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

AN:

SiriuslyPink, thank you for pointing out the errors in the last chapter to me. I've tried to do with it what I could and hope that it seems okay now. It is my first time writing anything and so I greatly appreciate your input. Thank you :-)

*

Hermione had been accompanied by Peter to Diagon Alley. The two had gotten together to shop for the school supplies together in the middle of August.

They were being escorted by Rab who had only just left for Gringotts. He'd be coming by to pick them up and Apparate them home in an hour's time.

Florian Fortescue's ice cream was as good as ever. Hermione sat slurping at a butterbeer flavoured one with Peter chattering away on her side.

'Now, of course personally I wouldn't mind myself a bird but they're always after the Quidditch players for some reason. It's so unfair that James gets all of them. And well Sirius being Sirius guarantees a line of them always ready at his command. Remus has mystery all around him. Girls are ready to fall at his feet but the poor bloke won't accept it.'

Hermione laughed at her friend's tirade. She had heard tales of how Sirius Black had been a flirt back in his day. She had expected it from the git too.

What she hadn't expected was the sudden burn she'd feel in her throat every time he winked at a girl or flew kisses at one.

'Well if it makes you feel better James never flirts with the girls however many may be following him around.'

'That's because he only has eyes for Lily. Doesn't change the fact he's popular and has options if he ever needs it.'

Hermione shook her head sadly, 'You should stop thinking about girls. I'm sure the right one will find you. And you're completely wrong, for the record. Because trust me there is the same number of girls fawning over you as any of your other friends.'

Peter whined, 'But then why won't Dorcas Meadowes even look at me?!'

Hermione chortled, 'Aha, this is the real problem! You don't want the girls fawning over you. You want Meadowes!'

'She likes some older bloke in ravenclaw.' He grumbled.

'You have four more years to woo your lady's heart, my friend. Maybe you can take pointers from James.'

She laughed at his disgusted face. 'Please, Prongsie and I are world's apart. He's lovestruck.'

'Prongsie?' They had begun using their names then.

Peter checked their surroundings and whispered, 'We were able to focus and mediate into seeing our forms. Came up with the nicknames then. Remus thinks they're just .. well meaningless. But as soon as we're finished, he'll understand.'

The pair was interrupted by a little girl giggling at their feet.

The girl had vibrant green hair and was no older than one. She was reaching her arms towards Hermione who had a very good feeling about who this young lady was.

Hermione cooed into the baby's ear as she picked her up.

'I do apologise for ruining your date.' Hermione looked up into the face of a young Andromeda Tonks. For lack of other words, she looked stunning. She was oozing royalty and had all the Black charms but also held an air of incredible kindness around her.

Peter pointed out, 'We are most certainly not on a date.' He got up and made place for Andromeda. 'Please take a seat, Miss. I can understand the woes of carrying a child through Diagon Alley all by myself. Had to deal with a very viavious three year old once. Babysitting.' He made a face.

Hermione politely stood up and introduced herself and Peter to the woman.

'Andromeda Tonks. Aren't you in Sirius' year? He has written to me of his friends. He's mentioned you a few times.'

Hermione blushed and nodded her head.

She looked into Tonks' eyes and her face lit up in a smile. Her hair kept changing colours. She was currently sporting her infamous bubblegum pink.

Peter took the little girl from her hands and commented, 'She's a Metamorphamagus.'

Andromeda sighed, 'Always a difficult task finding her when we're out shopping. You never know how to describe the girl if she gets lost. She's only just started walking. She keeps running off.'

Peter chortled, 'I wish she was a little older. Think of all the pranks we could pull if she was with us.' His eyes twinkled with mischief.

Andromeda laughed, 'She can be quite a handful. I must really thank you kids for taking her off my hands for a bit.'

Hermione smiled at her in sympathy.

*

As promised a year earlier by James, the Marauders had pooled into the Lestrange Manor to spend a day at their treehouse a week before the start of the new term.

Except there was no Lily Evans in sight.

Hermione teased, 'Are we not expecting someone, James?'

James grumbled, 'Perhaps next year.'

He was fussing over a chocolate frog an hour later, Lily pushed back in the crevices of his mind.

'I never get the card I want. I don't want another one of Dumbledore's. He's everywhere!'

Sirius was sprawled over the bed and grumbled, 'Stop your whining, Prongs. You promised fun. As dashing as your treehouse is I'm getting boooooored.' He said in a singsong voice.

Hermione butted in, 'When are you not? You're always so hyperactive, Sirius. You should try laying down low for a bit.'

Remus laughed out loud. 'He's such a git. You need a manual for Sirius Black. He just can't stay put. He goes through twenty different moods in a matter of an a day.'

Sirius complained, 'I am right here. Shut up, the two of you.' He looked at Peter, 'You up for a game of chess, mate?'

Peter who had been happily drinking his butterbeer got up and took the chessboard over the bed.

'You always lose.'

Sirius huffed, 'I do not.'

'You just don't like knowing there are things you're not good at.' Peter smirked.

James began fiddling with the wizarding radio. The treehouse was suddenly flooded with the sounds of a lovesong.

Sirius whistled, 'Come Moony, let's dance!'

He shuffled onto his feet and dragged Remus away to the middle of the floor and started traipsing aorund him. Remus laughed as he twirled him around.

Hermione watched and giggled softly as Peter grumbled about why James got to lead the pair.

'Because you'd make a pretty bird, Pete.' he blew a kiss at him and laughed.

Here they were. The Marauders. Untainted by the clutches of war.

*

Another week passed and before she knew it she was on her way to start her fourth year at Hogwarts. Again.

It was the morning of September first and yet Hermione was still inside her home, sipping her tea. Instead of taking the Hogwarts Express, she would be flooing into Slughorn's office with special permission.

That's how she would be traveling in the near future.

She looked up as Papa entered with Rab. Papa had greatly improved in his health over the last year and was once again looking a healthy man.

'I don't understand. How dare he?!' Papa was fuming. 'Threaten his own blood? I raised him better.'

Rab took a drag from his cigar and sighed as he sat in front of Hermione. 'I truly am sorry, 'Mi. You're going to have to be very careful this year. Rolf is an incredibly unpredictable man especially so now.'

Hermione nodded gravely. She understood all too well. Better than Rab ever would.

Papa stood beside the window, 'I do not wish to rescind your permission slip to Hogsmeade, child. But I have to be careful. I.. I can't let you be at unncessary risk.'

Hermione complained, 'Papa, he would never dare try anything while at Hogsmeade. The Dark Lord himself is terrified of only one man in the world and that's Dumbledore. Rodolphus would never try to harm me while Dumbledore's there.

Although Hermione would be fooling herself if she truly believed in such ideas.

Papa seemed to ponder over it. 'It is too much of a risk. I can't. You have to understand.'

Rab interrupted, 'People will start to notice. So far we have managed to keep the entire affair wrapped up.'

'I won't visit if that's what you want, Papa. If it makes you feel safer then I mustn't leave the castle.'

Hermione had other ways after all.

'I know it's going to cause you great discomfort but we live in terrible times. The Dark Lord is getting stronger by the day. He knows no limits. The rumors that I have heard about him makes me doubt if he's even a man.'

Hermione used to wonder the same thing before. Voldemort was never a man. He had always been a power-thirsty leech.

Papa summoned an old, intricately designed wooden box which he took in his hands with reverance.

He opened the lid and peered into its contents.

'These are one of the oldest Lestrange family heirlooms.'

He revealed the contents to the pair. Inside rested a handsome emerald ring studded in a gold band that wrapped around it like vines of a tree. Beside it was a simple gold chain with an emerald set deep into the grove of similar vines.

With tender hands he presented the ring to Rab and latched the chain around Hermione's neck.

She felt the steady heat emanating from it and nothing of the weight she may have expected from such a treasure.

'The stone is enchanted. It has charms and protections that nobody in this time could even begin to comprehend.' Papa explained, 'This is very ancient magic activated by blood. It senses your emotions and the danger around you. It will protect you from some common dark curses. Remember, it shan't make you invincible. But it will help.'

Rab frowned, 'Is this the set Father always spoke about? The one designed by Morgana herself.'

Papa smiled, 'Yes, you're quite right.'

Hermione felt a strange emotion surge through her. To be wearing of such historical importance was a feeling she'd never felt before.

'It will ward off danger only to a certain extent. It will also help if someday you require a speedy exit from a tight spot. But you must know that it only works if your heart is pure. It has never been known to aid a treacherous soul.'