CHAPTER 11

On Boxing Day, Remus returned. He had a smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes, one that Hermione couldn't quite read.

"It's just him and his dad," said Sirius quietly into her ear. "And they don't have the best relationship."

Hermione nodded in understanding. Remus dragged his things up the stairs before joining Hermione in the sitting room. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were off meeting a group of friends for a luncheon, so the teenagers were on their own. James and Sirius were outside taking the motorbike for a spin. Hermione motioned for Remus to sit next to her, a heavy Potions book in her lap. He seemed a bit feverish, and his skin was pale and grey. The full moon approached. Hermione was trying to explain the Wolfsbane potion and the purpose of each ingredient.

"The butterfly wings and murtlap essence are supposed to have a calming effect," she whispered to Remus, who nodded his head. She looked up at him. His eyes were hopeful, though his face was still pale. "Oh, Remus, I don't want to get your hopes up too high."

"No, they're not," he said with a forced smile. "I'm just as eager to try it out as you are."

"And you won't be horribly disappointed if it doesn't work?" she asked, shutting the book in her lap and setting it aside.

"No, of course not," Remus said, patting her hand. "I'm just touched that you've spent so much time trying."

Hermione smiled and rested her head against his. She had grown to care for Remus a great deal over the last few months with the Marauders. He wrapped a friendly arm around her shoulders. At that moment, Sirius and James walked in. Sirius's hair was windblown. He sat the motorbike keys on the mantlepiece and surveyed the room, his eyes landing on Remus and Hermione sitting close on the sofa.

"After my girl, eh, Moony?" Sirius said with an eyebrow raised, and Hermione rolled her eyes, snapping the book shut.

"Since day one, Padfoot," Remus joked.

Hermione gave Remus a squeeze on the shoulder before joining Sirius on the armchair, sitting pressed closed to him and gazing into his grey eyes. She leaned in and kissed him. This Christmas had somehow been the best one she'd ever had. She was falling head over heels for this man, and though her mind was desperately trying to warn her that it wasn't safe to fall in love with Sirius Black, her heart was barreling full steam ahead. She felt his hands at her waist, sneaking under the fabric of her shirt.

"Get a room," said James absently, and Hermione laughed and blushed.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter returned that afternoon, and they both had sympathetic smiles for Remus, who was clearly feeling the aches and pains of the approaching full moon. Mrs. Potter walked him upstairs. She had tried to send a plate of food and a glass of water up with him, but Remus had refused.

"I'll just shatter it," he said dejectedly.

As dusk arrived, Hermione gingerly entered the attic bedroom with Sirius and saw Remus, who was laying on the bed looking miserable. She sat on the bed next to him and patted his shoulder.

"Remus," she whispered.

"Hello, Hermione," he said in a gravelly voice.

Hermione thrust out the vial of potion. Remus tried to sit up but was too exhausted. With strong hands behind each of Remus's shoulders, Sirius and James hoisted him up to a sitting position, and Hermione placed the vial in Remus's trembling hand. He down the potion in one gulp, making a face when he swallowed.

"Tastes awful," said Remus.

"If it works, it'll be worth it, mate," Sirius said.

The four sat together for a long time. Remus was gruff, but Sirius and James had a way about them. They made him smile reluctantly with a few off-color jokes. They even teased Remus about Amanda Jones, who very obviously was interested in Remus, and they used some language that made Hermione say, "James!" in a reproachful tone that mirrored Lily's. As the evening wore on, Remus grew restless.

"Sun's setting. You had better go, Hermione," Remus said, looking out the window anxiously.

Hermione walked out of the attic, leaving James and Sirius behind. She locked the door behind her with a key and a locking charm, and she sat at the foot of the staircase to the attic, holding her knees to her chest. If only the potion would work, then Remus wouldn't have to bear this horrible experience any longer. Her mind was racing, trying to convince herself that she wasn't actually altering the future; the potion would be invented around this time anyway, and even if she did change something slightly, it was worth it to help the kindest man she knew.

She heard a series of spine-tingling wails followed by a blood-curdling howl, and she knew Remus had transformed. Her ears strained to hear any noises from upstairs. She heard a bit of shuffling and movement, hoping desperately that her potion succeeded. It was a long wait. Nearly an hour later, just as Hermione's eyes were beginning to droop, she heard voices on the other side of the door.

She sat up, realizing that James and Sirius had transformed themselves back into their human forms. Suddenly, she panicked. She wanted to bang on the door and tell James and Sirius it wasn't worth the risk. What if her potion didn't work and they were bitten . . . or killed? Hermione waited, hoping desperately that James and Sirius were not in danger. She heard more muffled voices from upstairs and sat up to listen. Suddenly, the door squeaked open, and Hermione jumped to her feet. Instinctively, she grabbed for her wand, but then, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was Sirius, and that he appeared to be no worse for wear.

"Come on in," he whispered.

Hermione gulped nervously, but Sirius held out his hand. She slowly ascended the stairs. When they entered the room, Hermione saw the werewolf, huddled in a corner looking from face to face. His eyes were frightened, as if he were afraid he might lose control and attack at any moment, but he was able to maintain his grip on sanity and remain lucid. Hermione stood behind Sirius. She'd seen Remus in werewolf form once before, and it was a terrifying night. But now, he did not seem feral and dangerous. He seemed rather like an old, nervous dog, curled up in a corner to sleep.

"It worked," Sirius said.

Hermione sighed, sinking down onto the bed that Remus used during his stay at the Potters'. She was thrilled that she had been able to give Remus such a gift: the gift to not be afraid of his transformation anymore. He carefully, tentatively pawed his way over to her and lay his head on her knee. It scared her a little, having a werewolf in such close proximity, but she knew that Remus wouldn't risk it if he wasn't certain he had control over his actions. She gently patted his head and smiled. Sirius and James both let out low chuckles and shook their heads.

"I can't believe it," James said.

They all stared at Remus for a long moment. Sirius took a deep breath beside her.

"Listen, it's not that I don't trust your potion making skills, Hermione, but we're not entirely sure how long this will last," he said. "Why don't you go back to your room? We'll stay here with him."

Hermione opened her mouth to furiously protest taking such a risk, but James interrupted her.

"We'll stay in Animagus form," he said reassuringly.

Hermione nodded and left the room, locking it behind her and descending the staircase to her room. She lay in bed for a while, trying to will herself to sleep. She smiled to think that Remus would still be relying on the potion she'd given him during his time as her professor at Hogwarts.

The next morning, Hermione was sitting at the breakfast table while Mr. and Mrs. Potter fussed about in the kitchen when Remus, James, and Sirius walked downstairs together, stretching and yawning. Remus was looking exhausted and haggard, but he gave her a warm smile.

"Hermione, you're incredible," Remus said quietly into her ear as he walked past.

"Oh, it was nothing," she said, though she was bubbling over with pride on the inside.

"Don't be modest," James said under his breath so his parents wouldn't hear. "I don't know any other wizards our age who could create a potion that complicated. Wizards three times our age have been working on a solution to Remus's furry little problem for centuries and no one's ever come up with anything."

"We'll have to tell someone. Maybe you can get published," Sirius offered, but Hermione shook her head violently.

"No, please no," she said in a panicky voice, and the boys shrugged and muttered, "Suit yourself."

Mr. and Mrs. Potter joined them at the table, steaming mugs of coffee in their hands, as they brightly described their luncheon the day before and asked James a dozen questions about his schoolwork. Hermione laughed to herself as he assured them he'd completed all his homework already, a statement she knew was patently untrue.

"Alright, you lot better get your trunks packed. We're sending you back to Hogwarts this afternoon," chirped Mrs. Potter.

The sound of chairs scraping against the floor filled the air as the four teenagers stood from the table and made to head upstairs and pack their things. As they headed upstairs, Hermione felt a hand grab her arm. It was Remus, and she lingered back with him for a moment.

"You have no idea what you've done for me," Remus said. "Thank you."

The look in his eyes told her he was not exaggerating. He embraced her warmly and she smiled to herself. Remus Lupin had always been one of her favorite people, and her time in the past had only served to increase her opinion of him. She felt a surge of love: not the sort of love she felt for Sirius, but the sort of love she felt for Harry. She squeezed Remus tightly before releasing him from their hug. They headed upstairs, and she packed her trunk. She found a pair of panties on the floor, and she blushed to remember how it got there. Once her trunk was packed, she lugged it down the staircase where James, Sirius, and Remus were waiting.

"Mrs. Potter, thank you so much for having me here over Christmas," Hermione said.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all, dear," answered Mrs. Potter. "We're always happy to have James's friends around the house. Makes us feel as though we had more than one child!"

(())

Once their trunks were packed and the Potters were happily waving goodbye, James stuck out his arm to hail the Knight Bus. It appeared in an instant and the four teenagers climbed aboard. Sirius took the opportunity to sit next to Hermione, wrapping his arm behind her shoulders and pulling her close. She rested her head against him and felt the press of his lips against her face. They weren't the only Hogwarts students on the Knight Bus. A couple of seventh year Slytherins, including Avery, were on a seat nearby. They eyed the four Gryffindors with sneers on their faces. Sirius was alert, stiffened like a dog that's spotted an unfamiliar threat. Hermione kept a calming hand on his arm. They couldn't afford a fight in the middle of the Knight Bus.

Soon, they had arrived at Hogwarts, and the four of them were relieved to finally be able to use magic to carry their trunks. Sirius and Avery were both trying to leave the bus at the same time, and Avery took the opportunity to shove Sirius roughly with his shoulder. Sirius nearly drew his wand, but Hermione stopped him. He and Avery were sneering at each other viciously.

"You're a blood traitor, you know. Hope it's worth it," spat Avery, and he gave Hermione a look up and down that made her shiver involuntarily. "Looks like it might be."

It was all she could do to stop Sirius from launching himself at Avery, but the bustle of Hogwarts students around them was enough of a distraction to dissipate the tension in the air. When she, James, Sirius, and Remus all piled into the Common Room, they saw Peter sitting in front of the fire with a textbook. He looked different somehow, tired, even gaunt, almost. Hermione watched Sirius walk over and plop down next to him, making him jump in surprise.

"Easy, mate, it's just me," he said, and the rest of the group filled in their usual spots. "How was your Christmas?"

"It was fine," Peter said abruptly. "Thank you for the gifts."

"Yea, the ones you sent must have gotten lost in the post," James joked, and Peter forced a laugh.

Hermione stared at Peter. She was worried. She was afraid that something had happened over the break, something had changed him while he was away from his friends. Would this be the beginning of his betrayal? she wondered. Her thoughts were interrupted when Professor McGonagall stepped into the Common Room.

"Miss Granger?" she said in a commanding voice.

"What did you do?" James joked.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and went out into the corridor with the Professor.

"Dumbledore wishes to see you, dear," she said primly, leading the way to his office.

Hermione blanched. This was it. She was returning to her time. Suddenly, she didn't want to return. She wanted to stay with Sirius. She looked back at the portrait hole, desperately wanting to go back inside, to tell Sirius goodbye. Hermione was fighting tears, trying to keep a brave face on as she walked up the spiraling staircase to Dumbledore's office. He was leaning back in the chair at his desk, peering at her through his half-moon spectacles.

"I trust you had a nice break, Miss Granger?" he said, one of his grey eyebrows raised into an arch.

"Yes, sir," she mumbled.

"Well, I wanted to let you know that I've found a solution," he announced.

Hermione looked down at her lap, willing herself not to cry.

"That's . . . that's wonderful," she said, wiping her eyes.

"Well, it would be," he said, furrowing his brow and standing from his chair to pace the room. "Except that I haven't yet figured out how to implement the solution."

She felt like a weight had just been lifted from her shoulders. She looked up at him, and he was smiling serenely at her.

"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said serenely. "I know you've made rather good friends with several of the students in your house. And I know you are deeply worried about them and their futures."

She nodded silently.

"Miss Granger, for better or for worse, I can assure you, you've done nothing that will affect the future. You can do nothing that will affect the future," he said firmly.

If only you knew the half of it, she thought to herself, wondering how she had managed to let herself fall for Sirius Black.

"As I said before, you've already been here, Miss Granger. Time is rather convoluted that way. But I know you don't stay. Not forever," he said, and an unexpected sinking feeling weighed on her. "You'll be going back to your own time soon."

My time, she thought sadly. Where Dumbledore and Sirius are both dead.

She sighed and nodded. She forced a smile at the Headmaster and left his office. As she walked back to Gryffindor tower, she found herself brushing tears from her eyes. After giving the password to the Fat Lady, she clambered through the portrait hole and found Sirius waiting for her. The sight of his face melted away all her anxieties.

"Hello, love," Sirius said, greeting her with a kiss on the forehead. "I was just thinking of going for a walk."

"Sirius, it's a blizzard outside," Hermione said, eyeing the window and wringing her hands together.

"We'll be alright," he said with a smile and a wink. "I'll keep you warm."

She dashed upstairs to get her coat and gloves, and they left the Common Room together. He opened the door out to the courtyard for her, sending a gust of cold wind and snow inside. Sirius pulled out his wand and cast a spell Hermione hadn't heard before, and suddenly it seemed that the icy breezes were diverted around them.

"Impressive, Mister Black," she said, eyeing him.

"Why thank you, Miss Granger," Sirius replied.

They chatted about their Christmas, about their classes, making deep footprints in the snow as they walked. Sirius whispered several comments in her ear about their lovemaking, which made Hermione blush furiously and nudge him with her elbow. Sirius kept a warm arm around her, pressing his head close to hers to keep her from shivering. Then, he stopped suddenly and pulled her around to face him. He gave her a lingering kiss, and she looked into his stormy grey eyes.

"Hermione, you know I love you," Sirius said.

It might have been a blizzard, but Hermione thought she might melt right then and there. Her mind blared warnings at her, that despite what Dumbledore said, this was a step too far. This was too much, too memorable, and would irreversibly change the course of the future. And yet, looking into his beautiful eyes, his handsome face, feeling his strong arms around her, she knew she couldn't respond with anything else.

"I love you, too, Sirius," she said, and she wrapped her arms around his warm body, burying her nose in his chest so she could smell that familiar smell, the smell of her Amortentia potion, the smell of Sirius.

He held her, his strong arms wrapped protectively around her diminutive form, and kissed the top of her head. What a picture they must have made, the perfect image of lovers cuddled together against the violent storm. Hermione looked up at Sirius, who was smiling gently at her. She lifted her lips to his, pressing her body against him in a passionate kiss.

"You know, love," he said in a low, sexy voice against her face.

"Hm?"

"I haven't done any of the homework assigned over the break," he whispered.

"Sirius!" she said, slapping him playfully on the chest. He laughed, and they turned around to return to the Common Room.

(())

Hermione spent the rest of the night helping Sirius and his friends catch up on the homework from the break. James was completely distracted by having Lily around once again; instead of working on his essays, he was snogging her in a corner. With an eye roll, Hermione found herself correcting James's essay anyway, earning a chuckle from Remus, who was bent over his Muggle Studies homework with Amanda Jones. The group went to bed very late, and they all had difficulty pulling themselves out of bed the next morning. When they all made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast, they found everyone buzzing with excitement.

"What's going on?" Lily asked Amanda once they had all sat down.

"Didn't you hear?" Amanda replied, in an awestruck voice. "Damocles Belby is going to be famous!"

"What for?" Remus asked.

"He invented a potion that cures Lycanthropy!" Amanda shrieked. "It's all Slughorn can talk about!"

"He did not!" Sirius growled, but a firm hand on his shoulder and a glare from Hermione shut him up.

Sirius looked at her curiously. Why wouldn't she want people to know about her creation? he wondered. She gave everyone knowing looks that said, "I'll tell you later," and they scarfed down their breakfast in a hurry. When they left the Great Hall, before Lily and Hermione left for Charms, Sirius grabbed her arm.

"What's all this about Damocles Belby?" he asked, and his friends were all standing around her staring.

"Sirius, he was in the room when I made it. He helped me. I don't mind," she stammered.

"Did he make it for you?" asked James furiously.

"He couldn't have. I've seen that boy in Potions. Our Hermione's got him beat by a mile," Remus interjected.

"He didn't make it for me, but I honestly do not want the credit," she said, but Sirius kept his eyes locked with hers. "Please."

He shook his head and shrugged, letting her disappear down the hall with Lily. He and James shared a confused shrug.

Later, in Transfiguration, Sirius and James sat behind Hermione and Peter as usual. He watched her stare at Professor McGonagall, attention unwavering, as his own mind drifted. He couldn't stop thinking about her; the way her body reacted when he touched her, the way she looked next to him in bed, everything about her. Her reaction to Belby stealing her glory had been puzzling, but lots of things Hermione did and said were puzzling. She had even known his Animagus form before anyone told her. He shook his head and refused to speculate. He trusted her, and all that mattered was that they were together.

His mind's wanderings were interrupted by Professor McGonagall's wand rapping loudly on his desk. His shot to attention and smiled charismatically at the stern teacher.

"Yes, Professor?" he said, grinning.

"Since you feel so keen on not paying attention in my class, I will assume you already know the information that is being presented," she said sternly. "Now, Mister Black, tell me. Can the Animagus transfiguration be done without a wand?"

Sirius couldn't believe his luck. She had, for the first time in all the dozens of times he had got caught daydreaming, asked him a question he knew.

"Yes, it can," he replied, still smiling.

McGonagall looked disheartened.

"Yes, that is correct. It is one of the few forms of magic that can," she said, making her way back to the front of the classroom.

James elbowed him, trying to conceal a laugh, and Hermione turned around, giving him a look somewhere between a glare and a smile.

That afternoon, they all had History of Magic together, and Professor Binns seemed even more dead than usual, if that was even possible. Sirius rested his head on his hand, trying to make it appear as if he were merely bending over his parchment to reread some notes, but when Remus elbowed him sharply, he realized he had fallen asleep on his parchment and had even drooled on it a bit in his impromptu nap. That night, after they had all eaten dinner, they returned to the Common Room to work on the essay Professor McGonagall had assigned on Animagus transformations.

"This should be easy," James said, sticking the end of his quill in his mouth.

Amanda, Lily, and Remus had their heads together discussing a Muggle Studies quiz that they were going to take the following day. Hermione was laying on her stomach in front of the fire, a quill in one hand and her parchments and Transfiguration textbook littered in front of her. Sirius watched her write slowly and deliberately and couldn't help but move to join her.

"Room for one more?" he asked, so close to her ear that he saw her shudder.

"Of course," she said, smiling at him.

He scooted up as close as she would let him ("I'm working on this essay, not snuggling with you!" she admonished) and began to work on his own homework. After an hour of working, which was generally unproductive as watched her bite her lip or stick her tongue out of the corner of her mouth as she thought of what to write next, they both closed their books and sat up. Sirius gave her a gentle kiss, earning a small smile from her before she headed upstairs to go to sleep.