Hi! Sorry I changed the date so that when Hermione lands so she can interact with the Diagonal Alley before school starts.
Hermione went to Diagonal Alley after her first night back and took Carlisle with her. He had never seen the wizarding world beyond the snippets of people and places Hermione described to him. He was in awe as the wall opened up to a bustling place of wizards and witches going about their day. She had put a glamour on him so he wouldn't stand out as much and they both wore wizarding robes to blend in.
She knew that in 1971 the Marauders, Severus, and Lily started school and she was on the hunt to take pictures and have memories to show Harry. Even if that did make her feel a bit creepy, Carlisle supported her so she decided to go for it. She wasn't entirely sure if the photos would be accurate due to time travel but her memories would. The connections made with people may or may not stay. She wasn't sure, because she never did look up Albus Dumbledore to reconnect. Hermione brought Carlisle in case they needed to interact with him so the memories would "stick" to the timeline.
She felt alive, the magic was swirling around her and comforting at a time before it became so horrible and misery took over. Their school year started September 1st and she was sure some people might still be getting school stuff. She smiled as her own memories of getting school stuff came back to her. Taking Carlisle's hand she tugged him over to Olivanders so he could glance through the window. A certain Mr. Remus Lupin was getting his wand. The boy already had a haggard look to his face, but as soon as he got the wand in his hand, his face lit up. She smiled at him and leaned on Carlisle, she would keep that memory so when she got back Lupin could see it. As the small lad walked out of the store he bumped into Carlisle.
"Pardon, I didn't see you." Remus Lupin bashfully exclaimed.
"No worries. I hope you have a good time at Hogwarts. Make sure to enjoy yourself because it will be memories you take forever." Hermione beamed at him. With Carlisle nodding at her side, he stated: "You take care of yourself, and keep up with your studies."
Remus Lupin grinned. "I will sir. I love to read!"
Hermione laughed lightly, as she knew how much he was a bookworm. They had spent long hours talking about it. She smiled and said "Sorry, I too am a bookworm, my favorite book was and still is History of Hogwarts. I know you'll do good things. Have a good afternoon young sir."
Remus smiled and scampered off to get the rest of his supplies. But one thought in his mind rang as he ran through, only the woman had blood running through her. Maybe the man was a monster. He shook his head. "They were together, no one would want to be friends or love a monster."
Hermione grinned at him and smiled at Carlisle. "I love you. You were perfect." They walked down to Zonks, her hand tucked in his arm. She was sure she would find one of the four famous pranksters there.
They walked into the joke shop and Hermione was taken back once again at how newer and brighter Zonks looked. She spotted a mop of black hair, and it made her internally gasp. He turned as she saw his profile and knew it was James Potter. Everything everyone said was true, Harry really did look identical to James except the eyes. His glasses were rounded and she kept almost subconsciously looking for a scar that would never be there. He was average height but what stood out about him was how he carried himself, he was confident for an eleven-year-old, a born leader. He dressed formally but his robe was undone and his socks were droopy with his collar pushed up. Carlisle had his hand on her shoulder to ground her. She appreciated it and looked at him, her expression of joy, grief, love, and care sucked him in as he felt her emotions without Jasper even being there. James Potter was wandering the store when he saw something behind the couple standing in the shop. He approached them to ask if they could scoot over.
"Excuse me, I would like a few of those dung bombs behind you."
"Hmm, are you a first-year?" Hermione looked at James, taking in every little detail, but outwardly acting nonchalant.
"Um, yes ma'am."
"The dung bombs will be quite fun, just make sure to not get caught. There are quite a few secret passages to avoid it." Hermione said with a sly smile and a wink.
James' attention was had. "Really! Where? My family has been Hogwarts Alumni forever and no one has told me about a secret passage!"
Carlisle laughed a rich deep rumble, "If she told you then it would take all the fun of exploring yourself."
James grinned. "I guess. I'm just excited."
Hermione smiled kindly, "I understand, I too was excited to go to Hogwarts. Behave for the most part though and keep those grades up. I'm sure you will take on the world. Why don't we buy you the tricks as long as you promise to have fun and enjoy your time at Hogwarts."
"You don't have to do that," James said surprised, his eyebrows rose above the mop of hair.
Hermione smiled and Carlisle said, "If someone offers to buy you something, don't turn it down. Have fun and be yourself son, and you'll make a great friend." He turned to the cashier, Hermione had already slipped the amount of money she assumed that Jame's tricks cost into his hand and paid for them. They bid James good luck in school and to have a good time when they exited the shop.
She heard a screech she had hoped not to hear again once Sirius Black banished the painting to the attic. "Sirius! I won't have to mingle with people other than PureBloods." Hermione knew that it was a quieter screech since they were Blacks in public and they needed to act a certain way. But she knew it where it was coming from as soon as Walburga Black opened her mouth. She turned and was quite surprised. Sirius's mother was gorgeous, tall, imposing, elegant, with dark makeup, her wild curls were tamed to a strict bun dressed in black. The portrait did her no justice. Sirius Black was also dressed in black, he didn't have his robes on and had his wild hair untamed. He had a mischievous grin to him and he was tall for his age but not gangly like Remus was. He definitely had the better Black genes as he was striking even as an eleven-year-old.
She watched him sigh and half-listen to his mother as they turned into Tomes and Scrolls. Nudging Carlisle they walked towards Tomes and Scrolls but noticed Sirius leave the store and head towards Honeydukes. So they switched their direction and headed to Honeydukes as well, hoping to be able to stumble upon him. They found him looking at the chocolate frogs. Hermione needed to stock up on blood pops anyway, so she walked over to the section next to him. Carlisle browsed the different candies that wizards had to offer while keeping an eye on Hermione. She had started a conversation with Sirius and so he walked over knowing of her theory, to interact with the boy.
"Honey, can you grab elk pops?" He asked as he got closer.
"Sure thing my love. I was just talking to Mr. Sirius Black. He is going in his first year." Hermione said graciously.
"Ah. How lovely, we just ran into quite a few first years, a Mr. Remus Lupin and Mr. James Potter. Quite lovely young gentleman." Carlisle pretended to recall the names.
"Oh. The Potters. My mother says they are blood traitors. But I don't care." Sirius said almost glum.
"Well, that's the spirit! As long as someone treats you with kindness, I think they should be judged by their character, not their blood. Besides, blood isn't everything, people shouldn't let it define them, nor should last names." Hermione heavily hinted at.
"Hmm. Blood isn't everything. I guess not…."Sirius' voice trailed off as he thought hard.
Hermione smiled kindly at him, "Have a good first year and take care of yourself. I'm sure you will have so much fun. Make sure that you listen to your heart and your brain, it will do you good."
Sirius thanked her and left without buying his candy as he was still thinking about how blood wasn't always the answer and judging someone based on your last name might not always be the best way to make connections.
Carlisle looked at Hermione, "I think you might have gotten to him."
Hermione nodded, "I might have. We shall see, we still aren't sure if interacting works."
Carlisle smiled and kissed her forehead. "I'm sure whatever the outcome is, you tried to help and that's the most you can do."
They paid and left the store too. Outside they ran into Severus Snape as he looked through the window. She sucked in her breath. He was scrawny and pale, his hair still looked slick and he wore all black. He brought up such a mixture of feelings, he bullied everyone from being bullied and unloved, he was part of the resistance when it counted but was such a grayscale, she felt conflicted. She knew he was a child now who would be bullied and twisted into a dark man but he also created his potion that led her to the love of her life.
"Severus! Look at this! Wow, I can't believe this is all real." A voice cried out from behind the couple. Hermione turned to see Lily Evans walking up to Severus Snape. Lily's bright red hair caught Hermione and Carlisle's attention first, it was a beautiful shade. Red like an apple but light and fair, with pale skin that was more creamy than Severs Snapes but not by much. She was tall for her age and her green eyes were like emeralds shining. Hermione felt herself get lost in her eyes, it was almost as if Harry was staring through her. But she refocused to see Severus turned towards Lily and broke into a small smile. "Yeah. It's pretty cool." He replied.
Lily didn't notice the couple watching their interaction when her bag swung into Carlisle. He felt the pressure of the bag but it was too light to hurt him. She turned and quickly apologized. "I am so sorry sir."
"No problem little lady, accidents happen," Carlisle said.
"First time at Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, it is! I was raised as a...muggle until I found out I had magic. But Severus knew about it all his life. His mom is a witch." Lily chirped.
Severus looked a bit displeased that his personal information was being spread, but it kept Lily happy so he just nodded slightly.
"That's lovely. So I assume you are first years then?" Carlisle responded to the young girl.
"Yes! I can't wait. Severus told me a lot about it." Lily's words practically stumbled out of her mouth before she let him even process the question.
"I see you are good friends. I miss my friends but they are always close to me, even when I don't see them. A lot of the wizarding world works with all different types of people, personalities, Houses, and get along. I can only hope you guys do the same with the new people you encounter. But also make sure to study hard and have fun, these memories last a lifetime." Hermione said reminiscing.
Severus looked bored, but he did listen and Hermione's words soothed his anxiety of different Houses. Lily felt like she could go head first and change the world. "I will make sure to change how people feel about all this House nonsense. It is silly."
Hermione nodded slightly. "It does affect and change lives even if we deny it. Though one should look at a person's qualities rather than their sorting. Always be open-minded when first meeting someone. They might surprise you."
Carlisle agreed. "The best element of surprise to act as yourself rather than what people want you to conform to."
Hermione smiled, then nodded and bid the two young children goodbye. Carlisle had his arm on her waist as they walked away. It had been a productive day and she could live without seeing Peter Pettigrew.