DISCLAIMER. None of the characters used are a creation of mine. They belong solely to JK Rowling.

AN: Thank you for your support, guys. For those of you who have been wondering when Harry is going to enter the mix, it wont be for the next 15 chapters or so. He appears in the later half of the story when the fight against Voldemort will really start to pick up. His character will be quite unexpected. I hope you will bear with me until then. :-)

-o-o-o-

It didn't come as a shock when Regulus Black was sorted into the rightful house of the snakes. What did shock Hermione was that Sirius had accepted it almost immediately. In fact he had come over to the Slytherin table after the feast had gotten over to wish his brother luck for his first year at Hogwarts.

She idly wondered when this faith in his brother would be broken for Sirius. Perhaps when Regulus joined the Death Eaters. She would never know now, would she? Her mission would ensure that Reggie never had to join Tom therefore sealing the two brothers' relationship as it already had been.

The first few months back at school had passed in relative peace. It was a far cry from her own second year when the Chamber of Secrets had opened. Attending a regular school really was a pleasant change.

Hermione had been putting final touches to her DADA essay which she had memorised from her first time around when she heard the furious whispering of three very agitated boys behind the aisle she was hidden at.

'These books are useless.' Peter mumbled. 'I wonder why Remus spends so much time in here anyway.'

James agreed, 'You're right mate. But how do we become Animagi now? We can't just walk up to Minnie and ask her, can we?'

Sirius said, 'We could get the Cloak tonight and look into the Restricted Section. There's got to be something in there.'

James said, 'But sneaking out without Remus would put him on edge.'

'Yeah especially now that he's going to be worrying everyday that we're going to leave him.'

Peter chimed in, 'Maybe we should write back home? I know we're not allowed to do this but surely nobody home would think we would actually require the book for becoming an Animagus. They would probably just think we are a bunch of overly curious blokes.'

Sirius laughed, 'That is out of the question, Pete. We can't risk anybody knowing about Remus' furry little problem.'

Hermione smiled to herself vowing she would have to help out. Who knew how long it would take them just to find suitable instructions. She remembered putting in a very useful book on Transfiguration in her beaded bag. She quietly plucked it out making sure there was nobody around.

Putting her bag back inside her cloak she looked at the book. Ron had been the one to suggest they take it along on their hunt. He had guessed Hermione would be bored one day eventually and would probably create a fuss over the boys so it would have better to stock enough books to keep her busy.

She rid herself of such gloomy thoughts and went over to the boys who quickly shut up as she approached them.

Hermione looked at them with an all too knowing glance which made the boys gulp.

They couldn't have messed it up so soon already.

Sirius cleared his throat, 'Yes? How may we help you?'

Hermione laughed, 'Shut it, Sirius. Everyone here knows you're no gentleman.'

He looked annoyed, 'I can be one when I want to. Besides its not like you'd warrant such gentlemanly behaviour in the first place.'

Hermione glared at him and chose to ignore his childish idiocy.

'Now that you boys have finally figured out about Remus' monthly visits and plan on to help the boy out, I figured I'd do a little bit on my part too '

The boys looked flabbergasted and terrified.

Peter cried out, 'You knew?! Since when?'

'I found out last year. He was particularly distraught over lying his friends.'

James complained, 'Why didn't you tell us? We could have been there for him all this time.'

'It wasn't my place to say anything.'

James nodded reluctantly. 'Well, how can you help us then?'

'I couldn't help but overhear your plans of becoming Animagi. It's a noble thing to do for your friend. Who came up with it?'

Sirius pointed at James, 'He was quick to connect the dots when he found out. But we can't find anything here that can help us.'

Hermione nodded and dropped the book in front of the boys. 'This should. It's a trusted source. You'll find the section on Animagus on page 587.'

Sirius looked apprehensive, 'Where did you find this?'

'It is my own copy and I'd be happy to lend it to you.'

Peter opened the book and read, 'Property of Hermione Gr..'

Hermione quickly vanished the text on the first page and glared at boys, 'None of your business.'

Sirius raised his brow but chose to keep quiet.

Peter moved to the mentioned page number and found a detailed explanation of properties of an Animagus, the process of becoming one, ingredients for the necessary potions and ways of reflecting in on yourself to find out what form you would assume.

James was overcome with emotions. He shuffled on his feet and hugged Hermione.

She was suddenly reminded of how Harry's hugs had always been the same. Warm and tight and full of raw emotion. She would go as far as saying they even felt the same. She put her arms around him with a little unsurity but pretended it was Harry and took solace in James' embrace sighing loudly to the mystification of the other two boys who watched them with wide eyes.

Sirius almost felt jealous. How long had it been that he had hugged his Hermione without any qualms?

'Thank you, Hermione. You may not be that bad after all.' James teased.

Hermione ignored his slur against her house and left the boys where they were. Her heart was in an overdrive.

Harry had felt so close.

-o-o-o-

Christmas holidays had come and gone. Hermione had once again devoted her time in the hidden library at the Lestrange Estate. Papa would sometimes join her. He chuckled at Hermione's choice to learn the art of flying without the use of a broom. He kept his reservations to himself. It wasn't as if a twelve year old could ever master the art.

If only he knew.

There had been no word from Rolf. The family seemed to be on edge, wondering what he was up to.

As Hermione rejoined school she saw less and less of her brother Rab who was always studying in the library for his NEWTS. This filled her with immense pride.

She would sometimes join him with her own homework. Sometimes she even made an effort to sit with Severus and Lily as they worked on their papers. And sometimes she would sit with Remus and enjoy his silent but steady company. He never questioned her odd choice of books and merely looked on with curiosity.

But Hermione still had no friends. Sje was once again a social pariah.

When in her common room she could only ever talk to Severus. But he would more often than not stay outside with Lily.

Tolerating her dormmates was too much of an effort and the boys in her year were far too pompous for their own good.

Reggie often talked to her for some time every day but he had also found his own little group of friends and Hermione couldn't hold it against him.

She simply brushed off her loneliness and focused all her energy into training herself. She was good, no doubt. She was very good in fact. She had fought in a war, after all.

But she would need to be better.

Last time around she had help from the bravest people but this time she would fight alone for as long as Harry stayed hidden from her.

She was hopeful still that he would find her or she would one day find him. She knew they would be reunited. But as much as she wanted to hold onto her hopes she couldn't help but feel a little out of place every time she looked around her.

Seeing James had started to become quite uncomfortable ever since they had hugged. Hermione realised it had been far too easy to pretend with him. Now her heart would keep begging her to seek him out and pretend just for a little while longer.

She had begun being reclusive much like she had when she had arrived in this time. She would often walk up to the Room of Requirement but never dared enter. When her task had been to hunt for the horcrux it had been easy to dispel any thoughts of wishing to see her home but now as she had no purpose for the coming year she couldn't force those thoughts out of her head. And she knew in her heart of hearts she wasn't ready to face the onslaught of the memories that would come along with the sight of her home, The Burrow.

Therefore she had found a new reprieve for herself. She had begun spending her evenings at the Astronomy Tower looking out over the Forbidden Forest which looked just the same as it had in her time till before the war.

The world could be a lonely place when nobody knew you.

-o-o-o-

Regulus had been trying to corner his brother for the last three weeks but he was always in the company of those bloody Marauders.

Honestly, they had went as far as naming themselves. How ridiculous.

When he was finally able to drag Sirius away to the school grounds Sirius grumbled, 'Reggie! You could have asked nicely and I'd have come.'

Reggie sneered, 'That hasn't worked for Hermione.'

Sirius had the decency to look guilty.

'She is lonely, you know? She doesn't really talk to anyone. Rab is busy too these days. Severus seems to be going in and out of the picture.'

Sirius shrugged, 'Well it's not like I'm her personal keeper or something.'

'No you're not. You're her friend. Or at least you used to be.'

'I don't know what to do, okay? I messed up. I want to apologize but I don't know how. And I know it is the stupidest thing in the world but I really like her. And what if she doesn't take me back? I've had enough people abandon me.'

Reggie knew how difficult it had been for Sirius to fess up. 'You really think so? You've been pulling pranks on her for the last two years and has she ever been hostile to you in return? She's never been anything but kind. Get your act together, brother. You're proving Mother right. She would want you to be a heartless git.'

Sirius looked away as if burned.