Disclaimer: I own nothing except the order these words are in, everything else belongs to JKR.
December 20, 1977
Gryffindor Common Room, 7:00 pm
3rd Person POV:
As Hermione sat with the Marauders, watching Sirius open his birthday presents, she had no doubt that she had begun to develop feelings for the grey eyed Marauder.
Sirius reached for his last present, reading the tag out loud, "To Sirius, from Hermione. Thanks Hermione!"
She laughed, "You haven't even opened it yet!"
James rolled his eyes when Sirius replied, "I love it already!"
"Just open it, Padfoot." Remus sighed.
"Okay, okay!" He quickly ripped the wrapping paper off his present. Sirius stared at the leather jacket as he pulled it out of the box.
Sirius' mouth hung open as he slowly looked up at Hermione, who was grinning widely at him. He seemed unable to speak as he blinked at her in shock.
"Do you like it?" She asked.
"I-I- Thank you, Hermione! How did you know that I wanted a leather jacket?! This is amazing! I love it so, so much! Thank you, thank you!"
Hermione laughed at him as he tackled her in a hug.
December 22, 1977
Gryffindor Common Room, 7:00 pm
3rd Person POV:
Two days later, Hermione was in the library, studying, much to Sirius' chagrin ("NEWTS are months away, Hermione! You don't have to study now!"). She, however, deigned to ignore his protests in favor of her favorite part of the library – the back left corner. There was a huge window, which let in lots of sunlight, a perfectly sized table for Hermione to work at, and her favorite part – the window seat, which she often sat in when she wasn't actively studying.
It was perfect, and it was all hers – hardly anyone came back here. Hermione loved the peace. And, as everything else Hermione loved, it had to be ruined. First, by James, who had come looking for her by Sirius' request. After kicking him out, Remus came by.
"Hello, Remus, are you here to interrupt my peace, too?" She questioned sarcastically.
His eyes widened, "Um, no, I was wondering if I could study with you?"
"Oh! Well, yes, of course! Sorry about that, I just kind of assumed that Sirius sent you to bother me – he sent James earlier." She rushed out.
Remus looked guilty, and at Hermione's raised eyebrow, he said, "Well, he sorta did send me, and I told him I would come, but I actually did come to study. See?" He held up his books.
"Mhmm." Hermione said skeptically, but she indicated for him to sit down anyway. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Why doesn't he just come, himself?"
Remus chuckled lightly before saying, "He says he's 'allergic to the library' and he doesn't want to 'catch something.'"
"Umm," Hermione paused, at a loss for what to say, "well, that's... odd."
"Tell me about it. Even though I might be friends with those two knuckleheads, I still need a break from them sometimes."
Hermione laughed, "I can definitely understand that."
And that was that. From then on, Remus and Hermione were – more or less – study partners (with the occasional interruption from James). One would often find them studying together in that back left corner of the library, discussing Transfiguration laws, Potion's ingredients, or Charms theories.
December 25, 1977
Gryffindor Common Room, 7:30 am
3rd Person POV:
On Christmas morning, 1977, Hermione awoke to someone pounding on her door. Immediately going into panic mode, she grabbed her wand and cautiously made her way to the door, throwing it open.
Instead of someone on the other side, like she had expected, she heard a muffled groan from behind the door. Slowly, she peered around the door, only to find Sirius clutching his forehead, "Merlin! What the hell, Hermione?!"
She stared at him, wide-eyed, for a minute before gulping and helping him up, "I-I'm so sorry, Sirius! I-I thought- well, never mind. Um, are you okay?"
He looked at her for a long moment, making her nervous, before grinning, "Yeah, I'm good! Don't worry about it!"
"O-Okay?" Her affirmation came out as more of a question – Hermione was a bit confused at how Sirius was able to switch his mood so quickly. Her confusion quickly wore off, and she looked up at him suspiciously, "Wait. What are you doing outside my door? How did you even get up here?"
He simply laughed at her, "C'mon kitten, I figured out a way around that ages ago! And, it's Christmas! We have presents! C'mon, let's go, Remus and James are waiting downstairs!"
She blinked at him, "I-It's Christmas? What?!"
He blinked back at her exaggeratedly, "Yeahh, it's Christmas. Did you not- I- What did you think this break was for? Well," he paused, "I supposed there's also New Year's, but the point is, how did you not know about Christmas?!"
"Umm, I guess it just slipped my mind?"
"Slipped your mind? Are you bloody insane? Hermione?!"
Hermione let out a small sigh, "Let me just grab you guys' presents and a robe, and I'll be right down."
"Oh." Sirius seemed to register Hermione's clothes, or rather, lack of clothes. She was clad in only a small tank top and shorts, and he stared at her, dumbfounded.
Hermione sighed again, ushering out of his dorm and closing the door behind him.
She sat down on her bed, on the verge of tears. Merlin, it felt like she was always crying lately. It was her first Christmas without Harry, or Ron, or Ginny, or, well, anyone. Well, no, that's not true. I have Sirius and Remus and James. And, maybe I'll go see Minerva this evening. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the aforementioned presents and robe and headed down to the common room.
Plastering on a fake smile that she hoped would turn into a real one soon, she handed out her presents to the boys and curled up on the couch. As she watched them open their presents with childlike glee, she was painfully reminded of Christmas mornings at the Weasleys, and, later at Grimmauld Place, where they would all take turns opening one present at a time. Biting down hard on the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying, she remembered how they all seemed so happy. Why couldn't she be that happy anymore?
After zoning out for a while, she was suddenly aware of the fact that the other three boys were staring at her. Clearing her throat awkwardly, "W-What?"
"Er," Sirius couldn't seem to say anything else.
Suddenly self-conscious, she pulled at her hair, "Is it my hair? It always looks so bad in the morning, and I haven't had a chance to fix it."
James grinned, "No, although now that you point that out…" Hermione glared at him lightly and he laughed for a moment, before his expression turned more serious, "Are you okay, Hermione? You looked a little lost there, for a sec."
"Oh, yeah, um, I'm good."
"Okay," Remus looked a little skeptical, but he didn't say anything else, and neither did the other two boys.
"Um, did you guys like your presents?"
"Yes, Merlin, Hermione, you are so good at this gift giving thing!" James cried excitedly, "I love this kit so much! This polish is amazing – I tried it once, but I forgot the name, and never got it again, god, Hermione, I could kiss you right now!"
Looking a little alarmed, she responded, "As glad as I am that you like your gift, please don't."
Remus laughed, and told Hermione that he, too, liked the books, and Sirius chimed in with his appreciation for his present.
"Well, I'm glad you guys like them," she smiled, and picked up a book she had left on the coffee table the night before, intending to pick up where she left, before Remus cleared his throat.
Looking up in confusion, he asked, "Aren't you going to open your presents?"
"Huh?"
"Er, y'know, the things that people give on Christmas and birthdays, and other occasions?" Sirius asked sarcastically.
"O-Oh! Yes, um, my presents. Oh, wow." She looked at the remaining small pile of presents under the tree. The Marauders all looked at each other in confusion, and Hermione, seeing these looks, quickly said, "I'm just surprised, I guess. I didn't expect any gifts."
"Really? Have you never had presents before?" Teased Sirius.
A wave of nostalgia rode over her, and Hermione quietly replied, "Of course I have, Sirius, I just didn't expect anything this year."
"Oh, er, I'm sorry, kitten, I didn't mean to- um, yeah, I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she gave him a small smile and picked up a present.
Slowly, she made her way through the presents, extremely happy with the books James had gotten her, the sugar quills and Honeydukes gift basket she had received from Remus, and the beautiful locket Sirius had gotten her. Hermione was quite surprised when she received gifts from Severus (a set of potions knives), Regulus (a pair of earrings and a rather lengthy note about how grateful he was to her), Albus (new quills, made from Fawkes' feathers), and Lily (a charm bracelet). Hermione was less surprised that Minerva had gotten a present for her, but she was very grateful for the Transfiguration Today subscription.
She was very thankful for the fact that she had decided to buy Severus a rather expensive journal, and Lily, some muggle books she thought the redhead might enjoy. Hermione had also gotten Regulus a journal, but she had spelled it so that anything he wrote in his appeared in her corresponding journal, and vice versa. She thought it was the perfect way to communicate – especially if he was going to spy for the Order, they would definitely need a safe way to talk.
The Marauders looked rather shocked at the fact that she had received gifts from the Headmaster, his Deputy, Severus, and Regulus.
However, only Sirius commented on it, "Hermione, why is my brother sending you presents?" He ignored the fact that Severus had also done so – a wise choice on his part.
Hermione simply looked unimpressed, "We've become friends."
"I-I- what?!"
"Yes, Sirius, we've become friends. Do you need the definition?"
He looked a little stung, "Sorry, I was just surprised."
"No," she sighed, "it's okay, that was pretty harsh of me."
He grinned at her and pulled her into a hug, ruffling her hair, much to her irritation.
After putting their presents in their respective dorms, James suggested a snowball fight, and so they went outside, bundled up in all their winter paraphernalia, which they immediately shed ten minutes after the fight began, in favor of strong warming charms.
They paired up into teams – James and Hermione versus Sirius and Remus, and the Marauders were extremely surprised at Hermione's ability to 'beat the shit' out of them, as Sirius put it, in the snowball fight.
James considered himself very lucky to be on her team.
Hermione, on the other hand, was just thankful that she had been through so many snowball fights with the Weasley Twins.
December 25, 1977
Minerva McGonagall's Quarters, 3:00 pm
3rd Person POV:
After eating lunch with the boys in the kitchens, she bade them farewell, promising to meet them in the Great Hall for dinner, and rushed upstairs to her dorm to grab her presents for Minerva and Albus.
She was now standing in front of the portrait of Godric Gryffindor that led to Minerva's quarters. Taking a deep breath, she asked the founder of Gryffindor to tell Minerva she was waiting outside.
A few more minutes of nervously shifting from foot to foot, the portrait door opened to reveal a somewhat surprised looking Minerva.
"Well, hello Hermione. Merry Christmas! Come on in, how are you?"
"I'm good, how are you?"
"I'm good, too. Oh, by the way, Albus is here. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not."
They fell into a somewhat awkward silence as the two witches proceeded to Minerva's living room. Thankfully, for Hermione, she remembered the presents in her hands as soon as she sat down on the couch. After greeting the Headmaster, she said, "Oh, um, I got you both presents," she handed them out.
Minerva smiled, "Thank you, Hermione."
Albus on the other hand, was already ripping into his.
She had knitted Minerva a set of matching gloves, a scarf, and a hat. For Albus, she had bought him socks and a book of knitting patterns – she remembered how he had learned to knit in her fourth year and had thought that he might enjoy learning earlier. Hermione had also made them both handmade cards, expressing her thanks that they had taken her in, in this time.
"Wow, these are so pretty, Hermione!" Minerva cried, pulling her gifts out of the bag, "Did you make these?"
"Er, yes. I learned how to knit in fifth year."
"Well, thank you, I love them. And the green is so pretty!"
Hermione grinned back at her as Albus said, "I like these socks!"
She laughed, "Yeah, I thought you might."
"And a book on knitting!"
"Uh huh, you learned in my time, but I figured you might like to learn earlier. Well, now. I don't know, tenses are a little confusing for me, right now."
The Headmaster laughed, "Of course, well, thank you, I can't wait to start!"
Suddenly remembering the Professors' own gifts to her, Hermione quickly said, "And, thank you, for the presents, both of you, I really love them."
After some more light conversation, Albus stood up, "Well, ladies I have to get going. Sadly, the Ministry never stops sending paperwork. I'll leave you two to chat. And, again, Hermione, thank you for the gifts."
"Of course!"
"Bye, Albus."
After a moment of silence, Minerva spoke up, "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, thank you, I would love some."
The Deputy Headmistress summoned some tea, and they sat in companionable silence, sipping their tea.
"How has your schoolwork been coming along?"
"Quite well, actually. I tried my best to keep up with the curriculum while we were on the run, but, obviously, it was pretty difficult."
Minerva felt a pang in her chest at the reminder that this young woman – barely even a woman – had been through so much, but she still responded, "That's good. I'm glad you haven't been having too much trouble." Hermione nodded, and Minerva couldn't help but prod a bit, "Speaking of trouble, you seem to have become friends with some troublemakers."
The younger woman looked a bit surprised, but replied, "Yes, I suppose so," she laughed a little bit, "they've been – for the most part – wonderful, though."
"I'm glad you've become close to them. They definitely seemed to help you adjust." Pausing, Minerva winked, "Mr. Black, in particular, seems quite taken with you."
Hermione's eyes widened for a moment before she laughed, "Oh, that's just guilt. We got into a fight a few weeks back."
However, she didn't elaborate, so Minerva didn't press. The Deputy Headmistress didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
A few more minutes passed before Hermione suddenly exclaimed, "Oh!" Minerva looked at her questioningly, and Hermione said, "There's something I'd like to show you."
"Alright, what is it?" She smiled.
Hermione stood up, scrunched her face up in concentration for a moment, and then, suddenly, in her place, was a small white fox.
Minerva stared at the animagus in shock, "W-Wow! I had no idea you were an animagus!"
The young woman turned back into a human and, sitting down, said, "We started working on it halfway through my sixth year, but there was a lot going on, and when I finally transformed, we were on the run. I've been practicing, so now I can do it wandlessly, but it's still taking more concentration than I would like."
She nodded, "The same thing happened to me. I believe meditation will help. So, try that every night, maybe for thirty minutes or so per night, and then tell me how it goes."
Beaming, the younger Gryffindor nodded, "I will. Thank you!"
Another hour passed with the two women making menial conversation before Hermione stood up, "It's almost dinner time, and I promised the boys I would meet them for dinner, so I've got to get going."
"Alright, I'll see you soon," Minerva smiled, pulling her surrogate daughter in for an unanticipated hug.
Hermione returned the hug, melting into the older woman's embrace, before bidding her farewell and leaving for the Great Hall.
A/N: This update was pretty quick! Are you proud of me? Well, hopefully you are, and hopefully you enjoyed this chapter! The lack of response for the last chapter was pretty sad, so please please please vote/comment/review/leave kudos! They definitely motivate me and my muse!
Also! Please help my figure out what to rename this story! I've got a list of ideas, but I can't decide. If you have other ideas, please tell me!
Destiny's Choice
Time's Choice
A Dance Through Time
A Dance with Destiny
Masquerading Through Time
Marauding Through Time
A/The Prisoner of Time
Destiny's Deception
The Destiny Turner
A Fateful Turn Through Time
Destiny's Fateful Choice