Thank you...so much." She said to him earnestly but the only indication that he heard her was the slight quirk of lip as he started to busy himself in his newfound purpose.

They sat there in the library mulling over parchment and books for hours. It wasn't even until the large clock chimed that either of them even realized it was already dinner time and the sun had started to make its way down. They both stared at each other in shock for a moment but then smiled fondly.

"Guess that's that then. I should probably get cleaned up and head back."

Sirius almost looked as if he was blushing. "Oh...yeah. So...Where are you staying? I didn't see you at the dorms at all and you weren't in the hospital wing this morning when I came to visit."

Wait. He visited her? Why did she find that she felt touched by that admission?

"Or are you and Minerva still planning out the details of your transfer from-"

"Dear Merlin don't say it-"

"Greece?"

"Oh my god." Hermione groaned but Sirius just laughed. It didn't seem like a 'making fun of her laugh' though. It seemed more of an appreciative sound than anything.

"You always have the best reactions." He was smiling at her as he watched her, sitting back in the chair while she packed away books she planned to check out and re-sorted the ones she was putting back.

"I'm happy you are so amused." She rolled her eyes, "And it's Professor McGonagall...you don't call a teacher by their name…." She looked up at him, "Shouldn't you be with your friends? Won't they miss you?"

"Oh. Yah. But James is probably coat tailing Evans right about now. Remus is off doing Remus things and Peter is…" He shrugged nonchalantly, "Peter." Only one of those explanations really explained anything or really made any sense. "I'll have to introduce you guys soon. Why don't you come to dinner?"

She shook her head. "I can't. I really need to finish these books tonight and I don't feel up for being cornered by people wanting to know where I'm from."

"Don't worry about that," He pointed to himself, "I can explain your situation!"

With a deadpan expression Hermione bit out an "Even worse," and he followed up with a laugh that was shushed by someone in one of the other tables and stood.

"Let me help you put those away. Trains leave tomorrow and I'd like to spend some more time before summer."

With a smile she accepted his offer. "Thank you. And if you'd like, we can meet before you leave. I have nothing better to do and I'll be here all summer."

"Ah. So you're staying here all summer then."

"Hn.." The last thing she needed was for him to start getting even more suspicious. They were quiet for a moment as they both put books back into their proper places on the shelves. When they got back to the table to collect their things it was Sirius who broke the silence.

"This friend of yours," His voice was darker than Hermione had heard it since that night she had met him for the first time in the Shrieking Shack, "I hope you find something that can help him...The Ministry will suck the soul out of him if it means their own benefit…"

I hate irony. I hate that he's talking about himself without even realizing it. With a sad nod Hermione let her shoulders fall. "I hope so too. But I may have my work cut out for me."

"Yeah. You do. And you don't want to get caught doing this type of research or you'll be the next one with a target on your back. Things are about to get bad, and I don't want you in the middle of it."

How almost sweet of him. "You don't even know me. Why would that matter?"

The grin that was normally charming and bright was now only a shadow of what Hermione had grown used to. Now it reflected what she thought was fear. "I'm not a poor judge of character, and I've spent more time with you in the past twenty four hours than I have with my family in years...I know a good heart when I see one. So please...keep your head down and try not to draw attention to yourself with this." He pointed to what they had been working on. "Take care of yourself, Hermione." And with that he started to walk away, but put up his hand with his back to her when he reached the end of the aisle, "I look forward to that Greek food next year." He turned, grinned and disappeared when she let out a hiss of frustration.

But surprisingly to her, Hermione noticed that the frustration was only habitual. "Thanks…" She said even though he was already gone. His help had been appreciated beyond words. Now she had a really good start to her research and a good map drawn out of directions for her to go in for the Summer. This was going to require a lot of organization of her thoughts and research just with the sheer amount of information there was (and wasn't). Part of the problem was that while there was information to be had, there was enough information that just simply didn't exist. There had to be a lot of coverups involved throughout the course of the Ministry's existence. This was not going to be an easy task, especially if Hermione wanted to have all this done in time to hopefully save Sirius from thirteen years of prison.

Ugh...I really shouldn't be messing with the timeline like this...but… She looked out the stained glass window. I can't just sit by and leave Harry alone...not when I can try.

Hermione may not be able to save his parents...but she could save his godfather.

Or at least try.

Dinner was served in her private quarter, Vimsey popping in with a tray of the night's selection and a self refilling glass of juice and some hot tea. It was actually a fairy stress-free and easy routine that Hermione thought she could get used to. She wondered if the other teachers who lived here also had similar, private routines too.

With a sigh she looked around her little chamber, wondering what she could do to spruce it up. There were some issues that she realized she was going to run into and the larger, more long term one was money. She had had a little bit of a savings in her time and even had her own account. Now however, she didn't even have access to muggle money to convert into British Wizarding coin and had not a clue yet as to how she was going to acquire money to help herself be able to provide and survive on her own.

And she was also missing her furry companion. Hermione sighed and frowned, trying to not let her emotions swing. Just the thought of Crookshanks being all alone and confused about where his Hermione had gone was enough to send the girl nearly spiraling again. "My poor, Crookshanks...he's probably so alone…" And she knew without a doubt that Ron wouldn't care for him.

Unless...Unless of course Hermione herself was caring for him. Just much older. Maybe that was it. Maybe Hermione gets through all of this, grows up and takes care of her Crookshanks again and Crookshanks would know her by her scent at the very least. And she found herself wondering if Hermione cried during that reunion.

Hermione put an elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. "Look at me," she mumbled and rolled her eyes, "I'm talking about myself in the third person now." The first sign of going crazy and it wasn't even day three yet.

There was a rap on the window and she looked up to see one of the school owls perched just outside of it. She stood and made her way over to open it and let the bird in so that it could deliver a letter it carried around it's lovely scrawl on it looked familiar, though her brain could not quite place it at the moment. Tentatively she opened it.

"Hermione,

The library tomorrow at 9. Lily wishes to see you before holiday to make sure you are still breathing. I am to indulge her.

Do not be late.

PS: Try not to fall this time."

There wasn't even a signature on it, but Hermione already knew who had sent it based on the curt, short sentences and the extra jab at the end that he just couldn't seem to resist. "That's why the handwriting was familiar...seems like it hasn't changed much over the years." This was so eloquently put though and she could almost picture the look on Severus's face as he ground out these words on paper trying to be polite. For fun, she tried to imagine how this would sound if it had been 'uncensored'. Probably something like 'The library tomorrow at 9. I have to indulge this girl because of reasons that are my own. Don't be late or else. And don't fall, you clutz.' Hermione giggled to herself and realized she was grateful for the distractions.

It was this moment that Hermione realized that Lily Evans actually wanted to see her. Her best friend's mother wanted to check on her well being and she may actually have made a friend already that would help her get through all of this time travel turmoil. There was a another flutter of wind and a second owl dropped a second letter into her hand. It was also Severus's handwriting. With confusion she opened this one too and noticed it appeared to be a bit more scribbled, as if he had written in haste.

"And do not bother responding. I do not need to see your ugly handwriting. Just be there. Tomorrow at 9 in case you have already forgotten.

PS: The bird bites."

And as if on cue, the owl did not disappoint; its beak quickly taking a nice chunk out of her wrist. Hermione let out an "ouch" and dropped the letter. Before she could reprimand the bird however, it had already taken flight out the window.

Only to be replaced with a third and a third letter.

"What is he doing?! Sitting in the owlery writing letters?!" Hermione snatched the piece of stationary from the owl, still nursing her bleeding and bruised wrist and shooed the remaining birds out of the room. She looked down at the note with disdain.

"It bit you, didn't it."

"Why that-" Hermione growled a bit with frustration. She could now imagine him sitting there snickering (or sneering...or both) at her as he wrote this and the thought ruffled her feathers a bit. "'It bit you didn't it?'" She mocked him childishly, her head wobbling as she mimicked him with the worst impression of Snape that she could muster. "That jerk. I bet he sent that owl knowing it would bite me just to be spiteful." Still grumbling she made her way back to her little tea table so that she could finish a cuppa before hitting the pillows. The day had been tediously long but it had also been productive and that was all she could ask for after everything.

It also helped that Hermione had found her time with Sirius to be enjoyable. He was truly a charming boy, if a little posh and occasionally stuck up. He almost reminded her of Malfoy...if Malfoy wasn't such a bully who clearly believed in blood purity. Sirius is what Draco Malfoy should have been...It's such a shame. And from what Hermione could gather from bits and pieces of her conversation with him earlier, Sirius came from a family who held similar notions as the Malfoys about blood purity and muggleborns. She could tell that Sirius was the black sheep of the family even if she didn't know him very well. "Heh...Black sheep." She laughed a little to herself at her stupid joke. "Sirius would have been proud of that one...or smirked at it at least."

These were the thoughts that carried Hermione through the rest of her tea and into bed. Hopefully the morning would bring good memories with Lily for her to hold on to through the summer holiday... and hopefully Snape wasn't too insufferable on the last morning of the school year.

To be continued...ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ

Chapter 3 Excerpt:

This entire situation was actually even worse than she had feared, and if she wasn't careful, then she could very well end up a pile of dust by the end of it. Hermione glanced up at her temporary companion, unsure of what she should do. One would think that literal life or death situations would have become her specialty after being Harry's friend for three years and mitigating his dangerous, and sometimes stupid, adventures. But no. This was not something Hermione thought she would ever get used to.