A/N: Ready for a long one? This chapter ran a lot longer than I thought, but I wanted to get the Order meeting done in the same chapter that James' day happens while Hermione attends the meeting. I hope you enjoy this one even if it is long.
-oOo-
Lily awoke in the arms of Remus early Friday morning. She let her eyes wander over her boyfriends face and chest, her fingers grazing lightly over each scar. Remus despised his scars, but Lily found them extremely attractive; they were proof he survived each month and was still the most caring and loving soul. They supported each other constantly, he helped her, along with his Marauders, when she was bullied for her blood status. He listened to her when she would pour out her pent-up feelings after visiting home with Petunia. He helped her reign in Sirius and James when they went too far with Severus, then comforted her when Severus turned on her.
Could she forgive Severus?
She knew she should, when she heard his future, she wanted to save the boy she once knew from turning into a miserable man.
But seeing him just brought everything back. Standing on the sidelines as his friends humiliated her and Mary. Denied Mulciber had anything to do with Mary's assault. Created that dark spell that slashed skin. When he called her that word it was the last straw. The boy she knew was gone.
Severus wouldn't even look her in the eye and fled the room the moment he could. Regulus Black at least stayed behind for Sirius; she had no idea how their reunion went but at least Regulus tried.
Lily could feel Remus stirring in his sleep as her fingers brushed his skin. She replaced her fingers with her lips, brushing over each scar on his chest trailing down to his boxer's waistband. Remus started moaning in his sleepy state, wanting to wake him completely she removed his very impressive erection.
Her tongue slipped out her mouth and licked the tip that was already covered in precum. She wrapped her hand around his balls and licked from the base to the head of his cock. Just as she wrapped her lips around him, his hands fisted into her hair, she smiled against him; Remus was awake.
"Ohhhhh Lily, yes!" he growled. He tried to push her head down, to take him deeper but she wouldn't let him, no she was teasing him. She took him in bit by bit, moving down and back up, each time she went lower and lower. When she finally hit the base, she paused, his tip hitting the back of her throat, she flattened her tongue against him and slid back up.
Remus's moans and whispers encouraged her as she continued to deep throat him, she hummed around him causing him to thrust up from the bed. Lily knew that when he began thrusting, he was losing control, she hollowed her cheeks as he held her head and fucked her mouth.
"Lily!" he screamed as he came, she swallowed and licked him clean, enjoying the taste of her boyfriend. Remus pulled her up into a searing kiss, not caring that he could taste himself on her, "Well my little Red, is the big bad wolf coming out today?"
"Oh my what a big cock you have Mr Wolf," she purred. Remus flipped her onto her back, keeping her left leg hitched up to his hip, his hand caressing her thigh. He had her pinned to the bed, his other hand holding her wrists above her head. His nose grazed her jaw line, taking a deep breath of her beautiful scent.
"All the better to fuck you with, my little Red," he growled into her ear, thrusting himself into her entrance. Lily let out a guttural moan, feeling his cock fill her completely; she was in heaven. She didn't know how she could ever give this up, how could Peter ever take her from this perfect specimen? Remus thrust in and out of her slick pussy, whispering dirty, filthy words in her ear.
"Tell me how much you want it, Red," demanded Remus, "Tell me how much you want to come around my cock."
"So bad Remus," she moaned, "Your cock is all I want!"
Remus's lips attacked her neck, licking, sucking, and nibbling down her collarbone to her breasts. He continued to pump in and out of her, he was almost kneeling in the bed as he pounded into her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding as tight as she could as she came around him.
"FUCK YES REMUS!" she screamed.
Remus lifted her lower body off the bed as he thrust two more times before he let out a yell and released inside of her.
Remus collapsed on top of her, still inside of her warm pussy.
"Mm, best way to wake up," he smiled against her, pressing delicate kisses against her sweat coated skin.
"Yes, I would have to agree," Lily giggled.
"Does my little Red need a bath?" he asked with a teasing smile. Lily loved when he called her his little Red, he was her wolf, and she knew he was out to play when he spoke those three little words. They made her juices flow with those words.
For years he refused to let the wolf out, refused to acknowledge and accept that he was part wolf and she still loved him. She had finally convinced him she loved him no matter what, and at the start of their previous year she had managed to get him to bring the wolf to the bedroom. At first, he was hesitant, when she had made a teasing comment about his wolfish tendencies he had backed off and asked if he hurt her. He avoided her around full moons and made sure he had someone with him, so they were never alone if she did somehow corner him.
Finally, she had tricked the boys and pulled Remus into an empty classroom the morning of the full moon. He had pushed her away and pleaded with her that she couldn't be near him, but she didn't listen. The moment she dropped her robes and showed him her naked body, he pounced on her. When he saw how encouraging she was during, and begging for more after, he realized that he had found a perfect witch. His perfect witch. He introduced her to romantic werewolf novels that she would read aloud to him and reenact, he loved to roleplay Dirty Little Red Riding Hood, and he more than enjoyed the occasional submissive Lily for his dominant wolf doing whatever he asked.
Lily let him lead her to the bathroom where he ran her a warm bubble bath and climbed in, gesturing her to sit in front of him. She sat in between his legs and leaned against his chest as he began rubbing a washcloth down her arms.
"Remus?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes, love?" he asked, the washcloth now upon her legs.
"Do you think I need to approach him?" Remus didn't need to ask who she meant; he already knew.
"It depends Lily, do you think you can?" he replied.
"It still hurts, everything that we went through before our friendship ended. I miss the boy I grew up with and then I see him and it's a reminder that he is the man he became, not the boy he used to be."
"Yes, but we know he changed. We know he was filled with regret and wished nothing more than to take it back. Specifically, the word Lily," Remus started, she was about to interrupt but he stopped her with a quick swipe to her inside thigh with the washcloth. He smirked when her words were caught in her throat. "Hush, little Red, let me finish. The word, it was horrible and cruel of him to spit that word at you when you were defending him. However, weeks Lily, weeks he sat outside of our Common Room, just wanting to speak to you. He wasn't sleeping, wasn't eating, and was avoiding his group of Slytherins, even his closest friend Regulus Black. I would never excuse his actions or choice of people to surround himself with, but he tried Lily. He tried to make amends then, who knows if he would have left behind those people and stayed loyal to you.
"I think, since he tried so hard then and received nothing in return from you, that he is scared to try again. Scared of rejection. I think you need to approach him for that reason, but not until you are ready Lily, never until you are ready," Remus kissed the back of her head, the washcloth gliding over her skin.
"I feel so stupid being angry with him," she sighed, she looked back at him when his ministrations stopped to see a frown of confusion, "I know I have valid reasons to be upset with him, but knowing everything now it feels so, so, nonsensical to be this angry. He simply survived in the snake pit, he had to befriend his housemates to stay off their target, and it's not fair to hold him responsible for the actions of Mucliber and his attack of Mary. That word was what angered me the most, but Hermione has it carved on her! I can't cry over someone close to me saying it once when she endured years of it and will now never unsee it," tears ran down Lily's face as she thought of Hermione.
"What happened to Hermione does not mean your feelings are not valid. She has endured horrifyingly extreme side of the prejudice, and she has told us she is here to stop it. You will not endure that bigoted future that hates you for what you cannot change, what you should be proud of. Just a little girl who knew nothing of this world was taken from her family, thrust into this world and became the smartest girl in our year, when there are children who grew up with it. They are jealous and envious; they are not right in their beliefs. Neither you nor Hermione stole your magic, Lady Magic picked you both inside your mother's wombs and bestowed upon you the most beautiful gift of magic. You both will prove them all wrong for years to come. One day, when we have children, they will grow up in a world without sociably acceptable bigotry and prejudice. I am realistic in knowing it will never disappear completely love, but we will raise children in a world where it is not spewed so casually and proudly."
Lily relaxed against Remus and enjoyed his washing of her body and hair, thinking over his words. He was right, he was always right. He always knew how to talk to her, he never forced her to do anything or manipulated her into his thinking, no, he simply shared his opinion and let her form her own decision.
"I will reach out to him today, hopefully he will meet with me," Lily informed Remus
"Do you want me to come with you?" she shook her head, "Alright then, lets get dressed for classes and get you a way to talk to Snapey," he smiled. Remus never called Severus, Snivellus, but he did like his nickname for the dungeon bat, it was more teasing than malicious. Together they got ready for classes and met James in the Heads Common Room.
-oOo-
James woke up alone on the couch, Hermione must have left in the night he thought sadly. He hoped she at least listened to his words and would let them in. The meeting last night brought fear to his heart, Voldemort already had his sights set on her. He already had Peter watching her, trying to learn everything he could.
Hermione had been through enough. He wished he could just deal with Peter himself; he could damage him enough he would be forced to St Mungo's, but he knew that was just a temporary fix, Hermione's way was a permanent end to Voldemort and Peter. His train of thoughts were interrupted by sounds coming from Lily's room.
"Ugh, silencing charm Moony, seriously," groaned James. He ran to his room and shut the door tightly behind him to block out the horrible names they were calling each other, "Wolf fetish that Lily," he shuddered. He got dressed and got his bag ready for classes, it was finally Friday! Any other year he would be planning on raiding the kitchens and sneaking out to Hogsmeade, all to gather supplies for a party, followed by selecting his female companion for the weekend. However, this year, he had Hermione. He didn't want to organize a party; he didn't want to find a warm body for the weekend. No, all he wanted was to cuddle up on the couch with Hermione and talk. Talk about everything, about her, share his stories and pranks, talk about his family, and learn about her friends.
Shouldering his bag he went out to the common room to find Lily and Remus exiting her room.
"Silencing charms come in real handy, Red," James sniggered. Lily's blush went from her hairline down her neck and Remus choked on air.
"Remus!" cried Lily.
"What? You woke me up! I thought you took care of it!" he countered. Lily groaned and put her face in her hands, following them out into the Gryffindor Common Room. Sirius was leaning against the couch standing in between Peter and Hermione. Peter was glaring at Hermione while she spoke with Sirius about something in Transfiguration. James' face lit up when he saw she was being his happy Hermione, not the drawn back, closed off shell.
"Is that Sirius Black willingly talking about classes before breakfast?" James laughed. He noticed, quite happily, that Hermione's face grew brighter at the sight of him.
"He disagreed with me on something, I had to rectify that mistake," she smiled.
"Oi, just because you were possibly right about this, does not mean that if I disagree with you, it's a mistake!" huffed Sirius
"Oh, you will learn in time it most certainly does," she pat him on the cheek lightly, giggled and left the common room.
"What, what just happened?" asked Remus.
"I think Hermione just giggled and skipped out of here," replied Sirius glancing at James, "Do you think she's okay?"
Peter looked between each one of them, noting the expression on each of their faces. His eyes narrowed when he looked at James, while Sirius, Remus, and Lily looked concerned about Hermione's change in attitude, James looked happy.
"Isn't that a good thing?" asked Peter, "You said she had a hard time, maybe she's overcoming it?"
"Maybe," replied Remus slowly, he looked at Sirius and James, the latter looking at ease which relaxed Remus a lot. If love-sick James wasn't worried, he wouldn't be either. Until they could lose Peter, they wouldn't be able to discuss it.
"I'm sure she'll talk to us if she needs to, she knows we're here for her," said Lily. They agreed that they couldn't know anything unless Hermione spoke to them, so finally made their way to follow her in the Great Hall. When they arrived, they found Hermione sitting with Dorcas, Mary and Marlene indulging in a chocolate croissant. James sat beside her, poured himself some cereal and began to eat, when he looked at Hermione he almost choked on his breakfast. She had a bit of chocolate in the corner of his mouth, and after hearing the activities going on in his Head Dorm this morning, his mind was running elsewhere very easily. He was so very tempted to lean down and lick it off her lips before devouring those as well. He started imagining pouring chocolate sauce all over her body when his school slacks felt very uncomfortable.
"James, are you okay? You look awfully flushed," asked a concerned Hermione. James was shaken out of his explicit thoughts and looked into the eyes of the girl he so desperately wanted.
"I'm fine, just felt a little warm. Don't worry about me," he smiled, turned back to his cereal and caught eyes with Remus who simply smirked in reply. Damn werewolf knew exactly what was happening. He forced himself to think of Dumbledore dancing the salsa with Filch to get his discomfort to disappear.
"I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore at lunch, and then again this evening," whispered Hermione to James, "I may not see you tonight and I didn't want you to worry."
"Two meetings Miss Granger? Are you getting yourself in trouble?" he teased with a seductive grin. He told her he would wait; he didn't say he wouldn't flirt.
"Now Mr Potter, you know just how naughty I've been," she winked at him, stood from her seat, and sauntered out of the Great Hall leaving behind a speechless James.
'Damn that woman will be the death of me,' he thought, 'I wonder if I can convince her to sneak around Peter?'
"You alright James?" asked Peter sitting beside him.
"All good Wormy, lets go and see the wonderful Minnie," announced James. The Marauders and Lily trekked up to the Transfiguration classroom to see Hermione speaking to Professor McGonagall quietly at the front. Hermione glanced up as they were walking in, nodded to the Professor and touched her forearm gently before sitting down in her usual seat at the front.
"My Minnie! It is only a beautiful day when my eyes land on you," cried out Sirius, "Will you finally accept my proposal today?"
"Mr Black, flattery will only take you so far, now please take your seat," answered Professor McGonagall sternly.
"Ah but followed by flattery are my daring good looks, as well as my exceptional talents," he waggled his eyebrows in his professor's direction bringing a laugh from everyone in class except Hermione and the Professor.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek Mr Black. Before I dish out detention, you will take your seat!" Sirius barked out a laugh and sat down beside James.
Class went by quite quickly, James picked up on the lesson and managed to transfigure his toad to a toadstool by the end of class, as did Hermione, Lily, Sirius, and Remus. Peter only managed to change the shape of the toad to toadstool, but the colour and texture was still a toad and James was sure he even saw it breathe.
Morning classes flew by, Hermione always focusing on her classwork and making it to her next lesson. Lunch time came and James knew he would not see her, so he sat with the boys and planned a big school wide prank for Halloween. James only had one afternoon class on Fridays, which was Charms, he shared it with Lily, Hermione and Remus; Sirius and Peter both dropped it, Sirius as he couldn't be bothered and Peter because he couldn't pass the sixth year exam.
James spent his free period flying on his broom trying to distract himself from his exquisite witch. Should he convince her to sneak around with him? They wouldn't be a couple in public, they wouldn't sneak touches and snogs in the common room or heat of the moment broom cupboards. However, there was that room she showed them, they could make it anything they wanted, and Peter would never find them!
James wanted her, he knew he told her he would wait, and he would, but a man had needs. Needs that he wanted only her to satisfy, even his own hand didn't feel like enough anymore. Selfishly he wanted to convince her to give in to temptation now, but he remembered that she also just wasn't ready. A physical relationship was a big step for her, especially since she had no one else to turn to. If they ended badly, she lost one of her confidants, but he could never see them breaking up.
James had never thought of children much before, he knew he would have a son to pass the name on, but it was never in the forefront of his mind. His parents were older when they had him, older than most wizarding families, but he had always pictured himself doing the same.
Now?
Now he pictured himself holding his first child that had her curls; he saw himself holding a small black-haired child and hugging a pregnant Hermione as he kissed her; he saw her kissing their children goodbye before they climbed onto the Hogwarts Express; he saw him taking her home to an empty house and taking advantage of it, another child arriving nine months later.
James saw it all. He wanted it all. He felt tears fall down his cheeks at the thought of having none of it.
The beautiful images of his dream children were replaced.
Replaced with his nightmares.
Hermione broken and bloody before a laughing Peter; her disappearing with him as he took her to Voldemort; her body being dumped for all to find.
Mudblood scar faced up, for all to see.
He landed his broom at a run, landing hard when he tripped over his own feet, he was sobbing by the time he stopped rolling. He retched into the grass as he cried and ripped up the dirt with his bare hands. James was normally in control of his emotions, he was raised Pureblood by a Slytherin Black after all, he would only ever show his fun and mischievous side, he hated his negative emotions and hid them well. However, everything negative was coming out of him now. Everything he had been bottling up since he met her. He thought he cried it all out with Moony and Padfoot that night with the firewhiskey, but this was proof alcohol did not help anyone ever.
James cried for Remus and Lily, split up by Peter; he cried for himself and Lily, betrayed by Peter; he cried for Harry, orphaned by Peter; he cried for Sirius who was framed by Peter; he cried for Hermione who was never safe, never free to be a teenage girl.
He cried for Hermione and her possible end. He would not let it happen; he would jump in front of the green light if it saved her for one more day.
When all his tears had fallen, James picked up his broom and decided he would spend the evening alone in his Dorm, waiting for Hermione to return while watching the Map for whatever Peter was up to.
James, first, needed dinner, so he made his way to the Great Hall, sitting with the girls, Remus, Sirius, Lily and Peter but ignored all of them. Remus and Sirius attempted to get his attention but finally gave up, while Peter was curious about a distracted James and a missing Hermione. However, he was even more confused when James was so lost in thought that he even missed when Hermione sat with them. She didn't stay long, telling them she had some studying in the library, but Peter's curiosity was building, he had to watch her more, so he would have valuable and priceless information to share.
James missed the entire interaction, Peter was not being discreet in his observations, but James was not being attentive either. Thankfully, Remus, Sirius and Lily were keeping a careful eye on their friend Peter, as well as Severus and Regulus across the room. The had also overheard Stevens speaking to him about meeting later this evening with Mulciber. They would be doing their own investigating and spying, Peter may have one person tailing Hermione, but they had seven tailing Peter.
Oblivious James finished his dinner and made his way up to his dorm.
When he finally sat down on the couch, he pulled out the Map and watched it. Peter was apparently in the Great Hall with him and had just left, so was everyone.
'How did I miss them all?' he thought
'Because you were too busy thinking about a certain witch. A witch that is counting on you being observant' his own mind chastised him.
'Right, no more getting lost in thought,' he promised himself.
He noticed that Peter was now walking around the castle all evening by himself. Occasionally a Slytherin would walk past him and there would be a pause, but nothing to indicate conversation.
He watched the Map for hours, he could feel his eyes drooping from time to time but then he would force himself to stand up and pace the room. No one came into the room, he wondered where Lily was at one point and found her in the Library with Remus. He saw Sirius was in a closet with his pick of the week; Josephine Travers from Hufflepuff.
It was almost midnight when he saw Hermione's name appear in the Headmasters Office, followed by Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. They stood together in the office for a few minutes before he saw Hermione's name start to make its way back to the Tower. He almost closed the Map when he saw movement near her dot, Kaden Stevens. Stevens was following her.
Of course Peter got Kaden Stevens involved, Slytherin brother of that Betty Stevens he's always trying to ask out.
James looked around to see if any other Slytherin's were near her, when there weren't he relaxed slightly. Stevens was close enough to Hermione to follow, but not close enough to cause any harm. He glanced around the Map once more looking for Peter, who he found in the dungeons talking to Mulciber, he made note on parchment and hid it in his trunk.
Hiding the Map away he ran out the corridor to meet Hermione and keep her protected against anything Stevens may try. James found her almost at the portrait with a big smile on her face, whatever her meeting was about she was ecstatic.
"Well, hello my beautiful witch, I missed you today," he whispered, pulling her into a hug. Hermione relaxed into him, returning the hug with a smile.
"I missed you too," she whispered, "I have so much to tell you!"
Together they walked back to the tower, he made sure to keep glancing behind him, making sure Stevens was too far away to hear anything. James also made sure he didn't seem overly affectionate towards Hermione, standing just far enough from her he could feel her body heat but not close enough he would accidentally brush her hand. They walked through the Head Dorm entrance from the corridor and sat down on the couch. James quickly checked the Map and saw Peter was still with Mulciber and Stevens was heading in their direction.
'Guess we're just watching every Slytherin now. Snape and Black can keep their ears to the ground in the dungeons' James thought.
"So, Mi, what were all your meetings about that had you missing my presence all day?" he teased, his arm over the back of the couch while his hand rested on her shoulder. She laughed and pushed his shoulder. He was loving this playful side of her; she was so happy!
"Well, this afternoon I picked up the ingredients to start the Wolfsbane Potion, I want to do a practice run first, and then this evening I had an Order meeting," she replied. He felt her shoulder stiffen slightly at the mention of the Order meeting.
"Did the meeting go badly?" he asked.
"Not badly no, just not easy," she sighed.
She explained the meeting and curled up with him after some more talking and fell asleep close to him, like the night before. James smiled at her sleeping body and laid her down on the couch, he placed a blanket over her and went to his room. She was nearby with one of his blankets, maybe this way she wouldn't run away to her dorm and stay all night so he could run to her if she had nightmares. Or better yet, she would have no nightmares at all.
-oOo-
Previously that Friday, Hermione awoke on the Head Dorm couch against James. Her hands on his thighs and head in his lap, she didn't remember falling asleep that way.
Far too intimate with the boy –no man- she was trying to keep a physical distance from.
She ran out of the dorm, missing the rat scurrying away from the bookshelf, and ran to her own bed. Looking out the window she saw it was still dark with a slight light peeking out of the horizon. She still had a few hours of sleep before classes, so she climbed under her blankets and snuggled in close remembering what James said to her the night before.
She had to let her friends in.
Love was the only way to win this war, whether it was friends, family, or lovers.
Hermione would let the girls and Lily in as her friends, she would make Sirius and Remus her family again, and when Peter was gone, she would see if James was still interested in her as something more.
What felt like minutes since she closed her eyes, she heard Marlene trying to wake her. Hermione climbed out of bed as the girls left the dorm to head down to breakfast while she put on her uniform and robes. When she was ready for the day, she made her way down to the Common Room to find Sirius and Peter waiting for her. James and Lily must not have come out yet, and Remus must have stayed with Lily last night after their meeting, Hermione couldn't blame her.
Hermione looked at Sirius closely to determine if he was okay after confronting Regulus. When she saw no signs of a disheartened Sirius, only a happy one, she gathered they had a good brotherly talk. She would need to ask him about that later, if this Sirius felt open enough with her to do so,
"Kitten!" greeted Sirius excitedly.
"You are too happy this early in the morning," grouched Hermione sleepily, however, sleep did not completely stop her brain, "Sirius, I was reading over your essay for mutatio subsisto last night, editing it as you asked, and I was curious about something."
"Now kitten, if you wanted private tutoring with me all you had to do was ask," Sirius winked. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, noticing Peter behind Sirius had narrowed his eyes, calculating as he glared at her. She inwardly sighed as she ignored him and continued to address Sirius.
"No, most certainly not Sirius. You wrote that the theory behind the spell was simply to untransfigure human body parts but not used for animagi, can I ask why?"
"Because kitten, the spell has no record of being attempted on animagi," responded Sirius.
"Just because there is no record of it happening doesn't mean you shouldn't consider the application. Just think, it can be used on the body, for example turning your nose into a carrot. If it can reverse that, why not the change from animal to human?"
"But the change from human to animal in animagi is not from a spell, it's from the will of the wizard," said Sirius, "I can't imagine any animagi volunteering to attempt that."
"That may be but it's still a form of transfiguration of a human. The spell would work on one, I'm almost positive, even without one volunteering," smirked Hermione. That smirk alone told Sirius that she was not just almost positive, she had seen it done.
"Is that Sirius Black willingly talking about classes before breakfast?" James laughed, interrupting their conversation. Hermione's felt her smile grow bigger at the sight of James and she noticed his smile brighten at her own. James had come out of the Head Dorm with Remus and Lily, the latter looking exceptionally embarrassed about something.
"He disagreed with me on something, I had to rectify that mistake," Hermione answered.
"Oi, just because you were possibly right about this, does not mean that if I disagree with you, it's a mistake!" huffed Sirius. Hermione chuckled at his stubbornness, it reminded her so of her Sirius when she and Remus would gang up on him.
"Oh, you will learn in time it most certainly does," she tapped his cheek lightly, giggled and left the common room.
She made her way down to the Great Hall and sat at Gryffindor table with Dorcas, Marlene, and Mary, reaching over Mary for a chocolate croissant. Hermione still felt fortunate each and every meal that she had delicious food before her, no more foraging for food, no more giving up her portion to the boys. Now she could indulge and chocolate croissants were always her favourite. When she went to France with her parents, which they only took her with them when they had conferences to distract them, or they could leave her with her Grand Mere. Even though they never spent time with her, she never cared, she just enjoyed fact that she was in France, indulging on French delicacies and learning French firsthand.
"Hermione! We are having a girl's night tomorrow, are you in?" asked Dorcas excitedly. Hermione looked up at all three girls and saw the desire in their eyes, begging her to join them.
"Sure, but um, this may sound silly, but what does girl's night entail exactly?" asked Hermione shyly. Lavender and Parvarti never invited her to their girly time, they would actually ask her to study late in the library or the common room until lights out so she would not interrupt their time. It hurt every time they did it, but she understood that she wasn't their friend and they didn't want their private time disrupted.
"Oh! It's so much fun!" jumped up Mary, Hermione was thankful they ignored her sad inexperience.
'Eighteen and never had a girl's night,' she thought dejectedly.
'Better late than never Hermione, you should be dead,' she reminded herself, 'no more pity party.'
"We of course talk about boys and clothes and make up, but Lily loves to discuss her extracurricular studying for her future career choices. We also, plan some pranks against the boys. Every year we get them at Christmas and every year they fail to catch us. It infuriates them, it's amazing!"
"Don't forget sex," threw in Marlene nonchalantly. Hermione burst out laughing with the girls, Marlene looked a bit taken aback by Hermione's reaction but went along with it. All three girls were happy to see Hermione come out of her shell.
"That sounds like fun," said Hermione when her laughter died down.
"We may tease the boys into believing we have pillow fights in our underwear, so we get to laugh when they fail to get into our dorm. They still haven't found the trick switch on the steps," snickered Marlene. Hermione chuckled at the thought of James and Sirius trying to sneak a peak at a fantasy pillow fight.
"Alright, I'm definitely in if it means we get to plot against and laugh at the boys," Hermione agreed. James, Sirius, Peter, Remus, and Lily finally joined them, James sitting beside her and poured himself some cereal. She saw him look over at her while he was chewing on his breakfast and almost choke, he was coughing a bit but managed to get it under control. She thought he would be okay after that but then she noticed his entire face was flushed and he began squirming in his seat awkwardly.
"James, are you okay? You look awfully flushed," she asked him concernedly.
"I'm fine, just felt a little warm. Don't worry about me," he smiled, looking in her eyes before he turned back to his bowl. Hermione frowned at him but left it alone, she had a busy day and couldn't take time to worry about him, as much as she wanted to care for him if he was sick.
Her mind started thinking about being a nurse for James, giving him a sponge bath, wiping the washcloth down his chest and over his-
'Nope, nope, nope, stop that train of thought now Hermione. Don't need to work ourselves up before we can even do anything, stupid witch' she chastised herself.
"I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore at lunch, and then again this evening," whispered Hermione, leaning into James, "I may not see you tonight and I didn't want you to worry."
"Two meetings Miss Granger? Are you getting yourself in trouble?" he teased with a seductive grin.
'Oh James Potter you want to flirt? Well, two can play at that game,' she smirked.
"Now Mr Potter, you know just how naughty I've been," she winked and left.
Hermione smiled to herself, why did she feel so happy and light today? She didn't feel the weight of the mission on her shoulders, she thought for sure hearing that Voldemort was after her she would be feeling worse. Yet she woke up and felt happy!
How could she feel happy when she couldn't be with James?
How could she feel happy when she learnt that she had fucked everything up and led Voldemort to discover the time portal?
Maybe that was why? She already had a target on her, Voldemort already knew about her, and she knew it. She didn't need to wonder if he knew, worry he would find out. Now she had to work around this, plan around this, maybe plant false 'futures' with Peter to pass along to Voldemort. He may know about the portal but he couldn't be sure, he had no confirmation, it was simply a theory.
Meaning, he may think she could be a Seer, which would be even more dangerous for her.
If she was just from the future, they would want to torture her for information and then dispose of her once they knew they won. However, if she was a Seer, they would want to keep her. She would become a pet to be used at will. It would be the future she was set for in her time, something to parade around and use to their pleasure.
Hermione shook the thought from her head as she made it to her transfiguration class. Professor McGonagall was standing alone at the front, so Hermione felt this was a better time than any to approach her.
"Good morning Professor," she greeted.
"Miss Granger, what can I help you with, you have had no trouble with your essay I'm sure," the elder witch smiled. It was already well known with the teachers that Hermione was a bright student, up there with Remus, Lily and the Ravenclaws.
"No, no trouble at all," Hermione smiled, "I was actually curious about the application of Animagus training. I was interested in starting my journey, however, reading the textbooks it doesn't really go into much explanation regarding the meditation process."
"Animagus training? That is advanced magic Miss Granger, but I do believe if anyone could do it, it would be you," answered the Professor, "as you are a muggleborn, I would recommend reading, what is it called again? Yogo?"
"Do you mean yoga?" asked Hermione, her eyebrows knitted together.
"Yoga, yes that. It is quite similar to that meditation process, quite dissimilar to Occumulency mediation. That requires organizing your memories and thoughts, while for Animagus training, and yoga, you must shut everything out. Make your mind completely blank, imagine a blank canvas.
"With this blank canvas you can call upon your spirit animal. Depending on how your mind works, it will appear on the canvas, a body part added each time you meditate until it is complete. For the canvas, it can be drawn on, painted, for some it is a photograph, for others it is like a memory. For myself, the canvas showed me an oil painting of my form, a brush stroke added during each meditation. Some witches and wizards never complete their form manifestation, while others manage in a few short weeks.
"Until each piece of the animal is complete, you cannot transform. It may not even be noticeable, for example a missing whisker. To know if you have a complete form before you, when you meditate once more you will feel a tickle in your belly and on your ears. That is the magic bonding with you in your gut, this helps form your animal 'gut feeling' while you feel it in your ears because they are the first part to transform.
"When you are interested in pursuing this project, please come find me in my office. I would gladly help you in your journey, the first meditation can be the hardest. Trying to clear one's mind can be most difficult, as the smallest sound can bring activity back to your brain."
"Thank you, Professor, I now have a much clearer understanding than the textbooks. I appreciate your offer; I will most certainly consider that if I follow through. You have always been so kind to me," Hermione said honestly to her, touching her forearm lightly. She never had a motherly figure in her time, but of all the people in her life Professor McGonagall and Mrs Weasley were the women she looked up to.
One a house mother and the other working woman. Both were resilient, strong, and kind.
The Professor smiled tightly, her eyes glistening with the words she could not say. It wasn't often the Professor was speechless, but Hermione could see the unspoken words and smiled again before walking back to her desk. She caught eyes with James as he walked into the class with Sirius and the others before she sat down.
"My Minnie! It is only a beautiful day when my eyes land on you," cried out Sirius, "Will you finally accept my proposal today?" Hermione giggled silently at her desk at Sirius' antics.
"Mr Black, flattery will only take you so far, now please take your seat," answered Professor McGonagall sternly. Hermione knew that if anyone from her time tried that, they would have detention for a week. She had a feeling that Sirius rarely received detentions from Professor McGonagall unless it involved a prank.
"Ah but followed by flattery are my daring good looks, as well as my exceptional talents," he waggled his eyebrows at the Professor. Hermione didn't laugh, but the amusement was in her eyes, she didn't need to encourage the man.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek Mr Black. Before I dish out detention, you will take your seat!" Sirius barked out a laugh and sat down beside James.
Class went by quite quickly, she transfigured her toad to a toadstool her second attempt. James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus were also successful by the end of class, however, Peter only managed to change the shape of the toad to toadstool, the colour and texture was still a toad. Hermione was sure she even saw it breathing, poor toad.
Morning classes flew by, Hermione focused on her lessons and notes before running off to make it to her next lesson. Lunch time came and Hermione ran up to Dumbledore's office, using the password 'curly wurly' that he had given her previously. She knocked on the door and heard Dumbledore permit her entrance.
"Good afternoon Miss Granger, I hope you are well today," he greeted from behind his desk.
"Good afternoon Professor, I am, thank you," she replied as she sat down. Dumbledore started removing vials and bottles from his desk, placing each before her.
"I have procured each individual ingredient you required for your potion; however, nothing was taken from Hogwarts stock. I did not want to arouse the suspicions of Professor Slughorn, as he is in contact with Damocles Belby and was just discussing this particular potion with myself and Professor Slughorn at his last party. I know you are not taking credit for this potion, but the last thing we need is for Belby to believe he has a threat to his patent," Dumbledore explained.
"Of course, Professor. I did not realize that Professor Slughorn knew Mr Belby personally, it would be an honour to meet such an inspiring potioneer," said Hermione.
Hermione had never spoken of her potion aspirations to anyone, Harry and Ron would have scoffed at her. Most people did not understand anyone going into potions at Hogwarts, since Snape was the professor who would be performing the tutelage into Potions Mastery. Even when Slughorn replaced him in sixth year, he was a Master while Slughorn was only a Professor, thus approval was required via Severus Snape.
Hermione didn't stand a chance.
However, it did not stop her desire. Everyone always believed she wanted to go into the Ministry, to work on the protections of magical creatures.
That was originally her plan, but meeting Umbridge had taught her that government was filled with pencil pushing, incompetent, and ignorant zealots. In her few years of being in the Wizarding World, she had watched Minister Fudge disregard evidence and witnesses because he didn't want to suffer public scrutiny, even if it would free an innocent man and start a manhunt for the guilty one. The same Minister had arrested Hagrid without evidence just to be seen as doing something, dismissed Dumbledore who was their only protection during a threat, he had made Harry out as a mental case, set Umbridge on a school of children, all while being in the pocket of Lucius Malfoy.
Umbridge alone turned her from Ministry, but following Umbridge and Fudge there had been Scrimgeour, who had wanted to enlist Harry as a poster boy. A child, to be used as a showpiece for a failing Ministry. He had arrested people without evidence, which resulted in wasted resources that led to a Ministry coup d'etat.
Even without incompetent Minsters, and a pink bitch, there was so much more that deterred her interest in government. Arthur Weasley was an aspiring and hard worker, but never promoted. Percy Weasley became an even more insufferable git when he made it into the Ministry. Barty Crouch used his power to throw accused witches and wizards into Azkaban without trial to make his arrest numbers look impressive, meanwhile helping his own guilty son escape.
The Ministry was corrupt and Hermione wanted no part in it.
She wanted to do something meaningful in the world, which led her to healing or potions. She did not see herself as a doctor and reading through Harry's Half Blood Prince notes, prior to him stashing it away, she had become quite curious and fascinated by what she read. She had learnt a lot from the modifications, it introduced her to the concept that one way was not always the best way. She had always thought potion recipes were written a certain way because that was the only way, but the truth was they could be modified to be better.
As interesting as she found the idea of a Potions Mastery, she was never able to really think about it, as they went running off Horcrux hunting shortly after, but it was always in the back of her mind. Especially when they were in trouble, and she thought a potion would be perfect for the situation.
If she could speak with Damocles, work with him, maybe they could modify the Wolfsbane to do so much more than just keep their mind. Perhaps make the transformation less painful? Maybe help reduce the weariness and lethargy following the full moon? Maybe even one day, she could discover a cure! She knew that was unlikely, but if she could dream it, she would try it.
"Perhaps, after he has released his findings publicly, we can introduce you, until such time we do not need him knowing you are aware of his creation. You are interested in a career in potions?" asked Dumbledore, Hermione nodded her head, "Fortunately you are taking all five NEWTS required; Herbology, Charms, DADA, Transfiguration and Potions, obviously. I can speak with Professor Slughorn following Yule, to prepare you for the Mastery in autumn?"
"That would be wonderful Professor!" beamed Hermione. If she survived the war she had a possible future career, something she never thought she could achieve in her time, "I will start on the Wolfsbane tomorrow. I know I have three weeks to the moon, but I want to do a test brewto make sure I get it perfect, I don't need to reduce the practice one. I just need to ensure the colour is the correct shade to know it will work."
"Wonderful. Now, we have an Order meeting tonight. I did not go over the clippings that you brought with you with the Order. Only Alastor, Fabian, and Gideon have gone over them, thus I must apologize that you will be going into this meeting revealing difficult information once more. It will take place at the Burrow," Hermione breath caught, she would be returning home. But it wasn't her home, not now.
"Alright, fortunately I have strategies planned on how to prevent each death," she said, when he quirked an eyebrow she explained, "I went through articles of the first war in my sixth year. Draco was telling me about what adjustments Death Eaters were making to their attacks, but I had no idea how they attacked the first time around. I spoke with Ron, who was a great strategist, that he learnt from playing chess, and together we came up with defences to possible attacks. We left instructions with the Order when we went on the run, I heard from the Weasley's that quite a few of the plans came in handy. I never learnt which ones specifically, but I'm sure they will all be helpful in some form."
"I am impressed Miss Granger. Each time we meet, I can see why I chose you for this task, you are an incredibly intelligent and talented witch," praised Dumbledore.
"I could never take all the credit Professor, I always had someone helping. I may have been intelligent, but Harry was the fighter, Ron was the strategist, Fred and George were the mischief-makers, even Sirius and Remus were advisors. I was never alone before now," Hermione explained sadly.
"My dear, you are still not alone. It will take time to feel the closeness you once felt, but never once believe that those three boys and Lily are not behind you one hundred percent," Dumbledore looked at her to quell her doubt, she gave a slight nod in understanding, "Good, now you have your ingredients, you may begin your potion. Meet here this evening after dinner. It will likely run late, you may want to inform your friends so they do not worry."
"I already let James know I was meeting with you," replied Hermione.
"Very well, have a wonderful afternoon Miss Granger," Dumbledore dismissed her, she bid him farewell and exited his office.
After Charms she had a spare before dinner, so she took the time to set up the Room of Requirement as her Potions Lab. She prepped each individual ingredient that could be done, some ingredients could only be cut prior to adding it to the cauldron. Once she had everything set up, as well as her own notes she had taken while watching it brew, she left the Room. Tomorrow morning she would wake up early and begin brewing the potion that would change Remus Lupin's transformations. Hermione sat down beside James at the Gryffindor table but noticed he was not aware of his surroundings.
"James?" she asked quite loudly.
"I wouldn't bother Hermione, we've tried. I've never seen him this bad, but he gets lost in that brain of his sometimes. He's plotting something big," smiled Remus. Hermione wasn't convinced James was plotting something, she felt a wave of melancholy from him. Not sure what could be making him sad, she wished she could stay to ask him, but she had a meeting to run off to.
Hermione filled her plate and quickly ate what she could, her mind drifting off to what she would say to the Order. She was once more left with the task of informing people they would die. She felt like Trelwaney in all her classes, but she had evidence unlike that imposter. When she had finished eating, she bid everyone farewell and headed up to the Headmasters office.
"Miss Granger, right on time," Dumbledore addressed her, McGonagall standing beside him.
"Professors," she greeted with a nod. Dumbledore offered her the pot of Floo Powder and directed her to the hearth. She called out for the Burrow and was whisked away from Hogwarts in a flash of green. When she opened her eyes again she was met with the familiar sight of the Burrow living room and Mr Weasley.
"Ah Miss Granger, it is nice seeing you again," Arthur approached her, his hand held out to shake hers, "Molly is just putting down the boys." Hermione could hear small children giggling upstairs and Mrs Weasley scolding them. Arthur led her into the kitchen where she was met by Fabian and Gideon, Alastor Moody, Frank Longbottom and Alice Brown.
"It's the warrior queen!" called out a tall lanky Prewitt twin, jumping towards her,
"Gideon don't startle the only witch who ever bested Moody!" smirked Fabian. The twins had made it to Hermione, standing on either side of her, when she heard Moody grunt somewhere in the room but she chose to ignore the paranoid auror.
"Can't startle this warrior queen, can we?" Gideon waggled his eyebrows, nudging her side. Hermione smiled at the interaction, they were so like Fred and George. Hopefully this time around they could be there for Fred and George, rather than just stories.
"Boys, leave her alone!" chided Mrs Weasley who had just entered the room, flashing Hermione a warm smile, "Dear, did you just arrive? Come, eat, you are far too skinny." Hermione laughed at the situation, Mrs Weasley dragging her to the table of food, still the exact same motherly witch she always was.
"Thank you Mrs Weasley, you are too kind, but I did just eat dinner," Hermione tried to say before being pushed down into a chair. She could hear Fabian and Gideon sniggering from where she left them.
"Nonsense, if you ate dinner then have some dessert," a massive slice of chocolate cake was set in front of her, her mouth watering involuntarily.
"You have to eat it, she'll be offended if you don't," Gideon whispered into her ear, now sitting beside her, Fabian on her other side. She was about to pick up her fork and have a bite when she felt a tug on her robe, she looked down to find a small red-haired child wearing blue pyjamas.
"Hewwo," he said, looking up at her with chubby cheeks and a bright smile.
"Hello, what is your name?" Hermione asked. She already knew this was either Charlie or Bill, Percy shouldn't be much older than one.
"Chawee" he shouted with his arms extended into a big star jump.
"Well hello Charlie, how old are you?" Hermione couldn't believe she was looking down at Charlie Weasley, the second oldest son that could have been a professional seeker but chose dragon taming instead. This small little boy would go on to battle dragons! She wanted to pick him up and never let go, he was the cutest thing she had ever seen.
"I fo' but be five on my birfday," he answered, holding four small fingers up, adding his thumb when he said five.
"Such a big boy! Would you like to sit with me?" Hermione asked. He excitedly nodded his head, holding his arms up so she could pick him up. Fabian and Gideon watched the whole exchange, quite surprised their nephew was so comfortable with a stranger.
"Hey Charlie bear!" Gideon said happily when Charlie was seated on her lap.
"Was it the pretty lady you wanted to talk to, or the cake?" asked Fabian, when Charlie side glanced the cake Fabian burst out laughing, "Have to ask your mum there wee man."
"Charlie! What are you doing out of bed?" Mrs Weasley said loudly when she came back into the kitchen and spotted her second child.
"I not sweepy mummy! Stowwee!" he begged with a pout. Mrs Weasley's gaze softened at her son asking for another bedtime story.
"Alright, one more, get up to bed and I will read you another one. Dragons?" she asked.
"Yeh!" he yelled, his hands in the air again lifting his pyjama top to show his chubby belly. Hermione couldn't resist and began tickling his revealed tummy, pulling a squeal from the small child, "Nooooo stawpppp!" he giggled. Hermione ceased tickling and pulled his top down to cover him once more.
"Are these dragons from your story?" she asked, pointing at the green and yellow dragons flying on his pyjamas.
"No, these gween and yewwow. Stowee they red!" Charlie explained excitedly, "Dragons go rawr!" he growled. Hermione could hold this small boy all day, she never got to know Charlie in her time since he was in Romania but if he was as excitable about dragons as a child she couldn't imagine his enthusiasm as an adult.
"Come on Charlie, you can tell your new friend Hermione about dragons another time," said Mrs Weasley as she picked her son up from Hermione, who immediately missed the warmth from the small child.
"Her-her-myee?" asked Charlie.
"It is a hard name I know Charlie, I'm sorry. You can call me Mynee if you like?" she smiled, Charlie was leaning against Mrs Weasley, his eyes drooping slowly.
"Myee no Mynee," he yawned. Mrs Weasley smiled affectionately at her son and left to take him to bed.
"You're great with him," Fabian spoke, it was just the three of them in the kitchen now. Everyone else had gone back into the living room where Dumbledore and McGonagall were waiting.
"He's a cutie, I can't believe that was Charlie Weasley," she shook her head in disbelief before biting into the mouth-watering cake. She could only handle a few bites due to its richness and her still adjusting belly.
"You knew our family well then?" asked Gideon
"They were my family; Ron was my best friend. Mrs Weasley was like a mother to me, she took Harry and I in, but I don't think she ever realized how much I truly appreciated it. Harry was always the one they wanted to get away from his relatives, no one really wondered why I didn't want to be with mine," she shrugged. Fabian and Gideon glanced at one another, wondering why their sister never questioned why she was adopting children.
"She never asked why?" asked Gideon
"Molly is normally very inquisitive to things," thought Fabian aloud.
"She might have known but I never spoke of it."
"Do you mind if we ask?" Hermione looked up into the faces of the twins. She saw Fred and George in them, but they looked nothing alike. Fred and George had been tall and lanky, with ginger hair that had an almost gold glow to it , they had humour written all over their faces and smirks to show their mischievousness. Whereas Fabian and Gideon were shorter and broader, their hair was a darker red, almost auburn, with smile crinkles on their eyes but instead of mischievousness, it was fierceness. These boys worked hard to fight and protect, while Fred and George worked hard to make others laugh. Charlie looked more like Fabian and Gideon Prewitt; the rest of the siblings must have their looks from the Weasley side. Even though they didn't look like Fred and George there was something about them that was making her feel like she was with her twins, she felt like she could be open with them. Maybe her magic was reaching out to them since it couldn't find Fred and George? Before she fully comprehended it, she was opening up to Fabian and Gideon.
"I'm muggleborn right? Well in the muggle world there is still a hierarchy. The Wizarding World is about blood status and Sacred 28, while the muggle world is about money, be it old money, new money, or no money. It all comes down to money. My father came from old money, he met my mother in school and together they started a business empire of Dental offices, teeth healers. Suffice to say, my parents were preposterously wealthy. When they decided to start a family they determined they only wanted one child, but they did not want to sacrifice their time or body for me so they hired a surrogate, a previously unknown woman carried me instead of my own mother. I'm not against having a surrogate, it's helpful to people who can't carry, but my mother just didn't want to.
"They wanted an incredibly smart and gifted child, one who gave an impression immediately. My mother's name is Helen and as pretentious as she is she believes she is the most beautiful. The most beautiful Helen of Troy had a daughter, Hermione, and that was how I was named. At first life was perfect for my parents, I was placed in special daycares and placement programs before I was five. I attended horse riding lessons, and prep school, I even had a speech therapist to stop my 'baby talk' at three. I was the perfect daughter, that was until my magic started to show, when that happened my parents became more distant. I was no longer perfect, I did freaky things and something always went wrong around me. They couldn't have that, so my already distant parents became non-existent in my life. My marks were all that mattered, if I was not top of the class they threatened to pull me from Hogwarts saying they still had time to send me to a 'real and prestigious school' but I refused and kept my grades up.
"Before the war I obliviated them, I told Harry and Ron it was to keep them safe until after the war. It was true I was keeping them safe, however distant they were they were still my parents, but I never planned to retrieve them. I had my first skin to skin contact with my nanny when I was three and she held my hand to cross the street, and my first motherly hug when Mrs Weasley hugged me after second year and she learnt I was petrified by a basilisk." Hermione explained slowly.
She was always reluctant to speak of her parents, she never shared any of it with anyone from her time. Sirius and Remus knew she wasn't close with them but that was all. With Harry having abusive family that put bars on windows and starved him, her family seemed insignificant to complain about.
"Oh my!" cried a voice behind her. Hermione jumped, startled, and looked behind her to find her vision blocked by Mrs Weasley, pulling her into her chest for a hug. The red-haired mother only heard her speak about what her family expected of her, and that she was her first motherly hug, it broke her heart. To be going into third year of Hogwarts, almost fourteen years old, and never had a motherly hug. "We offered in Dumbledore's office, but now you cannot refuse. You will stay with us when you are not at Hogwarts. You are already family!"
Hermione felt tears in her eyes at being so readily invited into the Weasley family once more. It was as if fate would never let her separate from the ginger family.
"Molly, it is time to start the meeting," Arthur said poking his head in the kitchen. Mrs Weasley let go of Hermione, looked down into her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks and followed Mr Weasley into the other room.
"Come on Warrior Queen, another meeting awaits!" Gideon announced, pointing his wand in the air like a sword.
"If we do not hurry, the beast Moody may require defeat once more!" sniggered Fabian, both dashing into the other room as if to fight a mighty beast. Hermione chuckled at their antics; this family was something alright. She entered the room and found everyone from the original meeting sitting throughout the room. Hermione decided to sit near Dumbledore as she had a feeling most of this meeting would be her again.
"Miss Granger, I am glad you could join us once more. How are you finding your time here?" asked Dumbledore politely. Hermione wasn't sure why he was trying small talk, he could ask her these things at school.
"I'm adapting as well as can be. We have communicated with our inside sources, and we are looking forward to that alliance. The rat is still being watched," she answered.
"What do you mean inside sources?" barked Moody.
"Oh ho ho Fabian! Do you think it's about to start?" whispered Gideon loudly.
"Shut it boy!" yelled Moody, cutting Fabian off before he could reply.
"Unless you wanted to sit in that office all day and night, I couldn't share everything with you!" Hermione snapped, "But to answer your question, yes inside sources. In my time there were two Death Eaters that tried to escape, one died, and one became a spy for the Order. I am rectifying this grievous error and giving them a chance to live a good and happy life. I will not sacrifice men for the cause, both will survive and not be forced into servitude by either side."
"We would never force servitude-"started Moody.
"Don't, just stop Moody. I'm tired of you questioning me. I am telling you that you did. One man was forced to be a spy by Unbreakable Vow. I understand Vows to promise not to share information, but never to place someone at risk to their life to fulfill whatever duty is presented," Hermione explained coldly. She was not going to sacrifice people for the Greater Good, if someone came forward and chose to do so that was one thing, but to manipulate others to follow the desired path? She would not have another Harry Potter led to slaughter this time.
She trusted Dumbledore of this time, he had not made his mistakes yet, however, she would not trust explicitly. Never again would she trust any adult to do what was best for her or her younger friends. She would always look at a situation and allow everyone to do the same and come to their own decisions. If someone didn't want to fight, she would not use a Vow or money to sway them. That was how you ended up with a broken and miserable man never able to overcome his errors as he constantly lived them, or a dead Moody.
"Alastor, we have discussed this," warned Dumbledore. Moody crossed his arms over his chest and slouched down in his chair like a petulant child.
"As you are aware, at the end of last meeting I had Alastor, Fabian and Gideon go over each newspaper clipping that Miss Granger brought with her. What have you concluded from your research?" asked Dumbledore.
"Concluded that the future is right fucked," Fabian replied honestly causing Hermione to snort quite loudly.
"Warrior queen over there was proof enough," added Gideon nodding towards her.
"We determined that a lot of missions will require more detailed planning with more escape routes. Emergency Portkeys, and more Order members included on missions to have more backup," gruffed Moody.
"I do not want any secrets from our members, however this following information will be hard to hear. Sadly, I must ask Miss Granger to speak once more," Dumbledore said, indicating it was her turn to speak.
"Albus, you only had her share tragic stories before term, now you are asking her again? When are we asking too much of her?" asked Mrs Weasley. Hermione appreciated Mrs Weasley's thoughtfulness to her well-being, but at the same time Hermione didn't need anyone preventing her from her task.
"Mrs Weasley, please, it's fine. I researched this war, I may have to share some distressing information, however, I have many strategies planned. Your youngest son was extremely helpful in this," Hermione explained, mentioning Ron seemed to have halted Mrs Weasley's attempt long enough to give Hermione a chance to get started, "As Professor Dumbledore said, a lot of this is going to be hard to hear. A lot of this will be prevented, however, unfortunately some ends are destined no matter what we try. I don't want to give false hope, tell you that you will be saved only to die a different way. I wish I could save everyone; I wish fate didn't work the way it did, but we are working on preventing my timeline. A new one will be better, but war still comes with loss.
"Right, let's just get to it. I will go around the room and let you know what I know. Molly and Arthur Weasley, you survive until the Final Battle together. You raise seven wonderful children, however there was a scare this coming April. You almost lost your own life after going into induced labour this April, due to the death of Gideon and Fabian," started Hermione, Mrs Weasley gasped at the news before holding her brothers tightly. Seven children without her brothers to assist them, she would lose their familial support, her baby brother's. Not only that, they would become a one income family and lose the Prewitt fortune, how in Merlin did they manage? Mrs Weasley had no idea, but she was not going to lose her brothers this time.
"How?" she croaked.
"During a mission, that was just the two of them without backup, they were ambushed by fifteen Death Eaters. Before they died, they took down twelve," Hermione was always impressed by their fortitude before being struck down by Dolohov. Thinking of the dark wizard, Hermione's hand grazed her chest absentmindedly, sometimes it felt like she could still feel the dark magic pulsing down the scar, though she was sure she imagined it. She brought herself back to the present, addressing the room again, "No missions by yourselves, always take back up. Emergency Port Keys on your person at all times. They don't implement Anti-Portkey wards during street missions, only when they attack the homes. For now, we will use that to our advantage until they adapt when they catch on to us."
Beside Fabian and Gideon sat James' parents, she wanted to protect him from ever feeling loss. Seeing him upset from just hearing about losing Sirius to Azkaban, Lily to Voldemort, Remus to loneliness, and Peter to the Darkness. She didn't want James to lose his family to that darkness, they were Sirius' parents too now and he deserved loving parents. He didn't deserve losing them and Walburga surviving.
"Dorea and Charlus, you kept up your appearances during the war, attending functions and pureblood events. Unfortunately, the events were infiltrated by Death Eaters and their plot to remove blood traitor families. One such event they infected with Dragon Pox; you were diagnosed too late. If you must attend any functions, please carry an antidote with you and be tested the following day. While we can plan around Dragon Pox, I fear that you were the primary targets and if this plot does not work, they will attempt other ways. If an attempt is made with Dragon Pox, I recommend ceasing all public appearances," Dorea and Charlus looked conflicted. Hermione knew they didn't want to put their life on hold, but they had a son and an adopted son or two to worry about, they reluctantly agreed with Hermione. Next to Dorea sat Frank and Alice, Hermione didn't want to tell their story, it was so heartbreaking. Neville lost his parents in possibly the worst way, he could still see and touch them but it was as if they weren't there at all.
"Alice and Frank," Hermione sniffed, "Your son was the second potential child of the prophecy, so you hid away until the threat was gone. When Harry defeated Voldemort you believed that you were safe, unfortunately Voldemort's followers were livid. Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, along with Barty Crouch Jr. targeted you, demanding to know Voldemort's location. She was adamant he could not be dead, she had deluded herself into believing the Order captured Voldemort and somehow you knew his location. They tortured you until your minds broke, a fate worse than death," Hermione cried, remembering Neville accepting the empty wrapper from his frail mother. She was sure Neville had an album filled with every wrapper she ever gave him. Hermione looked up, wiped her tears, and caught Alice's eye who also had tears in her eyes.
"He was a wonderful man your son, you would be so proud. His grandmother had unfathomable expectations of him, but he proved himself in the end. He visited you every time he was home, it destroyed him to see you and not know him, but he couldn't imagine not seeing you," Alice was holding onto Frank tightly as she cried for her son, they were alive, but he was an orphan. Alice stood up and walked towards Hermione, dropped to her knees before her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Thank you for saving us, now we can see our boy and tell him ourselves how proud we are," she whispered in Hermione's ear. Neville would have his parents. After a few moments they broke apart and Alice returned to her seat. Hermione looked around to see who was left, beside Frank sat a man she recognized from an article as Benjy Fenwick.
"Benjy Fenwick, you are an accomplished tracker and scout. Hunting down Death Eater safe houses and locations. Please for the love of Merlin practice your shield charms, have a portkey on you and always have someone near your location to come if needed," Hermione instructed.
"You're just telling me what to do, why don't you tell me what happened?" Benjy asked with a frown. Hermione knew Alice and Frank's fate was the saddest, but Benjy's was gruesome. She remembered shuddering and crying reading his newspaper article. His mother never got to bury him, that was all she asked for and her wish was never fulfilled. She ended up committing suicide weeks after her son's death, leaving behind a distraught daughter that fled to America.
"During a scouting mission you were caught, no one knows the specifics Benjy. You were alone, scheduled to meet Moody with intel from a new potential hide out. When Moody was called with aurors to a disturbance in the streets, a Dark Mark was found over the rubble. Benjy, they couldn't find enough of you, pieces were all they found," she explained sadly. The colour left Benjy's face as he thought of what spell could have done it.
"Blasting curse?" he asked
"That is what a lot of people speculated at the time. There were no suspects as no one knew if this was a low ranking hide out or an inner circle one. Unfortunately, your fate and Mr and Mrs Potter are the most difficult to work with. So many variables must be considered, therefore I will make you promise the same as I made them. If you are scouting a location, you will take a partner, I don't care if they aren't as skilled as you, you need someone watching your back in the streets," Hermione looked at him sternly. He nodded immediately, he didn't want to die and leave behind his sister and mother. Finding nothing but pieces of him would break his mother, his sister would not survive without their mother. They were the closest Hufflepuff family that stood by each other through everything, to lose one would shatter them.
"Edgar Bones, you will be targeted by Death Eaters for your association with the Order, your stance against Voldemort, and your outspoken sister joining the Auror ranks. Marlene McKinnon's family is also targeted. Both attacks are similar as they strike your homes. Edgar, the Death Eaters target your wife and young son, your daughter escapes and Marlene's whole family perishes. The Death Eaters implement the same tactics for both attacks; fires are set around the house, anti-apparition wards set up, as well as anti portkey wards, and finally the house is warded from the outside so no windows or doors can be broken or opened. During Marlene's attack we lose Dorcas Meadowes, while Emmeline Vance is struck down by Voldemort personally at Edgar's.
"To prevent similar attacks in our time, Ron and I devised some counter measures. Not every home can implement these measures, however for those is could be done we heard it was largely successful. Anyone who could build a tunnel, or some form of bridge from their roof, would use that to escape just outside the wards. They would be accessed via hidden passageways, so Death Eaters could not detect how targets were escaping. My recommendation is that each of you modify your homes as soon as possible. Build tunnels that include Apparition points for Order members to arrive to help from the inside, help children escape or anyone injured. Because our war was completely in the open, the only homes really targeted were muggleborn houses. Magical homes became too protected, too difficult to infiltrate and when they did break through, everyone would have already escaped. The same cannot be said of this time, magical homes were so strongly protected in my time because of the magical community had to learn from this war," finished Hermione. She sat back in her chair and waited for someone to speak, take charge of the next part.
"Miss Granger, I was curious about myself?" asked an older wizard, Ephias Doge.
"Ephias Doge, you, Dedalus Diggle, both were alive during the summer before we went on the run. However, after that I cannot be sure. Moody is the only one I didn't mention that's death I know, and he died during an event that won't even happen now," explained Hermione. Before Moody could even try saying something, she continued, "Harry won't be born to Lily and James, meaning he won't end up at the Dursley's. In turn, the battle in the sky to move Harry will not happen, therefore Moody will not fall."
"Wonderful," Dumbledore announced to the room. Wonderful was not quite how everyone was feeling currently, "Now Hermione you have written down each Horcrux and it's location. Following Yule we will start retrieving the items and destroy them in one with fiendfyre," Hermione was about to interrupt him when he raised his hand, "Which I can control."
Hermione's mouth snapped shut, if he could control it then go ahead. She wanted no part in that curse again, witnessing a schoolmate perish in it was not something you could forget. Hermione didn't want to go on another horcrux hunt; however, she knew she was having difficulty relinquishing control to the man who played puppet with them for years for these exact objects.
"I want to help retrieve them," she blurted out while the room discussed the best course of action.
"Miss Granger, I would have thought you would want to step back from all of this. Let someone else take the responsibility?" Dumbledore asked with a small knit in his eyebrows.
"All I want is to be there, be sure they are collected. If I don't see them all, I don't think I'll ever truly believe this is over," answered Hermione. Dumbledore's gaze softened and he nodded in understanding.
"Very well, you may accompany a team to the location and help if necessary," agreed Dumbledore. They finished up the meeting, Dumbledore stood speaking quietly with Moody and Benjy, and Hermione stepped off to stand by the fireplace.
"Hermione dear, I do hope you come for Yule hols. Charlie would love to see you again, he was so enamoured by you," Mrs Weasley chuckled.
"Of course Mrs Weasley, I would love to come for the holidays. Charlie was so cute, I can't believe how little he is!" Hermione giggled.
"Don't let him hear you say that, he is a big boy now as he likes to remind me," replied Mrs Weasley lovingly, "Now please, call me Molly. My brothers will join us as well, so please ignore their outrageous behaviour, they can be quite loud. I will send an owl to you about our holiday plans and send you some treats to feed you up. Far too skinny dear," she shook her head. Hermione laughed at Mrs Weasley-Molly- for referring to Fabian and Gideon as being loud and outrageous, wait until she met her next boys.
"Shall we be going Miss Granger?" asked Professor McGonagall. Hermione nodded and gave Molly one more hug farewell.
"Moody, look out! The Warrior Queen is leaving!" called out Fabian.
"Yeah Moody, you can go back to your old grouchy self!" laughed Gideon.
Hermione laughed and shook her head at the boys, she could get used to living with the new Weasley dynamic. In a flash of green Hermione was back in Dumbledore's office followed by Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Thank you for attending Miss Granger, I will inform you when another meeting is scheduled," Dumbledore said as he sat behind his desk. Hermione bid her professors farewell and left the headmaster's office. She made her way towards Gryffindor Tower when she spotted James, a smile immediately breaking out on her face.
"Well, hello my beautiful witch, I missed you today," he whispered, pulling her into a hug. Hermione relaxed into him, returning the hug with a smile.
"I missed you too," she whispered, "I have so much to tell you!"
Together they walked back to the tower, she could feel his warmth but he wasn't close enough to touch. Hermione was tempted to walk a little diagonal to be near him but resisted. She had noticed he was glancing behind him a lot, so perhaps the rat was following them. He led her not to the Gryffindor entrance, but the Head Dorm entrance. Once they entered, Hermione sat down on the couch and noticed James pull out the Map and check it over on the table. He seemed satisfied by what he saw and decided to fold the Map in a way they only saw the Head Dorm.
"So, Mi, what were all your meetings about that had you missing my presence all day?" he teased, his arm over the back of the couch, she could feel his hand grazing her shoulder. She laughed and pushed him playfully, she just wanted to touch him in any way she could.
"Well, this afternoon I picked up the ingredients to start the Wolfsbane Potion, and then this evening I had an Order meeting," she replied. She stiffened a bit at the thought of the meeting she just endured, but she pushed away the negatives and thought only of the positives.
"Did the meeting go badly?" he asked.
"Not badly no, just not easy," she sighed, "I bonded with Mrs Weasley, Molly, and she wants me to come live with them during the hols. It's more than I could ever ask for, to have some semblance of my old family back. Plus, I met Charlie Weasley, the sweetest, cutest, little dragon lover ever!"
"Should I be jealous?" James joked, Hermione scoffed and pushed his shoulder again.
"He was so cute, and then I had to go into a room and tell everyone how they would die," she said sadly. James listened to her talk about the meeting and how she had to speak to each individual Order member and advise them of their death and how she thought they could prevent it.
"Dumbledore asked you to do this?" he asked.
"He didn't ask me to give solutions, but James how can he ask me to just tell them how they would die? I can't look someone in the eye and tell them that without at least having thought about how I could help! Fuck, Benjy was in pieces! Pieces! How am I supposed to tell someone that and offer nothing of comfort?" Hermione cried. He talked to her more about how she was feeling from the meeting, for the most part she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, but she was still sad about her role in this time.
James diverted the conversation back to Charlie and Molly Weasley to cheer Hermione up before she fell asleep close to him on the couch. She fell asleep thinking of red-haired Weasley children, specifically the twins she was so excited to meet, and a content smile on her face.
A/N: Read and Review!
It may be a bit before I post my next chapter, so hopefully this holds you over until then! :)