2
"Morning," Hermione says warmly as the three Marauders amble into the room. "How are you all?"
"Fine," Sirius says lazily, dropping into a seat beside her and resting his head on her lap.
"Good," she laughs, running her hands through his long dark hair. "James, be a sweetie and run and fetch Peter for me?"
"Peter?" James says, frowning. "I thought we couldn't trust him."
"We can't," Hermione agrees. "But for all I know, me not trusting him is what makes him untrustworthy. We need to try. I need to try."
"Okay," James says, disappearing.
"What are you going to say to him?" Remus asks, sitting down on her other side.
"We'll see," Hermione says cryptically before she refocuses her attention on Sirius's hair, starting to plait it absentmindedly.
Less than five minutes later, James reappears with Peter in tow. "Hey," Hermione says warmly. "Peter, listen, I'm so sorry about before. You really look like someone who really doesn't like me and when I woke up, I was dazed and confused and I just freaked out, but there's nothing wrong with you and I'm so sorry for the way I acted. Honestly, it's taken me this long just to work up the courage to see you again, I'm so embarrassed about the way I behaved, but I'd really like it if we could be friends and-"
She has said all this at top speed and now Sirius interrupts, chuckling, "Whoa. Breathe, Mi, give Pete a chance to speak."
"Yeah, it's fine," Peter says quietly. "I'm sorry I scared you and I'm glad you're okay. I'd really like us to be friends."
"Well that's settled then," Hermione says, shooting him a dazzling smile. "Now you four should be getting off to class but I'll see you at lunch?"
"Definitely," Sirius says, leaning down and kissing her cheek lightly before he trots out of the room with the others just behind him.
Over the next few days, the Marauders spend all their free time with Hermione. They all get on with her in their own special way and they all come to adore her. James is a very good-looking young man, with boyish smiles and the messiest hair she's ever seen; he can sit for hours and talk to her about Lily – she's a great listener and she gives very good advice in a way that doesn't come across as condescending. Peter is good-looking in a very quiet way, with mousy brown hair and a sharp jawline; he quickly learns how clever she is and will go to her with homework queries; he'll sit at her bedside and work for hours as she explains things to him in a much more patient manner than any teacher he's ever had.
Remus is devastatingly handsome but completely unaware of it; he likes to talk to her. He'll climb into bed beside her, they'll wrap their arms around each other and just talk about anything and everything. They have very similar interests, they both love their cuddles, and she always saves him a square of chocolate. Meanwhile Sirius is a rockstar and a supermodel all rolled into one, with beautiful long hair and a heart-breaking smile; he will lie next to her in her bed with his head on her lap so that she can play with his hair and he will tell her stories of their best pranks. They are all exceptionally fond of her and they hate the moments they have to leave her.
One such night, as curfew rapidly approaches, the Marauders climb through the portrait hole in the Gryffindor common room. "Where have you four been?" Dorcas Meadowes shouts.
"Here and there," Sirius says airily.
"You up to no good again, Potter?" Lily says disapprovingly.
"Possibly," James says, grinning.
"Sirius, what on earth have you done to your hair?" Marlene laughs. Sirius reaches up to touch it – as usual, Hermione has spent the evening playing with it and it is in two French braids.
"Just trying something," he shrugs, beaming.
"Well it looks ridiculous," Marlene says.
"Thanks," Sirius says, flipping a braid over his shoulder as he heads towards the dorm. "Night, girls."
The next morning, the boys head off to the hospital wing before breakfast to find a surprise waiting for them. Hermione is standing in the centre of the room, fully dressed and ready for the day ahead. She is wearing a tiny black school skirt, a white blouse, tight grey jumper, red and gold striped Gryffindor tie, knee high grey socks and shiny black heels with the uniform black cloak. Her hair has been done so two plaits tie together at the back and then the rest of it falls freely down her back in long dark waves, and she is wearing light, flattering make-up.
"Whoa," Sirius says as his mouth drops open. "Hermione, you look…"
"Should I take your speechlessness as a good sign?" she laughs. "Come on, boys, I'm starving."
"You're really starting school today?" Remus says as he steps forward and hugs her tightly.
"Yeah," Hermione says. "I'm ready to go, I know I am."
"Okay," James says. "Stick by us, alright?"
"Promise," Hermione says warmly. "Come on, you need to show me where to go."
"You look beautiful," Sirius says, kissing her cheek lightly. "This way."
Five minutes later, the four boys enter the hall and sit down at their usual seats. After 30 seconds, Hermione walks into the room and it just stops. Nobody speaks as she walks down the aisle, sits down beside Sirius and swings her long legs over the bench. Some of the younger boys are climbing on the tables, desperate to get a look at the most beautiful girl they have ever seen. Even Nott and Snape are agog, stunned into silence by how pretty she is. Hermione ignores it, however, reaching across James to get some toast and laughing at something Sirius whispers in her ear.
Slowly but surely, people start to speak again, everybody discussing the mysterious new 7th year. Meanwhile, the 7th year Gryffindor girls descend on the table. "Hey!" Lily says brightly. "I'm Lily!"
"Yes, I know," Hermione says, standing up and hugging Lily warmly. "I'm Hermione, I'm a Muggle-born too. It's such a pleasure to meet you. The boys have told me all about how clever you are and I hope we'll be good friends."
"I'm sure we will," Lily says, smiling.
"I'm Cass," Dorcas says, throwing her arms around the girl. "It's nice to meet you, Hermione."
"So nice to meet you, Cass," Hermione gushes. "Your hair is so pretty; you'll have to tell me how you got it like that."
"I'm Marlene," Marlene says brashly. "So you're the girl that's been keeping our boys so busy?"
"Yes, I'm sorry about that," Hermione says sheepishly. "They're such sweethearts though, you must have them well-trained."
"No way," Alice says. "They're nightmares normally. I'm Alice, by the way."
"Hi, Alice," Hermione says, leaning in and kissing the girl on the cheek. "Nah, I can't believe that. You're lovely, aren't you Sirius?"
"Yeah," Sirius replies, pulling a face at her. Hermione laughs lightly, sitting back down and leaning into Sirius' chest. He slips an arm around her shoulders and kisses her forehead before turning his attention back to his breakfast.
"Oh no!" Peter says and everyone looks at him. His toast is on the floor, jam side down, and he is staring disapprovingly at James.
"What was I saying about them being lovely?" Hermione says. "Shows what I know, huh?" All the girls laugh, taken with her, and she hands her own toast to Peter. "Have mine, I'm not hungry."
"Hermione," Remus warns. "Madam Pomfrey said you had to eat something."
"I'm not hungry," she says, pouting at him.
"Have some cereal at least, please," Remus says firmly.
"I'll have a big lunch," she promises, turning back to the girls. "Do any of you have Defence first? I'm supposed to be there but I don't know where the classroom is."
"I'll show you," Lily says. "Cass and I have Defence too."
"Great," Hermione says, getting to her feet. "I'll see you later, boys." She bends down, presses her lips to Sirius' cheek, blows Remus a kiss and winks at James and Peter before following the other two girls down the aisle. They barely reach the door, however, before their path is blocked by a tall man with very familiar facial features.
"Theodore Nott," he drawls. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."
"The pleasure's all mine," Hermione says, oozing charm. "I'm Hermione Granger."
"May I say how stunning you look on this fine morning?" he says, licking his lips.
"How kind of you," Hermione says. "If you'll excuse me, I'm running late to class and these gorgeous girls offered to show me the way."
Nott's eyes fall on Lily and Dorcas. "I would have thought a young lady of your class would know better than to associate herself with Mudbloods and Blood Traitors," he says.
"I would have thought a gentleman like yourself would know better than to resort to name-calling," Hermione says icily.
"Well, I-" For the first time since Lily and Cass have known him, Nott falters and Hermione takes advantage of this, bowing her head and murmuring, "Good day to you, sir," before she sweeps past him and down the corridor.
"Merlin's pants," Lily squeals as she and Dorcas catch up with Hermione. "Nobody speaks to Theodore Nott like that – nobody!"
"Well maybe somebody should," Hermione says, grinning.
"I thought you were gonna be all buddy-buddy with him and then you just – wham! Amazing," Cass says, beaming. "So good, Hermione – just wait until the boys hear!"
"Yeah, Sirius is going to be even more in love with you than he is already," Lily teases.
"Sirius isn't in love with me," Hermione says, blushing.
"Of course he is!" Lily exclaims. "You don't know what he's like normally – I've never seen him act like that with anyone before. He adores you, girl!"
"If you say so," Hermione says doubtfully. "I'm hardly going to take romantic advice from you, Lily Evans. Not when you're so obviously in love with James Potter and refuse to do anything about it."
"Thank you!" Cass says. "I've been saying this for years, Lil; I don't see why you won't just give him a chance."
"James Potter is an arrogant toerag," Lily says primly.
"He's really not," Hermione says. "He might have been when you met him, I don't know, but he's not now. He's a very clever, very kind wizard who just happens to be hot as hell and head over heels in love with you. Have you actually even had a conversation with him in the last few years?"
"Not really, no," Lily admits. "But he's so…so…"
"So into you?" Hermione laughs. "Come on, Lily, what's the worst that can happen? You fall in love with him?"
"Whatever, Granger," Lily laughs. "I'll admit I've got feelings for Potter when you admit you've got feelings for Black."
"Hardly the same thing, Evans," Hermione says. "Is this the room?"
"Yeah, just here," Cass says. "Our teacher is Professor Knight. She's new but she seems good. She's really sweet."
"Kinda naïve though," Lily says. "We're doing duelling practice today and she thinks it's a good idea to pair up Gryffindors and Slytherins. Honestly, if nobody ends up dead, it'll be a good day."
"Yeah," Hermione says. "Do you have your partners already?"
"Nah," Cass says. "She'll just do it randomly."
They file into the room and take their seats, Lily and Cass next to each other with Hermione behind them. James, Sirius and Remus arrive shortly after, Sirius slipping into the seat next to Hermione and throwing an arm around her shoulder. Slowly the room fills up until Professor Knight arrives and then the room falls quiet.
"We have a new student today," she says, scanning the room. "Ah, Hermione, there you are! Professor Dumbledore says you have received intensive duelling training – I wonder if you'd like to be one half of our first pair?"
"Uh, Professor," Sirius begins, but Hermione gets to her feet confidently.
"Sure," she says brightly.
"Great!" Professor Knight says warmly. "And who shall we have to partner you?" Her eyes wander to the Slytherin side of the room and fall on Theodore Nott. "Ah, Nott – think you can handle the heat?"
"I'm sure of it, Professor," Nott says slimily.
"Wonderful, so we have our first pair," Professor Knight says. The two seventh years make their way to the front of the classroom as she continues, "Now the intention of this duel is to stop the other person from attacking so you're to use defensive spells only." They nod, now facing each other.
"First, we bow," Nott says. Hermione grins, not taking her eyes off him as she does so. "And then," he continues. "We begin."
She blocks his first spell wordlessly before he's even finished saying it, and then suddenly he's stiff as a board, bound by ropes and completely unconscious and he falls to the floor. The whole duel lasted less than ten seconds and Hermione didn't speak a word, but Nott is definitely the loser.
"Well, Miss Granger," Professor Knight says eventually. "An excellent use of non-verbal spells. 20 points to Gryffindor." Hermione beams and walks back to her seat, where all her friends are laughing. Sirius is on the floor, Remus is bent double, Lily and Cass are both crying and James is on his feet and he greets her with a hug.
Meanwhile at the front of the room, Professor Knight has revived Nott who looks absolutely mortified. He walks over to Hermione's seat and extends his hand. "That's the second time you've made a fool of me, Miss Granger," he says furiously. "Trust me when I say there won't be a third."
"Okay," she says quietly. "Good to know."
"I cannot believe you owned Nott like that," Sirius says, still laughing his head off. "Like seriously, Granger, where did you learn to duel like that?"
"That's for me to know and you to wonder about," Hermione says. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go for a walk around the grounds."
"Would you like some company?" Remus says. "I could use the fresh air."
"Thank you, Remus, but no," she says, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. "I need some space. I'll catch up with you all later."
"Hermione, maybe one of us should come with you," James says. "The Slytherins will be out for your blood and I…"
"You think I can't handle myself?" Hermione says, grinning. "See you." She walks off and then the Marauders turn to the other girls.
"What do you think of her?" James asks.
"I think Sirius is in love with her," Lily says, watching Sirius carefully.
"She's amazing," Sirius shrugs. "So, what if I am?"
"She's been here five minutes," Remus says. "Let's not go rushing into anything. This could be the real thing, Sirius – you don't want to screw it up."
"I know," Sirius says severely. "She's my Evans."
"What?" Lily says, blushing.
"You know," Sirius says. "I feel about her the way Prongs feels about you."
"Yes, well," Lily splutters.
"Please go on a date with me?" James says, taking advantage of her flustered state.
"Well, I," Lily falters for a moment, staring at him. "Yes, okay. I will."
"What?!" James says.
"I said yes," Lily laughs.
"Oh Merlin," James says. "Pads, did you hear that?"
"I heard, mate," Sirius laughs. "She told you so."
"Who told him what?" Cass asks.
"Hermione told James to ask Lily nicely," Remus asks.
"And she was right," Sirius says, beaming. "Come on, let's go get lunch."