A/N: Here's another chapter, hope you like it! I'm in the middle of my exams but as soon as I'm done I'll post another chapter so look forward to it! If there are any mistakes you know what to do.

Enjoy^^

Hermione was making her way towards Dumbledore's office, wanting – needing – to speak with him. She had made the decision to help him some time ago but after the conversation she had had just now, she decided now was as good a time as any to inform him about her decision.

"Sorry we didn't ask you again to visit. It was kinda strange at home," James told her.

"Strange? Did something happen?"

"No, at least nothing that I know of."

"Then why call it strange?" Lily asked curiously.

"It's just… My parents – especially my father – would just up and leave at times. Like, it's really strange. They would stay away for hours and when we asked them if there was something going on they just brushed it off. Normally, they're never like that. Like I said, strange."

"Oh," was all the redhead could say, not really knowing how to react.

Hermione's mind had started racing the moment James started his explanation. His parents just up and left, just like Mr Weasley when he was off work. It must be the Order. And if it indeed was the Order, were things becoming worse already? Was her being here influencing the original flow of things? Would the information she had then be of any use?

She needed to see Dumbledore, so mumbling something, she stood up and left.

She had to guess a few times but eventually managed to give the right password, stepping up the stairs leading to the Headmaster's office. Before she could knock or make her present known in any other way the door was already opening.

"Miss Granger, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"It's about my predicament."

"If you came to ask if there has been any improvement, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you."

"It's not about that, Sir. I accepted the fact that I'll probably have to stay in this timeline." He raised his eyebrows the tiniest bit only for a second, not expecting this. Yet his calm demeanour stayed. "It's about the Order."

"What about the Order?"

"I want to help the Order fight against Voldemort." A gleam could be seen in his eyes, hoping she meant what he thought she meant. "Seeing as I'm staying here and knowing what I know, I want to help."

"And how are you planning to help us, Miss Granger? Do not forget that you are no official member of the Order. Plus, you are still a student."

"I have information about the future I can give you." So he had guessed right. He was interested now. "I'm prepared to give you information and you can use it to prevent certain events from happening or for turning certain events in the Order's favour. However, I have two requests."

"What would that be?"

"I give the information to you and you only. I would appreciate it if you did not tell the Order about the details that I give you. You can use it but don't tell the other members what I tell you." She didn't know who was in the Order, she didn't know who could be trusted. She knew the Weasleys, yes and that they wouldn't betray their friends, but that was not something that could be said about other people.

"I can agree to that. What would be the second request?"

"When I'm no longer a student I want to join the Order. I want to help in every way I can. I want to prevent the future as I know it from happening, so let me join the Order after I graduate from Hogwarts."

There was silence for a few moments. "That is something I have to bring up with the other order members. I cannot decide that on my own."

"Understandable."

He told her he would bring it up with the Order as soon as possible. He would let her know when a decision was made and that they would talk further then.

A few days later at breakfast she got two letters from the Weasleys. One from the married couple wishing her a happy birthday and saying how much they missed her – both them as well as the boys. The second one was from Bill wishing her a happy birthday as well and at the bottom of the letter was a little drawing he had probably made himself. She decided to write a letter back during lunch, letting him know how happy she was with his little drawing, thanking both Bill and his parents at the same time.

The girls cooed when they saw the young Weasley's letter, which in turn brought up the subject about how the little boy probably had a little crush on her.

Breakfast passed but she hadn't seen the marauders. Not thinking too much about it she went to her first class, History of Magic. There also no marauders. She didn't see them for the entire day and when she brought it up with the girls they just shrugged and said, "Probably pranking someone again. Don't worry, it's the marauders they can be up to anything. It's not the first time they missed class."

So that she was surprised to see them standing there, screaming 'Happy Birthday!' when she entered the common room, would be a little of an understatement. There was a banner saying 'Happy Birthday Hermione', drinks and snacks were placed on the tables, music was playing loudly. They had planned a surprise party.

She went up to them to give them a group hug before pulling back and giving each of them a punch to the shoulder. "What was that for?" Sirius asked.

"That was for making me worry. What were you thinking? Just disappearing for an entire day."

"And we even bought you presents. Guess you don't want them."

"Presents?"

"Yes, presents. Now, open up," Remus told her, giving her his. He got her two muggle books: Pride and Prejudice – knowing it was her favourite – and one she didn't know. Peter had also given her a book – Little Women – and James got her a new quill set.

"And what did you get me? I'm not going to be scared by what's in here, right?"

"Of course not, what do you take me for?" he spluttered, slightly offended. She just gave him a look. And… alright, he couldn't deny it. He was Sirius Black, a fourth of the marauders. "Whatever, just open it."

He had got her a bookmark and it was beautiful. It was a blue one, the entire print consisting of forget me nots. But that wasn't all. There was also a bottle of perfume. She sprayed some on her wrist and she smelled… forget me nots.

She gave him a tender smile, "Thanks, I absolutely love it." And just like she had done with the others, she had given him a kiss on the cheek.

"Now that that part is over, let's party!" James called out. He was head boy and continuously tried to woo Lily, yet he had skipped an entire day of class and encouraged the entire Gryffindor house to party like there was no tomorrow. Yep, he was a marauder alright.

Unfortunately, it was a school night so by eleven McGonagall had come into the common room, ushering everyone to bed, scolding the prefects present for not being strict enough. She had left when most of the students had gone to their room, leaving them in the centre of the now empty room.

"I knew this was going to happen. I told you it was a bad idea, Potter."

"Excuse me? You were just as much behind this idea as me. You also wanted to do something for her so don't blame me."

"I said I wanted to do something special, that doesn't automatically mean a party."

"Doesn't matter whether you meant a party or not. You were enjoying yourself just fine until McGonagall came in. Don't pretend otherwise."

"Ugh, you're so… so…" She was really frustrated.

"I'm so what?" His voice was loud, accusing. Hermione had seen him hurt because of Lily, sometimes even a little annoyed but never angry. This was new and she didn't know how it would play out.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter –" She tried to pacify them but was cut off by Lily.

"Yes, it matters! He is just so immature and he always gets everyone in trouble!"

"I'm immature?! You don't know how to have fun. Thank merlin Hermione came along or who knows how grouchy you would've been then?" He regretted what he had said the moment it had left his mouth, that was clear. "Lily, I didn't m –"

She was hurt. Something in her chest hurt and she didn't know what it was or why it hurt, she only knew that it did. She huffed. "At least now I know how you really think about me. Hermione, sorry I ruined the mood but I'm going to bed." And without another glance she left the room.

James looked like he didn't know what to do, which was a first. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Give her some time to cool off and everything will be alright. Just go to bed and try to sleep a little, okay?"

"Uh, yeah. Okay. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I had fun." She gave him a squeeze and he left with a 'goodnight'. She turned around and the boys looked tired. Who knows how long they've been planning this and how long they had stayed up the previous night to obtain all the drinks and snacks. "I think it's about time you also went to bed."

"We can't, we still have to clean up the mess."

"Don't worry about that, a few flicks of my wand and everything's back in its place. Now go sleep, Merlin knows you could use it."

Remus gave her a grateful smile and a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday again."

"Yes, Happy birthday," Peter chimed in. And they both vanished from sight as they ascended the stairs. Sirius, however, stayed where he was.

"Aren't you tired?" she asked him.

"Not really." He regarded her as he stood there before taking a seat on the couch. She started cleaning and he still looked at her. That feeling was back in his chest. The difference now, however, was that it was more noticeable than the other times he had felt it.

He hadn't liked it when she kissed everyone on the cheek. He hadn't liked it that Lily had yelled at her, cutting her off. He hadn't liked it when Remus had kissed her on the cheek. Which was strange because they were friends and he knew this so why had he felt like that?

However, he had liked it when she gave him a kiss. He liked it when she would give him attention. He liked it when she smiled at him, especially if he was the cause of the smile. Why? Had his friends been right? Did he like her? It must be, why else was he feeling like this?

She felt his gaze on her all the while she had been cleaning up. "Something wrong?" she asked as she took a seat next to him.

"Hmm? Uh, no, nothing wrong." she gave him a questioning look but he ignored it, starting about something else. "I don't think I've ever seen James angry with Evans."

"It surprised me a little," she admitted. "But I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Are you so sure about that or do you just hope that so you'll win the bet?"

"Oh, that's right, there is a bet."

"Don't tell me you'd forgotten about it."

"I didn't mean to, it just happened. I've had a lot on my mind."

"Yeah? What would that be?"

She chuckled. "I'm having the feeling like we did this before. Sitting here in the middle of the night, talking."

"I guess," he said as he let out a breathy chuckle of his own. "I don't mind though."

"Me neither, I like it."

"So what has been on your mind?"

"Nothing, it's not important now."

"You know you can talk to me, right?" He didn't know why but he wanted her to know this. He had to make sure she knew this.

"I know." She smiled softly, it was hardly anything, just the corners of her mouth lifting the tiniest bit. "But not tonight. I'm tired and I bet you are too. Don't even try to deny it," she said as he went to protest. "I'm going to bed, you should to."

They went to their respective rooms though neither of them could fall asleep, too many thoughts running through their heads.

Hermione was worrying about the usual but she couldn't do anything until she heard more from Dumbledore. And she had to admit that she was slightly worried about James and Lily.

Sirius on the other hand was thinking about Hermione. What was this feeling? Why was he feeling it? Why only when he was around the brunette? Did he like her? Had his friends been right? Was he the only who hadn't known he liked her? Why did he just realize today? Why not sooner?

It was a night full of restless sleep for both of them.