"Welcome back, and let us enjoy our lovely feast!" Dumbledore announced to the Great Hall. Four boys looked at each other in glee. They couldn't wait to tuck into the Great Feast that the House Elves had prepared.

"Food!" a boy with long black hair, grey eyes and a flashy smile cried as mounds of food appeared on the table. Beside him, a podgy blonde boy had already filled his plate with all sorts of food.

"Do you two ever stop eating?" a girl with emerald eyes and long red hair asked disgustedly.

"Nope, sorry Evans. They're pigs." a boy with hazel eyes, jet black hair and a lovestruck expression said to her.

"Pads, Wormy!" a sandy haired boy hissed, "Chew with your mouths closed, it's disgusting."

Suddenly, there was a gust of wind in the middle of the hall. Professor Dumbledore gaped as a small sandstorm began to rage. "What the...?" he trailed off. The sandstorm had disappeared, only to reveal a young girl standing with a confused expression on her face.

Hermione whipped around as she heard that well known voice and faced Dumbledore. "Professor Dumbledore? But..." she quickly scanned the Teacher's Table and noted all the familiar faces. There was Professor MgGonagall, Professor Sprout, Hagrid, Madam Pince, Sirius Black, Madam Pomfrey and what? SIRIUS BLACK??? She quickly studied the man who was eating with great gusto. She gasped. This sound reached Sirius' ears, and he looked up. Meeting Hermione's gaze, his jaw dropped along with his fork. Many of the students who were watching the 'The Mystery Girl' laughed.

"YOU?" Hermione hissed. "Enjoying yourself are we?" Sirius gulped and waled towards her hesitantly. "Don't touch me!" she cried as he tried to take her hand.

"Mione. I tried..." he started to say, breaking off when her hand connected with his cheek with a resounding slap!

"Ooo." the boys winced, watching the confrontation.

"Now wait one moment!" Dumbledore roared, his wand out, attempting to disarm the livid girl before him.

Hermione deflected his spell quickly. Everyone in the hall gasped. How could this young girl deflect a spell cast by the legendary Dumbledore? "Do you think that I can't protect myself? I battled with Volde...." Hermione collapsed to the floor, as Sirius stowed away his wand.

"Lesson number one. Never annoy a woman. Oh, an non verbal spells are very useful." he announced to the Great Hall. Everyone stared a him. That was the sort of thing they'd expect Sirius Black to say, not their DADA professor. This man was WAY cool! They began to laugh and cheer. He let out the breath he was holding and carried the unconscious Hermione to the Headmaster's office.

..................................................................................................................................................

"Did you see that girl?" Peter Pettigew squeaked as he and his roommates walked towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Yeah, she was so Hot! Did you hear that slap?" Sirius Black replied excitedly. "What did you think Moony?"

Moony, more commonly known as Remus Lupin thought for a moment before replying. "Yes, she was rather intriguing, but I would hate to be on the recieving end of that anger."

"POTTER! It's only our first day back, and you're already asking me out!" a girl screamed at a black haired youth, from in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

Remus sighed. "Looks like James hasn't given up. Considering the Howler from last year, I'm surprised."

Peter shifted from leg to leg, torn between laughing at the Howler incident or continuing the subject of the 'New girl'. Sirius laughed. "Prongs'll never give up! Do you reckon the 'new girl' has a boyfriend?"

"Pads! You can't be pining for a girl you don't know, alread?" Remus cried, "and no, I don't think so." Sirius smiled. He had a plan and he'd be damned if Moony found out. Operation matchmake was set in motion. James sighed, he could almost see the cogs turning in Sirius' head. Something was up, and he wasn't sure if he'd like it.

The five teenagers walked into their Common Room and stopped abruptly. The topic of their conversations was currently occupying the couch in front of the fireplace, reading a thick book. Sirius smirked, he couldn't believe his luck! He walked up to the couch and placed his head on her shoulder. "Hello Crazy." he whispered. Hermione jumped violently and accidentally brought the book into contact with his nose. Blood spurted everywhere.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry, let me help!" Hermione cried, pulling out her wand. Sirius stoppd moving and eyed her wand warily. "Episkey." Hermione muttered. Sirius felt a searing pain in his nose before hearing the bone crack back into place. "Scourgify. There, now you're clean. I'm really sorry, I'm not normally a klutz!" Hermione babbled.

"Don't worry, I'm used to pain" Sirius said, buffering himself up. "I'm a beater you see, pain is my middle name." James snorted. Sirius glared at him. "I'm Sirius Black, and those three buffoons are James Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew." Hermione's eyes flashed with delight as she heard the second name, and growled at the next. "Oh, and the redhead is Lily Evans, resident Head Girl, and current love of James' life, also known as the harpy from hell, the Rejector, or...." he broke off as Lily screamed at him to shut up. "Good thing she stopped me, I had run out of things to say." Hermione smiled and all four boys marvelled at how beautiful she was. They drank in her athletic build, untameable curls and beautiful smile. Only on boy was captured by her eyes. A beautiful shade of chocolate brown, the windows to her soul were marred with the look of someone who had seen horrible things and faced sadness many timed. Remus Lupin was captivated by the girl and was determined to get to know her.

"Um, I'm Jane Granger, nice to meet you." she said slowly. "What year are you in?"

Once again, Sirius spoke before anyone else could open their mouth. "Seventh and you?"

"Same. Um, what classes are you taking?"

Remus looked up. So, she was interested in classes. Maybe Padfoot wouldn't get the girl for once... He smiled, and launched into a conversation about classes. Sirius smiled.

"Pads!" James whispered, yanking his best friend away from the couch. "What the hell are you doing? You can't hit on the new girl!"

"Chill Prongs, I'm just being friendly. Look, I think I've just found the perfect girl for Moony." he replied smirking.

Lily looked at the two teenagers and smiled, her anger at James temporarily forgotton. "So, Black, what's your plan of action?"

"Lock them in a broom cupboard, and let Moony have his way with her?" he suggested.

". A. Twat." Peter stressed. Everyone jumped. "She's new here, she won't be looking for a relationship, and Remus is too scared." he said wisely.

"Wormy! When did you grow up?" James exclaimed with genuine surprise.

"Ah shut up Prongs!" Peter replied jokingly, throwing a cushiom across the room. Unfortunately, we are to discover the reasons for his lack of Quidditch skills, for Peter could not aim to save his life, and hit Remus in the back of the head.

"Peter!" Remus cried, before levitating a barrage of pillows towards him and starting a pillow fight, Marauder style. Unnoticed by the laughing boys, Hermione slipped upstairs to her dormitory and lay on her bed. She stared at the canopy above her, fingering the locket, and began to think of her friends back in the future. How long would it be before they realised she was missing? WOuld she ever get back? In short, this was the Best, and Worst birthday ever! she thought.