Break Time

A/N: ENJOY R&R PLZ

Hermione got up stretched, "I think I could do with a late night snack."

"Me too," Lily agreed. Both women went into the kitchen, Hermione leaned on the counter while Lily made tea and got out some biscuits. "I suppose I should make some for my boys too."

"They ate quite a lot at dinner, are you sure they're going to be hungry?"

Lily rolled her eyes, "They're always hungry Mya."

"I'm sorry about earlier, with the death threat all." Hermione bit her lip.

Lily waved her hand dismissively, "You didn't know. Besides I'd rather we have all the details so we get a better picture of what we're dealing with."

"Yes but that line wasn't important," Hermione was still ashamed of herself.

"Don't be so sure Mya," Lily said calmly, setting out mugs for all of them. "A person's attitude is very telling about which side they'll be on. All it takes is one person to tip the balance in favour one side."

Very true, Hermione thought thinking of Snape and Pettigrew, "But we already knew Malfoy's side."

Lily's mouth twisted a little as she poured the hot water, "I don't know. Have you noticed how many times he brings up his father? It's as if he hasn't been taught to think for himself, everything he says it's parroting Lucius's words. Every little thing he goes to his father for, like he somehow thinks Malfoy is the centre of everything. That being said, I would like to see what happens when you take his father out of the equation and allow him to make his own choices."

Hermione immediately thought of Malfoy lowering his wand at the top of the tower and not really giving them away at the Manor. Maybe there was some hope for him in this new future too. Suddenly she remembered something, "Where are the professors?"

"They had to stay behind to protect the school; nighttime is the main time for attempts on the castle. They couldn't find people to cover for them plus Dumbledore didn't want to give the impression that he wasn't around before the attacks increased." Hermione nodded, in this cottage filled with friends it was easy to forget they were at war. "Alright," Lily's voice pulled her back from her thoughts, "enough of this serious talk let's go what those three are upto?"

They re-entered the living room to find the guys playing a round of exploding snap. "Ah refreshments," Sirius said grandly jumping up to take the tray.

Lily handed it to him, "What are you doing?" she hissed. "You could wake Harry!" Sure enough there was loud snap from the cards followed a few moments later by the sounds of a baby crying. Lily bestowed a withering glare on her husband who looked sheepish and apologetic.

"Don't worry Lily, I'll see to him," Sirius smiled and got up once again. He ran up the stairs and you could just make out the timbre of his voice underneath the infant's wails.

"Honestly couldn't you have played regular cards?" Lily asked.

"We needed something to take our minds off the story, muggle cards aren't distracting enough," James explained.

"Oh please," Lily snorted.

Hermione shrugged, "I hate to admit Lily but he has a point. You don't have to worry about explosions with regular cards."

"See Mya understands us," Remus said happily. Lily shook her head good-naturedly. Just then Sirius came bounding back down the stairs.

"He's back in bed and fast asleep," the animagus reported cheerfully.

"Thanks Sirius," Lily handed him his tea. "I don't know how you can calm him down so easily."

"It's a gift, Harry can never be mad at me." Hermione's smile dropped for a second, she remembered the first time they met, and Harry's anger knew no bounds.

Lily finished her tea, "You know I think we ought to go get cleaned up and changed for bed. Then when we finish the story we can go straight to sleep. Remus? Sirius? Are you staying?"

The two looked at each other, "I suppose it would be best if we stayed," Remus answered for the both of them.

"I have some spare clothes you can sleep in," said James. "Then tomorrow you can Floo back to your places and get some." His two best friends nodded and everyone rose to go upstairs and get changed. Hermione couldn't wait for this day to be over as she went to her room. She hopped in the shower and let the hot water relax her tense muscles. Today had been wild but she was far from done so she rallied her strength, got dressed (her pajamas consisted of some baggy sweats and a tank top) and went downstairs. She was the first one there so she sat down in her spot and started to read when she heard a cough. It was Remus now in a t-shirt and blue pajama pants.

"I was hoping I could catch alone Mya," Remus began nervously.

"What is it Remus?" Hermione closed her book.

"Sirius," was all he said but Hermione understood.

"You haven't by any chance spoken to James?" Hermione asked knowing the answer.

"Yes I did," Remus looked down, "I understand what you said to him but I can't help but think I am missing something vital here Hermione. Sirius is not vengeful type, despite his upbringing. He can be rash yes, reckless yes but he wouldn't just abandon his family."

Not unless there wasn't a family to abandon, he even lost Harry that night too, Hermione thought sadly. It suddenly struck her; if Hagrid had given Harry to Sirius then he may never have gone after Pettigrew. Sirius probably thought he had nothing left to lose that night. She sighed softly and looked into Remus's amber-brown eyes, "You're right Remus, Sirius wouldn't do that. But he had his reasons, really good reasons too. You'll understand everything by this time tomorrow probably earlier."

Remus nodded. He gestured weakly to her book, "so what are you reading?"

Hermione smiled warmly, "Dickens's Christmas Carol."

"Wrong time of the year don't you think?" Remus smiled.

"I don't know I feel I can kind of relate to it now, the whole going through the past to learn from one's mistakes to make a better future. Well that and the time travelling." Hermione giggled.

Remus laughed, "Our own ghost of from the future. Does that mean you'll be predicting death too?" He sobered up at the end.

Hermione did too, "No it's true some people will die, but like the ghost I'm not here to change the death – everyone has to die sometime - just the circumstances. So instead of someone dying young in war, they can grow old and die in peace and happiness."

"Which is the best anyone could hope for," Lily said as she entered the room. She was in white, silky pajamas with her hair done in a braid. Just then Sirius and James came bounding down the stairs. Dressed like Remus, they fake fought with each other, laughing like hyenas.

"Hey," James said trying to catch his breath, "are we starting again?"

Hermione grinned, "yep take a seat."