Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. All characters, places, descriptions, etc (unless original and created by me) belong to her.
Summary: It was a small pack, of course, just the five of them, but together they were something wild. Hermione finds herself in the Marauders' Era with four new best friends.
A/N: Alright you guys, here we go getting into the Christmas chapters. Time to queue up for the Emotional Rollercoaster...
Chapter 26: Actor Ignotus*
18 December 1977
King's Cross Station
Hermione looked down at her gift from Regulus as she shuffled along with the crowd. She thumbed the small note attached.
An early Christmas present. Open on the 22nd. RAB.
She started to weave through people, but quickly realized she had no idea where her friends were. She tucked the package away and closed her eyes for a second. She took a deep breath in and focused on the smells around her, searching for the dark spice that always surrounded Remus.
Hermione opened her eyes and quite literally followed her nose. When she finally spotted Remus, she picked up her pace but froze at the sight of his parents. Remus' mother and father were talking happily with their son. Remus' head looked up suddenly and he turned toward Hermione, his face breaking out into a grin.
"Hermione! Over here!" Hermione gulped, planted a nervous smile on her face, and walked toward Remus.
"Hermione, this is my mother and father, Hope and Lyall Lupin. Mum, Dad, this is Hermione."
The trio looked at each other with wide eyes for a moment before remembering themselves. Hermione extended a hand.
"Hello, it's so nice to meet you both. I really appreciate you letting me into your home for the-the um, for Christmas." Remus' parents each shook Hermione's hand. Hope seemed to be having trouble suppressing her huge grin. Lyall, on the other hand, was staring at Hermione's scar. Hermione blushed at all the attention. She looked to Remus who was staring at his parents frozen before him. She reached out a hand to grasp his arm.
"Well, I better go and find James and Sirius. They're probably wondering where I am." Hermione hugged Remus goodbye and started away from the small group.
"That was her?" Hermione couldn't help but hear Remus' mother. "She's a werewolf too? My, my, Remus, you didn't say she was so pretty."
"Mum! She can hear you!" Remus groaned. Hermione smiled, picturing the blush that was surely filling Remus' cheeks.
Hermione jumped suddenly as a hand slid into hers. She turned her head quickly to the right but didn't pull her hand away.
"Sirius, you scared me!"
"Just making sure we don't lose you again," he chuckled. "James and his parents are already through the wall. They sent me to find you."
"Oh no, have they been waiting long?" Hermione really wanted to make a good impression on James' parents.
"Not at all, Pup. They mostly sent me back 'cause a couple of Blacks came to collect Regulus." Hermione noted how he didn't refer to the other Blacks as family.
Hermione followed Sirius through the portal and over to the Potters.
Hermione's first impression of the older Potters was that they loved their sons, plural, very much. Charlus and Dorea Potter were talking animatedly with James as Sirius and Hermione approached. When Dorea caught sight of Sirius, her smile grew, and Hermione could see in her eyes that Sirius was 100 percent her son. Charlus clapped Sirius on the back.
"We were starting to wonder if you were ever coming back," he chastised, though clearly joking. "Thought you took a detour for another silly smoke break."
"Oh Charlus, don't mention that horrible habit in front of me." Dorea shook her head at Sirius, smiling all the same. She turned to Hermione.
"And you, my dear, must be Hermione. We've heard so much about you." Hermione blushed and looked nervously at James. He held up his hands.
"Hey, all good things from me, Pup. But then again, I don't see what Sirius is writing home." This time it was Sirius' turn to blush. Hermione tried to think of another time when she'd seen Sirius, old or young, blush. Charlus stepped forward to take Hermione's bags from her.
"All good things, don't you worry." He winked at her. Hermione smiled, already feeling at ease with the older wizards. As the group gathered their things, Hermione eyes were drawn to another group.
Far from the Potters and heading the opposite direction was a group of refined, poised, and positively frightening people. They seemed to exude luxury and wealth, as well as a sense of darkness. Hermione wondered how people could look so… so cold. She looked away, but her eyes quickly returned as she recognized Regulus among them. So these are the Blacks.
One man in particular seemed a bit out of place, however. His short white hair was a sharp contrast from the dark, muted colors of the rest of the group. He was older, clearly, but Hermione thought for a moment she knew him. Something about him made Hermione feel like she should be paying attention. She cocked her head, trying to remember which Blacks she had encountered before.
"Hermione!" James' voice pulled her focus and the man was quickly forgotten.
The winter holidays were passing like a montage in a cheesy holiday movie. And Hermione loved every second of it. She couldn't remember the last holiday she had enjoyed without worrying about someone's safety or some kind of upcoming threat.
Charlus and Dorea had welcomed Hermione with open arms. James, much to Hermione's embarrassment, had already explained her unique situation regarding her lack of family and lycanthropy. Both parents took the time to pull Hermione aside and assure her there was no prejudice or worry about her lycanthropy.
James' parents were incredibly lovely. Hermione couldn't help but smile every time they doted on the boys. They treated Sirius like another son, nagging and praising him just as much as James. It made Hermione's heart swell.
Hermione was given her own room, which honestly hadn't surprised her after she had seen the size of the Potters' home. She was grateful for her own space, but spent most of her time in the room James and Sirius shared.
Sirius spent a lot of time in the backyard, working on his motorbike. As far as Hermione could tell, it couldn't fly yet. She wondered when that addition was coming, excited that she would get to witness it firsthand. The first time Hermione saw Sirius working on the bike, oil smudges on his face, his white shirt transparent with sweat, she was immediately taken back to that day in the kitchen. How strange it had suddenly seemed, that she was witness to these moments decades apart.
Remus and Peter had each come to visit a few times. Hermione had let the boys go off when Peter came to visit, opting instead to explore the Potters' library in depth. She was starting to feel extremely confused around Peter. So far, she had seen no signs of him swaying toward the dark side. And so far, he had given her no reason not to like him. Yes, he was a bit squeamish and mousy, but a traitor? Not yet, at least.
When Remus visited, however, Hermione was suddenly available. The four of them spent the day acting like children. They played in the woods behind near the Potter's home and went for ice cream, laughing until the sun went down.
At night, Hermione, James, and Sirius were left to their own after dinner with the Potters. The trio would return to James and Sirius' room for what quickly became a nightly ritual. Hermione would read a book, James would obsess over his broom, and Sirius would flip through a muggle motorcycle magazine.
After a while, Sirius would lose focus and bring up a random question. At this point, James and Hermione would push whatever they were doing to the side. Lying on her stomach, legs up and chin in her hands, Hermione would smile as Sirius came up with the most ridiculous questions. At the end of each night, Hermione would smile herself to sleep knowing the memories of James were safe in her head. She would be ready to share them whenever she got back to Harry.
22 December 1977
The Potter Residence
Hermione woke up to the familiar feeling she was beginning to associate with the full moon, her blood itching in her veins. She pulled herself from her bed and slumped through her morning routine. She kept quiet through breakfast, barely smiling as Mrs. Potter explained all the preparation she was busy with for the upcoming Christmas Eve party.
Hermione slipped away from the breakfast table and threw herself on her bed. She missed Regulus. More than that, she needed him. She gave her pillows a few punches, but it wasn't the same.
Then out of the corner of her eye, she caught the light reflecting off something. Hermione looked up. Regulus' package. The package she was not to open until the 22nd. Hermione smiled and padded across the room to the package.
She sat on her bed and carefully tore away the wrapping. She lifted the top of the box and picked up the card inside.
He may be a bit of an ass, but he wants to help. Sorry I can't be there. Did some research. Hope these help. RAB.
Hermione places the card to her side and pulled out the contents of the box. Inside were two gloves with thick pads attached to the palms. Hermione recognized them from muggle movies. Boxers used them for training. She gave the card on the bed one last look before hoping off her bed.
The Potters' Backyard
Hermione stood in the doorway to the backyard for a minute just watching Sirius. He had his back to her and was tending to his bike. She liked seeing him like this, completely at ease and not a care in the world.
"Are you going to keep standing there, Pup, or are you going to give me a hand?"
"How did you know it was me?" Hermione asked, stepping forward. Sirius stood up, throwing a dirty rag over his shoulder. He tapped his nose twice.
"You smelled me?" Sirius smirked.
"It's the canine in me. A side effect from the second time I tried to transform into Padfoot." Hermione was hit by a wave of déjà vu.
"You'll have to tell me that story some time." Hermione walked around the bike running her finger alone the seat. Sirius watched her carefully.
"So–" "Hermione–" They spoke at the same time.
"Sorry, go ahead," Sirius said. Hermione blushed, unsure of herself.
"Um, I was just, well, it's close to the full moon, and well, Regulus isn't here." Sirius stiffened. "Sorry, um, I just thought that maybe, if you wouldn't mind—and I could ask James, but I just thought—well, if you would, that is… Help me, Sirius?"
Hermione looked down at the bike, too nervous to look at the boy before her. She busied herself with tracing the stitching around the seat of the bike when a hand suddenly descended to still hers. She looked up.
"What can I do?"
When Sirius decided to help Hermione deal with her "pre-moon aggression," he certainly hadn't expected this. Sure he knew Hermione and Regulus fought, but despite having seen her bruises that night at detention, he didn't think they actually fought.
Hermione had led Sirius to an empty room in the Potter house. He watched, slightly amused, as she pushed all the furniture to the walls with a few waves of her wand.
She brought forth a package and produced two pads, the likes of which Sirius had never seen. Hermione smiled as she pulled them over his hands. She demonstrated how he was to stand and react to her.
Then Hermione left the room.
When she came back, Sirius could have sworn she was a different person. Hermione had pulled her wild hair back into a braid. She had changed into a fitted t-shirt and shorts. Her feet were bare. It took Sirius a minute to pull his eyes from her body. He was a teenage boy after all. He raised an eyebrow when she turned to place a silencing charm. Hermione blushed.
"I just don't want anyone to ask questions." Sirius smirked, but nodded all the same. Hermione set down her wand on a table near the door and walked over to Sirius. She rolled her shoulders back and raised her fists.
"Shall we begin?"
The first hit came out of nowhere. Sirius was still busy smirking at Hermione's stance. He stepped back in surprise and looked at Hermione with wide eyes. He raised his hands again.
The second hit jarred his arm. He turned to the side to shake it out. When he looked back at Hermione, her smile was almost wild. Sirius grimaced.
"We can stop if you like," Hermione said playfully. Sirius noted the calmness in her voice, as if the first two hits hadn't taken any effort at all. "I can always ask James."
That seemed to do it. Sirius hardened his eyes and adjusted his position, holding his hands out once again.
For the next hour, Hermione and Sirius performed a sort of sadistic dance. To his credit, Sirius held up well against Hermione's ferocious energy. He watched as her face shifted into almost a primal growl as she landed hit after hit. Her eyes started to flash gold, like light bulbs bursting and raining ember.
For an hour, the room was filled with the sound of their breathing, growing heavier and heavier. Every now and then, Hermione would release a grunt or a growl, sounding much more wolfish than human. And throughout the hour Sirius watched her eyes. For a while, she had focused on him, not even needing to look at his hands to know where to hit. But soon, her focus had faded. Sirius searched and searched her eyes but couldn't find where she had gone.
Her hits were growing sporadic and losing their strength. Hermione landed one, two, three more hits before taking a step back and collapsing on the ground. She fell to her knees, catching herself with her hands. Her knuckles were raw and a couple were starting to bleed. Hermione closed her eyes and tried to focus on her breathing. She saw a tear fall on the floor before she even felt its hot path left on her cheek.
Hermione breathed in and out, in and out. A wave of cool air was flowing through the room now. A few strands of hair fluttered in front of Hermione's eyes. And then there were arms around her, pulling her into something warm.
Hermione froze.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm holding you." His arms tightened around her, his voice soft against her skin.
"Why?" Her voice was quiet. She didn't push it, not knowing how much she could manage to say. Sirius moved one arm to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Because you need it." She picked up her head and looked at his eyes. The stormy seas had calmed and the grey that was left behind was almost breathtaking for Hermione. When she looked into Sirius' eyes, she looked into eyes that truly cared for her, and although it scared her, Hermione let herself fall back into Sirius' arms.
A/N: *Unknown Author