Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. All characters, places, descriptions, etc (unless original and created by me) belong to her.
Summary: It was a small pack, of course, just the five of them, but together they were something wild. Hermione finds herself in the Marauders' Era with four new best friends.
A/N: Apologies, dear readers, on the delay. I will sincerely try not to go this long again without posting. But!—Please enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think!
Chapter 27: Da Mi Basia Mille*
24 December 1977
The Potters' Residence
Hermione spent Christmas Eve resting in bed. Her muscles ached for her to take a round with Sirius, but she knew she needed to save her strength for the party. Sirius and James had stopped by her room with breakfast, but Hermione quickly ushered them out, insisting they enjoy the day instead of sulking with her.
Left alone, Hermione sat in bed thinking of her last Christmas. She had been at home with her parents instead of the Burrow. She and Ron had exchanged a few harsh words before the holidays, and Hermione had thought it best to give him space. She had been celebrating with her parents, safe at home, when Death Eaters attacked the Burrow. She should have been with Harry and Ron then.
She should have done a lot of things.
Hermione forced herself to sleep and rest, and faded in and out of dreams all day. She dreamed of Harry and Ron, Ginny and Luna, Neville. She dreamed they were free of the threat of Voldemort and his followers. She dreamed of the train ride from Hogwarts to King's Cross, and James and Lily greeting Harry as they stepped off the train.
A knock at the door brought her fully out of her dream state. Hermione hastily wiped away the tears salted to her cheeks and sat up.
"Come in."
Dorea Potter swept into the room, in her arms a dark gown. Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Now, I know you haven't been feeling well, so I haven't pushed," she began. "But you're staying under my roof, and there was absolutely no way I was going to allow you to be unprepared for the ball tonight."
"I-it's a ball?" Hermione stuttered. "The boys said it was a party. I didn't think–" Dorea held up a hand and smiled softly.
"Not to worry, my dear. I've taken the liberty of finding you the perfect gown and shoes. I didn't want you to strain yourself. I know you're going to need your strength tonight."
With a flourish, Mrs. Potter held up the gown in her hands for Hermione to see. Hermione was floored.
"Mrs. Potter, please, I can't possibly–" Again Mrs. Potter interrupted.
"Hermione, I've been blessed with many things. A wonderful life, a wonderful husband, and two wonderful sons. But I have not been blessed with a daughter. So indulge me, and wear the dress." She smiled. "Please."
Hermione smiled back. In fact, she couldn't stop smiling. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth. Her eyes were shining.
"It's beautiful."
"Good girl." Dorea nodded and opened the door to leave Hermione's room. "You're going to look stunning tonight, Hermione."
Hermione was stalling. She hated to admit it, but she was. The dress Dorea had chosen was much too stunning for her. Hermione felt like a fish out of water. Dorea had stopped by Hermione's room before guests started to arrive to tell her to take her time and not to worry if she needed to leave the part early. Hermione was eager to see Remus, to have someone to lean on.
Hermione was staring at herself in the mirror when someone knocked on her door.
"Um, who is it?"
"It's Lily! Will you let me in?" Hermione smiles and moved slowly to the door. As soon as she opened it, Lily burst through, wrapping Hermione in a hug. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Lily." The two separated from the hug and took a moment to look at each other. "Merlin, Lily, you look amazing."
Lily was wearing a purple dress that seemed to shine with every movement. Her skin was radiating with happiness, and Hermione decided that Lily was one of those people who looks absolutely gorgeous whenever they smile, no matter what she was wearing.
"And you? This dress? Beautiful." Hermione blushes, running a hand over the dress to smooth some invisible wrinkles.
"I suppose we have to go down now?"
"Yes, we do. But don't worry. There's plenty to eat and drink and the music is great." Hermione laughed.
"Ugh, don't mention food. I haven't been able to eat all day." Lily instantly grew concerned.
"How are you really? It's so unfair the full moon is on Christmas."
"I'm fine, Lily. I'll be okay." Lily put her arms around Hermione for a hug.
"Just tell me when, Hermione, and I'll take you straight to bed. No matter what James says." Hermione smiled and let Lily lead her downstairs.
"Remus!" Hermione bounded off the stairs—well, as much as she could—over to Remus as soon as she spotted him. Remus turned to face Hermione and her spirits lifted at his smile. She let herself fall into his hug and breathed him in, allowing his scent to calm her.
"You look stunning, Hermione." Hermione grinned and took the time to assess Remus. He was wearing dark brown dress robes. Yes, they had seen better days, but the whole look was just so perfectly Remus that pristine robes would have looked strange. Hermione thought he looked like a cuddly version of James Bond. She laughed mentally and made a mental note to share that comment with Remus in the future.
"You look good, Remus. How are you?" She reached for Remus' hand.
"I'm okay. It's always tough, the first moon away from the guys. I'm glad you've been staying with them, though. They make it easier."
"I'm honestly surprised you made it." Hermione blushed. "Sorry, I mean–"
"I understand," Remus smiled. "Honestly, I'm a bit surprised I made it too. And I'm glad you're here, too. I would have thought, you know, without Regulus…" Hermione nodded.
"Sirius actually helped me this time around. I may have scared him a little bit, but he helped."
"Good." The two werewolves smiled at each other.
"I've missed you, Remus."
"I've missed you too, Pup." He squeezed her hand.
"Look Padfoot, it's the ladies!" Hermione looked over her shoulder with a smile to see James and Sirius pushing through the crowd. The two were wearing matching black dress robes, making them look even more so like brothers. Lily, who had reappeared suddenly, giggled. Hermione gave her an amused look and shook her head when Lily blushed.
"My dear maiden." James swept over to Hermione, took her hand and kissed it. "Ah, another fair maiden." He did the same with Remus, much to his friend's embarrassment. Then James looked at Lily, really looked at Lily.
In an instant, it was like childhood years rolled off of James' shoulders. Hermione saw light appear in his eyes and watched his smile grow. He seemed to stand a little taller, more confident, more mature.
"Lily," he breathed. He said her name as if it were his life force. "You're… you're… You look beautiful." Lily smiled, her eyes shining. James held out his hand in the same way he had for Hermione and Remus, but this time when Lily placed her hand in his, he grasped it tightly. He gently pulled Lily a step closer and looked deep into her eyes.
"Will you dance with me, Lily?" He asked. His voice was nervous. "Just one dance."
"Just one dance." Remus, Sirius and Hermione watched as James led Lily to join the other waltzing couples. The three friends turned to look at each other.
"That was…" Remus' eyes were still wide. Hermione was speechless.
"Overdue?" Sirius offered. The three laughed.
It was truly quite a scene. Hermione felt as if she were witnessing something historic. Maybe it was James and Lily dancing in each other's arms, or maybe it was seeing everyone in fancy dress. Hermione felt a great solemnity fall over her.
"Well, you two sure are chatty tonight." Hermione and Remus both pulled their gazes away from the couples dancing to look at Sirius. Hermione blushed and Remus shrugged. "Okay, I'm getting drinks. Drunk werewolves are always more fun than sulky werewolves."
Sirius started to walk away but Remus stopped him.
"I'll get them, Padfoot. You stay here. I need to find the Potters anyway. I haven't said hello." Not giving Sirius any time to argue, Remus slipped into the crowd.
Hermione swayed on her feet. She was overwhelmed, but for some reason it wasn't bothering her as much as she thought. All the smells, and sounds, and emotions rolling off people—she would've thought it would have been an overload, but it made her happy. She hadn't seen this many people dancing and laughing and acting carefree since Bill and Fleur's wedding, and even then…
"You look beautiful."
"What?" Hermione turned to Sirius.
"I said you look beautiful." Hermione blushed, suddenly wishing she had something to do with her hands. She searched Sirius' face for its usual playfulness, but it was all calm.
"Thank you," she said. "You look very dashing, Sirius. If I didn't know you better, I'd think you were a pureblood prince."
"That's the best thing about the Potters' parties," Sirius smiled, leaning into her. "They take the best things about being pureblood and throw out all the rest. Huge parties, fancy dress, booze and food? Check. Exclusivity, rituals, my family? Fuck it. You can actually have fun and breathe at these things.
"This," he gestured around the room. "This is just normal people, having a good time. I just—I live for this shit." Hermione smiled at the twinkle in his eyes.
Remus returned with an armful of drinks. Hermione took a cautious sip and found she quite enjoyed the mysterious pink liquid. Sirius told her the name but it was quickly forgotten when James and Lily rejoined the group. Lily had spotted Marlene from the dance floor and pulled Hermione away from the boys to reunite with their friend.
As the night wore on, the waltzes and slow dances turned into more upbeat, festive music. Hermione, with not enough energy to jump around, stood back and watched as Marlene and Lily danced until their feet were sore. Taking breaks from dancing every now and then, the girls would flit around the party. Hermione met up with the boys a few times since Peter had arrived. They filled her with drinks and laughs.
After a while, Remus and Hermione found themselves separating from the group being led by their noses to an exquisite smell emanating from the buffet table. Remus piled a plate high, but Hermione couldn't stomach a single bite, opting instead to stand by Remus and feast on the smells alone.
As the night dragged on, Hermione started to feel the exhaustion and alcohol getting to her. Remus departed, telling Hermione he would come pick her up the next day. Watching Remus leave, Hermione leaned into Sirius, clinging to his arm. She felt a little dizzy.
"You okay, Pup?"
"Tired, Sirius. I wanna go to bed." Sirius nodded. He nudged James beside him.
"I'm taking Hermione up." Everyone said their goodbyes to Hermione. James started to protest, but Lily silenced him, placing a hand on his arm.
"Come on, Pup. Let's get you upstairs."
Sirius took Hermione's hand and led her to the bottom of the stairs. Hermione looked up the staircase with wide eyes, stumbling backward in the process.
"S'too many. Too many steps." Sirius, already a few steps up, looked back at Hermione. He chuckled at her before stepping down to sweep her up into his arms. Hermione let out a squealing sound at the sudden movement but relaxed into Sirius. She closed her eyes as he climbed the stairs and made it to her bedroom.
He placed her on the edge of her bed and knelt before her.
"Let's get these off of you, okay?" Sirius lifted the hem of Hermione's dress to assess her shoe situation. "Okay… lots of straps. Too many straps. I don't know where to start."
"Sirius! My feet hurt." Hermione whimpered. Sirius patted her leg.
"I'm working on it, Pup," he mumbled as he finally wrenched away her left shoe. "Ah ha! Gotcha!"
When he finally got the right shoe off, Hermione suddenly got off her bed and ran to the closet. Sirius followed behind, but she shut the door in his face.
"Hermione? Pup? You okay?"
"I'm changing!"
Sirius laughed backing away from the door with his hands up. "Hear you loud and clear, Pup. I'll just be out here." He sat down on the bed and leaned back with his hands propped behind his head. The chandelier above his head twinkled as it caught stray moonlight. Sirius' eyes drooped once, twice, and then closed.
Muffled grumbling stirred him awake again. He blinked and headed back over to the closet.
"Pup? You okay in there?"
More grumbling.
"Pup?" Sirius looked around at the empty room. "Alright Pup, fair warning, I'm coming in."
Sirius creeped open the door, one hand over his eyes. Inching his fingers open, he peeked through. Hermione was lying on the floor still in her evening gown and looking up at Sirius with tired, content eyes.
"Oh, Pup, what are you doing?" Sirius smiled at her and knelt down to her level.
"Zipper's stuck," she pouted. She threw an arm back wildly as if to prove her point.
"Alright," Sirius patted his legs before rising to his feet. "Up and at 'em, Pup. Let's get you out of this dress."
Hermione rolled onto her back and raised her arms for Sirius to help her up. He grasped her hands tightly and pulled. Underestimating the amount of effort needed, Hermione surged forward in his chest. Sirius instinctively wrapped his arms around her to steady them. Hermione looked up into his eyes and then turned around. Taking another glance back at him, she swept her hair off to one side.
Sirius froze for a second, one hand raised toward her zipped. He breathed out and then started to pull. Sure enough it caught just stitches below the start. A brief moment of wiggling, however, and it was free. Sirius continued to pull the zipper.
It stopped just above the small of her back, the fabric already falling aside to expose her skin. Sirius ghosted his hands upwards until he reached her shoulders, patting Hermione once before stepping back.
"I'll just, uh, leave you to it then." He backed away from the closet and sat once more at the edge of the bed. Hermione emerged seconds later and crawled past Sirius into bed. Sirius stepped to her side, guiding her legs under the sheets before she settled in for good. He shifted on his feet awkwardly and turned to leave.
"Sirius," Hermione whispered. "Would you stay? At least for a while?"
"Course, Pup." Sirius pushed the chair by the vanity closer to Hermione's bed. He sat himself down, wincing a bit at the hard wood. Hermione watched him through one open eye.
"Why are you all the way over there?"
"Don't worry about me, Pup. Just being a gentleman."
"Pshh, you're always saying that." Hermione shifted over to the other side of the bed. She patted the space she had just vacated.
"Come on. The bed is plenty big enough. I don't want you to be uncomfortable." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Sirius."
Sirius sighed, beaten. He toed off his shoes and climbed in beside Hermione. Hermione smiled, readjusted her position, and closed her eyes. She relished in the warmth that was rolling off Sirius. She moved the arm closest to Sirius out toward him, holding her palm up. After a moment, a warm, worn hand filled hers, and she drifted off to sleep.
Strangely, no one seemed to notice that Sirius never returned to the party. Or if they did, no one questioned it. As more people started to leave, Peter parted, followed by Marlene. James had begged Lily to stay longer, but she appeased him with a kiss on the cheek. He had been so stunned he didn't even notice when she walked out the door.
And then it was only James. James' parents saw the last of their guests to the doors and then bid goodnight to their son.
Still in a bit of a daze from Lily's kiss, James stepped back into the ballroom and waved his wand to replay the song he and Lily had danced to. He sat down with his eyes closed, swaying along with the music. When the song finally ended, James rose to his feet and left the room, a dopey smile on his face.
A/N: *Give Me a Thousand Kisses