CHAPTER 2
The group had migrated toward the Hall, each chatting amongst themselves. Hermione had picked up a conversation with Remus and Peter about possible NEWT questions while James and Sirius rambled on about something Hermione didn't bother to pay attention to. Remus had just started on Potion's topics when Hermione saw James nudge Sirius with his elbow and nod further up the hall. Sirius smirked cruelly and he and James exchanged looks. Hermione frowned and peered around them to see whom the looks were directed at.
Instantly, she was taken back to the Shrieking shack during her third year when Remus confronted Sirius and then Peter, filling them in a bit on their history in the process. Hermione winced slightly as she saw her future Professor stalking towards the Great Hall.
"Oy! Snivelly!" Sirius barked, causing Severus Snape to immediately whip out his wand and spin on them.
Remus and Hermione sighed simultaneously while Peter glanced between those two and the other two wizards, as though trying to figure out whom to side with.
James and Sirius moved towards the Slytherin, smirks on their expressions and wands twirling idly in their hands, "We meet again, my dear friend," James taunted.
"What do you want, Potter?" The dark haired wizard said coldly.
"Well, you see, we were rather bored--" Sirius started
"And you just so happened to show up at the right time," James added.
"And I see you've added another to your...group. Pity, the girl could have been something," Severus sneered, noting Hermione's presence.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly but she stayed silent for the time being.
"She could have been something? I don't know, from what I've heard she's going to be more than you could dream of," Sirius smirked.
"Yes, like a dentist," James stated.
"Ah. Another Mudblood, lovely," the future Potion's Master scoffed.
Both wands quit twirling and were pointed directly at the Slytherin and, before anyone could move to intervene, Severus was in the air, upside down.
Sirius, James, and Peter where all snickering and taunting the other wizard and Remus was trying to find a way to stop them when--
SLAP!
Sirius, whose wand held Severus in his current position, stumbled backwards, eyes wide in surprise. Standing in front of him was a petite witch who was, literally, shaking in fury, who's hand had just, quite painfully, connected with his face. "Put. Him. Down," Hermione hissed. "Put him back on his feet, and let him alone."
He raised his hand to his sore cheek and did as he was directed, he'd be stupid to underestimate the witch's strength again. "Hermione, he called you a--"
"I don't care. He had done nothing before you attacked him. Nothing. If I ever catch you picking on anyone like that again, Sirius Black, and you too, Potter, I will personally make sure that it does not happen again. I warn you, I've taught myself plenty," she said.
"Finally, some one just might have gotten through to the heartless twins," came a light, but cold, feminine voice.
"L-Lily," James sputtered.
"Potter," she said, reluctantly acknowledging the wizard.
Remus made to speak up but Hermione turned on him, eyes narrowed, "You, Remus Lupin, are a prefect. That position was given to you so that you would make sure people did as expected. That position of power, I see, seems to have been wasted, as you do nothing to fulfill your duty. Nothing, I mean, nothing, gives a prefect reason to sit back like you just did and allow your idiot friends to attack another student."
The wizard blinked in surprise, "What did I do?"
"Nothing. You did nothing. And that is my point!" Hermione glared. With a final glare at each of the Marauders, the bushy haired witch turned toward the Hall, leaving them behind.
"Whoa," Sirius muttered, rubbing his cheek, which now sported a small, hand-shaped mark. "I don't wanna be on her bad side."
Hermione took a deep breath to calm herself when she heard footsteps following her. Expecting it to be one of the Marauders she stopped and spun around, ready to tell them off, only to pause and tilt her head. Her gaze rested on a petite redheaded witch, about her size and build, moving to catch up with her.
"Hey, good one back there. Everyone's been trying to get through to them since first year. You may have done it," Lily chuckled. "Lily Evan's by the way."
With a smile, Hermione shrugged, "Hermione Granger. I was always picked on all through grade school and what not, so I kind of take it personally when people act like jerks. And the fact that Remus sat back and watched it...that irks me. Especially with him being prefect."
"I agree," Lily nodded. "I've spoken with Remus during our rounds when we get the chance to do them together. He's a great guy, he's just too self-conscious. He's afraid that if he stands up against them, he'll lose them."
"I can understand that fear, I mean, back home, I had two friends who I was really close with, Ron and Harry. They were really my only friends...with the exception of...oh...never mind," a slight blush rose over her cheeks but she shook it off, "Anyway, I'm always telling my boys exactly what I think. I use tact, and I don't attack them with reprimands, but I let them know when they're out of line."
"Your boys?" Lily smirked.
Hermione shrugged, "They are. I love both of them to death and would, without the slightest hesitation, give my life for them. I would give up everything I own, everything that I hold dear, to make sure they were okay. And they would do the same for me and for each other."
"You dated them?" the redhead blinked.
"Oh! No, no, no," she laughed. "Ron and I...attempted it, but we knew it wouldn't amount to anything. And, as much as I absolutely adore Harry, I couldn't date him. I couldn't risk ruining what we have."
"I think I understand. Is there anything that you wouldn't do for them?" Lily asked, somewhat rhetorically.
"No. Nothing is too much," She sighed, a solemn expression falling onto her face and her shoulders slumping slightly. "There's nothing I wouldn't do."
"Hermione? Are you alright?"
She took a deep breath and shrugged, "I suppose so. I worry about them, you know? They're always in trouble. Harry is always in imminent danger. They're both prone to fighting. Trouble always found the three of us; we've almost lost Harry...too many times. I hope I don't lose him while I'm...here."
"Danger? Why is he in danger?"
"It's...complicated. Harry is more than your average wizard. He's, I don't know, there's so much about him and his past that have put him in the line of fire of another wizard. Every chance possible, Harry comes under attack. The other Wizard has even gone as far as to use loved ones against Harry, which is Harry's weakness. His parents were killed when he was young and he lives with his mother's muggle sister and her husband who, to say the least, are absolutely terrible to him. Not having the family and the kindness growing up, you'd expect him to be a cold person, but he's not. Merlin, he's not. To use his loved ones against him is a fatal move for anyone. And he's rash. He's known for jumping head first into things. I just...worry. I've always been the researcher. The brains. Now, I can't be."
Lily blinked slightly and sighed, unsure what to say. "Hermione, I'm sure they'll be fine. Can't you owl them? Let them know you're alright?"
Hermione's eyes lowered and she blinked back tears, "No. There's a good chance I'll never see my boys again."
"If I wasn't Head Girl," the redheaded witch sighed, "I would skip the Feast and drag you back to the common room, but seeing as that's not possible, you'll have to spill right here. What will keep you from seeing them?"
"I…can't tell you right now, Lily. I will. Eventually, but not right now," Hermione said. "It's a wrong time, it'll be too much at once."
Lily frowned in confusion but nodded, "Alright. We're going to be late, come on."
Hermione gave an inward sigh of relief, knowing that eventually she would end up giving in and telling the future mother of her best friend all that was going on. She'd only just met the other witch and, already, Hermione knew that she could trust her with anything. She would have to have another talk with the Headmaster, however, surely he would allow her to fill in one person, that way she wasn't completely foreign to the school.
The Great Hall was just as enchanting as she remembered it, and for the first time since her encounter with Draco Malfoy, she felt like she was home. She allowed a small smile to cross her expression as she silently followed Lily to the Gryffindor table and took a seat. Her gaze moved absently across the Hall, scanning over the different people in each House, wondering if she would notice anyone else.
She sighed softly as her eyes finally rested on the Slytherin table, it took a few moments for the faces she did recognize registered in her mind. When she did recognize them, chills were sent down her spine. The first of the afore mentioned faces to register was the face of Bellatrix Black, who still held her beauty that Azkaban would eventually steal from her. Further down the table was Lucius Malfoy and just to his right was Severus Snape. To Hermione's surprise, he was staring right back at her and their gazes met briefly before he gave an almost unperceivable nod and returned to his conversation with Lucius.
Frowning in confusion she let her thoughts settle back on her own House table and it came to her attention that the girls around her where in the middle of a conversation. She glanced between the other girls, to Lily, then down the table to where the Marauders had taken over. For the second time within the last few moments, her gaze met another's. This time, rather than the pitless black of Severus Snape, her honey-hazel eyes met the ambered one's of Remus Lupin, who gave a slightly shy smile and turned back to Peter who was asking him something.
Hermione blinked in confusion and started to say something to Lily that, knowing her, would only end up embarrassing herself. Fortunately, she was saved from herself when the Headmaster rose to say a few brief things about the different purchases that were made in Hogsmeade that Filch (who was still somehow there) refused to allow inside the corridors.
"Hermione?" A voice said, calling her back from her musings.
"Yes?" She asked blankly, glancing over to Lily and her group of friends to see them seemingly waiting for some sort of response.
Lily giggled softly and shook her head, "So much for attempting to introduce everyone."
Hermione blushed slightly and gave a sheepish look, "Sorry."
The redhead shook her head with a smile, "It's alright, and can I introduce you now?"
The brunette witch smiled and nodded, "Yes, of course."
"Good. This is Asha Lamya," Lily said, introducing her to the first of the girls, a petite girl with long dark hair that was pulled back in a neat braid. The girl had dark eyes with very pretty shape.
Asha gave a small nod, "It's good to meet you. Lily was telling us about the way you stuck up to those three earlier, good girl."
Hermione gave a small laugh and nodded, "Pleasure to meet you as well."
"Next to her is Charlotta, otherwise known as the giggler," Lily smiled.
Charlotta smile and shrugged, "I only giggle when I find something amusing."
"The thing is," Asha smiled, "Is that she finds everything amusing."
"Anyway," Charlotta interrupted, "These two'll try and turn you against me. Red over there has a temper to out match any. Asha's usually the shy one, but don't let her fool you, she'll just as soon talk your ear off once she gets to know you." The girl said with a grin, brushing a long strand of very curly blonde hair over her shoulder, her jade eyes dancing in amusement as the other two girls stuck their tongues out at her.
Hermione laughed again, and turned to the last girl to be introduced as she spoke up, "And since these three are about to start their playful bickering, I'm Chaylse, the calm one of the group." The girl had jet-black hair that fell to around mid-back, all the thick waves included. The girl had wide, crystalline blue eyes that gave Hermione a reminder of Luna Lovegood's aloof look.
Her eyes glanced over the group of girls, smiling inwardly at the contrast each girl gave to the group. There was Lily, long red hair and beautiful green eyes, and then there was Asha whose heritage was evident in the beauty of her dark hair, skin, and eyes. Then you had the blonde of the group, Charlotta, who seemed to be a sweet enough girl, but Hermione found herself weary as well for some unknown reason. Chaylse had her dark hair and pale eyes who's contrast had elegance all it's own. Then there was Hermione, bushy, chestnut hair, and honey-hazel eyes. Boy if she wasn't the stumper of the group.
Her attention was brought back when she realized that Dumbledore had been speaking for a few moments already and that the Sorting ceremony had already been completed. She sat up slightly and focused on the Headmaster, feeling slightly ashamed at having missed part of his speech.
"...As many of you have already noted, we have a new student who is not a first year. As I have always been one to say, new faces are always welcomed within these walls. I only ask that allow Miss Granger room to breath when you commence your questioning," he smiled to the rest of the hall, the all too familiar twinkle in his blue eyes. The speech continued for a few moments before Dumbledore settled back into his own seat and food appeared on the tables, whispers that grew to even-voiced conversations started echoing across the halls from the students.
Hermione put a bit of food on her plate, her thoughts starting to wander once more. She didn't get very far, considering as soon as she started to eat, using her time to consider her options when it came to how she was to go about making changes, a shadow fell over her from behind. With a small frown in confusion she turned to see who it was, only to have her gaze narrow slightly when she noted Remus standing over her, "Haven't you got something better to do? Such as...I don't know...causing problems with your friends and leaving some one else to clean up after you?" she asked coolly.
Remus winced and so did the four girls who had tuned into the conversation. "For being so pleasant earlier, you sure are rather cold now."
Hermione glared, "Do me a favor Remus, grow up and open your eyes. Here I thought you were supposed to be the conscience of that group, surely you're not that blind. If you can't see why I'm cool towards you, I'm not going to waste time attempting to explain it to you."
The wizard frowned and sighed slightly, opening his mouth as though wanting to say something but closed it again, shaking his head and retreating back to his place. Hermione found her gaze following his progress, her mind flitting back to the shy smile he'd given earlier.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Chaylse asked, eyebrow arched.
Hermione nodded slowly, turning her gaze back to the girls, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"What was that about?" Asha frowned.
"The boys started picking on Snape again and Hermione told them off. She slapped Sirius, before proceeding to threaten he and James, then turned on Remus," Lily explained with a small smile.
"Nice one, girl," the exotic girl smiled. "Though, Remus looked rather put out when you just spoke to him."
Hermione blinked in confusion and said the first thing to come to mind, "Huh?"
Charlotta rolled her eyes, "Well, Chaylse, you're not the only dense one we have around here now. Seriously, Hermione, he wanted to talk to you."
"He probably wanted to tell me off for telling him off earlier," she huffed.
"I don't think so..." Asha argued. "Remus isn't like the other two, if anything he probably wanted to apologize, don't think I didn't see the exchange earlier."
"What exchange?" Chaylse asked excitedly.
"Oh, the sweet little smile that Remus gave to our new friend," She said with a smile of her own.
Chaylse squealed slightly, causing a couple people to stop their own conversation and stair. Hermione, noting that, gave the girls a slight glare, "I never said he wasn't a nice guy, but to sit back and let his friends treat people the way they do, even when he thinks it's wrong, himself... that is inexcusable."
Asha glanced down the table at the slightly downcast looking Remus Lupin, and arched an eyebrow, shaking her head slightly. "He's the shy boy type, it's funny the way he blushes when Charlotta picks on him. He's such a cutie, though, don't you think, Hermione? "
Hermione, who had chosen that time to take a drink of her pumpkin juice, flushed deeply and began all but choking on her drink. Lily patted her on the back slightly and Hermione cleared her throat, her mind registering the fact that she had had a schoolgirl crush on Remus when he was her Professor, third year. But this was different, majorly different, they were the same age now.
The Arabic girl beamed in satisfaction, "Just as I thought."
Blushing brighter as she realized all four Marauders were glancing down in their direction, Hermione sent the girl a small glare that promised pay back and spoke in a lower tone, "I only just got here, Asha, I don't actually know anyone, even you guys I've only just met. Yes, I think he's good looking, I did when I ran into him, literally, in Hogsmeade, but that's beside the point."
Asha glanced down the table, noting what caused the other girl's slight discomfort, smirking as she glanced back around, exchanging glances with Lily, who by far was the most amused, having seen Hermione go off on the group just a short while earlier.
Hermione risked another glance down to the Marauders, her gaze resting on James this time and immediately her expression fell and a heavy sigh escaped her. She pushed the remaining bit of food around her plate, her eyes falling to watch it as thoughts of Harry and Ron were brought to the front of her mind.
She couldn't help thinking about the slightly panicked tones calling her name, just after Draco had put whatever spell this was over her. They knew something wasn't right when she began to fade, which is what she was presuming they saw. Different thoughts from the last several years at Hogwarts passed through her mind. The troll that had cornered her in the bathroom, Harry's boneless arm thanks in combination to Dobby and Lockhart, Sirius flying away on Buckbeak, watching Harry go against the Dragon-the most vicious of the four, the DA under Umbrage's nose, the loss of Dumbledore...
At the last bit, she ran her hand over her face, attempting to hide the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. She felt a hand gently rub her back and she glanced up to find the concerned gaze of Lily, and the eyes of her best friend. Her shoulders drooped slightly and she lowered her gaze, letting her hair fall forward in a curtain to hide what she couldn't stop.
Lily started to speak only to be cut off by Dumbledore's dismissal. Being Head girl, Lily had to help the Prefects with evening rounds before heading to their Common rooms. She gave a glance to the other girls who immediately rounded the table, "I'll see you guys in the Common room here in a bit, get her out of here."
The other three girls nodded and Chaylse slipped her arms over the smaller girl's shoulders and helped her to her feet. None of the girls questioned her just yet, feeling it would probably be better if they got her out of prying eyes before doing so. Before they had made their way out of the Hall, Asha glanced around briefly, her eyes meeting the concerned amber one's belonging to Remus, his eyes clearly asking what was going on. Asha shrugged slightly and glanced to Hermione then back to Remus before leaving the Hall with her friends.
Once up in the Common room, avoiding the gazes of as many as possible, Asha, Chaylse, and Charlotta led Hermione quickly upstairs and into their dormitory where they let the girl lower herself on her bed and finally let loose. The girls settled on her bed around her as she lay in the middle, crying silently. Asha lifted her head and sat down, resting the girl's head in her lap while she soothingly stroked her hair.
A short time later Lily came in and sat down on the bed as well, all were silently comforting Hermione until she was able to calm herself down. She sniffled lightly and wiped the tears away. She gave a thankful smile to all the girls and sighed heavily, "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Lily said with a small smile, "Are you going to tell us what's wrong, sweetie?"
"I miss them," Hermione answered sadly. "I miss Harry, I miss Ron, and I miss my home. I don't know why I'm here. Stupid Draco. I just know they're going to do something incredibly stupid and incredibly rash and I'm not there to help them. Harry's been through so much already. I just miss my boys."
"They don't know where you are?" Chaylse asked quietly.
She shook her head, "No, we were just sitting and talking...reminiscing. Talking about what we were going to do in the future and now...now they're not in my future."
"Nonsense, Hermione," Charlotta said quietly, "Why don't you owl them, tell them where you're at, how you're doing?"
Tears streamed silently down her face again and she shook her head, "I can't. Even if I tried it wouldn't make any difference. They're gone. I just want my boys back, but I was sent here and I don't even know why. I don't know what it is they expect me to be able to do, I don't know how I'm supposed to be able to make these changes that I'm told I'm supposed to be making. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be changing. They don't understand, I'm not that…brave. I'm just me, I'm just Hermione."
The girls listened though all of them were thoroughly confused. "Hermione," Charlotta frowned, "Who's Draco?"
"He's the one who made it so I had no choice but to come here. He gave me no choice before he made sure I had to leave my friends," she said bitterly. "I don't know what he did, but I have to find out. I have to go talk to the Headmaster tomorrow and…and then to the library…"
The girl's exchanged looks with one another over Hermione's head, Asha going back to brushing her hair lightly with her fingers, "If you need to talk, Hermione, anyone of us will listen."
"I know...thank you," she said quietly.
"You're welcome," Chaylse said with a small smile.
Silence fell over the girls as they shifted so they were all lying half-hazardly on the same bed. A few minutes later, Lily glanced up, about to say something when a small smile crossed her face instead, all the girls had fallen asleep.