Chapter 4

It was the evening of Hermione's first day in the past. So far she was pleased with the way she was being accepted. At the end of lunch she had been cornered by Remus, Sirius, James and Peter, who wanted to know if she would go to Hogsmead with them on Saturday. Hermione suspected it was just because James wanted to use her to get closer to Lily, nevertheless it was nice to be asked.

Looking into the fire, she was trying to think of a solution to Lily's question about how she could charm her hair a new colour. While she was thinking James came over, "Why do you want to change your hair Evans? It's beautiful as it is."

"That was my point James. But she wont have it." Hermione agreed.

"Oh please Herm, didn't you hear what he said?" Lily asked exasperated.

"Since when did you look to Snape for advice on your appearance?" Hermione asked.

"I don't. But he did have a point." Lily retorted.

"You mean like he had a point when he called me a mudblood?" Hermione asked becoming defensive.

"No of course not." Lily looked up shocked, how could Hermione even think she had meant that? "I guess everything he says is rubbish, huh?"

"Come on Lily, it took me ten minutes to work that out." Hermione grinned rolling her eyes.

Turning for a new target she turned to James, "Did you want something?"

"Why that I did." He grinned. "Hermione is coming with us to Hogsmead at the weekend. Do you want to come as well?"

Hermione's thoughts on her being asked had been confirmed. Yet she was glad that she might be the catalyst that brought Harry's Parents together. Turning pleading eyes on Lily, she prayed she would say yes.

Lily huffed, "I suppose. I can't leave Hermione with you four for the whole day."

James smiled standing up. "Thanks" He said softly as he walked over to join Remus and Peter.

"Hey where is Sirius?" Hermione asked Lily.

"Detention I guess." She didn't look up. "Quite a regular experience if you're a Marauder."

"A what?" Hermione asked, knowing the answer, yet wanting to hear it from Lily.

"It's the name McGonagall dubbed them at the end of first year, its kinda stuck." Lily began, "They used to pull pranks the whole time, not so much any more, just enough to keep Sirius busy four or five nights a week."

"They must be very clever." Hermione stated, "We had a set of twins at my old school, they were serious pranksters. Makes you appreciate how much effort they have to put in."

"Yeah, shame they don't put so much effort into other things." Lily sniffed.

"Yeah, but laughter is very important. The darker the times we live in, the more we need to help us see the light, and carry on fighting for what we know is right."

"You seem to have thought about this a lot." Lily said more interested now.

"I have." Hermione agreed. "Dark times are coming Lily. That's why I came to Hogwarts. Things were a lot worse at my old school, even so, it wont be long before news of the trouble starts to affect Hogwarts."

ANI'm off on holiday now, mums calling from the bottom of the stairs its 3:30am, but this just goes to my reviewers I love you so much

Charlatan

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