Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the world he lives in, JKR does. I'm just writing this story for my own entertainment.
Chapter 4
Hermione stopped the Marauders before they reached the potions classroom. They were deep in Hogwart's dungeons and there was no one around. "I'm serious here. No talking about the future." Hermione wasn't sure if they were taking her sincerely enough. She made sure they all were nodding in understanding before she was satisfied. Remus was last and she gave him the tiniest of smiles when he promised her he'd keep his trap shut. "I know you guys are good at secrets, so I'm not too worried." She glanced pointedly at Remus.
"Wait what!" James looked a little excited. "You know about Remus being-" Remus had cut James off by literally jumping on him and covering his mouth.
"Oh I think I know all your secrets." She couldn't help but tease them. After all, it was pretty clear 90% of the population of Hogwarts thought the Marauders were the greatest thing since the invention of wands. Maybe she could knock them down a few pegs.
"I don't know about all of them." Sirius smirked and met James' eye. They laughed in unison but Hermione wasn't fazed.
"Really Padfoot?" Hermione looked at her nails for effect. "How does it feel to have a tail?" Sirius gaped at her and Hermione laughed at his silly expression. She tapped his jaw with her fingers so he'd shut his mouth. "See… I know you three are illegal animagi, and I should turn you into McGonagall." The boys glanced at each other guiltily. "And believe me I would," She crossed her arms over her chest and gave them her best McGonagall glare. "if Remus didn't need you during full moons so much." And before Hermione could control her emotional girly side she gave Remus a big hug.
Remus felt embarrassed at first, Hermione's bushy hair was in his face and mouth and he hardly knew her. He wasn't sure whether he should hug her back, where to put his hands. To make it worse, he noticed she smelled like strawberries and mint. His cheeks flushed bright red.
"I know how much they mean to you."
He could barely hear her over his own thoughts but he managed to say, "Yes, thanks." Then she pushed him away and quickly wiped her cheeks but his friends were all staring at his red face and leering wickedly.
"Anyways, we should go to class or we'll be late." James, Sirius and Peter all looked back to Hermione and agreed with her, nodding innocently. As if they hadn't just been the biggest bunch of gits a few seconds ago.
The manipulative little—
"Come on Remus." Remus looked down and realized Hermione's hand was on his arm. She was so small standing next to him; his shoulders were taller than the top of her head.
"Uh, sure."
Together the group of five traversed the last hallway before the potions classroom. Hermione pushed through the heavy wood door first and glanced around the room. She immediately saw Lily, who was stubbornly ignoring her, then noticed she was sitting at Snape's table. This was Hermione's first glimpse of Snape as a student and felt horrible, (especially with her own hair troubles) when she saw his hair was even greasier than it would be in the future. Just like everyone had said it was. He had a blissfully happy look on his face, which had to be the weirdest thing Hermione had seen since going into the past.
She heard Sirius laugh behind her, "What'd I tell you! Snivellus follows us everywhere." He said it so most of the class heard him and giggled. But Hermione moved to sit next to Lily; she was disgusted with Sirius and her own bad attitude. This isn't what she had expected from the man that killed Dumbledore, or would kill Dumbledore. She was confusing herself. She'd been expecting an evil, spiteful, git but in all honesty, this sixteen year old Snape was a little pathetic. Hermione knew that this boy was not the same person she knew, maybe something had happened that made him snap. But for now, Hermione needed to push aside her preconceived ideas and accept Snape, the same way she'd needed to be accepted her first year, when she'd had no friends until Harry and Ron. Couldn't she extend then same friendly hand to this boy?
"Where's Alice?" Hermione tried to break the ice with Lily but she still looked angry. Hermione sighed when Lily didn't respond and set her empty bag down. The Marauders sat an empty table together and were whispering conspiratorially to each other, making the rest of the room wish they were at that table, in on the secret. Hermione's table was the only one ignorant of the Marauder's pull.
Hermione had to push her bangs out of her eyes again; they kept falling into her eyes. But it wasn't nearly as annoying as the fact that she had no school supplies, it hadn't really been the first thing on her mind last night, but now that she would be here for awhile, she'd need to talk to Dumbledore. "Hello." She'd been dreading it but she had to talk to Snape or run the risk of being rude. "I'm Hermione." She gave Snape a half-smile and met his black suspicious eyes. She hoped he wouldn't disregard her since she'd walked in with the Marauders.
"I'm Severus. From Slytherin. And you're in Gryffindor?" His voice was a little higher than she used to. Besides that he seemed unchanged, maybe less angry and threatening. But before Hermione could answer him, Slughorn swaggered into the room. He wasn't as heavy and large as Hermione knew him but his belly was growing quite impressive.
Hermione sat up and put on her classroom game face. This was her element, where good luck, charm and looks didn't matter and Hermione could have her chance to shine. Before Slughorn had even started lecturing, Hermione's hand was up.
"Yes… I'm afraid I don't know your name."
"It's Hermione. I'm new and I don't have any supplies-"
He waved her off, "Everything's in the supply closet, take what you need." While Hermione went to the closet, Slughorn began his lecture full of his usual grandeur and drama. Hermione picked up a beat up sixth year book and some writing supplies. The book was an older edition then the one Hermione had and her fingers itched to open it. This reaction was typical for Hermione, whose desire to learn anything and everything drove her.
When Slughorn had finished speaking everyone began talking and getting their supplies to start the potion. "Here." Hermione started and looked over at Lily who was holding out her cauldron. "I know it's supposed to be partners but I don't think Professor Slughorn will mind if we're a group."
Hermione sighed in relief; Lily wasn't ignoring her anymore. She joined Snape and Lily in looking at their books for the potions recipe. Soon the room was full of vapors and the sound of boiling liquid. Snape was very talented at potion making and was barely looking at the recipe to create a perfect potion. But where Snape was excelling Hermione couldn't help but notice James struggling on the other side of the room.
"No James, you have to stir counterclockwise!" She heard Remus yell and there was a flash of light. When the smoke cleared James and Remus were covered in green slime.
"Oh dear!" Slughorn shuffled over to them and stared at the huge mess the boys had made. It wasn't a dangerous potion but the green color was staining the floor and the boy's robes. Slughorn glared at them. "It clearly says counterclockwise in the notes you two." Remus looked at James in exasperation then shook his head.
When Slughorn walked away Moony and Prongs began to pick up their spilled potion. "Why are you so distracted today James?" Moony scrubbed a few specks that had landed on his potion's book as he talked to Prongs.
"I'm not." James muttered but Remus noticed him glance over at Lily and Snape who were laughing over a stewing potion. Hermione had gone to the supply closet for the final ingredients. Remus didn't say anything to this and continued to scrub.
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It was the end of class and Slughorn was going around inspecting everyone's potions. When he came to Hermione, Snape and Lily's potion he was overjoyed. "Absolutely perfect!" There were a few grumbles, especially from James and Sirius. "Next time I'll have to separate you three. The three most brilliant in my class shouldn't be together ALL the time." Slughorn walked off leaving Snape looking horrified but Hermione shrugged. She hadn't done much of the work since she'd learned all of this previously, instead she'd allowed Lily and Snape the chance but Snape was a genius at potions, previous study or not.
The class packed up their things and began shuffling to the door one by one. Lily walked with Hermione and Snape followed Lily but soon the Marauders had also caught up to them. When they left the class and Slughorn, James turned to glare at Snape. "Bet you enjoyed that, didn't you Snivellus."
Snape sneered and glanced at Lily. "Of course."
Lily rolled her eyes and sped walked away from them, including Hermione, who was left with the fighting boys.
"What was that Snivellus?" Sirius stopped in front of Snape so he was forced to stop walking down the hall. Hermione began to panic, as much as she didn't like Snape this was obviously bullying.
"Hey now. Stop that." Hermione swallowed and looked between Snape, Sirius and James. Snape snorted and pushed past Hermione, Padfoot and Prongs.
Once Snape had vanished around the corner Sirius turned on Hermione. "He's a complete prat! You don't have to stick up for him Hermione." Sirius said and sulked.
Hermione felt uncomfortable. They hardly seemed bothered that they had just tried to duel someone. "I know he's not a very pleasant person."Sirius snorted and Hermione grew angry. "But you can't just start stuff for no reason!" She glared at Sirius. The more she yelled the easier it was to imagine Sirius and James as Harry and Ron. "Honestly!" She glared at James. "And you're the worst!" James turned bright red and held his hands up in surrender.
"Blimey Hermione I-"
"If I ever see you trying to duel Snape again, well I might just have to-to-to-"
There was a sudden outburst of laughter and Hermione spun around to stare at Remus and Sirius who were bent in half, unable to stand they were laughing so hard. "The-the-the worst!" Remus had tears rolling down his cheeks. "Oh mate." More laughter. "She just told you!"
James was still red but he smiled slightly at Hermione. "You might be the only one who's told me off besides Lily."
Annoyed Hermione adjusted her shoulder bag and glared at Sirius and Remus, and now Peter who had joined in. "Serves you right!" Then she whirled and huffed down the hall and up the dungeon stairs.
Of course they all saw each other again in Charms for their next class. Snape was missing but Lily was seated with Alice. Hermione sat next to Lily and avoided the eyes of the Marauders who were smiling at her. They were so weird; they dueled for no reason and thought it was funny when they got yelled at.
Reminds me of the Weasley twins.
Through class Hermione noticed Lily's obvious gift in Charms—
That's where Harry gets it.
And James was yelled at by Professor Gunderson at least six times during the whole class for talking.
And that too…
Hermione had always felt the need to show off in class but now that she didn't know anyone (and she was certain she was quite brilliant) the need was dying, so she relaxed and let herself have fun. She refused to take notes, (she'd already learned this stuff anyways) and she forced herself to not answer a single one of the teacher's questions. It felt strange but Hermione knew she'd always been off putting because of her dedication to schoolwork and hard work, now she could see the merit in relaxing. Stress was melting off her shoulders and the headache she'd had since yelling at James was disappearing.
Now I know how to lose my stress, yelling at idiots and not taking any notes. Now that I'm not so tense, maybe I can relax and make some friends.
She glanced at the Marauders and caught Sirius' eye. He smiled at her brilliantly and winked, Hermione huffed and looked back at Lily before he could see her angry flush and mistake it for a blush.
O
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"I can't stand him!" Hermione listened in silence as Lily ranted. She was pacing in front of the fire in the Gryffindor's common room.
"Who?" Hermione asked innocently as she put the last paragraph on the paper she was writing for Charms.
"Haven't you been listening? James!" Lily was red faced now and gesturing wildly. "He drives me up the wall!"
Hermione tried not to smile, Harry and Ron made her feel the same way sometimes. "Well some boys mature slower than others." She shrugged.
"It's not a matter of maturity. He's a complete idiot!"
Hermione put down her quill and raised an eyebrow at Lily. "That seems a little harsh." Hermione looked over at Alice who was seated in the red chair next to Hermione's. It bothered her that Lily was so hostile to James. At this rate they would never get to together and have her very best friend.
"Why does he have to be so mean to Severus then?" Lily had stopped and was glaring at Hermione. She liked this girl, but she was very level headed, which was just serving to rile her up even more.
"Severus?" Hermione was surprised. "That's why you hate James?"
"She's been friends with Snape since before Hogwarts." Alice supplied.
Hermione almost collapsed. Harry's mother was Snape's friend? Was this some alternate universe she'd entered? She'd thought Lily was just being polite, sitting with Snape. But now that she thought of it, it would explain Snape's animosity to Harry in the future.
"But I think you shouldn't lead him on." Alice scolded Lily. Hermione froze. Lead Snape on?
"I don't!" Lily looked offended.
This information was scaring Hermione. She'd always felt there was something deeper to Snape's hatred of Harry. Most kids that were bullied eventually moved on from their school days but Snape hadn't. In fact he'd grown more and more angry with Harry, saying he was just like James. She'd forgotten he'd never mention Harry's mother.
Because he loved Lily. But then why would he serve Voldemort, who killed her? Or will kill her….
Hermione grabbed her essay and quill. "I'm going to dinner. Want to come?" Alice and Lily looked at Hermione in surprise.
"Well I still have a lot to write…." Alice spoke softly but glared at the half written essay in her hand.
"And I haven't even started." Lily agreed and looked at Hermione sadly. "Sorry Hermione. We'll see you later okay?" She looked calmed down but Hermione could only give Lily a small smile before running to her room to put her essay away.
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Hermione sat in the Great Hall by herself and shuffled her turkey around. She couldn't concentrate with the information about Snape still bouncing around in her head. Something had to be done, if James and Lily never got together, and from what she'd seen it didn't look like they ever would, the future would get all screwed up.
I have to get them together.
She'd have to be subtle or Lily would definitely catch on, but it would give her something to do.
Hermione noticed James then; he was glaring at his turkey, looking almost as troubled as she did.
Perfect.
"What is it?" She asked across the table.
James looked up then gave her a half smile. "To be honest, I'm not the best of students." He explained. "Remus helps out but Sirius is even worse off than me. I don't think I'll be able to pass without help."Hermione remembered the disaster that had been that morning's potions class.
Poor James.
Hermione smiled, this was perfect. "I'll help you!" James looked up hopefully.
"Really? You've taken these classes before?"
"And passed with full marks!" James looked so relieved she thought of Ron again. She suddenly felt homesick. "I'll help you every day with homework. Starting today."
I need to try harder to be James' friend. If I go back and I don't have anything to tell Harry about his father he'll be so angry with me!
She could just imagine it. Her telling Harry and Ron about going into the past, Harry would be mad she'd put herself in danger and Ron would think it was funny she had messed up so badly. Then she would tell she'd met Harry's parents but didn't really speak with them. Harry's angry face swam into her head and she tried not to laugh out loud.
I wish you were here. Harry. Ron. The thought made her somber.
James moved down and they ate dinner together, and then headed up to the common room to grab James' homework. "I was dreading it, so I put off that Charms essay." Hermione thought of Ron and rolled her eyes. Luckily Lily wasn't in the common room and didn't see them together. Once James had come back from his room with his things they went to the library and found a table in the back.
They'd been working for a long time, James occasionally asking questions and Hermione giving him the answer. Other than these exchanges they were silent. Hermione was unsure how to talk to him about Lily; little did she know that James was dying to ask her about the same thing.
"Hermione?" James looked at her.
"Mmm." She nodded but still looked at her homework.
"You're a girl right?"
Hermione had heard this before. "Yes, I am." Ron came back into her head and she had to suppress a smile.
James seemed to struggle with this. "Could you help me, get Lily to like me?"
Hermione was relieved. But she couldn't be too eager. She was silent, wondering how to go about this.
"Right." James said suddenly and quickly went back to homework, but slower than before.
She'd been too slow. "Okay." Hermione smiled, "But you have to do me a favor."
James jumped up and gave Hermione a huge hug. "Thank God! Really Hermione you must have been sent here by some angel!"
Hermione leaned forward, inspired. "Can I call you Harry?"
James looked at her so confused that Hermione laughed. "Uh- okay." was all he said, and they got to work. Hermione knew that Lily didn't like James because he was too immature. So she told this to him outright.
"I suggest," Hermione studied him for awhile, "that you don't tease Snape while she's around. Or ever." She thought to add for good measure.
"Well then what do I do?"
He looked so eager. Hermione stood and walked up to him. He was even the same height as Harry, "So similar, how is it even possible?" She reached up and touched his face. James looked confused now. His forehead crinkled, just without the scar.
"Are you talking about the Harry fellow?"
Hermione gave him a sad smile now."Yeah."
"Do you miss your boyfriend?"
"He's not my-"
"Why do I look so much like him?"
She thought for a long time. It would be alright if she just told him he had a son right? Nothing else? "Well I suspect it's because he's your son." She smirked at his shocked expression.
"Wow! I have a son!" James looked deliriously happy. "A son!" Now he looked frightened, "But who am I married to?" He looked at Hermione and she smiled at his scared look.
"Well you've only ever liked one person haven't you!" She couldn't help it. His face was just too much like Harry's and too cute.
James yelped and danced around the table. Hermione laughed and suddenly he was right in her face. "This is amazing! Is this why you're helping me?"
"Sure."
"Wow. And he has such a cute girlfriend." James looked Hermione up and down and she blushed.
"He's not my boyfriend!" She'd finally gotten it out but James didn't seem to notice. "And I'm not cute."
"Who said you're not cute?" James looked ready to bite someone's head off and Hermione smiled.
"Well no one has actually said it to me." She touched her hair and pushed her bangs out of her eyes.
Hermione was silent for awhile, then slowly James became Harry, all she had to do was put her arms around his neck and stand on tiptoe a bit and he would be right there. "Harry." She whispered.
James looked surprised, then he smiled. "So you're just friends then?" Hermione was unsure what he was saying, then she remembered they'd been talking about Harry.
"Right well yeah. We're just friends. I mean… I've thought maybe I liked him but I don't-"She was rambling.
"Well why don't you find out?"
"What?"
"You said I'm just like him? So kiss me. Then you'll know if you like him or not." He said it so nonchalantly, like it was no big deal.
No he's nothing like Harry. Harry would never tell some girl to just kiss him.
But besides that… His glasses were hiding his brown eyes and Hermione could just imagine Harry sitting next to her, studying in the common room by the fire. It was true she'd always wondered if she liked Harry deep down. It would be easy… Hermione only had to lean forward slightly and James met her halfway and she kissed him. Of their own accord, her hands went up into his hair and he deepened the kiss. His mouth moved over hers and it felt strange. His hands wandered to her hips and then lower back.
That's when she began to think, about the real Harry.
No! Harry's like a brother.
Hermione jolted apart from James and went back to her chair. Her back was still turned away from him when she said firmly, "Now that that's out of our system, why don't we get to work?" She gasped for air and she could feel her hands shaking.
"Too weird?" James sat in his own chair as well, slightly out of breath.
"Yep." Was all she could manage.
"Too bad…Sirius will be furious with me." He slyly added.
"Sirius?"
"He thinks you're… what was the word he used, 'feisty'? Yep that's it." Hermione blushed bright red and her eyes opened wide in embarrassment.
"Feisty?" She hissed. "What the hell?" She was surprised she could talk with him so easily. For a moment she'd been concerned things would be awkward but he made it effortless to talk to him, always making jokes and easing the conversation into cheerful tones.
I really shouldn't have kissed him though. That was dumb. And what does he mean by telling me about Sirius?
James laughed in glee and tipped his chair back. "He'll probably try something as well."
"What?" Hermione screamed across the library and they were soon kicked out by a very young Miss Pince.
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When they'd gone back to the common room James said goodbye and headed to bed but Hermione sat on the comfiest chair she could find.
I wonder when I'll start to lose my memories…
She'd been avoiding thinking of this because the idea scared her. She curled up so her knees were under her chin and she studied the fire. Without her memories would she lose her mind? Would she forget who she was? Would she forget her parents? Friends? Depressing thoughts began to pound through her head and she dropped her heavy head in to her knees and cried quietly. It was close to midnight and no one was around, she'd be fine.
Suddenly there was a pressure on her shoulder and Hermione leapt up.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Hermione realized with some embarrassment that it was just Remus and tucked her wand away. "You almost poked my eye out!" Remus sounded mock angry but Hermione wasn't in the mood to laugh.
"Sorry." She muttered and pushed her hair behind her ear. She could just imagine the rat's nest on her head. She sat back on the chair and stared back into the fire. Red light glinted off the tears on her cheek and Remus had the insane desire to push them away. Instead he sat in the second comfiest chair next to Hermione.
"How was your first day?" Remus plucked at a string hanging off the arm of his chair and watched Hermione out of the corner of his eye. She wiped her cheeks and glared into the fire. She didn't answer him. Remus stilled and dark thoughts began to fill his head. Could she hate me? She'd hugged him earlier but maybe she'd only done that because there were other people around. Some people feared werewolves so much they refused to look at them once they knew what they were. Was that what was going on here? "Hello?" He tried to say calmly but anger was gnawing at his gut. When the full moon was close he was easier to anger and harder to compose. He calmed when Hermione looked up at his face in surprise.
"Sorry did you say something?" Her eyes were open wide, innocently and Remus admired there dark color despite his anger.
"No. Um… goodnight." He turned away from her and started for the boy's room.
"Goodnight professor." Hermione said absentmindedly and Remus froze.
"What?"
"What?"
"No. What did you just say?" Remus spun and ran back to Hermione's chair. He gripped the red fabric and stared down at her with narrow eyes.
"Um… nothing. I think?" Hermione was drowsy and wasn't catching on to Remus' clear irritation.
"No you called me professor!" He pounded the chair's arm.
"Did I?"
"Yes!" He said in frustration.
"Slip of the tongue."
"But why would you call me that?"
He looked so desperate Hermione hesitated. "Well you're my teacher in the future. It was an accident Re-Remus. Don't worry about it."
"…Really?"
"Really what?" Hermione said, much to Lupin's annoyance.
"That I become a teacher?"
"Yeah Dumbledore hires you."
Tears sprung to Lupin's eyes and Hermione finally caught on. "This is great. So people are more accepting of werewolves in the future?"
Hermione sighed and patted Remus' arm. "No, no I'm afraid not. But you will be happy Remus. I promise." Hermione thought of Tonks and smiled warmly at Remus. Remus hung his head and Hermione quickly hugged him. Moony had reminded her that some people had it worse, and although she had problems she needed to think of others besides herself.
"Thank you."
It killed her but Hermione pulled away from Remus and looked into his blue eyes. "Goodnight….professor." Remus smiled at the title and Hermione touched his cheek before moving to the girl's dorms.