All hail the mighty David James for he never fails to take a moment out of his busy life to fix the awful mess I make.
Silver
Inquisition
Sirius held his breath as he studied the shadowy woods surrounding him.
The trees rustling in the breeze breaking the silent night. A crescent moon, which brought nothing but anxiety now, peaked through the swaying branches as beams of moonlight pierced the mossy earth. In the distance an owl hooted and cut off the moment faint footsteps approached.
The smell of earth, sweat and soap reached him before he saw him. A twig snapped and he grinned, turning towards the approaching figure that could not yet be seen through the heavy forest. The footsteps grew louder and the bushes shifted as a familiar face appeared from within the brush.
Hands in pockets, Sirius smirked as the bloke struggled with a clingy branch. He snickered the second it reared back and smacked the shorter wizard's forehead.
'Alright?' he asked, not at all attempting to hide the humour in his voice.
'Fuck your bush,' growled the shorter wizard as he glared at the offending shrubbery.
Watery eyes turned to him as he started to laugh. Pete shook his head, blond hair dishevelled, bits of leaves and twigs tangled in.
'Are you aware,' he said as he began to dust himself off. 'That you have a big fucking house where we could have met?'
Sirius nodded, a wide smile on his face as Peter pulled a twig out from under his shirt. 'Yeah I am. But if we'd been seen doing nothing we would've been sent on a mission?'
Peter didn't say anything else but grumbled his defeat as he sorted himself out. If you wanted free time one sure way to guarantee it didn't happen was to sit around his home.
Not even his floor - which didn't allow anyone past his personal stairs without permission - was safe. Moody had a tendency of charming objects to run up and down the stairs, screaming until he spoke to the Auror. He still couldn't figure out how the old bastard had managed to surpass the silencing charm.
It may be a pain in the arse but even he had to admit that it was very effective.
'Still,' bitched Wormtail. 'You have a whole forest to pick a meeting place. There's no excuse for picking the one place surrounded by hungry owls and rocky terrain.'
'You should've transformed like I did. Makes the trip faster and easier.'
The blond wizard glared. 'I transform into rat!'
'Not my problem,' he replied with a shrug. 'Ready?'
'Ready for what?'
'For a pint.'
The shorter wizard's head shot up. Blue eyes pierced him with a scowl. 'You made me walk and Apparate through these fucking woods six bloody times to invite me to a fucking pub?!'
Sirius blinked and felt the corner of his lips twitch. 'Six times? Shit. Really?'
He chuckled as he dodged a flying twig aimed at his head.
'Yes you twat!'
The dog animagus responded by pointing at a fallen tree to his left. 'I told you to meet me at the clearing by the tree.'
Peter continued to pull at his hair as a stubborn something refused to budge. 'It's a forest you shit for brains!'
Sirius widened his eyes, scanning the woods with mock amazement. 'So it is.'
Wormtail finally dislodged a leaf and threw it at him with a violent gesture that he felt was completely unnecessary. As Pete renewed his struggle, pale eyes followed the leaf's path as it twirled its way down, finally settling into the empty and mossy space between them.
'If you wanted to go for a damn drink you could have just said rather than sending me a bloody Patronus and being so fucking dramatic and secretive!'
'I was not being secretive!' he argued defending himself, completely indignant at the shorter wizard's accusation.
Pete glared harder. 'Wormtail meet me at the clearing by the tree. Come alone. Tell no one.'
'And you followed the instructions perfectly!'
'Six sodding clearings Sirius!'
'Alright!' said Sirius, his hands up in a placating gesture, 'I should have said something but in my defence, I knew it'd be funnier this way.'
'Arsehole!'
'-And,' he said mid laughter as Pete pulled the last twig out of his hair. 'This way, it'd be just us lads without the two pussy whipped bitches tagging along.'
Pete blinked. 'You didn't want Prongs or Moony to come along?'
Blond eyebrows shot upwards when he shook his head. 'Why?'
Because all they want to do is talk about the war. 'Cos we're the clever ones who didn't condemn and chain our dicks to a single mouth.'
Peter snickered staring up at the moon. 'Moony's in heat as well.'
'Bitch is always in heat and James,' he sniffed. 'Refuses to be away from Lily for too long.'
'Yeah. Two rounds in and I reckon he'd leave.'
'Exactly,' he said nodding. 'As we're single and mission-less, I felt a night out was needed. Act our fucking ages and be proper lads for once.'
'Fine. Still doesn't excuse your shitty behaviour-,'
'-Pete, Pete, Pete,' he said with a shake of his head. Eyebrows raised, a small smile pulling at his lips. 'Pub?'
Wormtail's glare gave way to a rueful glance and the long haired Marauder snickered.
'Yeah,' answered the rat animagus with an irritated sigh. 'Pub.'
Sirius clapped his hands together. 'Brilliant! What you in the mood for Wormtail? Chinese? German? I've a craving for Indian meself.'
'I had Indian last time.'
He ran a hand through his hair as he nodded, suddenly remembering. 'Yeah you did. Alright mate. You decide.'
Twigs snapped in the distance then and both Marauders froze, listening for the tell-tale signs of footsteps. High pitched squeals and a satisfied owl's hoot lessened their paranoia.
Anxious eyes met his. 'I-I don't want to wait too long and I want something that will go down smooth ... How about American?'
'Yeah, alright,' he said, forcing a smile. 'London?'
'London,' agreed Peter. 'Meet you in the alley outside that club?'
'Yeah.'
Two wands appeared from under a sleeve and back pocket respectively, with a parting nod both spun on the spot.
Fresh air and the quiet serenity were replaced with the smell and sounds of the capital city.
Pete cleared his throat and Sirius turned in time to see a blonde girl struggling to sort out her metallic and shimmering dress as a bloke next to her didn't bother to do anything. Dick out, trousers by his ankles, mouth agape and eyes wide, he just stood there staring.
He could feel Pete shaking beside him, his own laughter now threatening to escape. He had to choke it down when Wormtail took a hasty step towards the bloke.
'Quickly!' cried Peter, 'What year is it? Are we too late?! Have the butterflies attacked yet?! Have they taken over?! Tell me?!'
The bloke, heavily chained, bearded and clad in polyester flinched. 'W-what?'
'The butterfly overlords! Have they attacked yet?!'
The poor bloke shook his head as the blonde behind him ran frightened and confused eyes over them.
'N-no,' stammered polyester bloke, his dick still out and growing soft by the second.
He hadn't stared or had meant to look but it was very obviously there.
'What's the year?' demanded Pete of him. Shaking him a bit when no dazed answer came.
'W-what?'
'The date man! What is the date?!'
'23rd of June, 1979,' answered the girl, her voice shaky, as she hid behind her partner.
Wormtail turned back towards him with a look of unrestrained joy on his face and it was all he could do not to laugh outright then and there.
'We're not too late,' he cried with a sigh of relief. 'We can change it all! We can change the future!'
Polyester blinked rapidly as the blonde bird squeaked. 'W-what?'
'Come Mathius!' said Pete, flourishing as he pulled Sirius' jacket sleeve. 'We have a world to save!'
His chest twitched from suppressed laughter, bubbling upwards threatening to escape. His gut hurt from holding it in. They were at the alley's mouth when his mate turned back to the shocked couple.
'Remember!' warned Wormtail. 'Beware the butterflies!'
Huffing, eyes watering and not one to be outdone, Sirius turned to Polyester. 'Careful mate! They go in through your dick hole!'
The bloke fell over and the blonde let out a startled gasp as she helped him up.
He and Pete barrelled through the growing crowd as they headed towards Camden, laughing as they did.
Fucking hell, he'd missed Pete. Out of the four of them he was the quietest but that didn't stop him being just as funny. Actually helped it a bit.
He was also the one who was usually gone the most. The shorter wizard really was good at intelligence gathering.
'Pete,' he chuckled. 'That was ace.'
Wormtail laughed. 'I try.'
With every step the throng of people grew and the noise rose around them until it became one giant, deafening mass. Accents from all across the globe reached his sensitive hearing making it difficult to focus on one sound alone.
Universally acknowledged as a tourist trap, Camden Market held a certain charm that managed to attract locals and visitors alike. Stalls and pubs littered the colourful street as crowds made their way through the sprawling madness towards destinations unknown.
With no real plan they walked in a random direction. Music blasted out of record stores, pubs and bars were a revolving door of activity. Their pane glass windows displaying the excited patrons as they drank and laughed. His eyes were immediately called to the shop across the street. The first tattoo parlour on the street, it was filled to capacity. Goths, in varying degrees of black and silver chains studied the art offered on walls.
He really wanted tattoos.
His attention was quickly drawn away when a smaller body barrelled into him. Scowl in place he turned around ready to tear the fucker a new arsehole, when big brown eyes sparkled up at him. Giggles and a bit of shoving followed as the group of three girls stared up at him.
The one who had bumped into him was the shortest of the three. Brunette, big eyes, creamy skin, hourglass figure and large breasts, the bird was a teenage boy's wet dream. She also had chapped lips and fucked up teeth.
Beside her stood the tallest of the three. A willowy, dirty blonde whose features and waist long hair recalled those of a hippie. She was dressed like one as well. Her bomber jacket had buttons that read things like, 'Feminism now, Feminism FOREVER!', 'Men bow down!', 'Burn your bras and fuck oppression!' and 'Save a cow, eat a carrot.' Clearly, Hippie Bitch The Sequel was a vaginatarian. She had thin lips. The last had black hair and seemed to be the least interested. Her eye drawn across the street to an occult shop. Her pink and flowered dress in total contrast to her hemp bracelets and combat boots. The fattest of the lot, she was the least attractive.
His eyes were quickly drawn back to Brown Eyes when she cleared her throat. The bitch smiled at him. All flirty and sweet.
'Oh my God sorry!' apologised the brunette.
Her accent very clearly American.
He turned to Pete, whose eyebrows shot upwards as his eyes lit up.
He still hadn't spoken, content in glaring at the simpering bitch. Her smile slowly fading.
'No need to apologise love,' chimed in Pete. His smile charming and kind. 'Complete accident surely?'
The brunette's eyes moved between him and Pete, a tentative smile aimed at the blond wizard.
'It was yeah...' she gestured to her friends, eyes unsure as they settled on him. 'Again, sorry. We'll just be leaving.'
She couldn't turn fast enough it seemed as Hippie Bitch the Sequel glared at him. The big bird hadn't bothered to acknowledge him. Beside him, Pete smiled as he watched Brown Eyes' pert arse as she walk away.
Sirius eyed the chattering trio as they made their way into the nearest bar full of shouting people. He easily picked up Brown Eyes' distinctive American twang. He turned to Pete.
'Still fancy American?'
The bloke nodded enthusiastically. 'More than ever.'
'Alright,' he shrugged. 'I still fancy Indian though.'
'I'm sure you'll find something to satisfy your palette mate.' Pete nodded at the large windows. 'It's Saturday night after all.'
'Okay, who am I?' he asked the shorter wizard. 'Posh Twat or Sexist Arsehole Who Can't Hold His Beer?'
Peter shook his head. 'Nah mate, did you see how she looked at you? She'll be determined either way... tonight you'll be ... my gay cousin Fernando.'
Sirius snorted. He really had missed Pete.
'Fernando huh?' he said laughing.
Wormtail nodded. 'Yeah. Like the ABBA song but gayer, come on!'
He walked behind the excited wizard as they entered the bar and found the unsuspecting trio.
'Ladies,' said Pete in a most gracious tone. 'I apologise for my cousin. His boyfriend just broke up with him and he's being a moody git. Allow me to buy you a round as compensation?'
A look of understanding crossed all their faces and they agreed, albeit a bit reluctantly.
'Three beers then, please?' said Brown Eyes.
'Jolly good!' he exclaimed. 'We'll be right back.'
Without a glance at their direction, Sirius followed behind.
'Jolly good?' he asked as they reached the bar and waited for the barman.
Pete nodded. 'Yeah. Yanks love our accents mate, you know that. Best chance I have with a bird like that is to be as British as possible.'
'As British as possible?' Sirius shook his head. 'What does that even mean?'
'I'm going to be a walking, talking cliché!'
Sirius' lips twitched. 'And saying "jolly good" is a part of that?'
Wormtail nodded to the barman catching his eye. 'Indeed- yeah mate we'll have five pints of whatever's cheapest-'
'-four of your cheapest and a pint of Carlsberg!'
Pete turned towards him as the barman went about getting their drinks.
'Just be cool Pads and don't go for the southern, curvy one. She's mine. Be a standoffish arse as much as possible please. With any luck, she'll be put off by you and think me charming.'
Unbelievable as it was, Peter's plan actually worked.
As he sat stoically beside the rat animagus as Pete worked his British charm. Exaggerating as many pronunciations as possible and sounding like the poshest bastard to ever posh, Brown Eyes fell for Wormtail's every word and joke. She'd gone from uncomfortable smiles to coy ones, to playing with her hair to playing with his all while she leant in close to him.
He wasn't too shocked.
It was a truth well known that Yanks loved the British accent.
Even though it was technically English but whatever.
Before he knew it, an hour had passed and Pete was cozied up to the brunette as they whispered to each other. In a room full of drunk and boisterous people, it was difficult to hear what they were saying even with his advanced hearing but their body language said it all.
Pete was gonna get laid.
Brown Eyes barely drank her pint and his sat untouched, abruptly forgotten. Sometime during that time, Hippie Bitch the Sequel had fucked off as well. Feminist and man hating though she may have pretended to be, the tall bitch still hadn't been immune to a bloke she'd come across.
'So this is crap!'
He turned to the Fat One in the Dress.
He nodded once in agreement before reaching for Pete's pint. Cheap it may be but it was still beer.
'So are you really gay or do you just have a stick shoved up your ass?'
He smirked at her over the rim of his glass. 'Yes.'
'I knew it,' she replied with a long suffering sigh and a sad shake of her head.
Fat One moved to the empty seat beside him. 'Look,' she began. 'It's obvious that you want to be here about as much as I do. However, leaving her alone with some guy she's just met isn't groovy if you know what I mean? To make matters worse, I'm bored as hell so let's just make the best of this shit situation. I'm Joanna, here on vacation with my two best friends looking to expand our horizons for the summer. What's your story and real name if you please Fernando?'
Sirius blinked. Fat One in the Dress was blunt. He liked that.
'I'm Mathius.'
Fat One reached into her purse pulling out her fags, quickly placing one between her lips and lighting it. She spoke as she exhaled. 'Liar.'
'Excuse me?'
The black haired girl pierced him with her stare. Hazel eyes met his own steel coloured ones. 'I called you a liar cuz you're lying about your name again. Liar.'
He put down the glass and turned to face her. 'Who says I'm lying?'
'No one but your air of indifference says otherwise,' she gestured at him with a flippant hand. 'I mean, look at you. You're not doing much of anything beyond sitting and drinking but unfortunately for your plan, boredom leads to idle watching. Which is what I've been doing and it led me to some very interesting conclusions about you.'
His eyebrows shot upwards into his fringe. 'Oh?'
Fat One nodded, humming. 'You're not gay.'
'Says who?'
'Your eyes. I've caught you checking out some of these girls. Which means you're not gay. Naturally, if you're lying about that, then you're lying about your name too. It's very telling that you don't care about lying to a girl you've just met by the way, hints at a certain level of comfort and ease in the act itself. Once established that you are a pathological liar, I came to the conclusion that there has to be reason why you're still here and it all comes down to your horny friend over there,' she gestured to the whispering pair with sideways nod of her head.
'So, one of two things is happening here: either you're a real ass who takes some weird perverted pleasure in lying to girls to get your way, or you're a guy who lied about his sexuality to guarantee that his less attractive friend got the pretty girl instead of you.' Her eyes ran over his face. 'Which I'm sure happens without you trying, much to your friends' displeasure.'
Her rosy lips puckered around her cigarette as he spoke. 'There could be a third option you know?'
'I know,' she said with an exhale. 'I could be right in that those two things are happening but mistaken in that it's one or the other. You could be the third and slightly more terrifying option in which you're both at once: a pathological liar with enough sense to hold onto your narcissism while compassionate and patient enough to help out your friend.'
'What would I be then?' he asked completely intrigued, smirking.
'Dangerous.'
He shook head, a rueful smile on his lips as he lifted the pint to his mouth. He met her stare as he put down the glass.
'My names Sirius.'
An expected and confused frown settled over her features. He knew what was coming and he cursed himself for being stupid enough to give her his real name.
'... Serious as in quiet and contemplative or Sirius like the star...?'
Okay that's unexpected.
'The star ... how did you-?'
A throaty laugh escaped the girl. 'I'm an Astronomy major and now I understand why you lie about the name.' She reached for her friends pint, 'Next rounds on me.'
Sirius smiled as the smirk lit up her features beautifully. 'if you insist.'
The evening passed quickly after that. He and Pete dutifully taking the task of introducing the American girls to the joys of a pub crawl. And so, the four of them made their way through several bars and clubs, drinking and singing. On a few cases they'd enjoyed a bit of exuberant dancing that only the confidence of alcohol could bring. Before last call the four were well and truly pissed or as the lovely Jo had plainly stated in her charmingly blunt way. 'Holy shit! 'm drunk as fuck!'
'Food,' Brown Eyes had grumbled after a spectacular bout of vomiting.
As the designated Brits, it fell upon him and Pete to decide where and what to eat. It was unanimously agreed that curry was out of the question.
By the end of the night, they'd all found themselves back at the girls' hotel rooms. Pete in Brown Eye's and he in Joanna's. A pleasurable end to a nearly perfect night.
The war however was never far away. It was gone three in the morning when a nightmare filled with smoke, green flashes and screams woke him. Panting and drenched in sweat, it'd taken him a moment to realise where he was and what he was doing there.
He turned to the girl lying beside him. A full and pale breast shined in the moonlight. The cool air drifting from the window chilled his body.
'You okay?'
'Yeah,' he explained. 'Just a nightmare. Sorry for waking you Jo.'
'It's okay,' she replied. Her voice heavy with sleep, but trying to fight it off a bit longer. She cleared her throat and turned on her back to face him. 'Is it time for you to leave yet?'
Sirius chuckled, not at all surprised by her direct way of approaching sensitive topics, which this technically was. One night stands were always tricky to manoeuvre when the girl was the decent sort and worthy of respect.
'Yeah,' he said with an upturned curve of his lip. 'It's time I head out.'
'Okay.'
An awkwardness hit then and he felt like a spectacular dick.
'Listen, Jo... you'll be in town a bit longer and i think it'd be nice if w-,'
'-Don't Sirius,' she said sitting up, shaking her head. 'Don't cheapen what we had tonight by trying to pull some line on me.'
He shook his head, again completely amazed by this incredible girl whose only fault was that she had horrible music taste.
Disco, honestly.
Sirius sat up as well, running a shaky hand through his fringe and brushing it back. 'You're right. I'm sorry.'
Joanna nodded at him a smile on her soft and rosy lips. 'Do you need money for a cab or something?'
He shook his head. 'No, I'm good.'
He stood to dress as she sat watching him. He still felt unsure about leaving her like this. He'd expected to leave while she slept which may or may not have made things worse.
'Are you sure this is okay?'
The beautiful smile that was too big for her face was aimed at him again, 'Sirius, we both know what this was. We had fun and you've been a gentleman all throughout so don't feel bad. There are no expectations beyond what we had tonight. It was fun and I'll cherish it always but really, it's okay to go and not feel guilty.'
Sirius nodded. Jo wasn't the type of girl to fuck around he'd come to realise. If he was being honest however, his offer hadn't been made entirely out of guilt. She was fun and easy to get on with. A bit more time with her wouldn't be a bad thing, she'd leave for the States soon enough.
'A pint wouldn't hurt you know?'
Hazel eyes sparkled with the soft glow of moonlight. 'Yes it would. This is my time of exploration Sirius, the last thing I need is you distracting me from that.'
He nodded, knowing exactly what she meant as an image of Marley flashed through his mind's eye.
Pale eyes focused on his zip, he chuckled.
He had to walk across the room for his shirt which was abruptly pulled back on. The silence was thick in the air. It wasn't uncomfortable exactly but it was heavy or maybe it was just him as Jo lay in bed humming some crap tune. He snickered when he realised it was Fernando.
He looked over his shoulder to look at her. Long, black curly hair mussed, large breasts settled over a round and extended belly as she stared him down with a playful glint to her eye. Rose tinted lips pressed firmly together as she waited on his response with an arched eyebrow.
Shoes on and fully dressed Sirius turned sat on the edge of the bed, facing her, one leg on the floor. He opened his mouth to say something but quickly shut it when nothing came out. He swept back his fringe before rubbing at the back of his neck.
Joanna giggled. 'You're an idiot.'
He smirked at her but refused to make eye contact.
'Thanks for having me Jo.'
She nodded. 'Thanks for showing us around, it was fun.'
With a nod and a soft smile, he stood and turned leave.
By the time he left her and collected Pete with a whispered Alohomara and light shaking so as to not wake Brown Eyes, his discomfort had been thoroughly pushed aside and forgotten.
'Cheers for waking me mate,' said a dishevelled but chuffed Peter as he rapidly dressed himself in the hotel's lift. 'If you hadn't, I would've had to go through the whole awkward conversation thing in the morning.' The blonde shuddered. 'Fuck that!'
Sirius nodded at his mate, whose exposed gut showed a trail of love bites leading downwards to the crown jewels.
Way to go Pete, he thought biting his bottom lip in an attempt to smother his rising amusement.
The morning air was crisp when they stepped out of the building. The street littered with a few tourists. Wide awake, there was only one thing on his mind.
'Pub?'
Wormtail laughed, nodding. 'Pub.'
The pair walked towards the nearest tree to take advantage of its shadow.
Peter turned to him. 'See you at the Leaky.'
The old bar was empty when they arrived. The firewhiskey exquisite as their conversations grew louder and incoherent. Within the hour Tom had had enough and sent them on their way. The two Marauders didn't mind. Content in drinking from their bottle as they staggered their way down the street.
'N-no but lis-hic-ten he could you know? Like, like yeah.'
Sirius snorted into the bottle, tilting his head as far as he could go to get to the bitter and savoury nectar inside. He squinted at it when nothing came, unsteady gaze studying the empty bottle as he tried to figure out why no firewhiskey was coming out of it.
'Ma-te, mate, mate, mmate,' he slurred trying to get Pete's attention.
'Yeah? Ye-hic-ah? Yeah? Yeah? Ye-hic-ah?'
'Mmate, mate,' Sirius laughed at Wormtail who abruptly stumbled and nearly fell.
He raised his bottle to his lips suddenly remembering what he was going say.
'Thiss bottless broken mate look!' he thrust the bottle under the short bloke's nose for inspection.
Pete nodded once as he swayed, 'Yeah. That smells broken aright. We should - we should fith it. With- with mores alcohol!'
'Don't be stupid!' scoffed Sirius as he pulled out his wand. 'We'll use magic.'
The dog animagus handed the bottle over to Peter.
''Ere,' he mumbled. 'Holds the boddle as I- as I throw magic at you.'
Pete nodded, smiling widely as he raised the bottle to eye level, posing with it in preparation to having his picture taken.
'Cheeee-hic-ese!'
Sirius snorted, 'No you idiot! Say- say firewhithkey instead!'
Peter nodded solemnly, 'Okay. 'Mm ready mate. Go.'
'On three yeah? One, two - Mate! I lost my camera!'
'What?'
Sirius shook his head, blurry eyes peering over at Wormtail. 'What?'
The rat animagus snorted, 'Thazz it mate. 'M cutting you off.'
'Thaz fair,' he admitted sadly. 'Let's go home.'
A nearby scream distracted them and the two turned towards the sound. Their humour gone as their suspicion grew. Heart beating, their pleasant haze began to dim as another scream rang out. Wands out, they ran towards it.
Images of silver masks and grey eyes filled his mind's eye and he ran faster.
The sight of a man attacking a homeless woman met them when they turned the corner. Pete didn't say a word as he barrelled into the heavier bloke, punching every inch he could reach. He didn't stop him but turned towards the woman, who in turn ran away as fast as she could. Her trousers ripped. Eyes flashing, Sirius turned just in time to see Peter pulling out his wand and aiming it at the whimpering Muggle.
'Imperio!'
Sirius turned to look around them and down the empty street.
'Never, ever put your hands on a woman without her consent,' spat Peter. His wand shaking, eyes blazing. 'Next time you fancy assaulting a woman or you want to force yourself onto one, break a finger. A new finger each time the urge hits. When you've ran out of fingers castrate yourself. Do you understand?'
Sirius took a step towards his mate. 'Pete.'
'Shut up Sirius!' he spat jabbing his wand at the man. 'Do you understand?!'
The bloke nodded once before Pete turned on the spot and was gone. Sirius was left staring at the slowly blinking man not knowing what to do. He ran his hand through his hair, shifting from one foot to the other.
Pete's reaction wasn't new as he'd been witness to it a few times but the rage of it always left him feeling disoriented and confused and very fucking curious.
But he couldn't ask.
Some things weren't meant to be asked about. The fact that Pete held an extreme amount of hatred towards rapists was a perfect example of that. That Pete grew up without a father was another.
With a shake of his head, Sirius spun on the spot and relished in the smell of dirt and moss when they reached his nostrils. The walk to his cabin soothed his rattled nerves as he began to yawn. The image of his comfortable bed was more than welcome.
It's been a long day, he thought to himself.
When his cabin came into view, he groaned at the sight that met him suddenly realising that it'd just gotten longer. A wooden dog came trotting up to him, its knotted tail creaking as it wagged side to side.
Moody had a mission for him.
He should have run off to Potter Hall. He should have told Moody to fuck off with his mission. He shouldn't have given in to the old codger's disparaging remarks.
He didn't do any of those though so once again, found himself under an invisibility cloak protecting the very bitch who had rendered him bedridden for the better part of three days. It'd been two weeks ago and he'd been sure that Moody no longer felt secure in his ability to guard her.
Yet here he was.
Under a crap cloak, sweating, running on no sleep whilst risking his life for some bitch that he didn't know but who seemed to know him. He was not happy.
By midday, his mood worsened and he was ready to fuck off to the pub.
That he was in Godric's Hollow and out of danger helped a bit. Nothing ever happened here. The chance of attack was laughable and it comforted him to know that things wouldn't suddenly get worse.
And then Batty's door opened and she stepped out.
Scowling, she stood on the doorstep and scanned the length of the street. He fought the urge to swear when she began walking his way.
His temper flared with her every step.
The way she walked, straight backed and so bloody proud set his teeth on edge. The haughty bitch continued to glare at nothing and that pissed him off even more.
It was bad enough that he was here, that he had to now chase after her made it fucking worse.
The long haired Marauder glared at her back before he began to walk. He didn't silence his steps this time. If he had to follow her, he'd make damn sure that she knew it.
The sound of his boots scrapping across the cobblestone was extremely satisfying.
Not the sound, the reaction it caused out of the bitch. The first time it'd happened had been completely accidental. Dizzy from lack of sleep and hunger, possibly the drink, he'd stumbled over the cloak. The reaction it'd gotten had been wonderful.
The stuck-up bitch had suddenly stopped and whirled around to glare at the area to the left of him. Eyes scanning the stone, her mouth opening and closing as she fought the urge to berate someone invisible. He'd grinned and had been doing it purposely ever since. Her reactions growing more and more frantic as she walked faster and his scrapping footsteps grew louder.
They were atop Hollybrook Bridge when with one loud and satisfying creak of wood, she'd had enough and reared back at him.
'Can you keep quiet?! It's bad enough I know you're there, I don't need to bloody hear you!'
Sirius flung the cloak off, glaring as he took a step towards her.
He regretted it the moment her eyes widened and she took a step back. The stormy night came back to him. The inexplicable fear that he seemed to bring her clenching his gut.
He was ready to apologise, more than prepared to run away and call for Remus to replace him as long as she didn't look at him that way again.
And then her expression shifted.
Her eyes became slits as her hands clenched into fists.
'What the hell are you doing here?!' she growled, taking a step towards him.
Sirius blinked at the swift change in demeanour.
Fucking bitch is mad.
Temper rising, he sneered at her. 'Isn't it obvious you daft bitch?'
She shook her head, slamming her eyes shut as she hissed under her breath.
Mad hair that had been permed far too long framed her face. Thin eyebrows, small nose, small tits and not enough hips. Fucking bitch had nothing going for her.
'Go away!' she ordered before walking away. Completely dismissing him.
His mouth fell open. Who the fuck does this slag think she is?
'Oi!' he called to her retreating back. 'Cow!'
She stopped at his insult but didn't turn around as he'd expected.
He had to jog a bit to catch up to her and had to walk fast to keep in step with her.
'Who the hell are you?' he demanded. 'And why the fuck are we watching you?'
She didn't answer him, simply hurried up. They'd crossed the town before he realised they were headed to Olde Rosa's.
'Don't act like you can't hear me!' he seethed. Her refusal to acknowledge him irritated him more than anything else. 'Fucking answer me you stupid bitch!'
That did it.
She turned to him, unshed tears framing angry eyes.
'What did you call me?!' she asked through clenched teeth.
'You heard me.'
He could see her struggling. She wanted to say something to him, but she was holding herself back.
She shut her eyes, her whole body shaking with thinly suppressed rage.
'Go. Away!' she ground out. 'And stop talking to me!'
'No,' he said with an intimidating step towards her. 'I don't think I will. Not until you fucking answer me.'
The short witch shook her head taking a step back, glaring at him with so much anger in her eyes it was slightly unsettling. It wasn't going to stop him getting answers though.
'Who the fuck are you?!'
'Leave me alone!'
Sirius nodded, 'Want me gone? Tell me what the hell we're doing here and you'll not see or hear from me ever again.'
She didn't say anything, just turned to walk away. He ran after her.
'You're pissing me off bitch-,'
'Don't call me that!'
'I'll call you whatever I damn please bit-,'
Sirius groaned as he fell to the ground, clutching at the side of his head as a sharp pain blinded him. The offending rock that'd hit him rolling innocently away.
Sandaled feet shuffled before him for a bit before quickly walking away.
She'd hit him with a rock.
'Crazy bit- fuck!'
Sirius ducked to avoid another rock. He stood eyeing the floating pebbles and stones around them which fell abruptly when she turned the corner. Squib his arse. He shook his head before running after her, the apothecary visible in the background.
'You fucking bi-,' he cleared his throat when he noticed the excess amount of rocks around them.
'You could've killed me!'
She didn't say anything, but she did turn her head.
He'd had enough. Sirius grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, his face lowered to hers.
'Fucking answer me!'
A blow struck him in the chest then and he fell back landing on his arse. Her whole body was shaking and he got the very real sense that he'd gone too far.
'Never touch me,' she hissed, her eyes blazing as wind stirred around them.
He'd been through too much to be easily intimidated though. 'Just tell me what I want to know.'
She shook her head, a curl to her lips. 'You're not getting anything from me so you can shut your damn mouth and sod off.'
Damn bitch was pushing him.
'Can't can I? Gotta protect your pathetic arse.'
Angry tears fell as her whole body shook. 'Keep away from me Sirius. I'm warning you!'
Sirius glared at her, seething and aching to punch something. He stood and swept his fringe back as she walked to the back of the shop. She'd said his name again.
He made his way inside the apothecary and found Tony talking to her, gesturing at potion vials opposite them.
He put on his best smile and called out to them.
'There you are!' he said staring at the witch. 'I knew it was you!'
Tony turned around before his eyes moved from him to her, eyebrows raised. Bitch for her part gave him a death glare.
'Sirius!' said the tall bloke taking a step towards him. 'How are you mate? Long time.'
'Yeah,' he chuckled, shaking the older wizard's hand. 'Been busy you know?'
Tony nodded once before turning to the bitch. His gaze traveling back and forth between them before he cleared his throat.
'I didn't think you'd two know each other,' he muttered, a blush beginning to stain the tall man's cheeks as Sirius' smile grew.
Avoid me now bitch.
'Oh, yeah,' nodded the Marauder. 'We go way back. Went to Hogwarts together. Same house and everything... Ain't that right Hermione?'
She could have slapped him then and there.
Sirius had been pushing her from the moment they met and she'd had enough. She cleared her throat.
'Same house, different years,' she said to Mr. Cox. 'He was a few years above me.'
Mr. Cox nodded as she turned to the annoyance that came in the form of Sirius Black.
'Can I help you with anything Sirius? Need an answer to a question perhaps?' she asked innocently.
His smile turned a bit strained at that and it pleased the hell out of her. It wasn't much of a comeback but it bothered him. That was good enough for her.
She smiled sweetly at him, knowing damn well he couldn't ask her anything without exposing himself or the Order. He was stuck and he bloody well knew it.
Sirius cleared his throat before forcing out another fake smile. He gestured outside. 'No, just wanted to catch up. I'll just wait for you outside.'
Beside her, Tony whistled. 'Sorry to tell you mate, but Hermione's going to be here a bit. She works for me now. first day actually.'
Yet another man she'd have liked to smack. Why he'd felt the need to share that was beyond her. She could have easily agreed and had him wait all day outside. But no.
Hermione took a deep breath. A tight smile directed at the older man. He'd meant well she was sure but right now, he was getting on her nerves.
This was not her day.
First she'd been informed that she had miraculously gained a job curtesy of an old bat who couldn't seem to stop interfering, then she'd been harassed by a bloody moron whom she had no business speaking to, to having her new boss talk about her like she wasn't there.
As far as she was concerned, people needed to go away.
Her head throbbed and she fought the urge to storm out. Nothing good would come of that. Sirius would only follow her, asking her his damn questions. When she got home Batty would be insufferable about her leaving a perfectly fine job or complain about her not wanting to leave the house again while Mr. Cox's opinion of her changed to the point that he would only look at her askance.
She had to stay.
'How fascinating,' deadpanned Sirius.
Mr. Cox nodded in agreement. 'Batty says she's a natural potioneer. Asked me to let her work here and well, here she is!'
The Marauder smiled. 'That was a wonderful story.'
Hermione glared at him. He really needed to go.
'Goodbye Sirius,' she said before turning to the tall man and walking to the back of the shop. 'I'll be working down here you said?'
Mr. Cox didn't seem to find anything wrong and if he did he ignored it. He pointed to the stairs which led down to cellar. Potion fumes reached her before she'd made it to the door.
'Yeah, right down there. Go on and check it out if you'd like.'
She very much wanted to. Not at all bothered by the feel of his gaze on her, she went down the steps content to escape Sirius' suffocating presence.
Their voices followed her downstairs. Muffled, the sound of Sirius' still grated on her nerves.
Hermione took a moment to compose herself when she entered the room proper. Hands on the work table and head bent she took a moment to breathe out her anxiety as she tried to make sense of this chaotic day.
Batty.
All of this began with her.
You haven't left the house in two weeks Hermione and I don't like that. So, I got you a job. You'll be working for Tony brewing potions. You start in thirty minutes.
That bloody woman.
Just because she hadn't left the house these past two weeks did not mean she was regressing back to her former state of depression. Two weeks was nothing. She'd gone longer than that without bathing. Now that was depression.
Batty didn't understand. She wasn't sad. Quite the opposite in fact, Hermione was pissed off.
Dumbledore had lied to her.
She'd placed her trust in the man and granted, she had been a mess when she'd arrived here but the least he could have done was be honest with her.
Her cheeks burned when she thought of all those panic attacks she'd had while out with Batty. Those first few steps towards recovery had been horribly traumatic experiences and to think that they'd been witnessed by Batty was horrible enough, to now know they had been seen by another person was mortifying.
That's why she hadn't left the house. Because the knowledge that she'd been stupid and blind was too hard a pill to swallow.
Harry's tantrum had been completely justified.
Hermione shook her head, lifting her head to study the room around her. The day was crap enough already, the last thing she needed was to think of that.
The cellar was far too cold and not exactly accommodating. It would also explain why his potions weren't as potent as they ought to be.
'The large fluorescent lights couldn't be much help either,' she murmured to herself as footsteps rang above her.
She doubted it would make a big difference but she still wondered if that much concentrated electricity had any particular effect in magical herbs and potion ingredients which, she noted, seemed to be stacked in shelves and tables with no particular order.
The musty smell was not pleasing to the senses either but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't a priority. Hermione sighed as she looked at the disorganized room, realising she would have a lot of work to do. A faint creak of stairs alerted her to Mr. Cox's nearing presence.
'How'd you find it Hermione?'
She turned to her new boss. A tight smile on her lips.
'It's quite cosy.'
Mr. Cox nodded, a proud smile on his face. 'Aye, it's not big but it's mine.'
She smiled at the sweet man who was clearly proud of his small business.
'I'll try to do right by it.'
The tall wizard beamed. 'Thank you, that's all I ask. Now! Batty says you can recite potions off the top of your head so one assumes you can brew just as well?'
A tentative and admittedly, embarrassed smile pulled at her lips to which he laughed. 'I'll take that as a yes. She also tells me you were top of your class and looking into becoming a Potion Master before this damn war started.'
Hermione gave the man a tight lipped smiled and tried not to look as surprised as she felt about her unauthorized biography. Damn woman had absolutely failed to mention any of this. Her anger and annoyance grew a bit more.
'She was also very clear in telling me that you take advantage of her vast library to research foreign potion methods and spells.'
At least that part was true, she thought.
The brunette nodded. 'Batty has a lot of potion books from around the world, it was fascinating so I used them for our potion stores.'
'Yes, that's what Batty had said as well-,'
Damn woman had said a lot of things.
'How about you brew me three potions to start? A Calming Drought, Blood Replenishing Potion and a Cough Potion? Not the most spectacular of potions, I know- but they are the most common sold here. I'd rather know you can brew those correctly before any others if you don't mind?'
The curly haired witch shook her head, 'No, not at all.'
'Great!' said the wizard with a clap of his hands. 'I'll leave you to it. I'll be upstairs if you need me.'
After a parting smile, a creak of a door and stairs Hermione found herself alone, studying the table before her. Filled with potion ingredients she set out to gather those for the Blood-Replenishing Potion first as it would take the longest.
'Do you think that's something he's had to say to his wife? It's not big but it's mine?'
Hermione jumped and just as quickly whirled around trying to find the bloody idiot.
'What the hell is wrong with you?' she hissed, brown eyes running the length of the room.
'Lots.'
She turned right, scanning the corner his disembodied voice had come from.
'Why don't you go away?!' she spat hand outstretched as she attempted to grab at an invisibility cloak.
'Aim higher or you'll be grabbing my dick.'
A snicker rang throughout the cellar and Hermione snapped her hand back as a flutter grazed her left hand.
Hermione spun to her left glaring, 'why can't you leave me alone?!'
'Cos I'm your damn guard aren't I? Can't leave your side under any circumstances. You're too damn precious for some fucking reason.'
She turned to the farthest wall from where he'd spoken, her eyes searching. 'No one's making you stay.'
'Wrong bitch, the Order is.'
A chair to her right moved and she studied the air around it.
'Call me that without your little cover you bloody coward,' she spat, glaring at the chair.
A flash of silvery cloth and then there he was, sat in the stool next to the chair, grey eyes blazing. 'Call me a coward again bitch and you'll fucking regret it.'
'Coward.'
Sirius stood then, slamming his fists into the table opposite he as he did, 'I'm fucking warning you bitch.'
'Or what? You'll curse me?' she taunted, 'Go on then, do it! Curse me Siriu-,'
'Stop saying my name!' he growled through clenched teeth.
'Hermione?' called Mr. Cox from above and both heads turned towards the sound of creaking stairs followed by the door opening. 'Did you call me? I thought I heard you talking?'
She turned to look at Sirius but found him gone. The spot where he'd stood moments before now an empty space. The urge to expose him struck her then and it was overwhelming strong.
The witch shook her head, knowing she couldn't say anything. As annoyed as she was by his voice and presence, she needed him. She may hate the fact, but she knew protection from the Order was necessary.
'I was singing,' she lied forcing a small smile on to her face, looking down at the table hoping to appear embarrassed.
Mr. Cox nodded, his smile real. The man pointed to a small desk on the corner where bits of parchment and pens sat. A radio beside them.
'If you fancy backup singers, the radio's right there.'
No sooner was he gone did the radio come to life with Freddy Mercury's voice ringing out as he proclaimed that fat-bottomed girls made the rocking world go round. She didn't say anything as she collected the items needed, nor did he for that matter.
Mr. Cox's interruption had thoroughly stopped their heated argument dead in its tracks and it appeared that neither she nor Sirius were keen to pick up where they'd left off.
For her part, she just didn't have it in her anymore. She was too exhausted. She'd been angry for two weeks and this row had the potential to go from bad to worse. Which it would if she didn't keep her mouth shut. She was from the future and she knew the risks. There was no excuse good enough to justify talking to him and endangering the world.
Short of him starting on her again, she was fine with this awkward and strained silence.
The young witch picked up the Potioneer's Wand and relished in the small heat that burned up her arm.
Created for the sole purpose of brewing, so as to not exceed the amount of power given to a potion, they were required and mandatory equipment for potion shops. It was made of a substandard wood with an unknown core that released the most minimal bit of magic. There was nothing special about it. Her magic however, didn't know the difference. It still sang.
Though not a real wand, it caused a surge of relief to run through her.
She still had magic. Deep inside her, it was still there.
Hermione set her sights on brewing and ignored everything around her.
Did not so much as flinch when a chair moved across the room and set itself next to the corner desk. She didn't even react when the humidity increased and he appeared from under the cloak red-faced and sweaty. He was there but he may as well not have been for all the acknowledgement she gave him. The only sounds in the cellar were those of the radio and the bubbling potions.
It was as she moved the Cough Potion away from the flames that he spoke again.
'You still didn't answer my question.'
Hermione clenched her eyes shut as her temple throbbed.
Here we go again, she thought.
'I'm not telling you anything Sirius, so just drop it.'
'So you don't think he's ever said that to his wife before?'
The curly haired which furrowed her brow wondering what he was going on about when she remembered his initial question and she shook her head.
'You're disgusting,' she said setting down the pewter cauldron in a dark and cool cabinet.
Sirius shrugged before pulling back his fringe. 'Did we shag?'
Hermione, shocked at the question made to stand. Still under the table, she hit the back of her head. Her eyes watering, she shut the small cupboard door and turned to glare at the idiot.
'What?!'
'Did we shag?'
'No! What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you think that?!'
Again he shrugged. 'Just trying to figure out how you know me is all.'
'I don't know you,' she said a bit too quickly and far too loudly.
Black eyebrows disappeared into dark locks as she opened the door and lifted the cauldron, setting it atop the table beside the Copper cauldron containing the Calming Drought.
'Odd, considering you knew my name the second you saw me.'
Hermione didn't reply. Her mind far too preoccupied with trying to find a reasonable lie. She was drawing a blank and as the seconds grew his smile turned smug.
'Dumbledore told me.'
His smile fell and he nodded not bothering to press the issue. He may have kept quiet but she knew he didn't believe her. This was Sirius Black and he wasn't stupid.
She stood with shaky knees and didn't look up as she began to cut the Valerian Root for the simmering Blood-Replenishing Potion.
'You weren't in Gryffindor.'
Her hand slipped, nearly cutting her finger.
'Yes, because you knew every girl there,' she spat as she renewed her cutting, now much more aggressive than the situation called for.
A husky laugh filled the room. 'Something like that yeah.'
'Why are you here?!' she asked finally looking up, slamming down the knife.
'Why are you?'
She held back the angry tirade that threatened to escape as she turned off the flame. Trembling hands dropped the Valerian Root into the sky blue potion and counted to seven before stirring the potion counter-clockwise three times. By the third stir the potion had turned dark red. Its consistency perfectly mimicking that of blood.
She was done.
Hermione smiled at her small achievements, relishing in the act of three successfully brewed potions.
'Is someone after you? Cos that's the only thing that makes sense. Still wouldn't explain it though. Normally we send people to Order safe houses, not give them their own private guard.'
A twinge of annoyance shot through her before his words settled over her and she remembered the lies and embarrassment. She wanted to ask Dumbledore why he'd lied but he had yet to show his face. The curly haired witch shut her eyes as a familiar tingle began at her centre and spread to her fingertips. The sound of rattling items steadily growing louder.
Sirius at least had the decency to keep his mouth shut as she whispered the Periodic Table of Elements to herself. She could feel his eyes on him and a blush threatened to stain her cheeks as the back of her neck burned. When she next looked up the Marauder was stood on the opposite side of the table, facing her. His eyes piercing hers.
'Who are you and how do you know my name?'
Hermione blinked at the almost pleading tone to his voice. His voice quiet as stormy eyes studied her face.
Straight, black hair fell over his shoulders. A dark fringe above silver eyes. A five o'clock shadow beneath a long nose and high cheekbones. He was very handsome. It was a shame. He'd have been attractive had he been a bit tolerable.
Seen and not heard would suit him fine.
A creak of stairs and then he was gone, once again invisible beneath a silvery cloak.
'It's been two hours Hermione,' said Mr. Cox upon entering the room. 'The potions should be- Jesus Christ it smells pungent and absolutely foul down here. Just like it ought to!'
The older wizard walked towards her studying the three cauldron before her. He sniffed the first and he looked up at her with a quizzical brow.
'Why does it smell like peppermint?'
Hermione cleared her throat, swallowing the lump that had formed at Sirius' words.
'Peppermint enhances the soothing effect of the Calming Draught while improving the flavour and smell. It doesn't increase it by much but it does make it more fluid-like which adds to the overall experience as taste and smell are known to cause anxiety as well. The peppermint neutralises the unpleasant side-effect of having to take a sludgy potion that bubbles on its way down and smells like dung.'
'Right, yeah. That's a plus I reckon.'
The Muggleborn wizard moved on to the next potion, a glance was thrown her way before he lifted the middle cauldron's lid and began coughing. The smell of rotting fish wafted into his face and he quickly closed down the lid. A purple mushroom cloud dissipating before their eyes.
'Okay,' he said looking at her through watering eyes. 'Why does that smell like that?'
'I added Essence of Trout and a few drops of Boiled Salamander to the solution. The trout enhances the potion's potency so rather than a potion being taken every eight hours, one bottle can be taken every twelve. The salamander doesn't do anything. It just makes the fish smell less pungent.'
Mr. Cox briefly looked horrified as he pointed to the pewter cauldron. 'You meant to tell me that's nothing?'
Hermione nodded. 'Several of the ingredients in the Coughing Potion mix with the tuna to create an unholy odour. The boiled salamander helps a bit.'
Again Mr. Cox gave her a look.
'I'm afraid to lift the lid,' he said with a glance at the gold cauldron.
Hermione shook her head smiling. 'Nothing's been added to it. Blood-Replenishing Potions are too delicate. It's the standard potion.'
With an understanding nod he lifted the lid and his mouth fell open with a startled gasp. Hermione frowned at his reaction and stepped close to peer at the rippling potion.
'It looks like blood!'
The young witch nodded, eyes wide feeling like she'd somehow made a mistake. She hadn't though. She knew she hadn't. Yes it was the most complicated out of three with its ingredients totalling seventeen but it was also the easiest to brew with only three stages. Hermione knew the potion was perfect.
'Oh my God it even smells like blood!'
'I-it's supposed to,' she stammered wondering what she'd done wrong.
'Yeah it is,' laughed Mr. Cox as he shook his head, 'Except mine never has. Colour's always been right but not the consistency and surely not the smell. Jesus, it resembles blood perfectly.'
The tall wizard looked her in the eyes as he spoke.
'May I be frank Hermione?' at her nod he gestured at the cauldrons, 'I shan't be selling these yet. I'll be testing the potions for the next week or so because to be quite honest, I'm not too comfortable with your extra ingredients added to the first two. Not because I doubt your obvious skill, but because I don't know if what you're saying is correct or not. My brewing skills are mediocre at best and I don't know what- if any side-effects will occur and I can't just take your word as gospel. Not in this climate. It's too soon for that level of trust, especially when people's lives are in danger.'
She would be lying if she said his words hadn't stung a bit. It was strange to be not so easily trusted considering who she was but she understood his reasoning.
No sooner had he given his little speech had she been dismissed. Sunday's weren't all that busy and he'd only wanted to test her ability which, he stated, she'd passed with flying colours.
No sooner had she walked out the shop door, did Sirius reappear causing her to groan.
'Where'd you learn to brew like that?'
And just like that, her previous tension returned as the dog animagus renewed his attack.
She'd ignored him the best she could but by the time they'd reached the bridge, she'd had enough.
'Shut. Up!' she growled, whirling around to face the Marauder. 'You're not supposed to talk to me!'
'Yeah? Neither are you.'
She blinked once before slowly nodding. 'You're right.'
The brunette turned around and continued her walk, determined to ignore the stupid boy but he was making it extremely difficult.
'What makes you so fucking important? Honestly, how can you be a threat to anyone? You can't even do magic properly. I've seen you ask a fucking house-elf to do it for you. That night when your purse ripped while you were out picking some Moonshade? You summoned him to fix it. Had me thinking you were a Squi-,'
From the corner of her eye she saw him get thrown against the wall. Held there by an invisible force, he struggled to break free as windows around them shook.
'What the fuck are you doing?!'
'-Stop talking to me!' she yelled as she turned to face him, her whole body trembling. 'You vile, disgusting- how dare you?'
Her head was aching, thick tears blurred the world around her and she wanted nothing more than to make him eat his words.
Brown curls swirled around her. Her fingertips prickled as her chest burned and her heartbeat throbbed in her ears.
It was his choking coughs that brought her back.
She blinked and the world cleared. Grey, frantic, eyes saw through her as booted feet kicked at the ground. Hermione stumbled backwards and he fell to his knees, gasping.
'I'm sorry,' she whispered, completely horrified. 'I'm sorry.'
She ran. Turned the corner, cut through the cemetery, past the old church and felt a sense of relief as she passed the Order safe house. She was almost home.
A hard form slammed into her and pressed her to the wall.
Eyes wide she stared into a set of pale eyes.
'Who the fuck are you?!'
She didn't respond, too shocked by the fury in his tone. He began shaking her, repeating his question over and over again.
Hermione shoved him away with all the force she could muster, her fear growing when he didn't budge. Her fingertips grew hot and a shock rippled from her chest to her hands. With a final shove and a cry of pain, Sirius stumbled backwards. Her hand flew through the air and with a resounding smack, connected with his face.
Weak knees threatened to buckle from under her as she turned the corner running. The bright red door was steps away when she again felt his hands grab her upper arms.
He spun her around as Hermione fought him. A cry of pain escaped her lips when he slammed her into the door and the doorknob dug into her spine.
'I'm not going to die for you you bitch!' he whispered. Face inches away from hers, his voice was harsh and unforgiving. 'I will not fucking die protecting you! Tell me who the fuck you are! Tell me!'
The sound of running footsteps echoed around them but Hermione barely heard them through the sound of her own ragged breaths.
She felt all the rage and hatred come to the surface. 'No.'
'Pads! What the fuck?'
She didn't look away from him when Remus appeared. The werewolf was nothing but a blurry mass who struggled to pull Sirius away from her.
Hermione barely registered the door opening or Batty's voice.
'What the hell is going on here?'
Her whole world revolved around a set of grey, hate-filled eyes.
Hermione licked her dry lips as Batty yelled, Remus pulled and Sirius fought the werewolf's strong grip.
Everything fell silent and both Marauders stopped struggling when she took a step towards the black haired Marauder. Her face once again inches from his as the world faded away.
'Touch me again,' she hissed through clenched teeth, 'And you'll regret it!'
The brunette stared into his eyes for a second longer before spinning on her heel and slamming the door in his face.