Manipulating Time

Chapter 3

A Flash Back to the Beginning

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Not that I want to.... I WANT to own Sirius and Remus. nudge, nudge, wink, wink

Hermione slowly walked down the stairs of the girl's dorm into the vast, and empty, common room. No one was there, not surprisingly, since it was only about five in the morning. Soon, however, she spied Amanda sitting in a large plush chair in the corner of the room, staring at the roaring fire, her face cast in shadows.

"Hello Hermione."

"Hi Manda." Hermione smiled as she sat down, "I thought you hated mornings, what are you doing up?"

Amanda averted her eyes from the fire, to look squarely at Hermione, "Couldn't sleep, full moon is coming up after all."

She turned back to the fire.

Hermione, too, turned towards the fire. To her surprise, she saw an image dancing in its depths. It looked to be a little girl, no more than five, running around in small circles. The child's mouth was moving, as if she was singing something, a look of utter happiness playing on her features.

"Yes, that is me."

Hermione glanced over at Amanda as she continued, "Every Christmas I sit in this chair and gaze at the fire, it's spelled you know, and watch my memories... Are there any you would like to see?"

Hermione considered this a moment, and finally said, "When you first met me."

With a mere wave of her hand, Amanda changed the dancing image...

Hermione sat in the large empty common room. It was her first night here, and Lily had went to sleep hours ago. She sat alone, in a deep red velvet chair, a book open on her lap.

"So, you are miss Hermione Granger then?"

With a slight jump, Hermione turned to look at the speaker. She was a pretty girl; soft golden hair that framed her face, and sharp alert crystal blue eyes. Eyes that held a predator's shine... That didn't match her bright purple sheep pajamas one little bit.

"Yes... Who are you? I didn't see you at dinner this evening..."

"I am Amanda Moonbeam. Head girl." She arched an eyebrow, "Missing your friends from your own time are we?"

"Yes, I suppose-" Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief, "No, I mean-"

Amanda held up a hand, silencing her, "Not to worry, your secret is safe with me."

"How... did you know?"

With a half-hearted shrug, she strolled around to the opposite side of the room and settled down into a large plush chair. "I suppose you could say I just know some things..." A soft chuckled rolled free from her lips, "Oddly enough." She turned her sharp eyes back to Hermione.

"Tell me, Hermione: Can I trust you?"

Hermione blinked, "What do you mean?"

"It is a simple question..." Amanda whispered, "Can I trust you? By the way, it is no use lying, I can already tell."

Hermione thought for a moment. "Yes, you can trust me."

Amanda gave a single sharp nod, and turned to face the crackling fire. "Good."

A wolf.

That was what she was reminded of when she looked at Amanda.

A wolf.

"Yes, again you are correct. I am a wolf, werewolf to be exact."

Hermione blinked in surprise.

"Did you know I live here? Yes, I do. A year or so ago I was bitten and my family disowned me. Hogwarts was the only school that would take me in."

"I'm.... sorry..." Hermione whispered.

"I know."

A shiver ran down Hermione's spine. This Amanda girl was slightly frightening, yet... at the same time... she gave off a very calming aura. She knew she could trust her.

Amanda turned to Hermione, grinning, "Did I really creep you out that much?"

"Yes." Hermione smiled, "You were very creepy in fact."

Laughing, Amanda turned away.

"Your boyfriend is coming." Amanda whispered with a grin.

Hermione turned to look at the boys stair case just as Sirius, adorned in silk black boxers and a lose white t-shirt, bounded down the stairs, followed closely by Remus and James. Remus glanced at Amanda as she looked up with a big goofy grin. She waved enthusiastically, causing Remus to turn away, a blush passing over his cheeks.

Smiling, Hermione greeted Sirius as he jumped over the sofa, landing with a soft thud.

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End of chappie. Yah!

BTW: Would anyone be interested in Beta reading for me? I'm no good at it, I can never find my own mistakes. (go figure...)

Thankx- Manda