I don't own Harry Potter *sadly

Allons-y and please do enjoy.

Sirius just sighed, as he knew that he had indeed fucked it up. James patting him on the back did not make the situation any better

'You know I think you need some ice because she burned you pretty bad'

The girls comforted Hermione in the days following the confrontation with the Marauders. Saying all the right things along the lines of they were idiots, how dare they. In an effort to make Hermione feel better Lily told her about the verbal smack down.

'Honestly I thought Peter was going to cry for a moment. They had no right to be cruel to you like that. Sirius is well Sirius and he has no concept of how others feel. First Sev now you I wish they would just keep to themselves. I am so sorry that happened Hermione they had no right to make you feel this way, just trust me when I say that we Marley, Ali and I will be here as friends whenever you need us.' Lily's words made Hermione feel a sense of belonging. It was if Lily was the tree and Harry was the apple that did not fall very far. Her warm emerald eyes were a comfort for her, for a moment she could pretend that Harry was looking back at her.

Across the tower in the boys dorm Remus, James, Peter and Sirius sat at varying points around the room. Each of them were supposed to be thinking about how they could make it up to Hermione. Breaking the solemn silence Peter was he usual daft self

'Did we really do that badly, I mean it is just one girl and she was being stupid, it's not our fault she is weird' the boys looked over to their mate. Sometimes even his thickness baffled each of them. A chorus of groans and two pillows to the face later Peter realized he had said something stupid. Even if peter was being foolish, it was really Sirius' fault for all of this in the first place. The gift of foresight was something that Sirius wished he possessed at times. The end of the year was approaching fast so they had to act quickly. Remus spoke next

'We need to stop the rumor mill around her, she has been through enough and people staring and gossiping about her would be doing more damage, we stop that then she may be more inclined to forgive us. Also I think I should approach her first, given Peter is an idiot, James is best mates with Sirius well Sirius you started it.' The boys agreed to his plans, Remus would befriend her and then when the time was right the boys would apologize in their own way. Sirius knew that he and James would be stopping the flow of whispers given the fact that Peter was well Peter. It was going to be hard. The gossip mill at Hogwarts had a life of its own, but Sirius felt an odd sense of guilt for a girl he barely knew.

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The week after the events that unfolded in the Great Hall, Hermione noticed that all the whispers and stares had completely stopped. Guessing that people had heard her yelling at Sirius and were now too afraid to say anything because of her delicate state of mind. Remus was the first one to approach her after the fight. He asked if they could go down to the lake for a moment after Care for Magical creatures. He apologized for the actions of his friends and wondered if Hermione would not mind if they get to know each other better. He was kind and easy to be around. He never tried to pry or poke into Hermione's past, if anything he really did not care where she came from, he was just happy to have her here now. He really was a fantastic person; it was just a pity that she saw him as her professor and not for the young man before her. Maybe over time that image would change but for now, she was happy. Although if she could change one thing she would like to win just one game of chess. . James was next. Although he went completely overboard. Sending Hermione a bunch of enchanted flowers that sang. Mortified she had to accept his apology to make them stop singing the horrid rhyme. Although James though he was so clever, Hermione finally understood how Lily felt in nearly a daily basis. She never would have guessed what they had agreed to do out of guilt for their actions. To Hermione it seemed wrong to do something out of guilt but she could not deny that it was nice. The marauders were acting as Hermione's unofficial bodyguards. It was not until in Divination when paired with Remus and Peter that he told her everything.

'So we made a deal. Everyone was a part of it. Sirius is the last one now but in his way, he thinks he is helping. For example, a Slytherin boy was being particularly cruel saying something along the lines well that does not really matter, Sirius had enough of hearing it so he turned around and socked him in the jaw. James backed him up when two of the twat's friends started pummeling him. Earned them both detention, but neither have any regrets' Looking over at the boys, she saw Sirius had a black eye and James a split lip. There was a swelling feeling of guilt in Hermione's chest. James and Sirius were reminding her so much of Harry and Ron. Their loyalty and sense of right and wrong were admirable.

'We really are sorry Hermione' peter apologized sheepishly. He had meant it sincerely at least what she thought was sincerity she could not really tell. Given her only encounters with this awkward boy was an adult psychopathic murderer, she really had no frame of reference. His blue eyes seemed to tell her something different however. They were clinical and unsympathetic. The way he looked at her made her blood run cold. No matter who he was now in this time, to Hermione he would always be a disgusting disloyal rat. She however was not ready for the boys to know that yet, she needed to plan that particular event, with great care.

'Peter it was never really your fault and as for those two I cannot believe that they really got in a fight for me, it is sweet but stupid for the most part' Remus laughed at Hermione while Peter just stared at his friend. Remus' laugh was just so infectious Hermione could not help but join in. then a wave of sadness came over her. The school year was ending in a matter of days. For three months, she would roam the corridors of the castle, as she had no home to return to. The small comfort for her was that Remus, Lily, Marlene and Alice had all promised to write to her, although it was hardly enough, as she would miss her new friends dearly. She had become close to the girls quickly enough, but it surprised her just how rapidly her friendship with Remus had blossomed. In her own time, she thought that maybe she and the bookish mischievous professor could have been close if they had ever gone to school together, turns out she was right.

As the class ended, Hermione decided that she should talk to James and Sirius. Telling the girls to go ahead she waited for them. She could not understand why she was so nervous; it was stupid really all she wanted to do was say thank you. She was away in her head when the boys finally emerged from the tower. Each boy had a smile on their face and seemed to be enjoying himself, she wondered if she should do it another time, but before she could move, Remus spotted her. Giving a knowing look, he practically dragged Peter down the stairs. Peters fumbling, shuffling and cussing echoed up the empty tower. Sirius and James looking from each other to Hermione just seemed lost

'I know what you both did for me. It was incredibly stupid getting into a physical fight, you could have been incredibly hurt, but the reason behind it was incredibly kind. So thank you but don't do it again' Hermione swore it took at least a solid minute for the boys to register what had come from her lips. It was as if they could not believe that she was standing there thanking them. James was the first to speak though still confused, he was looking for clarification

'So you are mad at us for fighting, but you are also thanking us for fighting' Hermione sighed she thought it was fairly straight forward but obviously she would have to bring it down another level

'I am upset that you fought, but I am thanking you for defending me got it now' nodding Hermione was thankful because if they hadn't gotten that time she thought maybe she would have to draw them pictures and she was no Picasso.

'You know Moine I really should be thanking you, you know this black eye has elevated my status from heartthrob to bad boy heartthrob. I would love to give you a demonstration of the difference if you like' Sirius had obviously not been hit hard enough to have some sense knocked into him. He wanted to play the flirt game Hermione decided she had had enough. You get what you give and she was going to be relentless. As far as she was concerned the game ends when he says mercy. Leaning in closer to Sirius Hermione bit her lip; placing one hand on his chest, she asked him a question in her best attempt at a seductive voice

'Sirius Can I borrow a kiss? I promise I'll give it back' the look on his face was priceless, somewhere between turned on and terrified. Looking over at James through her lashes, she could see his face mirrored the terrified expression of his best friend. Hermione was trying her hardest not to break and laugh at the boys to her this would humor her for a good long while. Sirius cleared his throat in an attempt to collect himself before slightly stuttering his response

'A-are you s-serious or are y-you messing with me' leaving the joke open so blatantly Hermione just could not resist

'I thought you were Sirius' kissing him on the cheek Hermione practically skipped down the stairs away from the two boys. Unaware of what was behind, she was none the wiser to the boys and their shocked conversation and for that, she was glad. There are just some things that she would rather not know and them talking about her new flirty war strategy was one of them. When she finally met with the girls in the common room, she told them of her latest escapade. Marley was well in a word riveted, Alice just kept asking if she really just left him there but Lily's reaction was by far the greatest in Hermione's eyes. She laughed so hard that no noise actually came out and tears rolled down her cheeks

'Oh I would have given anything to be a fly on the wall as you did that. You Hermione are my new god' linking arms the girls walked together to the great hall as they asked Hermione to please tell the story just one more time.

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The farewell feast was spectacular; the Great Hall was decorated with Ravenclaws banners, as they had been the recipients of the house cup last year. Hermione hadn't really paid much attention to the house points as she in all honesty had not been there long enough, so when Dumbledore approached the lecture Hermione really wasn't interested in whom was going to win. Therefore, when he announced Gryffindor as the victor it took a hot minute for it to click in her mind. Looking around and down the table, her housemates were going mental. Hats were flying everywhere and the roar of excitement reminded Hermione of well a lion. Looking to the Marauders they were probably going the most berserk. It made Hermione feel a warmth looking at her best friends god and biological father. The light in their celebration was intense but gratifying. Hermione hadn't noticed she was staring at them again until Sirius met her gaze. The smile plastered on his face was infectious, and then he winked at her. Hermione knew she was blushing. Looking back to her new friends Hermione could almost pretend for a moment that this was her own time with her boys. When Dumbledore finally called for silence, he commenced the feast after a few short and peculiar words. Platters and platters of food immaculate smelling food appeared in front of them. There were an endless supply of roast meats, your basic vegetables corn, peas, beans, pumpkin and potatoes cooked in every way imaginable and gravy so much gravy. Hermione had forgotten what this was like. She also forgot that since she was on the run for so long that her appetite had dwindled. Even now, her eyes were bigger than her stomach, so when dessert came around she could hardly eat a bite or at least she tried to refrain. Looking around Hermione watch her friends laugh and enjoy themselves, it was truly a wonderful sight to see. Lily and Marlene still laughing at what Hermione did to Sirius and James, Alice was talking to Frank and another boy Hermione didn't know. The marauders were laughing at god knows what but it was light hearted and Hermione loved that. So caught up in her own observations Hermione did not know that at that moment that more than one person was watching her.

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By the feasts end Hermione was satisfied and sleepy feeling as though she may fall into a food coma. In addition, she wished she had not eaten that piece of lemon meringue pie. As the girls fluttered around the room, completing the last of their packing Hermione excused herself. The thought of roaming the castles halls alone this summer was not causing the same joy she used to think it would. The truth is she was scared to be alone for that long. Walking down the familiar stairs Hermione decided she would spend some time in the common room before heading back up to spend some fleeting time with Marley, Ali and Lily. What she had not expected was for a particular raven-haired boy to be joining her.

'Hey there Moine' turning she saw Sirius behind her smiling at her. There was something in his smile, which Hermione found magnetic. He almost reminded her of a siren in mythology and for the briefest moment, she could understand how girls melted in his presence. Aside from the fact he was not bad to look at that is…not that Hermione was looking at all

'So are you ready to leave tomorrow, I know I am ready for you to go' flopping down in the spot on the couch next to Hermione Sirius, begun clutching at his chest acting as though someone had shot him in the heart whilst giving Hermione a serious case of puppy dog eyes

'You know that hurts me when you tell such horrid lies, I know you are going to miss me the most Hermione.' Hermione looked at him rolling her eyes and shaking her head. He just laughed and she did her best to resist but ended up joining him. Hermione thought for a moment what Harry's life would have been like if he had more contact with his godfather? After the laughter had died down a darker look played across Sirius' face. To Hermione it looked like guilt and sadness.

'I am sorry for what I said in the Great Hall you know' the potency of his sincerity was shocking to Hermione. He was usually cocky, rude and juvenile but he was different in this moment. It was odd but relieving for her to see him like this. Hermione wondered how many people could actually say that they have seen Sirius be serious, her feeling was only 3 and now 4. Placing her hand on his knee to reassure him Hermione decided to let him know that everything was ok

'I had already forgiven you Sirius after I found about the fight. If I didn't accept after you got a black eye for me well then I would be the jerk' shuffling in closer to him Hermione laid her head on his shoulder. Neither pulled away of even moved a muscle. They just stayed there for a time until letting the comfort seep in. it was maybe 10 minutes or more Hermione was unsure how long it was when they both agreed to go back to their respective dorm. Hermione felt like something had shifted, she was not sure what it was yet or whether it was good or bad. She knew for sure that she was not going to let the people who she truly begun to care for suffer the same fate that bestowed them in her time that was for sure. Hermione was going to use her summer very wisely for when her friends returned she was outing the rat.

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Hermione bid her friends farewell at the platform. Lily gave her a bone crushing hug promising again to write to her, Alice and Marlene sandwich hugged her also promising that they would write. Remus gave Hermione his owling address along with the others just in case she ever wanted to write to anyone else in the troop. She pulled him into a hug catching him off guard. Even in her tiptoes, Hermione was barely clearing Remus' shoulders. She told him to be safe. As he boarded the train, Hermione could see James, Sirius and Peter pulling faces at her from their compartment. Laughing she pulled one face back before waving to them. Laughing at her the boys waved. It made Hermione's chest ache watching the train pulling away. It carried the closest things she had to family away with it.

When she arrived back at the castle Dumbledore was waiting in the entrance hall. His face looked mysterious and weathered, as it had been for as long as she could remember. Knowing that she would be quite active this summer Hermione followed her headmaster as he began walking the halls of the now hollow halls.

'You have been quite productive this last month Miss Granger; the young marauders seem to have taken quite an interest to you and of course Miss Evans also. But I am afraid I must ask some more of you now' the way he was looking at her made Hermione believe that he knew what she was planning in her off time. Nodding she waited for what her headmaster was requesting of her. For the most part, it was simple; she was to attend the next order meeting, explaining who she was and why she was here. However, the next part would not be quite so easy. She and Dumbledore would be hunting down each of the horcruxes and in due time destroying them. Hermione could feel that there was something that he was not telling her. A theory or a vital piece of information that he was just choosing to leave out at this time, and that was making Hermione feel even less at ease. Hermione had not been focusing on the direction in which they were walking, so when they stopped outside of the library Hermione was startled.

'I hope you find your truths Miss Granger, and please I bid you to be careful in your transformations' leaving her, there was now no doubt in her mind that Dumbledore knew exactly what she was planning. Pushing open the doors Hermione thought to herself that she had a lot of work to do.

I would love to know what you think is going to happen next or do you think it is an RLxHG or SBxHG Fic? I would love to hear from everyone and anyone. Have a fantastic morning/day or night no matter where you are from.

Catch you later