A/N: The next chapter is here! We are now in Hogwarts. If you have read this story before, this update is mainly just editing wording and grammar. Big changes will be coming soon.
Chapter 6
The sun had set, leaving the city in darkness when the dark-robed wizard arrived at the impressive manor. The wizard stalked towards the front door and was permitted entry by a cowering House Elf without needing to knock. He moved towards a room he was well acquainted with and past numerous masked wizards that had gathered, each facing towards the back of the room. He made his way towards the figure, sitting on a throne, that each set of eyes was staring at, a raven-haired, pale man, he would have been handsome if not for the horrifying red eyes.
"My Lord," he spoke, kneeling at the red-eyed wizard's feet.
"Rosier, what news do you bring me?" Voldemort hissed.
"I was in Diagon Alley when I witnessed something that attracted my attention. It seems that Potter has found himself a new pet mudblood," Rosier spoke from the floor.
"Stand and tell me what you saw, what you learned."
"Potter was walking with a girl, one I have never seen before, she looked weak, sickly, and frightened of her surroundings. Potter was approached by Lucius and ended up attacking him, he seemed to be exceptionally protective of her. Black and the wolf appeared and seem to also have protective feelings for the chit. I stayed to observe their interactions and learn if we could use the girl when I overheard the most interesting pieces of information. She spoke of Lucius' son, one he does not have, she mentioned the Weasley twins and what they will grow up to be, when currently there are only the Prewitt twins. I attempted to continue following them into the joke shop, however, it was too crowded and noisy to remain hidden. I watched from outside and followed them to the Leaky where I watched Potter attempt to get quite close to her before being interrupted by a drunk, they Floo'd home and I came straight here," Rosier explained, his head bowed. While he had been invited to stand, that did not permit him to look his master in the eyes, like an equal.
"Interesting, a mudblood speaking like a Seer, interesting," Voldemort muttered quietly to himself, "Well done Rosier, step back with your brothers. Lucius, I ask you to step forward," hissed the dark wizard. Rosier walked backward a few steps to be swallowed up by the mass of masked, dark-robed wizards. Opening in another area of wizards, stepped forward Lucius Malfoy, recognizable only by the platinum hair spilling out of his hood, "You did not inform me of this attack Lucius, I am disappointed."
"My Lor-" Lucius Malfoy tried to speak but he was interrupted by a Crucio from his master, causing him to scream and fall to the floor. His body convulsed, bending unnaturally as he cried in agony, hot knives piercing every nerve end he had. The curse was lifted after only a moment, though to Lucius it felt never-ending.
"Explain."
"My Lord," Lucius gasped as he shakily positioned himself to kneel before Voldemort, "I was aware of Rosier following the group after my attack. It was a visceral response from Potter that had me intrigued, I did not want to bring forth information without more to go with it."
"Excuses, Lucius. Next time you will tell me everything and I will decide what information I deserve without every detail. Bring me everything you know immediately in the future or the punishment will be far graver than a simple Crucio," Voldemort hissed, Lucius nodded quickly and scuttled back to his position in the Death Eaters. His red eyes surveyed the followers he had gained over the years, lingering on the aspiring Marked Death Eaters from the seventh-year class. "Bring me this Pettigrew, what is that name he uses, Wormtail? Bring me Wormtail, I want him aware of this new mudblood his friends are speaking with. He also needs an incentive, he cannot believe he would receive a reward without ever meeting his benefactor, can he?"
Severus Snape, Regulus Black, and Mulciber nodded signifying that they understood. The latter was grinning like a cat got the canary at the thought of informing the coward, Pettigrew, he would meet the man they were working for. While the former two were internally screaming at themselves for getting wrapped up in this mess, to begin with. Knowing that Pettigrew was a spy, the two people they cared for the most were in grave danger, Lily Evans and Sirius Black, who needed to be warned somehow. But how? Neither would believe two Slytherins interested in the Dark Arts that broke ties with them years ago. Not over their best friend, not over a Marauder.
Severus had called Lily the worst name and had never defended her against his housemates calling her disgusting names and saying sickening things about her. Regulus had never protected his brother from their parents, had allowed them to treat them horribly and played the perfect pureblood son, and had kept the act up at school because he was too cowardly to stand up for what he believed.
Occlumency was the only magic saving both of them from certain death, saving them from their fear of being caught, and saving them from their traitorous thoughts. They needed to help the other side, and escape from this side, all without dying.
"Severus and Regulus, I want you to bring me Wormtail before me on the first Friday of term," Voldemort spoke to the two skinnier figures. Mulciber tensed at his name being missed, was he not invited? "Warren, you will continue to observe the students for potential recruitment." Mulciber smiled at being given such a task, he would find their dark lord loyal followers. They were dismissed, Mulciber walking out proudly with his head held high, Floo-ing out as he had not received his Apparition license, while Severus and Regulus tried to not look too eager. They walked out the front door to the large oak tree in the garden, the Apparition spot, where Severus took Regulus' arm and they disappeared to arrive outside the Three Broomsticks.
"We need to warn them somehow," Regulus whispered frantically, "I know we originally decided we wouldn't, but everything is changing and quickly."
"Yes, I was not expecting him to speak to Wormtail directly. This will only make that coward even more afraid and spill every secret they have with no regard to his friends and family. Especially if he witnesses a Crucio, he will crack just to avoid it," Severus replied thoughtfully, "This new girl, if we can talk to her, maybe get her to trust us, she does not have any reason to hate us like the others. Maybe they will listen to her."
"I am not sure," replied Regulus, "You heard Rosier, they are already protective of her, and if she is a mudblood-"
"Do not use that word!" seethed Severus. Regulus rolled his eyes at his friend's reaction, still such a sore spot for the man after it being years since he called Evans it.
"Fine, if she is a Muggleborn, do you really believe Potter or Sirius will let us near her?"
"Not if they can help it but when classes start, maybe I can become a partner in a class,' Severus replied with a scowl.
"The only class you need a partner in that is available is Potions and you never tolerate anyoneas a potions partner. Everyone is a complete dunderhead according to you," laughed Regulus.
"If it saves us from this life, saves Lily from that rat, I can tolerate anyone," replied Severus glaring at the younger wizard, "Including you!" He swished his robe and stormed away, his robe billowing behind him, disappearing into the darkness to Apparate him. Regulus watched him and shook his head, Severus needed to get over hurting Evans, he knew he never would though, not unless Evans forgave him. That was something Regulus understood, he could never forgive himself unless Sirius said it first. Something he knew would never happen; his brother had not spoken to him in years.
Regulus shook the thoughts from his head, put all of his thoughts of Sirius and escaping the Death Eaters into a box, and locked them away. His Occlumency shields were put back into place, his perfect pureblood mask donned for his parents, and entered the Three Broomsticks to Floo home to Grimmauld Place. He could not wait to get his Apparition license this year.
-oOo-
James kept his word to Hermione and wrote to her throughout the days leading up to term, there was no lull in their correspondence, and they never ran out of questions.
He learned about her dentist parents -"they're like teeth healers" - about growing up in the muggle world. She told him about Minnie - "You mean Professor McGonagall!" - visiting and telling her all about Hogwarts and magic, about how her relationship changed with her parents after learning about the magical world - "they couldn't relate". She didn't get too detailed in explaining her relationship with her parents, not many people knew what they were truly like, and she didn't feel comfortable opening up that much yet. She told him about her third year and using the time turner, feeling exhausted for the entire year, and deciding that she didn't need to know everything so gave it back and dropped to a standard number of classes. Hermione also told him about her attitude change in her fifth year, that no one really noticed or acknowledged it as they were too busy with their own concerns. No one tried to learn about her, past her bookworm exterior, and not many people knew that she loved to laugh and appreciated pranks if they were well executed and were not harmful.
James in turn told Hermione about being raised in the magical world as an only child with older parents, about meeting the Marauders and knowing they were his brothers from day one. He told her about his fierce desire to protect Lily from the pureblood bigots in Slytherin, especially Snivellus, her first friend who never stood up for her. He told her that Lily was the first Muggleborn he had ever met and he wanted to make sure she saw the wizarding world for the magic he saw, not for the families that thought she was less than others. He explained how he and Sirius discovered that if they were Animagus they could help Remus with the moon, and together with hard work and dedication were able to succeed. James even told her the embarrassing story of the time he got stuck as Prongs the first night he transformed, and that Sirius and Peter had to research the spell to reverse it in the library - "They found the library?" - while Remus recovered in the hospital wing and he hid in the forest. It turned out they never did find the spell and James had to be patient and transform himself back after a day of being stuck.
By the time September first arrived, Hermione felt like she knew James as well as she knew her Sirius and Remus. She packed her trunk and every present beaded bag and Floo'd to Kings Cross station from the headmaster's office. She was so excited to take the Hogwarts Express again, it would be different without Harry and Ron but she needed to learn to do everything without them. She reminded herself she now had new friends, she had a younger Sirius and Remus, and she had two new friends, Lily and James. He had promised in his last letter that they would meet her on the platform so they could find a compartment together. Hermione had a feeling that the Marauders had their own reserved compartment and James didn't want her to sit somewhere else.
Hermione had only been on the platform for a moment when she heard her name being called. She looked towards where she heard the voice coming from and saw Lily waving from the middle of the crowd. Hermione pushed through the people trying to keep herself composed, she hadn't been around this many people since the Battle. Even Diagon Alley and Zonko's hadn't been this busy.
"Hermione!" Lily cried again, launching herself at the witch for a hug. Hermione was startled at first, her body tensing before relaxing as she reminded herself that she felt safe with Lily. When Lily released her, she looked up at Remus and saw him standing to the side with an amused expression as he watched his over-excited girlfriend.
"Hello Hermione, I won't force a hug on you like this one here," he chuckled. Hermione laughed but pushed herself to reach forward and pull him into a quick hug.
"Hi Remus, hugs are always welcome from friends," she smiled at him. She had always been an affectionate friend, she hated that touch didn't come so easily to her anymore, that she had to force herself. She had always been the friend that hugged, held hands, that brushed her friends' hair from their faces. Maybe if she kept pushing herself it would come naturally again.
"Looking forward to your last year?" she asked them.
"It's so exciting, but I'm sad at the same time. I love Hogwarts and can't wait for what the year brings though it's weird to think this is our last first day," admitted Lily reaching out to hold Remus' hand. He squeezed her hand before letting go so he could pull her into his side, arm around her shoulders.
"How about you Hermione? Are you excited to go back and complete your N.E.W.T.S.?" Remus asked her. This had been on her mind for days, some days she loved the idea, and some days she hated it.
"Yeah, I guess. It changes from day to day," she replied honestly, seeing their furrowed brows she continued, "I love I can complete my education, have a new start, and make new friends. I hate that I feel like I don't deserve it, so many others I knew deserved this chance more than me, to survive."
Hermione was careful how she worded everything with so many people on the Platform, she didn't want the wrong Slytherin or parent to overhear the wrong thing. When she returned home from Diagon Alley she felt like slapping herself, she had been too open in public. Speaking of Harry, Ron, and the twins, she even mentioned Draco, Lucius Malfoy's non-existent son. She had to hope the wrong person hadn't been near them.
"But you're giving them that chance," Remus told her, "You may be getting a second chance and unfortunately you had to suffer for it. They're being given a second first chance," he spoke so quietly that only Lily and Hermione could hear him.
His words resonated with her; she felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she thought about it. Hermione wouldn't wish her trauma from her past on her worst enemy, minus Riddle of course. She had a chance to give the Weasley's their uncles, Bill and Charlie had spoken a few times about how much they missed their uncles when they were younger. She could save Remus from being alone for all those years, and Sirius from ever setting foot in Azkaban. She would give Lily and James a future, not an early grave. She could protect Draco from the life that was forced on him, she could save so many from the future she knew they had. She would ensure that she could give everyone the chance to live the life they wanted.
"Thanks, Remus," she looked up at him with a smile and watery eyes filled with appreciation.
"Moony!" Sirius yelled as he jumped onto his friend's shoulders laughing. James was standing right behind him with his hair pointed in every direction, completely out of breath.
"Phew, we made it! Damn Pads here decided we were drinking last night, without informing me. Woke up a half hour ago," he huffed as he tried to catch his breath.
"Liquid switching spell?" inquired Remus.
"Liquid switching spell," replied Sirius and James together however, Sirius was laughing and James was scowling.
"Drunker than Hagrid on Christmas, I swear to you, even transformed by accident and stumbled on four legs. Funniest shit I've ever seen; a drunk stag," snickered Sirius. James glared at him before running his hand through his hair and looking up at Hermione.
"Hello Hermione, glad they found you in this crowd," he greeted her. His eyes were sparkling as he looked at her, knowing so much more about her just made her look so much more beautiful than the last time he saw her. He didn't know how he was going to hold back from trying to kiss her if he was too close.
"Hi James," she smiled at him, pulling her curl into her fingers again, "Lily found me surprisingly quickly."
"Yes, so quickly you would think she had been looking everywhere for you the previous ten minutes," Remus said teasingly, causing Lily to blush. Before she could reply though, an additional person joined their group.
"Hey! I've been looking for you all," piped up a voice beside Sirius. They all looked over and had to school their faces at seeing Peter Pettigrew.
"Hi Peter, we've been here the whole time," Lily replied, managing to keep her voice from giving away her disgust at the short, pudgy boy.
"Oh, who's this?" Peter asked, looking at Hermione standing between Lily and James. It took a lot for James to not pull Hermione into his side protectively.
"Hello, my name is Hermione Granger, I'm a new student," Hermione was surprised she kept her tone sweet, none of the anger causing a quiver or shakes to her voice.
"We invited you to Diagon Alley mate, you would have met her then if you joined us," James said as cheerfully as he could. He could feel Sirius' tense arm beside him, so he discreetly nudged him to remind him they can't give this away.
"Yeah Wormtail, where have you been all summer? You missed the Marauder meetups and meeting the lovely Hermione," Sirius finally managed to pull himself together and force a friendly demeanor. Peter looked between his friends and Hermione, to anyone it would look like he was nervous and shy around a new girl, however, Hermione could see the calculating look in his watery blue eyes. He was nervous about how she would fit into his plan, but the look disappeared just before he spoke.
"Oh. Mum's been sick, she can't do much on her own anymore, I've been either looking after her or running out to get the messages," he squeaked, another trait he shared with his animagus, "Sorry I missed Diagon."
"No worries, mate, hope your mum is alright. Come on, let's get our compartment before the firsties and snakes try to steal it," Remus picked up his trunk and led Lily to the train, arm still wrapped around her shoulder, "Padfoot, mind grabbing Lil's trunk for me?" He glanced at Peter quickly and Sirius understood, Remus didn't like Lily unprotected around Peter, he didn't want to let her go, physical touch was required for his own and the wolf's peace of mind.
Together they walked as a group to the train, Peter falling behind Sirius, Remus, and Lily, and Hermione and James taking up the rear. People weren't paying them much attention as they headed towards their compartment, not unless they noticed Hermione. If they did notice her, stares and whispers followed. It was not often a new face appeared at Hogwarts unless it was a first-year or a teacher. Thankfully, for Hermione, they finally found their compartment near the end of the train and piled in. Remus and Lily cuddled up against the window together with Lily pressed into the corner, and Sirius sat beside them closest to the door. Peter sat near the door across from Sirius, giving Hermione the chance to sit away from him, across from Lily next to the window, and James to sit between her and Pettigrew.
Hermione glanced at everyone and noticed that while James and Sirius had managed to make themselves appear at ease, their eyes portrayed the anger they truly felt. Remus had his face pressed into Lily's hair, breathing in deeply as he used her to calm himself. Remus' lips and breath served to distract Lily as well, giggling as he whispered against her skin. Hermione looked up at James and caught his eyes, she could see the anger turn to concern as he looked at her. She gave him an encouraging smile, pulled out a book, repositioned herself so she was more comfortable, and began reading.
James watched her through the corner of his eye as she read. He watched as her features that had been tense and uncomfortable became relaxed, her eyes sparkling, and the small crease in between her eyebrows disappearing as she became absorbed in the words on the pages. He noticed that she also chewed on her plump, pink bottom limp as she concentrated. He watched as she pulled her lip between her teeth and suddenly all he could think about was what it would be like if it were him biting that lip. He was broken from his thoughts by Sirius kicking his leg and clearing his throat, his eyes darting from Hermione to James. The message was clear, he had to pull his attention away from the delectable witch beside him.
"Game of Snap Prongs?" Sirius said aloud. James agreed and Peter joined in.
Remus and Lily continued to whisper and laugh in their own world for an hour before they engaged Hermione in a conversation about her book. A few hours into the journey Hermione announced that she was going to change into her school robes before they arrived. Lily chose to join her, leaving the four boys alone to change in the compartment before they returned.
"So, who is she?" Peter was finally able to ask. He had asked on the platform and the girl had told him she was new, but he needed more. How did she know his friends? He had planned this year to cause some problems with his friends, this girl might prevent them from working. The Dark Lord had asked him to build distrust, and even gave him an idea about love potions and Confundus charms that could have worked, if he failed, he was afraid of what could happen.
"She told you mate, Hermione is new," Sirius laughed mirthlessly as he buttoned up his white oxford shirt.
"Yeah, but I mean, where did she come from? How do you know her?" Peter grumbled, he was getting frustrated and finding it difficult to hide it.
"Professor McGonagall took her in, she lost her family, mate, so maybe don't bring it up with her? If she wants to talk about it, she will," explained Remus placatingly, "Mr. and Mrs. Potter invited her to Diagon Alley when they met her while visiting the professor, and that is where we met her."
Peter nodded but did not say anything else. He wanted to ask more, like how did she lose her family? What was she, was she another mudblood? He refrained however, he couldn't appear too pushy or sound like a more respectable wizard, or 'bigoted pureblood asshole' as Sirius stupidly called them. All Peter needed to know about the girl was how he would get rid of her so she would not become a problem. The girls returned not long after the boys finished changing and shortly after that, they arrived at the castle. When they arrived at the carriages, Remus and James arranged it so both girls were, once again, furthest from Peter.
Hermione noted immediately that the carriages were a lot smaller than the compartments on the train, resulting in her sitting much closer to James than previously. Her side was flush with his side, her thigh pressed into his thigh. Hermione caught James' eye and could feel the blush forming on her face as she quickly averted her gaze to the grounds passing through the window. When the carriage stopped at the school everyone piled out, James stepping out and turning back towards Hermione, holding his hand out for her to take hold of as she stepped out. She smiled gratefully at him, his smile widening at the sight. When her fingers touched his, she felt a jolt go through her, starting at her fingertips and travelling up her arm and filling her body with warmth. She was surprised she didn't flinch or make any movement at the feeling, instead, she seemed to grip his hand tighter.
"Thank you, James," she whispered. She had stepped out of the carriage and was standing incredibly close to him, she had to crane her neck just to look up at his tall form. He did not step back from her, he was enjoying the warmth radiating from her, the smell of lavender and parchment overcoming his senses and clouding his brain. He was not even aware of it, but his hand had risen and was moving towards her cheek. Instead of caressing her skin he selected a stray curl and tucked it behind her ear, his fingers trailing down her neck. Hermione shivered at the touch and her tongue unconsciously darted out to lick her lips, her eyes flickering between his hazel orbs and his lips. James' hand was still resting lightly where Hermione's neck met her shoulder, his fingers lightly grazing her jawline and her head tilted at the touch.
James was leaning down towards her when a body was pushed into him and Hermione, breaking the moment. He growled and looked up at the disruption, a fifth-year Hufflepuff that was staring at him apologetically.
"I am so sorry! I got hit by a stinging hex from somewhere, honestly, I don't know who did it!" the boy cried to the Head Boy. James told him to forget about it and sent him on his way, turning back to Hermione with a smile. The moment was gone but he knew more would come, he would make sure of it. James flashed her a brilliant smile and laughed, pushing another one of her many curls behind her ear.
"Come on, Mi, let's get you to the feast," he said reaching for her hand and entwining their fingers together, leading her inside. Hermione looked down at their hands and felt her heart swell, his hand was large around her, it was warm and so comforting. He had also given her a special nickname, she had expected Mione, as her boys had called her, but James had picked something so simple yet heartwarming.
Hermione smiled and held onto his hand while walking side by side until they arrived outside the Great Hall. Reluctantly James released her hand and placed it on the small of her back. He remembered her telling him that she hated attention, and holding his hand would certainly have drawn a lot of attention. He led her towards the Marauders at Gryffindor's table and sat her between himself and Sirius. Remus and Lily sat across from them with Peter on Remus' other side, directly across from a younger Gryffindor.
After the Sorting ceremony had been completed, the feast appeared and the boys started piling food on their plates and talking away as they ate. Hermione noticed that each of the boys had manners when it came to eating, none of them were scarfing their food down or talking with their mouths full, like Ron. Harry had even eaten like it would be taken from him, something the Dursleys had instilled in him, if it wasn't finished before Vernon and Dudley, they would eat it.
Hermione struck up a conversation with Lily about Charms, the red-headed witch's favourite subject, and was then introduced to Marlene McKinnon. Marlene sat beside Lily and had beautiful blonde hair styled into large voluminous spiral curls and large doe-like blue eyes, she was stunning. The witch talked to Hermione and Lily about her Divination class and the books she had read over the summer regarding the moon and planet placements in correlation with some tea leaves. Hermione had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the witch, she took no stock in the class, certainly not after she had stormed out of her class in her third year. Not wanting to alienate herself from anyone as she had done with Lavender and Parvati, Hermione chose to humour her new friend.
Once the food had been eaten, including several helpings of chocolate pudding and cake for Remus, Dumbledore stood to give his final address to the students before heading to their dorms.
"To our new students, I say welcome to Hogwarts, and to our returning students, I say welcome back. I have a few words for you before you sleep off the wonderful feast," smiled the headmaster as his eyes surveyed the students in the hall, his eyes twinkling, "A reminder for all students that the Forbidden Forest is aptly named and is forbidden. Also, you will find a list of every banned item and product posted to caretaker Filch's door, and finally, we have a new transfer student that has joined Gryffindor's house. Miss Hermione Granger will be completing her final N.E. year here, please make her feel welcome. Have a wonderful evening," Albus Dumbledore finished speaking, returned to his seat, and turned to converse with Professor McGonagall.
The whispering and muttering picked up as everyone's attention was directed toward her. Hermione groaned and banged her head on the table at the increased interest. She could hear them talking, trying to figure out where she came from, why she was here. She could even see people jumping up on their friends' shoulders, the benches, and even the tables to get a better look at her. James poked her side and jerked his head to the side inviting her to run off with him, he knew her feelings about attention after her letters explaining to him her fourth year. She nodded and followed him, his hand wrapped around her smaller one once more and leading her through the crowd.
James pulled her out of the many bodies and moved towards a deserted corridor, one that led to classrooms that would not be in use until lessons began. He steered them towards a tapestry that opened to a dark, torch-lit corridor with a wooden stairwell.
"I've never seen this shortcut before," commented Hermione quietly.
"We found this after the Map was confiscated. We found quite a few shortcuts after we lost it, some that only appear when you need them," replied James, "when we get it back we can update it with everything we found." His eyes lit up at the idea of getting their creation back and working on it again. He pulled her hand and together they walked up the stairs, he didn't release her hand for a single moment and felt himself brighten at the thought she hadn't let go of his hand either.
"Will you and Lily be staying in Gryffindor's common room this year? I heard Head Boy and Girl get their own dorms somewhere else in the castle," Hermione asked him.
"Normally there are other dorms to use, though those are only if the Head Boy and Girl aren't from the same house. Since Lily and I are both Gryffindor we can use the Head Dorm that is in the tower. It has a separate common room, which means we can have our parties without an audience," James bounced on his toes excitedly. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm, he was like a very tall child.
"Doesn't James Potter love an audience though?" she teased.
"Some things are meant to be private," he breathed into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. Hermione barely knew this wizard and yet she felt more for him than any of the boys she had come across in her past or was it the future?
'Merlin help me keep my sanity'she groaned internally.
Of all her past relationships, at least the physical ones, she hadn't felt the heat or desire she had already felt for James, and all he had done so far was look at her and whisper in her ear.
Whispered.
She had had her fair share of passionate, forbidden, in-the-moment, can't-get-enough-of-each-other fucking before, ones that left her feeling fuzzy, however, James had caused waterfalls to pool in her knickers and a blank, clouded brain from whispering.
'Why me? How me?' Hermione asked herself,'this is Harry's dad!'
'He's not though is he; he is seventeen and there is no Harry,' she argued with herself.
While James got no response from the witch, he smirked as could see the blush on her cheeks and could almost hear the gears turning in her head. He silently guided them towards the Tower, her hand still in his and his thumb rubbing gentle circles on her knuckles. It felt so natural. They arrived at the portrait ahead of every other student, gave the password, and walked into the common room.
"Well seeing as you were Gryffindor in the future, you know your way around, however, I know you haven't seen the Head Dorm," he grinned as she giggled.
"Nope never saw that, my friends were too much of troublemakers to get that title," she teased.
"I'm wounded that you doubt my troublemakery! I will just have to prove it to you tenfold," he walked them toward the opposite side of the tower, away from the fireplace to the armchairs that she frequented whenever she studied or wanted to stay away from her friends. She never even considered that the tapestry she sat in front of for all those years held a separate dorm.
"Animo" James spoke the password.
"Courage," she translated, "fitting for two Gryffindor Heads," she followed James into the room and was amazed at the small private space James and Lily had found themselves with. She could see how Pettigrew would use this to his advantage, James, and Lily would be alone in this space frequently, it was an easy target for the ratty little man. The room was almost a replica of the Gryffindor Common Room although significantly smaller in size. The stairs led to three doors, the door to the left had a gold plaque reading 'Head Boy', the door to the right had one reading 'Head Girl', and the middle had no plaque that must have been their shared bathroom. A small door was to her right in the Common space, it must have led to the 7th-floor corridor, allowing any student or professor to have access to the Head Students without entering Gryffindor tower.
"This is amazing, not much space for your parties, though, is it?" she asked, looking around, it could maybe hold ten people rather uncomfortably.
"Enough space for Marauder parties," he replied as he dropped down on the couch, "Gryffindor parties are only after Quidditch victories and after exams, the Marauders and our small group gather whenever we feel like it. Especially after full moons, we used to believe it was because Moony was cranky and needed a drink, however, those thoughts were proved false quite recently." Hermione sat down on the couch beside him and slouched down, resting her head on the back of the couch. She turned her head and looked at him questionably. "Oh yeah, he's not cranky. Rather different frustrated feelings he likes to satisfy with a certain girlfriend, who is apparently randy for werewolves," Hermione burst out laughing.
"Oh Merlin, you think you know someone," she chuckled, "Remus Lupin as a teenager, should have guessed he is like all other horny boys," James joined in on her laughter. It was only a few moments later that James realized he was leaning into her space again, seeking out that kiss, the two kisses he had been prevented from before. He was so close, almost had his lips on hers, when they were once again interrupted. This time by a banging on the door from the Head Dorm to Gryffindor tower. James sighed in resignation and stood up and opened the door for Sirius.
"Should have gone up the passageway with you," Sirius moaned, pushing himself into the room, "I was stuck with Pettigrew the whole way up. He is very curious about you, Kitten," Sirius flopped down on the armchair across from Hermione.
"I'd assume as much," Hermione replied. She knew Pettigrew was going to be interested in how she fit into his plans, and how she affected the group.
"He's not smart enough to figure anything out for a while, he'll concentrate on trying to figure Mi out. I say we give him stories, ones that tell him nothing. For now, though, let's have our little get-together here, have some firewhiskey, and try to act normal. If we don't have it, it will seem more suspicious, so just don't anyone drink too much and say something stupid," said James. He smiled at Hermione, bringing another blush to her face. Her heart rate had picked up significantly when he referred to her as Mi again, she was glad Remus wasn't here yet to hear it.
"I understand, I can hold my liquor though," Hermione replied.
"A girl that can drink, that's my kind of girl," laughed Sirius. James shot him a glare, he didn't need Sirius hitting on Hermione, they never shared a girl, it was one or the other. James would have to speak with him and make sure it was understood James wanted Hermione, and not just for a broom cupboard romp. No, he enjoyed spending his time with her just talking, only Lily had ever kept him interested in talking, and he felt absolutely no attraction to Lily, he certainly could not say the same about Hermione.
"I did live with you, Sirius, in Grimmauld, of course, we were drinking," Hermione replied. Mrs. Weasley would have killed her and skinned Sirius alive if she knew that Hermione and Harry had stayed up late drinking into the night with him. Harry needed it after witnessing Voldemort return and then being left to the Dursleys with no information, he then had to witness Mr. Weasley's attack from the snake's point of view. Harry needed a stiff drink, to say the least.
Sirius had been locked up in a home that gave him nothing but bad memories. He had endured Azkaban, only to escape and be a prisoner somewhere else. He had lost his best friend and wasn't even allowed to take the role of godfather that he had been given. Drinking was all he had.
Hermione had her reasons to drink, not that she shared them with anyone. She simply told them she was doing it in solidarity with the boys, she was the responsible one and had to be present to ensure they didn't take it too far. However, the truth was she had no home.
Harry had Hogwarts, Hermione did not. Many people saw the castle as their home or second home, it had been where Hermione had found her first true friends so many believed she connected to the castle too. Her home away from muggles. However, Hermione had never felt like she belonged. So many went out of their way to remind her that she didn't. That year that she spent drinking with Harry and Sirius, had been especially difficult. Umbridge made sure to remind her every chance she had, that she was a ministry official, and Hermione was nothing but a mudblood. Grimmauld Place could never be her home, it was home to no one, it was only a shelter. Her muggle home with her parents was the furthest from home, it had not been home for a long time.
While she may have Obliviated her parents, and sent them to Australia for their safety, she did it out of obligation rather than love. She could not bear to have her parents' death on her conscience, even if they did not love her anymore. They had stopped loving her openly after her first burst of accidental magic, perhaps even before that.
Hermione had told everyone close to her that her parents were proud, that she was proud to be a Muggleborn when in reality she hated it. Her parents abandoned her the moment she showed magic, they neglected their duties as mother and father, and when her letter arrived, that was when it became worse. The moment Professor McGonagall left, the verbal abuse started, and they finally had confirmation that their daughter was different and would not live up to their expectations. She would not fulfill the life they had planned for her before she was born.
She had never told Harry, he had his own abusive family, and Ron just wanted to be noticed in his large one. She never spoke of it because she did not want their attention on her, she didn't want to see their pity in their eyes for the girl whose parents hated her because of what she was. Maybe it even started before that, when she didn't show an interest in anything they introduced her to, she just wanted to read. She could still remember the looks she got from them when she was called mudblood when the wizarding world rejected her for where she came from, she didn't need to add to that.
She knew she was too muggle for the wizarding world and too magic for the muggle world.
Therefore, Hermione turned to drinking in the dusty house, learning to hold her liquor and keep her lips sealed.
"What else were we doing?" Sirius winked at her. James feared this answer, he knew even in twenty years Sirius Black would still be able to pull.
"Ha! You liked to remind me I was the onlygirl to reject your advances. I mortally wounded your pride by saying no," she laughed.
Sirius had jokingly propositioned her one very drunken night. Hermione had shoved him off and reminded him he was like her uncle andHarry's godfather. While she acknowledged that the ex-convict was devastatingly handsome in his thirties and she had become a free spirit that summer, certainly not the prude people at school thought she was, it was a line they could not cross. Before arriving at Grimmauld Place, Hermione had visited Viktor Krum in Bulgaria, lost her virginity, and learned a lot about herself and her body. After that experience, she began shamelessly flirting with the twins and making crude jokes with Sirius.
Now she was exceptionally happy that they never crossed that line, admitting to James that she did something with her Sirius Black would have stopped all, if any, future advances.
"Even now I am mortally wounded!" Sirius pouted at her with a hand draped over his heart dramatically. Lily and Remus entered the dorm with Peter following behind, who immediately noticed Hermione sitting close to James and narrowed his eyes at her. "Lily! Before you sit down, go get Marlene, Dorcas, and Mary," Sirius cried out waving his hands, "it's traditional Firewhiskey First and if we play truth-or-dare, we need more than just two girls." Lily rolled her eyes and walked back out of the room.
"It's either Never Have I Ever, or Veritaserum-or-Dare," announced Remus.
"Don't worry Wormy, we know how flustered you get with embarrassing questions, so we'll make it a short game," Sirius spoke to Peter with a feral grin. James now understood why Peter was always so reluctant to play their games with the truth serum last year. He also didn't like the way Peter kept glancing at Hermione, he could ask her something during her turn while she was under the influence. He had to remind himself that Peter had his secrets and had to maintain the façade of being their friend, he wouldn't be stupid enough to push tonight.
"You always ask me the worst ones," Peter squeaked. His watery eyes darting between everyone, Hermione could feel her skin crawling just watching this boy. She hoped the boys knew what they were doing having a drinking game with truth serum, this could turn ugly.
"We love watching you squirm, you know that Wormy, just don't be embarrassed and we won't embarrass you," Sirius rolled his eyes. He used to love Peter's shy, quiet personality, he found it endearing to have a balance between his and James' boisterousness. Yes, they poked fun at him but that's what you do with your friends, you take the mickey out of them. You don't destroy their lives and hand them over to the Dark Lord. Lily saved them from further conversation when she returned with her friends Mary MacDonald, Dorcas Meadowes, and Marlene McKinnon.
"Girls! As lovely as ever," Sirius purred as he kissed each of their hands, his lips lingering longer on the final blonde witch, "Marlene, always a pleasure."
"Down boy, we discussed this last year," Marlene smirked, "Stop fucking around and maybe I'll give you a shot," Sirius scowled and sat back down crossing his arms over his chest pouting. Hermione chuckled at the sight, she knew her Sirius had exaggerated and had been rejected before.
Mary sat on James' other side of the couch, and Peter positioned himself on the floor beside Sirius' chair, staring directly at Hermione. Remus was sitting in an armchair between the couch and Sirius and pulled Lily into his lap. Finally, Marlene sat on the floor beside Peter, her back against Sirius' legs and he played with her curls.
"Hermione, let me introduce you to Mary and Dorcas," said Lily, Hermione smiled at the two new girls. Dorcas was a beautiful dark-skinned and black-haired woman. She had high cheekbones, and a wide nose with beautiful thick lips and her dark eyes were fierce. Hermione recalled what she had learned of the woman in her time, she knew she was powerful, powerful enough that Voldemort, himself, had been the one to kill her. Hermione could see why.
Mary Macdonald had a kind, round face, with bright, blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. If Hermione didn't know any better, she would say this woman was Neville Longbottom's mother, they had the same nervous energy. The only time she had ever heard Mary's name in her time was in a memory, Lily had confronted Snape about it. It had been the first time Lily had truly acknowledged the dark wizards Snape was surrounding himself with.
"Alright, introductions over, it's the last First of the year, what'll it be? Never have or Veritaserum?" offered Sirius, holding up the firewhiskey. The majority ruled for Never Have I Ever, allowing Hermione to sigh in relief. She didn't want to do dares all night to avoid answering questions under truth serum.
"Glasses are charmed, no choice but to drink if you've done it," smirked Remus as he passed the shot glasses around. "Ladies first," Lily sat and thought for a moment before coming up with her scenario.
"Never have I ever had a one-night stand," Lily always played dirty with Sirius and James, deliberately bringing up things she knew they had done so they would drink more. And with James' interest in Hermione, Lily wanted her to be very aware of James' activities. Not that she didn't want James to succeed with Hermione, quite the opposite, but she didn't want Hermione to go into anything blind.
"Lily, don't do this to us, why, why do you do this to us every time," cried James indignantly as he took his shot. Everyone minus Peter, Remus, and Lily took a shot.
"Because you're too easy," laughed Remus, his arms wrapped securely around his girlfriend. Lily pat his hands comfortingly, he had been holding her tighter than normal whenever Peter was around. She knew how badly Hermione's story had affected her boyfriend, he was so afraid of Peter succeeding that she had been spending the entire week reminding him that she loved him, he was it for her.
"My love saved a baby from You-Know-Who so you best believe how strongly I love you, I would die for you," she had told him as he cried into her shoulder.
"Never have I ever had a threesome," Remus also enjoyed watching his friends suffer, Sirius and James scowled at him in mock annoyance.
"Just you wait Moony, just you wait," said Sirius as he threw back his shot. Marlene was the only other one to take a shot which made Hermione wonder, maybe it was Marlene, James, and Sirius together. She decided she didn't want to know and was glad stories did not follow their confessions.
Hermione was up next, and she wished she had thought of something before now. Everyone was looking at her expectantly and her mind was blank. She wanted to pick something that would require Pettigrew to drink, she assumed that the drunker he got, the sooner he would leave.
"Um, never have I ever snuck into another school House?" she internally cringed at her stupid question. Thankfully though, it resulted in Peter drinking, as well as everyone else, even Lily and Remus.
Hermione was surprised, she had never once snuck into another Hogwarts common room. Harry and Ron had been the ones to get into Slytherin in their second year while she was in the hospital wing. Harry had gone with Luna to see Ravenclaw tower while she and Ron went to the Chamber of Secrets. Even if she had needed a shag, she met her suitors in either the Room of Requirement or an empty classroom.
"Hmm this is tough, what haven't I done?" pondered James. Hermione could see the red tint on his cheeks, indicating that the alcohol was taking effect. She thought he looked quite cute with that flush. She scolded herself, she could handle more than one shot before she lost her inhibitions over a boy, no, a man. "Never have I ever been prefect!" James cried out victoriously, smirking at Remus and Lily, the latter glaring at him with her emerald green eyes. Hermione was forced by her glass to drink along with Remus and Lily.
"Hermione! You were a Prefect?" asked a surprised but happy Lily.
"In my old school yeah," Hermione replied quietly, "My friends were surprised, we broke enough rules after all, however, I had a reputation of never breaking them," Hermione chuckled in memory. She was always with the boys when they caused trouble, something happened every year after all, but if anyone tried to accuse her of anything to a professor, no one believed it. None of them, except Umbridge, had ever heard a word against her.
"You are an intriguing witch, Mi," James whispered into her ear. She shivered as his breath tickled the shell of her ear.
"My turn! Never have I ever pranked the whole school," laughed Mary. All four Marauders drank.
"I think they've got it out for us, Prongsie," stated Sirius slamming his glass down for the fourth time.
"Never have I ever been skinny dipping," Peter announced nervously. Everyone, bar Mary, drank. Hermione had gone skinny dipping multiple times at the Burrow over the years, midnight swims, while everyone slept, were the best, she may have been caught once or twice but it never stopped her from going back.
Marlene looked thoughtful as she thought about her scenario, she had a mischievous glint in her eye that reminded Hermione of Sirius, she seemed to be a female version of the Marauder. It was no wonder he pursued her so frequently.
"Never have I ever given head in the library," the blonde witch smirked, glancing at her red-headed friend.
"I told you that in confidence!" Lily hissed. Sirius and James laughed as they reached over and gave Remus a high five.
"That's a good reason to visit the library," said Sirius as he watched Hermione take a shot, "Oh there's another library fan here, it seems." James turned and watched the brunette scowl as the alcohol hit her throat and place her empty glass on the table.
"Yes, well, we all have our pasts," she replied awkwardly. Every single one of the men she had experienced anything with was not born yet and when they were, she would be looking at a child, a baby, that she knew intimately as an adult. She shuddered at the thought.
"I think you have some more stories to share, Mi," James' warm breath covered her face. If she hadn't felt the alcohol before, his scent and proximity certainly had her feeling the effects. She was intoxicated by the mint, fresh-cut grass, and cedarwood mixed with the firewhiskey they were all-consuming. She simply nodded to James and smiled shyly; she would tell him anything he asked.
"Oh Merlin, it's Sirius' turn, prepare your ears for the vulgarity," joked Remus.
"Moony shh, let me think here," Sirius looked so deep in thought, he was rubbing his temples with his eyes scrunched closed, "Ah ha! Never have I ever set a professor on fire." Everyone except Hermione and Peter was laughing, however, all eyes were on the wizard. Hermione guessed he did something very stupid for everyone to be so amused. Peter frowned and his face reddened in embarrassment though he noticed Hermione was taking a shot.
"Why are you drinking?" he narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, Hermione rolled her eyes at the boy. He was not subtle, soon enough his hostility towards her would be called out by his friends. Everyone turned to look at her as she put her glass down once more.
"Because I set my professor on fire?" she answered dryly. What a stupid question.
"Okay…Peter did it because he was stupid and said his incantation wrong and pointed his wand at Professor McGonagall. When we have clearlybeen taught never to point our wand at anyone, let alone a professor," Lily explained, "I highly doubt you can say the same thing." Peter glared at Lily calling him stupid, he hated her, he hated all of them, but Evans was a filthy mudblood that didn't even deserve to be at Hogwarts.
"Well, my best friend's broom had been jinxed during Quidditch, it tried to buck him off," Hermione explained, the girls gasping at the thought of a boy being thrown from his broom, "I didn't know who was casting the curse, I just knew that I needed a distraction. Thus, I set fire to a professor," Hermione smiled at the memory. While she knew she had to somehow befriend the future potions master, he had been unnecessarily cruel to her as she grew up and couldn't help her vindictive side feeling some satisfaction.
"My turn then, never have I ever had a crush on a professor," Dorcas asked the group. Hermione and the Marauders drank, "Who was it, boys?" she asked excitedly.
"That hot thing we had for DADA two years ago. Young auror chick that could barely make it through a day, worst Professor for learning, best for observing" winked Sirius. All the other boys nodded in agreement.
"Hermione, you had a crush on a professor?" asked Dorcas. Hermione groaned and put her head in her hands dramatically.
"I was young and stupid, what can I say?" she replied sheepishly, "Our second-year DADA Professor was pretty, very confident and turned out to be a dunderhead. Third year, well, it was just nice having a professor who knew what he was talking about," she deliberately did not glance at Remus.
'Don't look at him, don't do it, Hermione, don't make it awkward! Good,' she sighed in relief when the round was over and back to Lily and attention was off her. Her crush on Remus only lasted that school year, it blossomed into a true friendship and then into an almost father-daughter relationship. He always looked out for her, and she always took care of him.
James repositioned himself and moved his arm to the back of the couch behind Hermione. She could feel the heat radiating from him onto the back of her neck. She unconsciously moved so that she was closer to him, the alcohol starting to make her feel fuzzy. While she could hold her tongue under the influence, she forgot that she was exceptionally affectionate. When she would sit with Harry and Sirius, she always ended up snuggling into one of them. It was always platonic. No one ever believed that between her and Harry though, people always thought something would happen. They had tried kissing in their third year, but it had been so awkward that they promised each other that they would never, ever try that again. She trusted him, they could lie on the bed wearing barely anything and nothing would ever come of it. James though, that was certainly not platonic. He had already tried to kiss her three times if she had read the signals correctly. She hoped her affectionate tendencies did not give him the wrong idea.
'You mean right idea', her brain threw back at her. Before she could have another internal battle with her brain, the next round began.
"Never have I ever kissed more than one person in a night," Lily chuckled as James and Sirius bemoaned her once more.
"Lily flower, Lily dearest, I thought it was love. I thought you had a love for your friends, I was wrong though, instead, you punish us with your knowledge," James cried to her once more. Hermione laughed at his antics; he was very different from Harry.
"I was friends with a cunning snake for five years James, had to learn something from him," replied Lily. Peter glanced over at the mention of Snape, he was a forbidden topic with Lily, how could she talk about him so casually?
"As long as you do not use your knowledge against me, be as cunning as you like, love," Remus said kissing her cheek.
"Oh, I use my knowledge against you, you just have no objections," teased Lily as she ghosted her lips over his jaw. Remus tightened his hold on her and felt his cock react to her words, "oh, no, no, you'll have to play the waiting game," she smirked. Remus growled but stopped himself from picking her up and running to her room. She loved to push the wolf, make him sit and stew, and see how far she could tease him before he broke. He really couldn't have found a perfect woman for his werewolf self; she loved the wolf as much as the man.
"You are a cruel woman, and I love it," he whispered into her ear, pulling her earlobe between his teeth.
"Moony, no, just we've talked about this. She's a sister to me, I don't want to hear or see it!" James yelled over at Remus covering his ears with both hands, his eyes squeezed shut. Hermione was laughing until James' arm returned to the spot behind her and her breath hitched. He had placed his arm closer; his hand resting on her shoulder and began tracing circles on her skin with his thumb. Such a simple move and she was left breathless, she was being such a girl about this.
'Well, you are a girl' she reminded herself.
'Obviously, but I'm not a Lavender, I'm Hermione Granger. I don't do girly,' she argued, 'wait why am I arguing with my thoughts again?'
'Because you have a crush, making you feel all girly as you say, and you're Hermione Granger, you argue everything illogical. Talking to your own brain and arguing with it, seems illogical.'
"Hermione?" She was shaken out of her thoughts to see everyone looking at her, Peter was standing watching her oddly.
"Sorry, lost in thought. What's up?"
"Peter's leaving, just saying good night," replied Remus.
"Oh, okay, have a good night, Peter. It was nice meeting you," she forced a smile at the boy who nodded coldly at her and left.
"Well, he's a joy to be around," she said to the room. Everyone chuckled, even Mary, Dorcas, and Marlene.
"Peter is a quiet boy, I thought Remus was the shy one at first," Mary giggled, "but second year changed that didn't it, Lily?"
"Second year?" asked Hermione. Dumbledore had said five years they had been dating, but it never really clicked that their second year could be it. That seems so young to pick your person forever, but looking at them, they made sense, they just happened to find their person extremely young. Lily cleared her throat and glared at Mary in mock anger.
"Yes, Mary, thank you for that. Um yeah, second year," Lily looked at Hermione and then at Remus and smiled at him before giving him a quick, but passionate kiss, showing all her love for the man, "We all know about Remus' furry little problem now, though, in our second year, only the Marauders knew. I was always drawn to Remus. We would study together and talk quietly about our homes, I was constantly worried about him because he would disappear every month for some reason, always with an excuse, but he would come back with scars. I thought he was being hurt at home, so I started observing, and that was how I learned his secret. After Christmas, I confronted him and told him he didn't need to keep himself from me because I didn't care. He was Remus to me."
"I became a lot more comfortable in myself, I had my best friends who knew and accepted me, and the girl I secretly fancied had accepted me. I was on cloud nine, or I thought I was," Remus explained, "if that was cloud 9, I was on cloud 99 when she kissed me at the end of the year."
Hermione would say this was sickening adoration if it was anyone but Remus and Lily, it was downright adorable with them. She had always wanted her Remus to be happy, he had Tonks and Teddy in the end, however, Hermione knew that he considered himself broken and unlovable after losing his pack. He lost Sirius for twelve years and only had him back for two before he was taken again. Seeing Remus so in love, made her heart swell. Her Remus was right, this world would be full of more love if Pettigrew didn't interfere. If this love could be taken and broken, what love could make it?
"Okay now that we're done with your gushy romantic nonsense," snickered Sirius, "time to get back to it. Remus your turn."
"Sorry boys, I think I'm out too," said Mary standing up, "it was so nice to meet you, Hermione. We'll be sharing a dorm, so I'm looking forward to getting to know you better outside of the drinking games."
"It was nice to meet you too, Mary, I'm sure we'll be great friends," Hermione stood up a little too quickly, swaying a little before she hugged Mary. She dropped heavily back on the couch and fell back against it, James' arm wrapping around her shoulders and playing with her curls. Mary left the room and was shortly followed by Marlene and Dorcas, leaving Remus, Sirius, James, Lily, and Hermione.
"Okay, now it's time to really play," smirked Sirius, "time to learn a little more about Kitten here," They all looked at Hermione with the same mischievous glint and she groaned.
"No fair, you even corrupted Lily! Lily you were supposed to be sweet, and kind, hates pranks, Lily. Not to sound like James, but why, Lily why?" whined Hermione. They all laughed at Hermione's cries.
"Whoever told people I was 'hates pranks Lily'?"
"Um, everyone?" Hermione said slowly, "Even Sirius and Remus said you would scream at James and call him a toerag, which I always wondered what that meant," Lily looked at Remus and Sirius
"Why Sirius why, why Remus why?" cried Lily, "I helped with so many of your pranks and you're telling the next generation I was some stick in the mud!" Remus chuckled at Lily as she crossed her arms and pouted.
"We will ensure the new next generation is aware, love," he pulled her in for a quick kiss, wiping the pout off her face.
"Back to the game! I want to learn more about Kitten!" demanded Sirius, in mock annoyance.
"Okay, never have I ever snogged a Slytherin," asked Lily, as she drank.
"Never have I ever shagged a Slytherin," Remus asked, she drank.
"Never have I ever shagged more than one Slytherin," she groaned and drank again.
"Really Mi?" James raised his eyebrows at her, "Slytherins, really?"
"Not all of them are bad," she spoke slowly, annunciating her words slowly to make sure she didn't slur, this was turning into a game of just Hermione Has Done, "you're telling me, you two have never..."
"Well, snogs are one thing Kitten, banging them in a broom closet though? Not many of those proper pureblood girls go for that," replied Sirius. Huh, she didn't expect that, she assumed they had both made their rounds with girls in every house.
"Well guess the boys are different," she snorted, "once they got over the shock that my touch didn't turn them to dust, I was a normal girl, well...teenage boys after all." They all shifted a bit awkwardly. They were still uncomfortable with how comfortable Hermione was talking about her blood status being despised.
"Hermione..." started Lily uneasily.
"Ah shit, sorry Lily," she looked towards the redhead, "I know you're all uncomfortable about my blasé attitude about the prejudice. But, well, it's how I survived."
"What do you mean?" asked Sirius, they knew Lily dealt with comments here and there, but she didn't need to fight for her survival. Hermione sat up and felt herself sobering up at the heavy discussion.
"You have to understand, I was the famous muggleborn, at first it was because I was top of my class, the know-it-all swot. However, as the years passed, I became known as the brains of the Golden Trio, the reason Harry was still alive, so I became heavily targeted," she began. She remembered the first time she had been called mudblood, it had been Draco in her second year, though he changed to just Granger by her fifth year, and Hermione in her sixth.
"In my fifth year, a professor was assigned to teach, she was heavily in the corrupt minister's pocket, and she despised me for my blood. I was beneath her; the Ministry would back her up on anything and I feared she would expel me and snap my wand, sending me back to the muggles. I fought being kicked out of this world because people with power believed I wasn't worthy of my magic. I fought that, I fought her, I never backed down, and I learned that being so casual about their hate angered them more. They wanted a rise out of me. Then I was branded, forced to be reminded of my blood. Reminded that not all people want me, us in this world, and I will fight with every breath to prove them wrong," Hermione sighed before forcing a smile on her face, "now I thought this was supposed to be fun!"
"Alright Mi, just know, though, I'll be by your side for that fight, for both you and Lily," James told her. He nodded to Lily to show he was with her too, they were a pack, and they would fight together, "Now let's try some questions Mi hasn't done, she's had quite a few."
"Hmmm," thought Sirius, "Never have I ever ridden a dragon." Hermione groaned again and drank.
"What?!" they all yelled at once. Her eyes squint from the sheer volume.
"I rode a d-dragon" she replied, "broke into Gringotts and escaped on it."
"Gringotts broke into Gringotts, she says. Okay, never have I ever cannot be played by Hemione, she's done too much," laughed Sirius, "Gringotts, really Kitten?" Hermione snuggled up against James, her head resting on his shoulder and her eyes drooping.
"She was so scared we went into her vault. We knew she had something else, a Horcrux," she mumbled, "Used Polyjuice to disguise as her and broke in."
Hermione fell asleep and left the four others to look at each other in shock.
"I'm assuming 'she' is Bellatrix," hissed Sirius. He hated his family. He knew they were bad but to have physical proof in front of him of how truly awful they were, made him want to fight that much harder to prove he was not like his family.
"She polyjuiced as her torturer, how much has she gone through?" whispered Lil, her eyes wide. Their friend had fought a war and they had no idea just what she went through or how they could comfort her. They didn't know if something they tried would be her trigger, a simple visit to Hogsmeade could bring back memories and they wouldn't be able to help until she showed her fear.
"A lot, we will make sure nothing else happens, we will make sure You-Know-Who never learns who she is," promised James.
"How? Everyone is going to be talking about the new girl," said Remus.
"Then we need our own spy," answered James. If the Dark had Peter, well they had to find themselves a traitor, someone had to regret picking the wrong side.
"I was going to ask her what happened to Severus, maybe, maybe he turned in the future?" whispered Lily, she didn't want to think her best friend, her first friend, had turned against everything she was.
"Snivellus?" scoffed Sirius, "The day he comes back to the Light, will be the day my brother does," Sirius stood angrily and stormed out of the Head Dorm to his dormitory. Regulus was never to be brought up around Sirius, he had lost his brother, his first best friend to his parents. He chose blood prejudice, dark arts, and the Dark Lord over Sirius, and Sirius could not forgive him for it until he admitted he was wrong. Something none of them believed would ever happen, Regulus loved Walburga and Orion Black.
"We'll ask Hermione soon, let her get used to being here first before we ask for some answers," James said to Lily and Remus who agreed. "What should we do with Hermione? I can't go up to the girl's dorm."
Lily leaned down and gently shook Hermione awake and led her out to the Gryffindor Common Room and up to the 7th-year dorms. James already missed her presence in the room, he wished she could sleep in here with him, where he would know she was safe. Remus gave him a goodnight clap on the back and entered Lily's room to wait for her to return.
James moved to his Head Boy dorm and climbed into bed, he sat and stared up at the ceiling of his four-poster bed. He had to think of a way to protect Hermione from the wrong person finding out about her. He remembered Diagon Alley and kicked himself, he shouldn't have encouraged her to be so open about her past, or was it their future? Whatever it was, he shouldn't have talked so freely that the wrong person could hear. She had had breakdowns, of course, she did, she had lost everything, and he felt the need to comfort her. He should have cast privacy or silencing spells around them though. If she had any more in the future he needed to watch what they said, nothing could slip, especially if Peter took an interest in her.
They needed a spy.
He needed to swallow his pride, convince Sirius to swallow his and find out about Severus and Regulus. They may be able to help, but as much as he hated them, they were only teenagers. He hoped that they would be terrified knowing how far their Dark Lord would go, be terrified and not revel in it.
James told himself that if Peter, a Gryffindor, could turn to the Dark Arts, maybe a Slytherin could turn to the Light. Hermione did say they weren't all bad. James drifted to sleep thinking of Hermione, Peter, and Slytherins.
James' nightmares were interrupted a few hours later by banging on the Head Dorm entrance.
"James! Lily! Help! It's Hermione!" Mary screamed.
-oOo-
A/N: We have now spent our first evening together, Peter too! He better get it together if he wants to no be questioned on his dislike for Hermione, right? I would love to hear your feedback or any suggestions for things you would like to see happen in the story :)
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