Changes Can Be Made
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER…. :P
A/N: OMG! I broke my vow… Go ahead and stone me as punishment… T^T I'm really sorry guys, I entered college and my social life + Fanfiction + Facebook + love life has now been completely destroyed by the well-known evils: assignments, term papers, and exams… I'm metaphorically dying every day…. *sigh* college life is fun (feel the sarcasm). Anyway, I'll confess to you guys that I really honestly forgot I had a fanfic and an upcoming fanfic (which I just posted, it's been sitting in my documents for months!); I do apologize for my forgetfulness and my lack of upholding a vow (hopefully I can do that better when I'm married in like 10 years – I'm only 17 right now). So anyway, I do agree that the story is SOOO SLOW IN DEVELOPMENT! I suck! Sorry guys! I'm going to try to really develop the story a lot faster now (but not too fast like she's eating dinner than randomly graduating the next day… ;P ) Anyways! Here's the next chapter and I am no longer gonna promise any updates coz I obviously lack in keeping vows, dates, and time management. Sorry… T^T
*P.S. If me saying sorry a lot is slightly annoying, please look passed it; coz it's just a habit I've always had since I was 6 or 7 years old… sorry….
Chapter 25: Closeness
Hermione, Remus, and Lily dashed to the library. It was almost 4:00 pm and they didn't want to deal with a pissed off Slytherin. When they arrived in the library, the were greeted warmly – well as warm as a Slytherin can greet anyone. He was dressed in a very chic grey and green casual attire that one would expect of a Slytherin. He looked rather cool compared to his older version Hermione pointed out silently.
"Well, let's start," Severus stated quite robotically.
'So obviously nervous are we Sev?' Hermione subtly raised an eyebrow. This didn't go unnoticed by the young Slytherin. He moved towards the door, passing Hermione purposely just to lightly nudge her in the ribs. This was obviously going to be an awkward study session.
Severus held the door open and gestured for them to enter. Hermione went first, followed by Lily, but before Remus could go, Severus had already followed the girls not bothering to wait for Remus. The group heard Remus' grumbles of irritation at the Slytherin, but otherwise continued on as if nothing had happened.
When an area was chosen, they took out all study material and began studying… very quietly… very independently… and very awkwardly. 'This is not a study GROUP session,' Hermione thought as she inwardly face-palmed. Questions bounced in her head; how was she going to get them to talk? How were they supposed to get anything accomplished in this awkwardness? How was she going to patch up the relationship between Lily and Severus for the future? She had to do something, but what that something was? She had no idea. 'Think Hermione, think…' Hermione glanced around the table, looking from person to person. She looked back to her book. 'That's it!' she thought excitedly.
"So who here is an expert of 'Draught of the living dead' or the 'Elixir to induce Euphoria'?" Hermione asked with a quirky smirk.
Everyone looked up. Remus was the first to speak. "Well, I know that we need to:
Add the Infusion of Wormwood.
Add the powdered root of asphodel.
Stir twice clockwise.
Add the sloth brain.
Add the Sopophorous bean's juice.
Stir seven times anti-clockwise.
And we also need to cut the Sopophorous bean in order to get the juice." Severus scoffed at Remus' last remark. "Do you have something to say Severus?" Remus asked with a hint of annoyance.
'Oh no… this is not good…' Hermione thought on high alert.
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"Well yes," Severus began, "You say cut, but to my understanding, Sopophorous beans have an outer layer that is impenetrable by metal."
"So what do you expect us to do? Chew them first?" Remus spat back angrily. Remus is a wizard but just like normal teenaged boys, he does not like being made a fool of, especially around girls. He didn't like Severus for years now but when Hermione and Severus are close, he can't help but feel a great hatred for the boy. That was most likely due to the werewolf residing within him.
"Calm down Remus," Lily spoke gently, "Let him finish."
"What I'm saying is that it would be more practical to simply crush the bean with the knife."
The group fell quiet. 'He's right! Why didn't I think of that?' Remus questioned himself. Remus looked back to Severus and sighed. "I see your point… I'm sorry about earlier…"
Severus nodded in response. Then all went quiet once again.
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Hermione continued to make conversations and ask questions all throughout the study time, until everyone started laughing, joking, and getting along well. Hermione smiled as she watched Severus and Remus have a truly in-depth conversation about the Elixir to induce Euphoria. Occasionally Severus and Lily would talk joyfully with Lily, or Lily and Remus. Hermione smiled to herself as she watched them all happily converse. 'Things are going well,' she sighed in content.
"Sev, when we mix the potion it must be ANTI-clockwise," Lily giggled as she pointed out his mistake on his notes.
He poked his tongue at her, "I'll laugh at you next time," he retorted childishly.
"Were you two always like this?" Remus asked amused by their behaviour.
"She was worse," Severus snickered. Remus laughed, and then for the first time in the history of Hogwarts, Remus and Severus high-fived.
Hermione and Lily looked at each other in shock. They poked each other to see if everything was real, and to their surprise, it was. Then they giggled at how the two bookworms – bookworm of Gryffindor, Remus, and bookworm of Slytherin, Severus – were getting along. The two boys talk animatedly about potions and spells, while the girls chatted about potions, James, and class.
As they talked, time flew by. By the time Severus and the other three parted ways it was already 6:00 pm. When they left, Severus and Remus had happily made arrangements for the next week.
"Wow Remus! Seems you've got a new friend," Lily winked.
Hermione giggled as Remus opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. He obviously wanted to defend himself against the thought of befriending a Slytherin, but who could deny that the two boys were already very close. 'It's true, people with things in common really do hit it off,' Hermione smiled.
"I guess…" Remus mumbled. The two girls laughed at him as they made their way to dinner.
The night passed with Hermione scolding Sirius for his non-stop flirting and had fun talking with Peter and Remus. Every now and again she would glimpse over to the Slytherin table to monitor them.
And that was how her evenings went on. She would monitor the Marauders, James' and Lily's relationship, and the Slytherins. Her days passed with her becoming closer with Severus, Regulu and the marauders, dodging glares and disgraceful looks from boys and girls of different houses, as well as avoiding a certain Malfoy and Josanne.
Soon, Hermione's days turned to weeks, until finally a month had passed.
"Is it time to collect the Horcrux yet?" Hermione asked Professor Dumbledore rather impatiently.
Albus let out a soft chuckle, "Not yet my dear. You're still not ready."
"Oh… okay…"she wanted to ask why, but couldn't bring herself to say the word. 'Dumbledore has his reasons, Hermione… Be patient…' she told herself.
"Don't be disheartened, my dear, there is still plenty of time," the aged wizard smiled.
Hermione nodded in understanding, but in all honesty, how could she not be? She wanted to end the dark wizard as soon as possible. 'Have patience Hermione… You'll get to Voldemort soon enough…' Hermione told herself. The pain of her past still stung her heart but she knew she will eventually prevent those things from ever happening.
"I've heard that you're doing well in your classes," Dumbledore disturbed her thoughts.
"Ah yes, thank you professor," she forced a smile, trying to hide the gloominess she felt deep inside.
"You've been with us for one month and you're already excelling," he smiled warmly. A smile her father would give her for her achievements.
Her heart throbbed. "Thank you sir."
"Also, the Hogsmeade weekend is two weeks, right?"
She nodded.
"Why don't you take that time to relax and have fun with your new friends?" he suggested.
Hermione pondered on that idea. 'Should I? I mean, could I? …. No! Stay focussed on the task Hermione…. Focus…. But, it would help me a little right? Just to have fun for once… right?'
Dumbledore could see the inner conflict in her eyes. "Think about it Miss Granger."
Hermione smiled and nodded as she left his office. She swiftly climbed down stairs and passed corridors until she came to Advanced Charms. She was late but professor Flitwick was already informed of her reasons. "Ah come in Miss Grace, take a seat."
She smiled at Lily and James, who were obviously a lot closer than usual especially with James' arm around Lily's shoulder. Hermione smiled. 'Project "JamLi" is at 10%~~' she sang inside. She then turned her attention to her usual seat mate. Regulus was sitting like the dashing young Slytherin royalty he was. He had his head propped up on his right hand as he watched her climb up to their usual seat. As she neared the table he tapped lightly on the seat beside him. 'Arrogant like his brother,' she rolled her eyes at the obvious self-conceited Black.
"You're late, Angel," he stated.
Her nickname was slightly over the top, but coming from Regulus, she didn't mind. The feeling of not paying any notice of the nickname she'd grown accustomed to did make her feel quite odd. 'It's quite strange,' she told herself, 'A Slytherin, let alone Sirius' brother, calling me "Angel"… Was Regulus always like this?' she asked herself as she recalled her future-past wherein Sirius avoided any talk of the Black family no matter who asked, whether it was herself or even Harry.
"Hello? Earth to Hermione Grace?"
She only noticed she'd been 'spaced-out' when Regulus called her attention. "Ah sorry, what?"
"What's on your mind, Angel?"
"Oh… nothing much…"
"Right…" he replied sarcastically.
Hermione caught the gazes of the Slytherins and Gryffindors in the class. They stared as though this was an unnatural phenomenon that is occurring for the first time in history. 'Sheesh, seriously? Is it that hard to believe that a Gryffindor and a Slytherin can actually get along? Geez… after all this time, they still look as though we're really out of this world…' she sighed. Hermione's mind wandered on and off topics for the rest of the lesson. She thought thoroughly about the Horcrux, how to destroy them, about the future, about her past, about… well, just about everything but Advanced Charms. For the first time in Hermione Granger's existence, she was so absentminded.
"Miss Grace? Miss Grace~" Hermione snapped out of her thoughts immediately. She looked around the room for the owner of the voice. Her eyes met the eyes of a rather annoyed Professor Flitwick. "Have I got your attention now, Miss Grace?"
Hermione blushed out of embarrassment. "Sorry Professor…"
"Good. Now, for this next charm you must keep attention," he stressed to Hermione, "on your objective. Now, your wands must be loose in your grip and…"
She zoned out once again. Dumbledore's words echoed in her head. 'Not yet? Why? I'm more than ready!' to say she was upset was an understatement. She couldn't help but feel impatient. She had been given access to the restricted area by Dumbledore on the terms that she would only read about Horcruxes, nothing more. And so, she spent her free time for the past month sneaking away from the Marauders and secretly studying about Horcruxes in the restricted section. And now she was told that she "wasn't ready"? Her heart clenched as Dumbledore's words echoed again in her busy mind. She was disrupted from all thought as a voice sounded beside her.
"Hermione Grace, you should pay more attention in class." Regulus smirked.
"Ha!" she snapped back sarcastically. "Don't you think we're attracting too much attention?" she pointed out the staring eyes.
"Maybe?" he shrugged. "Well, I do have an responsibility to uphold. The Black family is a very prestigious pureblood family, you know."
Hermione thought for a moment. 'Then why does Sirius and Regulus act so differently?'
"Hey Reg," she called him. She smiled at the nickname she gave him. He seemed surprised but acknowledged her. "If you do not wish to answer then just say so, ok?" she said softly, knowing the sensitivity of the question she was about to ask him.
"Okay…" he answered her, suspicious of what was coming next.
"Why are you and Sirius on such bad terms?"
Hermione could only register the shock on his face that showed for a split second, then it went dark. "Shouldn't you ask him that?" he spat angrily.
"I've tried, but he just won't answer me clearly."
Regulus was silent for a moment. He just stared at her emotionlessly. She could never understand what was going through his mind when he looked at her like that. 'He looks just like Sirius when he's… well… serious,' her face softened as she gazed at him.
Finally he sighed and said, "We're just too different…"
She didn't want to press any further just in case he closed himself off from her. The situation between the two brothers bothered her for some unknown reason though.
The rest of the lesson passed in silence between the two.
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The atmosphere between the two was so heavy. 'Why did she ask that?' Regulus thought. Hermione and Regulus had become close in the past month. Close enough to give each other nicknames. Regulus recalled the time they gave each other nicknames….
Regulus had enough of that lovesick witch, Josanne, following him. She had tried to approach him numerous times to 'clear the air' as she called it.
"Regulus! Regulus, please wait!"
'Speak of the devil… I mean, witch' he sighed inside. "What Josanne," he snapped at the blonde.
"Regulus, can't you just accept my feelings? We're perfect for each other," she gripped onto his shoulder, stroking them affectionately.
It sickened him. He pushed past her saying nothing, yet she followed again spouting nonsense about becoming a couple. He kept walking.
"Why can't you see it?!" she cried out. "We're supposed to be together."
"Stop deluding yourself with false accusations," Regulus told her coldly, not once did he stop moving. He wished she would give up, wished she would move onto obsessing over a different boy, maybe even his brother just to watch him suffer as he currently was.
"Regulus!" she exclaimed as if shocked to hear him say the truth out loud. There was silence from the girl for some time. He actually thought she gave up, but when he turned his head to see if she was behind him, he wasn't surprised to see a rather shaking with – what seemed like – sadness and a dab of rage. "I know why you're like this…" she said rather dangerously.
"Oh and why am I?" he asked bored. No matter whether he was irritated or calm, as a member of the Black family, he held his pride and composure at all times, not showing a hint of his true feelings.
"It's because of that mudblood," she spat venomously.
Regulus finally stopped walking. 'HOW DARE SHE!' Regulus angrily yelled inside, but – again – held his composure. "I believe I told you already Josanne," he turned to face her, "don't you ever call her that in front of me," he said seething with anger.
Josanne was silent for some time. When she opened her mouth to say something, the once deserted corridor filled a sweet voice.
"Sirius! Enough already! You're so annoying!"
"Come on, Mione!" the said boy laughed. "Just agree to come to Hogsmeade with me next month and I'll leave you be."
"I doubt I'll ever be at peace with you around…" Hermione sighed. Sirius just laughed heartily. The two rounded the corner and come face to face with the two Slytherin.
"Ah-" Sirius started.
Regulus felt outraged. 'Why is Hermione with him,' he thought angrily. "Sirius, Hermione…"
"Regulus," Sirius nodded to him with a serious expression. When Sirius looked over to the angry blonde witch, he ignored her existence.
"Um… Hi Regulus… and you,' Hermione greeted them, though she looked disgusted at Josanne.
Josanne said nothing. She looked angrily from face to face then stomped away.
'What a relief,' Regulus sighed, 'now only one more annoying existence to deal with,' he thought as he stared down Sirius.
Sirius and Regulus stayed in a staring competition for some time.
Finally someone spoke up. "Um, Sirius," Hermione touched his forearm. This relaxed Sirius and angered Regulus for some unknown reason. Sirius looked down at the caramel haired girl and smiled charmingly at her. "I have to go to Advanced Charms now so I'll go now."
"I'll go with you," Sirius offered.
"But you'll be late to your class."
"Don't worry about it!" Sirius laughed as he placed his hands on the back of his head and smiled at her.
'What a carefree fool,' Regulus grunted inside. "Don't bother since we are in the same class, I'll take her," Regulus said smugly as he pushed passed his older brother to stand beside the pretty witch. Sirius growled under his breath. He obviously thought it went unheard, but Regulus heard it as clear as day. "You're not the only one who can do that, Sirius," Regulus whispered so lowly, only someone with heightened senses like him could hear it.
Another growl sounded from Sirius. "Hey Mione!" he called out. Hermione twirled around to listen to the other Black. "Think about what I said, Mione," he winked.
She sighed heavily, "Fine, I'll think about it…"
She turned and walked with Regulus silently with Regulus, who was in deep thought. 'Mione he says… So he gave her a nickname…' A burning feeling of agitation spread through his being. He couldn't understand what the feeling was. Irritation? Anger? Fury? Annoyance? Maybe even… Jealousy… 'No, it couldn't be,' he told himself. But the thought of her being so close to his brother angered him. 'If Sirius can give her a nickname, then so can I.'
"So what was that you need to think about, Angel?" he asked, smirking at the pet name he gave her.
"Oh nothing, just something about Hogsmeade weekend. Wait, what?!" she exclaimed.
"What?" he smirked.
"A-Angel?!"
"Yes, Angel. What's wrong with it? It's just a nickname," he said seriously.
"Why 'Angel'?"
"Well, like I said during our first meeting, "look in the mirror and see for yourself, Angel,"' he winked.
She blushed profusely at his reply, not saying anything in return. 'She looks gorgeous with a tint of pink to those cheeks,' he sighed. Then it was his turn to blush at having such affectionate thoughts about the muggle-born.
"A-Anyway," she began, "Sirius was just asking me to… accompany him during the Hogsmeade Weekend next month."
"Oh? And are you?" Regulus stated monotonously feeling another bolt of jealousy pass through him.
"Um… I'm not sure… I mean, I'm not even sure if I'll go."
"Why not?"
"Um… I guess I just don't feel like it."
"Oh…"
Not knowing what to say, the two students walked silently to class. This was only their second week knowing each other. It was then that Regulus had some sort of epiphany. 'I don't know anything really about her.'
"Why don't you tell me about yourself, Angel," he gave her a small smile, in which she returned as she thought.
"Well, I'm a muggle-born witch, I just transferred and… I'm in Gryffindor," she teased.
"I know that," he rolled his eyes. She could be a bit of a smartass sometimes. "Though I must say I believe you would've benefitted more if you were in Slytherin."
"And be surrounded by people like… them…" she spoke lowly as if the thought made her want to vomit.
Now this offended Regulus deeply. 'Have I misjudged her character? Maybe she is just like the muggle-borns that mother and father told me about?' He suddenly found himself angry with her. "What's that supposed to mean?" he hissed angrily.
She looked at him with sad eyes. Eyes that made his anger dissipate into the need to comfort her. "I mean, I'd be surrounded by people who may become death eaters…" she said slowly and quietly. "I hate them…" she said, her voice quaked with anger but also with misery.
'She hates death eaters? Well of course she does, she's a muggle-born she's specifically what death eaters hate…'
"I understand," he said as he took her hand in his.
"Thank you, but I don't think you'll ever understand… I'm sorry…" she said miserably.
She tried to pull away, but he caught her hand. "But even so, I will still be here for you, Angel."
She smiled a little at him, though he knew it was forced. He squeezed her hand to give her support, but no matter whether he squeezed or stroked her hands, her eyes were still miserable, sad, and showed that she was crying inside. "Don't start crying now, tears don't fit Angels… smiles do though," he winked.
She giggled a little. After a while she seemed better. "Hey Regulus…" she whispered.
"Hmmm?"
"You gave me a nickname, so… can I give you one?" she asked shyly.
He chuckled, "Of course."
"How about… Regie?"
He couldn't help laughing at that nickname. She looked so embarrassed, "I've never nicknamed a guy before… and so I'm awkward ok…..…. Is it that bad?"
"You can do much better I hope."
"Fine… I'll think about it…"
The rest of the class went by rapidly. Before they knew it, class was over and it was time to part ways. Upon leaving the class, Regulus subtly watched as Hermione caught up with her two exiting friends: the red-headed head girl of Gryffindor, Lily Evans, and the prat his brother hangs out with, James Potter. Her curls bounced lightly as she fast walked to meet them in the corridor. Regulus needed to go the opposite way, and was about to take his leave when he caught Hermione spin around to meet his gaze. She smiled as angelic as she looked and waved goodbye saying, "See you next lesson, Reg."
He didn't react. More like, he couldn't react. She'd given him a nickname. It echoed in his head, the exact melodious way she pronounced it. He smirked to himself, 'She just got more interesting…'
Regulus was brought out of his recollection by the touch of small hands on his shoulder. Hermione was letting him know it was time to go. Out of his recollection, he realized something. 'Hogsmeade weekend is in two weeks. She can't be possibly be going with that git of a brother, Sirius, right?'
"Angel, are you going to the Hogsmeade weekend?"
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"Ah, well… Actually I'm not sure…" Hermione said meekly.
"Well, if you go, I don't mind accompanying you to keep him away."
Hermione looked at Regulus peculiarly. "Um, well… thanks for the offer…" She spotted James and Lily by the door, obviously waiting for her. What surprised her though was James' proud smile. 'Something happened~~' she smiled to herself. "Ah, Reg, I got to go… I've got something to check up on," she said quickly as she rushed to the door with a wave goodbye to the Slytherin boy.
"Lil!" she called.
The red head turned around to see a curly haired girl bolt toward her.
"We have to talk," Hermione smirked.
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A/N: It's been a while since I last wrote something for Changes Can Be Made… I'm honestly worried…. How was it? -_- Anyway! Review please guys! :D Thanks for being super nice and supportive guys! I LOVE YOU ALL! Xoxoxoxoxoxo :* Take care of yourself guys! :D Kimzy_Bubble over and out! ;)