Disclaimer. I don't own anything. The Harry Potter series belong to J.K. Rowling. If there is an idea in here that you think is familiar then that's not mine either.

AN: I'm not ditching Take Two, just to let you guys know. Also for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, please check out my other story. =]

Chapter 2-Hogwarts- 1998

Looking back on her years at Hogwarts, Hermione realized that she had heard this deafening silence before. The silence could be heard during the end of term feast her fourth year when Dumbledore honored Cedric Diggory's death with the few moments of silence, and then again when Dumbledore himself had died. With his body lying in a crumpled heap on the ground in front of the astronomy tower, the students and teachers alike gave light in the darkness left behind by the death eaters who caused Dumbledore's untimely death.

The silence that consumed Hogwarts now was only broken by the occasional sniff or wail. Everyone in the hall, which had been celebratory just a short while ago, was now mourning the loss of a hero. Hermione was sure that if Harry had been here, the Great Hall would have been louder then ever before.

Hermione sat alone at the far end of the two house tables that managed to not get destroyed by the fight. The Weasleys could be seen huddled around Fred's body taking comfort in each others presence. Hermione had practically pushed Ron to be with them, knowing that, for now, they needed him more than her.

Hermione was by Tonks and Remus's body and every so often she would feel an oncoming tidal wave of tears threatening to overcome her. Just looking at their bodies made Hermione remember all the death, all the sacrifice that went into this war and half of it came from this damn battle itself.

Hermione, for once, had no idea what to do. Looking at the bodies made her think of Teddy. Little Teddy who just lost his parents to Voldemort and had no idea. Teddy who was just made an orphan tonight, just like another baby seventeen years ago because of the same man. Looking at their bodies made her think of Harry.

Abruptly Hermione stood up. She felt suffocated, the walls seemed to be closing in on her. All she knew was that she had to be anywhere but here in the Great Hall. She didn't look where she was going, her feet leading her by their own accord, so she was surprised once she found herself alone in the Gryffindor common room.

The common room didn't seem to be affected by the battle that had raged on outside. Hermione looked around the common room, with a fond expression growing on her face. There were books lying around, most likely for last minute studying, a chess board with all the pieces set up as if about to start a game, and a couple of the twins products, which were probably the last ones bought before the twins had went on the run. Her wandering eyes stopped once they reached the fireplace, the last embers of the fire dying out slowly, and the armchairs around it.

They were their favorite armchairs. Hermione remembered all the times they sat there discussing their plans, talking about classes, or just sitting there basking in the few relaxing moments they had. At that moment Hermione broke down and fell to the floor sobbing.

Harry was gone and Hermione had no idea how to bring him back. She refused to believe he was dead though, like so many others in the Great Hall. He was alive and she knew it, because he couldn't have just died like that. Not when he finally defeated Voldemort, not when it was all finally over.

That was the state Ron found her in, hours later. He didn't say anything as he picked her up off the floor and bought her over to the couch. Hermione felt his arms wrap around her as she cried into her chest. She felt his silent tears drop onto her head which only made her cry more because it all finally hit her. They were alone because Harry was gone and they didn't know how to bring him back. They were alone.

Hogwarts-1978

There was one topic being discussed throughout the castle, no matter what the age or house the student was in. That topic being the man who fell through the ceiling of Hogwarts. Rumors were flying around about him, each more outrageous then the last. The most plausible rumor was that he was a death eater and that You-Know-Who has finally managed to infiltrate Hogwarts.

The same man was being discussed in the Head boy dorm room by the Marauders. James was sighing because Sirius kept on suggesting they sneak down to the Hospital Wing to find out more about the mysterious man.

"Padfoot we already went through this! That man fell through the ceiling of the Great Hall, and as you know Hogwarts is heavily warded against intruders. Most of those wards were placed by the Headmaster himself. So obviously there's more to the story then we know and I can't see Dumbledore reacting to kindly if we sneak down there tonight!" Remus shouted, his patience with Sirius seemed to have entirely disappeared.

Sirius pouted but didn't say anything knowing that once Moony lost his temper , it'd probably be best to not say anything.

"Yeah mate, but if it makes you feel any better, we can sneak down tomorrow night (assuming he's still there) and find out who this mystery man really is." James said consolingly, as if he were speaking to a child who just lost his balloon.

Remus sighed guiltily and said, "Prongs is right, Dumbledore wouldn't let him stay longer then necessary if he was dangerous. If the man is still there in the morning, then it means he's safe. Or at least as safe a man who falls from ceilings can be."

This seemed to make Sirius feel better and he started to play a game of exploding snap with Peter. Remus returned to reading his book once he realized Sirius wasn't going to start again.

James, however, sat in his bed thinking about the thing that had plagued him since summer. He had been made Head Boy. Him, James Potter, Head Boy! The very thought was ridiculous. Yet here he was sitting in his dorm room, the Head Boy's dorm room. He still hasn't managed to figure out who in their right mind made him Head Boy. Remus would be the most logical choice, so why him? He didn't have to guess who the Head Girl was though, it's obvious that it's Lily. James cringed as he imagined Lily's reaction tomorrow once someone tells her who the head boy is.

Sirius and Peter also didn't know that James was the head boy and not Remus. Remus however reacted positively once James told him what happened on the train heading to Hogwarts. Remus started acting as if he were a proud parent and started pinching James's cheek and cooing. James didn't say anything, but having Remus's support gave him more courage then he could ever muster on his own. But Remus knew how James felt and gave him a smile and they headed back to their compartment and found Sirius and Peter pigging out on the candy from the cart. The sight of familiarity was greatly appreciated by all of them.

Ever since James's mother died last year around December because of a Death Eater attack, everybody could notice that he was out of it more so then usual. Their pranks had toned down, and there wasn't the same level of cheerfulness as before. Nobody aside from the Marauders knew what was wrong though. James had completely broke down on his mother's birthday in June in their dorm room. They had finally convinced him to leave the dorm room and eat some dinner but apparently Lily thought he was there to ask her out again and flipped out on him.

James was only going to ask her to move when Lily started to yell at him before any words could even come out of his mouth. James just looked at her while she shouted with a hollow expression on his face. Once she had finally taken notice that he wasn't playfully arguing with her like before, James shook his head at her and went back to the dorm room not leaving for the rest of the weekend. Remus, Sirius, and Peter had to get him some food from the kitchen so he wouldn't starve himself, which is probably what would've happened if they weren't there.

Lily and James haven't spoken to each other since the incident. James went out of his way to ignore her for the rest of term and although Lily noticed this she made no move to apologize, thinking she was right and that James ignoring her was an improvement. Secretly though she did miss the attention. And having the Marauders give you the cold shoulder was definitely not the best thing in the world.

Lily and the rest of the school were wondering what was wrong with the Marauders. Their pranks didn't even involve the whole school anymore. The level of amusement that had filled the castle the past six years had gone down. No one had any idea that the strange man who looked like James's twin would be the one to pull the Marauders out of their funk.

AN: Uhh…. So what do you guys think? Reviews seriously help. Seriously. Anyway here's a special thanks to my one reviewer so far : Spot123. Laters