\\/

Come the following weekend, Hermione dressed as usual in her tight black robes. In her past life she would have normally dressed in muggle clothing for a Hogsmeade weekend, and she felt slightly uncomfortable wearing her Slytherin uniform. It was what the other girls were wearing though, and Hermione was quickly growing used to her new wardrobe.

Regulus and Rabastan were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, along with another boy Hermione didn't recognise. Hermione felt an unexpected surge of pleasure at seeing them, which she quashed immediately. That was dangerous territory. Nonetheless, Ron and Harry had never waited for her in the morning, and even if it was only for security reasons, it was nice to have a group always looking out to make sure you were with them.

Hermione, Alecto and Arabel joined them, although Arabel sniffed when Rabastan informed the girls that it was raining outside.

"How do you know?" Hermione asked as they left the dungeons, wand at the ready. The exit to the common room was always a dangerous manoeuvre; as it was so easy to get ambushed by students from other houses there.

"We were flying this morning," Regulus answered for Rabastan, not noticing the irritated look the older boy shot his way. "Quidditch practice."

"Ah." Well that explained why Regulus spent so much time with Rabastan. Hermione knew he was a year younger, and had wondered if it was just the lure of the deatheaters that kept him with the group. Clearly quidditch was also a driving factor.

"You don't play?" Rabastan asked, the grin returning to his face.

"No," Hermione said shortly, not going into detail.

Beside her, Arabel laughed musically. "You wouldn't catch me on a broomstick either!"

After a moment even Alecto agreed that it wasn't for her. This was new for Hermione. Nobody had ever agreed with her about quidditch before. Not Ron, not Harry, nor even Ginny. Especially not Ginny. Oh it wasn't like Hermione hated quidditch. But she couldn't feign an interest she didn't feel, and many hours had been spent in the library to avoid the interminable conversations between her friends.

Outside it was breezy and cold. Hermione shivered, and pulled her cloak closer to her. The rain has eased slightly, and it was only spitting, but Hermione groaned anyway. She knew her hair was going to puff up into a frizzy mess.

Hermione was right in her prediction. By the time they had made it into the village and agreed to head to the three broomsticks, she was well aware that she resembled a badly groomed hedgehog. A fact that Regulus took no short amount of time to remind her of. Whilst Rabastan chivalrously headed for the bar to buy drinks, Regulus leaned across the table to Hermione.

"You need to sort the hair," he said seriously. "The Black's have enough embarrassments to their name."

"Shut your mouth Regulus," Hermione said sharply. She had learned over the past few weeks that there was more bark than bite to the boy.

"You can't talk to a lady like that," Arabel agreed haughtily. "Even if there is a grain of truth in it."

"I think Hermione looks fine," Alecto defended, and the third boy looked uncomfortable, as though he would rather be anywhere in the world than discussing a girls hair. Hermione couldn't blame him - she felt the same.

In the lull that followed, Hermione took a moment to glance around the pub. It looked exactly like she remembered it - warm, friendly and packed with people. She was surprised to see Rosmerta though. In her time, the propertier had been a beautiful older woman. But in her youth she was stunning, and most of the men in the establishment seemed to have at least half an eye on her at all times.

"Speaking of embarrassments to the family," Regulus suddenly hissed, as the door blew open with a sudden gust of wind. Hermione looked up as four boys sauntered in and froze.

It was the Marauders, and at first they didn't seem to have noticed the Slytherins. Then Sirius looked up as though some sixth sense told him his brother was in the vicinity. Spotting Regulus, a sneer spread across his face. He nudged James in the ribs, and the other boy looked over to them with a scowl. Tiredly, Remus Lupin subtly poked both Marauders in the ribs until they began to move, but not without Sirius flipping a rude hand gesture at Regulus.

"Prick," Regulus seethed. "I'll get him."

"Who are we getting brother?" Rabastan had returned with the drinks, which he handed out across the table, waving away all offers of money. Sinking into a chair beside the other boy, (oh what was his name?) Rabastan eyed them all with amusement.

"Sirius," Regulus said softly.

"The usual." Arabel rolled her eyes. "You'll get used to it," she told Hermione. "You haven't been here long enough to know, but Regulus' brother is an arse."

Hermione was mildly surprised to hear coarse language coming from the pretty mouth of Arabel Selwyn, and frowned as she looked over at the figures of the Marauders.

"What makes him an arse?" Hermione asked, slightly more sharply than she had intended. Rabastan raised his eyebrows at her.

"He just is," Regulus hissed, picking up his butterbeer and taking a ferocious sip. "Has been ever since he got sorted into Gryffindor."

"The house of the brainless," Arabel sneered. Hermione controlled her reaction carefully, although it was difficult.

"But he's your brother," she said, trying to sound reasonable. "You can't have always felt this way."

Regulus scowled, and stared moodily into the fireplace. Interpreting his silence as a refusal to reply, Rabastan took a sip of his drink and took up the story. Arabel and Alecto began conversing, having clearly heard this all before.

"You see Sirius boy over there," Rabastan said seriously, his eyes piercing Hermione. She nodded.

"Well as kids, he and Reggie had a pretty fucked up life."

"Do you mind Rabastan," Regulus growled.

"Just telling it like it is," Rabastan shrugged.

Hermione leaned forward, trying not to let on how interested she was. Rabastan needed no encouragement to continue, and after a healthy swig of butterbeer he continued talking.

"You ever heard of Walburga and Orion Black?"

Hermione hesitated for a moment. "Vaguely. I don't know them at all though."

"Lucky you," Regulus said morosely. He seemed resigned to Rabastan telling Hermione his life story.

"They're completely screwed up," Rabastan agreed. "And I mean bad. Of course they take a sensible line on blood purity, but that's probably the best thing I can say about them. Most pureblood families use corporal punishment - father whacked me and Rod a fair few times when we were growing up. But the Blacks take it to a new level."

"They beat you and Sirius?" Hermione asked Regulus, her eyebrows raising. She tried to look more shocked, but it was difficult. After all the horrors she had witnessed, something like a familial abuse was hard to get worked up about.

"Yep," Regulus muttered. "But Sirius got it much worse than me."

"See Reggie here is the favoured child," Rabastan continued. "The good boy, toes the line, and understands how important it is to protect the pureblood way of life. But Sirius? He was too fucking dumb to even play along."

"So what happened?" Hermione asked. Her eyes slid across the crowded room to where the four Marauders sat together at a table. They were laughing, and looked carefree and happy. Sirius was trying to push James off his chair, and Remus was rolling his eyes.

"Sirius got sorted into Gryffindor and became a blood traitor," Rabastan said simply, following Hermione's gaze. "Reggie was younger. When he got to Hogwarts he was sorted into Slytherin like every other Black since the beginning of time, and Sirius has held it against him ever since."

"Are you sure that's what it is?" Hermione asked hesitantly. "Is he that bad?"

"Believe me," Regulus snarled. "That's what it is. And he's gone out of his way to make my life a misery ever since."

Hermione put her hands up quickly and nodded, pointing out that she had no idea what she was talking about. But even though Hermione knew that the young Sirius and James had been bullies, it was still hard for her to reconcile the laughing teenager in front of her with the man she had known.

\\/

"So what did you think of your first trip to Hogsmeade?" Rabastan asked as they headed back up to Hogwarts in a group of five. The third boy had disappeared, mumbling something about needing to buy new quills. The rain had stopped, but it was beginning to get dark. The road up ahead was poorly lit, but behind it Hogwarts rose towering before them, blazing with light.

"It was interesting," Hermione said thoughtfully. "I enjoyed your unique perspective on Flourish and Blotts."

"Ah well, you know they don't put the best books where anyone can see them," Rabastan grinned in a self-satisfied kind of way. "And the store manager is an ex-slytherin after all. A little extra help never goes amiss when assisting members of his former house."

"Still," Hermione said, touching a package beneath her robes possessively. "I can't believe Brewing Concepts of the Pacific Islands was even in stock! I think it's actually illegal to sell that to school children."

At once all of her companions burst out laughing at once. Arabel smiled at Hermione and shook her head. "There's a lot you've to learn about being a Hogwarts student," the Slytherin girl said wryly. "And the first is that Slytherins always look after their own. That's now, or in fifty years time. It doesn't matter. Once a Slytherin… Always a Slytherin."

"You just wanted the book so you can get ahead on Snape," Rabastan winked. "I saw your face when he beat you in class."

"I do not!" Hermione protested half heartedly.

"Do so," Regulus countered.

"You weren't even there!"

A moment later, Hermione paused, and pricked up her ears. She became very still, like a wolf scenting for prey. Over the noise of the bickering she was almost certain she heard a slight sound coming up ahead.

"Wait!" Hermione hissed.

"What is it?" Arabel frowned. "My hair's getting wet again."

"Don't you hear that?"

All five Slytherins paused and listened carefully. Now there was silence Hermione could hear voices shouting something, and an answering snarl.

"Someone's fighting up ahead," Regulus said, his expression ugly. "Hurry up! I can't see anything in this twilight."

The five hurried quickly up the road, keeping to the shadows of the trees when they could. As the gates of Hogwarts came into view, they could make out dark figures in front of it. Hermione's heart sank as she recognised one of the voices, and she saw Regulus quickly coming to the same conclusion.

"It's my brother," he hissed. "It'll be the four of them again. Who do you think they're humiliating this time?"

"Let me go Potter!" A voice suddenly rang out through the darkness. Hermione recognised the voice and it was clear that her companions did too, as all five of them began to run towards the enormous iron gates.

"They've got Snape," Rabastan puffed to Hermione. "Again."

An eerie calm began to descend over Hermione. Up ahead there were four distinct shapes - enemies. On the ground between the figures was a cowering shape - prisoner. This was easy. It was like coming home for Hermione, and she felt strategies and counterstrategies begin to flow through her head. It was natural to assume command of the situation the way she had always done after Harry died.

"Rabastan to the left with Alecto," Hermione snapped decisively without second thought. Rabastan was the strongest, and Alecto the weakest. It was the only way to make sure they didn't become victims themselves. "Arabel and Regulus to the right. Curve around like a pincer and make sure Potter and the others can't escape through the gates. Distract them. I'll get Snape, and as soon as he's clear, take them down."

Rabastan opened his mouth and seemed about to say something, but the expression on Hermione's face stymied him, and he nodded silently. "Come on Alecto," he said quickly.

With Rabastan capitulating, the other three swiftly moved into the positions Hermione had directed. Snape was pleading now, and there was no time to waste quibbling. The Marauders hadn't spotted them, but that would change soon.

"Now go!" Hermione hissed. Immediately the four peeled away from her to the right and the left, jogging towards the group at the gates. They were only about fifty feet away. Hermione hung back long enough to ensure Rabastan and Regulus were in position to cut off the gates, and then she sprinted towards the prone figure of Severus Snape.

"Hey Sirius! Still letting down the family I see?"

Hermione heard Regulus shout out from somewhere to her right, and watched impassively as Sirius Black spun towards the sound.

Suddenly another shout came from the left. "Watch your back Potter!"

James Potter turned away from Sirius to see Rabastan and Alecto heading towards them on the right. Remus and Peter immediately stood back defensively with their wands out. Impassively Hermione noticed that both boys had to pull their wands from their pockets first, indicating they hadn't been using them.

As all four Marauders turned towards the threats coming from both sides, Hermione got a clear look at Snape. His robes had been charmed bright pink, and he had boils erupting all over his face. As he looked up warily from the ground, he began to crawl towards the Hogwarts gates, frequently glancing back over his shoulder at his distracted tormentors. But he wasn't moving fast enough for Hermione's liking.

Hermione sprinted the last few metres towards the little group, and did the only thing she could think of. She cast the strongest blasting spell she could think of towards Snape, hurling him through the gates and out of range of the Marauders. She did remember to cast a cushioning charm before he landed, flopping gracelessly on to the lawn. He didn't look injured except for the boils, so Hermione flicked her wand again and the iron gates slammed shut with a resounding clang, cutting Snape off from the group.

When the four Marauders spun around to see Hermione she was already prepared for them. Her four companions closed in, and the Marauders were surrounded. They seemed to realise that, and Hermione saw Remus hiss something to James. She wasn't waiting any longer.

"Take them out!" Hermione shrieked to the other Slytherins, and began casting with impunity. She sent off four stunning spells in a tight formation that curved around the group. One struck Peter Pettigrew, and he collapsed unconscious. James Potter managed to pull up a shield in time to protect himself, Sirius and Remus from the others.

Hermione smiled grimly, and moved in closer. Rabastan was shooting off some nasty curses, but none of them were getting through the shield. Arabel was concentrating on Sirius, who was closest to her, while Regulus seemed reluctant to hit his brother with a spell. All of these things Hermione observed from the corner of her eye, without taking her main focus away from the fight. It was an ability that had been hard won over the years off the war, a skill to be learnt rather than a talent.

Hermione was almost enjoying herself. Playing to her audience, she began using a complicated spell weaving technique that masked her enchantments. When she cast a disarming spell, Rabastan and the others would hear the incantation for an entrail-expelling curse, or something similar.

"What are you doing?" James roared at Hermione, letting his shield slip for a second. It was all the break Hermione needed.

"Incarcerous!" Hermione screamed, gesturing violently at James. "Stupefy! Stupefy!"

Sirius and Remus crumbled to the ground as jets of red light shot out from Hermione's wand and struck them in the chest. James was snared when ropes appeared and bound themselves tightly around him from chest to ankle. Unable to balance himself, he tumbled to the ground, knocking his glasses off in the process.

Hermione quickly ran forward and retrieved the wands of all four boys. Only when she had five wands in her hand did she pause and look around her, breathing heavily.

Arabel and Alecto were staring at her with wide eyes. Rabastan was smiling openly in triumph, but Regulus wouldn't meet anybody's eye. It was only as Hermione looked around and really took into the situation that she considered perhaps she might have overreacted a little. Damn.

"Brilliant," Rabastan said, clapping Hermione on the shoulder as he walked forward to inspect the unconscious Marauders. "Nice job with the ropes. Wanna rough them up a little?"

"No!" Hermione and Regulus spoke at the same time, and glanced at each other for a moment. Regulus looked away with a scowl, and seemed to have spoken without thinking. Rabastan raised his eyebrows challengingly.

"They know it was us," Hermione explained, walking around the group to where James lay in an awkward heap. "You said everyone is biased against Slytherins right? Even though they attacked Snape, we'll still come off worse if they get back with bruises."

"Bruises?" Rabastan said, staring thoughtfully at the Marauders. "I was thinking more missing limbs."

James let out a shout, and began to struggle against his bindings. Hermione had been avoiding looking at him. It was too painful to see the face of her best friend gazing back at her, especially when she would never see Harry again. But James was not his son, and Harry would never have deliberately targeted anyone four-on-one the way Snape had been attacked.

Ignoring Rabastan's disbelieving face, Hermione muttered a quick spell and the ropes fell off James. Immediately he was on his feet, circling warily. Without a wand or backup he was helpless, and he knew it. But Hermione had to give him credit for bravery - he wasn't backing down or begging.

"Listen Potter," Hermione snapped sharply. It brought a rush of memories back to her, but she ruthlessly quashed them. "You're going to stop this targeting."

"Or what?" James said warily, moving deliberately so he stood between his friends and the Slytherins. Hermione stepped closer until she could see every freckle on his face. He didn't look so similar to Harry now they were stood eye to eye.

"You have no idea what I can do to you Potter," Hermione whispered in his ear. "I know everything. All those things you don't want Evans to ever find out about? Or what about the illegal things? Trust me, I know."

"You don't know anything," James said furiously. "Just who the hell do you think you are?"

"I don't know anything?" Hermione said, raising her eyebrows. "I know this isn't the first time Snape has been in danger because of your friends."

Very slowly and deliberately Hermione let her eyes drift over to Remus. The werewolf was lying spread-eagled, half slumped over Peter Pettigrew. Abruptly Hermione looked back at James. He had paled noticeably, but raised his chin defiantly and shook his head.

"No idea what you're talking about."

"Really?" Hermione said softly. "Nothing to say about Moony?"

James started back as though Hermione had slapped him. "How did you - what do you - you can't -"

"So I'll do a deal with you," Hermione continued as though James hadn't spoken. "I want you and your pesky friends to stop targeting Slytherins on their own. If you get attacked, fair enough. Give as good as you get. But no bullying. And I want you to leave Snape alone. Permanently."

"What's it to you?" James asked with his brow furrowed. "You've only been here a month."

"I don't like bullying," Hermione stated flatly. "If you're not clever or smart enough to defeat your opponent in a fair fight then you shouldn't be trying anyway."

"Fine," James hissed, shooting another look at his friends. "But in return you don't tell anyone what you know."

"What if it was an emergency?" Hermione countered, playing with him slightly. "Or if the truth could be important?"

James glared, and then capitulated. "Nobody unless it is an absolute emergency. And you still have to check with us first. Do we have a deal Black?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "No telling anyone about Moony unless your conditions are met."

James nodded, and shivered slightly. He looked much smaller without his backup, and very pale. If he hadn't been casting unpleasant spells on a defenceless Snape Hermione might have even felt sorry for him. But it was almost dark, and the other Slytherins were shifting restlessly from foot to foot. Hermione took a few steps backwards until she was between Rabastan and Alecto.

"What was that?" Rabastan murmured.

"Later."

Hermione tossed James his wand quickly, and then dropped those belonging to the other Marauders on the ground where they were hard to see. Then she flicked her wand at the gates and they swung open. The Slytherins needed no telling, and they walked in a quick line towards the gates, Arabel leading the march. There was no sign of Snape on the Hogwarts grounds. Hermione didn't blame him for scarpering, especially with his robes charmed pink.

"Can we lock them out?" Arabel said longingly, glancing over her shoulder.

"Better not," Rabastan said with genuine disappointment.

As they walked back up to the castle Hermione went over the fight in her head. She hadn't wanted to alienate Harry's father, or his friends. But keeping them alive had to prioritise over making them like her. If Hermione wanted to stop the deaths before they began, she knew that she had to attack from the inside. The more vicious and capable she appeared, the faster she would be recruited by Voldemort. Hermione was not fooled by Rabastan's smiles and friendly words. She knew perfectly well he was a cold-blooded killer, and only hoped that he was reporting everything back to his older brother Rodolphus.

"So," Arabel said after a long silence. "Would you like to explain where you learnt a blood-freezing curse Hermione?"

Sometimes the best answer was not to answer at all. Then people would draw their own conclusions. Hermione glanced over at Arabel and gave a wicked little smile.

"Oh, nowhere in particular."

\\/

Okay I should probably say I like the Marauders a lot. But the Slytherins don't. Canon Hermione would want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but our Hermione is suffering from some pretty bad PTSD and isn't capable of rationally identifying the difference between a school-yard bully and an enemy. Not to mention her fellow Slytherins hate 'em lots. Don't worry, this isn't going to be marauder-bashing, or even Gryffindor-bashing.

Thanks for reading

Cas