A/N: This is a shorter chapter for you! Didn't want to leave you waiting too long after that slight cliffhanger and I want to get through these rewrites quickly for you.

Shout out to all my reviewers, it really warms my heart knowing this is being well received.

Chapter 7

"James! It's Hermione!" Mary screamed again.

James' eyes shot open at her words and jumped out of bed. He didn't stop to throw on a shirt or a robe, he instantly ran for the tapestry door, ignoring Lily who was exiting her room. He ripped the door open and pushed past Mary, running toward the girl's dormitory. He was at the stairs when he heard her. He heard Hermione's screams echoing throughout the common room. It was so loud it was like she was in the very room with them, the sound shook him to his core. He couldn't get to her fast enough. Unfortunately, he knew the stairs would stop him from making his way up, not allowing boys into the girls' dorms.

"James, I froze the stairs," Mary hurriedly explained. The words were barely out of her mouth when James set up the stairs, two at a time, toward the top. A crowd of curious girls, some terrified and some crying, were outside the 7th-year room.

"Everyone, go to bed," James yelled pushing his way through. They grumbled at the order but listened and started moving away, whispering about what was happening. James ignored them and propelled himself into the room. Standing inside the door was Peter, he had to contain a growl at the sight of Peter seeing this, being here. Remus was already in the room with Sirius, both were sitting by the bed trying to wake her, while Marlene and Dorcas were in the corner holding each other, crying. James ran to Sirius' side just as Lily came barreling in with Mary, Lily running to Remus' side.

James looked down at the girl he had to come to care for greatly, she was tossing in the bed, her back arching as she screamed. She was sobbing in between the screams, sweating coating her pale, white face. She was so pale she looked almost grey, one would think she was dead if she wasn't convulsing and screaming.

"No, no, please, stop. We didn't steal it, please...no, no," Hermione began whimpering, her voice sounding hoarse from the screams. "NO!" the word turned into another scream tearing from her throat. James didn't know what to do, Remus and Sirius were staring at her in horror, increasing the volume of their voices as they called out her name and tried shaking her awake.

"Mate, she's been screaming for ten minutes, we can't wake her!" Sirius dropped his head into his hands, his face pale and grimacing as if in pain. He knew these screams, he'd endured the cause of them many times at the hand of his mother, and his father, and if they were indisposed, they passed the honour to dear old Bella. He knew that was the very monster plaguing Hermione's nightmares. It made it even more painful to watch, knowing it was his cousin that caused this.

"What the fuck is wrong with her?" yelled out Peter. They all ignored him. James considered what he could do to help and did the only thing that came to mind. He climbed into the bed behind her, pulled her into his chest, and began rocking her and stroking her hair. He whispered her name and told her she was safe, he told her that he wouldn't let anyone else hurt her. Her screams stopped, however, she continued to sob. A few minutes later her sobs turned into whimpers and her convulsions lessened to tremors. It took another few minutes for her breathing to even out and her eyes to flutter open.

"Hermione?" Remus spoke softly. Her eyes opened and connected with his mossy green eyes. They could see the emotions flash in her eyes, confusion turning to realization and then embarrassment. She looked around the room and saw Lily beside Remus, Marlene, and Dorcas in the corner with Mary, and Sirius beside her, and the embarrassment turned to shame. She felt something heavy on her chest and looked down to see arms wrapped around her. Looking behind her, following the arms of the person sitting there, she saw James Potter had pulled her against his bare chest. She quickly sat up to put a little distance from his golden, muscled chest and spotted movement in her peripheral. Hermione saw that Peter was standing by the door causing her to flinch and fall back into James' chest.

"Hermione?" Remus asked again. Her eyes darted back to him, and he could see the pain behind them, the shame at being found and considered weak, but they all knew she was far from it. She was so strong for surviving everything, for continuing to try and end the war. They would need to remind her, while it would take time, it would be worth it for her to realize it and release the pain he was so familiar with.

"I'm sorry," she replied in a small, scratchy voice.

"Why are you sorry?" demanded Sirius angrily. How could she be the one apologizing after what she just went through?

"I forgot a silencing charm," she whispered. James had raised one hand to stroke her hair but kept one arm wrapped around her, keeping her secure against his chest. She felt safe.

"Hermione, don't apologize. We want to help," replied Lily.

"How?" Hermione didn't think anyone could help her, nothing except time would help her. She couldn't even laugh at the irony of that, "How can you help me?"

"By being there, helping you feel safe," replied Sirius. He knew from personal experience that being around people that made you feel safe made it easier, they could make it better. He also understood it took building trust and Hermione had to allow them in. When he had first moved to the Potters after he was blasted from the tree, it had taken over a month for him not to flinch when Dorea touched him or her wand. He couldn't even be alone in a room with Charlus without feeling like the walls were caving in on him. He knew neither would hurt him the way his parents did, yet he still reacted. He had thought parents were supposed to love their children unconditionally, that they wanted to protect their children from all harm, instead, he had been raised as a practice dummy. Had he fallen into line and followed the Pureblood ways he would not have experienced the pain, they told him, but he knew even Regulus was subjected to it occasionally.

Hermione averted her eyes from everyone and looked down at her hands, fiddling with her sleeve cuffs again. She nodded her head slightly to show them she would try and let them in, try and let them be there for her.

"Do you want some sleeping draught for the night?" Lily offered.

"I'll be fine, they weren't this bad before school. It might just be from drinking too much," Hermione chuckled coldly. She deserved this. She had been so stupid to think she could be a normal teenage girl and enjoy anything freely. First, she had fucked up in Diagon Alley and talked so openly about so many things, feeling comfortable around Remus and Sirius, like old times. That was her first mistake. Now she had let her guard down, drank with her new friends, and forgotten silencing charms. Her second mistake. Peter was currently witnessing how weak and broken she was. Her mind was weak, letting itself be transported back to Malfoy Manor. Hermione was stronger than this. She had survived the torture, she couldn't let Bellatrix win now.

Hermione knew now that she couldn't try and be a normal teenage girl. She needed to be a strategist and consider everything she said and did. Who knew who was watching? Peter had already seen too much. She groaned and scooted down the bed and curled up, her head covered by her blanket. James still had his arms around her but was no longer pressed against him. While she said nothing, everyone got the message that she wanted to be alone.

James was reluctant to leave, he didn't want to leave her alone after that. Seeing her appear too small and vulnerable, when he knew how strong she was, broke a piece of him. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go. He stayed where he was as everyone left the room. The girls left together to share some tea in the Head Dorms to calm down, and Remus and Sirius pulled Peter from the room to go to their dorms.

James wanted to say something to her, tell her she had no reason to be ashamed, that he was there for her. However, before he could speak, he heard Hermione whispering.

"I forgot; how could I forget?" She spoke so softly that he almost missed it.

"Hermione," he said softly, "Mi, it's okay that you forgot the silencing charm, people will understand," he assured her, his hand caressing her arm gently. Hermione looked over her shoulder at James, she had forgotten he was there. He could see the argument in her eyes, the hesitation to say anything to him. "You can tell me anything, Hermione."

She bit her lip and looked thoughtful before rolling over slightly. She had rolled into his side and fit perfectly against him, snuggling into him so their hips were flush. Unfortunately for James, her position began to cause an unwanted reaction. While normally it was a very wanted reaction, however, now was not the time. He discreetly turned his hips away from her so she would not be able to feel his attraction to her.

"It's not okay. I forgot- I forgot he was there," Hermione finally spoke. James felt his blood turn cold at her words. He didn't need her to say who he was and where there was. He knew. Peter was there when she was tortured. "I forgot. Then the firewhiskey, I let my defenses down and I got stuck in there. I couldn't get out."

Hermione could barely finish speaking as the sobs took over again. She had been stuck in Malfoy Manor. She could hear people calling her name, at first it was Harry and Ron, she remembered hearing them, but then it turned to Remus and Sirius. Then the yelling stopped, it turned to soothing words whispering that she was safe, that he would keep her safe. Hearing those soothing words had helped her calm down enough to know she was in a nightmare; it wasn't real, and she could escape.

James held her again as she cried, he held her tight whispering comforting words into her ear. Meanwhile, his mind whirred at the new information.

Peter was going to pay.

Peter was going to die.

He would make sure of it. He caused his death, Sirius' incarceration, and Remus being alone. Lily's death.

Hurt his Hermione.

James loved his brothers, and he knew the two women in his life could fight for themselves, but Peter brought them misery. That was something James could never forgive.

Peter took Lily from her son, he watched Hermione suffer the torture of Bellatrix Lestrange and watched her cut up just for fun.

James would ensure he and his brothers would make Peter Pettigrew regret the day he chose to switch sides and plot against them.

James held Hermione tighter as her sobs evened out and sleep took over. He never let her go, he continued to hold her to his chest as he, too, fell asleep. Neither were aware of the rat that was scurrying around the room, a very frustrated rat that had learned nothing. He hoped his Master didn't ask for any information on her, he currently had nothing.

-oOo-

A wizard in black robes walked towards the ostentatious manor, past the peacocks that grazed the garden, toward the front door. A House Elf permitted him entry and led him to the Ball Room, or as everyone now referred to it, the Throne Room. The door was opened for him, and he walked up to the handsome, yet terrifying, Dark Lord who was sitting on his throne. Standing to his right was Lucius Malfoy, the place of host and right-hand man of the dark wizard.

"Rookwood," greeted Voldemort, "This is an unexpected visit."

"My Lord, I bring you news from the Ministry," Rookwood knelt at the feet of the throne. Lucius' eyebrow raised at the man before him, he was very well known at the Ministry, and nothing happened there without his knowledge.

"What news could you have that I would not already know?" scoffed Lucius. Voldemort raised his hand to Lucius signaling his silence.

"Speak, Rookwood. What have you learned in your time as an Unspeakable?" Rookwood had only been recruited into the Death Eater ranks a few months previously and he was dedicated to proving his worth. He had been an Unspeakable for a few years and when he had discovered what he had, he made sure to research everything he could before bringing it to the Dark Lord. He had witnessed many of his comrades tortured for not having all of the information, and Rookwood refused to be subjected to such treatment. He wanted to be respected by his brothers in arms, not a weakling like the blonde pansy in front of him.

"My Lord, I discovered that Albus Dumbledore worked extensively with the Unspeakables many years ago on a personal project. One specifically involving portals," Rookwood grinned ferally when he saw the predatory smile appear on his Master's face. Yes, he had done well gaining the information from his colleague, a little torture and murder were certainly worth the gleam in the Dark Lord's eyes.

"What have you learned of this personal project, Rookwood?"

"A fail-safe portal was discussed," the Death Eater began. He went on to explain to Voldemort that he had discovered the documents in the archives and that the particular Unspeakable that had been involved had unfortunately died. However, he had captured, tortured, and killed one that provided him with as much as possible. He had learned that Dumbledore feared that either they would lose the war or too much would be lost, thus he began researching how to create a portal.

Voldemort grinned as he considered what he could do with such a device. Rookwood explained that there was no evidence the portal could even be made, let alone had been made, but Voldemort knew Dumbledore. If he hadn't made it now, he would continue to try. He would need his Hogwarts spies to learn more about this.

"Lucius, bring me Severus, Regulus, and Pettigrew," he ordered, "Rookwood, you have done well. You shall be rewarded, a boon to you at our next revel."

Rookwood bowed once more and left Malfoy Manor, he grinned happily knowing that at the next revel, he would be rewarded with a prize.

-oOo-

When Hermione opened her eyes the next morning, she noticed that she felt very warm and a lot more comfortable than she could recall feeling since running off with Harry and Ron. As she lay there she remembered the night before, being awoken from her nightmare that had been so vivid. It was like she was back in the Manor, she could smell the metallic scent of her blood, the urine on herself after her torture, and the stench of Greyback's breath. It had sounded so real too. Bellatrix's laughter pierced her ears, the disgusting words from Greyback whispered in her ear. What she seemed to have forgotten, that came back to her last night, was that Pettigrew had been there. He had been standing at the door that Harry and Ron were locked behind. She had locked eyes with the rat, he had looked away like the coward he was. She had then looked at Draco, he had held her stare though, she had seen the pain in his eyes from being unable to help her.

Hermione then recalled what had helped her. How she had escaped this time. Staring at Draco she had heard his voice, his soothing words.

James.

James had helped her escape her nightmare. James had soothed her soul. James had helped her feel secure and safe.

She let out a sigh and closed her eyes, however, she heard a groan behind her, and her eyes snapped open again, searching for the source of the sound, only to see him, James. James had fallen asleep with her. She looked at the boy, no, the man, above her, and couldn't help admiring his features. He looked so calm in his sleep, his eyes were smooth and without their laugh line crinkles, and his mouth was open slightly. He could be so carefree and fun but also be so calming and serious, and now he was peaceful and content.

While she was admiring his features James started to wake up. He woke from the tickle of Hermione's hair on his face, and he smiled at the thought of waking up with her in his arms. He kept his eyes closed and pulled her in for a tighter snuggle, he was surrounded by her natural perfume of lavender, parchment, and honey, it was such a rich, sweet, warm aroma. As he pulled her against his chest his eyes snapped open as he realized what else had woken him. He quickly rolled onto his back, away from the witch before she noticed what else had woken with him. He didn't need her feeling even more uncomfortable than she probably did after her night and finding him in her bed. That was the last thing he wanted.

"Good morning," Hermione greeted warily. She couldn't help but feel a little hurt at how quickly he rolled away from her when he realized who he had woken up with. She knew she wasn't one of the many attractive girls she was sure James had been with, but she thought he at least liked her.

"Hello, Mi, good sleep?" he asked slightly strained. He refrained from looking at her, he knew she would be stunning in the morning, but he had to contain his growing erection before he did something he might regret. He was sure she liked him, but she had been through so much he didn't want her to think he was just a hormonal, horny teenage boy after one thing.

"Better," was all she replied. She sat up in the bed and picked up some clothes before walking to the bathroom, "I'm going to shower, I'll see you at breakfast?" James nodded and watched her walk away, his eyes unable to move from her delectable bum swaying back and forth. He had to get to his dorm and have a cold shower, he was so tempted to just run up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her neck, drag her to the shower, and have his naughty way with her. No, he had to court her properly, show her how much she meant to him, for saving all of them, for saving him, for being herself. He needed to make her his, no one else could have her.

James needed to get to his shower now, his erection was pushing painfully on his boxers, and he still had to get out of this dorm, through the common room, and to the privacy of his dorm. He jumped up and ran as fast as he could toward his room. Unfortunately, Mary decided to reverse whatever she had done to the stairs the night before and the moment James' foot touched the first step, they transformed into a slide. He fell face-first down the stairs and into the common room. He could hear the giggles of the girls that were making their way to breakfast, but he didn't care, he had to get into his room quickly. He didn't need anyone to see him in his current predicament, that would be a bit too embarrassing for his first day of classes.

He finally made it into the Head Dorm common room and up to the bathroom, he was sure he heard Lily when he closed the door behind him but he ignored her. He would talk to her about their Head duties at breakfast. He turned on the shower and set it to a cold temperature and stripped, releasing his cock from its constraints. He stepped into the shower and tried to will away his indecent thoughts, he had to control his desire before he could go down to breakfast.

He didn't know what Hermione was doing to him, he had been with plenty of girls. He had taken virgins, and girls with more experience, he had done it in empty classrooms, broom cupboards, and the prefect bathroom, he had had two girls at once, and one girl with another man. He had had many experiences with many women, hell, he even experimented with a wizard before, but nothing had gotten him going like Hermione. And all he did was sleep with her, literally sleep, he hadn't even felt her lips on his yet. He knew they would be soft, he had a feeling she knew exactly what she liked, he could tell she was bossy, though, he had a feeling in the bedroom she liked to be ordered around.

James sighed as he realized the direction of his thoughts was not changing, Hermione was burrowed in there. He could imagine pinning her to the bed, her wrists under his hand as his free hand explored her body, her legs wrapped around his waist. He gave in, turned the shower temperature hotter, reached down wrapped his hand around his cock, and started stroking.

He imagined having her there with him, naked in the shower as he finally laid his lips on hers. One hand was in her unruly curls while the other held her waist. Her lips would be so soft, he imagined his tongue brushing her bottom lip asking for entrance, her mouth gladly welcoming him. She kissed him back hard, bruising their lips from devouring one another. When they broke for air James would start kissing her across the curve of her jaw, nibbling below her ear causing her to tremble, and then he would bite down on her earlobe. He imagined her whimpering at his kisses, moaning his name, and then his hands would start roaming her wet, soaking body, her delicious curves, and her perfect tits.

James pictured himself picking Hermione up so she could wrap her legs around his hips and press her back against the tiles. He imagined his erection pushed against her wet core just as his hand started stroking harder at the thought of him pressing so close to her entrance. In his imagination he didn't hold back, he knew his first time with Hermione would be slow and oh-so teasing, but not in his current state. He could feel himself building up to his release, he thought of thrusting into her entrance until he bottomed out, a guttural moan escaping her lips. He pulled out completely and thrust back into her soaking cunt, the tightness of her causing him to lose his mind at the feeling. He moaned as he felt his abdomen and balls tighten from the oncoming orgasm, and he came harder than he ever had before. He caught himself before slipping when his knees buckled, the best wank he'd ever had to a girl before.

He really needed to try and kiss her.

-oOo-

Their first day of classes went by quickly and Hermione kept her head down and stayed quiet trying not to draw attention to herself. She barely spoke to her new friends, and she avoided the Marauders. While she knew she shouldn't, she couldn't help but feel the need to distance herself for a bit. After last night she had determined that she might not be ready to interact with everyone yet. She could see Mary, Dorcas, and Marlene watching her sadly from a distance, giving her space, while Lily and the Marauders still tried to talk to her. Lily explained to her that the girls were giving her space and understood she was closer to Lily and the boys, but they were there whenever she wanted to talk, something Hermione appreciated. While Lily and the boys did try and talk to her, they mostly tried to bring her into the conversation and when she didn't, they didn't push her.

James watched her all day with concerned glances and slight frowns. He knew the nightmare had caused her to withdraw, though he hoped by staying through the night and waking up with her she would be closer to him today. Instead, she stayed away from him. He hoped it was temporary and she wasn't building up walls and barriers as Remus did. He was worried she thought she wasn't worthy of their care, affection, and love. He already cared for her a great deal, he couldn't imagine a life without her in it now, and he would fight every day to prove that to her if he had to. Even if he ended up being just a friend to her, as much as he wanted to be everything to her, he would accept if she didn't want him that way. As long as she felt worthy and knew how much he cared for her.

Hermione had pulled back because she had been too open before. She longed to speak to her best friends, so much that she had substituted them with James, Sirius, and Remus. She had spoken to them without thinking, without considering who was around her. She was so used to Harry throwing up a Muffliato when they talked, she had just assumed James would do the same. But James wasn't Harry. None of them needed to be as careful as she had been with her friends, and she had threatened everything.

She had only been in this time for two weeks and had made too many mistakes. It had been two weeks since she lost everyone, a month since her torture, and now she was living her second chance. She couldn't squander it. Yet, she still felt like she didn't deserve to be here. How could she help anyone if she couldn't even handle a nightmare? If she couldn't even be in the same room as Pettigrew without her flinching or triggering more nightmares? He was the mission, yet she couldn't even look at him.

James was another problem. It always came back to James. She knew he was interested in her to some degree, he made an effort to talk to her, he looked concerned whenever he looked at her, and he was always touching her in some way. She couldn't do that to him though, she wouldn't. He deserved to be with someone like him, someone carefree and happy. He deserved someone that would live a full life with him. Not someone like her, broken, alone, tormented, and likely to die before the war ended.

After classes ended Hermione decided to further avoid everyone by going to the library and reading through her Animagus book. If anything could help her nightmares it would be concentrating on succeeding in the transformation, and depending on what she was, it could also give her some sense of freedom. She imagined running through the woods as whatever animal she was could give her a form of escape.

-oOo-

In the library, in the corner behind the stacks Hermione was sitting at, sat Severus Snape and Regulus Black. Both were out of Hermione's line of sight and Snape cast a Muffliato around them, meaning she could not hear them either.

"Severus, we are running out of time," Regulus spoke quietly, even with the privacy charms he did not feel comfortable speaking loudly about their situation, "He wants to meet on Friday, and we have no plan!" While the boy looked and sounded calm and composed, Severus could see the fear and panic in the boy's eyes.

"Regulus, we cannot just stroll up to the girl," Severus drawled, "We knew we would have to wait until Potions class. She is a Gryffindor Muggleborn, we cannot speak to her without reason. Especially since she is so close with your brother and his friends, it complicates everything."

"We knew she was close to them; she is only wanted because of them!" snapped Regulus, "and they are only in danger because of us, because of my family, because of Potter's family."

"No. They are all wanted because of him," hissed Severus.

Regulus was about to reply when they were interrupted by a large body walking towards them. Severus discreetly released the privacy spell and greeted the wizard.

"Mulciber," Severus spoke as Regulus nodded in greeting.

"Severus, Regulus," Mulciber returned politely, "I hope you found the first day of classes well."

"You, as well," Regulus returned. He hated small talk between pureblood families and Slytherin, it was pointless posturing and palavering.

"Lucius sends his regards and a message."

'Ah, there it was,' smiled Regulus, at least the oaf got to the point quickly.

"We were under the impression we were seeing Lucius on Friday," drawled Severus, his tone remaining bored but his eyes alert and suspicious.

"A mutual friend has decided to meet with you sooner," grinned Mulciber, "Bring the rat tomorrow at sunset. I'm rather upset I'll miss the rat's reaction," he finished and strut away proudly.

Mulciber continued through the library and Hermione who had overheard him greet Snape and Regulus jumped behind a bookshelf. She was afraid he had spotted her when he stopped and looked around, seeing nothing though, he shook his head and continued on his path to leave the library. Hermione slid down the bookshelf until she was on the floor and let out a breath as she rested her head back. Her mind was swirling with what she had heard. It wasn't much but she knew that Voldemort had asked for Snape, Regulus, and Pettigrew. They had originally been asked to meet on Friday, but something had resulted in him moving up the meeting. He was already meeting with three of her main targets, the Traitor, the Double Agent, and the Defector.

Did she need to befriend Severus and Regulus already? She would need to speak to the boys and Lily soon, she couldn't approach the Slytherins without warning them. They could feel betrayed by her if she went ahead without telling them, but they were meeting Voldemort the next day. That didn't give her much time to find everyone, explain everything, and approach Snape and Regulus before they took Pettigrew to Voldemort.

"Excuse me, what are you doing on the floor?" a voice asked above her.

She looked up into the grey eyes of Regulus Black. Beside him stood Severus Snape, who was also staring down at her with his black eyes. It looked like her decision to find the boys and Lily first was gone, she would need to do this without them.

It was time to befriend Severus Snape and Regulus Black.

Hermione tried to speak, tried to say something smart, anything really, but that didn't happen. No, what came out made Hermione want to smack herself in the face in exasperation.

"Wrackspurts."

-oOo-

A/N: I know it was shorter than my last chapters but I wanted to get through Hermione's first day and get us to meeting the Slytherins. I'm very excited to write Regulus, I feel that his and Severus' friendship is similar to James and Sirius but more snarky and sarcastic.

I really appreciate your favourites, follows, and reviews.