A/N: Before I forget, DO NOT OWN anything here (sadly)!
I'm beginning to not regret posting my writing online. I normally hate having people read it, but I've actually gotten mostly positive feedback. Sorry it took so long to update, I did get one bad review that I probably obsessed over too much haha. Anyway, I'm back! :) Also, I'm finding it extremely fun to write this by-play relationship that Hermione has with the Marauders! It's great! I'm thinking I'm going to pair her with Remus, but I'm still not decided. If you want, you can let me know which you prefer in the comments. :) I'll take the comments into account when making the final decision. BTW: The options are either Remus or Regulus.
The next weekend, I am walking to the library when I'm suddenly pulled behind a portrait and pushed against a wall. Before I even think about my actions, my wand is at my attackers throat, and their back's against the wall instead of mine as I stare up into their eyes defiantly. I realize that who I'm currently threatening is Remus and release him as he stares in shock. "Sorry, just er- don't ever try to do that again." I notice that James, Sirius, and Peter are also staring at me, stunned.
James is the first to recover, "Wow. That was a fast reaction!"
"That was beautifully executed, Hermione!" Sirius grins.
"G-good job!" Peter says.
"Great response to an attack, 'Mione; I will definitely not be surprising you again any time soon, though." Remus chuckles. "How did you get to be so fast?"
"Er- my Father is super paranoid." They look confused. "Dad thinks that because of the fact that the Headmaster is my Uncle, someone may either try to hurt me, use me against Uncle Albus, or both at the same time. Hence, teaching my practical application until I have very fast reactions in an attack scenario. I don't even think before I react now."
"Wow, that's bloody amazing." Remus whispers in awe as the other boys nod in agreement. I shrug uncomfortably. "Well, we dragged you in here because I know your birthday is soon, and I accidentally let that slip to my friends here. They demand to know what day." I raise an eyebrow at him. "You're turning 13, so you'll be the same age as us! You're actually only a few weeks younger than me; anyway, they want to throw a party for you to make up for the pranks." I'm shaking my head no before he even finishes.
"Nope. No parties. I don't want one. I won't attend one. I will be mad if you throw one for me." Remus gives me the puppy eyes, pleading for me to be reasonable. I raise my other eyebrow at him. He juts his lip out at me in a pout. I roll my eyes after a few moments, and Remus pumps his fist in the air because he knows he's won again. "Fine, but I will dictate who's invited." He deflates but nods in concession. "You four, Pandora, Reggie, and obviously me." I pause while that sinks in. "That's it. No one else."
"Awww you take the fun out of party planning!" Sirius whines.
I mock whine back to him, leaning over a bit, "Awww you poor, poor baby!" then flounce out of the hidey hole behind the portrait to the riotous laughter of the other three with a smile on my face. I finally make it to the library, and Reggie lifts an eyebrow at my disheveled shape.
"Did you fall out of a window?"
"What? No, those stupid boys (including your brother and Remus), decided to surprise pull me into a room behind a portrait to harass me into having a birthday party."
He grins and laughs, "Well, jokes on them then, huh?" We share a mischievous smirk.
"Yep." I pop the p with a bright grin. "I pinned Remus to the wall with a wand to his neck before he could blink; it was hilarious! Then, I managed to coerce them into only inviting themselves, Pandora, and us." He gives me a thumbs up because he's laughing a deep belly laugh until Madam Pince tells us to be quiet which sobers him pretty quickly. "Not to mention, they didn't even manage to get the information they were so desperate for." At his curious look, I smirk, "They don't actually know when my birthday is." He lets out a quick loud laugh before he claps his hands over his mouth to stifle it.
Once we calm down, we study for the rest of the day. When we catch up with Pandora at dinner, she is delightedly amused at my escapade from this morning and shares a secret grin with the two of us the next day when the group of four approaches the three of us. "Luminosity, Regulus, Hermione. We have a need to get information from you." Sirius says with all seriousness. Without trying, the three of us all raise an eyebrow in sync. We look at each other when we see the shocked faces of the boys and share another smile after we notice the commonality.
James is cracking up laughing but manages to squeak out, "H-how did y-you d-do th-that?!"
"Hmmmmm..." Pandora hums in mock wonder that I'm not actually a hundred percent sure is actually fake.
"I dunno." I say with a smile.
"Just good instincts." Reggie chimes and smirks when the boys look surprised. "Oh yeah, she told us all about yesterday! Anyway, what's this information you desire?"
"Er- well, what is the exact day of your birth, 'Mione?" Remus says trying to suppress a smile.
"Oh. Is that all?"
Remus looks confused and slowly says, "Yeeeeees?"
I look at Pandora and Reggie before saying, "Too bad." We then continue on our way, moving around the boys and crack up laughing once we're around the corner because the boys groaned as we left.
Then we hear Remus say, "See, I told you it wouldn't be that easy!" and we crack up all over again. We're moving down the hallway, not paying attention when a voice clears in front of us. I'm wiping away a tear of mirth when I look up and immediately sober.
"Uncle." He gives me a twinkly-eyed smile that looks sugar sweet. I want to brush my teeth. No, actually, I want to throw up and then brush my teeth.
"Hermione, my dear niece, won't you come with me? I think I'd like to talk to you, dear." I nod stiffly before I wave off my friends who look concerned and walk off with him.
In his office, he gestures at a seat in front of his desk. I sit so as not to draw more attention. "Lemon drop?" I jerkily shake my head no. "Now, Hermione, why didn't I know about you until last year, dear?"
"Um, wouldn't this be a conversation more for my Father, Uncle?" I answer and yet not answer politely.
He looks speculative before he leans forward, trying to make eye contact. I look directly over his shoulder. I know that I can't reveal how good I am at Occlumency, but I also can't let him in my head. He huffs quietly before saying, "I would think you would know as well, dear niece." I almost slip up and make eye contact at the almost mocking monicker.
"Sir, Uncle, if you please, I would much prefer to be left out of the squabbles of brothers that are an age old." I say this with a saccharine sweet smile, still refusing eye contact.
"Well, if your dear Father, my dear brother, would answer a letter from me, I might be able to abide by your request. However, he does not, so..." he trails off expectantly.
"It seems as though my Father does not wish for you to know, Uncle. Who am I to go against the wish of my Daddy?" I can tell he's upset and have to suppress a smirk. Dad warned me this would happen, but he pressed that I act like a sweet innocent girl who only wishes to make her Dad happy. I can almost hear him grind his teeth.
Then I hear him say, "Alright, dear niece, you may go. Happy early birthday, Hermione."
I have to refrain from fleeing and instead leave at a a normal, unalarmed pace. When I get past the gargoyles, I sprint to the library as fast as I can. I relay everything to Reggie in hushed tones. He looks surprised; he hadn't expected my Father to be right about there being a reason for suspicion. It's not like I could up and tell him that I'm from the future and know just how much of a shady, manipulative bastard he really is first hand. He has to get it from my Dad who has this old grudge against him that he refuses to talk about to non-family, or really, anyone not me. I mean honestly! I've never even told my Dad- er Aberforth. It really shows how adapted I am here that I call him Dad in my head too.
By the time Remus joins us at the table and asks for my birthday again, I just tell him. I'm no longer in the mood for the tease of keeping it from him.