Chapter 3
Revised February 23, 2004.
So, did it hurt?
Hermione was greeted at the base of Gryffindor tower by a red-haired girl and a dark-haired boy, the same one who she'd seen on the Quidditch field. The one she mistook for Harry.
Lily and James . .
"Hello," Lily said merrily. "I'm Lily Evans, the Head Girl. This is my boyfriend James, the Head Boy. You must be Hermione."
James helped Hermione inside the open portrait hole. Hermione looked into the common room, relieved to see the common room looking a lot like it did in the present. Same red furniture, same fireplace, same boy with untidy hair. Almost.
Lily looked around Hermione. "Don't you have a trunk?"
Hermione thought quickly. "No. . .it was stolen on the way over here. I came from Beauxbatons."
"Oh, Hermione, I am so sorry!" Lily cried. James murmured a sigh of sympathy.
"I'll be happy to lend you some clothes, Hermione," Lily said. They were about the same size.
Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Lily." She could see why she liked Harry as a friend so much; he inherited his mother's kindness.
"You want to meet some people?" James asked.
"Sure."
Lily went off to find Hermione some clothes.
James led her over to a group of three other boys. Hermione instantly knew them as the Marauders, but she played dumb and let James introduce her.
"This is Remus." Remus Lupin stood up and chivalrously offered her his chair. She sat down. "Nice to meet you, Pro–Remus. I'm Hermione." It was funny to see her old teacher looking so young. He was pale, and his robes were worn, but his kind ways and familiar face made Hermione comfortable. "Hello," he said. "What are your favorite subjects?"
Remus didn't know he'd opened a floodgate. Hermione said enthusiastically, "All of them! But I think Arithmancy is so complex and intricate. That's what makes it interesting. I love it." Hermione and Remus talked for a few more minutes, until James cleared his throat. "Looks like you found your soulmate, Moony. But let her meet everyone else. Hermione, this is Peter."
Instantly Hermione's demeanor changed; this was the man–no, boy-- who would eventually bring about Lily and James' demise. But you don't know any of that will happen, she told herself. You don't know this is a person who is lower than a flobberworm. She smiled quickly. "Nice to meet you, Peter. I am Hermione."
"Nice to meet you," he said. Hermione thought he sounded like a rat; that's what he was. "And here's Sirius."
Hermione turned; and there was the man who had saved her life. She breathed in sharply; he was so handsome. Sirius. She tried to pretend she knew nothing of his future.
Hermione held out her hand. "I don't think I properly thanked you for saving my life. My name is Hermione."
"Sirius Black, at your service." He took her hand and kissed it. Hermione jerked her own hand back, ignoring the surge of electricity. She remembered Sirius' tales of women he'd dated throughout his years at Hogwarts. Hermione was not about to be suckered in, no matter how handsome he was.
And Ron. She mustn't forget about Ron. She loved him . . . didn't she? Yes. And she owed it to him to be faithful. . .even if she WAS in another timeline.
Heart to stone, heart to stone, Hermione thought. Don't let him inside your heart. "How long are you staying?" Sirius asked.
"Till the end of the year," Hermione replied. Her hair shimmered in the firelight, something he noticed.
"So, did it hurt?" Sirius asked.
Hermione blinked. "Did what hurt?"
"When you fell from heaven." Hermione had heard that line before, many times, but the line was so ironically on-subject she laughed.
He laughed with her. "So you can smile, then." he said.
"I laughed at your moronic pick-up line. And if you're planning on asking me out, do it now, so I may turn you down." Hermione hated herself for being so mean, but knew she'd crack if she wasn't. She knew she'd fall for this man.
Sirius didn't look affected in the slightest. "I wasn't going to ask you out. Why anyone would beats me."
"Hermione!" Lily called, coming down the stairs from the seventh year girls' dormitory. "I have some clothes for you, but it's not a lot, so we can go to Hogsmeade tomorrow. It's a Hogsmeade weekend."
Hermione grinned. "Thanks, Lily!"
"You're welcome. Now get your butt up here and try these on."
Hermione turned to Sirius and the rest. "Nice to meet you. . .all." She glanced at Sirius quickly, then ran up the stairs with Lily.
"She's a pistol, all right," James commented.
"She's smart," Remus offered.
"She's mine," Sirius declared.
A/N: Hope everyone understands where Hermione is coming from here–she doesn't want to be unfaithful to Ron, she doesn't want to fall for a guy who's had hundreds of girls. So if she sounds harsh, she's just protecting herself, the only way she knows how.
Thanks to: gurl:thanks! Emerald*Lily501: I know, I am going to go for longer chapters. Chapter 4 is the longest I believe. Thank you! (Lovely user name, I love it) Melody's Song: (another lovely user name) Thank you so much for comparing me to JK! I know I am nowhere near her. I know Ron and Hermione will probably become canon...I still don't like them:) But I am not going to trash Ron in order to furthur Sirius. Some fics do that, but I don't see the need:) So if you were worried about that, don't be. Captein Amelia: I won't stop! I promise! I have 6 chapters written Riffinton: ::wiggles fingers:: lol! Thank you so much for telling me this is believable, I was really worried readers would think it was. . .phony....unrealistic.....you know? Shortcakebaby: Thank you so much for the compliment; I try to make the story clear so readers don't start scratching their heads. :) Tish24: the mission will be revealed....well, you'll have to stick with me and find out! :) reems: yes, she knows James and Sirius. She is in her seventh year at Hogwarts, so she would have known about them. Actually, I want to thank you because you brought that to my attention and I was able to fit that into a later chapter. :) fruits candy: This is a Hermione/Sirius fic. I am so sorry. You can keep reading if you want, just to see where this goes. But if not I understand and thanks for your review! Dia: yep, it's Sirius/Hermione. As for her going out with Ron, you'll see her struggle with that during the story. Ss harry: thanks! I like pink. And I will update as often as I can.