Author's Note: Please pretend that Head people can give detentions, even if they can't. Thank you.
Previous Chapter
"WHAT THE HELL!" Hermione heard Sirius yell, and the sound of a glass dropping and shattering on the floor. Hermione tried to kick harder, and push against Remus' chest, and she screamed even more. This time, her actions and yelling were perfectly clear; people stepped forward to try and stop him. Many people didn't look surprised; this wasn't the first time Remus had strangely assaulted a young girl.
Remus seemed to gain his senses at Sirius' yell, though, because he finally released Hermione and pulled away. Hermione collapsed on the ground, regaining her breath. Someone to her right tried to pull her up, but Hermione quickly pulled herself up and ran up the stairs to the girl's dormitories.
"Hey! Padfoot! We need some more pumpkin pasties," James called over from somewhere in the room. Sirius couldn't hear, though. The only thing he heard was, "Hey Padfoot Pasties!" Sirius figured that that couldn't possibly be what James wanted, so he pushed through a group of sixth years who were wearing way, way too low shirts and super-short skirts. They giggled at him as he walked by.
"What was that, Prongs?" Sirius yelled. James was right next to him, but the party was so loud that it was impossible to hear anyone without screaming.
"Pumpkin Pasties! We're out of them!" James yelled back. Sirius nodded.
"Where's Moony?"
"I thought he was with you?"
"Well, he's not. We still need to give him the ol' firewhiskey bong."
"I don't think he's up to that. I blind-folded him."
"Why?"
"So that he wouldn't go snog another girl. As long as he can't see them, it's fine."
"Oh. Where's Hermione?"
"I dunno." James went back to trying to persuade a small fourth year to ask Lily out for him, who was in her dormitory. In reality, James just wanted to see him fall down the slide.
"Don't forget the pasties!" James called after Sirius, who went to go find Hermione. Sirius went over to the large drink and snack table, and grabbed a mug of butterbeer. He knew that Hermione wouldn't drink any alcohol. He stood on his tip-toes, looking over the heads of many people, trying to spot Hermione's head from the crowd. Sirius frowned a bit when he didn't see her. He settled back down, trying to seek Hermione out. Sirius started to walk forward, but he nearly slipped on something, and he grabbed hold of a table to stop himself from falling. Cursing, he looked down to see what he had stepped on.
It was a bright red blind-fold.
Sirius gulped. He picked up the blind-fold and ran it over to James, butterbeer still in hand. As soon as he saw James laughing at the fallen fourth year, who actually asked to go up the girl's stairs again to ride the slide, he shoved the blind-fold under James' nose. James went cross-eyed, then he yanked the cloth from Sirius' hand. He looked down at it with confusion for a moment, until his face went pale and he swallowed. He looked up at Sirius.
"Moony," they said at the same time, and spun around. They pushed through the crowd with their arms, looking side to side so quickly that Sirius' head began to spin. Then he saw him.
Remus had wrapped his arms around a girl so tightly that it looked like she couldn't breath. Sirius could tell by the bumps in her cheeks that Remus was using his tongue. Sirius felt sympathy for the girl, and stepped forward to help her, who was now screaming. A very familiar scream. Sirius choked on nothing when he saw the large brown eyes, and golden-brown hair. Hermione.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Sirius screamed, dropping the tankard of butterbeer. Remus turned around instantly, yellow eyes present. Sirius watched in horror as he saw Hermione collapse like a doll on the ground, gasping for breath. She looked like she was close to tears. She remained there for a moment, not moving. A boy next to her stepped towards her, trying to help, but she shot straight up and ran into the girl's dormitories. Sirius thought he heard a sob before the distant sound of a door slamming shut. The whole place was now completely quiet as everyone watched Sirius slowly turn red.
"Yeah- So- party's over?" a sixth year said awkwardly. Many people nodded, nervous, and ran upstairs just as quickly as Hermione. That is, everyone but Sirius, James, and Remus. Remus' yellow eyes looked around, wondering where his captive went. Sirius felt anger and something else boil inside of him: Jealousy. Sirius took an angry step towards Remus, and James shouted, "No!"
Remus shook his head, yellow eyes turning to his usual brownish. Sirius barely saw this, for he had taken an angry swipe at his face. Remus ducked, looking rather confused. James had to rush forward to keep Sirius from hitting him.
"Prongs- stop- let- me- GO!" he yelled, trying to pull away from his clutches. Remus backed away, now looking uncomfortable.
"Er. What happened, exactly?" Remus asked. "I don't remember much."
"I guess you wouldn't, you were too busy with your tongue down her throat!" Sirius hissed.
"Padfoot, you know Moony can't control it-" James said, trying to restrain him. A look of horror spread of Remus' face.
"I didn't- not again- Padfoot- who was it?" he said, color draining out of his face.
Nobody responded, but judging by the way that Sirius was trying to kill him, Remus seemed to understand.
"Not- Hermione?" he said, obviously hoping that he was wrong. James gave a stiff nod as Sirius tried to launch himself at Remus with the mention of Hermione's name.
"Sirius- I'm so sorry! I didn't know-"
"How could you have not known?" Sirius spat. "You were looking at her!"
"But I can't control it, it would be the same with anyone else, I'm so sorry-!"
"She was screaming, Moony! She was screaming, kicking, and punching! It was pretty damn obvious that she wasn't enjoying it!" Sirius snapped harshly. James had given up on trying to restrain Sirius with his hands, and just took out his wand to cast a shield charm between the two of them. As soon as James released Sirius, he sprung forward, only to be launched back.
"Moony, she doesn't even like me!" Remus cried.
"Well, it was pretty obvious that you liked her! You were choking her with your tongue!"
"I didn't like that third year, why would I like anyone else?"
"Because- because-"
"Bingo, Padfoot," James said.
"Besides, she likes you," Remus said softly. Sirius stopped, and actually looked at him. His face was blank.
"How do you know?" he said with a tone of harshness. Remus grinned a bit.
"Hermione talks in her sleep."
"What did she say?" Sirius asked, eagerly, all anger momentarily forgotten.
"Well, a lot, really. First, she went on about the two guys she mentioned when she first got here- Ron and Harry, I think. Things like, 'I wish I could go back,' and 'I miss you,' but then she was in a fight with herself, I guess. Then she said the same thing for five minutes: 'But I can't leave Sirius. I like Sirius.'"
"Aw," James said, teasing.
"Really?" Sirius asked, eyes shining like a small boy's.
"Really," Remus promised. Sirius smiled.
"Sorry I tried to kill you," Sirius said sheepishly.
"Sorry I put my tongue in your future girlfriend's mouth."
"Hey! It's weird enough saying it, I don't need it repeated!" Sirius said as they laughed. They were interrupted when the portrait squeaked open.
"Good evening," Professor Dumbledore said. The three boys looked a bit confused, but then responded, "Good evening, Professor."
"Have you seen Miss Alden? I have some good news for her," he said with a twinkle in his eye. Remus flushed a bit.
"Yeah- she's in her dormitory-" Remus said awkwardly.
"I do hope she's pulled herself together, now," Dumbledore said, smiling at him. "You may want to head down to the hospital wing, Remus, I am going to bring Hermione down, and I would prefer if there weren't any distractions."
Remus went as red as an apple as James and Sirius sniggered. Remus, still bright red, nodded.
"I will, sir," he mumbled, as he hurried out of the common room. Dumbledore flicked his wand once, and at first, there was nothing. Then, Hermione sprinted down the stairs, with eyes as wide as tea saucers.
"Really, Professor? You've gotten one?" she asked with excitement. Her eyes were red and puffy, like she had been crying, but her face filled happiness.
"Really," Dumbledore said with amusement. "Follow me."
Hermione did, smile on her face. Sirius knew she was purposely not looking at either James or Sirius. As soon as the portrait shut, James got out his invisibility cloak, and Sirius got out the Marauder's Map.
"Let's follow her," James said.
"Duh," Sirius retorted, rolling his eyes.
...oOo...
"Here it is, Miss Granger." Dumbledore handed Hermione a silver time-turner. It looked just like the time-turner she used in her third year, but of course silver.
"I thought you said it took half a year to make, Professor?" she asked, marveling over the silver time-turner.
"It does. They had an old one lying around, one that's been used two times already."
"So... this is the last time I can use it, or can I use this three times, because I'm a different person?"
"Nobody has dared to try it, in fear of an accident. It is unknown."
Hermione nodded. "How do I set it?"
"It is a bit different then the usual. You just set the date, time, and year, and location."
Hermione laced the chain around her neck. She set the little knobs to show, "December 25th, Seven o'clock, 1998, the Burrow."
"I want to go to where I know everyone will be there," Hermione confirmed with Dumbledore. He nodded.
"Very wise."
"I... I'm not going to visit my parents, not yet. They won't understand."
Dumbledore nodded, showing her understood. "Just push that button right there, Miss Granger, and you shall be off."
Hermione touched the small gold button. She could feel herself fade away.
"You have one hour," was the last thing Hermione heard before she disappeared.
Hermione landed on a cold, hard wood floor. She could hear many gasps and yells, nobody seemed to know that it was Hermione.
Hermione quickly stood up, and she gasped. It was just like last year: the warm Burrow, and piles of food on the table. Then Hermione saw the people. There was Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley, Fleur and Bill, Charlie, Ginny, Percy, and George. George had Teddy in his lap, and he seemed to be just waving a baby toy in front of him. They all looked at her with shock. Hermione saw that her seat was empty.
"What's going on-" Hermione heard Harry say as he walked into the room, carrying a bottle of firewhiskey, Ron at his side. Harry glanced up, saw Hermione, and dropped the bottle.
"Harry!" Hermione cried. "Ron!" She sprinted forward and hugged them so tightly that Harry's glasses went flying, and Ron grunted a bit.
"Hermione- Hermione!" Harry said. Then that's when everyone came to their senses. There was a great scraping of chairs as everyone got up to hug Hermione in turn. Mrs. Weasley was crying.
"Hermione! I can't believe it- McGonagall said you couldn't come back!" Ron said hoarsely as everyone told her to sit down, to start eating, to make herself at home. Hermione sat in her chair, but didn't eat.
"I can," Hermione whispered. "Just not permanently I've come to just tell you- she's right, Ron. I can never come back forever. I'm stuck. I can come and visit, but Professor Dumbledore said that I'll never be with you guys completely."
There was silence. George looked very sad; he had started to joke about how worried they had been.
"I've only got an hour, then I'm going back," Hermione said. "I'll come back for longer, but that will be a few years."
"But- but-" Ron started, but Harry stopped him. He beamed at Hermione.
"Glad you're back, Hermione. But McGonagall said that you've, ah, 'Friendly with the Marauders and Lily'? My mum and dad?" Harry asked eagerly. Hermione grinned.
"Yeah. It's really weird, and Sirius is started to suspect-"
Harry choked. "Sirius?"
"Yeah, dummy! It was so strange seeing them. When I went back in time, I accidentally called your father 'Harry' when I woke up." There was laughter at this.
"It's true. He looks just like you, and Lily has your exact eyes. Lily also hates James' guts. That was pretty accurate, too," Hermione smiled.
"Are you dating anyone?" Ginny squealed. Ron shifted uncomfortably as Hermione went red.
"So that's a yes, then? Who is it?" she asked eagerly.
"Ginny, dear, don't crowd her! She only just got back!" Mrs. Weasley scolded.
"Well... not exactly dating, but-" Hermione started, then cut off.
"Well, I think I'm full for now," Charlie said loudly. There was murmuring of agreement as all of the adults left the small kitchen; George winked at Hermione as he walked out. When everyone cleared out, there was only Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione left.
"Yeeessss?" Ginny asked, beaming at her.
"Well- Oh, my god- This is so weird!" Hermione said, blushing red again. "Because- well- Harry- Ugh, fine! Me and Sirius sort of have this, thing, I guess!"
Harry looked at her, mouth open.
"That is..." Ginny started.
"Really, really awkward," Harry finished.
"You don't know half of it," Hermione muttered.
"Enough about the people you've snogged-"
"I didn't snog Sirius!" Hermione interrupted.
"But someone else," Ginny said in a sing song voice.
"I appeared in the middle of dinner, and I see all of these people around me. I accidentally called Sirius and James by their names, even when they didn't tell me, and Sirius accused me of being a death eater," Hermione said loudly to shut all of the guy stuff out. "Then, I also accidentally went out on full moon, and Remus-"
"He didn't bite you, did he?" Harry asked, face going white.
"No, no. I ran, but I broke my wrist. I was fine, though. They all suspect of me, of course- I know everything about them! Oh, and I saw Wormtail."
"What did you do?" Harry asked, accidentally in a harsh tone.
"It took me all of my control not to rip his head off. I don't think he's evil yet, and I don't think it will be wise to try and change the fact that your parent die, Harry," Hermione said, reading his mind. "I can't mess with time. I don't know where I am, but I'm somewhere, I'm sure. I might be dead, the thirty-year-old version of me," Hermione thought, "If I'm not going back, then that means a thirty-year-old version of me is running around somewhere."
"This gives me a headache," Harry muttered.
"I bet it's Professor Lupin," Ginny announced.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"You snogged Professor Lupin? That's so weird," Ginny said.
"I-I-" Hermione stuttered.
"You did?" Harry said, looking aghast.
"Unwillingly!" Hermione exclaimed as Ginny put a hand over her mouth.
"Harry, I found this in my pocket after I was there," Hermione said loudly again, turning red. She pulled out a picture of them laughing in the common room.
"Look what Sirius wrote on it," Hermione muttered. Harry looked at it.
"So, he definitely knows there's something wrong with you, then?" Harry joked.
"I thought, judging by everyone says he's so clever, he would have it figured out. I even mentioned time-turners, and it didn't click."
As everyone laughed, they just kept on talking, and talking about how everyone has been doing, and things like that. Hermione forgot that she didn't belong here, she was a time-traveler. She forgot that she only had an hour to talk to her very best friends, even if Ron didn't talk much.
"Er- Hermione!" Ginny squeaked, pointing to her hand. Hermione looked down, and gasp. Her hand was fading. She looked at her left wrist to check the time, but her arms were quickly disappearing.
"No," Hermione whispered.
"Hermione, we'll miss you-" they all started, but Hermione felt the strange feeling of fading away into nothing come back.
"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore said to Hermione, who was laying face down on the floor.
"Hmph," Hermione grunted.
"You may want to get up," he said quietly. Hermione did so, reluctantly, and brushed the hair out of her face as she settled herself down in a chair.
"How did it go?" Professor Dumbledore asked. Hermione remained silent, afraid that she would start to cry as soon as she uttered a single word. Dumbledore seemed to understand.
"You may leave, if you wish," he said kindly. Hermione nodded, getting up quickly, and stepping out of the circular office.
Hermione was hurrying down the corridors, tears pouring down her face like a fountain. Hermione was quite glad that her makeup washed off when she was crying earlier (She wasn't even sure why, that time), because she just found out how messy makeup and tears get.
"Hey!" A voice yelled out. Hermione turned, and it was that creepy Slytherin head boy.
"What are you crying for? You're out of bed after hours again," he sneered.
"I just came from Professor Dumbledore's office. Leave me alone," Hermione snapped.
"I don't think so, Alden," he said. Hermione was a bit relieved that he wasn't smiling like a pedophile; it was the sneer that meant she was getting in trouble. "I think that's- what- three detentions?"
"Why three?" Hermione protested.
"You were out last time, you hexed me, and you're out late again," he smirked. "What would your mummy and daddy say, you big crybaby?" he teased.
"They're muggles!" Hermione screeched. "And dead!" she added, not for sympathy, but because this would probably end a lot of awkward questions.
"Figures, you little mudblood," he sneered. Hermione's face went red as she walked over, and slapped him to the ground. Her eyes strayed to his hand, which held a piece of parchment. Hermione snatched it out of his hand, knowing that it was the map.
"That's mine," she said harshly. The boy didn't respond; he was still on the ground, and rubbing his left cheek, where there was a bright red hand mark. Hermione hoped that it would remain there for a long time. Hermione cast yet another spell on him, making him fall in a deep sleep. She shoved him in a broom closet by kicking him there, and then she got the map out.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," Hermione muttered. She figured she better return the map to James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Her eyes glazed the map for a moment. Her brow furrowed in confusion; she had checked the map three times, and she didn't spot their names. Hermione realized that she didn't check the corridor she was in. Hermione expertly flipped through the map, having once used rummaged though is when Harry left it around. She ran her finger along her name, trying to see where the boys were. Hermione almost laughed; two pairs of feet were slowly creeping behind her. Hermione rolled her eyes; they probably didn't see the map in her hands. Hermione whipped around, wand raised high. Hermione laughed as she heard yelping, and the fumbling of feet as what must have been James and Sirius fell over each other.
Hermione was usually a forgiving person, someone who didn't do anything crazy. But after slapping the Slytherin head boy, she felt excitement rush through her veins, despite the fact she was just crying.
"Come and catch me!" Hermione snickered, sticking her tongue at nothing. She turned and started to run, map in hand.
"Hey!" she heard Sirius yelp.
Hermione twisted up and down corridors, rushing up stairs, skipping down stairs, and and just sprinted everywhere. Hermione rushed into an empty classroom, almost out of breath. She sat on a desk, and pulled the map out. She hadn't wiped it out yet. But before she could even look down at it-
"BOO!" a voice yelled behind her. Hermione screamed as loud as she possibly could, and fell off the desk. There was a great laughter as Hermione cursed, and sat up. She turned to see James and Sirius doubled over in laughter, and the map now in their clutches.
"How did you catch up to me?" Hermione asked.
"We knew you were coming here," Sirius said sarcastically. "We were right behind you!"
"I didn't hear you!" Hermione protested.
"You were too busy laughing."
"Fine."
Sirius offered her a hand. Hermione took it, and he pulled her to feet. James and Sirius just stood there, grinning at her like a pair of idiots.
"What?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"Nothing. You're shirt's falling down," Sirius said. Hermione glanced down, and a strap of her tank top (which she still despised) had broke, and it her shirt was sagging. Hermione blushed and tugged it up. She mended the thin strap of it with her wand, then the other one snapped.
"What the-?" Hermione exclaimed, and then the one she just mended broke again. She held the thin cloth over her chest with both hands, and looked furiously up. James and Sirius were laughing very hard, and judging by the way Sirius had his wand out pointing at her, he was the one who kept on breaking them. She quickly sealed her shirt back out, and shouted, "Oppungo!"
The same flock of golden birds appeared out of nowhere as they flew straight at Sirius, pecking at his skin.
"Hey!" he yelped, trying to swat them away. Hermione laughed as she turned to leave.
"Bet I can beat you idiots to the common room!" she shouted as she raced out.