Hey, told you I'd be back! … REVIEWERS WELCOME!. I am so happy. starts fanning face and wipes tear Review more! They encourage me to keep going. And yes. The boys will learn she's from the future, but not yet. KICK BUTT HERMIONE! It will happen soon, no worries. For those of you who were wondering, Cylo was the name of my old dog. And those of you who didn't catch that Wormtail had dropped out of Hogwarts now know.
Oh, and I wasn't sure if Dumbledore was Headmaster in the MWPP time, but lets pretend he was. We're all friends here, eyes dangerous looking crowd of Slytherin reviewers , Well, we all like the Marauders right? Nervously looks for an exit as Snivellus shouts his disagreement and pulls out his wand. On with the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, except parts of the plot which are all mine. No touchie! (from the Emperor's New Groove)
Hermione walked the worn-out boys back to the Gryffindor Tower, partly to make certain they reached it without fainting. They stopped outside the portrait hole. "Goodnight," Sirius and James said.
Hermione grinned, "Goodnight and try not to fall asleep on the stairs! Rest up, tomorrow we meet again!" The Marauders moaned dejectedly and Sirius muttered the password for the Gryffindors.
Remus paused in following the boys who had climbed through. He turned at the entrance. "Goodnight… Hermione," he said with a small, sweet smile.
Hermione began walking away automatically. Thoughts whizzed through her head at the speed of light, one after another. She was in shock, for many reasons. She had always thought to the Marauders she would always be 'Granger' or 'that evil witch'.
She couldn't even dream of the consequences of their friendship. But for some unknown reason, Hermione was pleased and filled with a strange warm feeling when she thought of the kind werewolf muttering her name.
She sighed and mentally slapped herself. Her newfound emotions towards this young version of her professor were only trouble. If her guard went down she may let an important secret slip. She had already told them that her mission was to kill Voldemort. She'd probably be telling them their futures by next week. Pushing such unwanted thoughts out of her head, she headed down to the Quidditch Pitch to begin her true training.
She bewitched the grounds to be below zero temperatures with blizzard conditions. She changed into her workout clothes and began to run. As she ran, her mind cleared, her goal becoming her only focus. She must become greater than the second most powerful wizard alive.
She pushed her way through icy winds and got around the two mile field in only four minutes. 'One,' she thought. Hermione continued until she reached sixteen. Feeling only slightly satisfied, she began her fighting. She took out her three dolls and enlarged them to a foot taller than her, nearly seven feet high.
Hermione turned the knobs to Advanced Matrix and crouched down. The dolls leaped immediately to action, hands moving faster than the eye could see. The first one came to her front. Its legs kicked under her, but she had already leaped up, ducking at the same time to avoid the merciless hands.
A doll came up behind her. It leaped, spinning, in the air and its foot was aimed for her head. Without turning, she grabbed the offending appendage and flipped the doll onto its head. The one that had been quiet up until now came at her side. Between it and the first one she was to be sandwiched. Leaping in the air with both feet, she kicked both dolls in the head.
Leaping nimbly to each of the falling dummies backs, she chopped onto their spines, efficiently snapping them. The dolls were defeated. She hoped none of the Death Eaters were as good hand-to-hand fighters as people seen in the Muggle movie, Matrix, but it never hurt to take all precautions. The Order had learned the hard way that it did hurt if you didn't.
Deciding she would stop early on fighting today, she ran unwinded back up to the imposing castle of Hogwarts to finish her training in the Room of Requirement. Halfway through the passageways, she morphed into her Animagus form. Though her Patronus was an otter, it only represented her old attitude.
Her Animagus was a brown and sleek cougar, a trained killer. She sped through the deserted halls, feeling freedom. With her enhanced senses she could hear the beating of her heart loudly, her breath normal. Her sheathed claws were sharp and her padded paws silent.
She heard the sound of someone coming. Hermione slinked into a shadowy corner and saw a girl walk by. Lily Evans's red hair was swishing softly while her shiny black high-heels clicked vociferously to Hermione's feline ears. Hermione distantly felt worried for any students out of bed. Lily's Head Girl Badge glinted highly shined in the torchlight.
The teen in front of her would be Harry's mother someday. That is, she would be if Hermione's interaction with her husband hadn't stopped their marriage from ever occurring. Once Lily had strode out of sight and earshot, Hermione raced on with even greater determination.
Making sure not even her bushy tail made a sound; she slinked past a watchful caretaker and even the floating form of Nearly Headless Nick. She purred fondly, yet silently. Old Nick had been a wonderful help to the Order as ghosts were often the best spies. Reaching the invisible entrance to the Room of Requirement, she transformed back. She went into the familiar room purposefully. If she finished by two she could still finish her homework and make it to bed before classes began.
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Remus awoke the next morning to the feather of a quill being stuck in his ear, "Wakey, wakey! Remus, you just missed our finals in Defense Against the Dark Arts!"
Remus leapt up with a gasp, "NOOOOO!!!" he shouted. His worst nightmare was finally coming true. He looked around at Sirius, who was rolling on the floor in silent mirth. "SIRIUS!"
"Got ya, Moony. Fell for it… again." he gasped out. James lifted a head full of tousled black hair and groaned. He rolled back over and covered his ears with a pillow.
Putting a finger to his lips, Sirius tiptoed exaggeratedly to Prongs's sleepy form. He began singing in the tune of "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause," but the words were slightly different.
"I saw Lily kissing Snivellus, underneath a staircase last night…" James leapt up, wand in his hand. He screamed, "Lily! Noooo!"
It seemed Sirius was in the mood for using nightmares as alarm clocks this morning. Sirius had to jump on James who, at the moment, was leaping to the door saying, "I'll murder that greasy git… How dare he touch my Lilykins..."
Sirius chuckled, "Just joking Prongs. Dude, you need a chill pill." The shaken James went back over to his bed and grabbed a pillow. Remus followed suit and they advanced on Padfoot. "C'mon guys, it was just a joke… Ahhh!!!!!!"
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Moony was unfocused during classes that day, thinking back on Hermione. Though slightly worried that he might not be able to take another night of training, he looked forward to seeing her again. She was absolutely amazing. It was obvious she had had really close guy friends before because she was at ease will talking to them.
Sirius nudged him. He looked up and saw McGonagall standing before him. "Excuse me?" he asked politely. Padfoot snickered.
"I was asking whether you knew the incantation for the Transfiguration of plants into animals, but it seems you weren't listening. I am disappointed in you Mister Lupin," McGonagall said smoothly. "I would like to see you and your friends after class please."
James and Sirius groaned simultaneously. Remus simply nodded then said, "And the answer was 'Animofrenos'."
The professor raised her eyebrows approvingly and said, "I see Mister Lupin has read ahead. Five points to Gryffindor."
James, who was sitting on the other side of Remus, muttered, "Nice work, Moony."
Sirius snickered again and passed Remus a drawing he had bewitched to move. It was a stick figure of Remus blowing a kiss to an unflattering stick figure labeled 'Granger'. The kiss landed on her cheek and she blew him into a million black ink pieces.
"Nice touch," he muttered nonchalantly, trying to cover his blush. In truth he had imagined the same thing last night when he had said goodbye. He had been tempted to let her know he liked her, but settled for using her name.
James looked over at the replaying picture and laughed. McGonagall eyed him coldly and he said, "Sorry, ma'am,"
Remus rolled his eyes and crumbled up the paper. He refocused his attention on McGonagall, who was now explaining the difference between the life and death of the newly transfigured animals.
Once class was over, the Marauders walked up to her desk. James was wondering whether she had found out he had copied his homework from Remus. Sirius worried if she had figured out it was him that painted the Slytherin Common Room hot pink and brown. Remus however, had a hunch on what it really was.
"Well boys, there is something I need to talk with you about-." She was cut off by Sirius shouting, "I didn't do it!"
McGonagall said, "No, Mister Black, I am not getting you in trouble for anything you've done." The three Marauders let out deep sighs. "I am going to talk with you about Miss Granger."
They all perked up instantly. "I am Miss Granger's tutor in Transfiguration and Potions. Professor Dumbledore informed me of your little discovery. Now I am here to tell you not to do anything inappropriate. No teasing, no prying into personal matters, no pranking, no researching her, no looking through her things and absolutely no flirting. I highly doubt Miss Granger would let you anyways, but I thought it fair to warn you that she is a highly skilled witch and not afraid to stick up for herself."
"Tell me about it," Sirius muttered, rubbing his nose. McGonagall ignored him and she turned back to the others.
"Any questions?" the professor inquired. James shook his head no, but Remus felt the urge to voice his thoughts.
"Where does she come from?" the werewolf asked. He had been pondering over this question all night. Was she a transfer student? Or perhaps a home-schooled kid? Knowing Dumbledore she could very well be some magical creature, though he doubted that theory. Her eyes were much too human to be otherwise. Even if she was some odd creature, Dumbledore would never lock her up like that. Remus was a dangerous werewolf but he shared a dormitory with two other humans.
"I believe if someone tells you, it should be her or with her permission." McGonagall said stiffly. She had emotion in her eyes and Remus wondered how close the teacher and student bond was.
"But Professor, she'll kill us if we ask!" Sirius whimpered. James nodded and both Marauders gave her a big-eyed puppy dog look.
"Sorry boys, but maybe she'll warm up to you. Some advice, try telling her one of your secrets and see if she'll return the favor," McGonagall said. "I hate seeing her alone like this."
Remus watched his professor thoughtfully. It was obvious she cared a great deal about the fiery witch. "If that's all Professor M. Bye!" Sirius led the boys out the door.
McGonagall followed and rested her hand on the door, ready to close it. "And by the way, Mister Black. Those colors suit Slytherin well, eh? I'm sure pink and brown robes would be quite fashionable too." With that, she closed the door in the Marauders' shocked faces.
"Bloody brilliant," Sirius muttered. The boys set off to lunch to plan the prank.
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Hermione sat waiting on the gold armchair for the Marauders to arrive. A minute after the time they should have arrived, the portrait hole swung open. "You're later," Hermione said, her likeness of McGonagall uncanny.
The boys came in silently, but Hermione saw all three were shaking with silent laughter. Finally, James burst out, "Did you see Snape's face?" Remus nodded, laughing to hard to speak.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "What did you boys do?" she asked. Whatever it was must have been highly amusing. Just when Hermione was going to hex them into telling her, Sirius began.
"In the Great (laughter) Hall for din (more laughter) ner we jinxed all of the Sly-hahaha-therins robes into (HA!) hot pink and brown stripes!" With that the handsome Marauder broke down into more laughter.
"And," Remus gasped out, "It's permanent!" he must have seen Hermione's shocked looking face because he stopped laughing, "Don't worry. They're Slytherins, they deserve everything coming to them."
Hermione nodded and muttered under her breath, "Slimy Slytherins," the boys had finally stopped laughing except of James who was still giggling. "Well, since you lot forgot that we were supposed to eat dinner toge-,"
Remus cut her off, "Actually, we escaped the Hall after we did it to eat with you. We would never miss out on a chance to be with you, my dear. And besides," he continued hurriedly, seeing her murderous expression. "You are the perfect alibi!"
"Actually, that depends on who accuses you," Hermione said knowledgably, "most of the teachers don't know about me. What are you going to say? 'Oh, we weren't there because we were having dinner with a mysterious student who you've never heard of'? Not likely to work with most of them,"
"Yeah," Remus nodded, still grinning. His face fell as he realized his alibi had just gone down the drain.
"Unless we give it to old Binns! He wouldn't care if we told him we were out partying with King George the Second!" Sirius chuckled.
"Let's eat," Hermione said before anymore fits of laughter could resume. She whistled and a house-elf she had gotten very close to, Doobee, came at her side.
"What might Doobee be able to get for you, Mi- Hermione?" the house-elf asked. It repaired its words at the last second because Hermione had ordered him to call her by her first name. Doobee looked over and saw the Marauders. "Hello! How are you Mister Black? Mister Potter, nice to see you again! Why, Mister Lupin, how you've grown!" He squeaked happily.
"Hello Doobee," the boys chorused. Hermione looked inquisitively over at Lupin who explained, "He was the Gryffindor house-elf. Doobee here was the one that showed us the kitchens."
"Ah," she said. "Doobee, may I have the usual?"
"Yes you certainly can Hermione! What would you boys like?" Doobee asked, turning to the Marauders.
"We'll have whatever you're in the mood to make," Sirius said, smiling fondly at the small house-elf. The elf bowed and with a small pop, was gone.
"Doobee is so good compared to Kreture (sp)," Hermione's eyes narrowed at the sound of the creature responsible for Harry's godfather's death.
Remembering she wasn't supposed to know who he was, she asked, "What creature?"
Sirius said sourly, "My old family's house-elf." He had a look of disgust on his face so prominent, it was worse than his expression at Snape's name.
"I suppose you don't want to tell me why it's your old family?" Hermione said. She knew it must be hard for the teen to talk about while the wounds were still fresh.
Remus looked over at him and mouthed, "McGonagall,"
Confused, Hermione looked back over at Sirius, who was gazing at her thoughtfully. "I guess that's what friends do. You know, share secrets?" Sirius said.
Hermione allowed her eyes to roll but kept silent. James gave Sirius a sharp nudge and he continued, "My family supports Voldemort and wanted me to be in Slytherin. I made it into Gryffindor and they hated me. I ran away from home in fifth year and now live with the Potters."
Hermione said, "I'm sorry," Sirius looked at her in surprise but was cut off from speaking as a group of house-elves carrying silver platters arrived.
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Remus watched as Granger began eating her 'usual'. It was a salad with chopped lettuce, bleu cheese crumbles, cinnamon pecans and vinaigrette. After she had finished, the house-elves brought out a small plate of Oysters Rockefeller. She picked up the small fork and scooped up one oyster at a time, all the way around the plate.
His two friends were, yet again, having a sugar eating contest. They sprinkled sugar onto everything, even the mashed potatoes. Shaking his head, Remus slowly ate his usual lemon chicken and couscous dinner.
He knew it had been rough for Sirius to tell the witch about his family, but Remus was proud of him. He was a definite Gryffindor. Thinking back, he wondered how Hermione had known what Slytherins were. She couldn't have ever met any, but still she knew they were slimy. Maybe he had misheard her.
Once they had all finished, Hermione led them out to the Quidditch Pitch to begin the same training they had had the night before.
PLEASE REVIEW!!! I stayed up ALL NIGHT New Years! My bro set of like thirty fireworks in our front yard. It was cool. Thanx to all my reviewers and PLEASE REVIEW MORE!