Hermione wandered the halls to the Astronomy Tower, deep in thought. She knew for a fact that she was rushing things with Sirius, and it was only now, that she was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She didn't want to end up doing anything stupid, like all of her friends back in her present time; she didn't want to feel pressured about a relationship. Yet, it was only now that reality really hit her, and the old Hermione was coming back into play.
What had she been thinking when she'd tried to kiss Black? What had she been thinking when she'd agreed to meeting Sirius in the Astronomy Tower after hours? What had she been thinking when she'd told Sirius that she was giving up her position as a teacher? She just couldn't do that, mainly due to the fact that she had a Pensieve, and if someone nosy came along, no doubt, her identity would be revealed. She couldn't risk that, yet she could risk becoming friends with them all.
Another thing that puzzled her was the fact that she actually liked Sirius. She thought back to a year ago, when she'd had a major crush on Lupin. What had happened there? And how had her crush moved on from the sensible, sweet and caring Professor Lupin to loud-mouthed, forward gets-a-girl-every-night Sirius Black? She couldn't understand how that had transpired.
She gulped worriedly as she reached the top of the Astronomy Tower; she wasn't really ready to face Sirius … she couldn't understand how her attitude had changed, from rebellious Hermione to sensible Hermione. All that she knew now was that she was back to normal, and she hated herself for it.
"Sirius?" she called out in a barely audible whisper. Sirius turned and broke into a wide smile.
"Hey, Hermione" his smile faded when he saw the look on Hermione's face "Are you okay?"
Hermione could barely breathe, mainly because she couldn't understand what was wrong with her, all that she knew was that she was panicking.
"I-I'm sorry, I don't think I can do this" she whispered, her voice trembling. Sirius looked at her in confusion.
"Do what?"
"I-I can't do this with you" she told him, her voice cracking slightly. Where had the daring Hermione gone? The confident Hermione. It was as if she'd disappeared into thin air.
Sirius' expression immediately changed from confusion to one of hurt, and then to one of anger, it was only then, that Hermione realized, he'd never been rejected by a girl. She'd just damaged his pride.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" he hissed.
"I-I—Sirius, I'm a teacher … teacher's don't date—"
"Don't give me that rubbish!" he snapped "you told me yourself that you're going to give up being a teacher"
"I changed my mind" she told him angrily "and I'm sorry, but I don't think that this relationship would've worked out anyhow"
"How would you know? You never even tried" Suddenly Sirius stopped and stared at Hermione with eyes narrowed "Has this got anything to do with Ash, by any chance?"
The question caught Hermione totally off guard and it took her a few moments for it to sink in.
"No! What on earth gave you that idea?"
"Oh, I dunno. The fact that he despises me, maybe?" Hermione's lips tugged in a small smile.
"He doesn't despise you, he's just extremely protective, that's all"
Sirius snorted.
"Yeah, right. Fine, then Professor Granger, I need to get back to my dormitory. I'll see you tomorrow morning"
"Very well then, Mr. Black" she took a deep breath, knowing that she was about to have both Sirius and The Marauders hate her, but she needed to stop herself from getting to close to them "Ten points from Gryffindor from wandering the corridors after hours and detention with Filch tomorrow night"
Sirius' face immediately contorted into one of anger.
"You bitch!" he hissed "You good for nothing, bloody—"
"Another ten points from Gryffindor for swearing and insulting a teacher" she said calmly "You're not doing too well for Gryffindor, are you?"
Sirius was absolutely seething as he turned on his heel and stormed from the Astronomy Tower. Hermione lingered there for a few minutes, before making her way back to her room, tears streaming down her face.
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"Well, I'm glad you're back to normal" Black said happily, "although, did you have to take twenty points from Gryffindor?"
Hermione refused to go to the Great Hall for breakfast, so Black decided to visit her, where Hermione told him about what happened the previous night.
"But … I liked myself as I was before. I was rebellious and I really liked it" she moaned, tears welling up in her eyes. Black hesitated, before reaching out and patting her comfortingly on the back.
"Don't worry. What you did was a good thing. If you had've continued this so-called relationship, it wouldn't be good on me now, because I'd begin to have feelings for you too."
Hermione stopped crying and stared at him in disbelief.
"Really?" Black nodded.
"Yes, so all-in-all, you did me a big favour by putting me off"
"Y-You don't feel any hate towards me, do you?" she asked worriedly. Black shook his head.
"No, not at all."
Suddenly, Hermione's eyes widened as she burst into tears again.
"Oh, Hermione! Please don't" Black pleaded "I didn't realize you wanted me that badly!"
Hermione's head snapped up as she smacked him around the head.
"It's not that! I've got the Gryffindor seventh years now!" she retorted heatedly.
Black blanched slightly.
"Oh" was all he managed to say.
"Yes, oh" she nibbled on her lower lip, then looked at Black with hopeful eyes. Black seemed to read her mind as he immediately shook his head.
"Nooo way! Absolutely not!"
"Please! Just for today!"
"Hermione! I can't teach to save my life! And I'll know that something's up if you don't turn up. You need to face me and be the brave woman you are"
"B-But—" she stammered "I-I can't. Last night was so embarrassing! I'll bet that the whole of Gryffindor hates me now … or at least the females will" she added sadly.
Black smiled slightly, looking sympathetic.
"If it'll make you feel better, would you like for me to assist you in your class?" he asked.
"Oh, would you?" Hermione asked joyfully, flinging her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly "Thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me! I'll make it up to you, I promise"
"Alright, meet me in my room at nine tonight" he replied jokingly.
Hermione gave him a look of disapproval mixed with amusement.
"Perv" she stated simply, before making to leave.
Black simply grinned as he followed her.
"You want me really, Hermione, don't deny it"
"Oh, shut up!" She snapped, although she couldn't help thinking that he was right.
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Black couldn't deny that Hermione's description of the female population disliking her was extremely accurate. Apart from a few, that had boyfriends, the rest of them were all shooting her dirty looks. The Marauders were glaring angrily at her, while Sirius purposely avoided her. It seemed to her that she'd managed to lose all popularity and respect from Gryffindor house in one night and it hurt her to know that it was all because of Sirius Black.
Needless to say, the class went extremely badly. None of the girls listened to a word she was saying and kept talking over her. Some of the guys kept making crude jokes about her, which made it obvious that they idolized Sirius, but the worst of it came when the Marauders pulled their prank. They muttered a spell that made her hair turn into snakes and her robes turn into rags so that she was barely wearing anything, then they got a load of water bombs and made them all hit her at once. One water bomb even got her in the face, which made everyone, except, Lily, Alice, Frank and Black, laugh madly. That was it for Hermione as she ran from the classroom with her face buried in her hands.
It was then that Black took control. He was shaking from suppressed rage, and the only other time he'd ever felt like this was when Snape had threatened to tell the entire school that Lupin was a werewolf, after the incident where he'd tried to kill him.
"That's enough!" he barked out, looking furious. Everyone immediately shut up as they looked at this man, who had gone white from fury.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor and all of you have detention with me for the next three weeks!" There were cries of outrage from this.
"You can't do that! You're not our teacher!" James cried, looking horrified.
"That may be so" Black retorted coldly "but treating Miss. Granger like that won't get you very far. Maybe if she's lucky, she might even get some of you suspended for your actions in today's class. I'm going to speak to McGonagall to try and ban Quidditch for the next six months. I have never been so utterly disgusted in all of my life! You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" he spat "and you!" he bellowed, pointing madly at Sirius "Just because she rejected you, you decided to turn the entire of Gryffindor house against her? It really shows what sort of a man you are! And the rest of you females, you're all pathetic! Idolizing him!" Black felt extremely ashamed of himself, this was what he'd been like at seventeen, he'd changed so much since then "your friends are only standing by you out of loyalty; I bet in reality, they think you're as pathetic as the females who fancy you! I hope you're proud of yourself, because this is all your fault" he told his younger self before storming out of the room, in search of Hermione.
It was only then that Remus turned to Sirius in disbelief.
"Wow, now that was interesting"
James whistled quietly "I've never seen that bloke look so angry before"
"Can you believe that? It's as if he was defending Hermione's honour or something" Peter piped up.
"He probably was, Wormtail" Sirius said, looking annoyed "I never liked that guy anyway."
"Is it just me or have you noticed that Hermione's very mysterious about her past?" James asked.
"Prongs, she's a teacher, of course she's mysterious" Remus said in exasperation.
"No, but I mean, really mysterious. All she ever talks about is this Harry guy, but I mean apart from that, she's never mentioned anything else."
Suddenly, the mischievous gleam was in all of the Marauders' eyes.
"I think a night-time stroll is in order"
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Hermione laughed madly, while Black attempted to chat up Madam Rosmerta. Unfortunately for him, Rosmerta was accustomed to men who were smooth talkers and she showed him where to get off.
"I'll be back in a minute. I need to go to the little boy's room" he told Hermione, as he quickly left the table. As soon as he was gone, Rosmerta turned to Hermione, looking surprised.
"Is he your boyfriend?" she asked.
"No!" Hermione exclaimed, looking shocked that anyone could suggest that "What on earth makes you say that?"
"Oh, it's just the way you two look at each other" she told her "You both look like you're a couple in love"
Hermione choked slightly on her butterbeer.
"Sorry, Rosmerta, but he's single, if you're trying to tell me that you want to go out with him, just tell me. I don't really care"
Rosmerta merely raised an eyebrow.
"He's not my type, Hermione. Honestly, how old is he? He looks quite young"
"Yes, well, he isn't" she grumbled in annoyance "He's thirty eight years old and I'm seventeen. I'm sure we're a match made in heaven"
Rosmerta looked astonished.
"Well, that's a surprise; he only looks about twenty two"
"Now there's wishful thinking on Ash's part" Hermione said with a laugh. Rosmerta smiled and leaned in close to whisper in Hermione's ear.
"The way he looks at you, I'm surprised you haven't noticed. He's head over heels in love with you. Age doesn't matter as long as the two of you really like each other" and with that said, she walked off.
"Hey, Mione, reckon we should start getting back to Hogwarts now? We don't want you falling asleep in class now, do we?" Black teased. Hermione's head shot up in surprise and embarrassment. She hadn't seen Black arrive at the table.
"Uh, yeah, let's get back, say, what time is it?"
"Twelve thirty"
"It's not that late!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Still, I reckon we should get back" Black insisted as he took Hermione's arm. Hermione raised an eyebrow at Black.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" she asked.
"Well, I took over your class for me, so you have to join me in my room tonight" Hermione glowered at him.
"I thought that was a joke!"
"Nope. We're sharing a bed" he said with a grin "I promise, there'll be no funny stuff though. I'd just like to share my bed. I'm feeling generous" Hermione eyed him suspiciously. What man would offer to share his bed and there not be anything suspicious of it?
"You're up to something" she stated.
"You can go and get your night stuff and join me in my room, unless you want to sleep in your room?"
"Sirius Black! You're sleeping on the sofa!" Hermione snapped as she pulled her arm away from Black's "Honestly! What would Harry and Professor Lupin say if they could hear you now?"
"Get stuck in there?"
Hermione scowled at him.
"Alright, alright" Black said, putting his hands up in defense "I'm joking, okay?" While Hermione carried on walking, Black muttered inaudibly under his breath "I wish it wasn't a joke and that you would though"
"Do you want to stop for a few Firewhiskey's first?" Hermione asked hopefully. Black grinned and nodded. It was about time Hermione began to be a bit more adventurous.
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"James Potter! You and your friends are not going to Hermione's room!" Lily hissed as she switched the lamp on in the Gryffindor common room. James stared at her in disbelief.
"How did you know?"
"You should make your plans more carefully" she snapped "I heard you in Defense against the Dark Arts. What's with you anyway? Hermione's really nice! All of this is because of Sirius' hurt pride and personally, I think it's pathetic!"
"Whatever" Sirius muttered, but in all honesty, they knew that it was true.
"So, you're going to try and blackmail her, are you? Try and something even more embarrassing than that stunt you pulled today? It's not as if Hermione rejected him in front of the entire school!"
"Shut up!"
"If you're going to Hermione's room, I'm coming with you!"
James scowled in annoyance, while Sirius groaned.
"Fine, but one word out of you Evans and we'll prank you until the end of the year!" Sirius threatened. Lily merely shrugged.
"Fine"
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As they entered Hermione's room (Lily used Alohomora), they quickly walked in and began to look around.
"I can't believe we're doing this!" Lily exclaimed, feeling utterly ashamed of herself "I mean, we wouldn't be doing this if this was any other teacher, would we?"
Remus seemed to be having the same thoughts as he nodded.
"Personally, I think that maybe—" Remus was cut off abruptly when Sirius' voice called out.
"She's got a Pensieve! Look guys!" They looked to see that, on the chest of drawers, there was Pensieve. Lily neared it and gasped slightly when she prodded it to reveal a boy that resembled James greatly. She assumed that this was Harry. A moment later, a man with young features took the place of Harry; he had hazel hair and hazel eyes and he spoke.
"You're the brightest witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione"
That sentence seemed to quieten them all. Who would say that about Hermione? Sirius merely snorted with laughter, but was silenced by a glare from Lily.
Suddenly, loud giggles could be heard from outside the room and the door knob turned. The Marauders and Lily quickly chucked the Invisibility cloak over themselves and quickly stood off to one corner.
In walked Hermione, with Ash by her side. He had a firm grip on her arm, while Hermione was still giggling madly.
"I might take you up on that offer you made earlier" she said as she put her arms around his neck. Black chuckled.
"Oh, yeah? What was that, then?"
"You want me to sleep with you, right? After all, you did do my lesson earlier today"
"Uh huh, but I'd prefer it if you were sober, Mione"
Hermione hiccoughed and swayed slightly from side to side. She narrowed her eyes at him to try and get him into focus, but ended up talking to the door.
"You know, Sirius, I am sober! I cannot believe you would insult me as to say that I'm drunk!"
She crossed her arms over her chest, but ended up falling backwards onto the bed. She began to take off her top, but Black stopped her.
"Hermione, what are you doing?"
"Taking my top off" she said, and then giggled once again "I thought you wanted me! You do, don't you, Sirius?" Black merely smiled softly.
"Hermione, you're going to hate yourself in the morning, if you realized that you'd been stripping in front of me"
"I don't care! I mean it! I don't care anymore! No one loves me anymore! Mum and Dad aren't around anymore! They're dead and … and …" tears welled up in her eyes as she hiccoughed once again "Harry hates me and Ron's always wanted Ginny to go out with him and … Sirius hates me and …" she rambled on for ages until Black had to silence her by putting a finger onto her lip.
"No one hates you and I know for a fact that I don't hate you. I'm just pissed off, that's all" he said quietly.
"Because I'm too drunk to sleep with you?" she inquired, before beginning to gag. She ran into the toilet and Black could hear her retching. He winced slightly.
"Oh god, she's going to hate me in the morning" he muttered to himself "I shouldn't have let her drink so much. I guess I'm going to have to take her classes tomorrow and endure the Marauders. Yay" he said sarcastically.
"You shouldn't put down the Marauders!" Hermione told him, smiling weakly "they're cool" Black smirked.
"Yes, I'm sure. Only because you have a crush on two of them"
"Two?! Really?! I never knew that! Who do I fancy again?" she asked as she stumbled and fell on the floor. Black shook his head slightly and pulled her up onto the bed.
"Well" he said, pretending to look thoughtful "if I recall correctly, you have a crush on good 'ol reliable Moony and the cool, hip Padfoot" Hermione stared at him for a few moments, before laughing drunkenly.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot!" Remus and Sirius both gasped, but were cut off by both Lily and James clapping hands over their mouths.
"C'mon now, Hermione" Black said, his face softening "you need to sleep"
"No, I don't!" she replied indignantly "I need to get laid" Black stared at her in shock for a few moments before regaining his composure. He grinned.
"You are so drunk!" he laughed "Good 'ol reliable Hermione. Brightest witch of her age who hardly ever does any wrong has finally gotten herself drunk. I can't wait to use this against you one day." He said as he tucked her into bed.
"Wow … are you gonna read me a bedtime story?" she asked, looking excited. Black looked unsure of himself.
"Um … no, sorry"
"Oh" she pouted, but shrugged.
"Okay then" Black kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"Night, 'Mione"
The Marauders and Lily took the opportunity to escape. They all felt confused as they entered the Gryffindor Tower. They'd gone in to find answers, or, in The Marauders' case, something to blackmail Hermione with, but now, there was more of a mystery on their hands … and they all intended to find out the mystery that was Hermione Granger.