I am simply reposting this chapter, because I read through it, again, and found a mistake I couldn't let slip by, so here is the two words changed new version. :)
In the morning, Hermione awoke to find Lily already awake and getting ready. Sitting up, Hermione yawned, causing Lily to turn towards her.
"I'm so sorry. Did I wake you? " Lily asked concernedly and quietly, not wanting to wake up any of the other girls.
"No, I usually get up this early." Hermione whispered, while quietly crawling out of bed. "What are you doing up this early? No one I know has ever been up before me." Hermione asked lightheartedly, walking to the lavatory to where Lily was.
"Head Girl duties. I have to first meet Professor Dumbledore with James, then I have to go do rounds with the other prefects." Lily began, before making her way over to the door in order to leave. "I have to go meet James now, though, so we can go see Professor Dumbledore, but I will see you at breakfast, okay?" Lily finished, before disappearing out of the Girl's Dormitory in excitement to see her boyfriend.
"Okay." Hermione whispered to herself, since Lily had left before giving her a chance to respond. Hermione continued to get ready, with the help of a few different charms, and when she was finished, she made her way downstairs into the common room, where she immediately noticed Remus, who was standing and talking with another boy. At once she caught Remus' attention, and he walked over to her.
"Good morning." He said, with a shy smile across his face.
"Thank you, and good morning to you, too." She responded, returning the smile.
"I'd like for you to meet someone." He said, while leading her back to the boy he had been talking to. "You didn't get a chance to meet him last night, but this is our other mate, Peter."
The smile on Hermione's face instantly faded, as she looked from Remus to Peter. She unconsciously took a step back from Peter and stood closer to Remus. She was facing the boy who would soon betray all of his friends. Although her heart began to grow full of anger, she kept her calm. "Hello." She managed to say, straight faced.
"Hi." Peter said, apprehensively, stunned by the girl's actions.
Both Peter and Remus could sense something was wrong with the way Hermione had just acted and introduced herself; however, both appeared to, for the moment, forget what had just happened.
"Well, I have to go now. It time for me to start rounds with the others." Remus said, breaking the silence and motioning towards the other Gryffindor Prefects. "But I'll talk to you two later."
Hermione, who was standing with her arms crossed, slightly waved once and uneasily smiled at Remus, who said goodbye and left the common room.
Hermione looked at Peter. "Well, I'm just going to go now." She said, with the same uneasy smile, while motioning to the door. If there was one thing she wanted, it was to not be in a room alone with Peter Pettigrew, not because she was afraid of him, but because she was afraid of what she might do. She walked to the door and exited the common room, then headed to the library, certain no one else would be there this early.
Sirius awoke to find Peter still missing, Remus and James gone, and Harry still sleeping. Sirius stepped out of bed and decided to wake Harry up before getting ready for breakfast. He walked over to Harry and shook him awake.
"Harry, it's time for breakfast. You need to wake up, mate."
Harry opened his eyes, stunned to see Sirius standing over him. Harry sat straight up and backed away from Sirius nervously.
"Are you okay, mate?" Sirius asked, while standing up and stepping away from Harry's bed.
Harry, who had calmed down, lied "Yea, sorry. I just—I just had a bad dream is all."
Harry was certain he had dreamt the previous days events and Sirius waking him up, prompted Harry to remember where he really was. Harry smiled inwardly to know it was not all a dream. He suddenly remembered how he wanted to talk to Hermione, so Harry quickly jumped out of bed in order to get ready.
"You scared me half to death, waking up like that. Are you sure you're okay?" Sirius asked once again, not convinced Harry had told him the truth the first time he had asked.
" I said I'm fine." Harry answered, half irritated that Sirius asked him again, and half in a hurry to get ready.
"Okay. Sorry for asking."
Sirius and Harry continued to get ready, neither saying a word to the other. Finally, Harry ended the silence with an apology.
"I'm sorry, Sirius." Harry began, but was interrupted by Sirius.
"Don't worry yourself. It's okay, really." Sirius said, seeing the remorse in Harry's eyes.
Harry and Sirius finished preparing for breakfast and left the dormitory. Once they stepped off the stairs, entering the common room, Sirius noticed Peter sitting in a chair, and immediately walked over to him. "There you are. Where the hell were you last night?" He asked.
"I-I was in the hallways coming back from dinner when Snivellus shot some curse at me. I couldn't move. It was almost as if my feet were embedded in the floor."
Sirius scoffed. "The root curse?" He seemed as if he were impressed that Severus Snape could perform any curse that did not involve injuring or actually killing someone.
"I suppose so. Anyway, I was stuck there for hours, until Professor Dumbledore came by and performed the counter curse. By the time I got back, I didn't want to wake any of you up, so I stayed down here and I fell asleep." Peter lied.
"That insufferable prat!" Sirius said. "Don't worry Wormtail, he will get his, trust me." Sirius added, with a mischievous grin.
Harry had been standing by the stairs where Sirius had left him. He was listening to the conversation between Sirius and the boy he did not recognize, that is until he heard Sirius call him Wormtail. It had not yet occurred to Harry that being with his parents, Sirius, and Remus, meant being with Peter, as well. He was so consumed with his hatred for the traitor, he wanted nothing more than to walk over to him and end his pitiful life.
Harry was so lost in his own thoughts, that he did not notice Sirius and Peter walk over to him. Harry was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard Sirius say his name.
"Harry, you weren't able to meet him last night because of Snivellus, but this is our other mate Peter."
Harry looked at Peter cautiously before introducing himself hardheartedly. "Hi, I'm Harry."
Peter could not help notice how the two new students acted around him. The girl had nearly lost her composure when Remus had introduced her to him, and now the boy had the same enraged look in his eyes as she did. He knew there was something about Harry and Hermione, and he promised himself that he would uncover whatever it was.
"Have you met his sister, Hermione? Have you even seen her this morning?" Sirius asked Peter, glancing around the common room for her.
"Yes, I have, actually. Remus introduced us this morning. She left after he did, but I am not sure where she went."
"Isn't she lovely?" Sirius asked Peter. "I wonder where she went."
"She's probably in the library or at breakfast." Harry said impatiently, trying to answer Sirius' question.
"Oh." Sirius replied, noticing the impatience in Harry's voice, but attributing it to Harry's wanting to go to breakfast, not the real reason it was there.
"Well, we were just headed to breakfast, would you like to come with us?" Sirius asked, motioning to Harry and himself.
"Of course, I was just waiting for you to come down. James, Lily, and Remus are all off doing rounds and I didn't want to go alone, especially after what Snivellus did last night." Peter said, standing up to walk with Sirius and Harry.
"I said don't worry about Snivellus. Just leave him to James and I." Sirius said to Peter, who was beginning to worry about what they would do to Snape, who had not actually done anything to him.
"Who is Snivellus?" Harry asked, confused.
"Severus Snape. He's in Slytherin and he's up to his greasy head in the Dark Arts and he always has been. "He is always shooting curses at us and he's been trying since first year to get us all expelled." Sirius explained to Harry as they all walked out of the common room and headed for the Great Hall. "He is definitely not someone you want to get mixed in with."
"Sounds like someone I once knew." Harry added, referring to the older version of Snape.
The boys rounded the corner and entered the Great Hall. They walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat with James who was already there.
"Where is everyone?" Sirius asked James.
"Lily is off running around with Alice, and neither Remus nor Hermione have been here yet, and I don't know where they are."
Jealously began to show on Sirius' face and none of the other boys failed to notice it.
Quickly changing the subject, Sirius asked in a voice that suggested he had reasonable proof to hex Snape, "So, Prongs, guess what Snivellus did last night?"
"What did he do this time, Padfoot?" James asked, fully interested in the opportunity to hex Snape.
"He root cursed Peter here to the floor. If it hadn't been for Dumbledore and his fine knowledge of counter curses, Peter would have been stuck to the floor all night long." Sirius finished.
"Merlin, I think we need to teach Snivellus a lesson, Padfoot." James said, with the same mocking voice, Sirius had been using.
"I think you are right, Prongs." Sirius began. "And I know exactly what to do. We're going to make Snivellus even more hideous, if that is at all possible. Just tell me when he comes in."
Harry, who was listening to their conversation and could not help but be amused by his father and Sirius, laughed. After all Snape had put him through, Harry could not wait to see what they had planned.
"He just walked in." James said, catching Sirius' attention.
"Snivellus!" Sirius yelled, standing up and gaining the attention of all in the Great Hall.
Snape stopped and looked at Sirius, who had his wand pointed directly at him.
"Fernunculus!"
Snape, who did not have any time to pull out his wand, immediately began to feel a strange tingle in his face. He quickly brought up his hands to feel massive amounts of boils that were popping up all over his face and neck.
Remus and Hermione were about to walk into the Great Hall, when they heard laughter and saw someone run out the door, while holding his face. They turned to watch as the person Remus knew to be Severus Snape ran past them and down the corridor.
"That was odd." Hermione said to Remus as they continued into the Great Hall.
"Yea, it was." He agreed, curious as to what just happened.
They walked up to their friends at the Gryffindor table and began to sit down.
"What was all that about?" Remus asked while sitting down.
"Moony—we were wondering about you." James said, welcoming Remus.
"And you. Good morning." Sirius added, smiling at Hermione.
She smiled back at him before saying, "Good morning."
"So what happened to Snape?" Remus asked again.
"Not sure, but somehow he got a severe case of unwanted boils." Sirius explained in the familiar mocking voice that proved his guilt.
"Sirius…" Remus began, but then scoffed due to going speechless, not wanting to take away points from his best mate. "Never mind. Just forget it."
Remus watched as James and Sirius sent each other looks that showed pride in their latest prank, and he wondered how James ever got Head Boy.
Hermione looked at Harry with the same disapproving look Remus has given James and Sirius, but all Harry could do was smile along with the two.
All the while, Peter was feeling guilty, not for joining Voldemort and vowing to kill his friends, but for causing Sirius and James' prank on Snape. He quickly excused himself from the table and left.
"What's with him?" James asked as he, Sirius, and Remus watched him stand up and leave.
"Merlin only knows, but he sure has been distant lately." Sirius answered.
Hermione discreetly looked across the table at Harry. Feeling her eyes on him, he looked up and met them. They were both nearly certain of the reason for his absence, yet were unable to prove it without revealing their own secret, so they remained silent while listening to the Marauders.
After what happened that morning between Hermione and Peter, Remus could not help notice the exchanged looks between Harry and Hermione. He did not say anything to his friends, but knew that he could not simply forget it, as he had earlier.
Sirius was secretly watching Hermione, contemplating how he could either spend time with her alone or get her to notice him. After much thought, he turned to Remus.
"So Moony, if you're not busy this afternoon, you should come watch us practice." Sirius suggested.
"Well, actually I do have an essay for class that I need to finish," Remus paused questioningly, as Sirius quickly looked at Hermione then back at him with a stern expression. "But, I'd be happy to come watch the team practice." He finished sardonically.
Classes went by quickly and, before they knew it, Remus and Hermione were back in the common room working on their essays. Remus looked at the clock hanging magically on the wall and put his work down.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked noting the paleness of his face.
"I'll be fine." He answered, quickly rubbing his eyes, before placing his hands together over his face. He removed his hands before turning to Hermione.
"Any chance you'd like to join me for some fresh air?" He asked.
Hermione put her things down before answering. "Sure, I'd love to."
Remus stood up and walked over in front of her. He held out his hand offering to help her stand.
"Thank you." She said, taking his hand and standing.
"No problem." He answered, smiling at her.
Hermione blushed before smiling back at him. Remus led her over to the door, still holding her hand, and they left. Neither of them said a word until they reached the stands, where Remus offered her a place on one of the benches to sit on. Once Hermione was seated, Remus let go of her hand and sat down beside her. They were both watching as the players flew all over the field. Hermione, looking over to Remus, broke the long silence.
"I hate flying." She confessed.
Remus smiled as he turned to look at her. "How can you hate flying?"
"How can you not?!" She asked, smiling at him and gently nudging him.
Remus just looked at her and smiled. She was so beautiful to him and there was something about her that made his heart skip a beat. He could not help wanting to be around her. Everything she did made him want her more. He caught himself staring at her, again, and laughed nervously.
"Why are we here?" She asked Remus. "I'm beginning to feel nauseous just watching all of them fly around." She added with her own nervous laugh.
"I'm sorry. We can leave whenever you want, though. We are only here because Sirius wanted you to see him at practice, so he could show off."
Hermione gave Remus look of look of unbelief. "What?"
"Don't tell him I told you, though." Remus began very seriously. "He'd be—well, he'd be pissed." Remus finished with a smile.
Hermione smiled before agreeing with Remus. "I promise."
"So, would you like to leave?" He asked her.
"No, that's okay, we can stay. Besides up here I get you all to myself." She smiled flirtatiously.
It was now Remus' turn to blush. He smiled back at her before replying to her. "That doesn't sound too bad, actually."
Hermione smiled back at Remus and the two sat talking and learning about each other until the Quidditch field was completely empty. They were both beginning to feel very close to each other and neither wanted their conversation to end. However, when an owl flew over to Hermione, they were forced to. Hermione took the note from the owl and quickly read it to herself.
Miss Potter,
Please do not be alarmed, however, I would like for you to report to my office immediately.
Thank you,
Professor Dumbledore
Hermione folded up the letter and stood up quickly, causing Remus to do the same.
"Is everything alright?" He asked her with obvious concern in his voice.
"I hope so, it's from Professor Dumbledore, he wants Harry and I to meet with him--well, now." She answered, acknowledging the letter.
"Okay, well, I'll walk with you if you'd like me to." Remus offered.
"How could I turn that offer down?" She asked him, smiling at him again.
Remus and Hermione began to walk together back to Hogwarts. If they had not seen the sky and how dark it was growing, they would not have believed how long they had been gone. Once they reached the school, they walked inside to find the halls nearly empty.
"Merlin, how long were we out there?" Hermione questioned.
"Apparently quite some time." Remus answered.
Remus walked her all the way to the gargoyle staircase in front of Professor Dumbledore's office.
"I suppose this is where I leave you." Remus said, backing away from Hermione.
"Yea, I suppose so." She responded.
"Well, I'll see you back in the common room." He said, before they said their goodbyes.
Hermione watched him vanish down the hall, before answering to herself, "Hopefully."
She said the password and rode the spiraling staircase until she was facing the same door she had only days before. She reached up to knock on the door, however, it opened before she had the chance.
"Ah, Miss Potter." Began the younger Professor Dumbledore. "Please come in, my dear."
Hermione knew Harry was already there and seated, the evidence in seeing a mess of raven colored hair turned from her.
Professor Dumbledore led her to the seat beside Harry and she sat down. As Professor Dumbledore continued behind his desk, Harry and Hermione looked at each other with uncertainty in their eyes. Once Professor Dumbledore was seated, he smiled politely at them.
"Thank you both for coming on such short notice. I am sure you are both wondering why I asked you to come."
Harry and Hermione both glanced at each other before turning their attention back to the Headmaster.
"I cannot help but notice how close the two of you have become with a few certain students these past couple of days."
Harry and Hermione remained silent as they quickly looked at each other, unsure of what Professor Dumbledore would say next, before they set their attention on him once again.
"Which leads me to believe that you have some sort of relationship with them in your era. Am I correct?"
Harry looked at Hermione, who quickly looked at him before they answered his question.
"Yes, sir." They said in unison.
"Ah, I assumed as much." Professor Dumbledore said more to himself than to Harry and Hermione. "I am curious, please tell me the relationships you hold with these students. Do not tell me anything about them, just how the two of you are associated with them."
Hermione looked at Harry, hinting with her eyes that he should be the one to answer Professor Dumbledore's question. Harry sat up in his chair before nervously answering his question.
"Well, sir, James and Lily are my parents, Sirius is my godfather, and Remus used to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry and Hermione with concern in his twinkling eyes.
"I trust the two of you have not told any of them who you are or why you are here."
"No, sir. You told us not to and I know I haven't." Hermione said before looking over at Harry, who had his head down before looking up at Professor Dumbledore and answering.
"No, sir, I haven't either." Harry looked back down before Professor Dumbledore began talking again.
"Good. I should hope I will not ever hear differently. The consequences that could ensue would be terrible." He began, before standing up and leaning in towards them. "The time pattern must not be messed with. No matter what you know will happen, you must not mess with it, do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir." They both answered without giving it a thought.
"I know I am repeating myself, but it is very important that no one find out the truth."
"Yes, sir." They answered again, knowing that there would be no purpose in arguing with the Headmaster.
"Thank you. That is all I wanted, you may leave now, if you would like."
Harry and Hermione stood, said their goodbyes to Professor Dumbledore, and left his office. As Professor Dumbledore walked back into his office, he could not help but think of how Harry said talked about the students they knew. Instead of saying he knew Sirius and Remus through James and Lily, he talked as if he knew them all separately. What bothered Professor Dumbledore more, though, is how neither of them mentioned knowing Peter Pettigrew.
As they walked through the corridors, Harry was speechless. It was as if Professor Dumbledore had been reading his mind. Hermione knew there was something bothering him, so she broke the silence.
"Harry, what's wrong?" She asked, stopping in the corridor and turning to face Harry, who had also stopped.
"It's nothing now." He answered as he turned to start walking again. However, Hermione reached out and caught his hand, causing him to stop again.
"Harry, I've known you long enough to know when something is bothering you. What is it?" She asked, releasing his hand since he stopped again.
Harry sighed before looking into her eyes. "Hermione, I've been needing to talk with you all day. I know Professor Dumbledore said not to try and chance things, but spending these past two days with my parents, Sirius, and Remus—I can't let what's supposed to happen to them happen."
"Harry, you know what Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall told us. We cannot intervene in what's supposed to happen."
Harry looked into her eyes with the same empty, hurt look he had before they came back. "I don't really care what they say." His voice growing louder with every word he spoke. "I have spent my entire life without them. If I can prevent my parents deaths and Sirius' twelve years in Azkaban, I am going to do it and nothing anyone says is going to make me do otherwise."
"Harry keep your voice down, someone could hear you." Hermione said sternly. "I am sorry that you have had to grow up without your parents, Harry, but you heard Professor Dumbledore. There could be terrible consequences for trying to change the future."
"Honestly, I don't care." Harry continued with a lowered voice. "In these past two days I have felt more safe with them than I ever have and now I have been given the opportunity to stop it all and I am going to. If you ever lost your parents, you would know how I feel." Harry's voice went cold with his last sentence and he immediately felt sorry for what he said.
Hermione was taken aback at Harry's words. Her eyes began to tear up and her bottom lip began to tremble. She swallowed just to keep her composure. "Must I remind you that while you were sulking in your own pity, my parents were killed by Death Eaters who were looking for me and you." She paused to wipe her tears. "So do not EVER tell me that I do not know how you feel."
Harry reached out to hold her, but she pushed him away. "I am so sorry, Hermione. It's just that I never had the chance to meet my parents and now that I have, I cannot let them succumb to fate waiting for them." He reached out for her again and this time she let her hold her while she silently cried.
Finally she broke through her tears. "I know."
Please review, so I know what y'all are thinking about it :)