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Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the other characters in the series

Summary: He'd always wanted a glimpse into his future. When his wish is unexpectedly granted, a young Marauder finds regret, pain, death and something more.

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~ Finding Myself ~

Chapter Seven: Dear Stars Above

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Sweet Jesus, Hermione thought, her mind spinning uncontrollably. It couldn't be!

Yet there was George, bewildered and laughing with Fred and Ron, apparently believing that they were pulling some prank by telling him he was supposed to be dead.

Did this mean she'd see her parents again?

"What the bloody hell are we thinking?" a growling voice suddenly cut the excited commotion, bringing silence. "I don't bloody care if Voldemort's dead, how did I let you jackasses convince me to expose myself in public, in full view - "

"Oh, lighten up, Alastor, there's cause for celebration!" Remus grinned broadly, slapping him on the shoulder.

Moody scowled at him. "Well, really, Remus, no more Firewhiskeys I think - I'm already feeling queer, like I've been sleeping for months! Where's my brandy?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling a little odd too." a quiet voice mumbled at Hermione's elbow. She jumped like she'd been shot and turned to fling her arms around Neville, and burst into delighted tears. He choked out confused protests, sounding terrified.

"What on earth is going on? Why is everyone so excited? Ouch - Harry, no offense, but get off me!"

"Sorry, Tonks."

"Ugh - I feel disoriented."

"Oh, lovely, just when we thought we were rid of you, Podmore."

"Eh?"

"Pay no heed to Severus, Sturgis, you've just been dead for over a year, that's all."

"WHAT?!"

"Ouch, I think my eardrums just burst from that multiple explosion."

"I agree with Hermione. Don't ever try to save my life by dying like that again, by the way. I'll kill you!"

"Dear stars above, I'm confused."

"Why, George, you just sounded remarkably like my brother Aberforth - "

"Forget Aberforth - what's all this about Sturgis dying? Minerva, I never thought you were a woman of Firewhiskeys - "

(" - Heh, Everyone's going loopy, and I like it. It's about damned time there was some laughter again, George, this warrants some of our Wheezes - ")

"She isn't joking, yer moron Tonks, yer people have no idea what's bin goin' on 'round 'ere."

"You think you could tell us, Hagrid, because Hermione just sobbed buckets into my shoulder!"

"Calm down, Neville, I sympathize with you about how scary it is when 'Mione weeps into your shoulder - ouch - sorry, sorry, 'Mione - but Neville, you might burst a blood vessel. No, forget that: Moody might. Yeah, I think that's darn likely."

"Ron, shut up, you git, they're trying to figure something out here."

"And taking their own time, I might add."

"REMUS, have pity, mate! It ain't everyday you here you've been buried in a coffin for a while!"

"Sorry, Sturgis. Yes, Moody, I apologize to you too, for whatever reason you think I must."

"Wait, reverse the engines right now - Sturgis - you're saying he's been dead too?"

"TOO?! Now hold it one bloody moment, how many of us have been dying around here as of late?"

"No need to get your knickers twisted, Moody - "

Harry nudged Hermione, chuckling; they were both unable to wipe the grins off their faces.

"Where the hell did these fireworks come from?"

"Forget the damn fireworks - okay, I think this violet will do for the hair for now - damn it, do something, you twins, or the Muggles will be here in a flash and there goes my job at the Ministry - oh boy, you're not going to tell me I've lost my Auror job at the Ministry because I've been so-called dead? Have been dead, as a matter of interest?"

"You haven't been so-called dead! Hit-in-the-chest, Avada-Kadavra DEAD, is what we're talking about!"

"Don't point your wand at people when you say words like that, for Merlin's sake, Harry!"

"DUMBLEDORE, EXPLAIN!"

Silence fell.

Dumbledore, his eyes dancing and his lips twitching uncontrollably as he listened to the mayhem indulgently, smiled fully now.

"Very well, but I must ask for silence, which means that as much as it pleases me to have you back with us, Mr Weasely, I must request that you remain dormant for a few more minutes. Now - apart from George Weasely and Sturgis Podmore, you, Moody, Tonks and Neville here have all been dead for the past year and varying months. Voldemort, until a few minutes ago, was seconds from destroying us all."

Snape looked positively disgusted. "Dumbledore, you're not seriously telling us that Black - ?"

At Snape's words, Hermione's heart slammed hard into her ribs. Was that how everything had changed - how she somehow hadn't died? Had Sirius -

Sirius.

She had to get to the other cemetary, the one where James and Lily Potter had been buried. She had to go there!

Across the few remaining graves, her eyes met Remus's.

"Moody!" he yelled, startling everyone and interrupting Dumbledore. "Sorry, old chap, but I'm borrowing your broom."

"Yeah, Sturgis, gotta have yours." Hermione added, snatching it up.

"Why the - ?" But both Remus and Hermione were already mounting the brooms, and Hermione's heart was pounding so loudly that she was unaware of the fact that everyone, Harry and Ron included, were gawking at them in the liveliest astonishment.

"Let them go," Dumbledore said, his eyes suddenly twinkling again. "They have something to find out - and someone to search for. Let's hope the stars have been kind once more."

Hermione had never been a good flier, but she found herself streaking through the air, faster than even Remus, as they both tore through the thermals, over the clouds, swooping towards the cemetary that wasn't too far away.

They landed five minutes later. The cemetary was deserted and quiet, and the scattered tombs cast cool shadows over the graves, quelling the heat of the day. Withered flowers lay in bouquets or single on the various graves, and Hermione glanced at Remus as they both approached the Potters' grave site.

"There they are." She whispered.

James Potter.

Lily Potter.

"Do you think - ?"

We have to hope, Hermione." Remus squeezed her hand.

They moved around the nearest tomb and found themselves staring at an empty patch of grass. Something burst inside Hermione.

Then, like an even greater form of magic, they heard footsteps approaching and being accustomed to disappointment and pain as they were, half-expected to see Harry, carrying his Firebolt, walking towards them, but as they turned around, it wasn't Harry they saw.

The man was young-looking, handsome, with short (when in the past few months did he do that?) black hair and Muggle-like clothing that suited him. His deep brown eyes appeared to be taking in the surroundings with a mixture of confusion and elation and they slowly moved to rest on Hermione and Remus, standing there, frozen in place.

"Well." Remus managed to croak, his eyes showing every flicker of emotion.

A typical grin cracked the man's face. "Hey there." His eyes moved from Remus and Hermione felt a jolt as her eyes met his.

Somehow, she managed to speak.

"Hello, Sirius."


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TBC.

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A/n: Chapter Eight - the last chapter - will be up soon! Enjoy!