Professor Dumbledore wanted to meet with Hermione before she went down to Hogsmeade. Lily told her that she would wait for her in the Entrance Hall as Hermione told her that she wouldn't be long. She had to admit that she was excited. Hogwarts was her home and she thought that even though she wasn't Horcrux hunting at present, she was making progress with Peter. That being said, she needed a day away.
"Come in," came Dumbledore's serene voice when she knocked on his door. His password had changed to Laffy Taffy.
"You wished to see me Professor?" She was dressed in jeans and a yellow blouse. Her light jacket was just enough for the spring day. It didn't feel like enough for the Professor's office however, she felt severely underdressed.
"I did, Hermione, please sit down." Hermione looked uncomfortable.
"Actually sir," she said looking back towards the door. "I'm supposed to be meeting Lily." She suddenly realized that for someone who was supposed to be saving the world she really wasn't prioritizing correctly.
"On the contrary, Miss Granger, I would say that your priorities are flawless." Hermione looked at him shocked and then realized, legilimens – duh. He chuckled. "Your knowledge of the future is critical Hermione, yes, but I want you to remember that you are home now. You are not here to do this on your own. You do not have to make any kind of drastic changes, ostracize yourself for the sake of your mission. In fact, living life as you normally would, making true and meaningful connections while helping to destroy the Horcruxes is the best way to preserve this timeline and yourself." The way he said it reminded her of another timeline. Another person he wanted to live life before dying at a convenient time.
"With all due respect sir-" he held up his hand interrupting her.
"I can't speak to what my future self has done Hermione but I can tell you this. I haven't made those mistakes yet. I will do all I can to protect you and as of right now this is the best way I know how. To that respect, I do not think that going into the village and making a spectacle is a wise decision. Voldemort has no reason to know of your existence and I would think that everyone would like to keep it that way." Hermione nodded. "Now go enjoy your day. I daresay a bit of Honeydukes dark chocolate never goes amiss." The twinkle in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Yes, sir."
Hermione walked back to the Entrance Hall in such deep thought that she didn't even remember how she got there. It was only Lily's voice that brought her back to present.
"Is everything okay?" Hermione looked up surprised. True and meaningful connections. Peter?
"Yes," Hermione said and it was true.
"Okay," Lily said, linking their arms, "I can't wait to show you the shops. I need to go to Dervish and Banges but I think that you'll love Scrivenshafts. We'll definitely have to go to Honeydukes too." Hermione smiled at her enthusiasm. Hermione remembered being excited as well. That was before she saw half the town on fire.
The walk down was warm and Hermione took her coat off. A few third years ran by them and the two girls laughed at their excitement. They also ran into Alice and Frank who were so wrapped up in each other that they almost didn't notice them. With a promise to catch up later they were off to lunch somewhere or more than likely a long walk with longer kisses.
"They seem so happy," Hermione said with a sigh. It surprised her a little because she had never been able to notice things like that before.
"They are," Lily said with a smile. "He's going to propose next year at graduation. He's already looking at rings." Hermione looked at her in surprise.
"Really?" Her heart was so happy.
"He loves her so much."
"That's amazing."
"Oi! Evans!" Lily's smile slid off her face with an astounding quickness. She reached a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose and Hermione had to hide her laugh behind a hand. Lily scowled at her.
"I should have drowned him when we fell off the boat on the way to the castle in first year." Hermione started laughing so hard that there were tears in her eyes. She was still trying to catch her breath when the four of them made it over to them.
"What's so funny?" Remus asked, grinning at her. Hermione's heart sped up and she had to try and figure out what that was about. Her body had never responded to someone so violently before.
"Murder," Lily said glaring dangerously at James. He backed up a step.
"Play nicely, Lilykins," Sirius chided. "Where is my little plaything?" he asked, looking around for Marlene. Lily and Hermione threw him a disgusted look. He held his hands up. "Hey, you should hear what she calls me."
"I would very much rather not," Lily said. "I have no idea. We're leaving. Come on Hermione." Hermione shot them an apologetic look but before she could get too far a hand shot out and grabbed onto her wrist. It was enough to stop her and Lily by default. They both turned around.
"Meet us later? One drink?" Remus' eyes were wide and open, the same color as the new spring sky. Hermione swallowed and tried not to stare at his warm hand on her arm.
"Okay." She probably should have consulted Lily on that but the smile on his face was enough to make her do whatever he wanted. He squeezed her wrist lightly and let her go so she could walk away. If she had turned around, she would have seen three boys jump on their taller friend and smack him all over with shouts of "finally man!" and "who knew Moony had it in him!"
Lily practically dragged Hermione into the village not that she noticed. All she could think about was Remus' hand on her arm and his eyes looking at her.
"Hermione?" Hermione actually shook her head and looked over at her red headed friend again reminding her so much of Ginny. Lily was grinning widely at her.
"I'm sorry what did you say?"
"I said did you want to go to get stuff for school and then get lunch? We can go to Honeydukes before we head back up to the Castle that way it's not all melted."
Honeydukes.
Dark chocolate.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Hermione told her. Lily smiled at her knowingly but left it alone. The two girls spent the morning replenishing their school supplies. Lily said Hermione made her feel like an idiot when Hermione shrunk all of her purchases and put them in her purse. "You would have thought I wasn't a witch," Lily told her and Hermione just laughed. It was something Hermione learned out of necessity, not because it was obvious. Before she knew it, it was lunch and her stomach was all in knots.
It wasn't from hunger either.
"Lily! Hermione!" Marlene called to them from across the street. She jogged over to them in her black leather pants, shoving a group of poor third year Ravenclaws out of her way. They didn't stand a chance.
"Hey Marlene," Hermione said with a smile. Lily just furrowed her eyebrows at her, a look of someone who knew Marlene a little too well.
"What have you been up to, Marlene?"
"No good, babe, no good. Now come on, we are going to get drinks." Lily groaned but allowed Marlene to drag her down the street. "I know you don't want to sit with Potter but just pretend he isn't there and come have a drink with me." Lily sent Marlene a glare but nevertheless grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her with them towards the Three Broomsticks. It was packed with Hogwarts students and if Hermione squinted her eyes just right, she wouldn't be able to tell that she wasn't in her own time. Boys and girls were still huddled together in booths, talking excitedly over butterbeer and for those who could convince Madam Rosmerta, firewiskey.
Unsurprisingly, Sirius Black was one of those people.
"Look who decided to join us!" He called when he caught sight of the three Gryffindor girls. He was sitting in the middle of a U shaped booth with James and Peter on one side, Remus on the other. Before anyone could talk about seating arrangements, Marlene stepped on top of the table to fall into Sirius' lap and plant a kiss on his lips. He didn't notice that it was a distraction so that she could take his shot.
"That was uncalled for," he said with a pout. She just kissed him again, allowing him to taste it on her mouth. "I take it back."
"I figured you might. Are you boys going to make any room or what is the situation here?" Peter scooted to the edge of the bench which made James glare at him a little but he scooted over as well. Marlene plopped herself in between them and Remus got up close to Sirius, draping his arms over the back of the bench.
Hermione hesitated. She was making it awkward.
"Someone get this girl a drink, please," Sirius demanded, pointing at Hermione as her face turned as red as Peter's Chudley Cannons shirt. Hermione was gently pushed forward by Lily. She got in the bench and slid over beside Remus, her leg barely ghosting against his under the table. Lily sat on her other side.
Madam Rosmerta, bless her, came over at that moment.
"What can I get you dears?" James grinned.
"I'll have a butterbeer please," Lily said but Marlene cut them off.
"Absolutely not. This is a party after all. Can we get a round, no two rounds of Firewhiskey please." Madam Rosmerta looked like she was about to argue but as if on cue all four Marauders shot her four of the most pathetic looks Hermione had ever seen. There was no possible way it was going to work-
"Only for you boys," she said, reaching over to pat Remus on the cheek. Lily and Hermione looked at them in shock.
"What have you done to her?" Lily demanded. They shrugged but Peter was the one who answered.
"Some people find us charming." Hermione was inclined to agree with him but her mouth felt like it was full of cotton.
"Have they been confunded?" Lily asked seriously.
"One day, Lily flower, I will win you over," James told her as she glared at him. "Maybe not any time soon," he said wisely backing off. Madam Rosmerta was back quickly with their drinks, a shot and a larger drink for each of them. The boys flashed her charming smiles.
"Thank you, Madam Rosmerta!" they chorused. She smiled at them like a mother hen who hadn't just enabled terrible behavior and left back to the bar. Peter watched her go with a longing expression on her face reminding Hermione of Ron.
"Now!" Sirius said loudly. He had Marlene across his lap but was able to get his hand on his shot and hand her her own. "Everyone please raise your drinks. We are celebrating a momentous occasion, the first of us to become legal! Happy birthday Moony mate. We love you!"
If Hermione wasn't so surprised, she would have been touched. The words were surprisingly sweet. She then realized she was supposed to take the shot and everyone was looking at her. It was only when she felt a warm hand touch the back of her neck did she let the burning liquid go down her throat.
"Well mate, let's make this one to remember, shall we?"