Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't make money from this fic.
March 25, 1978 Hogwarts, Scotland - Hogwarts Library
Hermione gasped as Sirius lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist as he drove deep into her. His lips found hers and soon they were both panting and moaning, trying to keep quiet, as they hadn't put a silencing charm on the door to the broom closet. They hadn't had time.
The stress had gotten to the both of them recently. N.E.W.T.s were just around the corner, and they spent every waking moment either studying, or in classes. They hadn't had much time to spend together in far too long, and damn it, if Hermione didn't miss him.
She teased him all the time, as it was, hoping to get a rise out of him. She'd make clever innuendos that only he would catch, then watched him bite his tongue in front of their friends. She knew it would catch up to her and he'd snap on her eventually, but that's just what she was hoping for. Finally, as they were walking back from the library this afternoon, Hermione was arguing with him about whether or not sucking on the end of a quill, as was Hermione's habit, was healthy. Sirius had offered her a better option, and as soon as they'd found an empty broom closet, they jumped straight into it.
Hermione moaned louder than she meant to, one hand tangling in Sirius's hair, the other scratching his back over his shirt. He twisted his hips, hitting a new spot and muffling Hermione's groan with his mouth. He kissed her roughly, stepping up the pace even further, nipping his way up her neck, where he whispered in her ear.
"You gonna cum for me, Hermione?"
Just as he asked, he twisted his hips again, sending her toppling over the edge and she had to bite down on his shoulder to keep from screaming out. Sirius growled a bit as he finished himself, nuzzling Hermione's head up to give him access to her neck, where he bit down gently. Claiming her.
They held each other while their breathing slowed, Sirius still buried inside Hermione, her forehead resting against his.
"I love you." Sirius said, looking into her eyes. She was silent for the space of a heartbeat, looking up at him with big brown eyes. "You don't have to-"
"I love you, too." She said. He blinked, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"You- you mean it?" He asked sheepishly. Hermione nodded.
"You mean it?" She asked quietly. He kissed her passionately in response.
"Of course I mean it." He whispered against her lips.
"As much as I'd love to stay in your arms all night, James will be wondering where we are." Hermione said. "And my legs are falling asleep." He chuckled, pulling out and setting her down.
"James can bugger off, but I suppose if we must…" Sirius said, kissing her forehead.
"Do you really want a repeat of last year? He refused to talk to you for nearly two weeks last March after the full moon and you'd have thought someone drowned your puppy. Are you ever gonna tell me what happened with that?" Hermione asked, straightening her shirt and pulling her panties back on. Sirius hadn't had a chance to fully undress her. She saw him blush at that comment.
"Probably not. I was stupid, that's all you need to know. James and Peter yelled at me for it, then James gave me the silent treatment. It won't happen again." He said, adjusting himself and straightening his clothes. She nodded, looking him over. If he told her it wouldn't happen again, she trusted him. She kissed him once more before they slipped out of the broom closet and headed back to the common room.
June 14, 1978 Hogwarts, Scotland - The Grounds
"I can't believe we're finally done. I don't want to pick up another book for a year." James complained, laying back on the grass under the shade of an old tree by the head was in Lily's lap and she was leaning against the tree. This was one of their favorite spots during nice weather to just relax.
"What happened to being an auror?" Lily asked, playing with his hair.
"It'll happen." He said. "Eventually. I just sorta wanna take a break after school for a bit. Not like I have to work right after school." he said. "Besides, with you trying to get on at Gringotts, and everything going on with the Order, I'd never see you if we both work." Lily sighed.
"He has a point, Lily." Remus said.
"Besides," Sirius said, looking down at James from his spot in the tree above. "I'm not starting auror training til next year, anyway. Don't really need to with the Order, do we?"
"Well, I start Healer's training the second week of July." Hermione said, smirking up at Sirius from her spot next to Lily.
"You were accepted to the program, then? When did you find out?" Sirius asked, hopping down from his perch on the low branch.
"This morning. Got the owl shortly after breakfast." Hermione beamed.
"Congratulations, Hermione. I know you were hoping to get into that program." Remus said, smiling at her. "They must have gotten your N.E.W.T.s before you did." Hermione nodded.
"Did you hear back from that book store, Moony?" Peter asked, looking over at him from the lake, where he had his feet in the water.
"Yes. They respectfully rejected my application." He sighed. "Third rejection this week." he laughed, wryly.
"Don't worry about it, Moony." James said. "You're always welcome at the house. If you need money for anything, and I mean anything, you know we've got your back." James said, sitting up and looking his friend over. Remus nodded, giving him a smile, and only then did James return his head to Lily's lap.
"What about you, Peter? How's the job search going?" Lily asked.
"Got the job at the apothecary, the one in Hogsmeade." He said, shrugging. "It's part-time, though. So I'll still have plenty of free time."
"When do you start?" Hermione asked.
"Second week of July." He said. "Gonna live at home for the first bit. Save up some money."
"Yeah, Hermione and I are doing the same." James said.
"You're not moving in with Sirius?" Peter asked Hermione. "Thought for sure, after Christmas-"
"Not right away, no. I want to get used to being my own person first. And I think Sirius needs a chance to truly make it on his own for a bit." She said.
"I'm still not sure leaving him alone is a good idea." Remus smirked at his friend.
"Well, considering I'll still be seeing you at least once a month anyway, I won't be totally alone." Sirius said.
"We're- still going to do that?" Remus asked.
"Of course, we're still going to do that." James said. "Brothers, remember? Just because we're leaving school doesn't mean we're leaving each other."
"Suppose you're right." Remus said thoughtfully. "I'll still transform, regardless. Might as well do it with friends."
"I know a great spot in the Forest of Dean." Hermione said. "I'll take Sirius one day so he can show you." Sirius nodded and Remus smiled at her.
"Not sure what I did to deserve you lot," Remus said, shaking his head, "But I'm glad I have you."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Moony." Peter said, grinning at him. Hermione smiled when she saw Peter's smiled was genuine.
July 5, 1978 Wimbourne, England - Potter Residence, Gardens
Hermione sat on the swing in the gardens, watching the festivities around her with a smile on her face. She could hardly believe it had been two years since she'd stumbled into this time. She marvelled when she remembered the her first month in the Potter Residence, and how warm and accepting the boys had been, but a pang of guilt struck her when she thought of the lies that had been necessary. She knew she'd have to tell them soon. There was no way around it, even though she had better control over her visions these days.
She sighed, scrubbing a tired hand down her face. She'd rested up plenty during her break after N.E.W.T.s, but she was still tired, and wasn't quite ready to start in on her Healer's training that was to begin in just over a week. She hoped that the Healer's training would help her become a bigger asset to the it meant she'd have less time to devote to figuring out her visions and how she affected time, she also hoped she could help save lives with some formal training.
Hermione jumped when she felt someone behind her grab the ropes of the old swing, but just giggled when she felt Sirius press a kiss to her temple.
"Returned to your habit of hiding from the party, have you?" Sirius asked.
"I'm not hiding from the party. I'm observing it."
"People watching, eh?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her.
"Trying to figure out when James is gonna pop the question. He's been a bundle of nerves all day. It has to be today." Hermione said quietly, with a grin.
"I think you're right." Sirius said. "He's been carrying the ring in his pocket for a month solid. I think he wanted to do it on the train, but he needed to ask her dad, still."
"Aunt Effie is about as nervous as he is. Afraid she'll say no, I think." Hermione said.
"I don't think she will." Sirius said.
"There's no way she will." Hermione giggled. "Look." She said, nodding over to where Lily had just asked James to hand her a fork for her food. Hermione had seen him slip a hand in his pocket just before he grabbed the fork.
"Don't bugger this, Prongs." Sirius muttered, into Hermione's hair.
They watched as he made his way over to her, then pretended to trip, stumbling and landing on one knee, dropping the fork and holding up a white box. From where Hermione was sitting, she could only see part of James's face, but she knew him well enough to know he was wearing a big goofy grin at his own cleverness. Lily, however, didn't look impressed. At first, she looked worried, and when she saw the ring, she actually smacked James in the shoulder.
"Oh stop that, you. I thought you were done being silly." She said. But when James didn't move, her face changed to one of awe and surprise. "You- you're serious?"
"Lily Evans, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He asked.
"Merlin, James," She said, a hand covering her mouth. She nodded, launching herself into his arms. "Yes!" Everyone present burst out into applause as the couple kissed and James slipped the ring on Lily's finger. Hermione and Sirius wore identical grins for their best friends.
Sirius squeezed Hermione closer to him, kissing her temple again.
"I love watching our friends fall in love." Sirius told her. She nodded, leaning back into him. "You know, Hermione, I can't help thinking about the future. With this war, and everything going on, it all looks so dark. But moments like this, with our friends and each other, the love and light, it gives me hope."
"Me too, Sirius." she murmured, rubbing circled on his arm with her thumb.
"And I can't keep myself from the thinking, hoping. Maybe one day you'll marry me." He said. She could feel him grinning, could hear it in his voice. She turned her body to look him over, but he seemed sincere about that hope. Hermione's heart melted, and she hugged him close.
"One day." She said, before standing. "Let's go congratulate Lily and James. I'm sure they could use a break from Aunt Effie's doting." Sirius laughing and nodded.
"We're really too kind, rescuing them from her. Should let them suffer a bit longer." He said, but he followed her back to the party where Hermione was met with excited squeals from Lily and Sirius clapped James on the back.