Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't make money off this fic.
September 1, 1976 Hogwarts, Scotland - Gryffindor Common Room
Hermione sunk into the chair by the fire, a familiar sense of peace coming over her. She recalled her days as a first year, when she'd stuck to the common room and the library to avoid being called names. In those days, at least early on, Harry and Ron weren't very good friends, and she'd spent a lot of time in the first floor girl's bathroom, crying.
She knew this year would not be like that. She had James and Sirius to make sure of that. Hermione didn't want to repeat the experience of a fighting off a mountain troll with nothing more than a levitation spell. From what she knew of James and Sirius, that was just the sort of thing that would give them a thrill. No, she'd much prefer to study in the library, keep her head down, and read up on time as much as she could get away with without being conspicuous.
However, Dumbledore, in an attempt to help Hermione blend in, had only made her stand out by recognizing her in the opening feast. Facing hundreds of curious faces and hearing the whispers about her in the quiet room had been the opposite of helpful. Hermione was just glad that the boys around her, as well as Lily Evans and Gideon Prewett, threw glares at anyone who attempted to talk badly of her to them. It gave her hope that she could actually figure out how to make the best of her last two years, trapped in another time.
Sirius sat down beside her in the common room, then, pulling her out of her head.
"You know, I'm really glad you're a Gryffindor." he said. She looked up at him with a half smile.
"Why's that?" She asked. He shrugged.
"Got used to seeing you everyday." he said. "I don't think it'd be the same if we were different houses. Usually families that get split up- they don't talk after a while." he sighed.
"Like you and your brother?" Hermione asked. Sirius looked up at her, confused as to how she knew.
"James told me," She said. She'd talked to James about a lot, actually. She was surprised how much he opened up to her.
"Damn it. He never knows when to shut his sodding trap about me," He swore angrily.
"He just cares about you, Sirius." She told him.
"Sometimes I wish he'd care a little less." the boy sulked.
"What's so bad about me knowing you and your brother had a falling out? I'm family, remember? Besides, from what you've told me about my lovely Aunt Walburga, I'm sure every pureblood worth their salt knows, anyway." Hermione scowled. She had a mental image of the portrait of Walburga which hung in the hall at Grimmauld place and she had to repress a shudder.
"I suppose nothing." Sirius said, still sulking a bit.
"Then cheer up. Besides, he can't possibly be that bad." Hermione said, giving him a small smile.
"Oh, he's my father made over." Sirius rolled his eyes. "Just wait, you'll meet him, I'm sure."
Hermione knew it was inevitable that she met Regulus, but she hoped it wouldn't be soon. She'd heard nothing good of the boy, but she pitied Sirius for having no family other than the Potters and her. A tinge of worry settled in her mind regarding Regulus, but she couldn't quite place it. Something felt off to her about the Black brothers. She shook her head to clear it. There was no use worrying over something she couldn't place. She stood, stretching.
"I'm headed to bed. I'll see you in the morning." She told Sirius.
"Good night, Hermione." Sirius said, seemingly lost in thought as he stared at the fire. She frowned a little, but shrugged it off and made her way up to her room.
The other girls were already there, getting ready for bed, or already asleep. Hermione sat on her bed, just as Lily Evans came out of the bathroom.
"Oh! So you are rooming with us then?" Lily said, smiling at Hermione.
"Yeah, suppose I am." Hermione said, warmly. She was surprised how easily Lily accepted her. It was as effortless as breathing for the other girl, it seemed.
"Well, as you know, Hermione, I'm Lily." She started, then started pointing around the room. "That's Emmaline Vance, best Seeker Gryffindor's had in years." Emmaline nodded to Hermione as she looked up at her. "Mary MacDonald, girl's got a knack for Charms and a bit of a crush on Sirius Black."
"I do not!" Mary protested, but Lily just chuckled.
"And Greta Catchlove, she's asleep, just there." Lily pointed at the bed with the drawn curtains.
"Nice to meet you all." Hermione said to the two other girls. They smiled at her and Hermione began preparing for bed. Classes wouldn't start until Monday, but she'd had a long day. She needed the rest.
Reaching into her trunk, she pulled out her sleep clothes, along with a new bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion Sirius had given her before they left Wimbourne. She changed in the bathroom after washing up, and took the potion in the bathroom as well, away from the prying eyes of her roommates.
She slipped out of the bathroom and readied her outfit for the next morning, slipping the potion back into her trunk in the process. Finally, exhausted, Hermione crawled into her bed, drawing her curtains around her, before drifting to sleep.
September 10, 1976 Hogwarts, Scotland - The Hospital Wing
Hermione, James, Sirius, and Peter sat around Remus's bed, filling him in on what he'd missed in classes. Hermione hated that his 'furry little problem', as the boys called it, had pulled him away from the first full week of class. She'd taken excellent notes, as usual, and had even gone so far as to copy them for Remus.
She was surprised, actually, how many N.E.W.T. classes she shared with the boys. The five of them took Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Charms together, but only James and Sirius took Potions with Hermione. Similarly, Remus was the only one to take Astronomy with Hermione. The only class Remus had without Hermione was Herbology, which he took with James.
James and Sirius were more than happy to let Hermione copy Remus's notes, as it appeared they rarely took notes themselves. McGonagall called on them often, and thought they nearly always got the answers correct, it didn't keep them from making jokes and sniggering at the expense of some poor soul.
"So, how's the new Defense professor? Just as dreadful as last year's?" Remus asked, flipping through Hermione's notes for that class.
"Sabine's his name. Ex-Auror. Seems a bit off his rocker to me." James said.
"He's a bit out there, yeah." Sirius muttered. "Think the stress got to 'im, personally. Why else would you retire at thirty?"
"Maybe he had an injury?" Peter suggested. "He does sort of favor his left hand." James shrugged.
"I think he's alright, regardless. Hasn't given us homework once yet!" he exclaimed.
"Bit odd to not have homework in a N.E.W.T. class, isn't it?" Remus said. Sirius shrugged.
"He prefers hands-on stuff. It's mostly been a revision on stunners and Disarming Charms. All practical, hardly anything new yet." Sirius told him.
"Can't say the same for Charms, though. Flitwick's been having us turn vinegar into wine." Hermione said. "Non-verbals are coming soon, in every class."
"I think they plot against us, really." Sirius said.
"'Plot against us?' Honestly, Sirius, they're teachers! They're trying to help us!" Hermione said.
"Doesn't mean they can't gang up on us and hit us with non-verbals all at the same time." Sirius said.
"If I were a teacher, I'd think it would be extremely helpful if my colleagues could go over similar course material at the same time, Sirius." Remus pointed out.
"Yes, well, as a student, it just means doing the same monotonous course work in three separate classes." he yawned, stretching. "I'm gonna hit the hay. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah, Moony?" Sirius said, standing.
"Yeah, I should be good to come back to the room tomorrow." Remus said.
"I should go, too. Fabien is holding Quidditch trials tomorrow." James sighed, standing as well.
"Already? He's not wasting any time as Captain, is he?" Sirius asked.
"Seems not." James said, looking at the two still sitting. "Coming, Peter? Hermione?" Peter stood at once, but Hermione shook her head.
"I'm gonna stay a bit longer. I wanted to go over some Astronomy homework." Hermione said. The other boys nodded.
"Sure you can make it up the stairs alright? There's a few more here than at home." James said, half joking, though his eyes were serious.
"I'll be fine." Hermione said, making eye contact with first James, then Sirius. "If I'm not back in an hour, then worry." She told them, attempting to lighten the mood with a small smile. They both nodded once, completely serious, then turned and quit the ward, Peter in tow. Hermione sighed.
"Something tells me this isn't about Astronomy homework." Remus said, looking Hermione over. She giggled.
"I'm just glad the others aren't as perceptive as you." Hermione said, smiling.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Remus countered. "Sirius and James are many things, but dense is not one of them."
"They sure act like it sometimes." Hermione muttered. "I just wanted to talk to you face to face. I know that they told you I know about this-" Hermione gestured to his bed and the ward in general, "but I wanted to actually talk to you about it."
"There's nothing to say, 'Mione." He said. "I am what I am, and you know about it. Considering you're still my friend, and can stand to be around me, there's not much more to discuss."
"I just feel so bad about not being able to help you more." She said. "Collecting notes and assignments is all well and good, but I just wish I could do something more to help you. Like the boys." Hermione sighed. She looked down, but then felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hermione, I protested James, Sirius, and Peter doing what they did for months last year. It helped, but if something were to happen to one of them because of me-" Remus said.
"You'd never forgive yourself. I know. I just- I feel so useless. In this and in life these days. It's like I'm a spectator instead of on the Quidditch pitch." Hermione said. Remus cracked a half smile.
"Didn't peg you for one to want to be on the pitch," Remus chuckled.
"On a real one, no way. But the metaphorical pitch, you know, life?" Hermione sighed once more. "Maybe I'm just being too introspective, too philosophical."
"No, I don't think you are. So what's keeping you from quitting the stands and hopping on a broom?" Remus asked.
"I don't know what position to play." Hermione said. "James, he's a Chaser, through and through, all about the action and achieving the goals he sets for himself. Sirius is a Beater. Fiercely protective of his friends, and will bloody a nose in a heartbeat. You, Remus. You're a Keeper. You make sure that, even if one of the others slips up, the team doesn't fail because of it."
"And Peter? What's he?" Remus asked. Hermione frowned.
"One would think, given the relationship the four of you have, that he'd be a Seeker, always on the lookout, with his eyes on the prize. And I think that's the role he tries to play, but can I be honest?" Hermione asked, looking to Remus. He nodded.
"Peter is stuck in the crowd, too. He follows the path of least resistance and does what he must to be accepted by the popular people. He doesn't think for himself, he thinks with the herd. I've seen far too many people with that mentality. I can recognize it from a mile away." She told him. Remus nodded, solemnly.
"Hermione, based on what you just told me, I think I know where you fit." Remus smiled. She raised an eyebrow. "You're right, Peter is more of a groupie, he always has been. James and Sirius bonded a lot in first year, and they stood up for him after Lucius Malfoy, a Slytherin, decided he was a prime target for bullying. He's stuck to them ever since. Anyone who can read into that sort of thing after about a week around Peter has the eye on a Seeker, if I ever saw one."
"You think?" Hermione asked.
"I know. Think about it, Hermione. How often do you hang back and watch how things play out? You see the bigger picture, and your planning is impeccable." Remus smiled. "I know James had a theory about you being a Seer, and no matter the validity of that, there's no doubt in my mind that that's where you fit. But if you don't think so, it's your life. Make it what you want it to be." Hermione grinned broadly at him.
"No, I think you're right. I think I'd fit quite well in that role." She said. "I knew you'd understand. James hates when I talk in metaphors."
"It's cause he doesn't understand poetry." Remus shrugged. "Says people should say what they mean and mean what they say. Sirius is the better bet when it comes to that stuff."
"Really? I didn't take Sirius for someone interested in poetry." Hermione said. Remus grinned.
"You didn't hear it from me, but try quoting some Shakespeare around him sometime. You'll be surprised." Remus winked. Hermione giggled.
"I'll do that. But I'd better get going before they send out a search party. I'll see you tomorrow?" Hermione asked, standing and hugging her friend.
"I'll be at breakfast." He said. "Be careful on the stairs, yeah?" He told her.
"I will. Night." She said, waving as she turned on her heel and left the Hospital Wing.
Hermione found herself on the third floor corridor, do to a rather inconvenient staircase which decided it wanted to move while she climbed it. She was a little annoyed, but having dealt with situations like this for the past five years, Hermione knew a shortcut that would get her to the seventh floor landing, and into the common room, in no time.
That is, until the her vision began to swim and she had to reach out to a statue to keep herself from falling over. Her vision went black, then came back into focus.
She was no longer in Hogwarts, but rather in a stately mansion, dimly lit as though by a fireplace. Two men stood in front of a seated man.
"Well, Abraxas, what has your son discovered?" the seated man, Voldemort, said.
"Lucius was in Hogsmeade during the first weekend Hogwarts students were allowed down. He asked around, Avery and Snape, two of his contacts, Death Eater hopefuls, came forward. The child's name is Potter. Hermione Potter. They say she's smart, but standoffish."
"What house?" Voldemort demanded.
"Gryffindor, sir. According to Lucius, Snape tried to extend an olive branch to see if she could be persuaded to our cause. She refused."
"Then she's a threat." the cold voice came.
And just like that her vision blacked out again, only to return to her a moment later. She was clutching the statue with white knuckles, her heart beating fast. She heard footsteps then, and attempted to straighten up, but ended up falling over instead.
"Hermione?" She heard the voice say. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was Gideon. She looked up at him, her head feeling funny. "Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospi-" Gideon asked, kneeling beside her. She shook her head.
"No, I'm fine, I just need sleep. Could you help me to the tower?" She said, trying to stand. Gideon immediately wrapped a strong arm around her, helping her stand. He kept one arm about her waist as they began walking, taking the shortcut Hermione had been heading towards earlier.
Before long, they were back in the common room, and Hermione was able to walk on her own. However, Gideon wouldn't let her go that easily.
"What happened back there, Hermione?" he asked.
"I get spells of vertigo sometimes. It's usually not a huge problem, that was the worst attack I've had in awhile." She explained. He nodded.
"I don't want you walking alone, especially at night. If you need someone, I'll be more than happy to have a prefect-"
"I understand your concern, Gideon," She interrupted, "but I'm fine. Tonight was an isolated event. It won't happen again." I hope. She added, mentally. "Now if you'll excuse me, I really should get some rest."
Hermione extracted herself from the man's grasp and headed upstairs. The other girls were all seemingly asleep, and so Hermione changed, then took her potion from the drawer and gulped down a bit. She quietly replaced the potion, and lay down. She didn't notice the open curtains around the bed next to her, and she certainly wouldn't imagine that its occupant would pretend to be asleep just to watch her surroundings.