Disclaimer:
Light bulbs and ceiling wax,
Wow, what random things.
I swear I don't own Remus or this story,
So no pressure and no suing!
Chapter 4: My Past, Your Present, and Their Future
The boys continued to stare at her questioningly.
"Hermione Granger, and very glad to meet you!" she stated as Sirius suavely kissed her outstretched hand.
Shouldn't have said that, Hermione thought, mentally slapping herself. I feel rather like Hagrid right now.
"Sirius Black," he replied, smirking his distinctively impish smirk, "And these two lovely chaps beside me would be called James and Peter. So, what brings you to Remus' lap this fine day?"
Hermione hid her blush as she realized that she was finding herself way too comfortable in the lap of her seventeen-year-old professor.
"Uhh… l-long story," she stuttered, scrambling out off of Remus in a clumsy attempt to stand. "I really must speak with Dumbledore immediately."
"Wait!" Sirius quickly pulled her back down. "How can you just expect to fall from the sky and then simply run off to see the Headmaster without even giving us the satisfaction of knowing exactly how you got here?"
"Yeah," the short stubby boy named Peter agreed, "We've never seen you before.
"And there's not many girls that we haven't heard of," James added, glancing around at anyone who might be watching
Hermione snorted.
"I'm afraid it's for your own good that the four of you don't question where I'm from."
Now it was Sirius's turn to laugh loudly.
"How are we to believe you know what's for our own good? You've barely just met us!"
"You might be surprised to find that I know you better than you may even know yourself, Mr. Black." Hermione retorted knowingly, only to receive more inquisitive glances.
They were quite intrigued that this mystifying girl could arrive so suddenly and act as if she were on a higher horse then themselves when indubitably they ruled the school. Sirius was keen on her audacious, aggressive demeanor.
James suddenly spoke up.
"You have our attention, Mystery Girl Hermione. For surely after that remark, you must explain yourself. And we assure you that if even if you don't, nothing is kept from the Marauder's for long!"
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you!" Hermione shot back. She honestly wished she could tell them. It was so tempting when she knew that their whole futures lie in her hands.
"We believe that a beautiful, witty young girl fell from nowhere and is now refusing to tell us her story because apparently it is more bizarre and amazing than flying without a broom," commented Remus who had been extremely quiet up until that moment.
Hermione appeared slightly flushed as he smiled at her shyly.
He sure was cute when he was young. His face is so smooth and practically scar-less, she mused. "But you're my professor."
Did she just say that out loud!
Remus raised his eyebrows in an oh-so-familiar way.
"Sorry, but I'm not your professor," he said, resisting the urge to laugh between his words.
"Of course you're not, Prof… Lup… Remus!" Hermione finally blurt out. This was probably one of the first and only times you could find someone like her so utterly tongue-tied. "I really must go see Dumbledore. It's of the utter most importance that I do. If you'll be so kind as to excuse me."
With that, she whirled around, only to be faced with an odd surprise.
"I'm afraid that won't be necessary," came the voice of Dumbledore himself, standing but a few inches from her face. "Surely what you need to say to me can be said to these boys as they are already involved."
"Professor, how did you… do you know who I am or… or how I got here?" Hermione questioned, getting the feeling that he always knew more than what appeared on the surface. She never found life in Dumbledore's world any less surprising.
"I know no more than they do merely because of the fact that a student informed Minerva of your abrupt appearance. Quite an entrance, I would say… very impressive indeed!" proclaimed Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling with his usual amusement and delight.
Professor McGonagall? She's alive! How could I have forgotten! How wonderful it will be to see her again. Hermione could've jumped for joy. I wonder how much different she looks?
It was only then that she began to notice differences in Dumbledore's appearance as well. His eyes were bluer than ever, but his face was less wrinkled and his beard just as long, yet not as white as large chunks of dark gray were weaved into it, hinting that he was once a brunette.
He also carried himself with a more spirit and stamina then any man she'd ever seen as less unwieldy thoughts forced his age upon him, thus causing him to appear to be even taller and more powerful than he already was. At this time, there was nothing to weigh him down because he did not feel responsible for so much sorrow soon to come. Nothing had happened yet.
"But professor, I don't think it would be wise for them to obtain the knowledge of my coming through time for it could severely alter my past, your present, and their future," Hermione tried to explain.
She didn't want to give away too much, but just enough so Dumbledore knew she held important information.
Dumbledore furrowed his eyebrows for a moment, but for a moment only before he began beaming once again.
"I could see that you, Miss Granger, possessed a high level of character and intelligence even before I heard you speak. Determination and indulgence is written on your face. Though, now it has become obvious there is even more below the surface."
At this, he tilted his head, and looked at her over the spectacles that slid to the rim of his nose, giving him his usual impression of omnipotence.
"On the subject of the Marauder's awareness, I daresay that if you have met them before, nothing ceases to run past them... unfortunately."
The boys puffed their chests with a proud gesture as Dumbledore continued. "However, I trust that if it is so eminent this remains a secret, the boys will hold their tongue for they are a group of loyal, good-hearted Gryffindors despite their occasional tomfoolery."
All the while, he grinned and eyed the boys fondly in just the way he would gaze at the trio so many years later.
Hermione still felt some concern that Dumbledore did not yet understand her situation fully and there might be some things better left concealed, but she decided to lay that aside and trust him for the time being.
"Alright, well, may we at least find a place to talk in private? The Room of Requirement, perhaps?"
"Most definitely! Excellent suggestion! Off we go then… "
Dumbledore let Hermione lead the way as he had not yet discovered this room, while the Marauders crept curiously behind them.
"How does she know about the Room of Requirement?" Sirius muttered to James.
"I don't know, but since when can just anyone suddenly prance through the hallways as if she's been here as long as we have?" James wondered, keeping a suspicious eye Hermione.
"I suppose we'll find out though, shan't we?" added Remus, who continued to stare at their leader that so reminded him of himself. "Besides, I don't think this girl is just anyone… "
I bet she'll at least study in the library with me. Maybe, together, we can knock some sense into these arrogant idiots who call themselves my friends, Remus laughed silently to himself.
No doubt they were like brothers to him, through fights and fun, defending each other from enemies and occasionally from one another, but mostly it ended with comical purposes. They all carried their good and bad points. No other could take their place.
The four of them shared so many great moments… moments of truth and honestly… moments of upturning lies and hard relief… moments of loyalty and respect… moments of humor and glory… but most of all… moments of camaraderie and love. Remus loved them as much as any boy could love his friends.
All he had ever searched for… all he had ever desired was acceptance. And this was what he found in them. From the beginning, Sirius was his guard, James was his confider, and Peter was his pride. He was the rear end of their little train of friendship and though annoying at points, he was always there to comfort and encourage when someone at the front faltered.
Remus knew Peter was on his side when the other pair would invent these crazy and dangerous ideas to cause trouble, but never would Peter admit this of course. He couldn't let them think he was a coward at all. Maybe there is one other person sought acceptance more than he.
Finally, the group of them arrived at the room they had searched for, or, rather Hermione had. The door remained invisible until Hermione quickly paced back and forth three times, concentrating on their dire need of privacy.
When it appeared, they curiously glanced around at their surroundings where a large wooden table sat in the middle of the room, clearly set for a serious discussion.
On the far side, a lounge chair was placed next to an enormous, plush couch just calling for them to get comfortable and take a long, refreshing nap or read a good book. Against the two walls opposite each other, were two identical bookshelves that looked rather modern considering there time era.
"I've never seen a bookshelf so nicely made," admired Remus, who was immediately drawn to the stacks of curious-looking novels.
Then it dawned on Hermione why they appeared to be so familiar.
"These are the book shelves from my room back home!" she exclaimed and raced over to one of them, fondly petting its smooth, glossy edges. "And these are my books and photo albums!"
She could not have been happier for this made explaining her situation all the more easier.
A/N: I have to say that this one was rather hard to write. Took me a while to come up with just how she and the Marauders would react to each other! I just want you all to know how much I appreciate your comments in my reviews. You have no idea how wonderful it is to feel that someone else is actually reading and enjoying what I write. If there are others who are not reviewing, PLEASE DO! I'll love you forever!
Now, onto my personal thanks: (Kinda depressing when there are only 3 reviews)
The TRUE Angel of Music: At least, I can always rely on you to review, buddy! Thank you SOOO much for everything you've done. I love you more than a million bars of milk chocolate!
Okabacha: Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for reviewing! Reviews make me happy.
Domidan: Oh, good 'ol Sherilyn! Glad you enjoyed your Snapey-poo. Thanks for ur awesome ideas. I luv ya like cheese!