Once again I am so sorry that I am the worst at updating. I just can't help when more comes to me. I tried forcing a chapter out earlier but it just wouldn't cooperate. I hope this chapter helps make up for the time spent waiting.
5.
Maybe it would be easier to let them know now. If she just got the whole "Oh by the way, I'm a time traveling witch who is here to save all of you and my best friend who happens to be your son, James." thing out of the way it would diminish some of the stress. She was bound to make a mistake and slip up at some point. At least if she told them the truth from the beginning it would save her from negative suspicion later on. Mind officially made up she simply needed to find the right time and the right words to make this believable.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter, before we meet the boys I would like to run something by you." Hermione slowed her walk to a stop and tried to get a grip in her nerves before making eye contact with Mrs. Potter. As nice as Mr. Potter appeared to be, it was clear Euphemia ran the house. This entire plan was contingent on her approval of evolving her "sons". " I have a confession to make to the two of you. In the future I am more than passingly familiar with Remus and Sirius, as well as their time spent at Hogwarts. I will confess I am also intimately familiar with your family and your history. Your future grandson was my best friend in my time. I'm afraid it will be clear at some point that I am more than meets the eye to the boys. Sirius in particular with his suspicious nature and Remus with his more.. Natural, shall we say, instincts."
She took some time to let that information settle into the minds before deciding to continue. " I understand if you both wish to keep them out of any danger and the coming war for as long as possible, however I can assure you they will play a more than passingly intimate role within it. With all of these things being true I think it would be far simpler to explain my entire situation with them now than to try to pass myself off as a stranger. I will not be born as myself again, that I can promise, so it seems to be my most simple course of action."
Mrs. Potter held herself with calm poise throughout Hermione admittedly rambling explanation. How the woman could be so well put together in the middle of one of Hermione's most stressful experiences would always be a mystery to her. " Well Hermione dear, I will leave that up to you. This is a situation I could never foresee nore entirely understand. I am sure you are more aware of the consequences than I could hope to be by the time we reach the end of the hall to meet the boys. In the instance you have not only more experience than me but more information about everything and everyone involved I am sure." The knowing look in Mrs. Potter's eyes was enough to make Hermione think the woman was more than passingly suspicious of how Hermione came to be here in their time. " The real question is would you like for Fleamont and I to stay with you while you tell them your story?"
Letting out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding Hermione let a small smile take over her face. "Thank you for the offer Mrs. Potter but I think I would like to try alone. Maybe don't wander too far though? Just in case, you know." She let her nerves show for a moment to add weight to her request. She never could tell how Sirius might respond to stress.
"We will be right across the hall dear, not to worry." With that statement Euphemia turned on her heel and continued on their original path.
"Before we leave, are either of you aware of why Professor McGonagoll wasn't in this meeting? I asked for her specifically but was rather wary of asking the Headmaster himself as to her lack of presence." Hermione didn't want to look too hopeful but she did miss Minerva. She introduced Hermione to the wizarding world after all and she always seemed to side with her whenever an issue arose. It might be different in this time though, without Minerva having any idea who she actually was. She didn't have six years of friendship to work with here. She would have to start from scratch.
Euphemia gave Hermione an apologetic look, " I'm afraid not dear, we were just asked to let Dumbledore use the manor to host a meeting of discretion. Now let us go meet the boys so we can get your things from the Leaky and get you settled."
At the far end of the hall Euphemia turned towards a door to the right and paused before resting her hand on the handle and pressing to release the latch. Inside was one of the most comforting rooms Hermione had ever had the pleasure of entering. There was a large stone fireplace perfect to floo from, surrounded by plush armchairs and a chess set in the middle of a game. All of the Marauders were spread throughout the room lounging inelegantly on various pieces of furniture. At the sound of the door they all turned toward their entrance, waiting with poorly concealed impatience for an explanation about who Hermione was and what she was doing in their house. Showing up with Dumbledore of all people.
Hermione couldn't help but fidget with all of their attention focused on her at once, "Hello", clearing her throat when she realised it came out as little more than a whisper Hermione gathered her Gryffindor bravado. " My name is Hermione, I am going to be staying here with you all for a while if it's okay?"
Perking up similar to his animagus counterpart Sirius gave her another devastating smirk before opening his mouth, " of course kitten. You can crawl in with me if your bed feels too big." His wink was accompanied by another eye roll from Hermione.
Rising one eye brow in challenge Hermione didn't even think before she spoke her retort, "No thanks, I prefer one without the flees." Freezing up for a moment she was faced with a cold reminder of why she had decided to share her story in the first place.
Boisterous and familiar laughter met her ears. Hermione turned to Remus in order to share a conspiratorial wink before sauntering into the room and plopping herself into a chair with all the brevaudo she could muster. " Are you ready for the most surreal story of your young lives boys?"
Euphemia's tinkling laugh followed the older Potter's out of the room before the lock clicked shut. The sound resonated throughout the room as the Marauders simply stared open mouthed at Hermione, clearly not used to people being so comfortable and familiar with them as a group. She would admit they were quite intimidating when they had the same look on all their faces. It would be obvious to anyone with half a brain that they easily operated as one unit. Always on each other's side. Glancing at Pettigrew through the corner of her eye she was effectively brought back to reality. There would be a time when the Marauders weren't such a force to be reckoned with. It was the main factor in her being here after all.
Taking a deep breath Hermione squared her shoulders and prepared herself for quite possibly the most uncomfortable moment of her life.