(A/N: A special thanks goes to my beta Bits1212. And I'm sorry for going so long before updating. Enjoy!)
Chapter 7
George instructed Lily on her target. He sat close, and whispered in her ear again earning more of James's ire.
"Harry, you weren't kidding when you said you liked defense," Remus said.
"We covered dementors the last year we were at school," Harry lied.
"Interesting," Remus remarked. He lowered his fork to spear a carrot, but the carrot rolled. He tried again. Same result. Giving it up as a bad job he shifted to his chicken. No luck. His fork repelled food.
Attempts at conversation faded as his dilemma claimed his full attention. No one noticed as they had their own problems.
Sirius reached for his goblet. He missed. He tried again. Nothing. He could not get his fingers to close on his goblet.
Peter was annoyed. Every time he managed to get food onto his fork, it fell off. He loaded his fork with mashed potatoes, raised it. Splat.
James sulked. He pushed his food around his plate. His stomach growled telling him to get over whatever it was, and feed it. His fork slipped from his grasp clinking onto his plate. He retrieved it, and promptly dropped it again.
Harry, Hermione, George, and Lily carried on. They held their wands beneath the table. At the prearranged signal they removed their spells. They allowed a bite, and a sip before continuing their prank. This time Remus couldn't catch his drink, Sirius's food wouldn't stay on his fork, James's fork repelled food, and Peter dropped his silverware.
The marauders were so engrossed with their plights, they failed to observe their surroundings.
"Isn't that right, James?" Lily asked.
"Huh?" replied James. He reluctantly pried his attention from his plate.
"I said…" she drifted into silent laughter. They stopped to minimize suspicion. They switched again.
The third time Sirius dropped his fork he left it lying. He took a deep breath, and leaned back staring at the enchanted ceiling. What the bloody hell? A quick movement drew his notice. He turned to his friends. James snatched at his goblet. Remus dropped his food. Peter furiously shoved his fork at his plate.
He blinked. His friends ate, and drank with no problems. He must have imagined it.
Hermione, George, Harry, and Lily shook with suppressed glee. The meal disappeared. The marauders were still hungry. They'd only eaten a tiny portion of their dinner.
The desserts were served. This was the tricky part. The pranksters helped themselves. Their hands were visible until their targets went to take their first bites.
Lily swished her wand replacing Peter's trifle with lemon. His pinched face almost sent her into hysterics. He inspected his dessert, and tried again.
Remus also chose the trifle, but instead found his mouth full of grass. He spat into his napkin. James's treacle tart was replaced with ear wax. He choked. Sirius's tart tasted like ash.
"Hey, Moony, pass the trifle."
"Hand over the treacle."
Having made the necessary switches, the boys were ready to dig in. Right as their forks sunk into the delectable goodness, it vanished. They exchanged confused looks at their empty plates.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that you shouldn't play with your food?"
The culprits stifled their laughter. Tears sprang into their eyes as they doubled over. Unable to hold it in, the laughter rang throughout the hall. Students and staff turned to the commotion. Normally, if that sound was heard at dinner it came from the four Gryffindor boys. Lily and the new students fled the murderous stares of said boys.
Safely ensconced in the common room Lily said, "I haven't had that much fun in a long time." She giggled. "Their faces."
"Lily Evans," an angry voice accused.
"Yes, Potter?" she aimed for calm, but missed. She hiccupped.
"Why?" Sirius inquired. He was slightly disturbed, and impressed with the Head Girl's behavior.
"Payback."
"Surely you understand how the concept works," sassed Hermione.
"We haven't done anything to you," James whined.
"No, but you did to us," Harry said. He sank onto a couch.
"We enlisted their help," George added. He leaned against the wall waiting.
"Why the food?" Sirius moaned. "That was below the belt."
"It could have been much worse," Hermione informed. A dangerous sparkle ignited in her eyes.
"All right. All right." Remus said in a prefect manner causing another round of merriment. The marauders found themselves on uneven ground for the second time in as many days. The three transfers posed a unique threat. The marauders didn't have enough information to strike back. How good was the new students' magic? Should they push to find out? Did they dare? Their dinner prank was planned, and executed in a day. By taciturn agreement James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter retreated upstairs.
"You've done it now," Lily said.
"You mean we've," emphasized Hermione, "done it now."
#
"Are we going to let them get away with it?" squawked Peter. He closed the door after confirming Harry, and George hadn't followed them.
"Of course not," Sirius barked. "We're the reigning pranksters here," he snapped. Missing dinner made him grumpy.
"Maybe we should let it go," Remus said. The consummate peacemaker. "Technically, we're even."
"Your math is wrong," James said. "Our prank failed." James admired the simplicity, and flawless execution.
"Our next move?" Peter prompted.
Flopping onto his bed Sirius gazed at his friends. The wheels turned.
"Give it a few days." James grinned. "Inspiration will come. Let them sweat."
#
Harry was tired. He'd spent the past two days worried about retaliation. It hadn't come. He needed sleep. It was impossible. Peter snored unbelievably loud. Harry yanked his pillow up, and pushed it down on his ear. He closed his eyes, but the harsh grumble, and high wheezes penetrated his defense. He couldn't take it anymore.
He parted his curtains, grabbed his wand. A flick, and silence reigned. He sighed.
"Bout time," muttered Sirius.
Harry heard him shift and settle. Harry punched his pillow, and got comfortable. The slow steady breaths of his roommates lulled Harry to sleep. The nightmares he'd pushed back attacked.
#
Sweating, twisting, turning, screaming. Hermione gasped as she sat bolt upright. Pulled from a deep sleep she was disoriented. Was she screaming? Were the other girls awake? Silence greeted her.
The screaming came again. The images swept into her mind. She shoved aside her blankets, and ran. She shivered outside the boy's dorm. She cautiously opened the door. Soft snores, and quiet breathing except for one bed where someone whimpered, and fought.
She carefully navigated the room. She took his wand, and cast a silencing charm. She climbed into his bed. She shook him.
"Harry, wake up," she begged.
The nightmare refused to release Harry. Oliver Wood carried Colin Creevy across the grounds. Percy crouched over Fred, clutching his lifeless body. Nagini curled around Snape. Her fangs sank into his throat. The images blended one into another forcing Harry to relive each moment.
"Harry!" Hermione cried. Harry's face contorted in pain. She shook him harder. "Wake up!"
"What?" He gulped. His breath shredded in and out of his lungs. "Where? I've got to go." He sat up.
Hermione pushed his shoulders. "You're safe. A nightmare. You were having a nightmare."
"I'm sorry," he mumbled. He scrubbed his hands over his face. "I…I…" he stuttered.
"It's ok," she said. She cradled him. He buried his head in her shoulder. "You're safe. We're safe. It's ok."
Harry listened to Hermione's heartbeat. The rapid beat slowed to normal. He timed his breathing with hers. He pulled away.
"It's seeing them. They're alive." He stiffened remembering where he was.
"Silencing charm," Hermione said. She hoped the boys were heavy sleepers. She'd hate for them to think Harry weak.
The situation had not gone unnoticed. Harry's struggle disturbed Remus, and Sirius. They were assessing when Hermione came taking away the need for action. Both lay awake straining to hear, but Hermione knew what she was doing.
#
"It hurts," Harry confessed.
"I know, but we'll get through it."
"Not this time." He hated how pitiful he sounded. He'd been through so much, and pushed on, but this situation. It could be the one to irrevocably break him.
"We'll do it together," Hermione said. Her tone conveyed confidence, but inside she was as scared as he was. "Now," she said, "time to get some sleep. We've got defense tomorrow."
Leave it to Hermione to think about classes. "Will you stay?"
"Yes." She hoped her presence would be enough to banish the nightmares.
#
The spell did not prevent noise coming through the barrier. Shuffling bed covers, feet hitting the floor, trunks being opened and closed, a door slamming. Hermione snuggled deeper into the blankets. She was not alone. Her movements woke Harry.
"What time is it?" he croaked.
"Time to get up," guessed Hermione.
"This is going to be awkward."
"You have no idea," she said. She'd forgotten her dressing gown in her rush. She was clad in skimpy shorts, and a tank top with no bra. She fidgeted tugging at her clothes.
"Have they gone?" she asked.
"I'll check." He poked his head out. "Still here." Hermione bit her lip. "Come on," Harry said. He stood up. "We can't be late for class." He stretched a hand to her.
Hermione emerged from his bed. Heat infused her cheeks. She kept her head down until a yelp jerked her chin upwards. Someone dived between their curtains. Sirius winked at her. Remus cocked an eyebrow.
"Moring Harry," George said. He yawned, and scratched his chest. "Same Hermione."
Hearing her name spurred her into action. She ran.
James thrust his head through his curtains. He kept a tight hold on the fabric. "Merlin, Harry, if you're going to have overnight guests warn us." The coast clear, he reemerged wearing only boxers.
"It was a surprise visit, Prongs," a fully dressed Sirius said. He looked at an equally clothed Remus and winked. Remus lowered his eyebrow. He shook his head giving Sirius a half smile.
"What's the deal?" asked James. "You two an item?"
George snorted. "Sorry," he muttered. Not his place to spill the beans. Let them think what they wanted. As long as they didn't have to divulge the truth he didn't care. Harry wasn't alone in the having nightmares column.
"Should we expect this more often?" inquired Remus.
A frown creased Harry's features. "I don't know." He'd called her unconsciously. He could no more predict when it would happen than he could see things in little crystal balls.
"She's going through a rough patch and…" he trailed off. He sounded stupid. Besides he was going through the rough patch. "I'm being a good friend," he finished lamely. His face flamed. Hermione was being a good friend. He grabbed some clothes, and stalked off.
"Seriously?" James turned to George.
George shrugged refusing to confirm, or deny.
#
"Hermione, where have you been?" Lily asked. Concern poured from her.
"Oh, Lily," Hermione whimpered. "I am so embarrassed."
Lily moved to console Hermione, but Hermione brushed past her.
A knot of butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she approached the common room. She'd rather hide in her room all day, but her honor code completely overruled the irrational impulse. She could not miss class. Somehow that would make it worse.
Their stares penetrated her warring head. Her skin prickled. She swallowed her embarrassment. She fought the rising blush. She gathered her courage, and met them stare for stare. A pair of blue eyes held something besides mirth.
Sirius Black watched Hermione Granger descend the stairs. An image of her in her skimpy pajamas flashed before him. The heat in his gaze scalded.
Lily tugged Hermione's sleeve. "Why are they staring?" she whispered.
Brown eyes broke the intense connection with blue eyes. "Because I spent the night with Harry."
"What?" Lily shrieked.
"Lily," Hermione chided. "This is already awful. Do not make it worse."
"We'll talk later," Lily declared.
Hermione had the distinct impression she'd just been threatened.
#
"Mr. Lupin will demonstrate." Professor Caprise motioned him to the middle of the room.
"Expecto patronum." A silvery mist materialized. The only results so far. Lily, and James hadn't managed that much, nor had the handful of other Gryffindors in the class.
"Mr. Black." The same wisps of silver smoke.
"We're running out of time." Caprise pointed. "You three."
Harry, Hermione, and George joined the professor. Their wands rose as one. "Expecto patronum."
A silver stag erupted from Harry's wand.
"Expecto patronum."
An otter and a mere cat gamboled around the stag.
Professor Caprise failed to hide her fascination. "Well done." She clapped. "Corporeal patronuses. Ten points each. You are excused from homework. The rest of you will compose an essay on what you are doing wrong. You may need to produce a patronus next class. I suggest you practice. Dismissed.
Harry shoved his textbook in his bag. The teacher stepped up to his desk.
"Mr. Barnes, how long have you been producing a patronus?"
"Since I was thirteen."
"Strong magic for one so young." She appraised him. "You taught Miss Granger, and Mr. Walker?"
"How did you know?" She chuckled and nodded for him to continue.
"We had a defense group at our old school," hedged Harry.
"You would have no problem repelling a real dementor?"
"No," he said.
"I'm trying to persuade the headmaster to allow the use of a real dementor in this class. Your ability to cast a patronus might aid my case."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous?"
"Not in a controlled environment."
"But casting a patronus in a brightly lit classroom is completely different than facing a dementor. Wouldn't the class be better with a boggart?"
"The boggart would change with each student. Not everyone's deepest fear is a dementor. I've kept you longer than I meant. You'd better get to lunch."
Hermione waited in the hallway. "What was that about?"
"She's mental," he said. "She wants to bring a dementor to class. Dumbledore won't allow it, he hates them."
"I don't want to face a dementor," Hermione confided. Her experiences contained far too many dangerous memories. "Join me for a run after lunch? We have a free period before Charms."
"Yeah." He had some extra frustration to work out.
They hurried through lunch, and raced to their rooms to change.
"Where are you going?" George asked. He lounged on his bed.
"A run. Want to come?"
"Nah, I'm too lazy for that."
"Later then."
#
The marauders lazed under the beech tree. They watched Harry and Hermione exit the castle and traipse to the Quidditch pitch.
"Think they're snogging, or shagging?" Sirius asked bluntly.
"Geez, Padfoot, why do you care?" Remus responded.
"I thought they were just friends," answered Peter. He'd missed the morning's entertainment.
"Jealous, Paddy?" James smirked. He followed Sirius's gaze to the alluring Miss Granger.
"Hah," Sirius scoffed, "let's get back at this."
"How are we going to get out of the tower? If we're caught…" Worriedly, Peter ensured no one was listening.
"Simple, we'll wait till they fall asleep, and sneak out. It shouldn't be difficult."
"As long as Harry doesn't have a bedmate," James teased.
"We'll cross that bridge later," Sirius said. His attention wondered back to the Quidditch pitch. Hermione had been wearing another pair of those shorts. He sighed. He turned to his friends, who were staring at him. "What?"
Three speculative grins. "Nothing."
#
"Mione," Harry gasped as they entered the castle. "We didn't think this through, we'll all sweaty."
"You do reek." She panted.
"We don't have time to shower," he said.
"No worries." She swished her wand. A cleaning spell did the trick. They parted to change into their robes.
Just what in the name of Merlin were they doing to need a shower? A very interested Sirius Black picked up his bag.
#
"Did you see the notice?" George asked a half-awake Harry.
"Notice?"
George pointed to the new sign posted on the common room board. "Quidditch tryouts next Saturday," George said.
"Early, isn't it?"
"Not at all." James barged in. "Holding tryouts early brings out the truly devoted players. It's a tried-and-true method. Are you going to have a go?"
"Maybe," grumbled Harry stifling a yawn. Suddenly he was awake. An opportunity to play Quidditch with his father, and godfather. "Do you need a seeker?"
"We need all team positions."
"Don't you have any old players?" George asked. Wood, and Angelina held tryouts for open positions.
"Some, but if you don't bring in new talent." James shrugged.
"How about it, Harry?" George conferred. "Might be fun." He waggled his eyebrows. Excitement radiated from Harry.
"What might be fun?" asked Sirius strutting over.
"They reckon on trying out for the house team."
"They any good?"
"Harry has only lost one match," Hermione bragged. "And even then, outside circumstances were to blame." A smug expression dared them to question Harry's abilities.
"It'll be interesting to see them play," commented James. Inside exhilaration flowed. The Gryffindor seeker graduated. At last year's tryouts he'd seen the talent, and lack thereof in his house. Fate had smiled on him if what Hermione said was true. He hoped it wasn't the proud devoted girlfriend talking. He loosened his shoulders. Time would tell. Until it did, he chose to believe. Harry was a captain.
#
The sunlight warmed the time travelers as they sprawled by the lake. They savored the beautiful weather. The water rippled as the giant squid waved its tentacles.
"Odd, isn't it?" George asked breaking the comfortable silence. Harry and Hermione shifted.
"What?" Harry asked. He shielded his eyes. George could be asking about any number of things. Being thrown back twenty-one years in the past, being sort of friends with the marauders, the pranks, anything really, such a broad base of possibilities.
"Us wasting precious time, doing nothing," ribbed George. Hermione wasn't pushing them to do homework.
"Oh." Hermione huffed. She slapped his chest. "I'll have you know I do know how to relax."
"You always have something to do," Harry said. School work, solving mysteries, perfect duties, research, hunting Horcruxes, and keeping Harry and Ron alive to name a few.
"Yes, well, maybe just maybe I've rearranged my priorities," she said primly. "All work and no play is no fun."
George sat up goggling at Hermione which garnered him another whack.
"Besides, we've earned this." She readjusted her position to be more comfortable.
Shaking his head George laid back resting his head on his arms. He enjoyed the peace. He listened to the gentle ripple of the lake, the whisper of the leaves, and the carefree joy of other teenagers. A brief escape.
Lily spotted them. She hated to intrude on this unguarded moment, but their easy smiles, and relaxed posture beckoned.
"Lily," Mary called. She linked her arm with Lily's. Mary led Lily to the castle. She cast a wistful look at the trio.
"You will not believe the story…" Mary's idle chatter flew.
Harry was pleased when he saw his mother coming toward them. It would be nice to spend time with Lily. He sighed, and closed his eyes. The disappointment faded, because the tranquility was to be cherished.
"Aren't they cute?" James taunted standing over the sleeping figures. A roguish grin appeared.
"Seems almost shameful to disturb them." Sirius smirked. A devilish glint reflected from James as they extended their wands.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, please continue to do so. If you have any ideas for pranks send them my way.
