A/N: So here's the second update, Enjoy!

After the joined birthday party came James' real birthday. However, not before Remus underwent a transformation. Just like all the times before he had looked pale, sick and when he came back to class, he had a few more scratches to show off.

She knew wolfsbane would still take a few more years until it would be invented, but she felt so frustrated, knowing there was something that could help him but not now. She felt frustrated that they hadn't learnt how to brew the potion in her own timeline and she felt frustrated that she could do nothing but just sit there and see him go through the same cycle all over again every month again and again.

She was a little more careful with him during that time, just as she always would be. Asking him how he felt, giving him a piece of chocolate when she could, the usual. And when his transformation passed, James' birthday came. And you bet everyone in the castle had known about it from the moment he woke up 'till the moment he went to bed that night.

When April came, the only thing everyone would talk about was Easter break. Well, they started to talk about that only after everyone went through one of the most hectic days of their lives. April Fools. The marauders were ecstatic, everyone else not so much. And somehow everyone came out alive after that day, no casualties whatsoever. Thank Merlin for that.

After that, It was only logical that the students were looking forward to spend those two weeks of vacation away from school. Everywhere you went people were making plans or telling others what they planned on doing. It was Christmas all over again. And just like with Christmas Hermione would spent the break at the castle.

So it came as no surprise that during dinner one day, the marauders also started talking about the break.

"So, what are the plans?"

"Yeah, what are you planning on doing during break?"

"Not much, just spending time with my family," Marlene shrugged.

"I'm spending it mostly with my family but I'll meet up with Frank a few times." It was sweet to see Alice talk about her and Frank. And it made her see that the gentleness Neville had, came at least partly from the girl sitting across from her.

"I'm spending it here," the brunette said as she took a bite of her mashed potatoes.

"Again?" James asked.

"Yeah."

The guys shared a look. She was spending her break at the castle again? Why? Should they ask? Should they just leave it alone?

"What about you Lily?" Remus asked.

"Same as always: spent some time with the family, fight with my sister."

"That sounds fun," came Marlene's sarcastic reply.

"Oh yeah, it's absolutely delightful. If you want to experience it, just come and pay me a visit."

"Thanks, but I think I'll pass."

It was only later that evening that the girls remembered that the marauders hadn't told their plans. Normally, they would start relaying every detail of how they were to meet up or with whom they were staying for how many days. Yet, they hadn't said anything at dinner. And the reason for that Hermione got to know the evening before everyone took the train back to London.

Everyone was packing their bags, except for the students who decided to stay, which included Hermione. She was sitting on a sofa and the marauders were crowded together around one of the tables standing around.

"Did you guys pack already?" she asked curiously. Normally they always did things at the last possible minute.

"Nope," came Sirius' reply.

"Then shouldn't you go pack instead of doing… whatever you're doing?"

"Nope."

This caused a frown to form on face. "Okay, why is that?"

"Simple, dear Mione. We're staying at the castle this break."

"What? Since when?"

"Oh, we just decided to stay."

"Why?"

"Nothing special, really. Just because," James shrugged.

"Okay," she said, finding this a little strange. But hey, they can do what they want. If they want to stay she's not going to stop them.

"Are you going to be fine with these four staying behind?" The background noise of Sirius yelling an 'Oi, Evans!' in offence went ignored by the two witches.

"Don't worry, I can handle them. I've had lots of practice."

"Okay, just write me if they get too much or if you need to vent or something."

"I will, mom," she said teasingly.

Lily just smacked her shoulder and said, "Look who's talking."

"Can't argue with you there. See you after the break and same too you. If things get too much with your sister just write me."

"Will do. See you soon." And off she went, together with all the other students who had to catch the train back.

"See Prongs, they have such a loving relationship. That's something you and Evans will never have," Sirius said, teasing his best friend.

"Oh, shut up. One day she will be mine."

"Dream on, mate."

"How are you so sure they won't get together? You never know with those things," Hermione intervened.

"I'm sorry, but have you seen how those two interact with each other?"

"Yes, for a few months now actually."

"Yet you still say they have a chance of getting together."

"I do."

There was a moment of silence and then, "Wanna bet?" The other three just groaned.

"Really, Pads? You wanna bet on my love life?"

"Why not? We've done it with other people. No exceptions, mate." He just shrugged.

"I don't do bets, unfortunately."

"Why not? Scared?" He was baiting her, trying to get to her. She knew this but, well... She knew she was right, she only didn't know when exactly they got together, so why not just go with it?

"Okay, fine." This response had a few surprise looks thrown her way from the boys. Did Hermione just agree to something as silly as making a bet with Sirius Black? Where was the world going?

"I bet that Prongs and Evans won't get together. The chances are too slim. They'd become friends at the most."

"Padfoot, really?"

"Just stating facts, Prongs. Nothing personal."

"I bet James and Lily do get together. Eventually."

"'Eventually' is too much of a stretch, darling. We need something more specific."

"Fine, I bet they'll get together by the end of the year." At her statement Sirius just burst out laughing, clutching at Remus to keep from falling.

When he managed to get himself back under control, he said, "This will be the easiest bet I've ever won."

"And what are you betting for? What's at stake?" Remus asked.

"Why not just a few galleons?" Hermione asked.

"Now, where's the fun in that? Come on, Mione."

Silence. Both were thinking, trying to come up with something.

"I've got it," Sirius said suddenly. "If I win, you have to come to James' Christmas party next year. And don't start with me. We both know that when we asked you after break you were trying to think of a reason not to come." He looked at her, eyebrow raised in a challenge.

She let out a sigh. "Fair enough. And what if I win?"

"If you win, I won't get in trouble for a day."

"A day? Really? That's it? That's not enough."

"Two days." She just raised an eyebrow. "Three days?" No reaction. "A week?" he asked and it looked like it physically hurt him to utter the words. Like he would die if he had to behave for a whole week.

"Deal. A week it is." And they shook hands.

And so the days passed. Hermione reading, looking for information to get back home, talking with the marauders. The marauders in turn were planning all kinds of different things – she wasn't sure if she really wanted to know what they were up to – pulling pranks, teasing the people who had stayed at the castle and just generally being themselves. Maybe it wasn't a good thing though that the marauders had stayed at the castle. You see, Snape had stayed behind as well, just like he had done during Christmas. And every time the four gryffindors crossed paths with the slytherin… Well, let's just say it wasn't a pretty sight. Especially since Hermione wasn't always there to stop them.

It was a fairly warm day, the brunette sitting beneath a tree by the lake. Suddenly, someone was taking a seat beside her. James.

"Hey."

"Hi." There was a small pause in which James just looked straight ahead of him. "Where are the others?"

"Probably up to no good," he laughed. 'Up to no good', right. The full moon was in a couple of days and Hermione just knew that Remus was feeling the effects of it already.

"Why did you take that bet with Padfoot?"

Okay, she didn't expect this question. "Uhm, I'm not sure. Guess I felt confident."

"So you really do think that? That me and Lily will get together?"

"Yes, I do."

"But why are you so confident about it? I mean, even my best friend bets against me." This was new. She had seen different sides of James during the past few months – cockiness, confidence, worry, anger, fondness – but it was the first time she saw this. He was insecure. She immediately had to think about Harry, always looking for confirmation.

And even though she knew they would get together, she could hardly tell him that. "I'm not sure. I guess I just get this sort of energy or something. It's not easy to explain but I feel like there might be something between you two. Even if Lily is trying hard to deny it," she added the last part with an amused chuckle.

"At least there's someone who thinks I have a chance. Thanks."

"No problem. You know? Right now you remind me a lot of Harry."

"Do I?"

"Yeah, It's kind of nice, I really miss him."

"Really? I wouldn't be able to tell with you calling me by his name an all that," he said, making fun of her.

"Oh, shut up. That happened once, just let it go already."

"Never." They laughed.

"But I didn't mean physically. Though you two do look very alike. I meant just now, when we were talking."

"Yeah? What's he like?"

"A lot like you actually. Well, he's less cocky and he isn't constantly looking for attention. Nor does he strut through the school like you do."

"Oi!"

"It's true, though."

He couldn't deny it, however. So he just said, "I don't strut."

"Yeah, okay, sure. Just keep thinking that."

"Why don't they ever write to you? Harry and Ron? I've never seen you receive any letters."

There was a moment of silence before she answered. "It's complicated." If he only knew just how complicated things really were. If he only knew that she wasn't even supposed to be here. Technically, she wasn't even born yet.

They fell silent, just sitting there, staring at the lake.

Eventually the sun started to set and they decided to head back inside.

When the marauders were in their room that night, Sirius asked, "Prongs, where did you suddenly disappear to this afternoon?"

"I went to the lake. Talked with Hermione for a little bit." Their voices were softer than normal, not as loud. Remus was feeling the effects of the upcoming full moon, which meant that every sound and smell bothered him more than it usually did.

"You talked to Hermione? For a whole afternoon? What about?"

"Just some things, like the bet – again, thanks for betting against me – and her friends back home. Nothing much." His friend just hummed in reply.

"There was one thing, though. Have you guys ever seen her get any letters from someone?"

The other three took a moment, thinking. "No".

"Can't say that I have, no."

"See, I asked why her friends – her best friends to be precise – didn't write to her. And the only thing she said was 'it's complicated'. No other explanation whatsoever. Could that have something to do with why they are also her biggest fear?"

They thought it was a possibility. But why were they still thinking about that? why did they keep bringing it up? It wasn't that they disliked her. On the contrary, she was practically part of the group. There was just something. They couldn't pinpoint what but they knew it was there. And every piece of information they got, they tried linking to the pieces they already had. Why was it so difficult to let it be? They couldn't answer those questions themselves. However, their interest, their curiosity, was piqued and they wanted to solve the matter. No matter how long it took.