Title: Little Spark of Madness
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in anyway, that belongs to JK Rowlings. I don't make any money from this either. I just do it for fun :) All original characters are my own, those would be the ones that you don't recognize from the books.
Note: I know a few of you have commented on Hermione being for a lack of a better word a push over. Sirius being overly mean to her and Harry going with it.
Hermione for start is going through a wide range of emotions right now. She has drawn in on herself after being in the war. Unsure herself why Sirius is being like this. She will come around and get back to her usual self I promise, but she is basically suffering from PTSD and is trying to figure everything out. Not to mention their memories are a bit off since they are in a pensive. She is internalizing everything, and at some point it will be too much (around chapter 20)
Sirius... Sirius will be better explained in the next few chapters I promise. He is being mean to her and he knows it. Please just trust me on that. You will start seeing more of his reasoning in this chapter and in 11. Chapter 12 he will be an ass again, chapter 13 Hermione has enough, and 14 everything is coming to a head between them. Sirius is smart enough to know how to work his mother, but young and doesn't always think his actions through. (I.E. going after peter in canon and getting thrown in azkaban)
CH 12 is also where Harry will have enough of Sirius about things. CH 14 will be a breaking point as well as he fully realizes how Hermione is handling it. I don't want to give to much away, but there is a plan I promise. He is trying to be a peace keeper like normal, but don't worry, he isn't putting Sirius above Hermione.
I do hope you all will stick with this story as I have enjoyed writing it, I actually have up to chapter 24 written and working on 25. I am just giving myself time in between posting so that I can re-read each one for last minute spell checks. It helps if I write it and have a bit of time between doing a check. I try not to give too much away but I guess it has been confusing.
I hope you all keep reading and reviewing :) Here is an early chapter for this explanation, I loath doing Author Note chapters. Gets everyones hopes up.
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My fear was not of death itself, but a death without meaning.
Huey Newton
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October 31st, 1975
Hogwarts
Hermione walked into the great hall with her nose in her potions book, reading and then repeating her her head the steps to create the hair growing potion that they were currently learning.
Sitting at her normal spot as Lily who was in a similar position with her own nose in her book sat across from her, "Lily, Do you add the nightshade before, after or at the same time that you stir twice to the left. It doesn't clarify."
Lily nodded her head as she blindly grabbed a slice of toast, "At the same time. I know what you mean though, it really doesn't tell you."
Hermione moved her book slightly to the side as she grabbed for her goblet of pumpkin juice so she wouldn't spill it, "Where did you get the clarification? Was there another book I am missing?"
Lily just shook her head no, "I have a friend who is really good in potions, we usually study together on the weekends. You can join us if you'd like. Although you probably shouldn't mention it to your brother."
"Not mention what to her dear brother Evans? You KNOW that is quite rude to suggest."
Hermione and Lily both put down their book seeing Sirius titling his head sideways as he looked at them. His black hair flowing back so he could see them clearly. It was then that both of the girls notice that not only was Sirius there, but James, Peter, Remus, and Harry as well.
Harry finished the bit of sausage in his mouth before looking at Hermione, "Ya, what shouldn't you mention to me?" Grabbing another sausage as he stuffed the whole thing in his mouth.
Hermione glared at Sirius not in the mood for his attitude today, "It was none of your business actually. If you are going to insist on acting like an arse towards me please do so in silence or when I am not around."
Hermione took a quick sip of her own drink before looking at her brother, "Just a study group Harry. Besides why would you even want to know, you never willingly study. Cramming the night before is not studying. Besides it is on the weekend so you'll be busy I hear as the new Seeker."
Harry just grinned nervously looking between Sirius and Hermione, shrugging his shoulders, "She's right."
James chuckled and raised his glass trying to break the tension, "Right you are my friend. Right you are." James leaned forward on his arms as he looked down the table looking at Lily, "So Lily, delicate Lily, would you do me the honor of…."
"No." Lily didn't even bother looking away from her book as she put some milk in her tea, "I said no to the last Hogsmeade weekend as well. AND the various marriage proposals."
James' normal smile fell from his face as Harry gave him a small smile. Looking to the girl that would one day be his mother he just didn't see why his father was so in love with her. Sure she was pretty and smart, but she treated him horrible.
Hermione frowned at Lily before looking at James and then Harry. "Why don't we all go together? You know as friends? We can all meet at Honeydukes. We never did make it there last time."
Peter grinned and then shook his head, "You, Alice and Lily didn't make it. We got loads of stuff."
Lily frowned as she looked at Peter finally closing her book, "You went without us?"
Sirius laughed and shrugged his shoulders as he kept his attention on Lily, "Well you bookworms took forever at Tomes and Scrolls, and then that other boring place. We weren't going to wait all day. Besides didn't you guys have company later?" His eyes narrowed on Hermione briefly.
Hermione frowned at Sirius but chose to ignore the glare that she was receiving for some reason. "What do you mean Sirius? Are you talking about when Harry and Remus joined us? You could have come to you know if it bothered you so much, they didn't stay too long."
Sirius just looked confused for a moment as he turned to Harry and Remus with a question in his eyes before shrugging and rolling his eyes, "Nevermind I guess."
Hermione looked questioningly at Harry, but he his attention was monopolized by the toast in his hands as he avoided her gaze, "Well I am going to class."
Before Hermione could get up from her seat an all black owl swooped down and landing in front of her. The small owl almost regally stuck out its leg that had a small package attached to it. Hermione frowned as she looked to Harry, "Do you recognize the owl?"
Hearing a small screech as the owl gave her an impatient look. Setting her book down once more she reached over and untied the package freeing the owl from its burden. She took a small piece of sausage and offered it to the owl in thanks but it snubbed her and took flight almost immediately.
Most everyone was watching as Hermione untied the string that tied a piece of parchment to the package except for Remus.
Remus frowned as he saw Sirius clenching his fists at the sight of the owl for her, averting his eyes Sirius stared at the table as if it had insulted him.
Just as Hermione opened the parchment and began reading Sirius stood up from the table as he shoved his plate away from him catching everyone's attention, "Not so hungry anymore. I am going to class see you lot there." As he walked in stride from the great hall, his robe slung over his shoulder. James frowned as he looked to Sirius' barely touched breakfast. "What got into him?"
Miss Hermione McGonagall,
I do hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to personally proffer an invitation to accompany the great and noble house Black to the annual Yule Ball hosted by the Malfoy family. I do hope that you will accompany as Sirius' date for the evening even though you have yet to make a decision on the proposal my dear husband sent your uncle.
I have enclosed a small gift, I do hope you will wear it to the ball.
Toujours Pur,
Walburga Black
The Great and Noble House Black.
Hermione who had just finished reading the piece of parchment looked up, "He probably recognized the owl."
Lily squinted her eyes as she looked at Hermione, "What do you mean? Why would you getting mail upset him?"
Hermione folded the parchment before passing it to Harry as she opened the small package to discover a delicate silver hair comb with a spiral design of tiny emeralds decorating it. "It was a gift from his mother."
Looking at her brother she frowned holding the delicate hair comb as if it would scream at her if she held it wrong, "I can't accept this."
Lily looked at the hair comb that Hermione had layed back in the box it had come in without bothering to reach for it. "It is a bit much, that probably cost quite a bit. Why is Black's mother giving you gifts?"
Everyone could clearly see Harry's jaw twitching as he finished the letter, "She wants you to go with Sirius to a Ball? You know Aunt Minerva will help you get out of it." As he looked over at the comb.
James shook his head with his mouth screwed in disgust as if he had bitten into a lemon, "Sirius already is planning on coming to Potter Manor for the Yule Hols. He won't be there, he hates going home."
Remus just sighed, "He might not have a choice James."
Hermione held her hand out to Harry for the parchment as she folded it back up and put it inside the box with the gift. Standing up she put it in her bag before slinging it over her shoulder, "I guess I should talk to our Aunt about this. If I don't go then Sirius won't have too, I don't need another reason for him to hate me."
Remus stood next to Hermione grabbing his own bag, "He doesn't hate you Hermione, please don't think that."
James wiped his mouth harshly as if he was deep in though, "Neither of you might have a choice now that I am thinking about it. My parents don't follow some of the more harsh traditionals in the wizarding world, but that doesn't mean I don't know them. With everything that is going on…. It would seem like you are dismissing the offer…"
Lily had enough as she watched Remus trying to quietly talk Hermione out of something while thinking over James' secret words. Finally she put both of her hands on the table before shaking her head, "Am I missing something?"
Hermione bit her lower lip before nodded, "Yes you are Lily, but it is… difficult to talk about sorry. I don't think Sirius wants anyone knowing about it so please don't push me on it."
Scrunching up her face Lily crossed her arms, "Sirius Black hardly ever talks to you, let alone acknowledges that you exist when you're in the same room. When he does talk to you he is grumpy and mean to you, why do you care what he thinks?"
Hermione frowned at Lily and couldn't help but think that Lily treated James the same way that she thought Sirius was treating her. "I am sorry Lily, but it is personal. I guess we all need to be a little nicer to people who care about us."
With that she turned on her heel and left the great hall with Harry stumbling to get out of the bench as he trailed after her. "Hermione! Wait please?"
Rolling her eyes Hermione slowed down a bit as she turned to him, "What is it Harry? I know you said he doesn't dislike me, but it is getting hard not to notice. Even Lily notices, and now I have an invitation that I may or may not be able to get out of. If I can't I will be forced to spend an entire evening with someone who probably wishes he had never met me."
Harry adjusted the bag on his own shoulder before putting both his hands on her shoulders. "He doesn't dislike you. He just doesn't like being told what to do."
Hermione's cheeks flared red in anger as she glared at her brother, not paying any mind to James, Remus and Peter as they caught up to them as she exploded. "I am not TELLING him to do ANYTHING! He is purely taking HIS anger out on me Harry James McGonagall! Does he think I am happy about this? Does he? Cause I am most certainly not! I DON'T DESERVE THIS!"
Turning on her heel once more as she stomped down the stone corridor heading leaving the four boys standing in the hall. Getting to potions class she flopped down in a chair at the front of the class before pulling her book back out to start reading again before class. After a moment she felt as if someone was watching her.
Turning she looked up and saw Severus Snape staring down at her from the seat next to her with a mildly annoyed look on his face, "I think you are in the wrong seat."
Hermione looked around and noticed that there were only a few other people in the classroom before looking up at Severus once more, "I didn't feel like sitting next to Lily today. There was an issue… I am good at potions you know. I won't slow you down."
Severus quirked his head to the side and thought for a moment before sitting next to her, "Your brother and his friends better not hex me for this. Black finds any reason too."
Hermione snorted as she turned back to her book, "I hardly think Sirius will willingly come to my defense for anything. I think I have taken your spot on his list of people to hate."
Severus quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing as people started coming into the classroom. Looking over his shoulder he watched as Lily gave Hermione a confused look before turning to her own book. Right as class started the marauders filed into the room siding into their seats right before Professor Slughorn came out of his office.
Their usual merriment gone as the four looked warily at a glowering Sirius.
Severus noticed that Sirius' glare became far more pronounced when he saw Hermione at the front of the classroom. At first he thought it was because she was sitting next to him, but as Sirius noticed Severus the glare turned to a confused look when their eyes met.
Severus turned in his seat he cast a side glance to Hermione while getting his cauldron ready on its stand before pulling out his quill and parchment, "I don't know what you did to piss off Black, but I must say you did it well."
Hermione just let out a grunt, "You're welcome." Before dipping her quill in ink as she started to furiously write down notes. She didn't speak another word for the entire class and bolted from the room as soon as class was dismissed.
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Sitting in the Headmaster's office Harry and Hermione watched as the headmaster looked at them over his cresent spectacles. "I know that it has been a while since the both of you were in here. How are things going?"
He looked directly at Hermione for a moment watching her bit on her lower lip, "Things are… different than I thought they would be."
The headmaster nodded his head as he clasped his hands together his two pointer fingers out as he rested his chin on them. "I see Miss McGonagall, I understand that the Black family has placed a marriage request for you to Young Mr. Black. Your Uncle is holding all requests until you are 16 years of age. You won't need to even acknowledge them until then."
Hermione sighed as she avoided looking at Harry, "Yes, well. His mother is inviting me to things now. Apparently it would look like I am saying no if I don't accept. The holidays are still months away, I don't know why she is bringing it up now."
Harry looked at his sister, "I talked with James more. He said the invitations actually went out months ago. His parents got one too, but they never force James to go."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she slumped in her chair a bit crossing her arms, "I am so happy for James." Looking back to the Headmaster, "Is Minerva available to talk? I think we need to talk with her."
Dumbledore nodded his head as he stood, "Of course, of course. I can send for her in a moment if you would like. I just wanted to thank you both again about letting us have your memories temporarily. We have been going over them extensively and discovered a great many things. First and foremost we have taken great care is noting the dates of all the deaths that we could. The locations of the horcruxes will take a bit longer as they are not in their final places as of yet."
Walking over to fawkes perch as the bird let out a trill as Dumbledore ran a finger over his back, "You both have my admiration for not treating those that betrayed their loved ones in the future with hatred or disdain. I do believe there is a chance to save the ones that died. A larger chance to save the lives of those that went down the wrong path."
Harry nodded his head, "You're talking about Peter? He hasn't done anything wrong yet. I hope he never will. I just don't see how he could betray my father."
Hermione's eyes softened as she looked to her brother, "He isn't your father yet. He is just a 15 year old boy following after a girl."
Harry sighed, "I know that. Sometimes I just feel like…"
Hermione sat back in her chair, "Like you don't belong? We don't. We are 18, well I am supposed to be 19."
Harry just shook his head, "No it isn't that Mione. It it like I sometimes forget that we had that other life. I remembered a prank that I did with Ron, Fred and George the other day and I had to stop because I couldn't remember the end of it."
Hermione frowned before looking back to Dumbledore as she sat forward in her chair. "Sir? Is this supposed to happen?"
The older man sighed as he held his hands up in wonder, "That, I do not know my dear. I have never encountered time travelers before. What I think is happening however, it that as this time line changes your time slowly ceases to exist. I do not know why your memories are fading though., however the human mind can only hold so much. That is why we have pensives Miss Hermione."
The young girl just looked down as she thought of different books that might be able to help her. She was just barely listening when she heard her brother ask if they had learned anything else from their memories.
The headmaster looked over at the two young ones, "I know that stepping into a new life can be difficult. After seeing both of your memories I think it is safe to say that you were both raised as muggleborns the first time around essentially. Hermione was a muggle born, and you Harry were raised with no knowledge of magic."
Waving his hand as he sat back while a small book flew from the book shelves and hovered in front of Hermione who took it slowly, "I do believe this book might help you understand a few magical traditions. It is about magical courting and betrothment. Hermione my dear, James was correct in that Sirius' family may take offense to you rejecting the invitation for the Yule Ball. However, it does not mean you are accepting the marriage proposal, or even accepting the courting for that matter."
Hermione closed her eyes in disappointment as his words sunk in, "So I guess I need to talk to our Aunt about dress robes?"
The Headmaster just nodded his head solemnly, "Very good Miss McGonagall. Sometimes we must do things that we may not always enjoy. Take solace in the fact that you know Sirius is not like his family, and just upset about the situation."
Hermione scrunched her face up as she ran her hands nervously on her pleated skirt, "He hates me. It is going to be a horrible evening."
Dumbledore just gave Hermione a knowing look, "I do believe that recent events may make it seem like that. However, I did speak with young Mr. Black earlier and I can assure you that the boy does not hate you. In fact is seems as if he fears for you and what you may become."
She couldn't help when her jaw dropped, "What I may become? What is that supposed to mean?"
Harry shifted in his seat uneasily as he answered before the Headmaster, "You have been hanging out with Narcissa Black, Severus Snape and apparently Lucius Malfoy. Who by the way came looking for you during the last Hogsmeade trip. He is worried that you are becoming like Narcissa."
Hermione sat up straight as she gasped before standing up putting her hands on her hips. "Excuse me? Excuse me? I already told you Narcissa is not what we thought, she is actually a decent person. She probably got caught up in being forced into marriage, just like they are trying to do to me. As for Severus, he actually smiles here and tells jokes. I see how your little group of friends go after him and pull pranks. It is no wonder he turned in the future. You lot made the other side appear so much better! As for Lucius I have spoke with him a few times yes, but I would hardly call us friends. He is a gentleman. He holds the door for me and holds my books, he doesn't poke fun of me for studying and he doesn't fart on me, ignore me, glare at me, or worse like Sirius does! Lastly why is my befriending them any different from you befriending Peter, who in our time had your parents KILLED and sat by watching Bellatrix try and KILL me, SLOWLY!"
Huffing as Harry sat there in shock while he watched Hermione fumble with her bag shoving the book Dumbledore had given her inside before she hastily put it over her shoulders turning to the Headmaster, "My apologies Sir. I just…. May I please be excused to find my Aunt?"
The Headmaster nodded as he stood, "Of course my dear. I understand you both are under an immense amount of pressure, something I may never fully understand. You go ahead, I can finish up with Harry here."
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Let me know what you think, and thank you for reading.