~Best and Worst of Times~
Summary: Before the start of the Seventh year term, Hermione is at home. When a Death-eater attacks. Sending her back in time. There she meets the love of her life.
Hogwarts
Dinning Hall
"Sure," replies Melody, albeit a little bit confused. Melody asks, "What was so funny?"
"That Pen a Slytherin could even learn," snickers Remus holding his stomach.
"Welcome to Gryffindor," shouts Nearly Headless Nick as he floats down toward her. Clamping down her mouth as to prevent herself from shouting back. This is going to be harder then I thought.
"Melody," states Sirius getting her attention. "This is Sir Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, by others he is often called Nearly Headless Nick. If for any reason you get lost, he's the ghost you want to get directions from."
"Well this is a first," states Sir Nick as he peers at Melody.
"What is a first," questions James.
"The new girl hasn't asked why I'm called Nearly Headless," says Sir Nick.
Clearing her throat, "because its rude."
"Plus, I'm sure James or Sirius would tell her all about it," laughs Caroline.
Professor McGonagal walks over to the Gryffindor table stopping right behind Remus and Sirius. Leaning forwards she hands Melody a book and a piece of parchment. Accepting it from her, Melody mutters a small, "Thanks." Flipping through her grade book, Hermione notices the Hogwarts seal is concealed. That explains why no one thinks I'm a Hogwarts student.
Hearing a resounding thump, Hermione looks up. Blinking blankly at Professor McGonagal. Glancing around under her lashes, Hermione feels embarrassing heat flush in her face. "What?"
"Your grades Miss St. James," starts Professor McGonagal. "Make you a perfect."
"So," mutters Hermione. What does that have to do with anything?
"I'm the perfect this year," whispers Lily, looking at her noticing that her eyes were starting to redden. Oh, one perfect per house.
"Professor McGonagal, I hope you don't think I'm too forward. But I'm a transfer student. Just because my grades are good doesn't mean that they are equal to Hogwarts standards. Plus, I have no idea what being a perfect entails. Since Lily here is perfect, let's just leave it at that."
"Well if that's how you really feel about it," states Professor McGonagal giving a half smile as she walks away.
"That was really nice of you," remarks Sirius staring at Hermione.
"Not at all," dismiss Melody. If somebody tried to take my perfect badge I would have hexed them so bad, they would have needed a medwitch. Smiling at him, Melody looks down at the paper Professor McGonagal gave her.
Softly smiling at Sirius, Hermione watches as he goes back to talking to James. Looking over the parchment that Professor McGonagal handed her, Hermione realizes that its her new schedule. Cool new classes. Don't I need books to go with these classes?
"What have you got there," asks Lily trying to look over Hermione's shoulder.
"Class schedule," states Hermione as she starts to memorize her classes. "Does anyone else have any of these classes?"
"Everyone has the same basic course," informs James. "Only certain students have other classes. Who is your potions partner?"
"Potions partner?" questions Hermione finally looking up.
"Yeah, everyone is assigned a partner," laughs Remus. "Who do you have?"
Scanning the paper Melody tries to read her partners name. Whose handwriting is this? It totally sucks. "I can't read the name."
"Give it here," states Remus as he pulls the paper from her hands. Letting him have the paper, everyone hears him groan.
"What," demands Melody. "Who does it say?"
"Your partner is me," groans Remus hanging his head down in shame.
While staring at him, everyone groans in disappear. "And that's bad because," questions Melody. He can't be as bad as Neville! Right?
"Ah, you see Remus has a sickly Grandma that he visits," starts James.
"And Remus is really bad at potions," adds Sirius.
"Oh," holding up her hand to stop the conversation before anyone else jumps in. "Have you ever blown up your cauldron?" Watching everyone shake their head no "Melt it," still shaking their heads no.
"Poison half the student body," ripples of laughter but everyone says no. "Added to much spleen thus turning your partner a lovely shade of green for three weeks," out right laughter but still the answer was no. "Set off fireworks," more laughter, everyone again said no. James and Sirius give each other a look. "Ok I give what's so bad with having you for a partner?"
"My partner winds up doing most of the work," finishes Remus looking down.
"That's all," laughs Melody. "After deal with all of the above I think I can handle doing work with some who isn't going to send me to the hospital." Laughter flows as she starts to feel accepted by the old Gryffindor crowd. Both Remus and Sirius escorted her to the dormitories.
Hogwarts
Fat Lady
Approaching the Fat Lady, Sirius stands to one side of the portrait. Using his charm and wit he tires his best to get her open up without the password. Although the Fat Lady was blushing at Sirius's complements she refuses to open.
"Fine, My Lady," says Sirius over dramatically. "The password is Slytherin Sinks." At that the portrait opens. Entering the common room, Lily points out how to get to the girl dormitories.
About to go up to the girl's side of the dormitories, Sirius holds up Melody. "I'm glad you're in Gryffindor." Feeling his lips brush her cheek. Me too.
Next Day
Hallway Heading towards Potions Class
Walking with Lily, Melody glances behind her. What are they up too? Behind them were James and Sirius, talking very softly, too softly for comfort. Just what are they planning? About to ask what the pair of pranksters were planning, Melody hears Sirius growling. What?
"Well," sneers Malfoy. Turning to look at the blonde, Melody saw he emerge from an unused classroom. It's like he was waiting for us. "What do we have here?"
"Well, if it isn't the girl from the bathroom," snickers a boy from behind Malfoy.
"Miss St. James," purrs Malfoy moving closer to her. "It's a shame that you weren't put in Slytherin."
"Really," purrs Melody unconsciously backing away. "Even after I hexed your two friends here." Felling a hand on her shoulder, Melody becomes aware that Sirius has taken two steps forward and was right at her side. Oh thank Merlin.
"Yes I would have made sure you were safe, even from Court and Scotty. After all a beautiful woman should be appreciated. " Malfoy continues to purr as he lifts up and kisses the back of her hand.
Tugging her hand away from him. Yuck! I need to wash my hand. A charming Malfoy what a scary thought. "Thanks for the thought," replies Melody.
"She doesn't need any protection," snickers Lily. "She's in Gryffindor."
"Who asked you, mud…" Malfoy stops as the Marauders even Peter loomed closer to him.
"Come on," states Lily tugging on Melody's hand. "We need to get to class."
Potions Class
In the Dungeon
Looking around the dungeon. Some things never change. Placing her books down where Remus had shown her. Wonder what potion we're going to make today. Taking her seat next to Remus, Melody smiles at him. Looking at Lily who was paired up with Caroline Nickels, Melody mouths, "What are those two up too?" Glancing back to Sirius who was paired up with James. Does anyone think that's wise pairing those two up?
Lily mouths back, "No idea."
Turning around, Melody looks directly at Sirius. "Ok," whispers Melody. "What do you two have planned today?"
"Who us," responses James giving his best attempt to look innocent and failing miserably.
"Just wait," laughs Sirius with a gleeful expression on his face.
"Good evening class," snaps Professor Sinclair as he struts into the room. "Today you will be making a potion called 'Globes breath' it's practical use is to bring someone out of the deepest depths of sleep. Everyone has five minutes to write down the ingredients and get to work. Twenty points to the group who gets it right."
Great Loonyviile. Smirking Melody copies down the ingredients, as Remus starts to gather them. This should be easy seeing how I did this last year. As the class progresses Professor Sinclair make it known that he favors the Slytherin's. Not new. Professor Sinclair really seems to like the pairing of Snape and Malfoy best.
"Tell me, Mister Lupin. Did you add the eye of newt," demands Professor Sinclair as he glares at Remus.
"Ah," struggles Remus, looking down at the cauldron.
"Yes, Professor," answers Melody.
"It still doesn't look right," growls Professor Sinclair as he passes them.
Shows how much you know. "Relax Remus," mutters Melody. "It's just about done." Smirking she watches Professor Sinclair stalk around the room. I hate to say it, but Snape does it better.
As the class comes to an end, Professor Sinclair walks towards Snape's cauldron picking up the ladle. "Hmm, so far this is as close as anyone has ever come to getting this potion right on the first try. Very good, Severus and Lucius. Ten points to Slytherin."
"Now, let's see what Lupin and St. James have come up with," snickers Professor Sinclair. Striding over towards the pair, he sneers at them. I don't know you you're kidding, but it's not me. As he reaches their cauldron, he picks up the ladle. The potion burps releasing a grotesque smell before turning purple. Gotcha.
All snickering vanishes from Professor Sinclair's face as he clams his jaws shut. Looking as if he was going to explode, his whole body was stiff and tense. Professor Sinclair mutters, "Twenty points to Gryffindor."
Everyone's jaws just dropped. Remus had his eyebrows in his hairline. Watching Professor Sinclair move away, Melody smirks at his retreating back. Approaching, Potter and Black's cauldron, he picks up the ladle; the potion turns green and starts to give off sparks. Oh what have they done?
Both boys step back from their cauldron. The professor never knew what hit him as it explodes, covering him in slimy green goop. "Detention! Ten points from Gryffindor."
Stifled laughter fills the room as students start to clean up their workstations. Professor Sinclair stalks out of the room. Laughter burst from the students in the room.
"Good one," laughs Lily.
"Not funny! Black," snaps Severus. "Potter."
"Well, don't worry about it," snaps Sirius. "We have our detention."
"And our prank for the day," laughs James as they start to clean up their mess.
"Hey," laughs Remus. "I'll clean up here." He takes over cleaning the workstation. "After all that is the first time in probably all of history that a Gryffindor got twenty points from Professor Sinclair for a potion done right and better then a Slytherin."
"Yeah," sneers Court. "And it's going to be the last."
Until Later