A/N: Another chapter is ready, a shout out to reviewer 09sasha, I really shouldn't have had them speaking so openly, but now that will just add to the story I guess, thank you for pointing out that misjudgment from my characters.
Edited August 2021
-oOo-
The evening was dark when the black robed wizard walked up to the manor, he was permitted entry by a cowering House Elf. He stalked towards the room he was well acquainted with and past the numerous black robed wizards accumulated in the room. He made his way to the back of the room where a raven-haired, pale wizard with red eyes sat upon a throne.
"My Lord," he spoke as he knelt at the man's feet.
"Rosier, what news do you bring me?" Voldemort hissed.
"A new girl, a mudblood, I did not recognize has become close with Potter, Black and the wolf," spoke Rosier from his knees.
"Stand, and tell me what you know."
"After Potter attacked Lucius, I followed them. They were extremely protective of her, as if they knew each other well, and she mentioned Lucius' son, which he does not have. She mentioned Weasley twins when I only know of the Prewitt twins. I tried to follow them into Zonko's, but it was too loud and busy to get close to hear their conversation. They all left from the Leaky Cauldron and Potter seemed quite taken with her," Rosier explained.
"The mudblood spoke of those who do not yet exist? I am intrigued by this development. Firstly, Lucius, forward," hissed Voldemort. Lucius stepped forward in his black robe and silver mask, only recognizable by his platinum blonde hair., "You did not inform me you were attacked. I am disappointed. Crucio!"
Lucius Malfoy fell to the ground and convulsed, his body bending unnaturally while he screamed in agony. After a moment of holding the curse, but felt like a lifetime, Voldemort released him.
"Explain."
"My Lord," Lucius gasped as he shakily positioned himself to kneel before Voldemort, "I was aware of Rosier following the group after my attack. It was a visceral response from Potter that had me intrigued, I did not want to bring forth information without more to go with it."
"Very well, however in future, I will deem what is information I deserve without further details. Bring me what you know immediately, or the punishment will be far graver than you have currently experienced." Lucius nodded quickly and backed up to return to his position with the Death Eaters.
"Bring me Wormtail, I will have him watch from his group, but do not share anything with him, he is a traitor to his so called friends. I do not trust him as a true follower to our cause if my plans become too difficult for the coward." Voldemort spoke to his Death Eaters, his eyes lingering on the 7th year aspiring Death Eaters.
Severus Snape and Regulus Black nodded slightly to show they understood, while internally screaming at themselves for what they got themselves wrapped up in. Severus and Regulus knew that Lily Evans and Sirius Black were in grave danger from their best friend, and they could not warn them. Who would believe the Slytherins interested in the Dark Arts? The best friend who turned on his friend and called her mudblood. The brother who let his brother suffer at the hands of his parents, and kept the act up at school because he was too cowardly.
Occulumency had saved them, saved them from their fear being found by the Dark Lord before them, saved them from their traitorous thoughts. How could they help the Light, and escape the Dark without dying?
"Bring me Wormtail, Severus and Regulus, I want to meet him in person on the first Friday of term," Voldemort spoke to them, dismissing them. They quickly left the room, but not too quickly lest they appear eager.
"We need to warn them somehow, I know we decided we shouldn't but everything is changing, and quickly." Regulus said with fear lacing his words once they Apparated outside the Three Broomsticks.
"Yes. I was not expecting him to speak to Wormtail directly, this will put more fear in him. He will do anything to avoid the crucio under the Dark Lord," Severus replied thoughtfully, "The new girl, we may have to somehow become acquainted with her, if she can trust us, then maybe they will listen."
"I don't know, Rosier said that they were already protective of her. If she is a mudblood-"
"Don't use that word!" hissed Severus. Regulus rolled his eyes, that word was still a sore spot for his friend.
"Fine, muggleborn, do you really believe that Potter or Sirius will let us near her?"
"No, but we will see when classes start. Potions only has one space available, partnered with me. I will try, tolerate her as a partner," he sighed.
"You never tolerate anyone as a Potions partner," laughed Regulus.
"Yes well, I will do what must be done to protect Lily from that rat" Severus replied before swishing his robe and gliding away to Apparate home. Regulus watched him and shook his head, Severus would never forgive himself for hurting Evans, unless she forgave him. But Regulus understood that, he would never forgive himself unless Sirius forgave him, and he knew that day would never come. He frowned and shook the thoughts from his head before Apparating to Grimmauld Place.
-oOo-
James kept his word to Hermione and wrote her throughout the days leading up to term, there was no lull in their correspondence, they never ran out of questions.
He learned about her dentist parents ("they're like teeth healers"), about growing up in the muggle world. She told him about Minnie ("You mean Professor McGonagall!") visiting and telling her all about Hogwarts and magic, about her distancing from her parents because of the magical world they couldn't relate to. She didn't get too into explaining her parents, not many people knew what they were truly like. She told him about her third year using a time turner and feeling exhausted the whole year, deciding she didn't need to know everything, about her attitude change in fifth year but no one really acknowledging it. She told him about how no one really tried to get past her bookworm exterior and finding out she loved to laugh and she could appreciate pranks if they were not harmful and well executed.
He in turn told her all about being raised in the magical world, meeting the Marauders and knowing they were his brothers from day one in the compartment, he told her about his fierce desire to protect Lily from the pureblood bigots in Slytherin, especially since Snivellus, her first friend, never stood up for her. He explained how they decided to become animagi for Remus and how hard they all worked, resulting in James getting stuck as Prongs the first night he transformed. Sirius and Peter had to research for the spell to reverse it in the library ("They actually found the library?") while Remus recovered and Prongs hid in the forest. They never did find the spell and James just had to be patient with himself.
Hermione really felt like she knew James just as well as Sirius and Remus by the time September 1st rolled around. She packed up her trunk and her ever present beaded bag and floo'd to Kings Cross. She was so excited to take the Hogwarts Express once again, it would be different without Harry and Ron, but she had her new friends and James had promised to meet her before finding a compartment together. She was only there for a minute before she heard her name being called, looking towards the voice she saw Lily waving from further in the crowd. Hermione pushed through the people, trying to keep herself composed, she hadn't been around this many people since the Battle.
"Hermione!" Lily cried again launching towards her for a hug. Hermione was startled at first, her body tensed but she felt safe with Lily. She released the tension and returned the hug happily. When Lily let go of her, she noticed Remus standing to the side with an amused expression watching his over excited girlfriend.
"Hello Hermione, I won't force a hug on you like this one here," he chucked. Hermione laughed but pushed herself to reach forward and pull him into a quick hug.
"Hi Remus, hugs are always welcome from friends," she smiled at him. She had always been an affectionate friend, she hated that she couldn't be that affectionate so easily anymore, she would have to force it. Maybe if she kept pushing herself it would come naturally again.
"Looking forward to your last year?" she asked them.
"It's so exciting, but I'm sad at the same time. I love Hogwarts and can't wait for what the year brings but, it's weird to think this is our last first day," admitted Lily reaching out to hold Remus' hand. He squeezed her hand before letting go so he could pull her into his side, arm around her shoulders.
"How about you Hermione? Are you excited to go back and complete your N.E.W.T.S?" Remus asked her. This had been on her mind for days, some days she loved the idea, some days she hated it.
"Yeah, I guess. It changes from day to day," she replied honestly, seeing their furrowed brows she continued, "I love I can complete my education, have a new start, make new friends. I hate that I feel like I don't deserve it, so many others I knew deserved this chance more than me, to survive" she was careful how she worded everything with so many people on the Platform, if the wrong Slytherin or parent overheard her saying the wrong thing, well she didn't want to think about that. When she returned home from Diagon Alley she felt like slapping herself, she had been too open in public. Speaking of Harry, Ron, the twins, she even mentioned Draco, Malfoy's non-existent son. She had to hope the wrong person hadn't been near them.
"But you're giving them that chance," Remus told her, "you may be getting a second chance, but you unfortunately had to suffer for it. They're being given a second first chance," he spoke so quietly that only Lily and Hermione could hear him. His words resonated with her, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she thought about it. She wouldn't wish her trauma from her past on her worst enemy, minus Riddle of course, but even Draco, she could help him have the future she knew he wanted. She would ensure they all got that chance to be who they wanted, and not who their pureblood parents and society wanted them to be.
"Thanks Remus," she looked up at him with a smile and watery eyes filled with appreciation.
"Moony!" Sirius yelled as he jumped onto his friends shoulders laughing. James right behind him with his hair pointed in every direction, completely out of breath.
"Phew we made it! Damn Pads here decided we were drinking last night, without informing me. Woke up half hour ago," he huffed as he tried to catch his breath.
"Liquid switching spell?" inquired Remus
"Liquid switching spell" replied Sirius and James together. Sirius was laughing, James was scowling.
"Drunker than Hagrid on Christmas I swear to you, even transformed by accident and was stumbling on four legs. Funniest shit I've ever seen; a drunk stag," laughed Sirius. James glared at him before running his hand through his hair and looking up at Hermione.
"Hello Hermione, glad they found you in this crowd," he greeted her. His eyes were sparkling as he looked at her, knowing so much more about her just made her so much more beautiful than the last time he saw her. He didn't know how he was going to hold back from trying to kiss her if he was too close.
"Hi James," she smiled at him, pulling her curl into her fingers again, "Lily found me surprisingly quickly."
"Yes, so quickly you would think she had been looking everywhere for you the previous ten minutes," Remus said teasingly, causing Lily to blush. Before she could reply though, an additional person joined their group.
"Hey! I've been looking for you all," piped up a voice beside Sirius. They all looked over and had to school their faces at seeing Peter Pettigrew.
"Hi Peter, we've been here the whole time," Lily replied, managing to keep her voice from giving away her disgust at the short, pudgy boy.
"Oh who's this?" He had noticed Hermione between Lily and James, the latter holding back the urge to pull Hermione protectively into his side.
"Hello my name is Hermione Granger, I'm a new student," Hermione was surprised she kept her tone sweet, none of the anger causing a quiver or shake to her voice.
"We invited you to Diagon Alley mate, you would have met her then if you joined us," James also trying to act normal with Peter, as hard as it was. He could feel Sirius' tense arm beside him, so he discreetly nudged him to remind him they can't give this away.
"Yeah Wormtail, where you been all summer? You missed the Marauder meet ups and meeting the lovely Hermione," Sirius finally managed to pull himself together and force a friendly demeanour. Peter looked between his friends and Hermione, to anyone it would look like he was nervous and shy around a new girl, but Hermione could see the calculating look in his watery blue eyes. He was nervous about how she fit into his plan, the look disappeared just before he spoke.
"Oh. Mum's been sick, she can't do much on her own anymore, I've been either looking after her, or running out to get the messages," he squeaked, another trait he shared with his animagus, "Sorry I missed Diagon."
"No worries mate, hope your mum's alright. Come on, let's find a compartment before the firsties and snakes," Remus picked up his trunk and led Lily to the train, arm still wrapped around her shoulder, "Padfoot, mind grabbing Lil's trunk for me?" He glanced at Peter quickly and Sirius understood, Remus didn't like Lily unprotected around Peter, he didn't want to let her go, physical touch was required for his own and the wolf's peace of mind.
They all made their way onto the train, down the corridor looking for an empty compartment. People weren't paying them much mind unless they noticed Hermione, and if they did the stares and whispers followed. New faces did not appear at Hogwarts unless it was a first year or a teacher. They finally found a compartment near the end of the train and all piled in. Remus and Lily cuddled up against the window together with Sirius beside them closest to the door. Hermione sat across from Lily, with James beside her putting himself in between her and Peter. Hermione noticed that both James and Sirius had managed to make themselves appear completely at ease, yet she could see the anger flashing behind their silver and hazel eyes. She looked up at James and their eyes met, she gave him an encouraging smile before pulling a book out of her bag, sinking comfortably in her spot and began reading.
James watched her through the corner of his eye as she read. She looked stunning while she read, her features became completely relaxed, a small crease appearing in her eyebrows as her eyes danced across the page taking in the words. She was chewing on her plump, pink bottom limp in concentration, which entranced him. He watched her pull her bottom lip between her teeth and all he could imagine was what it would be like if he was biting that lip. Sirius kicked his leg and cleared his throat to get his attention away from the delectable witch beside him.
"Game of Snap Prongs?" He asked him. James agreed and Peter joined in. Remus and Lily were laughing quietly until they engaged Hermione in a conversation about her book. A few hours into the journey Hermione announced she was going to change into her robes before they arrived. Lily agreed to go with her, leaving the boys alone to change in the compartment.
"So, who is she?" Peter finally asked them all. He didn't like her, she was changing his plans, plans that took him months to come up with, he hadn't expected this strange witch to appear. He didn't need the Dark Lord angry with him that his well thought out, approved plan, failed.
"Hermione, she's new, she told you that mate," Sirius laughed mirthlessly as he buttoned his shirt up.
"Yeah, but where'd she come from? How you know her?" Peter was getting frustrated but he couldn't show it.
"Professor McGonagall took her in, she lost her family mate so don't bring it up with her, if she wants to talk to you about it she will," Remus explained, "Mr and Mrs Potter invited her to Diagon after they met her when visiting McGonagall." Peter nodded, and didn't say anything else about it, he couldn't appear too pushy, but she had to go. They finished changing and the girls returned. It wasn't long after that they arrived at Hogsmeade station and made their way to the carriages. Hermione once again ended up beside James and kept away from Peter.
The carriages were a lot smaller than the train compartments, so Hermione found herself much closer to James, she was pushed up into his side, thigh to thigh. She blushed after catching his eye and quickly looked out the window the duration of the ride. When they stopped at the school everyone piled out, James offering his hand to help her climb out after him, she gratefully reached for him, smiling appreciatively. When their fingers touched she felt a jolt go through her hand and up her arm, flooding her body with warmth. She didn't flinch however, like she expected, no, she gripped his hand tighter which brought a grin to his face.
"Thanks James," she looked up at him after stepping out the carriage, and he didn't step back away from her. He could smell the lavender and parchment overpowering his senses and clouding his brain. Before he knew what he was doing, his hand was moving towards her cheek but instead of caressing it, he tucked a stray curl behind her ear and let his fingers trace down her neck. She shivered at the touch and licked her lips, her eyes flickering between his eyes and his lips. His hand was still at her shoulder, his fingers brushing her jawline, her head tilted into his touch, he leaned down towards her but as luck would have it, once again, a body jostled into him breaking the moment.
James growled and looked up to see a Hufflepuff fifth year boy looking up at him apologetically, having been on the receiving end of a stinging hex and knocked into them.
"Honest! I don't know where it came from!" he cried at the Head Boy. James sent him on his way and looked back down at Hermione, the moment gone, but he knew it was the first of many, he would make sure of it. He flashed her a brilliant smile and chuckled, pushing another curl behind her ear.
"Come on, Mi, let's get you to the feast," he reached for her hand and entwined their fingers together, leading her inside. Hermione looked down at their hands and felt her heart swell, he had given her his own nickname, she expected Mione like her boys called her, but no, he picked something so simple yet so heartwarming. It sounded like 'my' like she was his. She shook that train of thought out of her head, she may have had a moment with him but that didn't mean he was hers or she was his.
She smiled and held onto his hand while walking side by side, once they arrived at the Great Hall he reluctantly let go of her hand and placed it on the small of her back. She had mentioned she hated attention, so he didn't want to add to the whispers that had started because she was new. He led her to the Marauders at Gryffindor table, and sat her between himself and Sirius. Remus and Lily were sitting across from them with Peter on Remus' other side, the werewolf wanting to keep his girlfriend away from Peter.
The Sorting ceremony finished and the feast appeared. The boys all started piling food on their plate and chatting away as they ate. Hermione noticed that all of the Marauders had manners, none of them scarfing their food down or talking with their mouths full, like Ron. She talked to Lily about Charms, Lily's favourite subject, she was introduced to Marlene, who was beside Lily, about Diviniation. Hermione had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the class she had walked out of in third year, but she humoured her new friend. Once the feast was over and bellies were filled, Dumbledore stood to address the students.
"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. A few words before you head to bed to sleep off the wonderful feast," he smiled and looked around the Hall, his eyes twinkling, "A reminder to our older students, and a warning to our new students, the Forbidden Forest as it is aptly named, is forbidden. A list of banned products are on caretaker Filch's door, and finally, we have a new transfer student that has joined Gryffindor house. Miss Hermione Granger will be completing her final N.E year here, please make her feel welcome. Have a wonderful evening," Albus Dumbledore sat back down and turned to converse with Professor McGonagall.
Hermione groaned and banged her head down on the table as the attention was now solely on her. She could hear all the whispered guesses of where she came from and why she was here, she could even see people jumping to look over the heads of other students just to get a glimpse of her. James poked her side and jerked his head to the side inviting her to run off with him, he knew she hated attention, she made that very clear after telling him about her experience in fourth year. She followed after him, his hand holding hers tight to ensure he didn't lose her in the crowd. He pushed her over into a deserted corridor, it didn't lead to any of the common rooms giving no reason for anyone else to be down there. He steered her towards a tapestry and directed her through to a dark, torch lit corridor that led to a stairwell up to the 5th floor.
"I've never seen this shortcut before," whispered Hermione.
"We found this after the Map was confiscated. Actually quite a few new shortcuts, even some that only appear when you need them," replied James, "When we get the Map back, we will update it with everything new we found." His eyes lit up at the idea of getting his creation back and being able to work on it once more, improving it, updating it. James didn't let go of her hand the entire walk and he he couldn't help the warm feeling inside knowing she had not let go of his hand either.
"Since I'm Head Boy this year, I know the passwords. Lily is Head Girl, and because we're from the same house, our Head Dorm will be in Gryffindor Tower, rather than the separate Head Dorm for inter house Heads. Which means we can have our own parties without an audience!" he jumped up and down excitedly. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.
"But James I thought you loved an audience?" she teased.
"Some things are meant to be private," he whispered into her ear sending shivers down her spine. She barely knew him, yet she felt something more for him than any other boy she had come across in her past, or future?
'Merlin help me keep my sanity' she thought, groaning internally.
All her past relationships, her physical ones, she didn't feel the heat and desire she felt when James only whispered in her ear, whispered! She had had her fair share of passionate, forbidden, in the moment wall fucking, leaving her feeling fuzzy, James' whispers alone had waterfall pools in her knickers and a blank brain. How in Godrics name does this happen to her of all people. Harry's dad, well not anymore, but still, point is, he was Harry's dad!
She was internally arguing with herself the rest of the walk, James noticed the blush on her cheeks and smirked, he could see, and even hear the gears turning in her head as she was thinking. As he silently led her the rest of the way to the Tower, ahead of all the other students, he continued to hold her hand and started rubbing gentle circles on her knuckles with his thumb, it felt so natural. They finally made it to the Fat Lady's portrait and James gave the password leading Hermione in.
"Well seeing as you were Gryffindor in the future, you know your way around, but you never saw the Head Dorm!" he grinned as she giggled.
"No, never saw that, my friends were too much of troublemakers to get that title," she teased.
"I'm wounded that you doubt my troublemakery! I will just have to prove it to you tenfold," he led her towards the opposite side of the tower from the fireplace to the armchairs that she frequented whenever she studied or wanted to stay away from her friends. She never even considered that the tapestry she sat in front of for all those years held a completely separate dorm.
"Animo" James spoke the password.
"Courage, fitting for two Gryffindor Heads," she followed James into the room and was amazed at the small private space James and Lily had this year. She could see how Peter would use this to his advantage, James and Lily alone in this space frequently, it's an easy target for the ratty little man. The room was almost an exact replica of the Gryffindor Common Room but significantly smaller in size. The stairs led to three doors, the door to the left had a gold plaque reading 'Head Boy' and the door to the right had one reading 'Head Girl', the middle had no plaque but was obviously their shared bathroom. A small door was to her right in the Common space, it must have led to the 7th floor corridor for any students or professors that needed to speak with the Head students and weren't in Gryffindor.
"This is amazing, not much space for your parties though is it?" she asked, looking around, it could maybe hold 10 people uncomfortably.
"Enough space for Marauder parties!" he replied as he dropped down on the couch, "Gryffindor parties are only after Quidditch victories and after exams, Marauders and our small group parties whenever. After full moons especially, used to believe it was because Moony was cranky and needed a drink, but nope recently learned that that is completely false."
Hermione sat down on the couch beside him and slouched down, resting her head on the back of the couch. She turned her head and looked at him questionably.
"Oh yeah, he's not cranky. Rather different frustrated feelings he likes to satisfy with a certain girlfriend, who is apparently randy for werewolves," Hermione burst into giggles.
"Oh my God! You think you know someone, Remus Lupin as a teenager, should have guessed he's like all other horny boys," James chuckled with her and before he could even think about leaning in for that kiss, they were interrupted by banging on the entrance door from the Tower. James sighed in disappointment and stood up and opened the door to Sirius.
"Should have gone up the passageway with you, stuck with Pettigrew the whole way up. He is very curious about you Kitten," Sirius flopped down on the armchair across from Hermione and huffed.
"Of course he's going to be interested in me, but we stick to the story we tell everyone else," Hermione replied. She knew Peter was going to try and figure her out and how she would effect the group, she had to make sure he never figured it out. If Voldemort heard she was from the future, he would stop at nothing to retrieve her.
"He won't try anything for a while, for now he's going to concentrate on figuring Mi out, I say we give him some stories. Let's have a little party in here, some firewhiskey, and try to act normal. He won't suspect anything unless we don't have our get together, Mi you just have to watch what you say," James smiled at her and she couldn't stop herself from returning it, hearing him call her Mi, like 'my' made her stomach knot and her heart beat so hard she was glad Remus wasn't in here to hear it.
"Alright, good thing I can hold my liquor," she replied
"Oh a girl who can drink, that's my kinda girl" laughed Sirius. James shot him a glare, he didn't need Sirius hitting on Hermione, they never shared a girl, it was one or the other. James would have to speak with him and make sure it was understood James wanted Hermione, and not just for a broom cupboard romp. No, he actually enjoyed spending his time with her talking, only Lily had ever kept him interested in talking, yet he felt absolutely no attraction to Lily.
"I did live with you Sirius, in Grimmauld, of course we were drinking," Hermione replied. Mrs Weasley would have killed her and skinned Sirius alive if she knew that Hermione and Harry stayed up late drinking into the night with him. Harry needed it after witnessing Voldemort return, and then left to the Dursley's with no information, followed by witnessing, from the eyes of the snake, biting Mr Weasley. Harry needed a stiff drink to say the least. Sirius locked up in his old family home, unable to leave, drinking was all he had.
Hermione, well no one knew why she drank, she said it was in solidarity with the boys, she was the responsible one, so a responsible party member should be present. However, the truth, the truth was she had no home. Hogwarts was magical and was where she met her first friends but many people there went out of their way to make her feel like she didn't belong. Especially that year, where Umbridge made it very well known that she, as a Ministry delegate, didn't think she belonged. Grimmauld was home to no one, not even Sirius, it was a shelter. Her parents, well they hadn't been her parents for a long time. She may have obliviated them and sent them to Australia for their safety, but that was out of obligation. Having her parents death on her conscience was not what she wanted, but they weren't really her parents, not since her first burst of accidental magic, maybe even before that.
She told everyone she knew that her parents were proud, she was proud to be muggleborn, but honestly she hated it. Her parents basically abandoned her the moment she showed magic, neglected their duties as mother and father, and when her letter came. Well, that was when the verbal abuse started, confirmation that their daughter was different and wouldn't live up to their expectations they set for her before she was born. She never told Harry, he had his own abusive family, and Ron just wanted to be noticed by his, if she spoke up all attention would be on her, which she never wanted. She didn't want to see pity in their eyes for the girl who's parents hated her because of what she was, a society that hated her from where she came from.
Too muggle for the wizarding world, too magic for the muggle world.
Therefore, drinking became her solution in the dusty house, and learning to keep your lips sealed while drinking takes practice.
"What else were we doing?" he winked at her. James feared this answer, he knew even in twenty years Sirius would still be able to pull.
"Ha! You liked to remind me I was the only girl to reject your advances. Apparently, I mortally wounded your pride by saying no," she laughed. Sirius had jokingly propositioned her one very drunken night, she had almost said yes but something stopped her and she wasn't quite sure what it was, probably because he was Harry's godfather and he was become more like her uncle each passing day. She wasn't a prude, she had actually become a bit of a free spirit that summer. Prior to her arriving at Grimmauld, she had visited Krum in Bulgaria, losing her virginity, and since she had arrived had been shamelessly flirting with the twins. Sirius was a man she knew would teach her a few things but she stopped herself, it wasn't right, and now that she was here she was very happy with that decision indeed. Admitting to James that she slept with an older Sirius was not something she wanted to do, even if nothing were going to happen, that information would make it impossible.
"Even now I am mortally wounded!" Sirius pouted at her and held a hand over his heart acting hurt. Lily and Remus walked in to the dorm with Peter following behind. He noticed Hermione immediately and his eyes narrowed at her, how was she already so close to his friends.
"Lily! Before you sit down, go get Marlene, Dorcas and Mary. Traditional Firewhiskey First and if we play truth or dare we need more than just you two girls," Lily rolled her eyes and walked back out the room, "Its either Never Have I Ever, or Veritesurum or Dare, but we'll keep it a short night for you Wormy, we all know how flustered you get with our embarrassing questions." James now understood why Peter was so reluctant to play their games, he could let it slip. He knew this was dangerous for Hermione, if Peter asked her a question under veritaserum who knew what she could spill, but Peter had his own secrets, that appeased James' thoughts.
"You always ask me the worst ones," Peter squeaked. His watery eyes darting between everyone, Hermione could feel her skin crawling just watching this boy. She hoped James knew what he was playing at, drinking games with truth serum, that was dangerous.
"We love watching you squirm you know that Wormy, just don't be embarrassed and we won't embarrass you," Sirius rolled his eyes. He used to love Peter's shy, quiet demeanour. Yes they poked fun at him more but that's what you do with your friends, you take the mickey out of them, you don't destroy their lives and hand them over to the Dark Lord. Lily saved them from further conversation when she walked in with her friends Mary MacDonald, Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene McKinnon.
"Girls! As lovely as ever," Sirius purred as he kissed each of their hands, staying a moment longer with Marlene, "Marlene, always a pleasure."
"Down boy, we discussed this last year," Marlene smirked, "Stop fucking around and maybe I'll give you a shot," Sirius scowled and sat back down crossing his arms over his chest pouting. Hermione chuckled at the sight, James sat back down on the couch closest to Hermione, Mary sat on his other side. Peter sat on the floor beside Sirius' chair staring directly at Hermione, Remus took the second arm chair in between Hermione and Sirius, with Lily snuggled up on his lap and Marlene sat on the floor, leaning against Sirius' legs as he played with her blonde curls.
"Hermione, let me introduce you to Mary and Dorcas," said Lily, Hermione smiled at the two new girls. Dorcas was a beautiful dark skinned, black haired woman. She had high cheekbones, and a wide nose with thick beautiful lips, and her dark eyes were fierce. Hermione remembered what happened to this woman, she was so powerful, it was Voldemort himself who killed her, and she could see why.
Mary Macdonald had a kind, round face, with bright eyes and sandy blonde hair. If Hermione didn't know any better, she could say this woman was Neville Longbottom's mother, they had the same nervous energy. All Hermione knew of Mary was that she was attacked by Mulciber, Lily had confronted Severus about it. It was the first time Lily had truly seen the dark wizards Severus was surrounding himself with.
"Alright introductions over, it's the last First of the year, what'll it be. Never have or Veritserum?" offered Remus, holding up the firewhiskey. Majority ruled for Never Have I Ever, allowing Hermione to sigh in relief. She didn't want to do dares all night to avoid truths under truth serum.
"Glasses are charmed, no choice but to drink if you've done it," smirked Remus as he passed the shot glasses around, "ladies first." Lily sat and thought for a moment before coming up with her scenario.
"Never have I ever, had a one night stand," Lily played to deliberately get James and Sirius drunk, she knew exactly what to use against her best friends.
"Lily, don't do this to us, why, why do you do this to us every time," cried James indignantly as he took his shot. Everyone minus Peter, Remus and Lily took a shot.
"Because you're too easy," laughed Remus, his arms wrapped securely around his girlfriend, she could feel he was holding tighter than normal with Peter so close. She knew how scared Remus was of Peter succeeding, she had been spending the last week making sure Remus understood that he was it for her, and if anything happened he had to trust in her love for him.
"My love saved a baby from You-Know-Who so you best believe how strongly I love you, I would die for you," she had told him as he cried into her shoulder after they left Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Never have I ever, had a threesome," Remus also enjoyed watching his friends suffer, Sirius and James scowled at him in mock annoyance.
"Just you wait Moony, just you wait," said Sirius as he took a shot. Marlene was the only other one to take a shot which made Hermione wonder, maybe it was Marlene, James and Sirius together, but she didn't want to know, she was glad that they weren't divulging the stories.
Hermione was up next and she wished she had thought up something before it was her turn, now she was on the spot with everyone looking at her expectantly. She wanted Peter gone which required him getting drunk, but what could she say that he would drink to?
"Um never have I ever, snuck into another school House?" she cringed at the end, such a bad question but if Peter didn't drink then what the hell did he even do with the Marauders? Thankfully everyone drank, even Lily and Remus. Hermione had never actually snuck into any other House at Hogwarts, Harry and Ron had gone into Slytherin to interrogate Draco while she was in the Hospital Wing, Harry went alone to Ravenclaw while she and Ron went to the Chamber of Secrets, and if she ever needed a shag, well that was in either the Room of Requirement or an empty classroom.
"Hmm this is tough, what haven't I done?" pondered James, Hermione could see the red tint on his cheeks showing that the alcohol was creeping up on him, he looked quite cute with that flush. Hermione scolded herself, she had one shot and already she was losing her inhibitions for the boy, no man, beside her, "Never have I ever, been Prefect!" Lily glared at James as he got her to drink. Remus also drank, as did Hermione.
"Hermione! You were a Prefect?" asked Lily.
"In my old school yeah, I may have broken some rules but I had a reputation of never breaking the rules," Hermione chuckled at the hilarity. She was always with Harry and Ron, always up to something during the school year, but if you accused her of anything to a Professor and they wouldn't dare believe a word against her, "My friends were always getting into trouble, so I had to make sure they could get out of trouble even if I was there the whole time. Not sure how I pulled it off, but meh," she shrugged nonchalantly.
"You are more intriguing with every story I hear about you Mi," James spoke into her ear, his breath tickled the shell of her ear, causing her to shiver.
"My turn! Never have I ever pranked the whole school," laughed Mary. All four Marauders drank.
"I think they've got it out for us Prongsie," said Sirius as he slammed his glass down for the fourth time. Peter was up next, the boys, Hermione and Lily curious what question their fake friend would have.
"Never have I ever been skinny dipping," Peter said nervously. Everyone bar Mary drank. Hermione had gone skinny dipping multiple times at the Burrow over the years, midnight swims while everyone slept were the best, she may have been caught once or twice but it never stopped her going back.
Marlene looked thoughtful as she thought about her scenario, she had a mischievous glint in her eye that made Hermione think she as a female Sirius, no wonder he pursued her so frequently.
"Never have I ever, given head in the library," Lily scowled at her.
"I told you that in confidence!" Lily hissed. Sirius and James laughed as they reached over and gave Remus a high five.
"That's a good reason to visit the library," said Sirius as he watched Hermione take a shot, "Oh there's another library fan here it seems," James turned to watch Hermione throw back her shot and place the glass on the table.
"Yes, well, we all have our pasts," she replied awkwardly. Everyone she had done anything with weren't even born yet, and when they were born, well she would be looking at a baby knowing she had sex with its older self, she shuddered at the thought.
"I think you have some more stories to share Mi," James' warm breath covered her face and she got a strong whiff of his scent, the mint and fresh cut grass with firewhisky mixed in. She was intoxicated by it and had to maintain her composure lest she did something stupid and embarrassing. She simply nodded to James and smiled, she would tell him anything he asked.
"Oh Merlin, it's Sirius' turn, prepare your ears for the vulgarity," joked Remus.
"Moony shh, let me think here," Sirius looked so deep in thought, he was rubbing his temples with his eyes scrunched closed, "Ah ha! Never have I ever, set a Professor on fire," everyone except Hermione and Peter were laughing, but they were concentrating on Peter, he must have done something stupid, but Peter noticed her.
"Why are you drinking?" he narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, Hermione rolled her eyes at the boy. He really was not subtle, soon enough his hostility towards her would be called out by his friends. Everyone turned to look at her as she put her glass down once more.
"Because I set my professor on fire?" she answered dryly. What a stupid question.
"Okay, Peter did it because he was stupid and said his incantation wrong and pointed his wand at Professor McGonagall. When we have clearly been taught never to point our wand at a anyone, let alone a Professor," Lily explained, "but you? I doubt you did something stupid." Peter glared at Lily hearing her insult him, he hated her, he hated all of them, he hated he was stuck pretending to like them.
"Well, my best friends broom had been jinxed during Quidditch, it tried to buck him off. So, I needed a distraction for whoever was casting the curse," she explained. A small smile graced her face at the memory of setting Snape on fire. She knew they had to befriend the man, but he was so unnecessarily cruel to her as she grew up she couldn't help the little vindictive side of her smiling at the memory.
"My turn then, never have I ever had a crush on a Professor," Dorcas asked the group. Hermione, and the Marauders drank, "Who was it boys?" She asked excitedly.
"That hot thing we had for DADA two years ago. Young auror chick that could barely make it through a day, worst Professor for learning, best for observing" winked Sirius. All the other boys nodded in agreement
"Hermione, you had a crush on a professor?" asked Dorcas. Hermione groaned and put her head in her hands dramatically.
"I was young and stupid what can I say?" she replied sheepishly, "Our second year DADA Professor was pretty, very confident, turned out to be a dunderhead. Third year, well, it was just nice having a Professor who knew what he was talking about," she deliberately did not glance at Remus.
'Don't look at him, don't do it Hermione, don't make it awkward! Good girl,' she sighed in relief when the round was over and back to Lily, and attention was off her. Her crush on Remus only lasted that school year, it blossomed into a true friendship and then into an almost father-daughter relationship. He always looked out for her, and she always took care of him.
James lifted his arm and put it over the back of the couch behind Hermione, she could feel the heat radiating from him onto the back of her neck, she rearranged her legs and put them under her, using that as a way to move herself a little bit closer to him. She was feeling the buzz hitting her and her inhibitions deteriorating. She could hold her tongue, but she may not be able to contain her hands. She was an affectionate drunk after all, even with Harry and Sirius she ended up snuggled in to one of them. With Sirius and Harry it was platonic, yes Sirius flirted, and yes she was almost tempted once, but it was always innocent around Harry, he was her brother. They tried kissing once when they were thirteen but it was just so awkward that they agreed to never ever try that again. So when they were drinking, she could snuggle into Harry, could count on him to help her change for bed and even lay in bed with her, wearing barely anything and nothing would come of it.
James, he was snuggly for a whole other reason and she hoped she wasn't too affectionate, she didn't need to give off the wrong idea.
'You mean right idea', her brain threw back at her. Before she could have another internal battle with her own brain, the next round began.
"Never have I ever, kissed more than one person in a night," Lily chuckled as James and Sirius bemoaned her once more
"Lily flower, Lily dearest, I thought it was love. Your love for your friends, but no you punish us with your knowledge," James cried to her once more. Hermione laughed at his antics, he really was very different from Harry.
"I was friends with a cunning snake for five years James, had to learn something from him," replied Lily. Peter glanced over at the mention of Snape, he was a forbidden topic with Lily so why was she bringing him up?
"As long as you do not use your knowledge against me, be as cunning as you like love," Remus said as he kissed her on the cheek
"Oh I use my knowledge against you, you just have no objections," teased Lily as she ghosted her lips over his jaw. Remus tightened his hold on her and felt his cock react to her words, "oh but you'll have to play the waiting game" she smirked. Remus growled but stopped himself from picking her up and running to her room. She loved to push the wolf, make him sit and stew, see how far she could tease him before he broke. He really couldn't have found a perfect woman for his werewolf self, she loved the wolf as much as the man.
"You are a cruel woman, but I love it," he whispered into her ear as he pulled her lobe in between his teeth.
"Moony, no, just we've talked about this. She's a sister to me, I don't want to hear or see it!" James yelled over at Remus covering his ears with both hands. Hermione chuckled before catching her breath when James returned his arm to behind her, but he placed his hand on her shoulder and started drawing circles with his thumb. Such a simple move and she was left breathless, she was being such a girl about this.
'Well you are a girl' her brain told her.
'Obviously, but I'm not a Lavender, I'm Hermione Granger. I don't do girly,' she argued, 'wait why am I arguing with my own thoughts again?'
'Because you have a crush, making you feel all girly as you say, and you're Hermione Granger, you argue everything illogical. Talking to your own brain and arguing with it, seems illogical'
"Hermione?" She was shaken out of her argument to see everyone looking at her, Peter was standing watching her oddly.
"Sorry, lost in thought. What's up?"
"Peter's leaving, just saying good night," replied Remus.
"Oh, okay, have a good night Peter. It was nice meeting you," she forced a smile at the boy who nodded coldly at her and left.
"Well he's a joy to be around," she said to the room. Everyone chuckled, even Mary, Dorcas and Marlene.
"Peter is a quiet boy, I thought Remus was the shy one at first," Mary giggled, "but second year changed that didn't it Lily?"
"Second year?" asked Hermione. Dumbledore had said five years they had been dating, but it never really clicked that second year could be it. That seems so young to pick your person forever, but looking at them, they made sense, they found their person extremely young it seems. Lily cleared her throat and glared at Mary in mock anger.
"Yes, Mary, thank you for that. Um yeah, second year," Lily looked at Hermione and then at Remus and smiled at him before giving him a quick, but passionate kiss, showing all her love for the man, "We all know about Remus' furry little problem now, but in second year only the Marauders knew. I was always drawn to Remus, we would study together and talk quietly about our homes. I was constantly worried about him because he would disappear every month for some reason, always an excuse, but he would come back with scars. I thought he was being hurt at home, but then I started observing, and I learnt his secret. After Christmas I confronted him, told him he didn't need to keep himself from me because I didn't care. He was Remus to me."
"I became a lot more comfortable in myself, I had my best friends who knew and accepted me, and the girl I fancied but hadn't told, had accepted me. I was on cloud nine, or I thought I was," Remus explained, "if that was cloud 9, I was on cloud 99 when she kissed me at the end of the year."
Hermione would say this was sickening adoration if it was anyone but Remus and Lily, it was downright adorable with them. She had always wanted her Remus to be happy, he had Tonks and Teddy in the end, but Hermione knew that he considered himself broken and unlovable after losing his pack. He lost Sirius for twelve years and only had him back for two before he was taken again. Seeing Remus so in love, made her heart swell. Her Remus was right, this world would be full of more love if Pettigrew didn't interfere. If this love was taken and broken, what love could make it?
"Okay now that we're done with your gushy romantic nonsense," laughed Sirius, "time to get back to it. Remus your turn."
"Sorry boys, I think I'm out too," said Mary standing up, "it was so nice to meet you Hermione. We'll be sharing a dorm, so I'm looking forward to getting to know you better outside of the drinking games"
"It was nice to meet you too Mary, I'm sure we'll be great friends," Hermione stood up a little too quickly, swaying a little before she gave Mary a hug. She dropped hard back on the couch and fell back against it, James arm wrapping around her shoulders and playing with her curls. Mary left the room, and was shortly followed by Marlene and Dorcas, leaving Remus, Sirius, James, Lily and Hermione.
"OK now it's time to really play," smirked Sirius, "time to learn a little more about Kitten here," They all looked at Hermione with the same mischievous glint and she groaned
"No fair, you even corrupted Lily! Lily you were supposed to be sweet, kind, hates pranks Lily. Not to sound like James, but why Lily why?" cried Hermione. They all laughed at Hermione's cries.
"Who ever told people I was 'hates pranks Lily'?"
"Um everyone? Even Sirius and Remus said you would scream at James and call him a toerag, which I always wondered what that meant," Lily looked at Remus and Sirius
"Why Sirius why, why Remus why?" cried Lily, "I helped with so many of your pranks and you're telling the next generation I was some stick in the mud!" Remus chuckled at Lily as she crossed her arms and pouted.
"We will ensure the new next generation is aware love," he pulled her in for a quick kiss, wiping the pout off her face.
"Back to the game! I want to learn more about Kitten!" demanded Sirius, in mock annoyance.
"Okay, never have I ever, snogged a Slytherin," asked Lily, she drank.
"Never have I ever, shagged a Slytherin," Remus asked, she drank
"Never have I ever, shagged more than one Slytherin," she groaned and drank again.
"Really Mi?" James raised his eyebrows at her, "Slytherins really?"
"Not all of them are bad," she spoke slowly, annunciation her words to make sure she didn't slur, this was turning into a game of just Hermione Has Done, "you're telling me, you two have never..."
"Well snogs are one thing Kitten, banging them in a broom closet, not many of those proper pureblood girls go for that," replied Sirius. Huh, she didn't expect that, she assumed they had both made their rounds with girls in every house.
"Well guess the boys are different," she giggled, "once they got over the shock that my touch didn't turn them to dust, I was a normal girl, well...teenage boys after all." They all shifted a bit awkwardly, they didn't understand how Hermione was so comfortable speaking about her muggleborn status being despised.
"Hermione..." started Lily awkwardly
"Ah shit, sorry Lily," she flopped her head to look at the red head, "I know you're all uncomfortable about my blasé attitude about the prejudice. But, well, it's how I survived,"
"What do you mean?" asked Sirius, they knew Lily dealt with comments here and there but she didn't need to fight for her survival. Hermione sat up and felt herself sobering up at the heavy discussion.
"You have to understand, I was the famous muggleborn, at first it was because I was top of my class, the know-it-all swot. But as the years passed, I was the brains of the Golden Trio, so I was heavily targeted. Draco, he called me mudblood from my second year, I didn't have a name. He stopped after fifth year, I became Granger in sixth, and Hermione before he died.
"In my fifth year, a Professor was assigned that worked for the Ministry, she despised me for my blood. I was beneath her, the Minsitry would back her up on anything and I feared she would expel me and snap my wand, sending me back to the muggles. I literally fought being kicked out of this world because people with power believed I wasn't worthy of my magic. I fought that, I fought her, I never backed down, and I learnt that being so casual about their hate angered them more. They wanted a rise out of me. Then I was branded, forced to be reminded of my blood. Reminded that not all people want me, us in this world, and I will fight with every breath to prove them wrong.
"Now I thought this was supposed to be fun!" she tried to lighten the mood a bit but didn't think she had succeeded.
"Alright Mi, but just know I'll be by your side for that fight, both you and Lily," James said to the room. He nodded to Lily to show he was with her too, they were a pack, they would fight together, "Now let's try some questions Mi hasn't done, she's had quite a few."
"Hmmm" thought Sirius, "Never have I ever, ridden a dragon." Hermione groaned again and drank.
"What?!" yelled all of them. Her eyes squinting from the sheer volume.
"I rode a d-dragon" she replied, "broke into Gringotts and escaped on it"
"Gringotts, broke into Gringotts she says. Okay, Never Have I Ever cannot be played by Hemione, she's done too much," laughed Sirius, "Gringotts really Kitten?" Hermione snuggled up against James and felt her eyes drooping.
"She was so scared we went into her vault, she had something. Horcrux," she mumbled, "polyjuiced as her and broke in."
Hermione fell asleep and left the four others to look at each other in shock.
"I'm assuming 'she' is Bellatrix," hissed Sirius. He hated his family, he knew they were bad but to have physical proof in front of him of how truly awful they were. It made him want to fight that much harder to prove he was not like his family.
"She polyjuiced as her torturer, how much has she gone through?" whispered Lily sadly. Their friend had fought a war, and they had no idea just what she went though and how they could comfort her. They didn't know if something they tried would be her trigger, a simple visit to Hogsmeade could bring back memories and they wouldn't be able to help until she showed her fear.
"A lot, we will make sure nothing else happens, we will make sure You-Know-Who never learns who she is," promised James
"How? Everyone is going to be talking about the new girl," said Remus.
"Then we need our own spy," answered James. If the Dark had Peter, well they had to find their own traitor, someone had to regret picking the wrong side.
"I was going to ask her what happened to Severus, maybe, maybe he turned in the future?" whispered Lily, she really didn't want to think her best friend, her first friend, had turned against everything she was.
"Snivellus?" scoffed Sirius, "The day he comes back to the Light, will be the day my brother does" Sirius stood angrily and stormed out of the Head Dorm to his own dormitory. Regulus was never to be brought up around Sirius, he had lost his brother, first best friend to his parents. He chose blood prejudice, dark arts, and the Dark Lord over Sirius, and Sirius could not forgive him for it until he admitted he was wrong. Something none of them believed would ever happen, Regulus loved Walburga and Orion Black.
"We'll ask Hermione soon, let her get used to being here first before we ask for some answers," James said to Lily and Remus who nodded. "What should we do with Hermione? I can't go up to the girls dorm."
Lily leaned down and gently shook Hermione awake and led her out to the Gryffindor Common Room and up to the 7th year dorms. James already missed her presence in the room, he wished she could sleep in here with him, where he could know she was safe. Remus gave him a goodnight clap on the back, and exited the Head Dorm.
James went up to his Head Boy dorm and climbed into bed, he sat and stared up at the ceiling of his four poster bed. He had to think of a way to protect Hermione from the wrong person finding out about her. He remembered Diagon Alley and kicked himself, he shouldn't have encouraged her to be so open about her past, their future? Whatever it was, he shouldn't have talked so freely where the wrong person could hear, but she had her breakdowns. Of course she did, she had lost everything and to comfort her they may let something slip, especially if Peter took an interest in her.
He needed a spy.
He needed to swallow his pride, convince Sirius to swallow his, and find out about Severus and Regulus. They may be able to help, as much as he hated them, they were his age and he knew he would be terrified if he witnessed how far their Dark Lord would go. How terrified were they? Or were they revelling in it?
If Peter a Gryffindor could turn to the Dark Arts, maybe a Slytherin could turn to the Light. Hermione did say they weren't all bad. James drifted to sleep thinking of Hermione, Peter and Slytherins, his nightmares interrupted to banging on the Head Dorm entrance.
"James! Lily! It's Hermione!" Mary screamed.
A/N: Read and review! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. We met Voldemort and the Slytherins finally, I'm quite excited to write the interactions with Severus and Regulus. Peter will soon learn about Hermione and what the Dark Lord wants from him, he has only had messages sent to him to break up the Marauders, but now he will be called personally...I'd be terrified honestly.