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 Marauder's Era with four new best friends.

A/N: Updating again in the hopes I see someone talking about this on TikTok. Kidding, but also... In all seriousness, thanks to those sticking around. It may take time, but I'll always come back.

Chapter 54: Nec Temere Nec Timide*

1 July 1978

The Leaky Cauldron

It only occurred to Hermione seconds before she saw Ben that this would be her very first date. Her very first proper wine-and-dine date. The butterflies had returned in full force.

For his part, Ben was extremely gentlemanly and kind, and if he noticed she was shaking a little when he hugged her, he was kind enough to not mention it. They were seated in a table tucked in the corner which Hermione was thankful for. She hadn't recognized anyone on her way in, but for some reason she didn't want anyone to see her with Ben. She smiled at him as they sat down. There would be time to question that feeling later.

He was… sweet. And funny. And intelligent in that Ravenclaw way that made you excited and curious just listening to him. And the food was good, and the wine, too. And the night was nice.

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Nifflers? In the castle? Insanity." Ben's laugh was warm and light.

"I swear," Hermione said between breaths of laughter. "And the boys still won't tell me where they managed to get ahold of them anyway."

"That's amazing."

Their laughter died and Hermione flushed, realizing she'd been rambling on for a while. Ben sat back in his chair and sipped at his wine glass.

"Sorry, I feel like I've been talking this whole time."

"No, don't apologize." Ben's smile was genuine. "I find your stories of your friends fascinating."

"I do talk about them quite a bit, don't I?" She winced. A light flickered in Ben's eyes.

"It must be a wonderful thing to be loved by you."

Hermione froze, wine glass resting on her bottom lip. She looked away from Ben's heavy gaze. He'd been looking at her all night, but in this moment it felt as if he was trying to see within her, who she truly was.

"I find myself jealous already, isn't that strange?" Ben was whispering now, leaning forward on the table. He smiled as if he was teasing her, but there was a sadness in his voice. "The way you talk about them. It's so powerful, intoxicating almost. I find myself wishing I was amongst the few you hold so close to your heart."

"There's a 'but' coming, isn't there?" She asked. The butterflies had left for greener pastures long before the dessert course, and a twinge of sadness had found its way into her voice as well.

"And there's that Gryffindor bluntness," Ben laughed.

"But I'm right, right?" Hermione smiled, and then immediately frowned. "Unless—"

"No, no, don't worry." Ben placed his hand atop hers. "You are right, even though I—"

"Wish I wasn't. Me too." She took a sip of her wine and looked down at the table. They'd been there for hours now, just talking.

"I'll admit I was hoping for a spark or something. But hey, can't say we didn't try?"

"If only it were that easy."

"But where's the fun in that?" Ben held out his wine glass to clink glasses with Hermione. His smile was contagious. "Friends?"

"Friends." Hermione returned the smile before they both drained their glasses.

"Well," Ben clapped his hands together and stood from his chair. "I'm off to the bar to get us some shots and when I return we'll see which one of us is the most well-read."

Hermione's laughter followed in his wake.

2 July 1978

?

The noise that emitted from Hermione's throat was tragic.

Her head hurt. Her body hurt. Her mouth was too wet and too dry at the same time.

What time was it? What day was it? Where was she?

She searched her brain for a memory, an inkling, anything. The last thing she remembered was drinking with Ben at the Leaky Cauldron and getting rushed out with the closing crowd and then leaving with Ben. Ben…

Too afraid to open her eyes, Hermione tried to take stock of the situation. She was fully clothed under a soft blanket on a… couch?

"Rise and shine, Granger," a voice called. Hermione groaned again, but her eyes shot open as the enchanting scent of fresh coffee swam around her.

"Coffee? For me?" She pushed herself upright on the couch, taking in the room around her.

Ben's place, she assumed, as she took in the modestly decorated sitting room. Bits of memory floated through her head as she looked around at the stacks of books, framed pictures and trinkets that dotted the space. Excited debates over obscure topics, experimenting with cocktail recipes, truly awful renditions of ABBA's hits after Hermione recognized an album in Ben's collection, and laughter. Lots of laughter.

Ben sat down in the chair closest to her and held out a fresh cup of coffee and a vial of potion she recognized to be the sweet elixir of hangover relief. She managed to remember to utter out her thanks before downing the latter and beginning on the first. Ben chuckled as he sipped on his own mug.

"I had fun last night." His boyish smile was infectious.

"I did, too. I don't think I've laughed that much in ages." Strangely enough, a true statement.

"My cheeks are definitely a tinge sore this morning," Ben joked as he brought up a hand to prod at his face. "But well worth it, I think."

"Definitely."

After a second cup of coffee and a promise to write, Hermione left for Potter Manor, choosing to apparate to the grounds, not quite ready to face the residents just yet.

Hermione felt light and she truly had not stopped smiling. This new found friendship with Ben was something quite special. All of Hermione's past experiences in forming friendships were slow and at times dramatic, but with Ben it had been instantaneous. Hermione had never met someone who was just so much like her, on so many levels. It was nice and easy and refreshing and freeing. And Ben himself… Hermione didn't feel as if she needed to protect him or help him or frankly that he needed anything from her. He seemed to like her for who she was.

There was an inkling of regret that stained the moment, however. Ben was amazing. He was intelligent and kind and adventurous and funny. He listed to Hermione's stories, asked her questions, shared her interests. He was good looking and his smile desperately infectious. But there was just no romantic spark. No urge to cross the line of friendship. Thankfully, Ben felt the same way and they were more than happy to remain as friends, but Hermione wished—just for a moment—that it could've been easy.

But of course not, right? There was a war erupting around them. She had things to figure out and people to worry about. She didn't have time for a relationship, let alone with someone from this time, right? And sure, maybe some days she felt lonely and jealous looking at James and Lily, but that was natural. She would get over it and do what needed to be done. Like always. That was what she was meant to do. Right?

Hermione sighed to herself as she meandered back up to the house.

The Potter Residence

Sirius was pacing. Remus craned his neck to check whether a hole was growing in the floor under his feet. He chuckled.

"What's with the wait, Pads? I'm sure whatever your big surprise is, you can tell Hermione later."

"She's supposed to be here. She was supposed to be here hours ago." Sirius spoke through gritted teeth.

"Didn't Lily mention where she was? I'm sure it's something important."

Sirius collapsed in the chair next to Remus. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair and sighed, quite dramatically.

"She went out with Goldstein last night."

Remus sat up. His eyebrows raised. "And…"

"And she never came home." Sirius leaned back and closed his eyes. "She's been gone all night."

"Oh," Remus leaned toward Sirius. "Pads, I'm sorry."

"Whatever for, Moony," Sirius laughed darkly. "Not like I had a claim to her. Not like she knows how I felt, or feel, or whatever."

"Still," Remus looked painfully at his friend. "I'm sorry."

"I just—" Sirius started, but at that moment the doors to the sitting room opened.

"I'm so sorry," Hermione started as she swept in the room. "Bit of a rough start this morning and I completely forgot we'd planned on breakfast."

Remus chuckled as he stood to hug Hermione. "You're all right, don't worry." Hermione smiled brightly at him.

"Have you been waiting on me long?"

"Not long at all." Sirius smiled genuinely at the sight of Hermione. "But we do need to get a move on, er, reservation to keep and all that."

"Are you going to let us know where we're going or is that a surprise?" Remus asked.

"Oh, Moony," Sirius' smile melted into a wolfish grin. "Just you wait."

Sirius reached out and threw his arms around his friends, twisting them around until the tell-tale tug of apparition pulled them away.

The Shelter, Yorkshire

When Hermione opened her eyes, she was standing in a field. Hills rolled around the horizon and a little stone fence drew across her eyeline. A warm breeze teased her cheeks. Hermione turned around to find Remus and Sirius.

"I don't underst—" The words died on her lips.

Before them stood a cottage. A little two-story cottage with vines and ivy growing up the sides. A small table with rickety chairs was set up in the garden behind a gate leading up to the front door. It looked worn and old and loved and perfect. Hermione tore her eyes over to where Sirius stood with Remus slack-jawed behind him.

"Sirius, what is this place?" She sounded breathless.

Sirius' grin remained plastered on his face as his eyes twinkled. He pulled out his wand, gave it a flourish, and looked at Hermione as a sign materialized on the door.

The Shelter.

"This, Pup, is home."

A/N: *Neither Reckless, Nor Timid