Author's Note: Hi to all of my amazing readers! The reviews for the last chapter were incredible. I have been requested by multiple people for longer chapters, so your wish is my command. This is the longest chapter yet with over 5000 words! There is a lot of information in this chapter. It will all be relevant later on. I hope you like the introduction of some of the characters. I am already working on the next chapter and you will get to see some more Potter family and Marauder interaction. Please keep reviewing. Your kind words, criticism, and requests keep me motivated. So without further ado here is...

Chapter 7

Hermione woke the next morning to sunlight streaming through the windows, and surprisingly, an empty Hospital Wing. She half expected to wake up to the entirety of the Potter family simply staring at her; thankfully that was not the case.

She didn't think she could take much more of it. Of course she understood, for them this was what they had been waiting years for, but for Hermione her entire world had been turned upside down. She would never see the parents who raised her again, Harry and Ron would be completely different people, she had never felt so alone since her first couple of months at Hogwarts. But Hermione Granger was a Gryffindor so, like she did then, she would soldier on. She could mourn her previous life and embrace the chance she had to make a difference.

At that moment the Hospital Wing doors opened and in came the elder Potter's as well as Professor Dumbledore.

"Ah! Hermione, you're awake," the old wizard observed, as the trio walked toward her and settled into the chairs still situated around her bed. "How are you feeling my dear?"

"Better. Thank you sir," Hermione responded, realizing she did feel better. While not 100%, she already felt her energy to be much better after being able to sleep with no interruptions.

"Excellent! Now, your parents and I were just talking. They are quite interested in everything that has happened to you. I told them I didn't feel right revealing any information you told me until I discussed it with you."

Surprised at this, considering how the Dumbledore she remembered tended to do what he wanted as long as it suited his purposes, Hermione responded, "Oh….thank you. I appreciate the consideration."

Dumbledore continued on, "However, I advise you keep certain details to yourself. If certain information fell into the wrong hands it would be disastrous, and I believe it would be better if you and I discussed some more of the finer details before any decisions are made."

And there was the Albus Dumbledore Hermione remembered. Always manipulating and suggesting in order to make sure his plans fell into place; and it pissed Hermione off. Whatever positive feelings she felt when she first woke up to a familiar face vanished as she remembered what this man put Harry through. He was the reason Harry grew up in an abusive home. He was the reason Harry didn't know about the prophecy until it was too late. He was the reason three children were fighting a war. He sent them on an impossible suicide mission with no direction and clues almost impossible to decipher.

Not this time, she may need his and the Order's help to defeat Voldemort, but they would do it on her terms.

Her inner thoughts were then interrupted by her mother. "Excuse me Albus, but are you suggesting our daughter lie to us?"

"Not at all Dorea," the Headmaster began to placate, "Hermione has been through a great deal, and certain information she has learned, if it fell into the wrong hands especially in this political climate she could be in even more danger."

"So now you are suggesting that we are unable to protect Hermione or that we would allow any information that could be detrimental to her safety to fall into the wrong hands," Dorea stated calmly, while Charlus sat back quite enjoying the show of his wife steamrolling the older wizard. No information would be kept from Dorea Potter neé Black if it would help her get revenge for her family.

Before Dumbledore could respond, the young girl being discussed stepped in. "Professor, while I understand the seriousness of the situation I believe it is my decision as to what I do or do not reveal to my family. I would never do anything to put them in harm's way, and I would appreciate it if you did not underestimate my intelligence," she snapped.

Taken aback by the fierceness of her tone the wizard tried to reason with the girl. "You are only sixteen, you can't possibly begin to understand the magnitude of the current situation," he began.

"No, what you don't understand is that I have been fighting since I was twelve years old and I can guarantee you that I know more about the current situation and Tom Riddle and the lengths he will go to reach his goals than you could even imagine." Hermione's voice was steady and cold. She would not let this old man turn her into his Chosen One the way he did to Harry. They would win the war, but it would be on her terms. "Now I would be more than happy to discuss what I know once the time is right but if you would excuse us for now, I would appreciate some time with my parents. "

The headmaster attempted to protest but Charlus stepped in, "Albus, perhaps it is best for us to talk with Hermione alone. I know you believe things should be done a certain way, but let us parent our child."

Reluctantly, he realized that he would be getting nowhere with the Potter family at the current moment and took his leave, leaving the trio alone in the Hospital Wing.

Hermione thanked Merlin that the Potter's had taken her side in the matter. She might have been feeling better, but she didn't have the energy to take on both her parents and the Headmaster at once.

She then realized that both Charlus and Dorea were staring at her and she suddenly felt very shy. "Er….good morning."

Charlus chuckled, while Dorea bent over to kiss her on the top of her head with a smile.

"Good morning darling," Dorea greeted. "I apologize that we seemed to have ambushed you once again. Are you truly feeling well?"

"Yes, Mrs - Ma' - Mu...er...I'm sorry. I don't really know what to call either of you," Hermione stuttered out while glancing between the two of them.

Both Potters smiled at her sadly. "You can call us Mum and Dad if you would like, or Charlus and Dorea until you are more comfortable with Mum and Dad," Charlus suggested.

"Oh, well...I can try Mum and Dad. I'm sorry this is all still a little surreal for me. My parents - the people who raised me, well they never told me I was adopted. This whole situation is a little complicated to say the least."

"Would you like to tell us a little about it?" Dorea asked gently.

"As much as I hate to admit it, Professor Dumbledore is right. If any of this got into the wrong hands, it would mean my life and most likely your lives as well. I just don't care for him dictating my actions as though he has a right to."

"Hermione, both your mother and I are quite accomplished at Occlumency. Nobody will get any information from us that we do not wish them to have. We just want to help you. We know this will be an adjustment for all of us, but we can't move forward if we don't know what exactly we are moving forward from," Charlus reasoned.

Hermione pondered this. It would be nice to have somebody know the full truth. It would be difficult to do everything on her own and if she couldn't trust her own parents, Harry's grandparents, then who could she trust? There was no way she was telling James or Sirius anytime soon. She knew how impulsive Sirius was, and based on stories she remembers hearing while staying at Grimmuald Place, James was no better. Honestly if she had anything to say about it James, Sirius, Remus, and Lily would all stay as far away from the war as humanly possible; though she doubted they would agree to that. No, her parents seemed to be the best option. And hey, it would be a novelty...the adults actually doing something for once; but Hogwarts may not be the best setting for the discussion

"Alright, I will tell you, but not here. Can we please wait until we are away from Hogwarts. I don't want to chance anybody else finding anything out."

"Could you at least start with what you meant when you said you've been fighting since you were twelve?" Dorea asked sternly.

Hermione grimaced. "Caught that? That kind of just slipped out."

Charlus and Dorea continued to watch Hermione, waiting for her to continue.

"It really will be easier if I just tell you everything at once. Please, I promise it will make sense," she pleaded with her parents.

Charlus was the one to respond. "Alright, if you insist. Perhaps this is a conversation better had at home. We'll talk to Madame Pomfrey about taking you home in the next day or so if that's alright?"

"Yes, I've spent enough time in the Hospital Wing to last me a lifetime. I would appreciate a more comfortable bed to be honest," Hermione tried to joke.

Dorea stood up and leaned over to peck the top of Hermione's head, "We'll be leaving for a few hours after speaking with Madame Pomfrey to return to the manor and ensure everything is ready for when you arrive but we will be back to have dinner with you. Try and rest some more dear."

Charlus repeated his wife's actions before they headed into the Matron's office to discuss Hermione's release. Once they were gone, Hermione picked up her wand and cast a quick Accio to find her little beaded bag, hoping that it had made the journey through time with her. The bag came flying out of a drawer next to her bed and landed in her hand, much to the young witch's delight.

Reaching in she pulled out Hogwarts: A History. She knew that it wasn't a book that would help on the Horcrux hunt but she couldn't bear to part with it. The book had always served as a distraction to her whenever her life seemed to be spiralling out of control. It reminded her of the first place she truly felt at home, and she knew when she was packing that there were going to be many times that she would need to remember that feeling. Now was no exception. While at the current moment she was at Hogwarts, she wasn't home. She was 20 years in the past, even though she knew that it was her rightful time, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and lonely. Hermione hoped that eventually this would change, though she had a feeling it would be quite some time before that happened.

If anything she knew she would become an oddity: the lost Potter heiress had finally returned. People would be curious about where she had been and what happened to her. Not to mention, she most likely will have to keep a look out for the person who sent her to the future in the first place. The list of things she had to do seemed to keep growing; figure out how Rabastan Lestrange knew who she was, save James and Lily, find a way to destroy Voldemort. At least she would be able to finally take her seventh year and complete her NEWTS, some semblance of normalcy would be welcome.

Before she knew it, Hermione had drifted off to sleep while lost in her thoughts about her seemingly impossible tasks, only to be woken by shouting.

"Fucking blood traitors!"

"Slytherin scum!"

"Oh real witty, Potter. Please continue to dazzle us with your insults."

"Fuck you, Snivellus!"

Hermione sat up and rubbed her eyes wanting to know what the hell everybody was screaming about. What she saw shouldn't have surprised her, yet it did. James Potter and Sirius Black both sporting nasty burns on their arms, with Sirius supporting James as he limped in. The two Gryffindors were very closely followed by two Slytherins, one was clearly Regulus Black as he was practically a carbon copy of Sirius, and the other a tall, lanky boy with greasy black hair and a large hooked nose. Hermione gasped at the sight of what could only be Severus Snape.

Both appeared injured as well. Regulus with his eye rapidly swelling shut, while you could see the beginning of a bruise on Snape's jaw as well as the blood flowing rapidly from his clearly broken nose.

Madame Pomfrey came bustling out of her office at the racket the four were making. "Really? Is the language necessary? And just what happened to the four of you?"

All four began to talk at once before being interrupted by the Matron, "Never mind. All of you on a bed. Now."

James and Sirius made their way to take the two beds next to Hermione while the future Potions Master and Regulus took the two beds closest to the door, as if they were getting ready to leave as soon as they were treated.

"How are you feeling Hermione?" James inquired.

"How am I feeling? That's really what you're going to say to me right now James Potter!" Hermione scolded.

"Yes? Why wouldn't I ask that?" James hesitantly responded, clearly confused by his sister's anger.

"How about an explanation as to what is going on? What happened to the two of you and why are you limping?"

"Sirius and I were just going to lunch when they attacked us!" James defended himself.

"Oh and who is this, Potter?" Regulus sneered as he looked over to see the two Gryffindors being scolded by the unknown girl. "Finally toss over your little Mudblood?"

"Shut up you little snake!" Sirius shouted at his brother.

"How about all of you shut up!" Hermione yelled. "Really, there is no need to act like such children! What is the matter with all of you? You know what...no! I don't care. Whatever it is I'm sure it's childish and has to stop. These stupid petty rivalries need to end. Three of you are about to leave Hogwarts and are supposed to be functioning members of society, so whatever is going on you had better sort out, because I swear to Merlin James I will not put up with it." She ended her rant by turning to Madame Pomfrey, "May I please at least go for a walk outside? I'll be back before my parents are. I can't stand to be cooped up in here any longer."

Madame Pomfrey, as well as the other four patients in the Hospital Wing, simply stared at the witch wide-eyed at her outburst. The Matron simply nodded as the young girl stormed out.

Regulus watched as the small witch walked out of the Hospital Wing. He hadn't noticed her when he first walked in but after she started shouting at all of them he realized how beautiful she was. She was on the thin side, almost sickeningly so, but her wild black hair and her expressive hazel eyes were absolutely captivating. He had no idea who she was, but he was intrigued.

"Don't actually tell me you're leaving Lily for her?" Severus questioned in his eerily calm silky voice, startling Regulus from his thoughts.

"I don't believe that is any of your business, Snivellus," Potter sneered at the darker wizard.

"Enough! Miss Potter is right, and if the four of you aren't quite done I will be forced to place a silencing charm on all of you." Madame Pomfrey scolded the students. With that, she turned to begin healing Regulus first.

Miss Potter? That was a shock. As far as he knew there wasn't a female Potter. The only female Potter he was aware of had been dead for a number of years. His mother had forced him to learn the family trees of every Pureblood family, even the so-called blood traitors, so as to avoid fraternizing with them. He had asked about Charlotte Potter. He remembered seeing both her birth and death dates and being inexplicably sad that they were so close together. His mother hadn't told him much, just that it was one less blood traitor to worry about.

So who was this new Miss Potter? He was determined to find out.

"Alright, Mr. Black. You are good to go. Please, do not end up in my Hospital Wing again this year," Madame Pomfrey instructed him, while piercing him with a hard stare.

"Yes ma'am, thank you for your services," Regulus said with his normal air of superiority that had been instilled in him since birth.

He then took his leave from the Hospital Wing after muttering a quick "see you back in the common room" to Severus, and then decided to see if he could gather anymore information about the mystery girl.

Hermione stormed out of the Hospital Wing, determined to put as much distance between herself and the four wizards as she could. She probably shouldn't have shouted at them, especially considering two of them had no idea who she was. What right did she have to scold them?

But she couldn't help it. She had spent so many years dealing with the Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry, she couldn't stand it anymore. It was deadly. All she could think about was how Regulus had sacrificed his life to help defeat the Dark Lord, maybe if there wasn't such a rivalry he would have felt as if he could go to Sirius for help or the Order. She thought of Draco Malfoy, how Harry told her how terrified he seemed the night Dumbledore died, how sickly he looked when they were captured and taken to Malfoy Manor and then lied to try and protect their identities, how just maybe if the rivalry wasn't so ingrained in the very fiber of Hogwarts he would have accepted Dumbledore's offer of protection. And she thought of Severus Snape. Dumbledore's murderer. She didn't know why, but she had a gut feeling there was more to the story. Despite her issues with the older wizard, there was no denying that Dumbledore was a great wizard. How was such a great wizard deceived for so long? She didn't believe it, not fully.

Lost in her thoughts, Hermione realized she had made it to the Entrance Hall without encountering anybody, thankful that it was the middle of the day and everybody was in class. She was just about to walk out the doors when she felt as if somebody was behind her, watching her. After being war-hardened and her year on the run, she spun around with her wand in her hand only to come face to face with Regulus Black.

He simply stared at her with an impassive look and raised an eyebrow at her reaction.

"Sorry," she muttered, "Must be a little jumpy."

"Clearly," he drawled in his sophisticated tone. "Though if anybody has a right to be on the defensive it should be me given the little outburst back there."

She grimaced a little, "Again, I apologize. I realize I had no right to shout at you the way I did. Though to be fair it was mainly directed at James."

"You have no right to shout at me, yet you feel no remorse at shouting at Potter?" the dark wizard asked, fishing for information.

Hermione chuckled. "Well the way I figure it the familial relation gives me some leeway."

"Familial relation. Are you a cousin of the Potter's? I know you aren't a cousin on his mother's side as that would be the Black side of the family."

"No, I'm not his cousin," she informed him, but wasn't sure she should elaborate. On one hand, she was almost sure that Regulus was already a Death Eater, or he would at least be one soon. On the other hand she knew that he would eventually defect, next year in fact. He would be crucial in her plans for bringing down Voldemort. Perhaps it would be better to start cultivating the relationship now. "I'm his sister," she finally decided to inform him.

Regulus couldn't keep the look of surprise off of his face. "Sister? How is that possible? Charlotte Potter died."

"First it's Hermione. Second, I can assure you I am very much alive. My parentage has been a recent discovery."

"Well then, allow me to introduce myself," Regulus reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it like any gentleman would do, "I am Regulus Black. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, "You know you aren't how I imagined you to be."

"You imagined meeting me?" Regulus asked confused.

"Oh, no. Er...I just mean I met Sirius yesterday and I assume based on the family resemblance you're brothers. The two of you are very different," Hermione managed to get out. In all honesty, she had imagined what Regulus Black was like over the past few months, once they figured out who RAB was. What kind of person knowingly sacrifices their life for a cause they were raised to believe in. She had pictured him more like Draco Malfoy. Arrogant, entitled, prejudiced, but not a killer.

Oh, he seemed arrogant alright, but he also had a softness to him. Definitely not a killer. How this boy lasted even a day as a Death Eater baffled her. She didn't know, but she thought that there was more than meets the eye with Regulus Black.

"Yes, my brother and I are quite different," he stiffened and said with an air of formality, clearly uncomfortable talking about his estranged brother.

Before she had a chance to respond they both turned around at the sound of "Oi!"

"What are you doing with my sister Black?" James Potter came stomping down the stairs, and if looks could kill, Regulus Black would be six feet under.

Hermione just rolled her eyes, "We're just talking James. He was introducing himself. No need to have a fit."

James came to stand by his sister but ignored her words, "You stay away from her. You won't like the consequences if I hear that you are anywhere near her."

With that he gently grabbed Hermione by her elbow and pulled her away, back up the stairs to the hospital wing.

Hermione shouted over her shoulder while allowing to be pulled away, "It was nice meeting you Regulus."

Once they were out of earshot of the Slytherin, Hermione turned to her brother, "What was that about?"

"He's bad news Hermione. A Death Eater. You need to stay away from him. From the lot of them," James answered.

"I can take care of myself just fine James," she retorted.

"I'm not saying you can't, but please for me. Just try," he begged.

"I'm not going to avoid him. He was nothing but pleasant to me, and until such a time that changes if I run into him I will be pleasant as well," she informed him with an air of finality.

"Hermione," James began.

"No, James," then she softened a little, "I know you're worried about me but please I will be fine. I already am almost fully recovered. My energy is back. Everything will be okay."

James then looked at his sister. Really looked at her, she did seem to have a lot more color to her face, and her eyes were brighter. She was clearly doing better. He gave her a small smile and then pulled her into a tight hug, which she returned just as fiercely. It was almost like she was hugging Harry again….almost.

He then murmured, "We just can't lose you again."

"I know, and you won't," she responded.

They made the short journey back to the Hospital Wing, which was now empty, before James spoke again. Hermione got back in her bed while James took the chair that seemed to be permanently placed next to it now.

"So I was wondering, since you are feeling better. I really wanted to introduce you to a few other people," he began, "but only if you're up for it," he quickly finished.

"And just who are these other people?" She asked. She had a general idea, but she couldn't very well tell him that. In all honesty she was dying to see Remus again, even if it was his teenage self. He was her mentor and friend, and it would be nice to see a familiar face.

"Well you've already met Sirius, but we have two other friends that are dying to meet you. And Lily," he told her with a goofy grin on his face, just thinking about his girlfriend.

"I would love to meet them James," the young witch agrees. "Mum and Dad said they will be back for dinner and to finalize when I can get out of here. Why don't all of you have dinner in here tonight?"

James face lit up with a smile, "Brilliant! I have to go, I need to get to my next class but I'll ask them and we'll be back after classes are finished." James stood up from his seat and grabbed the bag he left when he first went looking for Hermione before dropping a kiss on top of her head and racing out of the room.

Hermione chuckled to herself and shook her head. James may look like Harry but they were two very different people. She had never met anybody with so much enthusiasm. She knew James would keep her on her toes. Though presently she had a new problem to worry about. While she was looking forward to meeting Remus in this time, she was quite apprehensive about meeting Peter Pettigrew.

She knew that he hadn't turned yet. He didn't start passing information on the Order until about a year before the Potters died, which means she had two years before that happened. What caused him to turn traitor? Did he truly believe in the evil Voldemort and the Death Eaters spouted or was he just a coward looking to save his own hide? Could she possibly save him as well or was Peter Pettigrew a lost cause?

James Potter left the Hospital Wing and raced to his next class. He made it to Transfiguration just as the bell rang. Professor McGonagall gave him a stern look but since he wasn't technically late couldn't say anything, so James took his seat next to Sirius.

As Professor McGonagall began her lesson Sirius hissed, "Where were you? You left way before I did."

"I wanted to find Hermione and make sure she made it back to the Hospital Wing okay," the Head Boy whispered. "And you'll never believe who I found her talking to."

"Who?"

"Your brother."

Sirius let out a low growl, "What did the little prick want with her?"

"I don't know," James scowled, "Hermione says he just introduced himself, but I told him to stay the hell away from her."

"Good," Sirius nodded.

With that the two then focused on the lesson and preparing for the Transfiguration NEWT.

As soon as class ended James packed up his stuff and turned to see his girlfriend hurry out of the classroom, so he raced to catch up with her. It was time he finally talked to her.

"Lily!" James called as he ran down the hall.

At the sound of her name she only sped up.

"LILY! WAIT!" James continued to shout.

Despite her speed, James had significantly longer legs than she did and was in shape due to Quidditch and he was able to catch up easily. James grabbed her arm to stop her from continuing on. The look on her face was one of pure rage.

"Oh, now you deign to speak to me?" She snarled.

"Lily, listen," James began.

"No, you listen James Potter. I will not be made a fool of!" The red head shouted.

Before they could cause a scene, he pulled her into an unused classroom. "Please, Lily. Let me explain." He tried again.

"Explain what? That you're done? That you've decided to end things but didn't have the decency to tell me to my face? You just ignore me and then find some other girl, who apparently you haven't left her side in days." Lily's anger was dissipating and now she was close to tears at the hurt she felt.

"What? NO! Lily, I am so sorry but that is not it at all. I'm not leaving you. I love you!" He implored.

"No James, it's too late. I refuse to just be tossed aside because you're bored or whatever. I thought things were going well. What happened? I just don't understand," the Head Girl questioned.

James's heart was breaking. He knew that by avoiding Lily she would probably be upset but he never thought she would think he was breaking up with her. And how he found out about Hermione already he didn't know. The gossip mill was apparently working overtime at Hogwarts.

"Lily," James whispered, "Please look at me."

After a few minutes of her trying to control her tears, she looked up into James's beautiful hazel eyes. "What can you possibly say to make this better?"

"I can't tell you all of it right now, but please know that I love you and I don't want to break up," James started to say.

Lily interrupted, "Then what about the other girl?"

"It's not what you think. She's my sister," James was finally able to get the news off his chest.

"What?" Lily asked bewildered. Whatever explanation she thought James could come up with, this was nowhere near what she was expecting. "Your sister? But James, I thought your sister died?" She tried to gently ask.

"I know. She was technically declared dead, but we never believed it. I'm not sure how it happened but a few nights ago I found her half dead on the grounds hear the Greenhouses. My parents have been here and we've done a Familial Spell. It's really Charlotte, well she goes by Hermione, I guess that was her name wherever she was. But she's here and she's alive," the messy hair wizard informed her, with one of the biggest smiles she had ever seen on him.

"It's truly her?" Lily couldn't quite believe it. Of course she had heard bits and pieces about Charlotte Potter, James had told her some small details, but this was incredible. She couldn't be happier for her boyfriend, though she did feel a bit guilty for yelling at him and not realizing that he was going through something huge.

James couldn't wipe the grin off of his face, "It really is, and I want you to meet her!"

"What? James, I couldn't. Not yet. You and your family should have time with her first. Get her settled, maybe sometime over the summer," Lily stammered out, shocked that James wanted to included her in such a big family event.

"Nonsense, you are family. And she wants to meet you as well. Mum and Dad will be back tonight, and hopefully she will go home tomorrow. But we are all having dinner and I want you to be there. Sirius, Remus, and Peter will be there too if that makes you feel any better."

"Really? You really want me to come? Even though I was awful to you just now?" Lily inquired, still slightly self conscious at her outburst.

"Of course. I told you I love you Lily Evans. And no amount of yelling at me will change that," he smiled and leaned down to steal a kiss from the beautiful red head. "Plus I may have deserved a little of that. I am truly sorry for making you feel unwanted. I never want you to feel that way."

Lily wrapped her arms around James's middle and laid her head on his chest, "I love you too James Potter."

James knew that he messed up, but he never felt luckier that he had such a forgiving witch by his side, and despite his worries earlier in the week he now realized that he had been worrying for nothing. He loved Lily and she loved him. It didn't matter how he proposed, at the end of the day all that mattered was that she said yes. With that in mind he realized he knew exactly what he wanted to do, though maybe waiting a few weeks until the family drama calmed down wouldn't be a bad idea.

Pulling away from him Lily looked up at him, "Come on, we better go or we'll be late for Charms."

She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the classroom, both happier than they had been in weeks.