Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, and I am not making any money off of this.
I am sorry about the wait. Thanks to my loyal reviewers, I noticed a few problems with the original chapter 4, so this is the new and improved version. I am really busy at the moment with school, but I will try and update within the next week. Please, please, please review! Thank you all for your patience!
CHAPTER 4: THE BEST WORST MISTAKE
"What the fuck?" she heard someone scream, the voice familiar. She snuggled further into the warm object that was underneath her when she remembered where she was. Her eyes flew open and she pushed her arms up, leaning her palms against Sirius' muscly chest. Sirius groaned at the loss of contact and tightened the arm around her waist.
"Um… it's not what you think?" she said, with a questioning tone, seeing if the line was going to work. She looked up at James and Remus and then back to Sirius. She shook his shoulders but only got a groan in response. She hit him gently on the face but his arm just tightened around her. He was so warm beneath her, it felt nice to be there and she wished that James and Remus would leave so she could snuggle back into his chest. She sighed deeply.
"Sirius, someone is trying to cut your hair! Wake up, quickly!" her voice was a mix of urgency and sarcasm. Sirius' eyes shot open filled with concern. James, Remus and Hermione burst out laughing but soon, either Sirius' daggers or the current issue stopped them.
"What's going on?" Remus asked.
"Well… um, Hermione and I were just sitting by the fire and we fell asleep. Nothing happened… we were just talking and err… yeah." Sirius said, making no effort to move Hermione who was now sitting on his stomach.
"Nothing happened, guys, I promise. Please don't tell anyone," she pleaded, he big brown eyes filled with fear. The boys obviously noticed the truth in her eyes.
"Of course, Hermione, we believe you." James said in a comforting tone. The witch sighed in relief and then remembered she had to talk to James.
"James, could I talk to you?"
"Sure, outside?"
She followed James out of the portrait hole and they came to a stop just shy of the transfiguration wing.
"I just want to tell you how sorry I am about last night. I felt so horrible after I left, I really shouldn't have walked away." she said, her tone earnest and a bit apprehensive.
"Oh, Hermione, you shouldn't be apologising. I'm sorry for mentioning them. I felt terrible after you left."
"You didn't know not to mention them; even I don't know why I reacted that way. I am so sorry."
"Hermione," he said, grasping her hand, "If you ever need to talk, or even if you don't, you can come to me, ok? I promise whatever you say never leaves us," he drew a meandering circle around the two, "and I won't judge you or anything."
"Oh, James," she said, flinging her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug which he returned, she got close to his ear, "if Lily Evans doesn't fall in love with you, she is a fool."
"How did you know?" James felt his heart swell.
"Oh please. Girls know everything. I can see the way you look at her. You should ask her out or something." Hermione said as they started to walk back to the common room. A light flush crawled onto James' cheeks.
"She wouldn't, she doesn't like me," he mumbled.
"Hah! You would be surprised. You should at least try, right?" James mumbled something that Hermione didn't quite catch.
"So you and Sirius, eh? You seemed pretty comfortable this morning?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Hermione hit him playfully on the arm.
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"Double Defence first, that's the only class all six of us have together!" Lily exclaimed while buttering a piece of toast.
"Yeah! It's going to be great!" said Remus happily. Sirius was sitting next to Hermione, winking whenever he caught her eye. God, he was good looking.
"Hmmm… who do we have it with?" Hermione asked eerily.
"Slytherin's," James and Sirius both snorted in disgust. Suddenly, Fawkes flew towards the Marauders and the girls. He dropped a letter, which landed directly in Hermione's waiting hands. She broke open the official seal and began to read with her brow furrowed.
Miss Granger,
It's wonderful to see you settling in comfortably. I take it you haven't heard anything from your friend? It has come to my attention that you will be in need of robes and other things as soon as possible. You and your new found friends may come to my office after lessons and I will allow you to leave the grounds and go to Hogsmaid. You will be excused from lessons tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you.
Kind regards,
Albus Dumbledore
"Hey," said Hermione, looking up from the letter, "how would you all feel about coming to Hogsmaid with me tonight? Dumbledore said that we would be excused from lessons tomorrow."
She received positive replies from everyone except Peter.
"What about you Peter?" she asked, hoping he would say no. If they, on the off chance, were left alone, Hermione didn't think she would be able to restrain herself from killing him. She tried to remind herself that he was just a teenager and he hadn't done anything yet but it didn't work.
"Oh, um, I have a potions essay due, so I should probably stay and do that," he said with a frown.
"Oh, that sucks, maybe another time?" she asked sweetly.
"Yeah, some other time…" he mumbled.
"We should probably get going," Sirius said after everyone was finished, "the defence wing is a fair walk from here."
There were murmurs of agreement from the other five. The Marauders were walking a few metres in front of the girls so Hermione seized the opportunity to gossip to Lily.
"So, James, eh?" asked Hermione, elbowing Lily in the ribs teasingly.
"What? No, yuck! Wait, did he say something about me?" Lily burst out laughing at the incoherence of her previous sentence. Hermione soon joined but it didn't feel right, laughing without Harry and Ron. There peals of laughter attracting the attention the boys who stared inquisitively at the laughing girls.
"I take that as a yes then?"
"I like him but he doesn't like me. He is so handsome. He could have anyone, why would he want me?" Hermione stopped dead in her tracks.
"Excuse me, Lily Evans!" Lily looked quite shocked at the pitch of Hermione's voice. "You are a beautiful, smart, kind, caring, young witch and don't talk about yourself like you're not!"
"Uh… sorry?" Lily said, holding back giggles. The pair laughed until they reached their class.
"What was so funny?" asked James as the girls sat down. Hermione sat next to Peter, involuntary, of course. Remus sat next to Lily and Sirius and James sat together.
"Oh, nothing you need to worry about." said Lily with a quick glance at Hermione. The boys looked doubtful.
"Ok! Welcome those who I have not met before," Professor Malcolm said, directly at Hermione, "And, welcome to those I have. This lesson we are going to be duelling!" Whoops of excitement came from everywhere. "Will do a knockout competition, so your first opponent will be the person you are sitting with. The aim is to have possession of your opponent's wand. " Even more howls of excitement, "50 house points will be awarded to the overall winner, and with that, we begin!"
Peter and Hermione were third in the class but first of the six. They took their places on the mat, Hermione reminding herself not to use an unforgivable on the filthy traitor. Professor Malcolm's loud voice told them to begin and Hermione wasted no time.
"Petrificus Totalus, Accio wand, Finite." Hermione said in less than three seconds. The whole class was momentarily stunned for a moment, but soon, a round of applause broke out. Remus was beaten by Lily and James by Sirius. Soon, there were two pairs left; Lucius vs. Snape, and Hermione vs. Sirius. It was Hermione and Sirius' turn.
"Don't worry, love. I will go easy on you." He said with a wink as they approached the mat. The Professors voice boomed and they were off.
"Stupefy!" shouted Sirius.
"Protego!" Hermione cried, blocking his stunner.
"Rictusempra!" Sirius yelled. Hermione ducked and the orange bolt.
"Furnunculus!" Hermione yelled, hitting Sirius in the chest. Boils sprouted out all over Sirius. Hermione took advantage of his shocked state, "Expelliarmus!" she caught Sirius' wand with her left hand and then reversed his boils. His cheeks were flushed as he and Hermione returned to their seat.
"Good work, Hermione!" there we echoes of agreement from all the Gryffindor's. Hermione caught Sirius' eye and winked. He looked absolutely shocked. He was beaten by a girl.
"So, Lucius and Hermione, you two are the final pair! Good luck! Begin!" bellowed the Professor. Lucius winked at Hermione before taking his stance. Hermione's skin crawled.
"Impedimenta!" Hermione yelled at Malfoy, hitting him square in the jaw.
"Obscuro!" shouted Lucius. Shit, she was blind now. She was going to have to wing it.
"Avis Oppugno," A flock of birds attacked Malfoy and all the Gryffindor's gasped. Hermione was blind folded and was still kicking Malfoy's ass!
"Serpensortia!" she had heard that spell before… Yes, in second year Malfoy had used it on Harry! She waited until she was positive that it was right in front of her.
"Reducto!" the snake was incinerated. "Tarantallegra," within a second, Hermione had Malfoy dancing uncontrollably. If she wasn't blinded, she was positive that would have cried with laughter, "Incarcerous," and with that, Malfoy was bound on the floor. One more spell to add to his embarrassment, Hermione thought. "Accio wand." She caught the wand and then said finite. Malfoy was now free of all spell and so was Hermione. She looked to see Lucius absolutely livid, the Slytherin's shocked, the Gryffindor's jumping in the air with excitement and the Professor awestruck. She went over to shake Malfoy's hand but he just looked down his nose at her and stalked over to his side of the room.
"Hermione! That was absolutely amazing! And you did it all blind folded!" yelled Lily.
"Merlin! That was bloody great!" screamed Sirius. Similar praises where being shouted but she could only take in so much. She just grinned. Soon, everyone had found their seats and were settled down.
"All I can say is wow. Hermione that was amazing, I have never seen a seventh year fight, and win, blind folded. I am very impressed, is there anything that you can't do? 50 points to Gryffindor!" there was horrendous clapping from the Gryffindor's.
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Lessons went by in a blur and soon, it was time for Hogsmaid.
"You ready Hermione?" questioned Lily, emerging from the bathroom wearing a pair of tight skinny jeans and a baggy Pink Floyd top. Her hair was in a messy bun and her beautiful eyes were framed with a smooth line of kohl. Hermione was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans that she had borrowed from Lily and a Led Zeppelin top. Hermione knew the bands, her father use to play them when he was drunk. Hermione gathered the money that Dumbledore had given her. It was more than enough; she could buy a small apartment with the amount he had given her. She felt extremely guilty but knew that Dumbledore would never take the money back.
"You ready? Let's meet the boys downstairs." Said Lily, grabbing Hermione's hand and leading her out of the door. Remus, Sirius and James were waiting by the fire in the common room. They were all dressed in muggle attire, and looked incredibly handsome. Hermione's heart clenched. They all looked so carefree; none of them knew the fate. Sirius, James and Remus we talking about Quidditch, seemingly oblivious towards the lustrous stares they were receiving from every girl in the room. Hermione could help but smirk at the girls whose jaws had dropped open, relishing at the sight before them.
The boys caught sight of the girls and looked dumbfounded. Sirius' mind raced when he saw Hermione. His stomach turned and twisted uncomfortably. She smiled at Lily as she walked down the stair and he felt his heart swell. What was this feeling? It was completely foreign to him. He overcame his shock when James elbowed him in the ribs. What on earth was happening to his best friend?
"Let's go, ladies," said Sirius, wiggling his eyebrows. The group of five were earning many odd stares as the common room was far from empty.
Sirius bowed his head and extended his arm towards Hermione. She
They walked to Dumbledore's office chatting about classes, Quidditch and whatnot, and Hermione could tell, that it was going to be a good night.
"Ah, Hermione, I would like you to be back before midnight, if you please. I shall leave the network open for you. Have a good evening."
"Yes, sir," Lily went first, and was then followed by the rest of the group. They arrived soundly in Mme Rosetta's bar.
"So, where to first?" asked Sirius with a cocked eyebrow.
"Umm… I need robes and clothes and whatnot," said Hermione, looking at Lily hopefully.
"Ok, I know how about I go with Hermione, we get clothes and other things then we meet at Flourish and Blotts at say… 8:00? Wait, and we can eat together?"
"Wait until 8 to eat? Are you kidding me?" James said, putting a hand over his heart, looking offended.
"You, my dear friends, are crazy!" he laughed. Hermione shot him the most sarcastic glance she could manage.
"That sounds fine, we will see you later." said Remus, Lily grabbed Hermione's arm and proceeded to pull her from the store.
"Cya!" Lily and Hermione shouted from the door.
Sirius, James and Remus moved towards an empty table, sat down and ordered a few Butterbeers. James and Remus began to stare at Sirius and he started to yap on about something before noticing their pointed glares.
"What?" he asked, running a hand through his luscious hair.
"What's going on? You haven't been yourself lately. Usually you would have hooked up with ten girls by now but now, you aren't even giving them a second glace, actually, now that I think about it, the only person you are giving second looks to is Hermione…" A flush crawled onto his cheeks and he shifted uneasily in his seat.
"That's it!" Remus yelled, slamming his hand down on the table, causing their drinks to jump. "You like Hermione!"
"No!" James gasped, his words weren't demanding, just disbelieving. Sirius' cheeks were unnaturally red and his eyes were shifting uncomfortably. This wasn't like him, but he couldn't stop, whenever someone mentioned Hermione, he would get hot and bothered, not in an uncomfortable way, in a nice way. "Are you serious?" he asked Remus.
"No, I'm Sirius," Sirius said, gesturing to himself.
"You asked for that one, mate." Remus said to James, chuckling at his friends and their crazy antics.
"So, Sirius, do you like her?"
"Yes… I mean… I don't know… It's not like she thinks about me in that way…"
"You, my dear friend, have got it bad," James said with Remus chuckling beside him.
"Oh, the irony! How's Lily?" Sirius said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Shut-up," he said, shoving Sirius playfully.
Hermione and Lily walked down the street with linked arms, chatting about school. Hermione had never had a friend like Lily before. It was wonderful. They could talk about anything and she had only been there for a day. Hermione had never felt this close to anyone. Yes, Ron and Harry were her best friends but there were some things that she didn't talk to them about. She use to tell her mother everything, she was like the older sister she never had. But once she died, Hermione cut herself off completely.
Granted, Ginny was there, but Hermione had no respect for her. She was as dumb as a post and she hated the way she used Michael and Dean to get Harry's attention. She was so glad when Harry came to his sense and dumped her. She was a down-right bitch. Molly had tried to be a mother figure but Hermione didn't really like Molly. She was a breeding machine. But Lily was beautiful, smart and kind.
Soon, the reached a robe store that Hermione did not recognised. It must have been shut down before her time. The walked into the shop and the pair were greeted by short plump woman who Hermione recognised to be Augusta Longbottom, Neville's grandmother.
"Welcome, is there anything that I can help you with?"
"Yes, we are in need of plain Hogwarts robes, please," Soon, they were nestled in the back corner of the shop. Hermione was being tailored and Lily was chatting about her Head Girl duties. Soon Hermione had 5 sets of new robes. They walked down to another shop and got some casual clothes, like jeans and a few t-shirts and by then, it was time to meet the boys.
"So, Sirius and you are getting pretty close?" Lily said casually as they were walking to Flourish and Blotts. Hermione's heart starting beating a little bit quicker at the mention of his name.
"Er, no… what do you mean?" Hermione said, now fiddling with the seam of her top.
"I heard about this morning," said Lily, holding back giggles. Hermione groaned and buried her face in her hands. How embarrassing.
"Ugh! Nothing happened!" she said defensively.
"Yes, but the question is; did you want it to?"
"He doesn't think of me in that way!" Lily cocked an eyebrow, noticing that Hermione didn't answer her question.
Oh, this is so hard. I mean, Sirius is very attractive, nice and caring, but he is old enough to be my father! Wait, no he is not… but still. I can't get too involved, I have changed the future enough already, that is, if the future is still happening. Was the future happening? Oh, it's all too serious to be thinking about now. This is not the time or the place. She thought.
"Look, I don't know. When I have an answer, I will let you know," Hermione said, giving Lily a smile before pushing the door open to Flourish and Blotts. The boys were standing there, mucking around, earing stern looks from the sales assistant. Hermione smile inwardly. Before her were the notorious Marauders. They weren't rotting in Azkaban, or dead. They were here, loving life.
"Ladies, how nice of you to join us," Remus said.
"What the plan?" James questioned.
"Well, I still need to get a few things; I won't be that long, only a few minutes. So, you guys could head over to the Three Broomsticks, order the food, and I will meet you there soon?" Hermione said.
"Yeah, sounds good. We will see you in a few." James said, walking towards the door with Lily and Remus.
"Maybe I should stay, you know, wouldn't want Hermione getting lost or anything…" said Sirius. Lily looked at Hermione, trying to get some sort of signal of what she wanted. Hermione gave her friend an encouraging nod, subtle but clear. Before James could open his mouth Lily pushed the door open.
"Sounds wonderful, I will get you a salad then Hermione?" Hermione waved goodbye and nodded. James and Remus followed in suit of Lily, leaving Hermione and Sirius alone in the bookstore, besides the sales assistant.
"So, Milady, what are you in need of today?"
Hermione's laugh made his day. It was like the twinkle of a bell. He smiled and offered her his hand. She took it gracefully, tucking hers in-between. Her hand brushed against his and a shiver shot up his spine. The skin that she touched tingled up-most comfortably. They walked to the end of the street, to a little old shop. It was stingy and dull but captured Hermione's interest instantly. She walked through the door, a little bell ringing when she pushed it open.
The shop was very homely, small, book filled isles filled the space. Hermione rushed towards the isle and Sirius swaggered after her. His heart gave a little squeeze when he saw her eyes light up with joy. She was studying the book before her intently, with brow furrowed. She was so cute when she was concentrating. She looked like she had fallen in love when she finished the blurb. She proceeded to turn the book over and find the price tag. Her eyes widen and she placed the book back. He saddened when he saw her put it back. He leaned over and peered at the cover, Hogwarts: A History, first edition.
Suddenly, she dropped her purse. Sirius bent over to pick it up, so did Hermione. Their heads collided and the bounced back abruptly. Hermione tilted her head up, and her eyes hit his blue ones. Their orbs stared deep into each other, pupils dilating with excitement. Hermione's eyes flicked to his lips and back to his eyes, and then stood up. She couldn't do this. Hermione had already messed up the future enough.
Sirius felt a pang of hurt got through his heart. He had never been rejected before and it hurt. Maybe he was moving too fast. Hermione had been through so much and had only been there for a day.
The rest of the time spent in the bookstore was awkward and tedious. Luckily, by the time they had started to walk back to the Three Broomsticks, the mood had past. They were making small talk, Hermione knew better than to ask about his family, and fortunately, so did Sirius. By the time they reached their detestation they were chatting and laughing.
The only other girl Sirius had ever really got to know was Lily, and it had taken him 4 years to warm up to her. Hermione was definitely something else. They walked in the door and were greeted by the sight of food and friends. Sirius couldn't help himself- he kept stealing glances at Hermione, and he was sure that when he wasn't looking, she was watching him. The thought of Hermione looking at him made his heart beat quicken.
"About time you two got here! We were starting to wonder what you were getting up to," Remus joked but rosiness crawled onto both Sirius and Hermione's cheeks. Luckily, before anyone could ask questions, the food arrived.
"Let us eat," said James, pointing towards the food.
"Let us, let-tuce, lettuce," he said, picking a leaf off Hermione's plate, waving it in the faces of his friends, Hermione let out a small giggle at his lame joke, "Get it? Eat, food, lettuce? Like you-"
"Yes, Sirius we get it," said James, Sirius was laughing himself silly.
The five chatted, laughed and ate until it was well past ten o'clock.
"We should probably get back soon," said Lily, glancing the clock in the corner of the room.
"Yeah, just a quick stop at Honeydukes and we can be off," said James, looking at Remus. The full moon was coming up, so Remus needed his chocolate, not that Hermione was supposed to know this. They put their money down on the table and left the bar.
The enter Honeydukes and Hermione was surprised to see that it was surprisingly smaller that it had been in her time. Remus went to the chocolate section, Lily to the Sugar Quills, James to the Muggle sweets and Hermione and Sirius stayed where they were. Hermione was looked at a shelf of cauldron cakes when something caught her eye on the bottom self. She bent down to see what it was when her backside rammed into something, or rather, someone.
"Gee, Hermione. At least ask me out dinner first." Hermione's back shot straight up and she turned to face him with a grin on her face.
"Most sincere apologies, kind sir," she drawled.
"I can think of a way you can make it up to me," he said in a husky whisper, leaning his head down. But suddenly, Remus and James came around the corner. Hermione moved away faster than you could say hippogriff.
"Come on, guys, we have to go," Remus said, waving his hand in the air. Sirius didn't know whether to be grateful that Remus came around the corner to save him from another rejection or annoyed that he missed out on another chance to be near Hermione.
The found Dumbledore's office empty when they flooed back.
"Well, I'm done for the night. Thank you for coming with me tonight," Hermione said with a smile when they got back to the common room.
"Yeah, at least we don't have classes' tomorrow." added Remus. The group said their goodnights, Hermione and Sirius' lingering for a bit longer than necessary.
Her body had never experienced the feelings that Sirius gave her, she was sure they didn't want them to stop. But they had to. She couldn't risk anything. Severus would contact her soon, she knew it. And then she could be out of this mess. But did she really want to leave? Seeing her idols so young and carefree was amazing, there was no other feeling like it. But knowing that her best friends and many others were waiting for her? Silent tears rolled onto her pillow until she fell into a perturbed sleep.