Disclaimer: Anything you recognize from the Harry Potter books and/or movies is not mine

A/N: Alrighty guys, just so you know, I haven't updated much because I've gotten a new job, and I'm gone to work ten hours a day. Or more, actually, considering the drive there and back. So with that and having to sleep, eat, and bathe regularly, I have had hardly any time to do anything, so in between things I've had to do this weekend, I've worked on this. I hope you guys don't hate me! I'm getting to all my stories soon, it's just a bit hard when I'm worn out from work - and exercise. I realized that if I take an hour per day to do some exercises, I feel much, much, much better than I usually do. And yeah, I'm double tired because of it all, but no matter what, I'll continue updating! Just be patient! All the reviews for this story is what made me update this first. And Reanne - I will get to your stories soon! When I have time in the afternoon after work sometime this week, I'll start reading them!

Thanks Viktor Krum's lazyllama101, Aria DeLoncray, jka1, Harpiebird, CrymsonTear, Reanne1102, maraudermarshall, ourlittlesecret7, Shinebright-Starlight, alexekia2222, An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin, Me, Angelic Bladez- Broken And Twisted, LunaLovegoss, Rubber Ducky Loser, mandi, MasterOfReaders, and Mrs. St. John Allerdyce for all the wonderful reviews!

Hands are Meant to Hold

By: xScenex

Chapter Five

WARNING: MATURE SCENE AHEAD!

Hermione paused in her stroll when she caught sight of the Marauders, huddled outside of the shop. She groaned inwardly, knowing that if Sirius was there then everything would be chaotic. She'd heard stories from the older version of the man as he told Harry about his and James' 'adventures'.

She was tempted to turn around and find another place to stay for a while until she was sure they had left, but they spotted her first.

"Hey! Hermione!" Sirius shouted loudly and everyone turned to look at her. She rolled her eyes slightly before she began trudging forwards towards the shop.

"What are you all doing here?" she questioned them suspiciously.

"James dragged us up here," Peter said, disgruntled from the cold.

Her eyebrows rose slightly, "How long have you been out here?"

"For nearly a whole bloody hour!" Sirius whined as he rubbed his arms in attempt to keep warm.

"I haven't even been gone that long," Hermione said, eyeing the boy incredulously.

"So? You've still been gone for a long time!" he barked out in complete distress, teeth chattering.

Hermione turned to look at James, amusement on both of their faces, "Is there a reason why you all are here?"

He shook his head, a slight blush creeping up onto his cheeks. Hermione noted it didn't fit him well - she'd heard stories of James Potter from many people when they spoke to Harry. He was supposed to be unfazed by anything and the soft pink color on his cheeks just seemed slightly off.

Hermione shook her head as well and tapped the door with her wand and using an unlocking charm on it. She opened it and beckoned the Marauders into the shop. They hurriedly went in, trying to warm themselves from the onslaught of cold.

"Finally!" Peter said, shaking like a leaf. Hermione rose an eyebrow at him.

"Now you just need to start a fire in here," Sirius mumbled as he looked around. "Don't you have a fireplace or something?"

Hermione nearly laughed, "In a book shop? Close to books? I'm not that stupid."

Sirius blushed slightly, "How do you keep this place warm then?"

"I don't." She turned around and flipped the sign in the window so that it said open once more. She then walked to her desk and sat down behind it, pulling her scarf up to her chin. "Have a seat," she indicated and transfigured four chairs from a few scraps of cardboard laying about around her desk.

The other obliged, glad to get off their feet. James scooted his chair a bit towards where Hermione sat, but didn't get too close. Sirius sat next to him, and Peter came next. Remus was the only one to hesitate.

"Guy's, should we really be bothering her while she's trying to work?" he asked, glancing about at the party.

Sirius looked at the russet haired boy incredulously, "We stood out there freezing our arses off, and now you're having second thoughts about being here? I am NOT going back now - my legs hurt!"

James let out a small snort of amusement. Hermione just ignored the exchange and looked down at a sheet of paper on her desk that had budget prices listed in two columns.

"So, Hermione," she heard Remus say out of the blue; the silence was broken, and the other boys looked at Remus in surprise. Hermione got the feeling that he never really spoke out on his own unless provoked.

"Yes?" she looked up, unsure. Her eyes met his amber, and she saw that his eyebrows were knitted slightly - whether in thought, confusion, or something else, she didn't know.

"Do you really work here on your own?" he asked, eyes boring into hers.

She determinedly met his gaze and answered, "Yes, I do. The previous owner moved to London with a bigger business, but found that she wanted this store to stay open. Why?"

The boy just shook his head slightly, "I was only curious. I find it odd that a girl as young as you would practically run a shop."

"Why is that?" she asked heatedly. Did he not think she was capable? She'd been through so much in her life, that she knew that running a bookstore was at the bottom of that list.

"I didn't mean to offend you," he said hurriedly, noticing her tone and the others surprised looks. "I was only curious. You don't find someone as young as you working on their own in these times."

Hermione was surprised. Surely he wasn't worried about her? He didn't even know her that well! "Well, I'm definitely capable of taking care of myself," she said dryly, head held high. She'd be damned if she let her weaknesses show through. She honestly was a bit worried sometimes when there were more of the darker clad people about, but no one had ever bothered her - that is, except for James.

The boy held his hands up in silent apology and walked a bit away. He appeared to be skimming through a shelf of books, but Hermione knew better. He was using a tactic she had always used when eavesdropping on others conversations - mainly Harry's and Ron's.

There was a small stretch of silence before Hermione sighed heavily and sniffed a bit. She wasn't feeling as bad as she had earlier that day, but she was still a bit feverish feeling. She shuffled some papers for a moment that had been on her desk, trying to give herself something to do and to take her mind of the ear numbing silence, until James gently tugged the papers out of her hands.

"I don't see why everyone is so uptight," he said lightly. "It's a Hogsmeade weekend, guys. Lets have some fun!"

"In here?" Sirius asked, disbelieving.

Hermione felt annoyed, "If you don't want to be here, then get out."

Sirius shook his head stubbornly, his bottom lip stuck out slightly in a pout. Hermione felt her lips quirk at that, but forced herself not to smile. He could be so childish, but it was amusing, she had to admit.

"Padfoot, quit with that," James punched his friend playfully on the shoulder.

The other boy let out a slight whine while rubbing the spot on his arm where he was hit. "That hurt," he cried.

"Suck it up," Peter piped up, grinning madly at the other boy.

"Oh, you two are cruel," mumbled the disgruntled Black as he leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

The next hour passed relatively similar to the previous conversations. Remus mainly stayed away, eventually finding a book to read, while Sirius, James, and Peter conversed with Hermione. They told so many horrid jokes to her that she was surprised anyone had ever come up with the puns. During the whole time, she found herself sneaking small glances at James, and sometimes, she saw him doing the same.

Her mind began wondering slightly throughout the conversations. What would she do about James? She felt her heart do a little flip every time he smiled at her when no one else was looking. She had a sinking feeling that she was falling for him.

Eventually, Sirius and Peter began complaining that their stomachs were grumbling, giving them all the signal that it was time to eat. The four boys agreed on going to the Three Broomsticks for something to eat, claiming that none of them had eaten anything for lunch. Hermione reluctantly allowed herself to get pulled along, only after reprimanding then for not thinking to bring something to eat before they came to the bookshop.

It was late in the evening, and the sky was beginning to darken as the sun began to set behind the clouds over the horizon. As the five of them stepped out into the bitter cold of the weather, Hermione pulled her scarf up to her chin as they began walking down the cobblestone walk, leading into the busier parts of the village.

Hermione looked around, seeing small clumps of lingering snow on the ground from days previous. She was too occupied, looking about as Sirius, Remus, and Peter walked in front of her that she wasn't aware when James slid his arm around her waist until he pulled her to him.

She jumped, her head whipping around to meet his gaze. She opened her mouth to scold him for his actions, but he only smiled and covered her mouth with his.

Up ahead, Sirius laughed loudly at something Remus said to him. James glanced over at them then winked at Hermione. "I thought you might be a bit cold."

She felt a blush sweep across her cheeks, but she decided to tell herself that it was only her fever. "I'm fine, actually," she told him, moving his arm from around her.

She saw a slight look of disappointment on his face but let it go - she couldn't let him grow to fond of her; but deep down inside her heart, she felt a jab at her own heart and she knew she was only trying to keep herself from getting to fond of the Potter.

When they arrived at the Three-Broomsticks, Hermione and the others wove through the heavy crowd of people to find a table for themselves. Sirius went off to get them drinks, and Remus led the group. They found a table in a corner near the back, camouflaged slightly by decorative plants.

James sat next to Hermione, who sat on the end in front of Peter, who sat next to Remus. Eventually, Sirius came back and passed the drinks around before he too, took a seat next to James.

Hermione picked up her drink and took a large sip before she nearly gagged at the taste.

"What is this?" she hissed and sputtered.

The boys looked incredulously at her. Sirius blinked, "It's Fire Whiskey."

Hermione dropped the mug on the table, but luckily, it landed upright. "Fire Whiskey?" she squeaked.

She'd never drunk anything alcoholic before besides a bit of wine on the holidays when her parents allowed it.

"Haven't you ever had any?" James inquired curiously.

"No!" she exclaimed. Hermione and alcohol?

"James, it looks like you've picked up a sober bird," Sirius told his friend sadly.

James rolled his eyes a bit, "Shut it Padfoot." He turned to Hermione, "Do you not want it?"

"Of course not!" she scolded. "I don't drink Fire Whiskey."

Sirius rolled his eyes noticeably, "Come on," he whined, "Just try a bit of it. Unless you have a low tolerance to alcohol, you should be able to drink that whole mug without getting tipsy."

Hermione doubted that. She glanced unsurely at the mug. The searing heat of the drink in her mouth was a bit addicting, but she didn't want to drink it. She knew that there was a high chance she would get drunk, and Merlin only knew what would happen if she did. "I'd rather not."

"Come on," James chided, waving his own mug in front of her. He grinned and said in a sing-song voice, "You know you want it. It will make you feel better."

She shook her head and pushed his cup away from her. "No thanks."

"Please?"

"No."

"Come on -"

"No."

Remus shook his head, "James, if she doesn't want it, don't force her to drink it."

"Yeah," Peter provided, smirking at Hermione. The girl could have sworn she saw him wink at James, "If she's such a pansy that she wont drink it, let her be."

Her face flushed deeply. Her, a pansy? "Who are you calling a pansy?" she growled out in irritation.

"You, obviously," Sirius said playfully. Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Everyone else isn't complaining about a small drink."

"I'm not complaining," she said indignantly, "I just don't drin-"

"You're complaining," Sirius chided. "You're weak -"

Hermione scowled heavily at him. Who was he to call her weak? She'd gone through more than he had so far in life, and here he was calling her weak?

She picked up her mug, her eyes locked onto Sirius' in challenge. She would show him just who the weak one was. With the rim of the mug to her lips, she smirked at the boy before tilting the cup back and allowing it's contents to pour into her mouth, searing her throat as she swallowed.

It was on.

"Nooo," Sirius slurred heavily, leaning against the table with one arm. "She cheat… cheated."

Remus shook his head slowly, surveying his drunk friend. Peter was laughing silently at the display, and James, who had had more than his fair share of drinks as well, laughed boisterously at his friend.

Hermione stood up triumphantly, letting her eleventh mug fall onto the table, completely drained of the beverage.

"I believe sshe bea' chu, Padfoot," James grinned drunkenly.

"Tha' can't be," the other boy hiccupped, his arm slipping from the table and he stumbled forward.

"I think it's time that you went back to the castle," Remus said slightly amused, although worry shown on his face.

Hermione grinned, although she knew what she had done was wrong. There was no doubt about it - she was drunk. Her mind was fuzzy with the past half and hour's events, and she felt happier. Everything was much more alive than it had been earlier that day.

She gripped onto the table tightly, hoping to not lose her balance. She pointed at Sirius, "You lose, Black."

The boy shook his head stubbornly. "No, you did."

Hermione laughed, the room spinning slightly in an intoxicating way. She glanced over at all the boys around her and stopped when she saw the messy dark haired boy. Harry? Harry was there! She grinned broader, wanting to prove to her friend that she wasn't such a bookworm as they thought her to be. She turned back to Sirius and exclaimed, "You lost! Don't be such a sore loser-"

"I'm NOT a sore loser!" Sirius shouted in drunken anger, eyes unfocused. His first raised slightly and he shook it at Hermione, "No one calls me a loser-"

"Alright, guys," Remus stood up as well and walked over to Sirius. He tugged his friend away from the table. "It's time to get going, before you go overboard with this."

"Moony, don't let 'er get away with this," the boy whispered to his friend as he staggered away.

Remus looked desperately at James, "How sober are you?"

The boy who had previously been looking at his reflection in his cup with an airy look on his face looked up with seriousness. "I'm fine, Moony."

For a moment, the werewolf surveyed his friend with distrust, but eventually, he couldn't find anything wrong with him - or too wrong. "Then walk Hermione back to the shop and get back to Hogwarts. Peter, come help me with Sirius."

Peter stood up and hurried to help.

After they disappeared from the slowly emptying crowd in the pub, James turned to the intoxicated Hermione.

"I think it's time I take you home," he said and stood up, taking Hermione's arm a bit roughly and pulling her along.

"Hey," she protested weakly, her senses being jarred as they walked. "Be a bit more careful, Harry."

"Harry?" he questioned, "Who's Harry?"

Hermione looked closely at the boy who was still dragging her towards the door. Looking more directly at him, she realized that it really wasn't Harry - it was James. She had nearly forgotten about the whole time swap thing. "Oh," she whispered in surprise. "I thought you were someone else."

The look-alike shrugged and continued walking, pushing open the pub door. The cold air that met them was a bit of a soberer for them - or, for Hermione.

She blinked and shuddered a bit, knowing that her muddied mind was going to cause her confusion and possibly a few problems for the night.

"Come on, love," James said, pushing her lightly forward and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Let's get back to your place."

Hermione hardly registered what he said as she stumbled forward with him. She noticed vaguely that he shot small glances at her every now and then with a small smirk on his face.

They were halfway back to the shop when the light completely disappeared from the sky and they were left in the chill darkness. No one was outside in that area besides them, and it was eerily quiet. James didn't mind it too much, but Hermione's senses were jumpy.

"Calm down, Hermione," James purred, his hand sliding down further from her waist. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, his hot breath rushing against her cold skin, "Nothing's going to get you out here."

She shuddered and turned to look at him, but she misjudged how close he was and her lips met his at the same time. His eyes widened in surprise, but before Hermione could get over the hazy fact itself, he began kissing her.

It wasn't just a kiss kiss. It was a drunken, heated kiss that seared her very soul.

And she liked it.

They tumbled into her room and James shut the door behind him rather hastily. Hermione staggered a bit and nearly fell but thrust her arms out before she could do so, steadily bracing herself against the wall. She giggled at her own intoxicated state, her mind obscured and her body drunk. In the back of her mind, she noted that she didn't like feeling the way she did - it was as if she had no control over her body.

Before she could think further on the subject, she felt arms encircle her from behind, efficiently pinning her against him and the wall. Her lips parted in surprise and she turned around to face him, looking upwards into his own hazel ones, confusion and shock evident in them. She hadn't even known he'd followed her up there.

"What's wrong, babe?" he whispered into her ear as he lent forward ever so slightly, his warm breath whisking across her skin.

She shivered as a sudden, unwanted adrenaline filled her veins. Hermione shook her head, trying to get the feeling out of her drunken blood stream. James interpreted her reaction wrongly, and tried to sooth her with kisses on her neck. The gentle, yet warm lips against her neck caused her to moan lightly. She tried to push him away but her arms refused to move from her sides.

Her moan encouraged him, and his hungered hands hurriedly touched her flushed face, his fingers lightly trailing over her lips.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, but even to her, he sounded just as intoxicated as she felt at that moment.

"James," she protested weakly, the warmth of his body too close for complete comfort. Her mind was hazy from the numerous drinks she knew she shouldn't have drunk, "We shouldn't be doing this."

"Hush," he whispered and captured her lips with his in a deep kiss.

As much as her mind screamed for her to turn away, to get up and leave, her body disobeyed. She found herself kissing him with the same fevered passion, her hands trailing up and down along his chest in indecipherable patterns.

James' hands found their way down her sides and along her stomach. The girl wriggled slightly under the touch, the new sensations bringing her hazed mind far into the world of ludicrously. She bit down on his bottom lip ever so lightly and gasped as his cool hands slipped under her blouse.

"No," she once more protested, but the words came out disfigured, transformed from their original meaning in the husky breath that escaped through her lips.

Lips left hers, and trailed light butterfly kisses along her jaw and to her ear. For a moment, she was lost in the ambiance. "I want you, Hermione." The boy's hands moved higher under her shirt, exploring and touching various places that made her squirm and plead bodily for more. "Do you want me?"

Hermione bit back the groan that threatened to escape from her throat. She knew that what they were doing was wrong, but her drunken body wouldn't allow her to stop. As much as she tried to make herself comprehend the fact that it was all so very wrong, she wanted it - she wanted it so very, very dearly.

His hands moved more firmly against her upper body, cool fingertips against heated skin. She didn't answer him, hoping that she could contain the affirmative answer that tried to escape from her lips. He once more kissed her, more roughly than the previous time. She didn't even think twice before she submitted and feverishly kissed him back, allowing him to thrust his hungry tongue into her mouth to explore. That was pretty much the final straw to all that left her hanging onto reality before she was lost in the exotic entrancement he'd put her in.

Her hands once again traveled down his chest and gripped at the hem of his shirt before breaking away from the kiss. She hesitantly tugged upwards on his shirt, uncertain eyes meeting lust filled ones. James gave her a satisfied smirk before he hurriedly took his shirt off, discarding it onto the floor.

Hermione stared at his tanned chest for a few moments before he attacked her feverishly with another kiss, but it was not on her lips this time. His kisses left the skin on her neck searing pleasantly and her hands found their way into his raven locks, begging for the more intimate touches.

His hands abided and toyed with the buttons on her blouse. She wasn't fully aware of him unbuttoning it, but soon, she found herself being parted from the shirt which he simply tossed onto the floor with his own. The sudden blast of cold air on previously covered skin sent chills up her spine and she felt herself sober ever so slightly.

She looked up into the hungry eyes of James, who was eyeing her upper body. She felt herself hesitate, the voices once more echoing in her mind.

This is wrong, she thought to herself desperately. I can't do th-

she thought to herself desperately.

She didn't finish the thought. Mere seconds later, she found more of her clothing being pulled off her body, more roughly than before. Within a minute, she found herself standing almost completely naked in front of the eyes of the boy. Her bare legs shifted as if ready to run, but her hormones didn't allow her to move.

Hands once more grabbed her in sensitive places and she was firmly pressed against the cold wall behind her. It felt so right, but yet so wrong. His touch, his kiss, his scent... Him.

She let a groan escape her as his head dipped and his lips enclosed on the sensitive part of her breast. She couldn't contain herself anymore - everything was too much. She simply allowed her instincts to take over.

After he lavished the breast, she pushed him away slightly. Hermione returned the kisses he had given her, along his neck, chest, and collar bone. She knew by his drunken smirk that he was enjoying it just as much as she was.

Her hands found themselves moving lower and lower down his body, across his chest and stomach, stopping above the waistband of his jeans. She didn't know whether to move on, or stop.

James wouldn't allow her to deter and instead, he pushed her hands aside and unclasped his pants. Her breath hitched as he undressed in front of her, unafraid of allowing her to see him fully. Her eyes took in his naked form.

She didn't have long to look though. The boy roughly pulled her to him, his erection pressing almost painfully against her stomach. She gasped loudly, for more than one reason. It was all so foreign to her. She didn't know what to do; but obviously, James wasn't going to let that get in the way.

She allowed him to drag her over to her bed, where the sheets were still rumpled from the morning before. He simply pushed her down onto the cold blankets before he positioned himself on top of her between her legs.

Her eyes widened as she realized what was about to happen. His eyes were sparkling with the lust and hunger but soon disappeared behind that raven hair of his as he bowed his head to kiss her stomach.

The girl's eyes closed tightly as she jerked from the sudden touch, her lower body simply pressing against his. She heard a muffled groan and the hardness of his erection became more prominent against her.

He moved against her, another muffled groan heard above the rustle of bed sheets. Suddenly, Hermione felt something press gently against her lower down and she knew; her eyes opened in a flash and she found herself staring into the eyes of James for the umpteenth time that night.

He was asking permission to continue with their riotous, intoxicated actions.

And she complied.

A/N: Kay, so that's the first mature scene I've ever written. Please go easy on me. Is it just me or does this chapter skip around a lot? Ugh... I'm out of it. Well, please tell me what you think. Do I need to improve? It's been a while since I've written, so I think this is a bit out of league on the negative scale with my older writing. But meh.