I have nothing to say… err… I don't own Harry Potter… yadda yadda…

Chapter Three: Feeling Alone

Hermione padded softly back down the abandoned corridors. Unspeakably glad that there was no one to question her late hour rendezvous through the castle. The icy cold floors barely registered on her mind. Her body moved without consent from her as her thoughts drug her through the past 24 hours.

"Hermione, please… I can feel it! We need to go back to the ministry." Harry pleaded with her

"But Harry, what if-"

"Then this time… we'll be ready for it."

Hermione rounded a corner and looked straight into the eyes of the fat lady. She jumped ever so slightly having realized she had made it here without thinking.

The fat lady waited grunted impatiently, "Password?"

Hermione faltered for a moment, then her heart fell. 'What had Dumbledore said the

password was?'

"Magellan." Came a warm voice from behind her.

Hermione tensed up at the unknown presence… no matter how warm the voice was… he had been following her, and she didn't like that. She turned on her heel, ready to tell him off for startling her when she stopped dead in her tracks.

'Remus'

He stood smiling, smiling. Hermione never remembered him being so happy. Then it dawned on her… this was when he was happy. Before Voldemort… before death touched his life, forever taking that sparkle from his eyes. She wished she could have met him when he was like this. Hermione suddenly ached to hug him. To hold him and say it would be okay, that she would never let his friends die again.

An uncomfortable shift from Remus brought Hermione to her senses. She blushed awkwardly and thanked him, before disappearing inside the common room.

Remus stared at the place where she had been as the portrait swung shut behind her.

"My name's Remus." He said.

"Yes, dear, I know. Are you coming inside or not?" the fat lady eyed him suspiciously and waited for him to reply.

"Magellan…"

Remus walked into the warm common room and looked around for the girl who had just fallen from the sky, quite literally into his lap. He blushed at the memory.

"So, Remus, are you going to let us copy off your potions homework? I was out all last night with that hot little blond… err… what's her name…" Sirius begged on his knees for help with potions. Remus shook his head.

He knew Sirius was just as good at potions as anyone. Sirius was good at everything… just like James. Sirius was just lazy.

"Aww… c'mon Moony," Sirius continued, giving his best puppy-dog eyes.

Remus was about to speak up when there was a loud crack and a woman of about 17 appeared out of nowhere and landed right in his lap.

Surprise…

She was beautiful.

She was in his bed…

… she was unconscious. …Damn.

James, always the one to think on his feet, had taken her over his shoulder and headed to the infirmary. Remus almost growled in jealousy, but she had appeared from nowhere and he had no right to claim territory… not yet.

James did the right thing. Sirius and Lupin followed him to the infirmary. Remus stared at the floor.

She was beautiful.

Inside Hermione noted all the things that hadn't changed over the years. The fireplace still seemed ancient and the comfy leather couches still seemed more inviting than the drafty staircases that led to the dormitories. She hugged herself feeling at home and mildly at peace, then headed towards the girls dorm.

"Excuse me," a hand reached out for Hermione, stalling her ascent. Hermione turned to look into the eyes of Lilly Potter. Or… who would inevitably become Lilly Potter. Everyone was right, Harry did have her eyes.

"My name is Lilly Evans, and I'm Head Girl. Dumbledore has sent word to make you as welcome as possible. Unfortunately, all the dorm room beds are full, but since I am Head Girl, I will offer you to share my room." Hermione looked at the mother of her best friend and felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"Yes, thank you very much." Lilly seemed to be waiting for something else. Hermione thought quickly. "My name is… Danielle," she thought of her mother and held back tears of loss. Hermione forced a smile. "Danielle Stone."

"Well Danielle, welcome to Hogwarts." Lilly cooed. "I hope you like it here. Now come with me, I'll show you to my room… we have loads to talk about."

Hermione looked around herself at all the things that reminded her of her happy life, her post Voldemort life. For the first time since her parents died, she did feel at home.

Danielle Stone smiled.

Dumbledore was suddenly serious with the two boys in his office. Sirius and James all but trembled in his presence. Each were envious of Peter and Remus, who had somehow avoided capture.

"Do you boys understand the severity of the situation?" Dumbledore boomed.

He paced back and forth behind his desk. His usually always cheerfull demeanor was forsaken to the dire moment he was trying to salvage from disaster.

"Yes, sir," they chimed together.

James and Sirius had never been so frightened of him. The way he seemed to seethe anger, however well he tried to hide it… they knew something bad had happened. And it all had to do with that girl.

"Now, Remus was in the room with you when she appeared, you say?"

They nodded. Neither daring to speak, lest they say the wrong thing and set him off.

"What about the boy, Peter?"

They shook their heads. Peter had been in the library doing some last minute research for his transfiguration homework that the other three had finished days ago. Peter was always behind.

"Then you mustn't tell him about her. I know he is your friend, but the fewer people who know about her… the better. Remus will be receiving the same speech as soon as I can acquire his presence. Do you understand?"

They nodded. Whatever or whomever that girl was, she was obviously trouble. But they liked trouble. Trouble was good for a growing boy.

Dumbledore eyed them suspiciously, but as the hour was late, and he was already very tired… he chose not to press the matter further.

"Then you may leave, but remember, you gave me your word on this, boys. I expect you to keep it."

Sirius and James didn't wait for him to change his mind, they fled from his office. Not even the ever in trouble marauders had ever seen him that cold. The sparkle had left his eyes for the duration of the visit… he hadn't even offered them candy.

They walked in silence all the way back to Gryffindor common room. When they got back to their dorm, they spotted Peter. He greeted them warmly.

"Hey guys! I just got back from the library… where have you two been?" he grinned hoping for a juicy story.

Sirius quickly procured a lie. "I accidentally turned James's head into a real stag's. Neither of us could transfigure it back… we had to go to madam Pomphrey!" Sirius laughed convincingly. "You should have seen it… it was hilarious!"

Remus cocked his head, wondering why they had lied… but he didn't say anything. They must have a good reason. They would undoubtedly tell him later. He could wait. His mind was elsewhere anyways.

"Oh man! Are you serious!" Peter's eyes glittered in awe.

"That's my name!" Sirius laughed at his own joke.

James shook his head and flopped down on his bed. He covered himself compleatley from site, and soon was snoring.

Not much longer, and so were Sirius and Peter.

Remus looked out the window next to his bed… she was beautiful.

Well, lookie at that, another chapter FINALLY! I really don't know what to say so … err… just REVIEW!

I love you guys!

Adaly Starr