If I Could Turn Back Time…
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters; I own naught but the plot.
Summary: Hermione Granger thinks she is in for another ordinary year of Hogwarts. But as she soon finds out, she's in for a year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that she might never be able to leave…
"This is Zonko's Joke Shop" Sirius said, showing Hermione, already laden down with bags of clothes, chocolate (from Honeydukes) and assorted classroom necessities, into another little shop. As soon as her foot was through the door, Hermione was greeted with a wave of laughing, talking and some screams. She stepped inside, already smiling at the crowded place.
"Everyone comes here, it's pretty much the most popular shop in Hogsmead" Remus said, almost yelling over the commotion. Hermione smiled at him.
"I can tell!" She yelled back. A hand on her elbow guided her over to a not so noisy corner. Hermione turned around and looked around her, slightly overwhelmed. There were heaps of practical jokes and instruments that were of mischief-making intentions. Sirius handed her a little box. Hermione took it, examining the contents.
"Never-Ending Fizzing Fireworks, they don't really mean 'Never-Ending' do they?"
"Yeah, they do. But they kind of go invisible after three hours or so… They're great for parties, see, because you can let them off in a room and they'll hover around the ceiling for ages before disappearing. They constantly go off too, with a different colour each time!" Sirius said. Hermione grinned, giving him a shove with one hand.
"You sound like a commercial!"
"What's that?"
"Uh, never mind… So, where to next?" She beamed.
"I reckon the Three Broomsticks before we head back," Remus suggested, coming over with Peter and James. "It's about time for lunch, and I'm getting a bit hungry." Hermione agreed and the group headed out of Zonko's Joke Shop and into the crisp autumn weather. The sun was bright in the sky and they made their way into a crowed pub, choosing a table near a giant moving picture. Hermione stared at it in wonder, before she returned her attention to the five bottles of what James called "butterbeer". Taking a sip, Hermione had the strangest sensation overcome her.
"What's in this?" Hermione said, looking at the bottle in her hand.
"I don't think anyone knows…" a new voice replied. Hermione looked up. The newcomer looked to be about the same age as the rest of them, and his red hair matched that of a girl with her arm linked through his.
"I'm Arthur Weasly, and this is Molly" He said as an introduction. Hermione smiled at them both, and Arthur and Molly continued their search for a table for two.
"Hey, Hermione," Sirius started.
"Hey, Sirius?" Hermione replied with a grin on her face.
"Very funny – have you got your time-table yet?" He asked
"Uh, yeah… I'll give it too you when we get back up to Hogwarts, okay?" Hermione said, taking another sip of her butterbeer. Sirius nodded, and they all finished their drinks without many other words spoken.
"You're in the Herbology Green Room 2 with Remus, Transfiguration with James, Potions with me, Peter and James, Charms with all of us, and… Astrology with me" Sirius said, comparing his timetable with Hermione's as they sat down for lunch. Hermione smiled as she took her timetable back, blushing slightly when she saw that Sirius had drawn a little love-heart in the corner of each Astrology class.
"That's sweet of you," She said, glancing up at him. Sirius smiled down at her, looking into her eyes.
"So, Hermione and Padfoot, what's going on?" James said as he sat down opposite them. Hermione looked away quickly.
"Sirius was just showing me who was in my classes…" She said as an explanation.
"Are you in any of mine?" James said, pretending not to care.
"Yes… Charms and Potions, I'm pretty sure." Hermione replied, shoving her timetable in her new black satchel. James cocked an eyebrow at her haste to get the paper out of sight.
"Okay then… Good! Hamburgers! We haven't had some of these in ages!" James said excitedly, grabbing one for himself and dumping it on his plate. Hermione surveyed the mass of food and slowly selected a barbequed chicken leg wrapped in a paper serviette and a small salmon pâté. She placed them strategically on her plate, and filled the remaining space with lettuce. She then looked up to notice both the boys were looking at her strangely.
"What? She asked, getting slightly defensive.
"You're a perfectionist, you know that don't you?" James said, smiling brightly at her as he took another hamburger. Hermione shrugged and continued to eat her meal, noticing that Sirius constantly looked at her throughout lunch.
After they had all finished and had gone to collect the necessary books for the classes, Hermione slowly took her timetable out. Consulting it carefully, Hermione realized that she had Potions and Charms, both with Slytherin. Placing it in the side compartment of her bag, Hermione arranged the books neatly in her bag. She went down the stair-well and as she turned the corner, came face to face with Sirius.
"Sirius… funny seeing you here," She joked, attempting to get past him.
"Hermione, about lunch and your timetable…" He started quietly. Hermione turned to look at him. "I'm sorry, I don't really know how to tell a girl I like her, you see"
"It's okay, Sirius, it really is. I'll see you in class" Hermione said, giving his arm a friendly pat. She hoisted her bag to a more comfortable position and gave him a smile, walking off out the portrait that guarded the Common Room entrance. Sirius was left standing where she left him, his expression slightly forlorn. James appeared from around a corner. He joking slapped Sirius on the back.
"Tough break, man, tough break" James said, running after the way Hermione had gone.
"Hermione! Wait up" James called; the brunette stopped and waited him to catch up before continuing her way to Potions. "Have you got all the stuff you need for Potions?" He asked after he had caught up with her.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I think so. I've got 103 Uses for Forest Flora, a set of scales, my writing implements, my ingredients – well, what I think I'll need, and Practical Potions, Level 4. Is that all?"
James laughed. "Yes, that's all! What about for Charms? Oh, turn here" He asked, pointing down a corridor.
"Thanks, I was going to walk straight past it. Oh, for Charms I've got my wand, obviously, Cautious Charms, Volume 2, and a feather, for some reason…" She said, walking down the corridor and looking into every open door she could see. "I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to the idea that magic is real…" Hermione said softly. James threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into an A-Frame hug.
"You will, you'll see. Now, here's Potions with the Slytherin – prepare yourself." He said jokingly, releasing her from his embrace. Hermione, strangely enough, found herself wishing that his arm had never left her shoulder, because she rather liked the feel of his arm around her, she decided later on.
"So, how was your first day at school?" Sirius asked, seating himself next to Hermione for dinner.
"Fine, yours?" Hermione joked, reaching over him to get the potatoes. As she dished one onto her plate, she realized that Sirius was watching her with the most curious expression on his face. Setting the platter down once again, Hermione turned to see him.
"What it is?" She asked, fixing him with, what she hoped was, a penetrating stare. Sirius sighed, casting a look towards James, Remus and Peter, who were all pretending to not be paying attention.
"A word outside? Please?" He asked quietly, getting up and motioning her to follow. Hermione glanced longingly at her potato, but got up and followed him, giving a shrug when James shot her a questioning glance. Sirius led the way out of the Hall, ignoring the pairs of eyes that trailed their progress. When they had gotten outside, Hermione turned to face Sirius.
"What is it?" She asked, somehow finding it in herself not to be angry with him.
"Hermione – I need to know. Do you like me?" Sirius asked; this topic undoubtedly uncomfortable for him. Hermione bit the corner of her bottom lip, thinking over her answer.
"I think Sirius, that at the moment I like you as a friend. I don't know why, I don't know how. But somehow it seems as though I know you from… the future. I think that nothing could come of a relationship between us."
Sirius nodded, backing off. "Okay, okay… But tell me something else?"
"What do you need to know?"
"Do you… do you like James?" His eyes were pouring into her soul, and Hermione looked deeply into them, once again not sure how to answer. Sirius nodded, understanding without words what her message was.
"Okay, Hermione. It's okay"
She smiled, and suddenly flung her arms around him and gave him a tight hug. Sirius returned it, noticing the sweet smell of lavender in her hair.
Third chapter! Hurrah! Enjoying this so far? I certainly hope so.
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