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

Hermione stood with Lily, watching Rab erect wards around the Evans property. Lily had very humbly requested the duo to visit only a week after the day at the treehouse.

Lily exclaimed, 'Thank you so much, Hermione. I read such terrifying news every day in the paper and it makes my skin crawl. I had contacted the Auror Department but you know what's it like with the government.'

Hermione nodded in sympathy, 'Don't worry. Rab was free this weekend. He was glad to be of help.'

Lily smiled at her friend. She led the two siblings inside after Rab had finished casting protective spells around the house.

Hermione watched in glee as Rab walked into the Muggle household. He almost seemed fearful of everything around him despite which his eyes seemed to bulge at every peculiar little thing like satiating a child's curiosity.

Rab shot her a dirty look as a hearty chuckle escaped her lips.

'I've cast some basic wards along with some Lestrange family spells too.' Rab said cordially. 'They should be able to hold off or at least warn me of any intruders. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.'

Lily nodded gravely, 'Thank you so much, Mr Lestrange. You have no idea how worried I had been.'

Hermione squeezed Lily's hand, 'Well, you can stop worrying now.'

Lily inquired, 'Would you like a cup of tea? Or some fresh juice? Mum and Dad won't be home till dusk what with my sister's wedding preparations but I could fix you something.'

Rab shook his head politely, 'You need not worry yourself. In fact if you are alone you might as well come along and have dinner with us tonight.'

'That's very kind of you, Mr Lestrange but I couldn't leave the house empty. Perhaps next time.'

He bowed curtly and turned to his sister, 'I shall wait outside for you, Mi.'

Hermione smiled and held her friend's hands as Rab left through the front door. 'Lily, if ever there is a need, write to me.'

'Well you could tell me what you did with your teeth. I wouldn't mind mending mine.'

Hermione winced internally. She had gotten up one day during the middle of the school year and had remained unaware of the sudden change in her body. But when Lily observed how something was different, it hadn't taken more than a minute for Hermione to realise that her body had adjusted itself to how it had looked at a given age. Her fourth year had been when Draco had cursed her leading to Madame Pomfrey correcting her enlarged teeth.

She had been horrified at the prospect of acquiring all her scars again but had decided she'd cross that particular bridge when she came to it. The scars yet to appear on her body would be quite the thing to explain.

Forcing her lips to lift into a smile, she muttered, 'I don't see anything to be mended. You are perfect, honestly. It should be a crime to have everything going for you.'

Hermione kissed Lily's cheek and left to find Rab.

The two Apparated away to the manor grounds and removing their cloaks, made their way inside.

Rab leaned against the door and watched as Hermione began to trudge up the stairs.

'Mi?', he called out.

She turned around and raised a brow, 'Yes?'

'Why don't you sit with me till Papa arrives?'

Hermione bit her lip and joined Rab in the library. She perused the shelves for something that might interest her. Reaching the section on Ancient Runes, she picked out what seemed like a children's story book.

She sighed. It would make for good practice on translation.

Rab had chosen a book on the wizarding world's changing economy and had settled into a settee, a goblet of the finest elvish wine in his hand.

When Hermione chose to seat herself on the floor, he regarded her with careful eyes. He saw the slight droop of her lips and the frown on her forehead.

'I've been seeing you, Mi. You've been upset this past week.'

Hermione gasped and looked up to see Rab staring down at her worriedly.

'Oh, it's nothing. You shouldn't concern yourself.' She added cheekily, 'Especially now that you have an entire empire to run.'

Rab chuckled goodnaturedly, 'That's besides the point. Does it have anything to do with Sirius having left without even saying goodbye to you the other day?'

Hermione cursed her stars and nodded reluctantly. There was no point hiding. Rab would figure it out eventually.

'I thought so.' He laughed, 'My sister's having boy trouble.'

She looked at him sharply and glared. 'So what if I am?'

'Why don't you tell me what happened and we can figure out something? Just tell me who's to blame.' He waggled his eyebrows, 'If he hurt you I can show him some of the skills I've acquired.'

Hermione smiled, 'Nah, he didn't hurt me. I think I did.'

Rab stayed silent, letting Hermione open up to him of her own accord.

'We may have shared a kiss. And then.. I might have.. run away.'

Rab winced, 'Perfect way to completely crash a bloke's ego.' He chuckled, 'But why would you run away? You've liked him for years!'

Hermione looked at him, shocked. She sputtered, 'What.. whatever do you mean? I haven't liked him for years.'

'You can lie to yourself but I'm not blind. Everyone can see the two of are you besotted with each other. It's rather funny actually. Even the old hag Walburga sees it. However, don't let Papa know.. he might love that boy but its still not entirely respectable for a pureblood lady to go around kissing boys.'

She scoffed, 'They are such archaic beliefs.' She paused, 'I didn't even have the opportunity to apologise. I can't be with him, Rab.'

He frowned, 'What's stopping you?

Hermione chose to keep her mouth shut.

He prodded, 'He will listen to you. If you're worried that he won't wish to speak with you again, you shouldn't be. I'm willing to bet he's just waiting for you to clear things up.'

Hermione laughed, 'This is so strange. You're giving me advice on a boy.'

Rab commented, 'Papa was almost ready to plan for a betrothal between you and the Oakswood boy. I had to intervene on your behalf and make him see how a certain Black heir may not feel very good about it.'

Hermione blushed and looked away.

'Perhaps you just need time.'

Time, Hermione thought bitterly. That is exactly what she had bargained for when coming to this life. But not so she could romance a boy.

She nodded, 'Perhaps that is what I shall ever need.'

*

Hermione had once again flooed to Hogsmeade and trudged up the long path to Hogwarts in her brother's company.

She had waited in the Great Hall for the rest of the students to arrive from the train station.

When the Hall was overcome with excited chatter, Hermione turned to Severus.

'How was your summer?'

Severus hummed, 'As good as it could be with my father back at home.'

She nodded at him with sympathy. 'No potions programme this time? You've been attending one every summer.'

Severus seemed to ponder over how much to reveal, 'I.. I don't think I can afford it anymore.'

'Why don't you apply for some scholarships? We're taking our OWLs this year. You could get into a correspondence programme with some good institute. They would cover your finances for the next three years with the promise of a brilliant addition to their student body.'

'I have been looking into some. I'm not entirely sure, however.'

'Well, whatever you choose I'm sure you'll make the best of it.'

Hermione had tried to find Sirius after the feast but had failed. She could see Peter exiting the Hall with Meadowes on his side, making their way towards the Gryffindor Tower.

'Peter!' She called out.

Peter stopped in his tracks and graced her with a huge smile.

'Hi, Hermione! How are you?'

'I'm well, thank you.' She even smiled timidly at the girl who merely looked away, displeasure at the colour of Hermione's robes quite clear on her face. 'Do you know where Sirius is?'

Peter frowned, 'Oh yes well Remus has been made a prefect so he's out for patrols. And since James is the new Quidditch Captain he couldn't quite contain his excitement and decided to hold a meeting right after the feast.'

Hermione chuckled.

'Sirius just tagged along with him.' He grumbled, 'Leaving me alone to fend off for myself.' He then looked at his girlfriend, 'However, I now have better company than I could ever hope for with the blokes.'

Hermione nodded and thanked him. 'Well, alright then. I'll see you tomorrow?'

Peter grinned and left, threading his fingers with those of Meadowes'.

Thoroughly disheartened by then, Hermione slowly walked down the stairs and into the cold dungeons. However long it had been, she still wasn't quite used to the dreariness of the Slytherin common room.

Greeting her housemates, she ran to her dormitories and grabbed a pair of her nightclothes.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror she was once again faced with her altered appearance.

Same brown eyes and the same bushy, yet a little more tamed, curly hair. But her teeth were different. They looked as they did in her past life.

Sighing, she stepped into the shower and let the water run over the knots of tension in her back.

She closed her eyes and rid her mind of any unbidden thoughts about Sirius. She wasn't here to chase after a boy. She would have to get over herself.

She was here to win a war.