AN: I just want to let you know that I am pretty much completely disregarding the known timeline for the first wizarding world. I am changing it so it fits my vision for how my plot will play out. I've done my research, so I know when everything is supposed to happen. I hope you understand my want to change things!
Thanks again for the follows and reviews!
Disclaimer: Don't own anything!
Chapter Fifteen: A Dance
Hermione stared at the date on the prophet. 31 October 1975. She had six years. It seemed like a long time in theory, but she could feel the pressure increasing. Things would start picking up soon, if they weren't already.
The prophet today was wholly innocent and on some scandal at the ministry regarding a married man and a secretary, but all Hermione could look at was the date.
Hermione sighed and set it down.
"Men are pigs!" Exclaimed Marlene from across from her.
Hermione was upset to admit she had grown quite fond of Marlene. She was intelligent, kind, and put Sirius in his place when he needed it.
"Oi! Not all of us," said Sirius from next to her. He was digging into his food, but paused to give Marlene an amused look.
"You most of all, Black!"
Hermione snorted and Sirius looked over at her with an odd expression on his face.
"You doing alright, kitten?"
Hermione startled. Had she been that obvious?
"I am quite alright, thanks Sirius." She looked back down at the paper with a frown.
October 31
She reached up and quickly flipped it over.
Sirius narrowed his eyes.
"Offended by the prophet?"
She growled out, "Try offended by the date!"
Sirius opened his mouth to ask a question, but before he could say anything Remus slid into the seat beside Hermione. Sirius watched with narrowed eyes as Remus gently ran a hand over the back of her curls affectionately. He could've sworn he also saw his hand reach for Hermione's leg under the table as well.
"Good morning," Remus said joyfully.
That was another thing. Remus wasn't joyful.
"Morning, Remus," whispered Hermione. She gave him a small smile that had Sirius sick to his stomach. Him and Moony had had a small talk and agreed to get over their differences, but Remus hadn't mentioned anything about Hermione. He'd just confessed how guilty he felt, and that he hated himself for attacking his friend. Someone who'd been for him again and again which was precisely why Sirius had to suck it up.
"Good morning, Moony," Sirius drawled from across the table.
Remus gave him a curious look before turning to the platters in front of him. He watched as Remus fixed a cup of tea with a half spoonful of sugar and a dash of honey before carefully placing it in front of Hermione. She in turn spread some orange marmalade on a slice of toast and put it on his plate.
"Moony, can't you fix your own toast?" James said around a mouthful of eggs.
Hermione smirked at James, "Would you like me to fix you some as well, Jamie?"
James gave her a begging look and said, "Yes, please."
Hermione laughed and fixed some toast with some strawberry jam.
Her smile dropped when she noticed the floating pumpkins that Dumbledore had charmed to float.
She sighed and finished her cup of tea off.
Her to-do list today involved speaking to Hagrid and then Dumbledore.
"Hermione!"
Hermione poked her head around to look at Lily from a few people down.
"Don't forget to meet us in the fifth year girl's dorm after lunch to get ready!"
Hermione scowled at her.
"Don't give me that face!"
"Hermione, you know it's going take us at least three hours to run a brush through that hair," laughed Dorcas. Hermione reached up and touched her hair.
"I'm aware," she growled.
James and Sirius were snickering across the table. Hermione launched a kick at one of their shins and smirked when Sirius yelped. James just laughed harder.
She threw her bag over her shoulder and stood.
"I'll get there when I get there, Lils." Lily narrowed her eyes, "Worse comes to worse you can cut it all off."
"Oh my! I would never!"
"I have to run to the library now. I'll speak to everyone later!" She squeezed Remus's shoulder and started on her way out of the Great Hall.
The first thing she needed to do was speak to Hagrid.
Hermione stood in front of Hagrid's hut trying to ignore the barrage of memories assaulting her senses.
She could smell his treacle fudge and peppermint humbugs. Hear phantoms of Harry and Ron explaining the word Mudblood to her for the first time. See ghosts of three friends squeezed under an invisibility cloak and Hagrid's pets. Feel the cobwebs and rough chairs and warmth of fire.
She sucked in a deep breath and knocked on the large door.
She held her breath as she heard his large footsteps echoing behind it.
When the door swung open she couldn't contain her smile.
"Hullo, Hagrid."
The huge man looked shocked to see her. She was mad at herself for not visiting sooner.
She'd smiled at him at the Order meetings, but she was yet to have spoken to him in private.
When it was made clear that he wasn't going to say anything she tilted her head to the side and said, "May I come in?"
He immediately jumped to the side and said, "Oh blimey! Yes. Sorry 'ermione."
That was another thing she'd missed. His West country accent and lilting way he'd said her name.
He walked in and he said jovially, "I've just made some rock cakes, mind you! You like one?"
Hermione took a seat at one of the wooden chairs and shook her head, "No, thank you, Hagrid. I just ate breakfast, but perhaps later."
"Alright, then." He set the plate down and fell down into his oversized and holey armchair. "What can I do ya fer, 'ermione?"
Hermione sighed and pulled out a piece of parchment and quill. "I actually was hoping you could tell me everything you know about basilisks."
Hagrid blanched and gave her a weary look.
"I have read about them, but I was hoping you might have some helpful tips or information. You know more about magical creatures than anyone I know."
Hagrid blushed heavily at the compliment. "Now, lass, you're going to make me cry."
"That wasn't my intention, Hagrid. I just speak the truth." A fact she'd learned her first year at Hogwarts was that flattery got you a long way with Hagrid.
The half-giant cleared his throat and leaned back, "Well, I'm 'fraid there's not much known besides what ya read in the books."
"Yes, roosters."
"Aye."
"Is there anything else you know of that might be of help?"
"I'm guessin' ya know all about their eye thing."
"Yes, of course. In my time, I looked at one through a mirror. I was petrified for a few months."
Hagrid sniffled and said, "So young." He pulled a tablecloth sized handkerchief from his coat and blew his nose. Hermione winced at how loud even just that noise was from him. "It's not fair!"
Hermione stood and reached up to pat him on the shoulder. Even sitting on the chair, he was taller than her.
"There, there, Hagrid! I'm quite alright, now. I got revived as you can see!"
Hagrid wailed and Hermione tried not to laugh. He was just the same as she remembered.
"I missed you, Hagrid."
She was giving him a thankful smile when he finally looked up from behind the handkerchief.
"You have always been a trusted friend."
Hagrid sniffled and said, "Well, that just warms my heart, 'ermione."
Hermione beamed.
"I'm 'fraid all I can do to help ya with the basilisk would be gettin ya some roosters."
"Oh, but Hagrid! That's wonderful!"
He smiled at her.
"Really?"
"Quite! It would be a great help!"
Hagrid puffed up. "I do what I can!"
"Thank you, Hagrid!" She threw her arm around his neck for a quick hug before turning and grabbing her things.
"I suppose we'll be coming a couple days after Christmas. You be sure to let me know if you need anything, Hagrid."
"Come visit more, 'ermione. I love the company."
"Of course."
She smiled and thanked him one more time before making her way out the large door.
Dumbledore told her he was planning on going after the Gaunt Ring the last week before Christmas.
Hermione was dreading any kind of outing with Dumbledore. He had a tendency to give her threats veiled as riddles that always left her shaken up for a while afterwards.
Hermione had put off going to the girl's dorms long enough. She presently stood in front of her wardrobe staring at the few dresses that Dorea had snuck into her trunk. She was at a complete loss.
She'd owled Dorea at the beginning of the week telling her about the dance, and Dorea had responded and asked if she had a date. Then she had strongly suggested Hermione wear the black sparkly dress reminiscent of 20s muggle fashion. It fell to mid thigh and had a modest neckline, but Hermione had groaned. It was so flashy and attention drawing, and she had no intention of wearing anything with those qualities. Her other two dresses weren't terrible better though. There was a deep purple one made of soft fabric. It parted up the side and had a neckline that made her not too comfortable. The last one was emerald and even shorter than the first. Overall, her options weren't too good.
Dorea must've somehow known about the dance, and done this intentionally, the sneaky snake. Hermione had gathered all the dresses in her arms and sprinted up the steps to the girls dorms, barefoot and mid-panic attack.
The boys, which had been sitting with a view of the stairs, had watched in amusement as Hermione tripped a couple times over the trailing fabric and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Lily Evans! Help me!"
When she'd disappeared behind the door with a slam, they'd all started laughing.
"It seems a school dance might be a tad bit scarier to her than evil wizards," said Peter under his breath.
"I'm not surprised. Kitten isn't exactly the type to worry about the material things in life."
Meanwhile, Hermione was near tears on the floor of the dorm with four girls surrounding her.
Marlene and Mary were holding up the dresses in awe as Lily hugged Hermione.
"I can't wear these!"
"If you don't, Mary and I sure as hell will!"
Dorcas slapped Marlene's arm and said, "They're Hermione's dresses!"
"With Hermione's permission of course," said Mary with a hopeful expression.
Hermione sniffled and said, "I refuse to go."
Lily frowned. "Remus will probably cry if you tell him you don't want to go."
Hermione scoffed. "He won't cry!"
Lily gave her a look and said, "No. You're right. He'll probably just look at you with his sad green eyes and say, 'if that's what you wish, Hermione. Anything for you, Hermione.' And then he'll spend the rest of the night making sure you have a wonderful time in the common room all whilst thinking about how it was the first time he would have a date to a dance, and she still didn't want to go with him."
Hermione gave her a withering look and whispered, "You're not playing fair."
"Yes, well, telling Remus yes and then backing out isn't fair."
Hermione started sniffling again. "But, Lils…" She looked at the other girls to make sure they were distracted before leaning forward to say, "None of them have long sleeves."
Lily smiled and said, "Is that all you're worried about?"
Hermione frowned at the frivolous way she asked the question, "Of course, that's what I am worried about, you twat!"
Lily blushed at the curse, but then smiled gently. "Hermione, you know I can fix that with a simple charm?"
This time it was Hermione's turn to blush.
"I didn't…"
Lily patted her arm affectionately.
"Marlene! Mary! The lady would like some sleeves on the black dress."
Hermione's eyes widened and she paled. "The black one?"
Lily just smirked and said, "Definitely the black one."
Mary held it up and Dorcas started giggling. "Bloody hell, Hermione. Remus is going to piss himself!"
Hermione groaned.
Hermione was shifting nervously in front of the mirror in the girl's mirror. The dress was now long sleeved with a modest neckline and a mid-thigh hemline. She was glad it was rather loose fitting, and in the style of a shift dress. She'd talked to the girls into leaving her hair be, but they'd held her down in order to apply light mascara and lip gloss. She was thankful her hair and face were natural looking, but the dress was nicer than anything she'd ever worn.
Mary came up behind her in Hermione's emerald dress and beamed.
"You look beautiful, Hermione."
"You as well, Mary."
Mary smiled and looped her arm through Hermione's and started pulling her towards the door. Lily, Dorcas, and Marlene had already gone down.
Hermione was stumbling and scowling by the time she made it downstairs, and sitting there waiting at the bottom was Remus.
Remus looked up when he heard someone stumbling down the stairs. He had borrowed a pair of Sirius's dress robes and he was extremely uncomfortable. He felt totally out of his element and the first thing he noticed when he looked up at his date, was that she was feeling the same.
She looked beautiful. He found himself glad she hadn't done anything to her hair.
He beamed up at her with a small blush on his face and immediately jumped to his feet.
"Hermione, you are a vision."
He reached for her hand and she stepped away from Mary to wrap her arms around his waist.
"Remus, you look dashing."
He kissed the side of her head before pulling back and offering his arm.
He was still blushing by the time they made it to the Great Hall. Hermione was immediately relieved upon the realization that she was dressed far more casually than nearly every girl in attendance. Most had taken the occasion to wear large ball gowns and fitted dress robes.
Remus led Hermione to a table where Peter, James, and Sirius were leaning together and whispering like mad.
"What are they up to?"
Remus smiled down at her and said, "My guess is distracting McGonagall long enough to spike the punch."
Hermione narrowed her eyes and walked up to them.
"You lot should do your best to keep out of trouble."
The boys looked up at her with guilty expressions, and Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. Hermione's gaze zeroed in on James. James whose fate she had been thinking about all day. James who she had come to consider as her brother, the same way she had done for his orphaned son in the future. He was holding a bottle that must be filled with fire-whiskey, but was glamoured to look like a bottle of pumpkin juice. Not very original, but she could use a drink,
She ignored the way Sirius looked up and down her form and snatched the glamoured bottle from James's hand. She took a few deep gulps, ignored the burn, and handed it back to James. She'd indulged only once before at the taunting of Harry and Ron.
"I'll distract Mcgonagall. You'll get caught otherwise."
All the boys were staring at her with both concern and awe. They'd all noticed how she'd been off all day, and Sirius hadn't forgotten the way she'd reacted to the date on the prophet.
Hermione ignored their looks again and turned on her heel towards the refreshments table where McGonagall was keeping a keen eye on the large punch bowl.
She walked up to the woman with a purpose and when she stopped to the side of her she was smiling pleasantly.
"Hullo, Professor."
McGonagall smiled kindly at her and nodded.
"I was wondering if you'd quite mind answering a few questions for me on the current legislation on Werewolves and other creatures?" McGonagall gave her a questioning gaze and angled her body more towards her and away from the punch bowl. Hermione used all of her willpower not to glance over the woman's shoulder where she knew the boys must be sneaking up.
"And what are these questions, dear girl?"
Hermione hadn't gotten that far. It was the first question she'd thought of as she'd walked over.
"Well…" Hermione blushed, "You see. I care very much for a certain werewolf, and I am concerned for his welfare come graduation." McGonagall gave her a sad look.
"Yes, dear. I had noticed that certain attachment. Sadly, there isn't much to say. They must register, and the job opportunities are slim."
Hermione nodded in defeat. Now that she'd started this conversation she was quite involved. "Yes as I thought. Of course, I plan on making changes in the government once I am not so… occupied, but I am afraid once that time comes I will no longer be able to do so."
McGonagall balked. She knew what the girl was implying. "I believe if anyone has the ability to survive this war, no matter their task, it would be you, Miss Granger."
Hermione smiled. "I would hope so."
"Hope is the key ingredient to that result, my dear."
Hermione opened her mouth to agree when she felt a light hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Remus looking at her with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Care to dance, Miss Granger."
It wasn't until Hermione giggled that she realized that she was feeling a little warm after her quick and supple intake of whiskey.
Hermione dropped into a weak curtsy and took his hand. "It should be my honor, Mr. Lupin."
He pulled her to the dance floor with far more grace than she had ever seen from him, and despite the fact that the music coming from the band at the front wasn't playing a slow song, pulled her close to sway gently.
"You are a marvel, Hermione."
Hermione smirked and said, "I'll be using this as an excuse to order them around for months."
Remus laughed and pulled her closer, "I have to admit, I was surprised to see you down as much fire whiskey as you did."
Hermione sighed and rested her cheek on his chest. "Yes, well, Halloween is not a happy day for me."
"Will you tell me about it?"
"Not yet," she whispered.
He sighed and she felt him nod against the top of her head.
"Remus?"
"Yes?"
She stepped back to look up at him. She'd been thinking about this all day also. She needed to talk about it, but she really, really, didn't want to. This was part of the reason she'd had so much to drink.
"I'm afraid if you date me, Remus, you'll be tying yourself to a sinking ship." She said quietly. He was looking down at her with a frown on his face.
"I was sent here with a purpose." She blinked rapidly. She hated how much she understood Harry's motives in pushing people away now.
It saves people pain.
That's rubbish, Harry.
She shook her head to clear the voices and continued, "I shouldn't have let you kiss me."
He was frozen now. Holding his breath and holding her completely still in the middle of the dance floor.
"By letting you kiss me, I'm afraid I have led you on." She tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. "I am not meant to survive. I'm like a puzzle piece in the wrong puzzle box."
"Hermione, you aren't making sense."
She whispered, "I'm going to die, Remus."
This was the one thing she was sure of in this time. It would either be at the hand of Voldemort or sometime before then.
"I'm going to die, and you are tying yourself to me."
"You won't, Hermione!"
His eyes were amber and he was squeezing her so tightly it hurt. She hardly noticed.
"I can't make any promises, Remus. I can't say I would choose you over winning the war. I have a purpose, and I will finish my job at any costs."
"I'll take the risks, Hermione. Let us help."
"No," she said in a resolute voice.
He shook her and said, "You don't get to make this decision alone. I'll take the risks, Hermione. If you're tying yourself to a werewolf, I am tying myself to a dead woman. I'm making the decision."
Hermione hadn't expected him to fight her on it.
Maybe it was that surprise or the warmth coming from her drink. Maybe it was the idea that she wasn't going to have to do this alone.
She fell forward and cried into his shirt.
"Are you sure?"
His hold loosened and he gently wrapped her in his arms.
"More sure, than I have ever been."
She simply nodded into his shirt.
They danced through at least five more songs before someone pulled Remus away from her and a smug Sirius was standing in front of her. He swept her away before she could even say anything.
"You look especially beautiful tonight, kitten."
"Thanks, Sirius." She smirked up at him and said, "You look acceptable."
He gasped dramatically before reaching into the pocket of his robes and holding out a flask.
"Care for a little more liquid courage? You're going to need it when you dance with James. He's a fright."
She laughed and shook her head. "I think I'll manage."
He shrugged took a sip himself, and then starting spinning her in circles.
"Oh, Merlin! I believe you are a fright, Sirius!"
He slowed then and pulled her close when a slow song started.
He looked down at her with a serious expression.
"I saw you and Moony seemed to be having an intense talk earlier, and now your pretty face is all flushed like you've just had a good cry."
She looked up at him with narrowed eyes. She'd finally convinced Remus to tell her who the fight was with, though he didn't reveal any of the details.
"Everything's fine, Sirius."
He frowned at her and tucked a curl behind her hair, "I like that you kept your hair all wild and natural like normal. I love it this way. A fierce little lioness."
She blushed and looked away. It was then that she realized how close they were standing. She could see Remus leading a laughing Lily across the floor a ways away.
"Don't worry. Moony isn't looking, so feel free to ravage me."
She slapped his arm and yelled, "I will do no such thing."
"Oh, right! Only in my dreams."
Hermione laughed and looked up at him again. "Not even in your dreams, Sirius."
He smiled down at her with a tender expression. "Pity."
Next it was James who came up and stole her away. He led her around dramatically and with much fanfare.
He sang the words to the song loudly, and she finally left him with a mild headache and sore feet. She was heading to the chairs at the edge of the room when she was stopped yet again.
Peter jumped in front of her with a shy expression. She smiled indulgently and let him lead her in a sweet but awkward dance.
Then after that she turned everyone away and slunk into a chair partially hidden in the corner. She'd only had a few minutes of peace when someone sank gracefully into the seat beside her.
"Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"
She looked up in surprise at a miserable Severus. She'd continued to partner with him in Potions with the reason that they worked really well together. They hardly spoke, but he'd stopped glaring at her and had moved on to looking anywhere but at her. She'd say it was an improvement.
"Have you apologized?"
"Profusely. On my knees and otherwise."
Hermione sighed. "Was it in private or public?"
"Private, of course! I have no death wishes." Hermione looked at him sadly.
"I believe that is your problem, Severus. She has never been ashamed of you or your house. She's stood up for you over and over again, and you won't even publicly apologize for calling her the most derogatory term."
He looked up at her again, and her eyebrows flew up in surprise. "I think you forget, I am not a Gryffindor, Miss Granger."
Then he left in a flurry of dress robes.
Later that night Hermione stood guard at her door and for the first time since July, she told the boys that she would be sleeping on her own. It was a decision she'd made in light of the new thing with Remus. It made her nervous. At first all boys had protested until she looked James dead in the eye and said, "Remus and I are dating now. How do you feel about us sleeping in the same bed?"
James had absolutely lost it. Sirius had gave Remus a shocked expression. Peter had shrugged and started up the stairs. Remus had just looked at her with red cheeks and a giddy smile.
Hermione shut the door to complete pandemonium and collapsed in bed still in her dress.
AN: Thanks for reading!