AN: Thank you everyone for the warm welcome back for this story! I really appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, 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.
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Promise me...
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August 3rd, 1977
Hermione smiled as Lucius had finished with the potions lecture and was walking around mingling with some of the other potioneers and people aspiring to become one.
Lucius led her over to a more secluded area noticing the fatigue setting in Hermione. "I am sure we could locate a pepper up if you are needing one? Or I can return you to your Aunt's?"
Hermione smiled up at him, "Thank you Lucius, but I will be alright. We have a few more hours before it is time to return."
Lucius smiled, "I am glad you would rather spend time with me."
She laughed, "Be careful, you are starting to sound like you really wish to sway me Lucius." She smiled, but it faltered seeing the slight tint to his cheeks."Lucius? I thought…"
He cleared his throat, "I would be lying if I said I was not intrigued by you Hermione. After you granted me that kiss over the winter holidays I keep going back to that. I did feel…. Something. I am not sure what it was though. I know you do not see me that way and I accept it."
Hermione bit her lower lip, "But you wish I did?"
He sighed and looked away, not answering her."
Reaching up her hand wrapped around his bicep pulling him to face her, "What about Narcissa?"
Lucius finally looked at her, "What about her? She is being courted by another. I am officially only courting you Hermione. How would it look if I showed interest in anyone else? Besides, you do hold my interest. There are few women who would enjoy a lecture on upcoming positions as a date. Your eagerness to learn, to explore…." He turned away seeing a blush creep up her cheeks as he realized his choice of wording, "My apologies, I did not intend it to sound so vulgar."
Hermione just shook her head, "It is fine Lucius. I guess I didn't realize that you still had feelings. I mean the plan with Dumbledore, and…"
Lucius nodded, "It is all still fine Hermione. Besides my feelings mean nothing if yours don't match mine. I will suffice as your friend and hope this plan will work."
Biting her lower lip, "Lucius. Do you know what happened to Peter and his family?"
Lucius frowned at her while stiffening, "I did not harm Peter or his family."
Hermione looked up at him, "I didn't ask that, I asked if you knew what happened. His mother is still missing and I am hoping when Peter comes too she will be there. Or we will at least have an answer for him."
Lucius looked around before pulling her further away from the crowd. He was silent as they walked, finally he settled on a bench with her at the river's edge. Satisfied that no one was around, "Your hope will be pointless Hermione. Young Mr. Pettigrew is the last living person in his line. I've already spoken to Dumbldore about what I know."
"But…." Her pale face crumbled as a sob broke from her chest.
His hand found hers and pulled her close so her cries would be drowned in his chest. His hand trying to comfort her as best he could rubbing up and down her back. "I am sorry Hermione. It was apparently an initiation for Bellatrix Black. Senior Mr. Pettigrew refused him and was killed. He then turned to your friend, he tried to get him to join, but the boy refused. Even when his mother was attacked by Bella, he refused."
Her tear-filled eyes looked up at Lucius, "He refused?" Her mind reeling that while she changed his fate, had it really been for the better? He'd lost everything.
Lucius nudded, "He said he would not betray his friends again. I am not sure when he betrayed them in the past, but he held his ground. He did not even attempt to save himself by begging." He looked at Hermione, "I should have…"
Hermione sat back abruptly shaking her head, "No Lucius. You would have been killed or tortured as well. Peter didn't have a chance there, he must have known that. He is alive I guess, but it is not living. He hasn't woken up yet, I am really worried about him. More so now that his family is gone. I'll talk to my Aunt, I am sure he can stay with us."
Lucius tilted his head slightly, "No, it is merely existing. A body. Unfortunately with what he endured, if he were to awaken he will not be himself. The body cannot handle those kinds of curses to that extent. While your intentions are noble, he will most likely be a permanent ward of Saint Mungos."
Hermione looked away trying to hope for some light, but knowing she wouldn't find it in this conversation, "You said he was the last, what happened to his mother?"
Removing his hand from her and stared out at the dark water "Rabastian Lestrange gleefully killed her finally after ten days. She was long gone before then though. The death was a mercy at that point."
Trying to hold herself together, "And Dumbldore knows?"
Nodding, "I went to him as soon as I could. You do know Peter was left for you to find? He could have been easily killed. He was…. A message. A message to a few people. You, your brother and remaining family, Dumbldore, The Potters, Sirius, the order. Join, die, or worse. I would never wish to live trapped in my own head."
Hermione took his hand, "Lucius, that…"
He gave her a hard look, "What Hermione? That won't happen? It just did to your friend Peter and his family. Galen's father was already killed, my father has been threatened should I fail in my task of wooing you. I am in those meetings Hermione, you don't think that they are all pleasant conversations do you? I will admit that if I were in your friend's position I would hope for death, and I would hope if only a mental prison was granted that someone, "He looked her deep in the eyes, "Would grant me mercy and just kill me."
Shaking her head realizing what he was asking of her, "I could never kill you Lucius.I… I care far too much for you."
He gave her a small smile, and brought a hand up to cup her cheek. Lightly brushing his thumb against her jaw line. "I would hope you would care enough to end my suffering if it came to it." He took her small hand in his other and for the first time she could see true fear in his eyes, "Promise me, Hermione. Promise me you will end it should it come down to that."
Gripping his hand back she nodded, "If…. if it gets that bad. I promise."
He nodded before leaning in and placing a chaste kiss to her lips, before releasing her. "Thank you."
Hogwarts Express
September 1st, 1977
Hermione sat in the corner of their compartment next to Lily. Both girls had their noses firmly in one of their school texts as they tried to prepare themselves a bit better for the start of their classes. Although Hermione could hardly concentrate and had re-read the same page four times. She had told the boys what happened to Peter and his family, and while the rest of summer had been gloomy they were trying to stay strong.
James, Harry, Remus and Sirius had a makeshift table in the room and were engaged in a game of gobstones and exploding snap.
Sirius grinned as Harry got sprayed with the foul smelling liquid as he won the game. He looked around briefly with a smile before his smile fell once more. Leaning back into his seat across from Hermione as an aura of depression surrounded him.
Hermione looked at him concerned, "Are you alright Sirius?"
He just stared at her for a moment before nodding his head, but it quickly turned into him shaking his head, "I was going to tell Pete that he was next."
The mood in the room quickly changed as James scooched over and sat next to Lily, "He's never not been on the train with us. We are starting our seventh year and he is not here."
Lily looked around the carriage, "But he woke up I thought? That is a good sign right? I mean he isn't talking yet, but it is a start."
Harry made eye contact with Hermione and she knew he was thinking about Neville's parents in their timeline. After they all knew what Lucius had disclosed to her, they couldn't help but know what happened. When they had seen Peter in Saint Mungo's the resemblance of how he'd been acting was almost exactly like Alice and Frank Longbottom in their time. He sat and stared off into space, as though he was in a personal prison. She'd known that Lucius was right, he was going to be a prisoner in his own mind.
Hermione bit her lip before closing her book and leaning her head against the glass as she closed her eyes.
Harry looked over at James and Sirius, before settling his glaze on Lily. "I don't know, we knew…. Others. Who were in a similar situation."
James frowned and he knew that he was warring with himself over asking who it was. He must have decided not to because he turned to Sirius. "I am going to see if the trolley is close. Anybody want anything?" He glanced at Lily and held his hand out to her silently asking her to join him so the others could talk.
With her not knowing the truth about Harry and Hermione yet it was hard for them to discuss things in front of her. They were planning on telling her over summer, but with Peter it never felt like the right time. Plus, how do you tell someone that they were going to get married, have a baby, and then be murdered. He took it as best he could, but it still bothered him a lot.
Lily glanced at Hermione before looking at James, taking his offered hand while nodding her head. "I'll just go with you."
He nodded before the two left the room.
Sirius moved from his seat and slid from his seat to the now vacant area next to Hermione. Poking her arm softly, "Hey. Are you okay?"
Hermione opened her eyes revealing them to be red-rimmed now as she attempted to hold herself together. "I was just thinking about Alice and Frank."
Furrowing his brows he glanced at Harry with a questioning look, "What's wrong with Alice and Frank?"
Harry sighed, glancing at the door to make sure Lily was gone with James. "Nothing now. In our…. They were hospitalized right after James and Lily were…" he sighed, "They were crucioed so many times that they lost their minds. They were still living in Saint Mungos in our time. They never son was raised by Frank's mother." Harry glanced at Hermione and wanted to give her encouragement, "Peter… the way he was when he woke up. It reminded Hermione and I about how they were."
Sighing Harry leaned back once more, "We really should tell Lily about us at some point."
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I know, I want too, but I am scared about her knowing and getting hurt because of us. It is bad enough I worry about you lot and with what happened to Peter. We did change him, but the cost was more than we thought it would be. I thought his life would be better, not this. Never this." She leaned her head on Sirius' shoulder.
He nodded, "We are a handful. And Pete knew he would rather die than betray you, and you really don't know what happened in your time to him. Maybe he will wake up, you only know about two individuals in the future and it might not be the same." He paused and shook her slightly seeing her eyes unfocused. Vixen?" He jumped away suddenly letting a yelp out as she pitched his side, "Hey!"
She just raised an eyebrow, "You called me that word again."
He gave a charming shrug, "Well you are one? Are you not, little fox?"
Harry shook his head, "I am going to the loo, be right back."
She glared at SIrius once more as she waved to Harry, "Stop it." Her resolve broke down quickly though and she let out a small giggle as he tickled her, "Whatever Snuffles."
He gave a mock look of offense before exaggerated sniffing around the room before getting to her and laying his head on her lap similar to what he did in his Padfoot form. "You cannot resist me."
Smacking his shoulder playfully before settling in and running her fingers through his hair.
He glanced up at her, "Has Lucius asked you to the ball again this year? My mother was trying to figure out how I could invite you first" Rolling his eyes.
She glanced down and nodded her head, "Yes. He asked me during our last outing. He also invited Harry and said for him to bring a date so he can get to meet everyone too." She made a face, "I mean he liked some people, but he never really had the chance to date really. Sure there was Ginny, but well that was doomed."
Sirius perked up, "Harry has not mentioned needing to find a date." He grinned at Remus, "You know what this means?"
Remus just laughed, "Poor Harry."
Hermione giggled knowing that this was going to be amusing to witness. "Any ideas?"
Sirius sat up quicker than lightning, "Well, Lily is obviously taken while not being taken. Alice we know is in love with Frank. Your other roommates?"
Hermione shrugged while playing with his hair, "They don't talk to me much. I think they both had boyfriends at the end of last year though."
Sirius nodded before moving on before suddenly slapping his' thigh, "Mary Waters from Hufflepuff! She plays Quidditch, but only for fun, not too crazy about it. She doesn't date around and I think she is single at the moment. Cute and on the quieter side, but she comes to Gryffindor parties a lot. Vixen you stay with the big bad wolf for a moment."
And before Hermione or Remus could correct him he was off.
Hermione looked back at Remus, "Merlin help Harry."
Remus laughed and nodded, "You know Harry is going to get a girlfriend and he won't know it?"
Hermione laughed, "Oh this is going to be great." Picking up her book once more but stopped short of opening it as she placed it on her lap.
Remus nodded, "Hermione, can I ask you something since we are alone?"
Nodding her head seriously, "Of course Remus, anything."
He nodded and glanced at the door, "Are you going to pick Sirius or Lucius? Do you know?"
Sighing, she leaned back into the seat, "I don't know Remus. I still have a year to choose, but I really don't know. Sirius makes me laugh and have fun now that we are past the horrors of fifth year. We have our serious moments as well where we talk about anything that comes to mind. He really is brilliant, you know, he just hides it under being a goof."
Remus nodded silently, "And Lucius?"
Tilting her head, "It is nice being able to have an intelligent conversation about advancements in potions, or politics at times, both subjects that Sirius tends to avoid. He does make me laugh too, it is a more serious relationship, though doesn't lack humor, just a different kind. I don't know Remus, they are both completely different and yet I find myself liking what makes them different."
She looked out the window, "I know both would protect me and my family no matter what. I just don't know Remus. There are times I feel like I am just friends with both, and then when I feel like I am falling for both. Does that make sense?"
Remus nodded, "I am not envious of you Hermione. Just promise me one thing."
She looked up at him with a question in her eyes as he continued, "Don't agree to one or the other based on who might get hurt, you need to pick who will make you happy in the end. I know it is messed up what is happening, but don't pick out of fear."
Nodding her head, "I won't Remus, "I am just worried what will happen if I can't pick."
Remus sighed, "Your Uncle will pick for you then if you don't by the end of your birthday. He will have too, otherwise you might end having your wand snapped. Have you heard of Andromeda Black? Very similar situation. She didn't want to pick the pure blood her father and Orion chose, she picked a muggle-born and refused her father's choice. She is gone."
"I still have ten and a half months." Picking up her book as the train pulled them closer to their final year.
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