Chapter 8: The Wicked Witch of the Past

What the hell? How can THE Lily Potter be the same girl that stood in front of her? The same girl she had already met, by some weird coincidence? The kind, loving woman described to Harry throughout his childhood was nowhere to be seen, neither was the friendly girl that Hermione had met in a Muggle clothes shop no more than a week ago.

Lily stood at the base of the girl's staircase with a dark look in her eye and dripping wet hair, directing all of her hatred at the man who would one day become her husband. Not too soon, Hermione surmised. The rest of the room had gone silent and many people stood back with gleeful smiles on their faces, no doubt knowing what was about to unfold. She didn't need to be worried, because Hermione had not been recognised yet.

"Evans, how wonderful it is to see you again!" Sirius started, standing slightly in front of a cowed James with his arms extended, in a placating gesture. "I don't think we had the pleasure of reuniting at the feast, but I must say you look radiant!" He finished this off with a cheeky wink, and Hermione did not envy his predicament at all.

As expected, this only incensed the girl more, causing her to stomp over and jab her finger into Sirius's shoulder with every word she bit out. "Your friend over there ever so kindly offered to help me out with the first years getting into the boats and then proceeded to push me into the lake!"

"It was an accident…" a meek voice behind them was drowned out while the rest of the room snickered. Lily continued, now looking at the boy in question, "Chivalrous, you claimed! What's not chivalrous was hearing from Marlene that the reason you were in such a rush was because you were desperate to parade around the castle with some french tramp instead of doing your Head Boy duties!"

As all eyes turned to her and Hermione immediately felt tiny. However, she felt incredibly glad that Lily had shown that she did care for James, and the stories about Harry's parents hadn't been lies. Lily was jealous! Finally, the contemptuous looks that she had received at dinner were revealed to be nothing more than girls looking out for their friend who had a crush. She would have laughed if the redhead's fury hadn't been suddenly directed at her.

"Hello again!" She smiled slightly and waved, realising that Lily was too busy being angry to recognise her. "Don't blame James, he was just watching out for me because I'm new here as well." She walked past the Marauders in a surprising show of courage, and stuck out her hand towards the girl.

"Hermione Dumbledore." She introduced herself, raising her chin in defiance despite the winces she received around the room. Many people smiled again, thinking they were going to see the new girl put in her place, as had probably happened before. However, they were stumped when Lily did nothing and instead gasped in realisation.

"Hermione? Oh we met already! You didn't tell me that you were a witch?" Lily said, deflating as she attempted to give off a calming and welcoming air. She turned her head to the Marauders, noticing their stances, and continued with a much harder voice, "Well you sure do work fast! Not five minutes in the building and you already have Potter as a boyfriend and the rest of his motley crew drooling after you."

Feeling the mood of the exchange heading south, she smiled and waved her hand in nonchalance. "Nah, I've only met them once before, James is just helping me out because my uncle asked him to make me feel at home." At this last part, she turned to the boys and gave them a look to make them play along, which they all did by mumbling their assent.

After finding out that she would have no competition, Lily smiled and linked her arm with Hermione's, she dismissed James with a quelling look. "Thanks Potter, I'll show her the girls dorm, we don't want you interloping. Again." James sighed as they walked towards the stairs but stiffened when Lily threw a final remark over her shoulder.

"Don't think I haven't forgotten about the whole lake debacle. I'll deal with you later!"

The girl's dorm was pretty much exactly the same as when she had left it at the end of her sixth year. What was different from last time was the distinct lack of pink, giggling and the chemically scented perfume that Lavender and Pavarti seemed to dowse themselves in. Instead there were three other girls that were flying around the room unpacking their suitcases.

"Did you give that girl her dues Lily? By the extra bed in here it looks like we'll be sharing a room with her," the girl in the far corner started out saying before she turned to look at who Lily had brought with her. Blushing slightly with embarrassment, she stared pointedly at the redhead as if saying the question still stands.

"No Marlene, and before you ask, she's not in a relationship with any of the Marauders, so you don't have to worry Mary." She said, turning to the other girl who was anxiously sitting at the end of her bed twirling the ends of her hair with her fingers. That seemed to relax the room and they all turned to welcome Hermione.

Mary McDonald was an average sized, plump, brunette girl with long hair and kind hazel eyes that spoke of an innocence that immediately endeared Hermione to her. Her bed was closest to the door and you couldn't help but notice the abundance of house plants and succulents that adorned the space around it.

Next up came Alice Fortescue who was tiny and willowy, with a short brown bob and the same green eyes that her son Neville would one day possess. For some reason, her bed was already littered with sweet wrappers, which pained Hermione considering that these were the same ones that Neville had collected in the future when his confused mother would give them to him.

Finally, came Marlene McKinnon, who looked like she had just jumped out of a magazine. Her luscious blond locks bounced around her face, highlighting her emerald eyes and the smile she wore, no longer defensive over her friend. She seemed to be quite obsessed with clothes and fashion considering the fit to bursting suitcase she was just beginning to unload into a similarly full closet.

Hermione was directed to a bed on the far side next to what she assumed was Lily's. This bed was pristine, with an empty suitcase already emptied and a bedside table crammed with a neatly organised book collection. On top of the bed itself was a slightly battered stuffed elephant toy and a patchwork quilt, that had obviously been knitted by hand.

"Why would Mary be worried that I'm dating one of the boys?" She started as she began unloading her suitcase, hoping to draw the attention off of her. Luckily, the girl blushed prettily, causing the rest of the dorm to giggle and titter amongst themselves.

"Well," Marlene started, stopping for dramatic effect, "Our Mary here may have a thing for one of the boys… a certain tall, bookish boy…" She teased with raised eyebrows while Hermione smiled, "I'm sure you can't guess who…"

"Well I met Remus in Flourish and Blotts buying out half the shop so I assume he is who you're referring to. The others don't give the impression that they look at books that much," She followed this by muttering, "Sirius seemed more content looking at my cleavage…"

This inspired a bark of laughter from the blond girl, "Wow, he's already made a pass at you. He's quick off the mark this year!" Unsurprised after hearing about Sirius's rakish ways in his youth she nonetheless inquired further.

"Are you all after the Gryffindor boys then? Please believe me that I have no intention of going near them like that." For some reason this inspired more laughter and hasty exclamations.

Alice immediately dismissed the question telling Hermione about her boyfriend in the year above (three guesses what his name is). On the other hand, Marlene chuckled saying that she had already had a thing with Sirius in the past and that she wouldn't be going back there anytime soon. Finally, Lily shouted rather too quickly that she had no feelings for any of the group and then went off on a tirade against Potter and his rule breaking.

Hoping to stir the pot and show a more flustered Lily, she joked, "Hmmm, I don't remember referring to James specifically, but you seem to be very keen to bring him up." She giggled as the girl opened and closed her mouth like a fish, "Anything you want to tell me about?"

The other girls all leapt forward and began to tell Hermione about James's previous attempts to woo Lily and her rejections, whilst Lily tried to butt in. She attempted to claim that she still felt nothing for the immature boy but all of the girl's knew otherwise.

"What if he matured?" Hermione began, genuinely curious, "Downstairs you said that you hoped he had changed. Well… what is he did? Would you give him a chance then?"

Lily scoffed, "That's not bloody likely. I know you've only just met him, but be prepared to be let down."

Hermione frowned and the thought occurred to her that maybe her entrance into this time could knock time off balance and her friend wouldn't be born. Another task to the list then; she sighed and grinned at Lily, forcing out a statement that was very out of character, "So, maybe I should have a go then, he is quite attractive you know, and I don't know enough yet to be really let down."

Lily narrowed her eyes, "Don't think I don't know what you're doing." Hermione smiled innocently, "I didn't get made Head Girl for nothing, I do actually have a brain!"

Hermione gathered her wash bag and made for the toilet, sharing a secret smile with the other girls while she left. Lily called after her, "Do what you like Hermione, he's available, and I certainly have no objections!"

Up next is Chapter 9: Same Place, Different People