Changes Can Be Made

Disclaimer: I do not own HP… there I said it again for like the 23rd time…. Tehehe ;)

A/N: Hey guys… sorry I haven't updated for months… I had NO IDEA how exam packed the school year in the Philippines is…. :( Hopefully my grades aren't dropping that badly… Anyway, I am so sorry for the long wait… :'( DON'T HATE ME! Btw, I didn't know that my changing POV sign (***) couldn't be seen… I'm so so so sorry guys… :(

Chapter 22: No more crying!

Hermione hurried down the corridor, in an attempt to beat Lily to class. As she sped around the corner, she slammed head first into a human wall, commonly known as Lucius Malfoy. With an "Umph!" they both fell to the ground.

"Watch where you're going!" Lucius yelled furiously.

"Sorry… But you should avoid running people next time," Hermione threw back sarcastically.

"I don't see your logic little Mudblood," he spat.

"Oh how unoriginal can you be…" she mumbled.

"My Merlin! Mi! Are you okay?" Lily questioned study her friend like the caring mother she will be in a few years.

"Argh! Two mudbloods… can this day get any worse," he mumbled.

"Whatever," Hermione sighed. She stood with the confidence she always carried around with her and got Lily to her feet, "Let's get going before we're late Lil."

They left Lucius Malfoy angrily staring after them.

'Who do they think they are!' Lucius raged internally. He watched them head towards classroom 72. How could two mudbloods disrespect such a high-classes pure-blood like himself. 'They should learn their place,' he growled inwardly.

He leisurely headed towards his next class. Oh how Divination bored him. He growled upon entry into the god forsaken subject late, as per usual. As always, he didn't apologise, neither did he even bother to listen to the professor's lecture.

Instead, he filled his mind with thoughts of how he would punish both those muggle-born girls. He would get his revenge, 'especially on that Hermione Grace… I'll teach her never to mess with a Malfoy…' he smirked as ideas sprang into his mind.

"Hey, did you see that Grace girl," Lucius overheard a Slytherin whisper to his buddies.

"Yeah! She's hot!" another exclaimed quietly.

Anger built up inside of Lucius, 'How dare they!' "Hey!" he called out to them.

They turned shocked by his call to them. "Watch your mouth!" he glared.

"Why should we?" one suggested cockishly.

"Yeah," another agreed, "she's just a mudblood girl."

'Right…' Lucius clicked out of his outburst. Why did he care so much? "Exactly," he went on, "you might dirty the Slytherin's reputation and your pure blood family's name by being interested in that mudblood. I won't let you dirty our reputation, got it?" he warned.

The boys nodded their head in understanding. But what Lucius said was more towards himself. Something wasn't right with him when it came to Hermione Grace. What was it…

Lily and Hermione finally arrived in classroom 72. 'Wow! It really has been the same for years,' Hermione thought, finally getting an answer to her silent question of many years.

"It's a very old classroom," Lily gestured.

'Oh! That's right… You've never been here before Hermione, you've never been here before,' she reminded herself. "Y-yeah, but I think it's nice."

Lily smiled, "Good because this will be our class for this subject for the rest of the year." The two girls giggled.

"Good day, young wizards and witches," said a tired, old voice. The voice echoed in the dusty old room. Students looked forward at a rotted wood door behind the obvious teacher's desk. Nothing happened. No sound… nothing. They waited a bit more. Still, there was nothing.

Hermione wondered, 'Where is he…' Of course Hermione knew who they were waiting for. She knew practically everything about the school since she studies 'Hogwarts: A History' whenever she can. She snapped out of her thoughts when there was a deep, old, phlegmy throat clear behind her. She turned around not at all surprised to see who it was, and came face-to-face with the old ghost who has been the professor of the History of Magic, Professor Cuthbert Binns. He was a mildly transparent figure of an old man who was once a real person. Hermione knew his as a very kind ghost who saw his students as his grandchildren and often got lost in his ramblings as he reminisced about "the good old days". She was used to the floating professor, however, for the sake of her cover, she connected with her inner actress.

Hermione's face contorted into one of surprise and shock. She even added a gasp and a "BLIMEY!" Which, essentially brought the class to laughter. Lily snickered beside Hermione, "Maybe I should've told you about our teacher," she said in between giggles.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "That would've been helpful," '…if I didn't know about him already,' she added silently.

Hermione took note of her classmates. But she could only identify the future parents of Neville in the far left of the class in the front, Lily – who's obviously beside her – and James who sat eagerly close to Lily trying to get her into a conversation at every opportunity, and finally, Peter who sat comfortably on the other side of Hermione. He sat there fully engulfed in Professor Binns lecture – or shall I say ramblings – and took thorough notes. Hermione smiled delightfully. 'so there is someone like me in this time…' she giggled to herself.

She didn't notice she was staring but obviously the shy boy beside her did. "Hermione, is there something on my face?" he asked, a blush spread through his cheeks as the question left his mouth and Hermione couldn't help but giggle.

"Nothing, I was just admiring how studious you are Peter."

"Oh… well, you know… it's just taking notes," he replied humbly.

Hermione's smile widened, "Don't be so humble. Be proud of your studious self. I'm the same," she added a playful wink to be a bit friendlier.

"Maybe…" he grumbled, "but I still have a lot to catch up on…"

"Catch up on?" she repeated curiously. 'What did he mean?'

"Remus, James, Sirius, Lily, you… you guys are so talented and… amazing! Then there's me…" his features darkened, "…the little wimp, who is good-for-nothing… the one in the shadow… I… I just… I just need to improve… a lot…"

Hermione could start to see the anger… the… darkness in him. It looked as if any wrong move would send him straight to the Dark Lord on a silver platter. She had to extinguish that dark flame. But, alas, it cannot be done in just one day. 'This'll take longer than I thought.'

She smiled softly at him and slowly but gently placed a hand on his shoulder causing to meet her gaze. The darkness in his eyes slowly faded. "Peter… You don't need to try to be at someone else's level, or compare yourself to anyone… We will always be your friend because of who you are. You are our sweet, caring Peter of the Marauders," her smile widened as his lips turned up into a bashful grin, "You are only the best when you are yourself. No matter what anyone says or thinks, you will always be the glue of our friendship."

The darkness in his eyes was gone… for now.

As the class went on, students were constantly dozing off. Hermione though spent time with Peter talking over the notes and, surprisingly, had a wonderful time. Not once did Professor Binns notice the off-topic students. He, himself, was preoccupied with his memories of the topic they were discussing. Soon enough class was over. The class felt a wave of relief wash over them as Professor Binns releases them to lunch.

Hermione, Lily, James and Peter gathered the things and headed to the great hall to meet the rest of the Marauders. The girls weren't at all surprised to see Sirius chatting up some Ravenclaw girls whilst picking at the mountain of food on his plate, and Remus reading over his Herbology text book. As soon as they got there, James ran over to his friends and started piling food on his own plate. Hermione sighed then smiled as she surveyed the scene in front of her again. Lily was stopping James and giving him the 'healthy' foods, 'She's going to be a wonderful mother and wife,' Hermione admired her friend. Then she watched as Sirius turned to annoying Remus and then Remus lecturing Sirius. Suddenly Sirius turned to James and started a conversation that obviously including teasing Lily and James about a future relationship, while Peter appeared next to Remus. They all talked happily together, something about the view seemed so familiar. The scene was suddenly replaced by a scene of her past. She saw Harry and Ron. Ginny was piling food on Harry's place looking at him with such affection. Ron was sitting in Sirius' spot talking to Harry with Neville and Luna beside Ron talking animatedly. Hermione was brought back to reality when she heard a familiar voice.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here," the voice said. Hermione turned to find Lucius Malfoy, Regulus Black, Severus Snape, and some other members of the Slytherin house looking at her dumbfounded. Only then did she feel the hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

"She's crying," an unknown Slytherin boy said.

"Yes, Dimwit, we see that," Lucius said angrily as he composed himself. "Poor little Gryffindor, crying all alone… Well Mudblood, you won't always be alone, so suck it up!" he snapped. He sounded as if he were calling her a wimp but she somehow felt as if he were trying to cheer her up. It was just that something in his voice that gave her a comforting feeling. The unknown Slytherins scoffed at her a walked after Lucius like lost puppies. 'Pathetic,' she thought about them, and honestly, partly about herself. She was in the middle of gently brushing her tears aside when she realised she had an audience.

Sirius noticed her and started to come her way. Suddenly there was a hand on her arm. She looked towards the feeling. Noticed the hand belonged to Severus. He gave her arm a small, quick squeeze to show his concern and support. She gave him a sneaked in smile as a thank-you and soon enough he left her. She was still facing towards the Severus when someone whispered into her ear, "You shouldn't cry since angels look better with smiles," then the person squeezed her hand gently, the combination of the two made her body tingle. Regulus soon walked passed her. He looked back and his usual cocky smirk as she blushed furiously.

"Mione?" a sweet voice called out. Her body involuntarily weakened. She spun and came forward to meet Sirius. His handsome features showed concern as he reached out to her. He hugged her tightly. Hermione was shocked.

"Sirius?"

"I saw you crying… and those Slytherin," he spat digustedly. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, nothing they say can hurt me." She was strong. She knew it herself and always stuck to that idea.

Sirius had a genuine smile. She couldn't cover the shock that she felt since he was so gorgeous with a genuine smile. "I know that already," he said as he softly pulled her towards their group. "I can tell it was something else… If it's about your past, I don't think I can help. I had a bad past too but I have a feeling yours in worse… hence, I can't really help, but! I'm here for you now, along with the others so I hope you can trust when I say, I… no, we, will do everything in our power to keep you happy, so in return you must smile that beautiful smile of yours and trust us more."

Hermione smiled brightly. She was so touched by it her eyes shone with the joyful tears that she was about to spill. She gave him a shaky thank-you.

"Whoa! No more crying!" he pretended to lecture her which made her giggle. "Remember, we are mature, trustworthy friends," he gestured to the group then smiled goofily when he noticed James. He was on his knee loudly proclaiming to a flushed, but annoyed Lily Evans. "Well… most of us," Sirius winked. He gave Hermione's hand a quick soft peck and delivered her to a seat next to Lily where she would be more comfortable.

Hermione smiled happily and moved on as if she never cried. She ate joyfully while she laughed at her companions who were talking and messing about. She felt at home.

Lucius was confused. He was still very much angry but he knew it was because he was bothered by her crying. 'Was it something those daft Marauders did? Why was she crying? She's better with a smile…' his last thought shocked him. No, it wasn't possible for a Malfoy to be so concerned about a Mudblood. But why was he? It wasn't making any sense. He realised that it was absolutely ridiculous when he attempted to give her comforting words. So, instead he said it angrily. It seemed to make affect her. He wasn't sure if she had taken it offensively, but he hoped to Merlin that she did. It would be better if she hated him. It would be easier to hate her if she hated him first, but he couldn't help but dislike the idea of her hating him. He subtly watched her talk with her new found friends and… it bothered him.

He disliked the way the boys looked at her, talked to her… well basically, he hated how close they were getting to her. Something in him alerted him to those small details. He felt somewhat protective over her. It was disgraceful. His anger was building up so he decided to leave before he would disgrace his family any further by doing something he'll regret. That Hermione Grace was bad news. He just needed to keep his distance. He exited the Great Hall swiftly and headed to his dorm.

Severus didn't know what to do. He kept thinking of Hermione. She looked absolutely miserable. At the time she was crying he had to hold back from hugging her and comforting her. She needed it but he couldn't do anything since he was a Slytherin. His emotionless face let no evidence of his real feeling. Actually, Severus was seething with anger as he watched that school playboy hug her, comfort her, and take her away from her sadness. Why couldn't he be the one to do that for her? He so wanted to be the one she would come running to for comfort, but all he could do was show his feelings through a quick, soft squeeze of her arm. He now watched her carefully.

He could tell she was feeling much happier. Her sparkling smile warmed his heart. She was truly wonderful. He was torn away from his trance of appreciation when Lucius angrily stood and quickly moved out of the hall. With a sigh, Severus picked up a piece of garlic bread and munched on it as he headed out towards his favourite tree.

Regulus recalled the moment he saw Hermione cry. 'Honestly she was just as beautiful as usual,' he shocked himself with that comment. What was he doing? How could he be thinking that? She was a Muggle-born… a disgraceful existence he was always told. But he couldn't help but feel she was different. She was nothing like any witch he's ever met. His mind wandered back to when she was crying.

She did look pretty even when she cried. The sight of her smooth caramel chocolate eyes twinkling with tears, and her crystal tears sliding down her rosy flushed cheeks, was still attractive to him. But inside he hated to see her cry. She was like an angel to him. She was so sweet, kind and full of radiance; completely different to him and his brother. In fact, he felt so enraged by the fact his brother could openly comfort her without any hesitance. She looked so comfortable with Sirius. It just wasn't fair. Sirius was everything he wanted to be, had everything he wanted. Sirius was handsome and noble without even trying. He was so good with the ladies. On the other hand, Regulus knew that he was good-looking but not as dashing as Sirius, and Regulus always had to keep in mind his posture and so forth so he still had that regal grace but, again, with Sirius it all came naturally. Then, Sirius had freedom. Something that Regulus could only dream of since he cared about whether his parents were pleased with him. Their thoughts of him only matter but it wasn't the same Sirius. Sirius stood up for his thoughts and never faltered. Regulus so wanted to be like that, but, he just wasn't. And now, Sirius had opportunities with Hermione that he would never have. The sight of her happily giggling about in the opposite house left him a bitter-sweet taste on his tongue. He can only look, for he can never have her.

How was it? OK? Anyway, guys I was just actually thinking about changing the pairing. So I have an idea… I would like you guys to please either personal message me or leave a review anytime till Christmas saying which you want:
Hermione x Sirius / Hermione x Severus / Hermione x Regulus
(these are the guys who I felt really sorry that none of them actually got a happy ending… romantically that is… poor guys…)
anyway, please vote on your chosen pairing and I'll do what I can. And you can vote once a day if you want. Anyway…. RECAP!
1.) choose pairing
2.) send PM or leave a review (as many times but only ONCE A DAY)
3.) Deadline: CHRISTMAS!
4.) keep reading and being Harry Potter fans.

Btw, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is coming soon be prepared for awesomeness!