Disclaimer: I'm not Jk Rowling. Although my first initial is J, the others aren't K and R.
A Marauders Surprise…
Hermione could see in her parents' faces that she had started to get repetitive and that they might even be wondering if she had started to lose her mind. She hadn't been able to stop talking about her afternoon all through dinner and the entire journey home, and now it was the next morning and she still couldn't stop. She had never had real friends at school, sure she had people she had hung around with but she had never had a group of friends who she really liked and missed when she wasn't with. She hated the fact that she seemed to have become so attached to all of them so quickly, over half of them were adults and were more than likely to get bored of her and find new, more interesting people than herself. But Harry was her age and even thinking his name now seemed to bring with it a rush of excitement, a feeling of butterflies in the pit of her stomach that not even her boyfriends from Beauxbatons had been able to make in her. He had received the best aspects of both of his parents, James boyish good looks mixed with Lily's gorgeous green eyes that Hermione could stare at forever, James mischievous glint and Lily's kindhearted soul. Harry, like his whole group, could keep her laughing all day and night, in fact he had already made her laugh for an entire evening, and she had found that night that he was just so easy to be around. Running through Harry's qualities in her mind she knew that he was practically perfect, so had he really been asking her out on a date? Hermione rubbished the suggestion as she realized that any girl would kill for the chance to go on a date with Harry Potter, the son of the `chosen couple' as the prophet had labeled them. What could he possibly want with ordinary muggle born Hermione Granger, school prefect and labeled `know-it-all'? But she could tell that he liked her, and if his friendship was all she could gain then she was going to grasp that with both hands.
`So I'm guessing you enjoyed yourself?' her dad asked cheekily after she had relived the whole afternoon one more time. Hermione gave him a playful scowl and took another drink from her cup of tea.
`Now don't get angry when I say this…' her mother started in a tone that Hermione instantly knew would get her angry `Don't you think it's a little weird how two fully grown and world famous wizards would grab an 18 year old witch of the street and take her for lunch?' Hermione, who had been expecting to get angry, couldn't help but let out a little laugh when she heard James and Sirius described as `a little weird'.
`Mother, their more than a little weird, haven't you been listening?' Hermione said causing her mother to let out a little chuckle `Honestly mother, don't you think you've raised me to be able to spot a pervert?' she said kindly, a smile coming to her face as she imagined their reaction at being called perverts. Her mother seemed to accept this and took a bite from her toast as she looked at the newspaper in front of her, her dad though was giving her a questioning look, `Go on then dad, ask away'
`It's this Harry guy…' he started, Hermione felt her heart give a slight lurch at the mention of his name `you've kept strangely quiet about him? We've heard more about that Ron boy than him, and I'm guessing with James as a father and Sirius as godfather he must be somewhat of a character?' he said suspiciously. Hermione knew that she had got her questioning mind from her father who never seemed to miss a trick, but at this precise moment she would have gladly given it up to not have had that question asked.
`Well…um…' suddenly she heard a tapping from the door and she thanked her maker for the good timing of paper boys `I'll get that' and she stood up and bounded towards the door leaving her dad behind with an even more suspicious look on his face. As she reached the door she realized she was still in her pajamas and as it was summer this consisted of not much more than a low cut t-shirt and a small pair of shorts. She considered running up and grabbing her robe but she decided she'd just not fully open the door instead. As she pushed the door slightly open she was greeted by two smiling faces, in her excitement she opened the door fully to the visitors, forgetting how she was dressed.
`See James, told you it'd work out well if we came early!' Sirius said laughing as the two looked pointedly away, Hermione blushed furiously and beckoned them in.
`The kitchens that way, my mum and dad are in there, I'm going to get changed' she said as quickly as possibly before running up the stairs to her room in a sprint, the pairs laughter following her. She kept on thinking about how long it'd take for her to live this down as she threw on an old pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. She pulled her hair up into a pony tail before running back down stairs to the kitchen to find James and Sirius helping themselves to some breakfast while talking animatedly to her parents. James turned to Hermione and smiled cheekily, practically the same glint in his eye that Harry had.
`You've got yourself changed for us? We're honored!' he said teasingly.
`Ha-ha' Hermione said sarcastically helping herself back to her chair she had just left.
`Don't worry Hermione, I won't tell Lily, my lips are sealed!' Sirius said mock seriously, pretending to button up his lips.
`Although I might' she said strictly causing Sirius to stop halfway through zipping his mouth as James laughed `so what are you two doing up at this time in the morning?' she asked suspiciously, she had only known them a day but she could already tell that they were up to something.
`Haven't been to sleep yet' Sirius said off handedly `Official ma…ministry business' he finished.
`You work for the ministry?' Hermione asked curiously, she couldn't guess what section Sirius could possibly be working in.
`Nope' Sirius said casually as he picked up some toast and took a bite, but before Hermione could ask another question James spoke up.
`Well we've just asked Mike and Emma if we could take you somewhere this evening' he said in an official and pompous voice. She turned her head to look at her parents, both had a huge smile on their face, obviously enjoying the antics of these two.
`And we told them that even if you didn't want to go you would still have to!' her dad said strictly, obviously all his original misgivings about them had been laid to rest as he met them, Hermione shot him a huge smile and turned back to James.
`So where are you abducting me to today?' she asked jokingly.
`Abducting is such an ugly word, we prefer the term borrowing when we talk about people' Sirius joked causing her parents to laugh, before getting serious `Well it's a secret known only to a handful, me, James, Remus, Harry and you're parents…' Sirius said with a business like manner.
`Who's Remus?' Hermione asked curiously.
`He's a friend of the family's, so he's a friend of yours' James said simply and nicely causing Hermione to break into a smile, she had never had such caring friends before.
`What about Lily?' Hermione asked, she was eager to see her again, the two of them looked away awkwardly for a moment.
`She's to know later…at the moment we've classified it as a need to know basis' James said seriously giving Hermione the impression that they might be up to something `but she will definitely be there later, promise'
`Do you think the Marauders will be there?' Sirius asked excitedly causing a grin to form on James' face.
`Well, we can only hope!' James replied with a little laugh `Ok then, here's the plan Hermione. You have to use the Floo network from your house…'
`We're not linked to the network here' Hermione interrupted but James carried on like she hadn't.
`…Which we have most kindly had linked up to the network. You are to go to Godrics Hollow at 4 o'clock to meet Harry, he's expecting you' Hermione felt her heart leap again at the idea that she'd be seeing Harry in a few hours time `and then we will rendezvous at 7 o'clock on the dot' he finished and looked impressed with himself.
`So if we're meeting at 7 why do I have to meet Harry at 4?' Hermione asked, she was eager to find out what the two of them was up to.
`Because the plan may change before hand and we need to get in touch with you at the drop of a hat…thus Harry's our man for the job!' James answered.
`We finally found a job he can do!' Sirius said pleased as the pair of them laughed, Hermione knew they were just joking as she had already heard many stories that involved Harry's help. He wasn't quite the trouble maker of these two, but he wasn't too far behind.
`Ok, I'm game…but this better not be anything illegal…' Hermione said warningly at which both James and Sirius both faked hurt and shock at.
`Like we'd ever come to drag you into something illegal!' James said indignantly.
`At the very least we would never have told you're parents!' Sirius said hurt, which her mum and dad both laughed at `Well we better get going' Sirius said standing up which James copied.
`It's been great meeting both of you…' James said as the four adults, well the two adults and James and Sirius, shook hands and bid each other goodbye `We'll see you tonight, Hermione…' James said in something like a threat, before the sound of two cracks signaled their disapparation leaving her alone in the kitchen with her parents. She paused for a moment awaiting their reaction to the morning's guest but it didn't come.
`So, what did you think?' Hermione asked gently, she had been worried they wouldn't like them but the smile that formed on their lips told her she would be ok.
`They sure are two characters' her dad said laughing softly `and to think they were the ones to stop you-know-who…'
`I thought they were great, I really want to meet that Harry, he sounds like a nice boy' her mother said looking at her watch in shock `God, it's nearly eleven! We've got to get a move on' she said standing up quickly.
`Where are you going?' Hermione asked confused.
`Where are we going, love' Her mother corrected `We're going on that tour then I thought we'd do some shopping…maybe get you're hair cut?' she asked gently expecting the usual quick response from Hermione. Unknown to her mother though the image of Harry was passing through her mind, could a hair cut really hurt? Maybe it'd even look good.
`Sure mum, that sounds a great idea' Hermione said brightly before bounding of upstairs to have a shower and get ready, leaving her mother staring after her with a knowing smile.
****()_____()****
Hermione knew she should be tired but her heart wouldn't let her. She had spent hours shopping with her mother and getting her hair done, the tour along the Thames forgotten, and now it was nearly 4 o'clock and she was ready to go and see Harry. Her heart was beating fast as she paced around her bedroom before examining herself in the mirror. She had to hand it to her mother, she had been proven right about the hair which had been cut slightly shorter and tidied up. The outfit she had picked was nice as well, her mother had wanted to get her loads of elaborate girly dresses but she had put her foot down on that one, she was now wearing a pair of low cut modern jeans and a tight baby blue plain t-shirt. As she appraised this she knew it was more modern, but was still simple and smart enough to be suitable for her. Her mother though had won on the argument about the shoes, her simple trainers had been switched for a pair of heeled slip ons, slightly too sparkly for Hermione's usual taste but she had to admit that they were gorgeous, just not strictly her.
`Hermione its 4 now' she heard her mother call from downstairs.
`Ok mother, I'm coming down' and with one last bracing look in the mirror she left to go down to the living room that held the fireplace. She knew that James and Sirius would have something big in store tonight, she just had no idea what it would involve and who it would affect.
`You look fantastic love' her mother said proudly pulling her into a hug.
`Yeah, you really do' her father said not quite as happily about the fact as her mother was.
`Ok, I better get going' she said bravely giving each of them one last hug before stepping into the large fireplace. As she threw down the Floo powder she shouted `Godrics Hollow' and as the green flames enveloped her she heard her father shouting after her to `be safe'.
As the spinning stopped she stumbled out of the fireplace, proud that she had been able to stay upright on her feet, especially with heels on. She looked around the room and quickly found Harry sitting at a table in the living room reading a newspaper before looking at her and standing up. He was dressed smartly in a pair of simple trousers and shoes and a satin dark emerald shirt that brought out his striking green eyes all too well for Hermione to see. His dark raven colored hair was as messy as it had previously been but Hermione could tell that he had attempted to get it under control but failed. She couldn't quite understand why he would try to smarten it up though, she thought it made him look somewhat windswept and gave him a slightly more dangerous look to him that was definitely incredibly handsome, and the magazine she had been reading in the hairdressers had told her that the `messy look' was definitely `in'. He was definitely looking at her intently as she studied him.
`Hey Harry, am I early?' she asked.
`Nope' he said casually while still staring at her, he gave a little shake of his head that Hermione found way too attractive, and looked friendly at her `Just in time, I made you a cup of tea in the hope you'd arrive soon' he said and beckoned her over to a chair opposite his. She sat down and she looked around the room trying not to look at him to much in case she began to drool.
`So…what have they got in plan for tonight?' she asked Harry, trying to think of a subject that wasn't about how she wanted to rip his clothes of, the only real thought occupying her mind. Harry laughed gently before answering.
`You tell me what they've told you…' Harry said playfully, Hermione didn't quite get what he meant but she thought she'd try it anyway.
`They told me to get round here at 4…' she started but Harry interrupted her.
`Actually it was 3…' he said with a smile, Hermione continued.
`…and that we'd meet them at 7…' Harry interrupted again.
`5, that's when we're meeting…' Harry said with a larger smile, Hermione was confused.
`…and that Lily doesn't know yet' she finished waiting for Harry to correct this.
`I think that one was actually true when they spoke to you, she knows now though' he said while laughing `Don't worry about them leading you on a bit. It's their clever idea that as few people should know any entire plan as possible, just them, so they deliberately mislead others…you do get use to it' Harry said reassuringly. Hermione though thought the idea was actually rather good, she wasn't surprised to think that James and Sirius had come up with this, their lives seemed to consist largely of their plans.
`You didn't answer my question, what's their plan then?' she asked curiously, she noticed Harry flinch slightly and knew that he wouldn't tell her the whole truth, it was good to find out that she could read him so easily.
`Um.., I don't know everything, and they'd kill me if I told you…I'm sorry' Harry said honestly, she was amazed that he didn't lie to her to try and get out, just honestly said that he couldn't tell her. She also knew that if she was to push it then she could get it out, but she didn't want to ruin their surprise, she'd just let time show her what was planned.
`It's Ok, Harry, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait…' she said at him teasingly.
He lent a little closer and said softly `You have no idea…' his eyes were locked onto hers as he gave her a little charming smile, Hermione couldn't help herself from wanting to kiss those lips and it was only the fact that Harry backed slowly away that stopped her from trying to kiss him there and then.
`So… is this your house?' she said conversationally, peeling her eyes away from Harry and standing up to stretch, Harry didn't reply and as Hermione looked at him she saw he was staring at her while she stretched, a little smile found its way onto her lips at the thought of him staring at her `Harry, did you hear me?' she said softly to him, she watched him once again physically shake his head before he answered her.
`Sorry…got distracted…' he stammered out peeling his eyes off her and looking around the room `Yeah, this is my house, my favorite one any way' Hermione suddenly realized that the Potters must have been rich being such an old family, but having seen the antics of James the thought had never crossed her mind `Do you mind if I say something?' he asked.
`I don't know if I mind till you say it, then it might be too late…it's your choice' she said teasingly making Harry break into a little laugh.
`You're pretty small so I think that I'll take the risk' he teased back earning a playful punch from her `do you know that you're the first person I've properly met that hasn't asked me about my parents and Voldemort' he said causing her to give a little jolt at hearing his name, Harry quickly added `…and Sirius of course' as an afterthought. She had never had quite the same fear of his name as everyone else had but she had never heard anyone say it before and to hear it from him was shocking.
`Well it's none of my business, is it?' she said truthfully `I'm not going to lie and say I couldn't give a damn and would never want to hear about it, but at the moment I'm just getting to know the lot of you…not what you've done or who you've battled, but you as people…as my friends…' she said, she was blushing slightly as Harry looked intently at her in obvious amaze for a few silent moments before he relaxed again and gave a huge laugh.
`That's one heck of an answer, Hermione' he said between laughing, she could tell that he knew she had been honest and she laughed along with him `I bet you were the `know-it-all' at your school!'
`You got me down to a tee' she said smiling, for once she didn't feel embarrassed at being herald by that title as Harry had said it kindly and not nastily `and need I ask what you were? Quidditch captain and head boy? Getting detention for breaking the rules as often as breaking the girls' hearts?' She said cheekily, she blushed slightly as she realized how much she had been flirting with him.
`ohhh, so close to the perfect answer!' Harry proclaimed `no heart breaking for me. You should honestly see me with women, I stumble over my words and make a fool of myself every time, and I mean every time!' he had said it so dramatically that Hermione couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.
`You seem to be able to talk to me fine…' she said flirting, she didn't know what had got into her but she couldn't help but flirt with this gorgeous man.
`But you see, you're different…' he said, going silent as their eyes locked for a moment, Hermione couldn't help but think how ironic it was that she could already care for him this much and to have only just met him. Already she couldn't picture her life without him in it. He broke eye contact with her after a few more moments and looked down at his watch `It's 5 already, we better get going…' he said softly looking at her again before standing up and taking her in his hand, the sudden feel of contact sent a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the warm weather but with the fact that a person she was feeling a rush of emotion for was holding onto her hand `I'm going to apparate us there, are you ok with that?' he asked gently. The feeling of his fingers around her small hand had cut of all ability to her vocal cords by some strange feat of the human body and Hermione found that all she could do was nod. `Ok then… we're gone' and she felt him turn and she instantly felt the peculiar sensation of being squeezed through a tube that came with apparition.
`SURPRISE!' was the roar that greeted her reappearance, as she looked around the busy room she realized it was full of both people she knew from school as well as many who she didn't know, all looking happily at her. She felt 2 pairs of arms grab her by the shoulders and lead her into the middle of the room, looking around at the owners of the arms she was unsurprised to find they belonged to James and Sirius.
`EVERYONE LISTEN UP!' Sirius bellowed to make the room quite down before he spoke in his usual loud voice `As many of you know this is Hermione Granger, we bought her in Diagon Alley just yesterday…' everyone laughed at his joke as she gave him a playful slap on the arm `…and tonight we're all here to wish her a Happy Birthday!' and everyone started to cheer.
`But it's not my birthday!' Hermione said confused looking around at all the birthday decorations, she was sure someone had seriously messed up.
`Don't blame us, Hermione. This was Harry's idea…He'll explain' Lily said friendly pulling her into a hug. Harry stepped in front and addressed her, loudly enough so he could explain it to everyone as well.
`Well, I know it seems strange…but hopefully it'll make sense. I…I mean all of us, think you're fantastic…' Harry started at which they all nodded along in agreement `and I was thinking how bad it was that you hadn't come into our lives previously, that we hadn't gone to school together, that we weren't able to watch Quidditch together or to share the holidays with each other. More in specific for today though was that you've had 18 birthdays and we've missed every single one of them…so this is 18 years worth of lost birthday parties rolled into one!' Harry said a little happily but Hermione could tell that he was a little apprehensive as he was starting to worry if this was a dumb idea after all. Hermione though was amazed and was struggling to hold back tears. The idea was amazing and showed just how great these people were, how much they really wanted her in their lives, how much they already loved . She let the tears come and threw arms around Harry and gave him a huge hug as she sobbed on his shoulder, she could hear everyone clapping around her but all she cared for at that moment was that she was in Harry's arms, the boy that she had only just met but had wanted to make up for what he had missed, even though he didn't even know her at the time to miss it. She finally pulled herself form his arms and looked at him, a huge grin was across his face as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
`Harry…this is the greatest surprise ever…thank you so much' she said and turned around to the others before talking again `Thank you all so much, this is beyond belief. I love you all so much!' she said gleefully as Lily pulled her into another hug.
`And all we wanted was another excuse to throw a party!' she heard Sirius say to the crowd who all laughed. Lily let go and gave her a smile as she felt another pair of arms around her.
`Honey, now you're part of the family' James said to her `trust me when in tell you that you'll come to regret joining!' he said teasingly letting her go. Sirius pulled her into a bear hug before she could even gain her footing.
`Don't listen to James, we're all great, especially me!' he said laughing `I think I'll name you my un-official god daughter!' he said letting her go from the bear hug.
`Trust me you definitely will regret joining that!' Harry said teasingly causing Sirius to pretend to storm away hurt in a huff. `So, Hermione…'
`Yes?' she asked, single word use was a good tactic at the moment otherwise she could just spill how much she wanted him now.
`Is that enough then?' he asked cheekily, she started to scan her memory and tried to think what he meant but he continued to speak `you said I had to do something to get you in my life, is this enough?' he asked. She thought for a moment, looking into those gorgeous green eyes of his before speaking.
`Not quite…' she said and watched his face drop in shock `But later I'm sure you'll be able to finish the job' she said cheekily and gave him a quick wink and ran of into the crowd to enjoy her party.
****()_____()****
The party was as bigger roaring success as Harry knew it would be, organized by the Marauders how could it not? As he watched Hermione running around talking to her friends from school and those she had just met he couldn't help but grin. He had managed, in the space of one night, to bring her fully into his life and to join in hers. He had spoken to her friends from school, all who seemed amazed at having spoken to the son of the `Golden Couple' and asked the usual questions about Voldemort. He had been nervous to meet Hermione's parents but it had gone surprisingly well, obviously they had already been smitten by his dad and Sirius and they were all too eager to be friendly with him, although her dad kept on shooting him suspicious looks that Harry knew was reasonable, after all he was desperate to kiss his daughter. He had introduced Hermione to Mad Eye Moody, who she was slightly weary of like everyone else, but she was over the moon to meet Albus Dumbledore. As always Dumbledore was perfect with her and let her question his mercilessly about Hogwarts and the Wizengamot among other things. Afterwards all she could say was that he was `the greatest wizard in the world' which Harry added `but mad' to after every proclamation. He had always liked Dumbledore, he had grown up knowing him and had thus never really been able to see him as headmaster but just his barmy old uncle. Now the party was getting late and people had started to leave, Sirius was still dancing though and had now pulled Lily up to accompany him as James watched on laughing at their attempt at ballroom dancing.
`Hello, Harry' said a familiar voice from behind Harry, he dragged his eyes from Sirius' attempt to lead Lily in the tango to speak to the man.
`Hey Moony' Harry said `I was a little worried you wouldn't make it' Harry said kindly shaking his hand.
`And miss you're grand gesture? No way' he said laughing, obviously the reasons behind Hermione's party had been clear, to a Marauder anyway. `Strange though…' he said trailing of.
`What's strange?' Harry asked suspiciously.
`Just strange that it took you only 24 hours to commit to a grand gesture' Lupin said teasingly while laughing to himself `it took James over 6 years!' Harry knew that he was talking about how his mum and dad got together in the 7th year at Hogwarts, but he had never heard the whole story, right now though he was really intrigued by it.
`So what was my dads' grand gesture? And how did Padfoot feature?' Harry asked laughing, he knew whatever it was Sirius would have probably had as much to do with the planning as his dad would have, Lupin only laughed before speaking.
`That story is for another night, I'm afraid…'Lupin said, Harry knew it was close to the full moon and that he must be pretty weak at the moment `Now though, I see the guest of honor at this party all alone…maybe you should go to talk to her?' Lupin said smiling before giving Harry a small smile and walking away across the room towards James, Sirius and Lily, who were now trying to dance all together at the same time. Harry though had caught sight of Hermione and saw her smiling at him, beckoning him to come over, as he walked over he felt nerves running through his body, he was sure he must look stupid grinning so widely but as he tried to wipe it from his face he was panicky incase he looked unhappy. In the end he stuck with a small smile as he approached her.
`Hey, you enjoyed the party?' Harry asked, hating himself that he didn't have something funny and witty to say. Hermione though didn't seem to mind and just gave him a smile.
`It's been fantastic…thank you so much Harry' and she positively beamed at him `It's a little hot in here, do you want to get some air?' she asked, Harry panicky and just found himself smiling and nodding like a fool, Hermione had a slight smirk on her face as she led him to an outside patio and turned to look at him. Harry felt his face flushing again, for someone who didn't really blush he seemed to be doing a lot of it lately he thought to himself. He looked at her and found that when he was staring into her eyes he seemed to shed all his cares and that the only thing that mattered in the world was being close to her, having her in his life.
`I've got to say, Harry, that I'm a little annoyed you haven't asked me to dance!' she said in mock pain, Harry though heard the word `dance' and panicked.
`I don't dance…' He spurted out causing a smile to come over Hermione's voice.
`And what if dancing with me was the thing you had to do to get me in you're life?' she asked cheekily, flashing him a smile that could literally melt him. In fact from the bit of sweat that had started to come he thought that he might literally be starting to melt.
`Then I'd dance with you for as long as you'd allow me. I'd dance with you till the stars went blue' he said stepping closer, although the panic was spreading through him he couldn't help but feel a burning need to bring himself closer to her. He their faces were practically touching as he held both her hands in his own and whispered to her `Will you dance with me?' Even though it was nearly midnight and dark already, Harry could tell that she was blushing furiously as she nodded to him.
He started to lead her slowly around the patio in a slow dance, the only kind of dance he could do without breaking the toes of his partner. She had her head resting against his chest and he could smell the beautiful scent of lavender as he twirled her slowly around, the feeling of her heart beating fast against his chest. As he looked up at stars, holding Hermione in his arms he knew this moment was nearly perfect, nearly but not quite.
`It's been perfect tonight…' Hermione said softly without moving from his chest. Harry removed her slowly and looked into her deep brown eyes, eyes that he knew he was destined to forever lose himself in.
`Not perfect…' Harry whispered moving his face closer to hers `Not yet…' and with that he pushed his lips into hers, feeling her mouth melt against his. It was a soft loving kiss in which Harry lost himself completely in. feeling her moving her lips along his, slipping her top lip between his he let out a soft moan before pulling apart to look at her again.
`Now it's perfect' they both said.
****()____()____()****
That's the second chapter, hoped you liked it…I enjoyed the writing part...please read and review…
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