The last day at Potter Manor seemed to pass in a blur. The sun dipped below the horizon before any of them were ready, and soon the comfortable, festive atmosphere gave way to the hurried scramble of packing up their things. Hermione found herself glancing out the window at the snow-covered grounds, already missing the warmth of the Potters' home. They gathered their belongings, and the next morning, with a reluctant goodbye, Monty and Effie escorted them to King's Cross by Floo.
At the station, Peter joined them, bright-eyed and full of chatter about his own holiday, though he quickly quieted down when he noticed the more subdued mood among the others. Just as they were about to board the train, Sirius suddenly froze, his entire posture tensing. Hermione followed his line of sight and saw the Blacks—a stern, imposing Walburga and a scowling Orion—depositing Regulus onto the platform. Regulus looked smaller and more vulnerable than she remembered, his dark eyes darting nervously towards Sirius before quickly looking away.
Without a word, Sirius turned and boarded the train, his expression shuttered and cold, clearly retreating behind walls he had built long ago. Hermione felt a pang of sympathy but knew better than to push. Sometimes, it was best to give Sirius his space.
As they moved towards their usual compartment near the back of the train, Hermione's heart sank when she spotted a familiar head of red hair in the distance—Lily Evans. The pit in her stomach churned as she held her breath, waiting to see what James would do. She wasn't entirely sure what she was expecting, or even hoping for, but the moment James spotted Lily, it was as if the boy she had witnessed over the holidays vanished completely.
His posture straightened, his eyes lit up with excitement, and he ran a hand through his perpetually messy hair—a telltale sign that he was preparing to launch into his usual routine. With an exaggerated flourish, he practically cornered Lily against the corridor wall, his confidence turning into something that bordered on arrogance.
"Hey, Evans," he said with a grin, his tone far too self-assured. "Miss me over the holidays?"
Lily's eyes narrowed in response, her grip tightening around the strap of her bag. Her wand was out before James could say another word, and with a flick of her wrist, she sent a mild jinx that made his hair stand on end, even wilder than usual. If she hadn't hexed him, Hermione was pretty sure she would have.
Hermione groaned inwardly, torn between second-hand embarrassment and frustration. How was it possible for someone to be so utterly charming one moment and then so insufferable the next? She rolled her eyes, pushing past James without a second glance. He was too preoccupied with recovering from the hex to notice her leaving.
Remus appeared beside her a second later, his hand catching hers as he tugged her back. "Where are you going?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Hermione blinked, realising she had stormed right past their compartment in her irritation. "I don't know," she muttered. "Anywhere but here."
"Come on," he said, guiding her back down the corridor. "Let's just get settled. We can ignore James's antics from the safety of our compartment."
She allowed him to pull her along, feeling a rush of warmth at his presence. Remus always seemed to have a way of grounding her, a calm amid the chaos of their group. He opened the compartment door and ushered her inside, the familiar space already feeling like a sanctuary.
Sirius was already there, sprawled out across one of the seats with a dark expression clouding his features. Peter had taken a seat by the window, nervously glancing at Sirius but saying nothing. Hermione slid into the seat beside Remus, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the door as if James might burst in any second to continue his cringe-worthy flirtation.
"Lily hexed him again, didn't she?" Sirius said flatly, not even bothering to lift his head.
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh. "Of course she did. He practically asked for it. Why does he keep doing that? He can be so... so smart sometimes, and then the moment he sees her, it's like his brain stops functioning!"
Remus chuckled softly beside her, leaning back against the seat. "He's got it bad, I suppose. But you're right. He can be his own worst enemy when it comes to Lily."
Sirius snorted. "It's not like Evans gives him a reason to think it'll work. You'd think he'd learn by now."
"Yeah, well," Hermione muttered, her anger cooling into exasperation, "he's not the only one who's stubborn."
They sat in silence for a moment, the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks filling the compartment. Hermione leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, willing the tension to drain out of her. She'd deal with James's ridiculousness later. Right now, she was just grateful to be surrounded by friends who didn't make her want to pull her hair out.
A few minutes later, the compartment door slid open, and James stepped inside, his hair still sticking up wildly from the hex. He flopped down beside Sirius with a huff, trying and failing to look nonchalant.
"Don't say a word," he warned, pointing a finger at each of them.
Remus raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wasn't going to say anything."
Hermione gave him a pointed look, her lips twitching in barely-contained amusement. "You really make it hard to defend you sometimes, James."
James's eyes flickered to her, a hint of vulnerability behind his usual bravado. "I don't need defending," he said, but there was no heat in his voice. It was almost... defeated.
Sirius clapped a hand on his shoulder, his earlier moodiness slipping away. "Oh, don't worry, mate. There's always the next term to impress Evans. We'll come up with something brilliant, just you wait."
Hermione groaned again, burying her face in her hands. "I give up. You're hopeless, all of you."
Peter chuckled from his corner, and Remus smiled softly, nudging her shoulder with his. "Welcome back to Hogwarts," he said, his tone light and teasing.
Instead of engaging in their nonsense, Hermione reached into her bag, pulled out a book, and began to read, determined to tune out the boyish banter and residual awkwardness lingering in the compartment. Normally, Sirius would have protested, teasing her for retreating into her beloved books instead of joining in. But today, Sirius seemed preoccupied, staring out the window with a moody expression, his usual spark dimmed. Whatever had passed silently between him and the Blacks on the platform was clearly weighing on him.
James, too, had lapsed into an uncharacteristic silence, picking at a loose thread on his sleeve while Peter, sensing the shift in mood, kept his gaze focused on the passing countryside, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
Hermione was just beginning to lose herself in the words on the page when she felt a gentle nudge against her side. She glanced up to find Remus giving her a soft, encouraging smile. Without a word, he lifted his arm, inviting her to move closer. She hesitated only a moment before accepting the unspoken invitation, scooting closer until she could lean against his side, her head resting against his shoulder.
He seemed to relax as soon as she did, letting out a soft sigh and resting his cheek against her hair. The comfort of his presence settled around her, and she found herself feeling strangely content despite the tension hanging in the air.
The book in her hands was familiar—an old favourite she'd read countless times, but somehow, nestled beside Remus, the words seemed to hold new warmth. His body heat seeped into her, and the steady rise and fall of his breathing grounded her in a way she hadn't expected. She shifted slightly to get more comfortable, and Remus's arm wrapped loosely around her shoulders, pulling her closer in a gesture that was both protective and unassuming.
Across from them, Sirius spared them a glance, his eyes lingering for a moment on the way Hermione's hand rested lightly on the open page. His lips twitched, but whatever teasing remark he might have made died before it reached his tongue. He turned back to the window with a heavy sigh, resting his chin on his palm.
"Still brooding, Sirius?" Remus asked softly, not lifting his cheek from Hermione's hair. There was no mockery in his tone, only genuine concern.
Sirius shrugged, his gaze still fixed on the blur of trees and snow outside. "Just thinking," he muttered, his voice flat.
Hermione felt Remus shift slightly beside her, his posture softening with sympathy. "You know," he said gently, "it's okay to talk about it. You don't have to keep it all bottled up."
Sirius's jaw tightened, and he didn't respond. James, who had been pretending not to listen, suddenly straightened, reaching across the compartment to give Sirius's knee a firm squeeze. "Yeah, we're here if you need us," he said, his tone unusually serious.
Hermione watched as Sirius's tense shoulders seemed to loosen just a fraction, and he nodded almost imperceptibly. "Maybe later," he said finally, his voice thick with emotion.
An unspoken understanding passed between them, and the compartment fell back into a comfortable silence. Hermione returned to her book, feeling the weight of the moment settle deep within her chest. This—this quiet, unguarded closeness—was what made their friendship so special. It wasn't just about the pranks, the laughs, or the secrets they shared; it was about the way they leaned on each other when everything else felt heavy and uncertain.
Remus's fingers traced absent patterns on her arm as she read, his touch gentle and reassuring. Hermione didn't mind the interruption—it was a simple, wordless gesture that reminded her she wasn't alone.
She looked up at Remus and gave him a small, grateful smile. He returned it with a quiet nod, and they settled back into a companionable silence, the sounds of the train carrying them home to Hogwarts, their sanctuary of sorts.
Even Sirius's silence didn't feel so heavy now, with the knowledge that they were all in this together, that whatever shadows hung over their heads, they'd face them side by side.
"Hey," James said suddenly, breaking the quiet. "What's the book, anyway? Anything we should worry about?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "Just some light reading, Potter," she said with mock seriousness. "Nothing dangerous, I promise."
"Shame," Sirius muttered, his voice lighter now, though there was still a shadow in his eyes. "I could use a bit of danger to spice up the journey."
"Somehow," Hermione replied dryly, leaning a bit more heavily against Remus's side, "I don't think you're ready for what I consider dangerous."
Sirius's lips quirked upward into a ghost of his usual grin, and even James chuckled, the earlier tension easing just a little.
As they made their way into the Great Hall for dinner, the buzz of returning students filled the air, everyone excited to catch up after the holidays. Hermione barely had time to orient herself when Lily Evans stepped up to her side, looping an arm through hers with a bright smile. "You're sitting with us tonight," Lily declared, not leaving any room for debate.
Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, James caught her arm, pulling her gently to the side. She gave Lily a quick nod, mouthing, "I'll be there in a moment." Lily raised a curious eyebrow but shrugged and went on to join Marlene and the other girls at their usual spot.
Hermione turned to James, who wore his usual, charmingly boyish grin, but there was an edge of nervousness in his eyes. "Reconnaissance, Kitten," he said, as if it were a familiar and comfortable routine they were slipping into once again.
But Hermione was exhausted—exhausted with the back-and-forth, the constant strategising, and the frustrating pattern of James's behaviour. Her expression hardened. "I'm done with this, James," she said flatly, crossing her arms.
"What?" James looked genuinely bewildered, his grin fading into a puzzled frown.
"I've told you everything," she continued, her voice firm but not unkind. "Everything you need to do to get through to her. If you can't follow through, that's on you—not me. I'm done with this topic, got me? You're on your own."
It was as if she had slapped him. The surprise flickered in his eyes, and his shoulders slumped ever so slightly. He gave her a stiff nod, his face falling, and it was all Hermione could do not to reach out and take it back. But she knew this needed to be said—needed to be done.
With a last, lingering look, she turned on her heel and made her way over to the girls' side of the table, forcing a bright smile as she joined them. They welcomed her eagerly, sliding over to make room and immediately launching into a lively conversation about the holidays. It was almost enough to distract her from the heavy feeling in her chest.
"How come you came back on the train?" Mary asked, leaning forward with interest. "I thought you and Remus were staying the whole time?"
"Yeah," Marlene added, nudging her with a knowing look. "We all saw the two of you looking cosy at the beginning of break. Don't think we didn't notice."
Hermione let out a light laugh, her smile softening with sincerity. "Remus and I are just very, very good friends," she said, glancing down the Gryffindor table to where the boys were settling in. Remus caught her eye and gave her a small, understanding nod, making her heart lighten a fraction. "The best of friends, actually."
"Really?" Lily asked, her brow furrowed with genuine curiosity. "I mean, the way you two are... it just seems like there's something more."
"Nope," Hermione said with a shake of her head. "We're like family. Trust me, there's nothing romantic there." She meant it, too, every word, and she hoped that saying it aloud would make it sink in for everyone else as well.
Marlene gave her a playful nudge. "Well, if it's not Remus, who's caught your eye then? Someone's got to have a crush on our dear 'Kitten' by now. Especially with half the boys calling you by that endearment."
Hermione's smile wavered for a fraction of a second, and she quickly ducked her head to avoid the piercing looks from the other girls. She had a flash of James's disappointed face, the way his expression had crumpled at her words, and she pushed it aside with a forced laugh. "No one," she said, a little too quickly. "I'm too busy with classes and studying to worry about all that."
"Right," Lily said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Of course, you are. But... if you ever want to talk about it, you know where to find us."
"Thanks, Lily," Hermione said, feeling a genuine warmth at the offer. She knew the girls meant well, even if their curiosity occasionally bordered on prying.
The conversation turned to more casual topics—winter break adventures, who had surprisingly grown over the holidays despite its shortness, and the usual gossip that Hermione found oddly comforting. It was good to be back at Hogwarts, in the swirl of familiar chatter and friendly faces, even if the unresolved tension with James lingered like a shadow in the back of her mind.
As the chatter flowed around her, Hermione felt a strange sense of relief. For once, she wasn't caught in the middle of someone else's drama. She had drawn a line, set a boundary, and now it was up to James to decide what to do with it.
She stole a glance toward the boys again, where James was laughing—albeit a bit half-heartedly—at something Sirius had said. Whatever happened next, it wasn't her problem anymore.
Sneaking away to do the Animagus incantation at the right moment was getting harder with each passing day. Hermione had developed a reliable excuse—she always had to use the bathroom at sundown, and so far, Remus hadn't questioned it. Sunrise was easier; the girls in her dorm didn't care when she woke up, as long as she didn't make too much noise. But one evening, as she was getting ready to slip away for the evening ritual, her wand, which lay on the table between her and Remus, went off with the alarm she had set.
Remus raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from the softly glowing wand to Hermione's face. "What's that for?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Panic fluttered in her chest, but she managed to keep her voice steady. "Oh, it's just... I'm brewing a time-sensitive potion that I need to check on," she said, standing up and hoping her expression was convincing.
Remus looked doubtful and started to rise from his seat. "In the dungeons? I'll come with you. It's not safe to be down there alone."
Her heart skipped a beat. "No!" she said, a bit too quickly. "I mean... no, it's fine. It's just a quick check. I'll be back in a couple of minutes, promise."
He studied her for a long moment, and she held her breath. "Alright," he said slowly, sitting back down. "Be careful, though."
Hermione gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile and left, her nerves jangling. She rushed to the lavatory where she'd been sneaking off to perform the incantation each night, completing it with a trembling hand before exiting—only to find Remus leaning against the wall just outside the door.
"Brewing in the girls' loo?" he asked, one eyebrow raised and his arms crossed over his chest. It was clear from his tone he wasn't buying her excuse.
Her mind raced, and then she remembered something from her second year. "I'll have you know," she said, straightening her spine, "that I've brewed Polyjuice Potion in the loo before. It's perfectly doable."
Remus's eyes widened slightly with interest. "Is that what's going on here? You're brewing Polyjuice Potion?"
"No," she said, letting out a long sigh and silently thanking the universe for her current situation. "But you should know better than to ask a girl what's going on during... you know, that time of the month."
His face turned a shade pinker, and he backtracked immediately. "Oh—sorry! I didn't—yeah, that's fair. My bad."
She forced a laugh to make light of the situation, hoping he'd drop it. "Come on," she said, brushing past him. "Let's go back to the Tower. I'm done here."
As they walked together, the awkwardness dissipated slightly, but Remus, ever the curious one, circled back to her earlier comment. "So... you're saying you actually know how to brew Polyjuice Potion?"
Hermione felt a small smile tug at her lips, enjoying the one topic she could be open about. "Yes," she said simply.
Remus's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, I'm telling the others."
"No, you're not!" she said, but her protest fell on deaf ears.
The moment they got back to the common room, Remus made a beeline for the Marauders, who were lounging around the fireplace, and relayed Hermione's brewing skills with exaggerated enthusiasm. She groaned inwardly as James's face lit up with excitement.
"Wait, what? You can make Polyjuice?" James asked, his eyes wide with fascination.
"Think of the possibilities!" Sirius said, his voice low with excitement, leaning forward as if they were sharing a great conspiracy. "We could impersonate teachers, prank Slytherins... the opportunities are endless!"
"No, we are not doing that," Hermione said firmly, feeling like a parent who had to rein in overly excited children.
But James's mind was already racing. "Oh, come on, Hermione! It's brilliant! You could help us pull off the best pranks in Hogwarts history. I mean... you've done it before, right? You know how useful it can be!"
Hermione's heart sank. She had a feeling this was the start of something she might regret. "It's not that simple," she tried to argue. "It's a really complicated potion. It takes a month to brew, and it's risky. If you mess up any of the ingredients—"
"Which is why you'll do it right," Sirius interrupted, grinning like a cat that had just caught a mouse. "You're our resident potion expert, Kitten. We trust you."
Hermione sighed, glancing at Remus, who looked more amused than guilty for having spilled the beans. "I'll think about it," she said finally, knowing she was likely to lose this battle.
"That's our girl!" Sirius cheered, throwing his arm around her shoulder. James looked like Christmas had come early, and Peter was already mumbling something about potential ingredient sources.
Hermione rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile. Deep down, she was a little touched. They trusted her with their mad schemes, and she knew, despite everything, that they counted on her to be the voice of reason in their chaos—even if they didn't always listen.
The boys didn't back down from her brewing Polyjuice for them, so she made a deal: if they wanted it, they would have to get all the ingredients themselves. Legally. No more sneaking into professors' private stores on her behalf. Slughorn was a lot easier to deal with than Snape had been in her day, but she had enough of stealing potion supplies to last a lifetime. They reluctantly agreed, and soon they were all back in Myrtle's bathroom, a spot Hermione had chosen for the potion brewing. It wasn't the most pleasant of locations, but it was discreet, and Myrtle was usually more than willing to keep a secret if you were nice to her.
Sirius glanced around the dingy bathroom with a wrinkled nose. "Are you sure no one comes here?" he asked, clearly uncomfortable. "I mean, we know this is Moaning Myrtle's haunt, but still..."
Hermione shot him a warning look. "Don't call her that if you want to stay on her good side," she said, her tone firm. She was unpacking the cauldron, setting it carefully on the grimy tiles. "Besides, no one uses this bathroom. That's why it's perfect."
Remus, who had been peeking nervously at the stalls, turned back to her. "Since when did you have time to befriend ghosts, Hermione?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Sirius's eyes narrowed in on her with a wicked grin. "Yeah, when did that happen, Mione?" he teased, emphasising the nickname.
She stiffened, turning sharply to glare at him. "Don't call me that," she said with narrowed eyes. "I barely tolerate your 'Kitten' nickname as it is."
Sirius threw up his hands in mock surrender, but there was a mischievous glint in his eye. "Alright, alright," he said, clearly enjoying her irritation. "Kitten it is, then."
James leaned over to inspect the cauldron she was setting up. "So... how long does this take again?" he asked, peeking inside.
"A month," she replied, taking out the instructions she'd meticulously copied down. "Assuming everything goes smoothly."
"A whole month," Peter echoed, his eyes widening. "And if something goes wrong?"
Hermione shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Then we'll have a very, very unpleasant time. Trust me, you don't want to see what happens when this potion is brewed incorrectly."
Sirius grinned, clearly undeterred. "Oh, but that's half the fun, isn't it? Besides, we've got you, Kitten. You won't let us mess it up."
Hermione rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile despite herself. "I'll do my best," she said, "but it's on you to get the ingredients right. The boomslang skin, the lacewing flies, everything. And they need to be fresh, so don't get any funny ideas about short-cuts."
"Got it," James said, nodding seriously. He and Remus exchanged a look that spoke of determination, while Peter shuffled his feet nervously beside them.
Just then, a faint sound echoed from one of the stalls—a giggle, soft and eerie. The boys tensed immediately, and Hermione barely held back a chuckle. "Myrtle?" she called, her voice gentle. "We're not bothering you, are we?"
The ghostly figure of Myrtle floated out from one of the far stalls, her eyes wide and a bit watery. "Oh, it's you," she said, her voice tinged with surprise. Hermione was glad that she took the time to reacquaint herself with the ghost in this time as well. "And you've brought boys with you this time. How... interesting."
Sirius's eyes went even wider. "Bloody hell," he muttered, taking a step back. "She's real."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course she's real, Sirius. Myrtle, these are my friends. We'll be brewing a potion here for a while, if that's okay."
Myrtle floated closer, her transparent face lighting up. "Friends?" she echoed, almost gleefully. "Well, as long as they don't make fun of me, I suppose it's alright."
Remus, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward. "We'd never make fun of you, Myrtle," he said kindly. "We really appreciate you letting us use your space."
The ghost girl blushed—well, as much as a ghost could—and gave Remus a bashful smile. "Alright, then," she said, floating away to hover above the sink. "I'll just... watch."
James gave a hesitant nod, visibly unsure how to handle a friendly ghost, while Sirius's expression shifted from uncertainty to amusement. "Alright, then," he said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get started."
Hermione suppressed a laugh at Sirius's newfound boldness. She busied herself by lighting a small flame beneath the cauldron, letting it slowly heat up. "Right," she said, her tone suddenly all-business. "Step one: we need to add the lacewing flies to stew for twenty-one days. We'll go from there."
As they settled into their roles—Hermione directing, Remus double-checking each step, and James and Sirius fetching whatever was needed—Myrtle watched from her perch, occasionally commenting with a giggle or a sigh. Peter, for his part, kept a nervous eye on the door, as if expecting a teacher to burst in at any moment.
"So," Sirius said as he dropped a handful of lacewing flies into the bubbling potion, "if this works, we'll be able to become anyone?"
Hermione gave a tight smile. "Yes. But remember, it's not for fun. This potion is dangerous if used irresponsibly."
James smirked. "Oh, don't worry. We'll be very responsible."
Hermione shot him a doubtful look, but a part of her couldn't help feeling a thrill at being part of the Marauders' mischief. "Alright," she said, turning her attention back to the cauldron, "let's just make sure we do this right."
As the potion began to emit a faint, earthy smell, the atmosphere in the bathroom shifted, a mix of excitement, caution, and camaraderie hanging in the air. They were in this together now—committed to a month of secrecy, careful brewing, and the promise of something truly extraordinary if they succeeded.
Hermione had just finished checking on the Polyjuice potion one night when things took a sudden turn. Stepping out of the bathroom, she barely made it around the corner when she found herself face-to-face with three sixth-year Slytherins, smirking at her with a predatory gleam in their eyes.
"Well, look who it is," sneered the tallest one, a lanky boy with sharp features and a superior grin. His two friends flanked him, looking just as eager for a fight.
Hermione's wand was in her hand in an instant. Sure, Remus had been giving her some duelling lessons, and she was getting better, but three older students at once was not a situation she'd ever prepared for.
She barely had time to brace herself before spells started flying. "Expelliarmus!" she shouted, managing to disarm the first boy, but the other two were already launching curses her way. She deflected one with a hastily cast Shield Charm, but the second one slipped through, sending her stumbling back.
"You think you're so clever, don't you, little Gryffindor?" one of the girls taunted, her voice dripping with malice. "Let's see how smart you are after this."
Hermione gritted her teeth and shot back a Stunner that narrowly missed the girl, and for a few frantic moments, it felt like she might actually be holding her own. But just as she began to hope she could at least escape, a bright red hex hit her square in the jaw, sending a painful jolt through her teeth.
She fell to the ground, clutching her face, as a strange sensation overtook her mouth. Her front teeth were growing, stretching down over her bottom lip at an alarming speed. The Slytherins burst into raucous laughter, one of them doubling over and slapping his knee as they watched her struggle.
"Guess you're not so pretty now, are you?" one of them jeered before they turned and walked away, their mocking laughter echoing down the empty corridor.
Fighting back tears of frustration and pain, Hermione forced herself to stand, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't want to cry—not now, not after everything she'd been through. Ignoring the burning in her eyes, she made her way up to the Hospital Wing, each step a painful reminder of how vulnerable she'd felt.
Madam Pomfrey was already bustling around when Hermione stumbled inside, and the matron's eyes widened at the sight of her. "Good heavens, child! What happened?"
"Hexed," Hermione managed to mumble, pointing to her unnaturally large teeth. "Can you... fix it?"
The matron's expression softened with sympathy, and she guided Hermione to a bed, gently coaxing her to sit down. "Oh, don't worry, dear. We'll have you sorted out in no time."
A few murmured incantations later, Madam Pomfrey was reversing the hex, carefully shrinking Hermione's teeth back to their original size. Hermione watched as they grew smaller and smaller, nearing the familiar shape she had known her whole life. But just as they were about to revert fully to her slightly buck-toothed grin, she hesitated, holding back the word that would have stopped the shrinking spell.
She waited a fraction of a second longer. Then, as her teeth reached a more even, proportional size, she finally said, "Stop."
Madam Pomfrey ended the spell, not noticing the slight adjustment, and stepped back with a satisfied nod. "There we go, all fixed," she said with a smile. Hermione touched her front teeth gently, feeling the smoother, slightly more refined line. They were smaller, more even—perfectly normal.
"Thank you," Hermione said, her voice a little shaky, but steady. There was a strange sense of relief, almost as if she had shed a tiny weight she didn't even know she was carrying.
She was still getting used to the change when the door to the Hospital Wing burst open, and in came James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, their faces a mix of worry and fury. James looked like he wanted to hex something—anything.
"We heard some Slytherins bragging about getting you," Sirius said, his voice dark with anger. His eyes softened when he saw her sitting there, still looking dazed but unharmed. "Kitten, what the hell happened?"
Hermione managed a weak smile. "Ran into a bit of trouble on my way back," she said, trying to keep her tone light even though her hands were still shaking.
"More than a bit," Remus said, his eyes narrowing as he sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. He looked her over, searching for any other injuries. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she assured him, squeezing his hand back. "Really. Madam Pomfrey fixed everything."
"Everything," James repeated, his eyes flicking to her mouth. He blinked, doing a double-take. "Hang on... did something change?"
Hermione flushed slightly. "Nothing important," she said quickly, not wanting to make a big deal of it. "They just hit me with a teeth-growing hex, that's all. Pomfrey reversed it."
Sirius's jaw tightened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "Who was it?" he demanded. "Give us names. I'll make sure they regret it."
"No," Hermione said firmly, feeling a surge of protectiveness. The last thing she wanted was for them to get into more trouble on her behalf. "Just... leave it, okay? It's not worth it."
But the look in the boys' eyes told her that they weren't about to just let this go. James clenched his fists, his jaw set in a hard line, while Remus's expression was cold and unreadable, his gaze fixed on some point far behind her.
Peter, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke up, his voice shaky. "They shouldn't have done that to you," he said, his eyes wide and serious. "It's not right."
Hermione's heart softened, and she gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be okay, Peter," she said gently. "I promise."
There was a long moment of silence as they all stood there, the tension in the room heavy and electric. Finally, Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat pointedly, and the boys backed off a step, though it was clear they weren't done being angry.
"Alright," she said, her voice brisk as she turned to Hermione. "You're free to go, but take it easy. And if there's any more trouble, you come straight to me, understood?"
Hermione nodded, sliding off the bed and gathering her things. As they left the Hospital Wing, Sirius slung an arm over her shoulder protectively, his grip surprisingly gentle.
"We've got your back, Kitten," he said, his voice unusually soft.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through her chest. "I know," she said, and for the first time since the encounter, she truly believed it.
As they made their way back to the Gryffindor Tower, the Marauders were relentless in their questions, throwing every guess and theory at Hermione to try and piece together what had happened. But Hermione remained firm, only admitting that it had been three older Slytherins who cornered her, nothing more. She pleaded with them not to make it into a huge ordeal.
"Don't make a big deal out of it," she said firmly, her eyes imploring them. "I handled it, and it's over. Please, just let it go."
Sirius, however, looked far from convinced, his jaw set and his eyes dark with anger. "Over? It's not over until we've taught those Slytherins a lesson they'll never forget," he said, already plotting something undoubtedly elaborate. "I swear, they won't even know what hit them—"
"Don't!" Hermione interrupted, her voice sharper than she intended. She sighed, softening her tone. "Just... don't. It'll only make things worse."
Remus, always the voice of reason, gave her a supportive smile, clearly impressed. "Honestly, Hermione, I'm amazed you got away with just a single hex," he said. "Three sixth-year Slytherins? That's no small feat. Can you tell us exactly what happened?"
"Yeah, did you get any good shots in?" Sirius asked, his eyes gleaming with something between admiration and vengeance.
Hermione shook her head. "Nothing spectacular," she muttered. "I just managed to hold my own until they got bored and left. It wasn't a big deal."
Back in the common room, the boys kept eyeing her, clearly trying to see if they could uncover any hidden injuries. She tried to sit down and act normal, but the scrutiny was intense. James, in particular, looked puzzled, his eyes narrowing as he observed her with a strange expression. She noticed him exchange a look with Sirius, who raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Something's different," James said suddenly, his brow furrowing. "I don't know what it is, but something's definitely different about you, Hermione."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, shifting uncomfortably as Sirius also began staring at her with an intense curiosity.
"I see it too," Sirius added, squinting at her face. "It's... something about your smile. Open your mouth."
"What? No!" Hermione's eyes widened in protest, but the boys were already too focused to back down.
Before she knew it, she was surrounded, all four boys leaning in, peering at her mouth as if expecting to uncover some grand secret. She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, and before it could get any worse, she swatted them away.
"Stop it!" she said, her voice tight with frustration. "Honestly, do you have to invade my personal space like that?"
"Oi, back off, you lot!" Lily's voice cut through the commotion as she approached from across the common room, noticing Hermione's discomfort. She folded her arms, giving the boys a stern look. "Can't you see you're bothering her?"
James stepped back instantly, his face turning red as he muttered an apology. Sirius, on the other hand, gave Lily a defiant look but relented, stepping away with a roll of his eyes.
"Fine, fine," he said, hands up in mock surrender. "We were just trying to figure out what's different, that's all."
Lily's expression softened as she turned to Hermione. "Are you okay? I saw you come in with them looking pretty upset. What happened?"
Hermione hesitated, feeling caught between the boys' curiosity and Lily's concerned gaze. "It's nothing," she said eventually, forcing a small smile. "Just... had a bit of a run-in with some Slytherins. But it's handled."
Lily's eyes narrowed, clearly not convinced. "If you say so," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You can come sit with us, you know, if the moron quartet is bothering you."
Hermione couldn't help but snort at the moniker, her tension easing slightly. "It's fine, Lily, but thank you. They're a bit overbearing sometimes, but I'm okay."
Lily gave her a long, searching look, then nodded. "Alright, but you know where to find me." She offered a supportive smile before walking back to her own group of friends, leaving Hermione alone with the Marauders.
The boys had retreated to their usual corner, but Remus hadn't taken his eyes off Hermione. He leaned forward, squinting a bit as if seeing her for the first time. Then, his expression shifted, and he tilted his head. "You had your front teeth shrunken."
"What?!" Sirius blurted, suddenly interested again. James looked confused, but Remus's gaze remained fixed on Hermione, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
Hermione's face heated, and she crossed her arms defensively. "Well, duh, yes," she said, trying to sound casual. "Madam Pomfrey fixed the hex."
Remus shook his head, his eyes still studying her face. "No," he said slowly. "I mean, they're smaller than they were originally."
There was a beat of silence, and then Sirius practically lunged forward, his eyes widening in realisation. "You're right!" he said, sounding amazed. "They're... they're not as big as before!"
"Merlin's beard," James muttered, staring at her as if seeing a completely different person. "I knew something was different! You waited longer to tell Madam Pomfrey to stop shrinking them back, didn't you?"
Hermione's face was burning now, and she wished she could just disappear. "It wasn't a big deal," she muttered, looking down at her hands. "I just... I always thought they were a bit too big before. I took the opportunity, okay?"
"Hey, that's your choice," Remus said gently, his expression understanding. "If it makes you feel better, then good for you. But they weren't bad before either, you know."
"Yeah, but now they're perfect," Sirius said, grinning widely. "I mean, you're always going to be Kitten to us, but you look... I dunno, a bit older or something. More refined."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at that. "Thanks... I think."
"Hold on, let me see," Peter said, his curiosity piqued as he moved closer. Hermione obligingly flashed a quick toothy smile, feeling slightly awkward but also oddly validated by their reactions.
"You look great, Hermione," James said, and his tone was so sincere that it took her by surprise. "If that's what you wanted, then I'm glad it worked out."
Hermione felt a strange warmth spread through her chest. They weren't teasing her or making a big deal out of it; they were genuinely happy for her. She had expected teasing, maybe even a few jabs, but there was none of that—only acceptance. It made her feel more at ease than she had in a long time.
"Alright, alright, enough staring at my teeth," she said with a laugh, swatting them away. "Merlin, you're acting like I've grown a second head."
"Well, to be fair, you did keep us in the dark about the whole Slytherin incident," James pointed out, still looking concerned. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Hermione nodded, feeling the warmth of their concern wrap around her like a safety net. "Yeah," she said, her voice soft but sure. "I'm alright, really."