Disclaimer: wouldn't be wasting my time on calculating enthalpy if I owned the book.
Oh my… I was going crazy with the mount of e-mails I was getting for reviews!! 26 for the last chapter!! It just lifted my spirits after my midterm for linear. Anyhow, Enjoy
Meanwhile in 2004: Harry's POV
"MR. POTTER! MR. WEASLEY! Stop running immediately," McGonagall yelled after the boys after they sped past her, nearly knocking her backwards.
"Need to see Dumbledore," Ron said, sacrificing time to give an excuse before running after Harry.
They reached Dumbledore's office and were busy saying random passwords before discovering that it was "sour drops." Rushing up the stairs, both could hear the distinct voice of Professor Snape talking to Dumbledore.
"I cannot stand it!" Snape growled in irritation, "Everything is changing! God help me if my younger self decides to sleep-."
"Yes, Severus. I understand," Dumbledore said, not wanting the professor to say anything that he would regret later.
"She's my student!" Snape's voice resonated throughout the room. When he heard the shuffling of feet up the stairs, he glared at the elevating stairs dangerously. His eyes narrowed when Ron and Harry appeared.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" Snape sneered.
"It's an emergency," Harry snapped at him. Turning to Dumbledore, "Sir, it's Hermione."
"Now what?" Snape said, touching his head as if getting a headache at the mere first syllable of her name.
"She's disappearing from our pictures," Ron answered, pulling out a photo album and showing a fading Hermione. Instead of having the usual vibrant looking Hermione, she was amazingly transparent. Although it was a wizarding picture, she was incredibly still as if her part of the photo had been taken in the Muggle way.
Dumbledore stared at the pictures for a brief moment. "I'm afraid that we're losing Hermione to that period of time."
Snape groaned, "Everything just keeps getting worst." He sunk down into a seat helplessly. Harry and Ron remained in their fearful states, unable to speak. They both stared at Snape in wonder. For the first time, he had shown any sign of being human instead of a cold rigid rock.
"What?" Snape barked at them, making them jump.
"What's wrong with him," Ron murmured to Harry, frowning at the sight of Snape. Harry shrugged but to their dismay, Snape had overheard them.
"What's wrong?" Snape said in a deadly tone, approaching them almost to the point that their noses were touching, "I have gotten much closer than you two will ever be to Ms. Granger. And that is a frightening thing." Snape sank back into the seat.
"What do you mean by 'losing'," Harry asked Dumbledore worriedly, forgetting entirely about Snape's odd behavior.
"Something is holding Hermione back from returning back," Dumbledore explained simply, "Perhaps Professor Snape can offer a better explanation?"
Snape only grunted and mumbled to himself.
"Unless you want me to have Lupin inform them about-," said Dumbledore.
"No," Snape interrupted, "I will have no such things said to them." He looked at Harry and Ron in a sinister way.
"Then how do we get her back," Ron said impatiently, missing his friend dearly.
"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do about it," Dumbledore stated frankly.
"WHAT!" Harry yelled, "After all this! YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT YOU CAN'T GET HER BACK."
"Oh yes we can get her back, Harry," Dumbledore said, "She's already been offered to return."
"What?" Harry said weakly, fumbling for words. 'Then why wasn't she here.'
"All we can do is remind Hermione of what she is missing from this time," Dumbledore said, putting an end to the discussion.
Harry fell to the seat next to Snape while Ron just leaned against Dumbledore's desk.
Back to the 70's
Hermione's POV
When the Marauders, Hermione and a very ghastly looking Lily stepped off the carriage, they all went their separate ways. James lead Lily to their first destination in Hogesmeade while she shot Hermione irresolute glances.
"Where would you like to go?" Sirius asked.
"Quidditch store," Hermione replied timidly, knowing perfectly well that he had been staring desirably in the direction of the store since they had reached.
His eyes brightened, "Excellent choice, I must say," Sirius said, yanking her towards the huge blue store at the end of the street.
They spent more than an hour studying the art and performance of brooms, brooms and sigh more brooms.
"This one," exclaimed Sirius, pulling her further down the aisle, "has wonderful speed. Real beauty isn't it?"
She nodded, but his eyes were too focused on the polished red handle of the broom to notice her acknowledgment. His fingertips ran across the handle as he slowly gripped it in his hand. The glow in his face only brought more memories of Harry and Ron with their excitement of the sport(or life as they call it).
"Why don't you buy it?" she asked him simply, interrupting his daydreaming of playing for Puddlesmere United after leaving school.
"I am," he said, grinning, "The store's owner has one on reserve for me."
As if on cue, an older man appeared at Sirius' side, "Mr. Black, will you be purchasing it today."
Sirius nodded, still observing the broom. "If it's alright, I'll come back later today to purchase it. It's a hassle to carry around." Hermione could see plainly that he wanted to throw the money at the owner and fly out the store. "I have some other packages to carry. I'll come back when I have less things in hand."
After the Quidditch store, they visited the local Potions store for a few ingredients that Sirius needed for some sort of potion. When they finished, they retreated to a store for robes of special occasions. Hermione searched the racks of gown aimlessly. 'And you're picky with the clothes in your time,' she thought to herself, looking at the wide variety of gowns.
"Anything you like?" Sirius asked, not quite enjoying shopping for clothes.
"Everything is too…," she said, "Puffy." He laughed at the sour look on her face.
"Need some help Miss?" an older lady asked. Hermione opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted abruptly by Sirius.
"Oh yes, she loves all the selection but can't decide… she loves the puffiness," Sirius lied to the lady, winking at Hermione. She sent him a dirty look.
The lady gave a loud exclamation and started speaking rapidly, "How about this pink taffeta dress… and this green one. This will definitely fit well…"
Hermione was practically thrown into the dressing room by the lady and a fountain of dresses fell on top of her. The lady shut the curtains, expecting Hermione to change. She stared down at her feet at all the fluffy material surrounding her.
Trying the first gown, she reappeared in front of Sirius. His face cracked up as his hand reached up to prevent himself from making her think that it was an awful dress.
"It's very-," said Sirius, examining the dress.
"Fluffy," she said, frowning.
"That's the word I was looking for," he said, scrutinizing the two meter radius of material surrounding her. He tried hooking arms with her, only to be pushed off by the material.
"It's really. Um. Nice. On. You," he said, trying to kick at the material. He looked at her mischievously.
'Oh no what's he going to do,' she said, watching him fall to his feet. He took the scarf that was wrapped around her arms and started to push the material of the skirt towards her legs. He attempted to tie the skirt with the scarf. After several minutes of struggling with it, he gave up and plunged his head against the dress.
"I'm jealous. There won't be any room for me as your date if you wear that thing. Imagine us dancing-," he said, chuckling.
The saleswoman returned and shook her head, realizing that Hermione didn't like it.
"I know the perfect gown for you," the lady cried out, snatching a gown from one of the racks. "This is one of the new designs. It transforms into the gown of your choice once you wear it," she explained.
Hermione went back into the changing room and knew from the moment she looked into the mirror that she had found the perfect gown. She removed it and smiled at Sirius when she came out.
"Well," he asked, expectantly. "Can't I see?"
She nodded in approval, "You'll have to wait."
Unfortunately, all the glow in her face vanished when the salesclerk marked the dress with it's price. As soon as the lady left, she placed the gown back onto the rack and began to walk away.
"Aren't you going to buy it?" Sirius asked, walking after her.
She whispered to him while staring at the ground in embarrassment, "I can't afford it… I only have sixty galleons with me."
He tugged her by the arm and the dress in the other hand. "I'll pay the rest.
"No, I couldn't possible accept the money-," Hermione said, indignantly.
"Hermione," he said in an equivalent tone.
She gave the woman her money and Sirius gave sixty more galleons.
"You shouldn't have," she said angrily, when they were walking out the store.
"I owe you a shirt," he said, simply.
"A shirt isn't even worth as much-," she said in exasperation. He locked his lips with hers, silencing her pleas.
"It's a gift," he said, "Stop being so stubborn." He gazed at her and laughed, pulling her closer to him and kissing her neck.
They were walking towards the carriages when Hermione remembered. "Aren't you going to buy the broom?"
He didn't respond for some time. "I'll buy it next time," he said, kissing her again.
She felt like shrinking away from his embrace. He had spent the money he'd been saving for her gown. They hadn't even been together for more than a week! She was moved by his sacrifice but felt horrible for him. Hermione wanted to return the gown so that he could buy the broom.
They walked up to the carriage where they were expecting to meet James and Lily. Sirius nearly knocked her back when he stepped into the carriage. James and Lily were busy kissing totally unaware of their audience. When the 'new' couple both stopped, they were deeply embarrassed by the applause provided by Sirius and Hermione. If it weren't for James threatening expressions, Sirius and Hermione would be fooling around with them during the entire trip back to the castle. Lily ignored them and surveyed the passing surroundings, her face nearly the color of the red seats they were sitting on.
Sirius' POV
A week later, everyone was in their rooms preparing for the ball. James and Sirius waited impatiently in the common room for their dates.
"Are you sure everything is in place?" James asked Sirius. Sirius nodded, tapping his foot nervously on the floor.
"Here comes your date Prongs," Remus said, nudging James in the ribs.
Anyone who saw the brightness in James' face as Lily walked towards him would have seen a great future awaiting for them in the future. Once he had managed a complete sentence, he offered her a rose that matched her dress.
"Where's Hermione?" Lily asked, looking behind her, "She was right behind me. Oh, Sirius she looks amazing."
No, she didn't look amazing. There were no words to describe how beautiful she was as she glided down the stairs in diamond encrusted stilettos. Within the first second she had appeared, he completely forgot about the entire room. 'You're really getting too involved with her…you're way over your head this time.'
Compared to the incredible amount of material packed into the skirts of many of the girls, Hermione had opted for a more simple style. Her long beige dress was made completely of a sheer fabric that flowed elegantly a little below her knees. The sleeves hung down on the side of her arms and the material drifted on the side of her arms. The front of the dress definitely stood out the most as the material plunged down, showing the full curves of her breasts. A stream of black gems acted as a net against the cleavage, only encouraging eyes to focus solely on that part.
"What do you think?" she asked him, spinning around. The back of her dress was bare, revealing a small tattoo of a dragon. He gulped. 'Wonder if she has anymore of those….'
"Beautiful," Sirius managed to say, understanding James incompetent behavior when Lily appeared.
"Save me a dance, will you Hermione," Remus said, winking at her to the chagrin of his date.
She nodded. "Only after she dances forty with me," Sirius said, knowing quite well that that there was not enough time for forty songs. Hermione rolled her eyes and they walked towards the Great Hall.
When they arrived, a band was already playing on the stage which was decorated according to the theme of winter and Christmas. A huge Christmas tree had been decorated and candles were floating in midair to provide light.
"Well look who it is," a shrill female voice said. Sirius' face darkened and he gripped Hermione's hand more. They both turned around and saw Lucius standing with Narcissa and another girl who's menacing face Hermione could recognize anywhere.
"Well if it isn't Sirius," Bellatrix sneered, "Our cousin… oh wait, your family disowned you."
"Good." Sirius snapped. "I'm better off without them."
"Tsk tsk tsk, even your younger brother has more sense than you," Lucius replied haughtily, "At least he's keeping up the family's dignity." Lucius glanced towards Hermione and seemed to cringe at the memory of her hard kicks.
"Never cared much for family values of that kind," Sirius scoffed.
"That's why you prefer to hang out with," Bellatrix murmured, looking at Hermione with disgust, "Fitlh like…,"
"Enough," Sirius and Lucius snapped. Both men stared at each other with enmity.
"Don't tell me you're developing the same touchy feelings for-," Bellatrix said, trying to irritate Lucius.
Lucius looked dangerously at her and Bellatrix left quickly without another word.
"Hope to have one dance with you before the end of the night Hermione," Lucius said, his eyes focused much below her neck.
Hermione squirmed near Sirius as Malfoy left with Narcissa.
"Over my dead body," Sirius muttered.
"Sirius," James called out, "Maybe we should go check on that thing…"
"Yes that thing," Remus repeated, appearing at Hermione's side.
"Right," Sirius said wickedly, "Hermione I'll be back in two minutes..."
All four Marauders disappeared out of the room, leaving Hermione standing alone. Lily was already sitting at a table discussing something at a table with a couple Prefects.
"You're making a big mistake by going out with him," Snape said, making her jump.
He was standing so close to her it was eerie. She could feel his breath running down her neck.
"Well I like him," Hermione stated.
"Stay away from him," Snape muttered, sipping on what smelled like alcohol.
"Should have left you to be eaten alive," Sirius murmured darkly to him, apparently having overheard. He approached both of them. "Beats me why James pitied a pathetic creature like you."
Snape whipped out his wand at the same time as Sirius.
"No," Hermione said, putting her hands against both of them, "Severus you should go back and Sirius you shouldn't have said that." Snape gave Hermione a final concerned look before leaving.
Sirius was about to protest when Hermione said, "Let's dance." She dragged him to the dance floor.
"Mione I can't dance," Sirius said, lolling his head miserably as if to show that it was killing him already.
"I'm sure that Lucius would like to … or maybe Sevy Boy," Hermione said, reflecting over her choices.
Right away, Sirius enthusiasm to dance overwhelmed her. To her surprise, she discovered that he was an excellent dancer. After swinging her so many times, she began to feel dizzy and they both decided to sit for some time. He was accompanying them towards their table when they were nearly smacked in the face by a enchanted mistletoe. Sirius grinned at Remus who's wand was directing the mistletoe and gave him a thumbs up.
"These shoes are killing me," Hermione complained, "I can't even see the room properly… spinning someone around four times is not advisable Sirius. Now we're being attacked by mistletoe."
"You wanted to dance," Sirius said, blaming it on her, "Besides, who doesn't like being attacked by mistletoe." She grinned but shrieked as he span her around one more time and leaned her against his arm. He bent down to kiss her.
"Harry?" she muttered.
His eyes fluttered open, "You know… it's not good to say another guy's name when kissing another. I would prefer if you stick to my name."
She struggled to stand up and rubbed her hand over her eyes as if she wasn't seeing well. Glancing straight ahead, he tried to see what was more interesting than a kiss. All he saw was James standing at the entrance to the room.
"Who is James talking to?" Sirius asked, having never seen the two other people with him.
"Me?" said James, walking from the dance floor with Lily.
"If you're here… who's that?" Sirius asked, pointing his finger towards the entrance. Remus was walking towards them from the entrance, looking confused himself after talking to the second James at the entrance.
"Oh god," Hermione gasped.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"Harry," Hermione repeated.
"Harry… as in-," Lily said, recalling the name.
But before Lily could reply or Sirius could piece it all together, Hermione had kicked off her sandals and was running with them in hand. Sirius watched as Hermione jumped onto the James look-alike.
"Please tell me you're not playing a joke on me Prongs," Sirius said.
James shook his head, leaving Sirius wishing that he was. A loud thundering sound erupted in the room and a few fireworks exploded in the room unexpectedly. Teachers were running around to keep them under control while Sirius' eyes remained on Hermione, who at the moment, only had eyes for the mysterious boy.
Thanks to all who reviewed and read this fic!!! You're all amazing… and here starts the process of writing to you!
padfootzluvr: It's always good to be an optimist. In terms of Sirius being alive when she returns, you'll just have to wait.
Kili-2: oh my are you responsible for all these ppl who are reviewing? Thanks for referring me to some friends hugs
Purple Spotted Hedwig: Oh I hope you don't die of a heart attack from this cliffie.
Magentastimewarp: YOU'RE WELCOME.
Aleasha: interesting idea about the Animagus.
Aya/Ceres: Are you a fan of Ayashi no Cere(it's so obvious with your name). I still haven't seen any of the episodes(I have two books of it)
Natyslacks: Harry's godmother in law… I don't think there's such a thing but I would like to have Sirius as a godfather (not a god father who's off limits for coughs and looks up innocently
LeilaRose: This is NOT the last chapter (I have ideas till ch. 13, if I'm right)
Romm: The story will end quickly if Sirius is dead when she returns or vice versa.
Whitetiger777: Yes I get the hint… I mean there relationship is not possible but unpossible things just seem to work out and..hinthint
Captain Oblivious: Midterms do suck. I think I've forgotten everything I memorized for my chem. Exam tomorrow. Ah well. Did you finish with yours?
Nissy Padfoot: yes, hope this was soon enough.
Mystripedskirt: you should write a Sirius/Hermione fic! There aren't many! Make it a challenge to complete it heheh. I'll definitely read it. Yes I'll take the suggestion for the British slang for the next chappie (I actually found a site with all these British sayings… really cool)
Padfoot4eva123: Sirius is sweet without me making him sweet. Wish there were more guys like him around!
Lilchick: Everyone keeps asking me this… heheh wait… after some more cliffies(not many, I promise) we'll see.
Summery-ice: I'm sorry, but I can't answer if he'll be dead when she returns (you'll find out soon enough).
Stars-child: Sirius is a naughty boy… just one out of millions of things that makes him sexy. Siriusly
The SparklingDiamond-GreenFairy: Thanks… and it won't stop here! I loved the pensieve scene (even then the biggest scene had to be Sirius' hotness)!!!
Sirius gyal : Sirius and Hermione do make such a great couple… Even Sirius alone makes a good couple(with invisibility cause we can grab him as our own)
Elsa: Thanks
Lindsey3: Thanks!
Swissmiss: I will be putting more action! Hopefully within the next 2 chappies
Maeri: yes Sirius' message was the best… best for the last, right?
Gab3: Thanks
MaisjetadoreSiriusNoir: yes yes… you win(even for one of my longest reviews). Sirius is not dead when he leaves. I can't believe I read your name wrong… I think that it was because the t thre me off (t'adore)
Artisia: Yes sorry to person who's doesn't want to see the stripper(esh if it was Sirius… oh MY)
Hobbitfoot: Thanks for recognizing the error!! I'll try to change it as soon as possible. Are you a LOTR fan? Heheh