For Everything That Happens

by Brighter Side of Darkness

For everything that happens, there is a reason. Hermione learns this lesson first hand when she finds herself sent to the past with a message that she has to fulfill. M for later chapters. Violence. Language. Content. AU. Set after book 6.

6. Chapter 6

"You guys did really well, Hermione. I'm so glad that you and Lily made it into the next stage of the competition," Peter said, smiling to the witch.

Hermione grinned and nodded in agreement, "I hadn't expected to make it, but I'm so glad that we did."

Dumbledore had announced at dinner the previous night before that Hermione and Lily as well as Remus had made it to the next round of the competition. James and Sirius were a bit bummed that they hadn't made it, but they spared no pity when it came to picking on Remus.

Hermione glanced across the table and gave Remus a somewhat teasing grin. He had auditioned because he was talked into it, he had hardly expected to get any further than the first audition. The young werewolf blushed but glared, "I don't think I'm going ot stay in the competition."

"Remus! You've got to! You've got such an amazing voice you can't just give up now!" Hermione said in shock. Surely he was joking.

"It's not really my thing. I can't sing that well, I don't know how I got picked over James and Sirius," he shrugged.

"Nonsense. Remus, you got a louder applause than most of the groups that performed yesterday. Don't leave me and Lils in this competition alone," Hermione said, "You know you want to stick through it."

"There's no way I'm going to win," he stated flatly.

"It doesn't matter if you win or not. All that matters is that you give it your best shot," she replied. "Besides, I thing you've got a very good chance in winning. What do you think, Peter?"

Peter nodded in agreement with Hermione. "You did really well, Moony. It's hardly like you to give up on something so soon."

"I'm not giving up, it'd just…not my type of thing," Remus said with a small shrug.

"Remus, don't give me that. You had a blast up on stage, anyone one of us could see that from where we were sitting," Hermione replied. "You're not really going to quit, are you?"

Remus shrugged, "D'you really think I have a chance?"

"Absolutely. You have got an amazing talent for this, Remus. I love hearing you sing," the witch smiled.

The werewolf was silent for a few moments and then shrugged, "I suppose I'll stick through. If I make a fool of myself, I'm blaming you."

"That's not going to happen," Hermione smiled.

The three students continued eating their breakfast in silence. Remus and Hermione had learned the hard way the day before that not eating before the performance was a very bad idea. Only when Dumbledore rose to his feet to inform the performers that they were to proceed to the performing room, did the two Gryffindors move to their feet. They made their way nervously towards the doors where they met up with Lily, from there the three moved to the room.

They came to a stop infront of the doors where a list had been posted. It told the order that the second round winners would play. Remus, to his dismay, was up first, followed immediately by Hermione and Lily.

"Don't worry, Remus, you'll do great, I'm sure of it," Lily said, giving the wizard a one-armed hug before entering the room and taking her seat.

Hermione remained outside in the hallway with Remus, hoping to keep him somewhat calm before he had to go onto stage. She could tell he was nervous, his face was rather pale and his hands shook slightly. She offered him a small smile and a playful push to his shoulder, "Don't be so nervous, Remus. You're going to do great."

"Why I let you guys talk me into this, I'll never know," He muttered, shaking his head.

"Don't be like that. Besides, in all seriousness, you've got a great talent for this and you've got an amazing singing voice that serenades everyone within the sound of your voice," Hermione said with a warm smile. "Just go up there, and sing the best that you can and at the end of the song, everyone will be speechless."

Remus laughed softly and shook his head, "What is it about you, Hermione Granger?" When she tilted her head in question, he smiled, his hand rising to rest against the side of her face. "What is it about you that makes me want to believe everything that you say, that makes me want to make sure that smile never leaves your face?"

There was nothing she could say that wouldn't be a spoiler so she said nothing. She leaned slightly into his hand, his thumb brushing gently over her cheek. Her gaze lifted to meet his softened amber one and her smile softened. Movement from both of them seemed to pause briefly before they both felt themselves leaning inward only to pull back quickly when they heard footsteps nearing the corner.

Remus's hand fell back to his side and the two exchanged glances, trying not to shoot glares at the other three Marauders, Chaylse, Charlotta, and Asha who were coming to watch the performances. Hermione sighed inwardly and gave Remus a reassuring but brief hug and a whispered 'good luck' before entering the room with her friends and sitting between Lily and Asha.

The girls had been chattering softly but fell silent when Remus approached the stage. The music was soft and steady but fairly quick. He stood silently behind the microphone for a few moments, mentally counting the beats before starting in.

Anytime I need to see your face
I just close my eyes
And I am taken to a place where
Your crystal mind and
Magenta feelings take up shelter
In the base of my spine
Sweet like a chic a cherry cola

He had stepped forward, taking the microphone from its stand and pushing the stand off the stage and out of his way, continuing the song as he walked across the stage, his stage fright vanishing as the song continued.

I dont need to try and explain
I just hold on tight
And if it happens again I might move
So slightly
To the arms and the lips and the face
Of the human cannonball
That I need to I want to

Come stand a little bit closer
Breath in and get a bit higher
Youll never know what hit you
When I get to you

His gaze moved over the audience, searching for and resting briefly on Hermione, his lips turning upward in a slight smile before his gaze continued moving. The said gesture did not go unnoticed by either Remus's or Hermione's friends.

Ooh I want you
I dont know if I need you
But ooh Id die to find out
Ooh I want you
I dont know if I need you
But ooh Id die to find out

Im the kind of person who endorses
A deep commitment
Getting comfy getting perfect
Is what I live for
But a look then a smell of perfume
Its like Im down on the floor
And I dont know what Im in for

Conversation has a time and place
In the interaction of a lover and
A mate
But the time of talking
Using symbols using words
Can be likened to a deep sea diver
Who is swimming with a raincoat

Come stand a little bit closer
Breathe in and get a bit higher
Youll never know what hit you
When I get to you

Ooh I want you
I dont know if I need you
But ooh Id die to find out
Ooh I want you
I dont know if I need you
But ooh Id die to find out

Anytime I need to see your face
I just close my eyes
And I am taken to a place where
Your crystal mind and
Magenta feelings take up shelter
In the base of my spine
Sweet like a chic a cherry cola

I dont need to try and explain
I just hold on tight
And if it happens again I might move
So slightly
To the arms and the lips and the face
Of the human cannonball
That I need to I want to

Ooh I want you
I dont know if I need you
But ooh Id die to find out
Ooh I want you
I dont know if I need you
But ooh Id die to find out

So can we find out.

Remus's stagefright was no where to be seen by the time he'd finished his first song and a bright smile was on his expression as he recieved a round of applause. He took a deep breath as the next song started and stepped forward, his gaze meeting with Hermione's again. He gaze a almost unnoticable wink as he started once again.

Yeah, I know it hurts
Yeah, I know you're scared
Walkin' down
The road that leads
To Who-Knows-Where

Dont'cha hang your head
Dont'cha give up yet
When courage starts
To disappear
I will be right here

When your world
Breaks down
And the voices tell you,
"Turn around"

When your dreams
Give out
I will carry you
Carry you

When the stars
Go blind
And the darkness starts to
Flood your eyes

When you're fallin'
Behind
I will carry you

Remus's gaze rested with Hermione's again, though moving around at a steady pace, trying not to be too suspicious, though, it hardly did him any good. It was Sirius, of all people, who was the first to point out that he seemed to be singing directly to a certian bushy haired witch.

Everybody cries
Everybody bleeds
No one ever
Said that life's
An easy thing
That's the beauty of it

When you lose your way
Close your eyes
'N' go to sleep
Wake up to
Another day

When your world
Breaks down
And the voices tell you,
"Turn around"
When your dreams
Give out
I will carry you
Carry you

When the stars
Go blind
And the darkness starts to
Flood your eyes
When you've fallen
Behind
I will carry you

You should know now
That you're not alone
Take my heart and we will find
You will find
Your way ho-ome

When your dreams
give out
I will carry you
Carry you

When the stars
Go blind
And the darkness starts to
Flood your eyes
When you've fallen
Behind
I will carry you
Carry you
I will carry you
Carry you

When the song ended, Remus summoned the microphone stand back to him and settled the charmed device back onto its stand. James, Sirius, and Peter were clearly among the loudest, though Hermione and her group of friends weren't too far behind in terms of volume.

Hermione and Lily got to their feet, making their way towards the stage as Remus was climbing down the steps. Lily whispered a 'good job' as she passed and Hermione gave a warm smile. Remus caught hold of Hermione's hand in passing, both exchanging gentle squeases as they passed, neither breaking their stride. When their hands dropped back to their sides, Hermione followed Lily onto the stage.

They grinned brightly to those in the audience and each pulled a microphone from the stand and stepped towards the edge of the stage.

Lily started out the song, her voice sharp but quiet, slowly gaining volume as she sang.

I had no choice but to hear you
You stated your case time and again
I thought about it

Hermione started in just after Lily's verse ended.

You treat me like Im a princess
Im not used to liking that
You ask how my day was

The two witches exchanged smiles as the tempo kicked up and then their gazes moved out towards the audience, once again, each girl singing to a different side of the room. Hermione 'just so happened' to be singing in the direction of the Marauders, thus, Remus. Both voices, however, came together in the chorus.

Youve already won me over in spite of me
Dont be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Dont be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldnt help it
Its all your fault

Hermione started on the second verse, smiling as she sang.

Your love is think and it swallowed me whole
Youre so much braver than I gave you credit for
Thats not lip service

Once again the girls' voices came together, and the chorus was sung loudly and just as saucily as the previous songs.

Youve already won me over in spite of me
Dont be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Dont be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldnt help it
Its all your fault

Lily took over the next verse, her voice light as though she was thinking in verse.

You are the bearer of unconditional things
You held your breath and the door for me
Thanks for your patience

Once again, Hermione cut in just after Lily's verse, her own lighter alto twisting the song just slightly to make it their own.

Youre the best listener that Ive ever met
Youre my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long
Ive never felt this healthy before
Ive never wanted something rational
I am aware now

I am aware now

For the final repeat of the chorus, Lily's voice joined Hermione's once more.

Youve already won me over in spite of me
Dont be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Dont be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldnt help it
Its all your fault

Applause rang through the room once again and the girl's smiled warmly in response as a rougher sounding beat came through the air. Lily grinned, almost wolfishly as she stepped forward on the stage, her gaze moving to rest on the group of Marauders as her sharp voice sang out.

Well youre the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
Thats o.k., lets see how you do it
Put up your dukes, lets get down to it!
Hit me with your best shot!
Why dont you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!

Lily had taken the stance of a fighter when she'd said 'Put up your dukes', all the while her gaze remaining on the group of Marauders, one who'd remain unnamed, in particular. Hermione faced the opposite way so the girls were standing back-to-back, as they might if they'd gotten in a fight together, her voice rang out just after Lily's.

You come on with a come on, you dont fight fair
But thats o.k., see if I care!
Knock me down, its all in vain
Ill get right back on my feet again!

Both girls belted out the chorus together, their movements sharp but smooth as though they were in a real fight. They would jab out, as though really fighting an unseen opponent.

Hit me with your best shot!
Why dont you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!

Hermione's eyes scanned the audience in an almost haughty way as she sang the next and last verse of the song.

Well youre the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place

Lily stepped away from Hermione to stand at the edge of the stage, her voice belting out the next verse, holding no reserves as they gave the song a kick of spirit. Hermione stepped next to her and the final repeats of the chorus rang out just as bluntly and wildly as the first lines.

Hit me with your best shot!
Come on, hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!

Hit me with your best shot!
Why dont you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!

The girls stepped back from the edge of the stage, panting as they attempted to catch their breath. They punched up into the air and grinned as the applause echoed. With that, they replaced the microphones and took their leave of the stage, retaking their seats next to the other girls.

It seemed to take forever for the other four groups to finish performing. They were all excellent, there was no denying that. The girls just wanted out of their chairs and to be able to talk with out being rude. Despite the fact that there were only four groups singing two, two-to-four minute songs, it seemed to drag on.

Finally, the room was dismissed with the promise that, once again, the winners of the round would be informed by that evening at dinner. The girls exited the room cheerfully, all talking rather loudly with Lily and Hermione in the middle.

Asha linked arms with Hermione and the brunette smiled brightly only to jump slightly when some one called out for Lily.

"Hey Evans!"

The group of girls paused and glanced over their shoulders. James jogged up to the group with the other three shortly behind him. "So, what was that about?" He asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," She replied airily.

"You guys did really well," Peter said, as he caught up, moving to walk next to Sirius at the front of the group, walking just infront of Hermione and Asha.

"Thanks, Peter, we had a blast with it," Hermione smiled, jumping slightly as she felt a hand rest at the small of her back. She glanced up and smiled slightly, "You did really well too, Remus. See, I told you that you shouldn't give it up."

Remus laughed and shrugged, "Yeah, you told me alright."

"It was obvious you were having fun up there," Asha commented. "You're a natural."

"I definately had a blast, there's no denying that," He said with a small smile. "So who made the choices on your songs this time around?" He asked, glancing between Hermione and Lily.

Lily grinned and shrugged, "I chose one of the songs and 'Mione chose one of the songs."

Remus smirked, "I think I know which was which."

"Actually, It might surprise you that I didn't chose 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot', Hermione chose that one," Lily replied.

Sirius moved forward, not paying any attention to the fact that he knocked Remus out of the way, his arm draping over Hermione's shoulders, "Well Miss Granger, you're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

Hermione grinned innocently and shrugged, "I've got a whole list of people you could blame for corrupting me like that."

"Oh really? Do tell," Sirius said with a smirk, ignoring the mild glare that Remus shot him.

Hermione tilted her head slightly as though in thought, "Well, There's you four. Lily and Asha," She grinned slightly to Asha who stuck her tongue out at her. "And of course, more than anyone, Harry and Ron. They've been the worse."

"Who're they?" Sirius asked.

"Harry and Ron? They were the only friends I had until I came here. They were great," Hermione replied fondly.

"I never pictured you in a relationship with two guys," Sirus mused.

Hermione's eyes bulged and she swatted his arm, glaring slightly, "I wasn't dating them Sirius Black!"

"Uh-huh, of course you weren't."

"I wasn't! Ron and I made an attempt but it was a no-go from the beginning and I wouldn't date Harry," She replied.

"Why not?"

"Because, I was probably closer to Harry than to Ron but Harry...Harry was more like a brother. It would have ruined any friendship we had if we were to attempt to date," She shrugged.

"Well...Good," Sirius said with a nod.

"Why is that good, Sirius?" Asha frowned.

"Because that leaves Miss Granger, here, open for our dear Moony!" Sirius grinned, earning a cuff to the back of the head by his werewolf friend, whose face was quickly redening. "Ouch! Moony! So abusive! Did you guys see that?"

"I'd say you deserved it, Sirius," Lily replied.

"So cruel," Sirius pouted.

"Get over it," Hermione grinned, knocking his arm off of her shoulder. The group laughed cheerily as they made their way through the castle and to the Gryffindor Common room. The Marauders hurried forward, taking their favorite chairs near the fire, causing the girls to scowl slightly. Hermione rolled her eyes at the behavior and she and Asha claimed the small couch.

The group of girls and the Marauders disolved into their own converstations. Hermione, meanwhile, just sat back and watched, a small smile on her expression. Things were so different from what she had been used to, but at the same time, there was hardly any difference at all. She hadn't been used to having many female friends in her own time. Most of the girls in her year were just too...girlie. She and Ginny got along really well, but even they didn't get along as well as Hermione, Ron, and Harry. The Trio.

Her smile softened as she thought over everything from her past. The boys. The danger. The war. With the final thought crossing her mind, her gaze moved over the group. She was there to stop some of those events from happening.

Could she really keep Peter from changing sides when she didn't know what caused him to switch to begin with? Could she really save Lily and James from their deaths at the hands of Voldemort? Could she keep Sirius from loosing 12 years of his life to Azkaban? Could she possibly manage to stop Severus from joining the ranks of the Death Eaters and stop him from having to kill Dumbledore?

Could she give the people she knew and loved a better life?

That was the question that rang through her mind loudest of all. If she could make these changes, stop these events from happening, would she be able to give those she loved from her own time, a better life?

She could only hope.

Hermione was pulled from her thoughts when Asha laid over on the couch, her dark-haired head resting in her lap. She smiled softly, one of her hands moving to play with the girl's hair as her gaze began to move again, resting momentarily on each individual. Lily. James. Sirius...Remus. Peter. Chalyse. Charlotta. Asha.

The determination that was usually reserved for Harry's stunts and for homework rose in her chest and she set her jaw stubbornly. She knew the changes weren't going to be easy to make. She knew that they would have to be made delicately. But she was determined to keep these people, the ones she had grown to care greatly about over the last few weeks, from the fate that their futures dealt them in her time.

She would keep them safe.

Author's Note: I hope you found this chapter as fun to read as it was to write. What did you think about that almost-kiss between Hermione and Remus? What about her little personal debate there at the end? Do you have some ideas as to what you'd like to see happen in the near-future chapters? Well, review and let me know!

Once again, I've got a few songs in this chapter and I've got to give credit where credit is due, so here are the titles of the songs I use and the artists to whom the songs belong!

I want you - Savage Garden

I Will Carry You - Clay Aiken

Head Over Feet - Alanis Morissette

Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar

I'm not sure if there will be any more songs in the next few chapters--the ball is still in the works. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and I hope that you continue to read this story. Constructive criticizim is always welcome, so feel free to tell me what you think about the story thus far.

Until next time!

Brighter Side of Darkness