DISCLAIMER: The Harry Potter franchise absolutely does not belong to me. The only thing that does is this plot. Oh, and the lyrics belong to [in order of appearance]: All Time Low and Voxtrot.
Chapter 4 – Don't Even Miss Me
After Hermione and Lily were able to replenish themselves of the meal that was abruptly taken away from them, they headed back to the Common Room. The girls were talking about school, until the Hermione brought the subject up of Time Solstice.
"Lily, I have to tell you something," Hermione started out.
"You like Sirius! No, wait, you like Remus!" Lily blurted.
Hermione glared at Lily before saying, "I wanted to tell you that I've found a book on Time Solstice today. It's interesting, and it might get me back home."
The witch waited for her friend to say something. When Lily kept her mouth shut, Hermione said, "Lily, you know I have to go back, right?"
Lily huffed and whispered, "Hermione, as much as I know that you have to leave, I really don't want you to. Sad to admit, but you're probably the closest friend that I've ever had. Besides, what about Sirius and Remus?"
"They've lived 17 years of their lives without me, I'm sure they're going to be fine."
"You're not trying to run away from them are you," Lily teased.
"Yes, Lily you caught me; that was actually my plan all along. Forgetting about my old life and starting a new one here is what I'm striving for now," Hermione sarcastically replied.
"I don't understand how Remus and Sirius like you when you're so sarcastic like this," Lily teased.
"Mention their names one more time and I guarantee you that I will hex you," Hermione threatened.
"Oh you just ruin all the fun."
When Lily and Hermione walked inside the Gryffindor's common room, Lily paused and squinted her eyes to gaze at someone.
"Is that..." Lily started to say.
"Lily!" James bounded down the stairs from the boys dormitory, "I have to talk to you, right now."
"I guess I'll see you later, Hermione," Lily called back while her boyfriend grabbed her hand and led her upstairs quickly.
Hermione just shrugged her shoulders and started to walk upstairs as well, but a voice stopped her.
"Hermione, we need to talk to you," the unmistakable voice of Remus Lupin resounded in the room.
The witch quickly turned around to find Sirius and Remus sitting on two separate chairs near the fireplace. She hesitantly walked towards them while quickly thinking of all the reasons why they might want to talk to her. What stood out the most was that they were going to talk to her about the current situation.
Hermione stood in front of them, waiting for the two to talk.
"You could sit down if you want. It might take a long time explaining," Sirius said.
Hermione sat down on the opposite couch that was located in front of them. She placed her hand on her lap and gave them a questioning look. Remus hesitantly looked at Sirius who nodded in encouragement.
"Erm-well, I-we want to apologize for our actions for the past few days. We didn't mean to come onto you so ... forcefully."
Hermione smiled at Remus' polite manners. If only she could erase the thoughts of his lips touching hers.
"Yea I mean... I was being a completely barbaric git. Why don't we start over, hm?" Sirius asked.
Hermione was silent, leaving the two boys think miserable thoughts of rejection.
'What if she doesn't want to do anything with me?' Sirius thought to himself quickly.
'She probably hates me...' Remus groaned inside of his head.
"Sure," the witch sighed.
Both heads immediately shot up.
"Are you sure," Remus hesitantly asked.
"Yes," Hermione laughed, she got up from the couch and walked over to the two of them.
She leaned in to give Sirius a peck on the cheek and hugged him, did the same for Remus and sat down in between them.
"But er-," Hermione looked around the empty common room, "where is everyone?"
The two boys gave her sheepish smiles, "You could say we rented it for awhile so we could have privacy, you know, to talk to you?"
Remus started to explain, "Sirius told them that we were going to test a new prank. As long as it involves Sirius and something to do with pranks, they are out of the room."
"Hey Pads! Can we all come downstairs now?" James called out from the boys' dorm.
"Yeah! Come on down, all of you!" Sirius yelled.
Suddenly, all the Gryffindors rushed downstairs and went on with their own business. Remus, Hermione, and Sirius still sat where they were, while the other three friends started to walk towards them.
"Hermione, sorry that I couldn't come down and get you, James was holding on to me and-" Lily had bright red cheeks and she was trying to catch her breath.
James wrapped his arms around an invisible person and started to make-out with it.
Lily was completely oblivious until Sirius started making kissing noises.
"Sirius, stop being an immature brat," Lily sniffed.
"Lily Evans," Sirius mimicked the witch, "you should take a look at your boyfriend.
When she looked to her side and realized what James was doing, she swatted him on the shoulder. James merely smiled broadly and wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's waist.
Hermione softly laughed to herself.
"Oh, Hermione, did Sirius tell you?" James asked.
"Tell me... what?" Hermione looked at Sirius curiously.
Sirius looked down and mumbled something incoherent.
Hermione looked back at James who gave her a sigh.
"Come on you big coward, tell her," James prodded his best friend on the shoulder.
Sirius exhaled and rolled his eyes, "Fine."
Hermione looked at Sirius with interest, "Go on."
"Madam Rosmerta, the pub lady, is letting me play at The Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade in two weeks," Sirius said while still looking down, but this time he was smiling.
"When did this happen?" Hermione asked.
Sirius rubbed the back of his head, "Well, she promised last year that she'd let me play a few songs and she owled me yesterday saying if I was still planning on doing it."
"Are you excited?" Hermione asked.
"Are you kidding?" James exclaimed. "He was in tears yesterday when he got the letter."
"Crying?" Hermione laughed.
Sirius glared at James.
"No, not crying. He's exaggerating. Actually, he's lying his arse off."
"Right," Hermione smiled.
"Are you doubting me?" Sirius smiled with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"And what if I am?" Hermione refuted.
"Well," Sirius sighed, "I'm just going to have to tickle you mercilessly until you believe me."
"Wait, wha-"
Sirius didn't give Hermione the time to finish her sentence. He immediately tackled her sides which inevitably caused both of them to fall on the floor.
Gasping for air, Hermione quickly shouted, "Okay! I believe you!"
Sirius, on top of the worn-out girl, replied with a wolfish grin, "Good."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Two weeks passed by, leading into the month of November, and luckily, Sirius, Remus, and Hermione were getting along fine. Hermione's research, on the other hand, was going nowhere; many texts were vague on the topic. The one particular book about the topic itself was indeed helpful, but it was better for referencing rather than learning in-depth knowledge.
However, while the search was futile, Hermione had formed deeper relationships with the six friends much to her dismay.
And now, today was the day that some of Hogwart's students were able to travel to Hogsmeade. Not only that, but today was also the day that Sirius would be performing at The Three Broomsticks.
An hour before the students were to depart, the girls' dormitory was in complete shambles. It probably could be compared to the messiness of the boys' dormitory and soundly defeat them.
Hermione and Lily were also throwing out all the clothing they could possibly have. Well, Hermione actually assisted Lily since Hermione didn't have any clothes for that matter.
"You know, this is pretty ridiculous," Lily huffed. "I'm tempted to just go in the nude if this is really proving to be too difficult."
"Be my guest," Hermione laughed. "I'm sure James would appreciate it... as would the entire male population of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade combined."
Lily scowled.
"You shouldn't be talking," Lily said. "I'm fine with clothes... it's you that's the problem. You don't have any at all."
This was correct. Hermione had been waiting for the Hogsmeade trip to buy clothes. In the meantime, during the weekends, Lily had been allowing her friend to borrow some of her clothes.
"Lily, just give me something comfortable and warm," Hermione asked.
"You are so lucky that I'm not like all the other girls in this dorm. If you were stuck with Jessica over there," Lily nodded her head towards a rather promiscuous dressed girl, "you would probably be stuck with massive high heels and some micro mini."
"But I have you," Hermione grinned. "Thanks."
Lily handed Hermione a pair of jeans, a white blouse, and a black cropped trench coat.
"Unfortunately, I will have to give you a pair of heels," Lily frowned. "But before you complain, I'm going to tell you that these heels are incredibly comfortable."
The witch held the black round-toe high heels at Hermione who examined them. Hermione approximated two inches on the heel and actually did think that the shoes were cute. The only distinguishing characteristic on the shoes was the scrunched up overlay design that resembled much like a bow.
"These don't look too dreadful," Hermione mumbled. "Anyway, thanks for the clothes. I promise you that this will be the last day that I'll borrow from you... maybe."
Once the two girls finally finished dressing up, they ran downstairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter were waiting for them. However, Hermione's attention was immediately directed towards Sirius and his black guitar case. Although he was only dressed in a snug black button-up shirt and jeans, Hermione couldn't help but think that he looked incredibly attractive. Of course, the witch immediately chastised herself for thinking such thoughts. Unfortunately in doing so, she missed the last step of the staircase.
"Are you okay?" Remus looked down at Hermione, whose face was buried in his chest.
Hermione merely nodded and pried herself away from him. She was about to head over to Lily, but she was too busy talking to James.
With a sigh, she started to walk out of the common area. It was only a matter of seconds before Sirius bounded over to her.
"Hey Hermione," Sirius said with a smile.
"Hello," the witch looked to her side and returned his smile.
"So are you excited about going to Hogsmeade?" Sirius asked while shoving his hands his hands in his front pocket.
"I suppose. I'm curious about what I'll see there," Hermione lied.
"Well, it's a small town. Nothing much to do but better than being cooped up here at Hogwarts," Sirius replied. He then added, "Other than watching me perform, what do you plan on doing?"
"What makes you so sure that I'm going to watch you?" Hermione teased.
"Because it's just... given? There was an understanding that all five of you would come and watch me play," Sirius said.
"Really? Are you sure about that?"
"I... think so?" Sirius started to question himself. "Wait. What else do you have to do that's so important than watching me play?"
"Way to sound extremely conceited Sirius," Hermione laughed.
"You know what I mean," he huffed.
Hermione shrugged but answered, "Lily said she was going to take me shopping."
"Bleh," Sirius face contorted into disgust.
"See," Hermione said, "far more important than watching you play."
Sirius stopped and grabbed Hermione's wrist and turned her around to face him.
"But it would mean the world to me if you came..."
Hermione looked to the side, far too embarrassed to look at him in the eye.
"What if I came shopping with you after I play a few songs? But only if you guarantee that you'll come and see me for the whole time I'm playing," Sirius stubbornly refused to give up.
"And if I don't want you to come?" Hermione asked with a coy smile. For some reason, she found pleasure and entertainment in teasing Sirius.
"Woman, just say yes or no!" Sirius groaned.
Hermione erupted in laughter.
"No! Laughing is not acceptable either," Sirius stomped his foot.
"Fine Sirius," Hermione continued to laugh, "I'll come and watch. But I'm not going to promise you any fun while we're shopping."
Sirius' face, which had been synonymous to a petulant child, immediately lit up.
"Anything's fun if I'm there," Sirius winked.
The witch rolled her eyes and continued to walk.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Once all the Hogwart's students arrived at Hogsmeade, Sirius started bouncing up and down.
"Are you ready?" James laughed.
"You bet," Sirius confidently replied while puffing his chest out. "I'm ready for anything."
Remus, however, thwacked his friend, causing for Sirius to gasp for air and nearly dropping his guitar.
"What was that for?" the wizard scowled.
"I thought you said you were ready for anything," Remus smirked.
"You git," Sirius muttered.
"Idiots," Lily didn't even bother covering her obvious distaste.
"Oh come off it, Lils," James poked his girlfriend on the side.
"Well, Hermione and I are going to go shopping," Lily shrugged off James and looped her arm with Hermione's.
"I don't think so," Sirius said while grabbing Hermione's other arm before Lily could pull her away.
Lily tugged Hermione's arm slightly, "Sirius Black, we are not interested in you playing your guitar."
"You may not, but Hermione promised," Sirius replied.
Lily looked at the other witch questioningly.
Hermione shrugged, "It was kind of forced upon."
"Yea, besides Lily, James will be there so you'd still have fun," Sirius winked.
"Ugh, don't wink at me Sirius Black," Lily scrunched up her face.
"Come on Lils," James gently prodded his girlfriend on the side.
The witch didn't say anything for awhile, but then finally gave in with a sigh.
"I guess we all will be there," Lily told Sirius.
In response, he punched his fist into the air and exclaimed, "Yes!"
"Don't you need to go and talk to Rosmerta though?" Remus told his friend. "You told me earlier that she wanted you to be there a few minutes earlier."
Sirius slapped his palm to his forehead, "That's right."
"As expected, Sirius Black would forget his promises," Lily joked.
"You know James... sometimes I don't understand why you chose her out of all the broads at our school."
"Broads!?" Lily exclaimed.
Before Lily could harass the teen any more, Sirius bounded off to The Three Broomsticks and yelled out, "Wish me luck!"
"I swear James, I don't care if he's your friend or not, I will murder him one day!" Lily let out a frustrated groan.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her friend but stopped when she felt someone graze against her arm.
"Hey, Hermione, want to go and grab some seats?" Remus asked.
The witch smiled and nodded. In response, Remus grabbed Hermione's hand and started pulling her towards the pub.
"Remus, I-"
"I know," he sighed but gave her a smile, "but just this once, please?"
She hesitated for a bit, but decided to go along with it. After all, he said just this once, right?
As Remus and Hermione entered the already crowded pub, they pushed their way to a spot closest to a make-shift stage, which basically consisted of a three-legged wooden stool, that was set up near the bar.
The two quickly garnered three more seats for their friends and immediately sat down. When Lily, James, and Peter came to sit with them as well, Hermione realized that Remus was still holding onto her hand.
"Remus..." Hermione murmured while tugging her hand away from him.
Although Hermione literally tried yanking her hand back, Remus kept a firm grip on her.
"Hermione!"
The witch looked up to find a smiling Sirius. Seeing him so close to her made her fidget uncomfortably. The only thought running through her mind was if hope that Sirius see her and Remus holding hands only because she didn't want anymore conflict not because she was afraid that Sirius might get the wrong idea. Of course not that.
"H-hey Sirius," Hermione hesitantly smiled.
He rubbed the back of his head, a common trait, and smiled sheepishly, "Rosmerta wants me to play a few songs. I think I'll just play three or so. Not too much you know since we've got that date."
Sirius winked which caused for Remus to squeeze Hermione's hand. The witch held her grimace, and merely nodded. When Sirius left, Hermione pulled her hand back once more. This time, Remus let go.
Before Hermione could say something to Remus, Sirius sat on his wooden stool and pressed his wand to his throat. He murmured a sonorous charm and cleared his throat.
"Hullo everyone! This is Sirius Black and I am here to entertain you with this magnificent guitar. Now, I promise I won't cause ears to strain or even bleed, so it would mean everything if everyone would listen," Sirius smiled. "And don't worry, I'll only play three songs."
Sirius sighed and said, "This goes out to a very special girl."
With that, Sirius winked at Hermione and began strumming his guitar.
"He woke up from dreaming and put on his shoes,
Started making his way past two in the morning,
He hasn't been sober for days..."
Hermione, completely red in the face, merely sat there enraptured by Sirius' performance.
"Forgive me, I'm trying to find,
My calling, I'm calling at night.
I don't mean to be a bother, but have you seen this girl?
She's been running through my dreams,
And it's driving me crazy it seems."
The witch felt someone kick her leg on her left. She looked to the side for a second to find Lily snickering.
Lily leaned in and said, "Well, isn't he blunt about his feelings."
Hermione furiously blushed and looked down for a second, but couldn't help but to look back up to look at Sirius.
"And even though she doesn't believe in love,
He's determined to call her bluff.
Who could deny these butterflies?
They're filling his gut."
As Sirius continued singing, millions of thoughts ran through Hermione's mind.
'Are these just lyrics or is Lily right?'
The next song was about unrequited love as well.
"This time of night I could call you up.
I'd get angry with athletic ease, break common laws in twos and threes.
If I die clutching your photograph,
Don't call me boring, it's just cause I like you."
"Told you," Lily said while prodding her finger into Hermione's shoulder.
Hermione didn't do anything but just sit and watch.
"Come by and see me, I'm a love letter away.
I'd break your name before I'd say, "I really love you, love you."
I don't care if you saw, I watched every inch of film
Flash across your Roman features.
And I loved it, loved; I don't care if..."
Soon Sirius finished his rather short three song set. Fortunately for Hermione, the last song wasn't about unrequited love.
The crowd at The Three Broomsticks wasn't overly enthusiastic, but it didn't mind Sirius either. However, most of the applause came from the Marauders, Lily, and Hermione, although some were also coming from over enthusiastic girls.
"Sirius you were amazing!" a girl shrieked.
Hermione stifled in laughters.
"I LOVE YOU!" another exclaimed.
The witch looked up and glanced towards Lily who shrugged in response.
"Daily occurrence," Lily off-handedly said, then added, "You'll get used to it though."
Of course Hermione realized that Sirius Black was admired by the majority of the female and some male population of Hogwarts but the idea of 'getting used to it' seemed strange to her for some reason.
"Right," Hermione half-heartedly smiled.
Remus nudged the witch gently on her side with his elbow, "Do you want some butterbeer?"
"Oh?" Hermione looked up, "yea, sure. That would be nice."
As the witch gazed off into nothing in quite particular, Sirius slowly crept towards her.
"Hermione," Sirius leaned in and whispered into her ear.
The girl immediately jumped up from her seat and blushed from head to toe.
"Do you find amusement in scaring me every time you see me?"
Sirius acted as though he was thinking heavily about this and nodded with a grin, "Yea, something like that."
"You are insufferable," Hermione huffed. "Lily was right about you."
"Oh, really now?" Sirius inquired while raising his eyebrows.
Hermione nodded, "It's just a shame that you didn't prove her wrong."
The boy was quiet for a few seconds, seriously thinking about what to say next, then replied, "Well, if I gave you another chance to change your mind, would you take it?"
The witch laughed, "If you gave me another chance?"
Sirius nodded.
"You better hurry then," Hermione continued to laugh.
With that, Sirius grabbed Hermione's hand and led her out of the pub. As they were walking to some unknown destination, Hermione couldn't help but asking where they were heading.
"It's a surprise."
But when she noticed that Sirius was taking her towards the outskirts of the town, Hermione asked, "We aren't going to the Shrieking Shack are we?"
"One, why would I take you there, it's a miserable place. And two, how do you know about the Shack if you've never been to Hogsmeade before?"
"Er- I read about Hogsmeade in a book from the library and it talked about the sites that were close to Hogsmeade," Hermione quickly made up an excuse.
"Ah, you would read something about that, wouldn't you," Sirius chuckled.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Sirius grinned.
"Really though Sirius, where are we going?" Hermione asked while she heard the faint sound of rushing water.
"I'll show you as soon as you close your eyes," Sirius commanded.
"You won't do anything irrational, right?"
"That, I cannot promise you."
"...fine."
As soon as Hermione closed her eyes, Sirius stood behind her and gently placed his hands over her closed lids.
"Just in case you decide to peek," Sirius whispered.
Hermione merely scoffed.
Sirius continued to lead Hermione into an unknown destination but the sound of water consistently grew louder.
"Now..." Sirius said while he started to open his hands, "here we are."
Hermione immediately saw beautiful white crocuses surrounding the bases of several trees. Other than the flowers, there were few boulders but resting in the middle of the forest, there was a small creek with gently flowing water.
The witch, trying to take in everything, slowly twirled around in circles.
When she stopped spinning, Hermione smiled and said, "Sirius, this place is incredibly beautiful. How did you find it?"
"Just stumbled across it one day last year," Sirius shrugged. He then sat on one of the large boulders and gave the empty spot beside him a pat. "Come over here."
Hermione cautiously walked towards him and gave him a questioning look, instead of sitting next to him, she stood.
"I'm not going to bite," the ebony haired Gryffindor playfully joked while smiling. "And I'd like to tell you something."
"Please," Sirius gave his well known puppy dog face.
Without a word, Hermione sat down next to Sirius and waited expectantly.
Sirius sighed and then said, "I know that the past few weeks have been slightly uncomfortable, especially with the situation between you, Remus and me. Although Remus and I agreed to just let everything go, I just... there seems to be complications in doing so."
"Sirius..."
"Before you just downright deny me right now, just let me offer you a proposition."
Hermione simply nodded.
"Well other than stating the obvious yet again, I'm wondering if you could just give me a chance. By that, meaning if you could just allow for one date."
"A date?"
"Yes, just one... well, I mean, if you want more than one, I'd happily go on more, but for now, just one," Sirius quickly replied.
Hermione awkwardly laughed.
"So...?"
"I... guess that's okay," Hermione murmured.
Sirius let out a breath of relief.
"But, would you going shopping with me count as a date?"
Jokingly, Sirius remarked, "Are you trying to get rid of me as quickly as you can?"
"I wasn't-no-I"
"Hermione, I'm kidding," Sirius laughed. "Well, if you want us to go on a date this afternoon, I am completely for it. However, I would prefer for you to give me a few more hours to concoct the perfect date."
"How about I go shopping with Lily and we can have this... thing afterwards."
"Meet me at The Three Broomsticks around three thirty then?"
Hermione nodded, "That sounds great."
"Well, we should get back; the others might think that I kidnapped you or something," Sirius barked out a laugh.
"Right," Hermione said while walking towards what she thought was Hogsmeade.
"You're actually going the opposite way," Sirius stopped Hermione and pointed behind him.
"I knew that..." she muttered under her breath. Hermione kept walking but stopped when Sirius didn't follow. "Aren't you coming?"
"Well, this is a perfect spot for me to think of that genius date," Sirius smiled.
"So you just want me to go back by myself?"
"You're a big girl, I think you can handle it," he smirked.
"Okay," Hermione shrugged, "but if I get lost and don't show up later, just know that I'm still in the forest."
"Tell James and Remus that I'll be back soon," he called out to Hermione.
She didn't turn around. 'I can't believe he's just leaving me to go back to Hogsmeade by myself...'
Hermione furiously stomped back towards Hogsmeade, but she didn't exactly look where she was going. When she noticed that she was near a cliff, she realized that she was nowhere near Hogsmeade.
"I definitely don't think this is the way back," Hermione said aloud while looking around her surroundings.
Back near the stream, Sirius laughed and headed off to find Hermione. However, as he grew closer to getting into Hogsmeade, he noticed that the only tracks leading out of the forest were the ones that him and Hermione made coming in.
'She didn't really get lost did she?' Sirius thought.
"HELP!"
Sirius immediately looked towards the direction of the scream. It was Hermione.
"Please, someone help!"
Without thinking, Sirius transformed into his Animaigus form, grabbed his clothes with his mouth and bounded off to find Hermione.
Ah, sorry for the lateness... I've been incredibly busy and my laptop was nowhere near me. I was preparing for my volleyball tryouts at Emory for the past four days and just got back on Saturday.
Oh, and just in case you were wondering what the titles of the songs were... "Remembering Sunday" : All Time Low and "The Start of Something" : Voxtrot. Seriously though, Voxtrot is probably one of the best bands I've heard. Definitely check them out.
Side note: I recently watched Sense and Sensibility with Alan Rickman in it. At first it was kind of weird because all I could see was Snape, but once I got over that, I've decided that Alan Rickman looked quite dashing with his cravat and breeches. Besides, Colonel Brandon is just awesome to begin with.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Susie