"You would know exactly how one would look wouldn't you? Oh wait, you've never met a girl that wasn't a slag in your life," Hermione fired back, glaring daggers at the pompous boy.
"Jealous are we? Couldn't find anyone in France to get into your knickers?" Sirius sneered.
"Ha! Hilarious. Too bad you spend so much time chasing tail, you could be quite witty if you tried," Hermione replied, quickly growing agitated.
She had forgotten how much of an absolute ass Sirius Black was. Even being 20 years her senior, he always knew which buttons to push to get her riled up. Unlike the young man in front of him, at least the older Sirius knew when to stop pushing.
"Oh so you have heard of me! I'm flattered darling, truly. But if you wanted to make a good impression you've really bollocked that up," Sirius retorted.
"Mate. What is your problem? You just met her!" James questioned, looking quite exasperated at his friend.
"Prongs, of all people I should know a bitch when I see one," Sirius spoke, vaguely gesturing towards Hermione.
Inwardly cringing, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what he truly meant by that. She didn't think to question whether he would be able to smell the lycan within her. Regardless of what he actually meant, he still called her a bitch and that was not going to be quickly forgotten. She watched as his eyes flashed silver, his breath quickening with each passing moment. He looked like he was barely maintaining whatever anger lurked beneath his porcelain skin.
"Honestly? You think it's okay to call a lady that? I didn't ask you to come talk to her. I thought you would have some manners but it looks like the Black madness really does exist," Frank shot back at his friend.
Everyone around looked at Frank with shocked expressions, never expecting him to be so harsh especially to his friends. Hermione felt her chest warm at her brother standing up for her against the most popular boys in school.
Grabbing his hand she softly spoke, "Come one Franky, let's get home."
Turning to walk towards The Leaky Cauldron, Hermione could feel eyes burning a hole in her back. She knew that faze. It was the same one she had fallen under multiple times. Hermione knew if she turned around, she would lock eyes with Sirius Black.
———————————————
"Hermione! You've got to come on! We're gonna be late!"
Rolling her eyes at herself in the vanity mirror, Hermione finished pulling her out of her face. Frank had been a frantic mess all morning about her first day at Hogwarts. Within the past weeks he had checked , double checked, and even triple checked that she had everything needed. Despite her insistence that she have all required supplies, he wouldn't calm down until he had physically seen them himself.
Trudging her heavy trunk down the hallway, Hermione felt a rush of excitement. Would she be a Gryffindor again? Would she make friends? Would she still be the Brightest Witch of her age?
"There you are! FINALLY! We have to get a good spot on the train!" Frank bellowed happily.
Hermione felt him grab her hand and pull her outside to the apparition point. Glancing backwards she saw Augusta Longbottom following behind them, a fond look on her face. The last few weeks of summer seemed to fly by since the siblings interaction with three of the four Marauders. Frank spent his time split between hoping that Hermione was in Gryffindor with him and wishing she would get placed elsewhere so Sirius would leave her alone.
Stopping at the designated spot, Hermione glanced at the grand manor she had called home the past few months. A sense of longing pierced her chest as she stared at the large bay windows and the garden that had been her sanctuary in times of unrest. Hermione was no stranger to longing, it sat heavily in her chest daily. She longed for the friends and the life she lost. She longed for a world without war. Pulling her gaze from the Longbottom Manor, she stared at the two most important people in her new life. Grasping a hold of Augusta's extended hand, Hermione realized that for the first time in a long time–she wasn't alone.
