Disclaimer: I do not own or have any rights to Harry Potter.
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Chapter 7. A duel, full moon and an offer
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The weeks passed slowly for Hermione, she did her school work and spent most of her free time in the library, but each book and each day made the doubt in her grow. The doubt that maybe there was no way home.
Sitting in front of the fire to escape her dreams became a nightly ritual, with Sirius joining her each night. Curiosity got the better of her one night so she turned to him to speak.
"Why do you come down here?" she asked. "Its not just to keep me company is it?" Not particularly wanting to be a hindrance.
Sirius looked at her startled their routine silence had been broken. He shook his head to answer her but didn't elaborate. They both had their secrets but they both needed time.
Hermione was enjoying her DADA classes although most of what they learnt she had been taught in sixth year by Professor Lupin. She was a little disappointed with the fact that she would probably miss a full year of potential defense and if she wasn't so keen on finding a way home she would most likely spend her time researching more advanced details of the subject.
Suggesting this to the others though would have made them laugh she was already brilliant at the theory (having already completed most of it before) and seemed to be above everyone in their small practical lessons.
What she wasn't prepared for was the duel her Professor announced in their current lesson. James and Sirius grinned at each other while Hermione cast Lily a worried look to which the redhead offered a reassuring smile.
"Right then," said Professor Holdaway after the desks had been cleared to the sides of the room. "Miss Thomas please step forward."
Hermione froze. The last time she had dueled it had been for her life and the lives of her friends.
"Miss Thomas," the Professor repeated. "You are the only person in this class whom I have not seen duel and I would like to see what level you are at, please step forward."
Hermione stood slowly and walked to one end to the table.
"Mister Malfoy, you also."
There were four simultaneous cries of protest at this.
"But Professor," said Lily. "He's one of the best in the class, surly it would be fair to put her against someone, not so uhhh skilled?"
"Miss Evans, I believe you should shut up and let me decide what is and what is not fair in my own classroom. Wands at the ready, you may begin." The Professor said stepping back slightly.
Hermione watched Malfoy begin his arm movement and immediately recognized the complicated spell that was usually preformed on someone who was unaware of your presence.
Sighing to herself she just raised her wand and shouted "Expelliarmus," before he could finish his spell. This sent Malfoy's wand flying through the air as he fell backwards. Hermione caught his wand as the rest of the class stared at her in awe. 'This Malfoy has a lot to learn between now and twenty years' she thought feeling a little proud at her accomplishment.
"Lupin up," said the Professor "And don't play nice."
Remus got up and locked eyes with Hermione in silent question, she just nodded and he raised his wand.
"Stuptefy," he shouted.
"Protego," as Hermione's shield charm repelled Remus' stunner.
"Petrificus totalus" Hermione shouted as soon as the stunner passed.
Remus clearly wasn't ready for this speed of attack and couldn't put up a shield charm up fast enough to block Hermione's. The spell hit him and he fell back onto the floor. 'After taking on Death Eaters twice this is a piece of cake' she thought. But the nagging thought in the back of her mind that it was too easy was bothering her. When she did duels in Professor Lupin's classes they would go on for at least five minutes or more, even Neville held his own proudly.
A loud bell signaled the end of the lesson and Hermione wandered up to the frozen Remus, "Finite Incantatum," she said breaking her own spell and offering her hand to help Remus up.
"That was…..wow," he said. "Fast, where'd you learn to move like that?"
She smiled a genuine smile, "I had a good teacher."
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Spending more time with Lily, Hermione found herself telling the redhead about Harry. She didn't think any harm could come from it, after all as sad as the thought was she new Lily's fate.
She told Lily about the strong bond they had, the three friends, how they were her blood, her brothers.
Lily smiled "Sounds like the Marauders."
Hermione groaned, "Yeah all the trouble included."
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One not so particular night in front of the fire Sirius turned to Hermione and asked a question.
"Hermione?" She turned to face him filled with apprehension about what he was going to ask. He smiled at her expression. "What's your favorite colour?" he asked.
She smiled and answered, "Blue."
"Oh, any blue in particular?"
"The colour of the lake on a cloudless summer's day."
He grinned. "Very specific there aren't you?"
She just shrugged. "What's yours?" she asked.
"Um," he contemplated. "Black."
"Technically black's not a colour."
He grinned, "Well if you want to be all technical about it, red then."
"That's nice." She smiled at him then returned her gaze to the fire.
Over the next couple of weeks this became a regular occurrence, one question a night, favorite food, favorite time of day, favorite time of year. With each night Hermione falling asleep, and then waking up in her bed the following morning.
The routine seemed to fit until one night it was broken. Hermione found herself sitting in front of the fire until the sun streamed through the windows. This is how Lily found her, entranced in the flames with a blank expression on her pale face.
"Oh Hermione, have you been up all night?" she asked.
Hermione turned to face a concerned Lily and gave her a small smile.
"I…..bad dreams." she said.
Just then the portrait opened revealing a haggard looking James who proceeded to freeze when he saw Lily.
"James Potter! Have you been up all night?" she scolded, fully grasping her headgirl role.
"Um..no, Peter here just wanted some food so we took a trip to the kitchens," he said thinking quickly.
"Oi Prongs, kinda tired here, mind clearing the doorway?" asked the muffled voice of Sirius from beyond the portrait. James moved into the room followed by Peter then Sirius.
"Hermione," Sirius said when he saw her. "Have you…I….did you get any sleep?" he finally managed to get out
Full moon she thought, thinking sadly of Remus.
When she shook her head Sirius moved to sit next to her on the couch, "I'm sorry, I…..I just..."
"It's ok Sirius." Hermione interrupted. "I don't ask you to join me."
"What?" asked Lily. "Is this a regular occurrence? Coming down and sitting in front of the fire all night?"
Hermione looked guiltily at Lily.
"But you're in your bed in the morning." Lily reasoned.
Hermione just turned to Sirius and gave him a small smile.
"I bring Hermione up when she falls asleep," he said softly.
"Oh." said Lily.
James then felt his input was required. "Sirius, why do you come down here?"
Sirius gave James a guilty look. "Have had trouble sleeping since the end of last year."
"Oh," James said mimicking Lily. He must have known what was troubling Sirius as he didn't push any further.
"Come on Hermione, lets get you freshened up," said Lily making her way to the girls staircase, the boys tiredly heading towards their own.
"STOP RIGHT THERE SIRIUS BLACK!" yelled Lily advancing on the black haired youth. "How?" she asked eyes blazing, "did you manage to carry Hermione to bed up THAT staircase?" she said pointing to the object in question.
"I….well," Sirius said sliding behind James for protection. He then grinned at Lily, "Marauders secret," he said before bounding up the boys staircase. Lily turned on the other two remaining Marauders.
"If I see any of you use that 'secret' you'll have more than me to worry about, and I will find out how you doing it, I promise you that!" she said before turning on her heel and storming up the stairs in question.
"Merlin, I love that woman," James remarked with a goofy expression.
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That day at lunch the Marauders, minus one, picked tiredly at their food.
"Where's Remus?" Hermione asked, knowing full well he was in the hospital wing recovering from the night before.
James looked up at this. "He had to go visit his Aunt and Uncle, his Aunties not feeling the best, he visits 'bout once a month."
Hermione nodded and continued with her lunch until she felt a pair of eyes boring into the back of her head. She turned towards the Slytherin table and met the steely eyes of Lucius Malfoy. He was staring intently at her with a thoughtful expression on his face. A few seconds after the eye contact, Malfoy broke it turning to his greasy haired companion. Hermione just shook her head to clear it and stood.
"I just need to get something from the library, I'll meet you guys in class ok?" she checked with the others.
"Ok," said Lily, with a mumble acknowledgment from the others and a random remark about Quidditch practice that afternoon.
Hermione just rolled her eyes at the trio and made her way out of the Great Hall towards the library. Lost in her thoughts she didn't see the figure waiting for her behind a statue until he stepped out in front of her.
"Excuse me," she said as she tried to brush past Malfoy, but he matched her step and blocked her way.
"That was quite impressive what you did the other day," he said as she glared at him.
Hermione shrugged. "I've seen much better, believe me."
Malfoy raised one arched eyebrow. "Is that so? I know of some people that would very much like to get to know you better."
Hermione hardened her glare and again tried to pass and was again stopped by the annoying blonde, who now grabbed her wrists and shoved her against the wall.
His grip was vice like, his voice cold. Face inches away from her own he whispered menacingly "Not so tough now are you?….Mudblood!"
