Heavy Load
(This chapter is for Reems, who brought to my attention whether Hermione knew Sirius before.)
(IMPORTANT A/N: I don't think I mentioned that Hermione is 17 in this story, and in her 7th year. Sorry if I confused anyone. And a reviewer brought to my attention that some people may have thought Hermione and Sirius kissed in the last chapter. They didn't. Lol I wanted to emphasize that because I don't want you to think I am rushing it......so put the 'kiss' out of your minds! Thank you pnl123 for bringing that to my attention. Also, Filch is mentioned here.....but it's Filch Sr..:) His son took on the family trade, lol.)
Hermione sat up. Lily and the other girls that shared her dorm were asleep. Hermione quietly slipped out of the dorm into a far corner of the common room.
Hermione found that she could not sleep. Her mind was jumbled.
She thought of Ron, Harry, Ginny, and her family.
She thought of her feelings for Sirius.
She thought of Lily and James and their kindnesses.
She thought of living in 1975.
She thought of her growing feelings for Sirius.
She thought of the mission she had to complete within a year.
All of these were so jumbled in her head, but the one that stood out the most was her 'mission.' The one she had to complete before she went back to the present. And she had no clue what it was. All she knew was that it was a matter of life and death.
Maybe I have already done it, Hermione thought. Figures. Why was it so important it required her to go back into time? Surely, someone else could have taken care of it.
She wrote down theories in her diary:
Maybe it has something to do with Lily and James' death. But what? They still died, after all.
Maybe I am supposed to stop someone from doing something.
Maybe I save someone's life.
Maybe I catch a Death Eater.
Hermione sighed, it was hopeless.
Hermione thought of an incident earlier that day: Hermione was walking down the Great Hall after dinner. She heard a commotion, and turned the hall to see what it was. It was Sirius and the caretaker Filch.
"I swear I didn't put that Dungbomb in the hall. Someone else must have done it," Sirius insisted.
"This is the last straw, Black. I'll bring this to the attention of the headmaster, make no mistake about it!"
Hermione turned down the hall and blurted out, "It was me, Mr. Filch. I left the Dungbomb there."
Filch turned to Hermione. Sirius looked surprised, but waited to hear her explanation.
Hermione continued, "I didn't know what a Dungbomb was, so I accidentally set it off. I didn't mean to. Sirius here insisted I go so I wouldn't get in trouble. He offered to take the blame."
It was such an outrageous lie. Sirius began to play along. "Mr. Filch, do you really want to punish a student who has only been here a few days? She looks trustworthy."
Filch moved in between them, deciding. Hermione cast a furtive glance at Sirius, who gave her a thumbs-up.
"All right," Filch said. "I'll let you go. I'll let both of you go."
Sirius shook Filch's hand heartily. "I knew you wouldn't want to punish a new student. Thanks." Sirius hurriedly steered Hermione off.
"That was close," Hermione said.
"Why'd you do it?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know. It just. . .came out."
"Thanks."
Hermione knew who Sirius turned out to be. He was Harry's godfather, Harry's beloved godfather. He had always been kind to Hermione. His death had shaken Hermione up. That was two years ago, when she was 15. Now she was 17, and didn't want to think of Sirius' fate any longer.
Hermione thought of Ron. Ron, who would wonder where she had gone. He would go insane without her. She missed him. And her family. What would Dumbledore tell them? Ginny needed a best friend. Harry needed Hermione to balance him out. Would she fit in? How would she ever get home?
All of this made Hermione's head pound. Slowly, the tears of desperation poured, and she began to sob quietly.
Sirius entered the common room quietly through the portrait hole. He'd been out with Jennifer Clearwater, a favorite of his. They'd had a real nice time.
Sirius was just about to sneak up into bed when he heard Hermione crying. All thoughts of the night he'd just had with Jennifer flew out of his head. Surprised, he went over to the corner of the room she was crying in.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Sirius asked.
Hermione turned her tearstained face to Sirius. "I just miss some people."
"Who?"
"Everyone I knew back home."
Sirius helped her stand. Hermione started to talk about her family. "My mum and dad, they're dentists. So we never have any sweet stuff in the house. They're nice people, though. The supported me totally when I decided to come to B...Beauxbatons and then Hogwarts. My mum she makes the best bran muffins ever. They're sugarless of course, but that works well. . ."
Sirius listen to her talk. She needed to talk. Talking cleansed her. "What about your dad?" he asked.
"Oh, my dad's the best! He's the one who taught me to love books and how to study properly. He would always hang my drawings on the bulletin board. . ." Hermione trailed off. "Sorry, Sirius. I didn't mean to yak your ear off."
"No, it's okay," he said softly. "I don't mind. It's nice to hear about a mum and dad who don't hold ancient prejudices."
She smiled. "You mean it?"
"Yeah." He took his hands and dried her tears. Her heart pounded, and she willed it to stop doing that. Ron Ron Ron she thought. That made her stop thinking about Sirius in that way.
Hermione cleared her throat. "So, anyone I should look out for tomorrow?" she asked. Tomorrow would be her first day of classes.
Sirius smirked. "Yeah. Snivellus Snape. Complete git. Always provokes James and me to, oh, play a few harmless pranks."
"Pranks?" Hermione was interested in this; she didn't like Professor Snape at all. "One time James and me, we sent him a few harmless love letters." Sirius said. "Maybe it went a tad too far.
We arranged for Snivelly to meet 'Katie' on top of the Astronomy tower at midnight. So, being the lovesick git he is, went."
"And?"
"He was met by Filch. Gave Snivelly detention for a week for being out after dark."
Hermione laughed. Normally she didn't like the idea of playing pranks on anyone but Snape was so awful to Harry and Ron she didn't mind.
Hermione stood up and sniffled. "Thanks, Sirius. For staying with me."
"Anytime. Just, uh, not on Friday nights."
Hermione grinned.
Sirius turned to go.
"Sirius?" Hermione asked.
"Really. Thank you."
Sirius nodded and went to his dormitory. When he reached it he suddenly felt fear. Fear that if he fell for this girl he'd get hurt. Under all the sweet talk and womanizer-like ways Sirius was so afraid of getting hurt that he relied on his old motto: 'Hurt before you get hurt.'
I'll back off, he decided. Use the old tactics I used with all the other girls. She won't go for it, and she'll give up on me.
As always.
THANK YOUS
anonymous: About Hermione's character: I think Hermione has always been bold and brave and she is not the same girl we have known in the HP books..... She's seventeen and she has evolved.she's been through a lot and at 17 she has changed. Thank you, though. You brought that to my attention and I am glad I could help you see it from my point of view. :) I'd be honored if you kept reading and reviewing. Avestia: thank you! I don't know much about it either, but kind reviewers helped me out. CapnJacksBonnyLass: Does that name come from Pirates of the Caribbean? lol I love it. I myself prefer Will, but Jack is great too. And thank you for the detailed description of Sirius, it cleared it up for me. Melody's Song: Go out and write a H/S fic! I am sure it would be great. I am glad I increased your Sirius love, that's never a bad thing:) I liked that line too. Crazy steph: I adore time turner stories as well, they are so fun to read. Willow 'Black Rose' Edra: I am so sorry for the mistake, lol. Me and my American slang. I am sorry it bothered you. Next time I refer to it I promise to make it 'Autumn.' If you see any other dialect mistakes, let me know! Fallen Angel of Hell: thanks for reading so far. I hope you'll stick with me and my story:) Thanks for the info. Ardis: thank you! I love how JK Rowling connects names with the characters, don't you? Chelsea: Thank you, all of you are really helpful. Raven Potter Weasley: sorry about your comp! Don't you just hate it when it breaks down as you're doing something important? I had a friend who was writing a 5 page research paper and his computer crashed just as he finished it! Ugh. Evilive: Nope, you're not confusing me, you made it clearer. Thank you for the compliment, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Killer Angel: Thank you so much for telling me that you like the way I write Hermione. I really was not sure, but I've decided to just go with it. You really reassured me. Riffinton: Thanks! I am trying not to make it too fluffy, and trying to fit in some plot. Fluff is good, but trying to get the right amount is tricky. :) thanks 4 reading this far. Siriusly Luvin It: thank you! You seem to like Sirius a lot, judging from your pen name. I like him too. Chapter 3 Reviewers Elsa: I will make something happen between them, I promise! Please keep reading, and I will deliver. Theweasleytwins: I meant to wait a week but I just couldn't resist all these nice reviews. . .so I posted chapter 4. But once the dreaded event begins (read: school) I'll have to go weekly. Thanks for reading! Willow 'Black Rose' Edra: Did you change your pen name a little? Or did I read it wrong before? If I did, I am sorry! Isn't that pick up line corny! But I thought it was so ironic how on subject it was (since Hermione did fall from the sky in a way) Fallen Angel of Hell: Thanks! I thought I would make Hermione a bit feisty. Siriusly Luvin It: I would love it if Sirius was a person in my time, too. Would you date him? :) lol I think I know the answer! Avery: thank you! And if you keep reading and reviewing, I'll keep writing! Tsk tsk: thank you sooo much! I know there are a lot of R/Hr ships out there. Glad that I could convert you......well, not 'convert' exactly.......but you know what I mean! Riffinton: I really can't tell you how much I love that you said you like how I portray Hermione. . . it encourages me. s.s.harry: Okay I will keep going......don't want to make Tony mad! :) Dasha: thanks! I was confused about Sirius and the star. Please keep reviewing, you hear? :) evilive: THANK YOU! OMG that is such an honor, to be added to someone's favorites list. :) To anyone I forgot, let me know so I can mention you in the next chapter.