Chapter 15: What I Truly Feel Inside
Remus woke up early the next day to find everyone in his dormitory still asleep… including Sirius.
Sirius. The name echoed through Remus's head. How could he steal this perfect girl that Remus had finally found? How could he betray a fellow Marauder? It's almost as bad as Remus, Sirius, or Peter going out with Lily… not that Remus would mind doing just that… But he knew better! Anyway, Hermione could even relate to Remus, partially.
Hermione. That name rang through Remus's mind too. Why couldn't she just ignore Sirius? Why did she kiss him (if Sirius was really telling the truth)? Couldn't she see that Sirius was a player? Couldn't she see that he, Remus, really liked her?
She obviously likes the people who go to great lengths for her! Sirius had said those exact words the previous night. Maybe Remus should act on his feelings. Spend more time with her, instead of being the timid little Marauder he had always been… But that would be stooping down to Sirius's level.
Remus gave a frustrated snort, loud enough to wake up Harry and James. He heard them groan from tiredness. Remus ignored them and left his bed to get changed. From the slamming of drawers and trunks, the entire dormitory was awake by the time Remus turned to leave, including Sirius…
"Good morning, mate," James said cheerfully to Remus, finally out of his bed.
Remus replied with nothing but a nod. He strode out of the room the moment Sirius's bed curtains started to open.
James sighed and turned towards Sirius, who had just climbed out of his bed with a scowl on his face.
"Are you going to tell us what happened last night?" James asked edgily.
Sirius said nothing but scratched his head. He left the room to use the bathroom. James hurriedly followed after him.
"Well?" James pried again. When Sirius scowled some more at him, James made a guess himself. "Was it about Hermione?"
"Why do you care?" Sirius asked with irritation ringing through his words. Sirius banged open the bathroom door with an open palm. James walked speedily after him.
"Because I'm here for you, Padfoot," James reminded him. Sirius looked at James, his scowl less pronounce. "Now, care to share your side of the story?"
Sirius scooped up some water from the sink and splashed it on his face. After he dried his face off, he replied. "He likes her," he stated bluntly, feeling no need to articulate. "And he can't stand the fact that I might actually get to her first." James said nothing and let his friend continue. Sirius just sighed heavily. "You know I have a reputation, right?"
"Of course I do. I helped send out some of the rumors," James said with a smile, one that Sirius did not return.
"Well, I understand others actually believing in it," he said slowly. "But I expected you three, the Marauders, to look past it and believe me when I say otherwise."
"But see, Padfoot, those rumors that built up your reputation have started to become the truth," James said quietly, not looking at Sirius but at the sink. "You do tend to use girls. Even while dating Bell you tended to kiss a girl here or there. So you'll have to forgive us if we think that you'll just grow very, er, close to Hermione for the next month, and then dump her for some other girl you fancy. It's just always been that way for you."
"James Potter," Sirius growled in bold words. "I expected you to have a little faith in me. I don't think of Hermione as just another girl! She has—something—that I'm drawn to, and it's not her looks or her reputation!"
"But that's what you said about Bridget Bell and Lisa Trevor and Rose Moon."
"And they were the ones I stayed faithful to the most!"
"But not faithful enough," James interrupted strictly.
Sirius's face turned cold and rigid. "So that's it. You're going to trust the reputation that has been spread around this school rather than your best friend's own words." James made no comment but looked away from Sirius's penetrating glare.
"I'm afraid that I'll be trusting what you've done every time in the past, unless you prove me wrong."
"Fine! Side with Remus!" Sirius yelled into the empty bathroom. "See if I care." Sirius made his way across the room in several quick strides.
"Sirius! Wait!" James called.
Sirius put his hand on the doorknob and threw it open.
"Don't be mad at me," James pleaded.
Sirius stopped. Without turning to face James, he took several deep breaths and spoke. "You're right," he said evenly and quite calmly. "I shouldn't be mad at you. My past proves you right." He turned around to show James his somber face. "But I swear, the future will prove you undoubtedly wrong."
"Does this mean you're not mad at Remus anymore?" James asked hopefully.
Sirius thought about it for a moment, staring hard at the floor hard. "You know, the only way I'll stay mad at him is if he gets in my way." He spun on his heal and exited the bathroom.
"It's going to be hell for the next few days, isn't it," James said to himself before he, too, left to his dormitory.
"Good morning Remus," Hermione said brightly from her spot at the Gryffindor table. She was sitting alone, eating her oatmeal. Her roommates didn't fancy waking up this early, so Hermione decided to leave without them, giving her some time to herself.
"Good morning, Hermione," Remus said in equal brightness. "Were you deprived of any sleep last night by your roommates?"
"I had more than enough sleep last night, thanks. My roommates were very respectful, since they knew I could wake them up early this morning." Remus chuckled, making Hermione smile.
Remus glanced down the table to check out which foods were available. He helped himself to some bacon and eggs. Rolling up his sleeves, he dug into his meal.
Hermione looked up from her oatmeal to glance at Remus and noticed a deep scratch behind his left ear. And another on his left forearm. Those were the only signs of his lycanthropy. All of a sudden, Hermione felt a surge of sympathy for Remus. She had forgotten that full moons were more painful when he was still at school, since the wolfsbane potion had not yet been invented.
"What?" Remus said, feeling uncomfortable as she continued to stare at his left ear.
Hermione shook her head from her thoughts. "Oh, I was just trying to remember when the next full moon is." She could have hit her head from her idiocy.
Remus's faint smile disappeared in an instant. "Why would you want to know that?" he asked in a dead serious tone.
Hermione searched around in her mind quickly. "I was just thinking of my old Astronomy class. My old professor said to carry on with studying, so I try to keep track of the basic stuff."
"Oh," Remus said. He relaxed. "I think it's in the next two weeks." Of course he knew. How could he forget? He just hoped that by then, Sirius and he would have sorted out their spew. Last year, Remus had to go through a full moon with just James and Peter. Sirius was asleep in the hospital wing along with Snape. They had apparently gotten into a duel, ending up with neither capable of any recognizable speech for twenty-four hours.
"Hello, Remus?" Hermione said. Remus pulled himself out of his thoughts.
"Sorry, what was that?" he asked politely.
"I asked if everyone else was awake in your room," Hermione repeated.
"Yeah, I think so," Remus mumbled. "They were just starting to wake up when I left."
"So did you all stay up late and throw a small party in your dormitory?" Hermione asked with a smile.
A flash of Sirius's and Remus's hate-filled argument flashed across Remus's mind. "Naw," he answered casually, "we actually fell asleep right away, too tired to stay up that late."
"Hiya Harry!" Hermione said to a figure approaching on her left.
Harry raised his eyebrows as he sat down next to Hermione. "Well, someone's feeling chipper today," he laughed.
"No happiness in the morning," grumbled Peter as he walked up behind James.
"Right little ray of sunshine, aren't you?" James mocked as he sat down on the other side of Hermione.
"Food!" exclaimed Peter. On his way of sitting himself next to James, he forcefully grabbed a muffin and stuffed it in his mouth while pouring himself some orange juice.
"Hungry there, Peter?" Remus asked sarcastically.
Peter said something (not along the nicest of lines) but no one could catch it through his full mouth.
"Slow down, Wormtail, the food isn't going anywhere," James said. They all chuckled but were also silenced by the food in their mouths.
After about five minutes of hushed eating, Sirius entered through the Great Hall's doors (quite dramatically, as always) and spotted his friends at once. As he made his way closer to them, he noticed the only spot left that was closest to his friends was next to Remus. He sat down without any hesitation or any sign of discomfort.
"Good morning Sirius," Hermione greeted.
"'Morning everyone," Sirius said warmly with bucket full of cheer. Everyone looked as if they were splashed with water as the cheerfulness reached their ears.
"Wow, that's a drastic mood change, Padfoot," commented Peter.
"Aw, was ickle Siri not feeling his best this morning?" Hermione teased.
Harry's head turned to Hermione as fast as a whip. He eyed her suspiciously but she continued to look at Sirius, unaware of Harry's glare.
Sirius just smirked. She was finally warming up to him. "True, I wasn't the happiest camper, but breakfast is starting to cheer me up."
"Really?" Hermione asked. She took a sip of her orange juice.
"That, and the company," Sirius added suavely, giving her a wink. Hermione smiled into her orange juice glass, but the blood rushing into her cheeks gave it away.
Remus looked between the blushing Hermione and the smirking Sirius. He glowered, threw down his napkin, and left the table suddenly.
"Remus?" Hermione called out.
"I have to go… do something," Remus said lamely over his shoulder as he walked, or stormed, away.
Peter continued to look confused as he stuffed yet another muffin in his gaping mouth. Sirius seemed quite pleased with himself, but hid it well for Hermione. Harry was now staring after Remus with a worried expression across his face. Hermione, too, seemed rather put-out by his departure. James shot Sirius a deathly glare before trotting after Remus.
"Moony!" James yelled after him as they exited the Great Hall.
"Why does he always have to act like that?" Remus growled under his breath. He heard James walking up next to him. "What do you want?" he snapped.
"I want to know what's happening between you and Sirius," James said calmly.
"Why don't you ask him?" Remus said.
"Because I want to hear your side of the story," James answered.
Remus turned and gave James a searching look. After a few moments of standing in the middle of a corridor staring at him, Remus finally said, "Fine, but not here."
James nodded. People were walking past them to get to breakfast. James turned around and noticed a classroom down the hall that was not in use. "Down here," James ordered.
"Do we have to talk about it now?" Remus whined as he followed James.
James just sent Remus a warm smile over his shoulder.
Both quickly entered the classroom and Remus shut the door behind him. James hoisted himself onto a desk and continued to stare at his friend. Remus shifted moodily.
"Well?" James said at last.
"Well what?" Remus retorted as he walked over to the windowsill. He looked at the lake glistening in the distance, wishing that he could just hold Sirius's head under the ice-cold water.
"What happened last night?" James said exasperatedly. "Why were you two having a go right after the ball?"
Remus made a noise that could have been a snort or a sigh; it was hard to tell. He spoke facing the window.
"He was just being Sirius," he said simply.
"I know a lot of things Sirius can be," James said slowly. "Which one are you talking about?"
"The one who never lets his friends have what they want." Remus shifted his weight. "He knew from the moment I laid eyes on Hermione that I liked her. He knew it! And yet he still chases after her." He looked over his shoulder to James with round, saddened eyes. "Why does he even like her? She's not his type at all."
James gazed thoughtfully at the wounded Remus. "I think… that Sirius likes this girl because she's a new change," he started to explain, careful with his choice of words. "He's not going after her because you like her, mate," he added quickly. "I'm sure of that."
"Well, I wouldn't put it past him to do so," Remus mumbled under his breath.
"You know he is more loyal than that," James interrupted sharply.
"You're right… I'm just mad at him because… he can actually get the girl." He looked away from James and out the window again. He had finally admitted what he was truly worried about.
"Oh," James said faintly. He could argue and say that Remus still had a shot with Hermione, but that would lead to more fights between Remus and Sirius, with him, James, getting caught in the middle. On the other hand, he could agree with Remus and end the whole thing right now, including his friendship with Remus, which James did not look forward to.
"Remus?"
"Hm?" Remus grunted, still looking away from the classroom.
"How much do you really like this girl?"
"You know how you like Lily?" Remus said, almost spitting the name "Lily".
"Yeah…" James groaned, anticipating the next part.
"Only a little less than that."
James looked up to see Remus staring back at him, his cheeks a light shade of pink. "Oh," said James again.
"You've talked to Sirius, right?" James nodded. "Do you know how much he fancies Hermione?"
James sighed. "Truth?"
"Do you think I'd want you to lie to me?" Remus asked.
"No… He really likes her, Remus. A lot."
"I was afraid of that," Remus muttered. "I only ask for this one girl," he said, turning back to the window so it was hard to hear his ramble. "How come I only fall for the ones already taken?"
"What was that?" James asked.
Remus hit his head lightly against the window. He chose now of all times to speak his thoughts. "Nothing…"
"No, you said you always fall for the girls who are already taken." James was smirking now. "Come on, Moony, who else do you like?"
Remus's eyes darted from the lake to the forest uneasily. "It's nothing… really."
"Reeeemus," James sang.
"Do you really want to know?" Remus grimaced. He knew James for too long; his friend would never give up on anything.
"Of course I do."
"Well… it was Lily," Remus said quickly, his face away from the gaping James.
James's mouth hung open during the eerie silence. Had he heard correctly? Did Remus fancy the girl of James Potter's dreams? "How long?"
"Oh… about three years," Remus said in a higher than normal pitch.
"But, you don't now, do you?"
"No, of course not," Remus answered most unconvincingly. Remus looked to James, but James was glaring at the floor. "Look, James, forget about it. I know she's your girl."
James did not speak right away. "You know," he said slowly, "it's actually quite easy for you to win over either of their hearts. You're nice and definitely smart enough."
"James, I don't want Lily, all right?" Remus said, getting angered again. "The whole reason we're here is because of Hermione."
"No, the reason why we're here is because of you and Sirius." Remus's eyes narrowed, but James plunged onwards. "You ought to talk to him. There are no classes for two days, so you'll have plenty of time. I know you both don't want to get into a fight over something as frivolous as a girl."
Remus stared at James, then chuckled. "You know, Prongs, you're starting to sound like me," he said while walking over to his friend.
"Hey, somebody has to be the voice of reason while you're all moody." James got off his desk and made his way to the door.
"I didn't even know you knew what the word frivolous meant," Remus commented.
Unfortunately, both Remus and Sirius did not talk alone together for the rest of the weekend. Actually, they put off their conversation for the entire week, though they did speak to each other, but they tended to get tense around Hermione. James was hardly around to push his two friends into speaking to each other. He and Harry were scarcely found in the common room before eleven. James had the Quidditch team practicing until it grew too dark or Madam Winge, the old Quidditch referee, came onto the field yelling and screaming. Their first match against Slytherin was that Saturday.
The morning of the Quidditch game arrived with the sun shining brightly through the windows of the sixth year Gryffindor boys' dormitory.
"Good morning, mates. Harry, get up!"
James had been pacing around the room for forty minutes. As he saw Peter's curtain open up (that was the only day Peter woke up early; on the day of a Quidditch match), James decided that was a perfect time for everyone else to wake up.
James, frustrated that no one else had his enthusiasm, ripped open Harry's curtains.
Harry had been twitching in his sleep, wrapping his bed sheets around himself. "No… not Sirius… Bellatrix… Department—of Mysteries… NO!" He shot up as he heard his bed curtains open.
James looked down at Harry with an odd look. He folded his arms across his chest but said nothing. He walked away, pondering. Why was Harry dreaming of Sirius and a person Harry never could have met, the Slytherin bitch who had graduated two years ago? Or was the name of Bellatrix just a coincidence?
Harry massaged his forehead; it stung just a little. He had had the same dream where Sirius died. And it always ended after Sirius fell behind the veil with Bellatrix laughing mirthlessly to his face.
Harry shook his head and stood up. "Why'd you wake me up so early, Potter?" he said. Harry gave a yawn.
"Quidditch today, mate!" James shouted zealously as he hopped over to Sirius's bed. He slowly drew back the curtains, making not a sound. As he saw Sirius's sleeping figure looking incredibly peaceful, a smirk drew itself onto James's face. He walked back a few steps, giving himself a run way. He sprinted to Sirius's bed again, this time pouncing on the resting Sirius.
Sirius gave a yelp as James sprung onto his bed. He scrambled away from the crazed Quidditch fan, but fell off the bed and onto his butt.
"James," Sirius growled. He could hear Harry snickering quietly in the background and Peter just laughing openly.
"Shh…" James whispered, holding a finger up to his lips. He held out his hand to help his friend from the cold, hard ground. James, once Sirius was off the floor, pointed to Remus's bed. Sirius gave a knowing wink and they both tip-toed over to the werewolf's bed. Inch by inch, they pulled back the curtains to find Remus glaring back at them.
"Ah!" James yelped, jumping backwards. Sirius just shook his head with a small smile.
"I am going to kill you, Potter," he growled. He slammed his hand on his bed to raise himself off of his bed. "Can you just once let us sleep in on a big Quidditch day?"
James let out an audible gasp. "Never! It'd be blasphemy!" he cried out, indeed sounding as if Remus had suggested defying one of the ten commandments.
"Of course," Remus muttered as he stepped out of bed.
James chose to ignore Remus. He clapped his hands together loudly, making Peter jump. "Well, let's go see if the rest of my teammates are awake yet." He sauntered out of the room.
"Did he—he—he have his Quidditch uniform on already?" Remus asked through a cat-like yawn.
"Mmm hmm," Harry groaned as he reached for his uniform.
Breakfast passed by at lightening speed. The four Marauders ate quickly and dismissed themselves as the sixth year girls entered. Hermione wished both Potters good luck and asked if Remus and Sirius would save her a seat in the stands. Both said they would be more than happy to, and ended up glaring at the other.
Soon, the entire Gryffindor Quidditch was piled up in the locker room. Remus and Peter were saving seats in the stands while Sirius was helping James. Apparently, the eldest Black had some information on the Slytherin team.
"All right, everyone here?" James asked, rubbing his hands nervously together. "Anderson, Anderson," (twins) "Spinnet, Bell, Wood, Thewler… wait, that's only six people… We're missing one!" he said frantically.
"Er, mate," interrupted Sirius. "You didn't count yourself."
"Oh, right…" James said, giving himself a laugh. Others who were nearby chuckled. "Right, down to business."
James started his speech off. "We have been practicing to our hearts contents—"
"And then some," Spinnet added.
"Even though we have some new players on the team doesn't mean we don't have teamwork. We can win this thing if we just stick together and knock out those Slytherin scumbags."
Everyone let out a whoop of cheer.
Sirius stepped up next to James. "I was talking to some midget Slytherin, first year I think, yesterday… Actually thought I was a Slytherin. Can you believe that?" He chuckled to himself and shook his head, until James cleared his throat. Then Sirius carried on. "Right, anyway… Told me that Snape is still trying to play Seeker (like he could) but they've just got a new keeper last week. Er, he's a, shall we say, big-boned seventh year, goes by the name of Rasputin."
Several people winced. With a swat of his hand, Piotr Rasputin had knocked out one of the Hufflepuff first years just the previous week.
"But that's nothing to worry about," James assured everyone. "As long as we score some goals and knock out the other team," (Spencer and Bridget gave a whoop and hit their bats together) "we should be good."
"Yeah, and catch the Snitch of course," Harry said with a smile.
"Ah, don't worry about me," James said confidently as the rest of the team stood up to leave the locker room. "There's no way I'd let Snivellus get the Snitch today."
Sirius had sprinted up to the stands right after the team left the locker rooms. He saw Remus and Peter in their usual seats in the front row… with Hermione sitting closely to Remus. Sirius growled as he pushed aside a Slytherin while making his way to his friends. He sat down in the tiny space between Hermione and Lily. He put his arms around their shoulders and said, "And how are my two beautiful girls doing?"
Lily shrugged his arm off of her. Hermione took Sirius's arm delicately from her shoulder and placed it on his lap.
"Curb it, Black," Lily sighed, her eyes focused on the field swarming with green flying figures.
"I'm hurt, Evans," said Sirius, placing a hand on his heart. "I sang a song for you!"
"Correction: you sang it for Hermione," Lily drawled.
Sirius laughed. "Oh, but didn't you know, Evans?" Sirius said in a deep, mature voice, mocking one of his best friends. "I've had this mad crush on you for years. Go out with me?" He ruffled his hair, trying to make it look wind swept. It didn't have the same affect on Sirius as it did on James unfortunately; Sirius's hair still looked perfect, but with a twinge of messiness around the top.
Lily smiled, but played along. "But didn't you know, Potter? Hidden underneath my insults and taunts, I've had this deep, passionate feeling for you every since I first laid eyes on you."
"Oy, you two love birds over there," Remus called out, sounding rather put-out. "They're coming on."
And so they were. Seven Quidditch players fully clad in red and gold robes soared out onto the pitch. A thunderous roar emitted from the Gryffindor section as the players passed over them.
"And here is the team we have all really been waiting for… GRYFFINDOR!" yelled Amanda Carrick, the commentator of the game.
A loud hiss sounded off from the green section of the stands, but was overpowered by the roars of the Gryffindor fans.
"We have Harry Thewler, Moira Anderson (two new additions to the team), and her twin brother, Dominic Anderson as the chasers. Bridget Bell and Spencer Spinnet as their two beaters. Zach Wood, damn good keeper. And finally, the team captain and the best seeker we have seen here yet," (more hisses from Slytherin) "James Potter!"
James flew down to meet Kevin Nott and Madam Winge, an old looking woman who looked as if she had been in high speed winds for too long. From the Marauder's view, it looked as if Nott was trying to break James's fingers. James just kept smiling that cocky grin of his, vexing the Slytherins even more. They mounted their brooms. Madam Winge whistled through the crowds screams and they rocketed up, Harry and James being the fastest on their new Nimbus One-Thousand and Ones.
"The Quaffle is up, and Slytherin gets it first. Nott to Lensherr and back to Nott—Oh, but he's hit by a Bludger. Excellent hit, Bell. Hit harder next time, though Bridget! Just joking there, Professor," Amanda said hurriedly to the glaring McGonagall.
"And Thewler now has the Quaffle, ducks a Bludger sent by Slytherin's Sackville. Thewler passes to Anderson. Anderson to Anderson, shoot Dom!"
An eruption from the Gryffindor end signaled that the score was 10-0 Gryffindor.
"And it's now Slytherin's possession, Black has it. Regulus carries it down the field, fakes a pass to Lensherr, but is intervened by Moira. Anderson passes the ball to Anderson, who passes it to Thewler—"
"Come on Harry, shoot!" Hermione squealed, jumping up and down on the balls of her feet.
"You really get into this game, don't you?" Remus asked with a bemused smile on his face.
"Well, this is the first time Harry's played Chaser, and I really want him to do well," Hermione said defensively.
The score quickly turned to 50-40, Gryffindor leading, in just a few minutes.
"Heated game this is turning out to be," said Amanda as Slytherin scored another goal to make it a tie. "They are just scoring goals left and right. All right, Gryffindor in possession. Dom has the ball and is flying straight down the center—he passes it to Moira—she shoots—SHE SCORES! 60-50 in the first ten minutes. This'll be a high scored game indeed.
"And Regulus Black is flying down the pitch, ducks a Bludger sent by Spinnet—passes it to Lensherr—he shoots, but Wood makes a spectacular save—Wood tosses it half-way down the field to Thewler—Harry dodges a Bludger sent by Noirecoeur—is that the Snitch flying straight at him?"
Harry heard the Snitch flying underneath him, but a nanosecond later it was flying at his face. As an impulse, he grabbed the Snitch with his left hand while holding the Quaffle with his right. It hit him a moment later that he was not a Seeker, so therefore didn't need to catch the Snitch. He let go of it as if it had burned his hand. Fortunately, the Referee did not see that, as it had happened all in two seconds, but James sure did see it.
"And Potter is going for a dive, Snape inches behind him. Unfortunately for Slytherin, Snape has an old Shooting Star, and compared to Potter's Nimbus, it's actually quite a joke…" Slytherins started booing at her comment. "Oh pipe down Slytherin, you know it's true… The Snitch shoots up suddenly, and Potter is still hot on its trail—Ooo, Slytherin just scored again—goal by Nott—but look! James has caught the Snitch! Too bad Slytherin Scum!"
"Amanda, I think that's enough of your commenting," Professor McGonagall said sharply.
"We won! We won!" squealed Hermione. She jumped up and gave Remus, then Sirius a jubilant hug. They just stood, wide-eyed, as Hermione enveloped them in a bear hug.
"Come on, party in the Gryffindor common room!" shouted Sirius over the shrieks of glee as Hermione let go of him. All filed out of the stands to meet the winners of the match. Sirius made it a point to elbow strongly past the spectators in green.
Back in the common room, all of the upper classmen and some of the lowers were lounging around. The Marauders and Harry had stopped by the kitchens to "borrow" some food off the house-elves.
"You have pretty quick reflexes there, Harry," James said, plopping down on one of the chairs by the fireplace. Harry, sitting on the other chair, looked confused. "I saw that catch of the Snitch, right before I caught it."
"Er, it was just an impulse," Harry said defensively.
"Riiight," James said, nodding his head in complete mockery.
After Spencer Spinnet had finished doing his impressions of Snape's face as James caught the Snitch, everyone started filling up the staircases, either laughing or congratulating the team one last time before heading up to bed. Now all who were left in the common room were the four Marauders, Harry, and Hermione.
"I never knew playing Chaser could be so much fun," Harry said excitedly.
"Yeah, if you hadn't shown up here, Harry, I would have filled the position myself and given this really eager third year the Seeker position," James said. He sighed. "Oh well… At least I get to show off Snivellus."
"And that is a bonus," Sirius added with a bark-like laugh.
"Yeah… Blimey, he's horrible at Seeker," James said, following up Sirius's laugh. "Too bad they banned the usage of wands during the games… 'Cuz that would have made the game a lot more interesting…"
"As interesting as this talk… isn't," interrupted Hermione from the corner of the couch as she made her way to stand. "I'm going to bed. Good night everyone." She turned, grabbing a few books from beside the couch, and walked towards the stairs.
"Good night, Hermione!" Remus and Sirius called, while James, Peter, and Harry just gave a quiet, "'Night."
Remus and Sirius, on opposite ends of the couch, glared irritatingly at one another. They folded their arms across their chests but said no more.
"You know, you two are going to have to talk sooner or later," James said crossly.
"Talk about what?" Peter asked, still oblivious.
James gave a fleeting look at Harry, and quietly said to Peter, "Hermione."
"There's nothing to talk about," Sirius said huffily.
"Oh, sure there isn't," James shot back sarcastically.
"I'm not sure I really want to be here for this," Harry said uncomfortably. "See you mates upstairs."
"Wait, there's nothing here," Remus said, joining Harry. "If there is really anything to talk about, Sirius and I will sort it out later. Right now, I'm very tired, so if you don't mind…"
Remus followed Harry up the staircase.
James glowered at Sirius before retreating up to bed too.
"You and Remus fancy Hermione?" Peter asked Sirius. He sounded quite surprised.
"So it would seem," Sirius said edgily.
"Wow… why would you like a girl like her?" Peter asked, his voice still harboring awe.
"Because… it's complicated Wormtail. I just do." Sirius left Peter standing there, who was wondering how Sirius's feelings for a girl could be complicated.
Over in the girls' dormitory, one girl out of five was wide awake. She was troubled with the thoughts a normal teenage girl would not have. Hermione rolled on her side, fretting about the past. More specifically, about two boys who lived in the past.
Remus and Sirius… they are acting so strangely when they're together around me… I wonder what's wrong… But part of Hermione's mind told her that she could be the cause of all the tenseness between the twosome. They wouldn't be fighting about/over her, would they?
But they're just friends, like Harry and Ron, she thought, convincing herself. But both of them seem different… different than regular friends. Hermione gave a tiny snort. Of course, they do want to be more than friends, but even so, I feel something for them. Maybe because I know how they end up. I can feel pity for what doesn't happen for another twenty years… Hermione sighed. Or maybe because they aren't like any other boy you've met…
"What?" Hermione said out loud, though still in a mouse-quiet voice. That last thought had startled her.
Oh come on, we know that they are better than the boys at the present Hogwarts. Better looking, too. Don't say that that doesn't count for anything.
Gosh, now I'm starting to think like Ron, said another part of her mind.
But haven't you ever wondered what they would do on a date? How they would kiss?…
Stop it, said the other voice weakly. They're just too old.
But not in this time, they aren't…
"Oh this is just awful," Hermione groaned.
A/N: Okay, so this story is going to a different angle than I had first planned. I think I might have to keep you all guessing of who Hermione will end up with. Sorry to all those I promised a SBHG! I might change it. I might not. Sorry!
Now on to my lovely reviewers!
The Lady Elizabeth: I don't care if you review my story fifteen times in a row. I just love reviews! And yes, I think RLHG and SBHG are good ones, but I can't seem to find any really good ones… Do you have any?
The girl at the rockshow: Haha you don't what? That was a confusing review…
Artemisgirl: Yes, I feel so bad for Remus too! I mean, it's so sad, 'cuz he has to put up with his dark secret (werewolf-iness) and everything… And I have the ending planned out, so I think you'll like what I will have written.
Isnani: Yeah, see, I've always pictured Ron with Hermione. It's so plain to see. None of this Harry and Hermione. They are just friends. So I had to have Ron hyperventilating over Hermione with Sirius and Remus. It's the kind of thing he'd do when none of his close friends is around. Thanks!
Dawn: Eek! A Draco story? Ew… I'm sorry, but I don't like the Slytherin very much. At least, not enough to write a whole story about him. Oh my goodness, it was so hard to keep everyone is character that last chapter. We know so much about everyone in the future! –sigh- At least it's over and done with. Thanks!
Flaignhan: Yes, sorry about not updating for a while… Thanks!
Shelby H: Ron freaking out and all of his rants were indeed fun to do. Thanks!
Lali-chan: Yeah, Ron, Harry, Sirius, and Remus… all fancying Hermione. Well, not Harry anymore. Isn't Hermione very popular? –cough- Thanks!
Padfootz-luvr: I'm taking a wild guess, but you like Sirius? Eh heh, yes, I know Sirius is… the best, but I really like Remus too… I'm sorry, but I'm not promising anything until the end of the story. Thanks.
Bboo: Yeah, if I do do a SBGW and RLHG, it'll be after this story is done. Thanks!
Roxxie-Hart: Exactly! Leave all you guys hanging until the end! I'm sorry I couldn't update by Tuesday, but I was gone from the computer all most of the weekend… Thanks!
Khuu-khuu: Is the action here yet? Well I hope so. Thanks!
DracosPrincess16: They won't be fighting (like they are now) for too much longer, don't worry. Thanks!
Blondekat3: Put the wooden spoon down. I'm sorry I didn't update as early as you would like. Very busy, here! And I'll have to leave you all hanging about who ends with Hermione. Sorry about that too!
Eman: Thanks!
Pieceocake: There aren't going to be anymore flash-forwards for awhile. So… sorry! Thanks, though.
Antisocial mint: Thanks! I'm glad you love my story.
BlackAngel1391: Of course I'm grateful! I will take any suggestions! In fact, I'd wish I had more! Your suggestion would make my story indeed, a lot different than I planned… I'll think about it, but I don't think I'll use it. There is a specific reason for everything I put in the last chapter that hints to the ending. Thanks anyway!
Niphredel Black: Thanks.
DoodlerGirl: Exactly what I was thinking. I couldn't really see Lupin acting that way, but giving the situation at hands, I think I did pretty well. And I actually didn't really want to write that chapter. It was kinda boring, but it helped a lot with the story, especially the ending. Have at thee!
Dancerchick314: I might be writing another time-traveling story, but definitely after this one is complete. I also have to see how my school schedule is. I don't fancy failing all of my classes, but keeping a fanfic up. (Wish I could though…) Thanks!
Thanks all for reading. And now for the reviewing!