Anything But Ordinary [[Sirius/Open]]

[mione]

Hermione groaned, raising her head from the pillow that was her Potions book. She knew it was unhealthy to study so late, but her reasons for her newly developed late-night habit was solely the fault of Harry and Ronald. They had certainly honed their skills in procrastination over the years, and had even caused her to work on her homework a bit later than usual. Sure, her homework was always finished almost a week before it was due, and was far longer than the standard requirements, but she still had standards. Despite what the boys thought her reasons were for her obsessive schooling, her reasons for working as excessively as she did were purely typical of the average teen. She wanted to be lazy, and, the only way she could do that while simultaneously finishing her schoolwork was by having it done three weeks ahead of time.

Hey, just because she was a brainiac didn't mean she had no semblance of a life.

So, it was with that thought that Hermione Granger stretched, waking herself up thoroughly, before gathering her books and heading toward the common room in order to ready herself for breakfast. She sighed, gathering her bushy brown hair and wrapping it in a messy bun at the nape of her neck, using her wand to keep it together. Before she could turn the corner at the end of the corridor, however, she ran into something tall, thin, and hard. With an audible, "Oomph!" Hermione fell to the ground, the seam of her book bag splitting open, spilling the contents of her schoolwork across the floor. "Bloody hell," she muttered, mentally cringing at the hypocrisy of her language. If Ron had said something like that, she would have left him with a not on the head so quickly he wouldn't have had time to say, 'Quidditch'. Biting her lower lip nervously, Hermione stared up at the poor student she had almost trampled. "Sorry."

[severussnape]

((Sirius asked me to go first, hope that's alright with you))

It was early morning and Severus found himself half tired and trying to get to class without incident. It was not fated to be so. Something short and brunette ran right into him, causing Severus to stumble. He fought to keep his balance then looked down at the smaller figure. She was no one he had seen before which was most unusual. He made a quick assessment of her, she was wearing Gryffindor colors, one strike against her. She had cursed a bit, but her bag did split, so that was a natural response. Then she said sorry. Really, she was sorry? That was definitely a point in her favor.

It just so happened that Evan Rosier was trying to help Severus with the idea of chivalry. Seeing as his parents never practiced such things and the pure bloods were all into tradition. Naturally, he preferred to practice what he had learned on the gentler ladies like Narcissa as well as his Love Lily. This girl was a mystery, which both intrigued and perplexed the Slytherin. He had no idea if she was from a pure blood family or not. Best play it safe. Kneeling by her side, Severus cast the mending spell, fixing the bag. He knew it well, of course, thanks to Black and Potter. He then looked to the girl herself, his eyes seeking a clue to her identity. She did not look like any of the old families, but that was not always any indicator. Narcissa and Bellatrix were as opposite as two sisters could be, but they were both Black. It was a big school, it is always possible people flitted around that he never took notice of before.

"Its alright," he said, still deciding to give the girl the benefit of the doubt. "Are you hurt?" Severus then asked, not seeing any blood or obvious signs of injury. An offered hand to help the lady up. This mystery was more and more intriguing every passing moment, Snape had to find out who she was and why he had never seen her until today. His voice was cool and calm, not overly friendly, but not hostile either. It was the measured tone of a person trying to measure a person he had just met.

[siriusblack]

Last night there had been a bottle of firewhisky and magic enhanced spray paint. It was needless to say that the morning began with a bang. A good few of them actually, as well as a number of shrieks and a few distinct voices breaking out in laughter. One of the latter, most notably, was Sirius’. But it wasn’t until someone called out his name that he took his rightful place standing on a chair and bowed to the throng. The Gryffindors typically found themselves safe from pranks and escapades, which really was just a way to assure than when it did happen -which it did- there wasn’t a single person in the common room that wasn’t caught unaware. It seemed ridiculously simple, but it worked and that was all that mattered.

Once things settled down a bit, Sirius had changed into some slightly more suitable school clothes and then left the common room to go get breakfast. He was early, so he decided to detour around the castle the long way. There weren’t many students out in the halls, and he was in a good mood. He raced down the corridor laughing to himself, and then went on the first staircase that stopped for him. It ended up somewhere on the third floor and he gave a small shrug. If there wasn’t something to do already, he could certainly make something. Hands shoved into his pockets, he grasped his wand and also the chocolate bar he’d swiped the night before. He broke off a piece and ate it. This was seriously -no pun intended- an amazing morning.

And it looked like it was about to get even better. He turned the hallway just in time to see Snape and a girl he didn’t recognize collide, causing her to fall over and split her bag. He chuckled slightly as the Gryffindor uttered a curse, and then Snape tried to be… Ha! was he trying to be chivalrous? He simply couldn’t hold back his laughter that the idea. “You know if you took to washing your hair every once in a while Snivvly you might actually be able to see a foot in front of you and avoid running into attractive girls. Of course, it’s not like you have any other way to get their attention.” The cool smirk had never left his face and he gave another quick laugh before moving to help mystery girl up, convineintly at the same time as Snape.

[mione]

Hermione stared up at the boy before her, surprised that the Slytherin had not merely snapped at her and stalked off. Instead, the strangely familiar student kneeled by her side and cast a mendint spell on her bookbag. The boy had pale, sallow skin, a hooked nose, and stringy black hair hung over black, cool eyes. For a moment, her mind was filled with the image of Professor Snape, a malicious smirk upon his lips as he taunted her, but shook it from her head. As far as she knew, Professor Snape had no children, so the resemblance between the two people was uncanny. "Its alright," the young man said, "Are you hurt?" Hermione shook her head. "No," she replied, unable to tear her eyes away from him. "I'm sorry," she apologized again, "But you look familiar for some reason. Have we met before?" The boy held his hand out to her, as though to help her up.

It was when her ears picked up the sound of ominously familiar laughter that Hermione jumped, staring at the newer figure with wide eyes. No. It couldn't be. A tall, handsome Gryffindor stood near them, shaggy black hair framing a strong, fine-featured face. The malicious grin on his face towards the Slytherin only solidified her irrational assumptions. “You know if you took to washing your hair every once in a while Snivvly you might actually be able to see a foot in front of you and avoid running into attractive girls. Of course, it’s not like you have any other way to get their attention.” Hermione blushed in anger and embarrassment. Not only had he just insulted her future Potions Professor, but he had the nerve to...to flirt with her at the same time? The cool smirk had never left Sirius Black's face and he gave another quick laugh before moving to help Hermione up at the same time as Severus Snape. She opted to take neither hand, rising to her feet quickly after stuffing her belongings back into her repaired school bag, and took a few cautious steps away from the duo. One single, terrified thought ran through her mind as she stared at her professor, and her best friend's dead godfather: What the hell is going on?

[severussnape]

"But you look familiar for some reason. Have we met before?"

"I would definitely remember you if we had," The Slytherin said in reply. He then knew he had to offer his own name and hated it every time he did. "Severus Snape," he then offered, trying his best to hide the self loathing out of his own voice. "And who might you be?" Just then a terrible and familiar laughter reached his ears. Oh please, for the love of Merlin, not him not now.

"You know if you took to washing your hair every once in a while Snivvly you might actually be able to see a foot in front of you and avoid running into attractive girls. Of course, it’s not like you have any other way to get their attention.”

The reactions happened quickly, Hermione stood on her own power, taking neither his own proffered hand nor that of the marauder, blood traitor and all around git, Sirius Black. Snape too, reacted, standing quickly and backing from Sirius so that the three formed a triangle more or less with a person at every point. Severus stood at guard, with his hand seconds away from where his wand was hidden up his other sleeve.

"And yet, in spite your alleged charms, Black. The lady did not seem to take an interest in you either." Snape replied, his voice now angry and filled with venom. "Perhaps she sees that you are nothing more than a git." He turned to the brunette. "In which case, I applaud you for you have already proven yourself brighter than most of the girls in this school. You've saved yourself from being flavor of the week, congratulations."

[siriusblack]

Mystery girl looked kind of confused and uneasy, he noticed. It had been there on her face since he showed up, but he’d assumed it was from her embarrassing bump into a certain greasy git at the time. Sirius highly doubted that it had anything to do with his and Snape’s tension, seeing that that was old news at the school. Even though he didn’t know her, he refused to believe that she’d never heard of him before. But she got up and backed away. And then Snape backed away so that they made a strange triangle. His face furrowed slightly. There was something really off about this.

"And yet, in spite your alleged charms, Black. The lady did not seem to take an interest in you either."

“It’s Sirius,” he corrected instantly, making a point to emphasize on his name. His voice in that one word was as bitter as Snape’s, and rightfully so. He wasn’t, never was, and never would consider himself a Black. And if Snape didn’t want to be force-fed to the giant Squid, he’d do best to remember that. Ignoring the few emotions raging in his head, he focused on the reason he’d opened his mouth in the first place and his smirk returned. “Either? So you admit you were looking at her in that way?”

"Perhaps she sees that you are nothing more than a git."

Sirius interjected at that point. “Who looks better than you ever will.” Their insults were rhythmic.

"In which case, I applaud you for you have already proven yourself brighter than most of the girls in this school. You've saved yourself from being flavor of the week, congratulations."

He raised an eyebrow, amusement written on his expression. Most of the time Snape was terrible at being offensive. Honestly, there were only a few things that made Sirius snap. He’d crossed that line once before, and he didn’t seem like he ever wanted to do it again. “I was merely warning you that she’s completely out of your league. Don’t put words in my mouth Slivellous. That's disgusting.”

[harrypotter]

Harry found himself walking down the same familiar corridors that he had traversed several times before over his years at Hogwarts. But something was telling him that things were not what he knew, it was some sick sense in the back of his mind that warned him to be careful. He moved along the corridor heading to the great hall for breakfast and adjusted his robes as he went. Emerald eyes scanned the walls and the walkway as he moved and his wand was not far from his grip should he need to use it. With Voldemort back he wasn’t about to be too careful or lazy for that matter, he didn’t want to be caught off guard and cursed without having a chance to fight back. His previous encounters with Voldemort and his followers saw Harry managing to escape, whether it be through sheer luck or the help of his friends, he knew his days were numbered.

How many times could he possibly get away from Voldemort with little more then bad memories and a few scratches and bruises? He hated being pessimistic when it came to his own life, but after narrowly avoiding death so many times it was bound to happen. As he moved down the corridor lost in his own thoughts the sound of voices ahead of him had him glancing up and pausing a few feet from the three people who stood in the middle of the walkway talking. He squinted slightly through his glasses and decided to take a few steps closer so he could hear the conversation that was going on. When one of the guys shifted Harry’s eyes lit up as he saw Hermione and he hurried his footsteps.

“Hermione! Am I glad to see you!” He called out as he came closer and paused once more as he allowed himself to take in the two young men standing with her.

That feeling he had been carrying around inside him since he woke up tightened in his chest and tied his stomach in knots as he looked from one dark haired male to the other. He knew them….he had seen them in Dumbledore’s pensive…..he was staring at the teenage versions of Severus Snape and Sirius Black. How this was possible had Harry’s mind racing, it didn’t feel like a memory viewed in the pensive, and Harry knew that Hermione didn’t have a time turner anymore, so how they were here was baffling to the young man. He stared at Hermione in stunned silence catching her gaze before glancing between the two men. He had not shared what he saw in the pensive with Ron and Hermione, but now he was wishing he had. Harry ran a hand nervously over the back of his neck as he did his best to flash Snape and Sirius a smile before he was stepping to Hermione’s side.

“Don’t mean to be rude, but could I have a word with you Hermione? It’s important.”

[mione]

"I would definitely remember you if we had," the Slytherin replied curtly. "Severus Snape," he added, and that only frightened Hermione more. There was no possible way this could be. It simply couldn't. She had given McGonnagal her time-turner back long ago, so whatever had happened, it most certainly was not her fault. "And who might you be?" Swallowing nervously, the Gryffindor nervously replied, "H-Hermione Granger." She did not know why her voice stuttered the way it had, though she had the firm suspicion that it was due to the shock she felt in her veins, nearly freezing her where she stood. She was speaking to her Professor, albeit a young, teenaged boy at the moment, and he was being civil towards her. Hermione thought she would never see the day that Snape would actually speak someone politely to her. As she stepped away from the two boys, she noticed Snape move away from them, as well, as though anticipating an attack. She cautiously moved her hand towards her neck, scratching it. If Snape, or Sirius, were to draw their wand, she would be ready in a heartbeat. "And yet, in spite your alleged charms, Black. The lady did not seem to take an interest in you either." Snape replied, his voice now angry and filled with venom. "Perhaps she sees that you are nothing more than a git." He turned to Hermione. "In which case, I applaud you for you have already proven yourself brighter than most of the girls in this school. You've saved yourself from being flavor of the week, congratulations." Hermione could not suppress the chuckle that escaped her. Rolling her eyes, she replied, "Thanks, I guess. That's the first time I've ever recieved an almost-complement from a Slytherin." She grinned. Though she did not exactly understand the animosity between Sirius and Snape outside of the standard Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry, she was not going to allow it to dictate who she deemed suitable allies. Besides, she just might need Snape in the near future.

“It’s Sirius,” Harry's godfather corrected instantly, making a point to emphasize on his name. His voice in that one word was as bitter as Snape’s, and Hermione knew that he purposely kept his family's last name out of it. She suspected that was due to the need to separate himself from the Blacks, to make others see that he was not like them. Too bad everyone would think the opposite come 1981. “Either? So you admit you were looking at her in that way?” Hermione ignored that comment, as she most certainly did not want to make things awkward for herself. She found it better, in some cases, to simply let things play out for themselves, a lesson she learned from Dumbledore time and time again.

“I was merely warning you that she’s completely out of your league. Don’t put words in my mouth Slivellous. That's disgusting.” Hermione's eyebrows rose considerably at that comment. "Excuse me?" She nearly growled, her protective side rearing it's self-righteous head, "How dare you presume that anyone is in or out of 'my league'. And don't call him Snivellus. It's cruel and demeaning, and you have no right to try an belittle others with your immature tactics of humiliation. How would you feel if others called you a hideous mutt all the time? What if someone constantly harped on you about your family and treated you like the scum of the earth day in and day out? I don't think you'd appreciate it very much if everyone hated you, would you?" Hermione's cheeks flushed in anger as she added, "So I would greatly appreciate it if you would shut your presumptuous, arrogant mouth, if you don't mind." She could not bring herself to regret her comment. She'd actually wanted to say that to Sirius for some time, though, when he had died, she had felt terrible for thinking that of him. Now, however, he was allive and breathing, so she felt no guilt for letting her frustrations out on him.

“Hermione! Am I glad to see you!” Hermione grinned. "Harry!" She replied, relieved that she was not alone in this situation. She felt terrible for her relief, as she didn't know who else could be in this predicament, but she was glad that she at least had some semblance of a suport system around her. As she watched the growing comprehension and nervousness on Harry's face, she could not help but wonder how he had instantly recognized the problem. What had he not told her? Harry ran a hand nervously over the back of his neck as he did his best to flash Snape and Sirius a smile before he was stepping to Hermione’s side. “Don’t mean to be rude, but could I have a word with you Hermione? It’s important." He asked. Hermione nodded, "Of course. One moment, please," she added, for Sirius and Snape's benefit.

Hermione gripped Harry's arm tightly as she dragged him a safe distance down the corridor. Glancing towards the Slytherin and the Gryffindor at the other side of the thin pathway, she hissed, "Harry, we have to go to Dumbledore. Now. I don't know what's happened, and I don't know who else is stuck here, but we need to find them and get home as soon as possible. We can't stay." She ran a hand anxiously through her hair, pulling her wand out of the bun as she did so. "We have to get back before we do something to change the timeline. If one thing changes, Harry, it could alter the future completely."

[severussnape]

"H-Hermione Granger."

The girl was nervous and Snape wondered if she had heard of him relating to Potter and Black. No doubt it was all over the school, but before any more pleasantries could be exchanged, the duo quickly became a trio.

"Thanks, I guess. That's the first time I've ever received an almost-complement from a Slytherin."

A light chuckle as allowed though the sneer, though Severus did not allow his gaze to drop from Sirius, as he preferred to be called.

"So you admit you were looking at her in that way?”

"I said no such thing, Black," Snape retorted. "I said she did not see me or you in that way." His heart belonged to Lily, surely anyone who had sent any time with Snape had known that. "Unlike you, however, I do believe that girls can also be friends."

"Excuse me? How dare you presume that anyone is in or out of 'my league'. And don't call him Snivellus. It's cruel and demeaning, and you have no right to try an belittle others with your immature tactics of humiliation. How would you feel if others called you a hideous mutt all the time? What if someone constantly harped on you about your family and treated you like the scum of the earth day in and day out? I don't think you'd appreciate it very much if everyone hated you, would you?" Hermione's cheeks flushed in anger as she added, "So I would greatly appreciate it if you would shut your presumptuous, arrogant mouth, if you don't mind."

Snape looked at Hermione in absolute astonishment. She had taken his side? Really? This was like Christmas come early. Severus took a a few careful steps closer to Hermione, sealing what appeared to be a farming alliance between the two. "I believe the Lady asked you to be quiet," He then said, feeling rather confident at the moment. Suddenly things got a lot stranger.

James Potter entered the room and approached Hermione, speaking to the girl as if he knew her. “Hermione! Am I glad to see you!,” he had said, something which made Severus stop for a moment. That was not James's voice. “Don’t mean to be rude, but could I have a word with you Hermione? It’s important.” He was being far more polite than James too. This was very strange. Snape took a closer look at the boy. He had an odd scar on his forehead and instead of James's eyes he had brilliant green like Lily's. "Your not James Potter," he said as the two went off, leaving Snape with Sirius. Severus went beck into defense mode quickly, there was time for questions later.

[siriusblack]

"I said no such thing, Black."

Sirius stopped listening right there. It didn’t matter that the next line would have been fun to argue with. That the insults about Severus’ romantic life were at the tip of his tongue. It didn’t matter that the one after was a lie he should have corrected for his own pride’s sake. Because he knew that, and he wasn’t a pompus bigoted bastard. But he wasn’t joking about feeding Snape to the squid. He’d bloody do it if he was angry enough. “It’s. Sirius!”

You’d think that would have been the end if it, but then oh Merlin, mystery girl had to open her mouth again. "How dare you presume that anyone is in or out of 'my league'. And don't call him Snivellus. It's cruel and demeaning, and you have no right to try an belittle others with your immature tactics of humiliation.” Had she been spending time with Lily Evans? Because that was almost word for word what she used to tell them. It was more annoying than anything else. And the next line.. mutt? Where had she got that from. That was such irony, but of course she wouldn’t know it. He’d never seen this girl before. Never and yet she was criticizing him. And then she went and did what Snape couldn’t have done. She set him off. “What if someone constantly harped on you about your family and treated you like the scum of the earth day in and day out? I don't think you'd appreciate it very much if everyone hated you, would you?"

“I don’t get harped about my family. I get harped BY my family.” It was nothing more than a fact. Had she been living in a cave for the past six years? Or was she a new student? No, they didin’t get those. He laughed again, but it wasn’t a happy laugh, it was the spitefull sort that would make you cringe. “No, I’d never know what that felt like” his voice dripped sarcasm. How many people hated him for who he was? He'd lost count the number was so large. And sure, he didn't go pulling pity acts like Snivellous, but that didn't mean that this was okay. “You must be fortunate enough to have never met my cousin Bellatrix, or for that matter, anyone else related to me. They’re all bloody death eaters or they’re going to be and he’s-“ Sirius jerked a finger towards Snape, “no better.”

"So I would greatly appreciate it if you would shut your presumptuous, arrogant mouth, if you don't mind."

“And I would greatly appreciate it if you didin’t put your foot in your mouth and pretend to know everything about things you clearly don’t have a fucking clue about!” He wasn’t even going to look at Snape. If he did he’d be tempted to pull his wand. His hand was already shaking. And then he heard footsteps appear from behind them, and he turned to see who he initially believed was his best friend. The first thing to strike him though was the eyes. “Merlin, Prongs, what did I tell you about contacts?” Though the words left his mouth, he immediately realized they held no purpose. He wasn’t James. Wrong eyes, wrong height- there were a few other things too. Not to mention that he knew bloody mystery girl! Hermione, he’d called her. And she’d called him… Harry. What the hell?!

“You’re not James Potter.” Well, it looked like Snivellous had some intellect after all. “Of course he’s not!” But who was he then? James had no siblings, no near ages relatives. He’d know better than anyone. He’d lived with the Potters the previous summer. And after so many years in school, he’d certainly have ran across his best mate’s dopple ganger before, or at least have heard about it. More new kids? And now they were leaving… leaving him with Snape. For good measure he flicked the inside of his wrist. Maybe this was some messed up dream and he could leave.

No luck.

[harrypotter]

Harry glanced to Snape and Sirius once more as he heard Snape’s voice and Sirius’ response to it. He turned his gaze to Hermione when she spoke in an urgent voice and he nodded in agreement as he glanced back to the two teenagers. “If anyone can help us Dumbledore can, course it looks like we won’t be able to leave without giving Sirius and Snape some sort of explanation. Only problem I see is trying to explain any of this to anyone when we don’t even know what is going on.”

He had been mistaken for his father before, but to actually be back in time when he and everyone else he knew were teenagers made it very strange indeed. The thought of altering anything sent chills down his spine and he shook his head as he wiped one sweaty palm off on his robes. It was exciting and scary all at the same time to be back here and able to see his parents before they graduated and had him. He had spent so little time with them before they had been taken from him, the selfish feelings he had were understandable, at least to him. Sirius and Snape were just as he remembered them from the pensive, the question now that had him thinking was if his parents were the same.

“Hermione…..I know what your saying is right….but I may not have a chance like this again.” And there it was, the selfishness of wanting to spend a little time with his parents before he lost them shining through. He couldn’t help the feelings; anyone else would have likely done the same in his position. He met his best friend’s eyes in silence doing his best not to try and plead with her. He knew the risks, but the heart and yearning were pushing that into the back of his mind at the moment.

“I still say we talk to Dumbledore and see if he can help us get back to our own time, but I really want to spend at least a little time with my parents before I lose them again.” He did his best to keep his voice steady as he spoke and looked to Snape and Sirius once more. He knew they were just as confused as he and Hermione were and he couldn’t help wondering how many others from their time had arrived that they just hadn’t found yet. Was it just students? Or did adults get pulled through too, what would happen if a younger version of Snape ran into his younger counterpart?

[mione]

“I don’t get harped about my family. I get harped BY my family.” Sirius said, and Hermione had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. This was the Sirius she had been used to, the one that only focused on the surface of the statement, not the true meaning behind her words. He could never really grasp what she was trying to say. He laughed again, but it wasn’t a happy laugh, it was the spitefull sort that would have made a lesser woman cringe. However, Hermione stayed resolute. “No, I’d never know what that felt like," Sirius' voice dripped sarcasm. Now Hermione really did roll her eyes. "To be frank, I really don't think you do know. You see, unlike Snape, you have friends that care for you deeply. You have many people who would be there for you in a heartbeat if you felt insecure or hated for a moment. You don't know what it's like to be constantly taunted and teased for something you can't control, to know that, every time you turn down a new corridor, the majority of people you see can't stand to look at you. You don't know what it's like to feel as though everyone loathes you. If you die, you know people will miss you. So no, Sirius, I don't think you know what it's like to be truly hated." “You must be fortunate enough to have never met my cousin Bellatrix, or for that matter, anyone else related to me. They’re all bloody death eaters or they’re going to be and he’s-“ Sirius jerked a finger towards Snape, “no better.” Hermione's lip curled in disgust at the mention of Sirius' deranged cousin. "I've had the displeasure of being in her presence before," she reluctantly admitted, raising her gaze to Sirius'. "Not long after the introduction, I lost one of my friends. Didn't even know what hit him." Hermione looked down, suddenly very interested in her shoes.

“And I would greatly appreciate it if you didin’t put your foot in your mouth and pretend to know everything about things you clearly don’t have a fucking clue about!” Sirius retorted. Hermione's eyes narrowed, and, before she could stop herself, she chuckled darkly, "I know a lot more than you think, Sirius." "I believe the Lady asked you to be quiet," Snape said, and it was impossible not to notice the smugness laced in his voice.

Hermione saw Harry nod in agreement to her statement, and was impressed at his logical approach to their current situation. “If anyone can help us Dumbledore can, course it looks like we won’t be able to leave without giving Sirius and Snape some sort of explanation. Only problem I see is trying to explain any of this to anyone when we don’t even know what is going on.” Hermione frantically racked her brain, searching for a suitable explanation as to why she and Harry were in Hogwarts when they clearly were not students...well, not yet, anyway. Suddenly, she felt as though a light bulb had lit up above her head. "Harry, remember in...nevermind, you've never even looked at Hogwarts, A History," she shook her head, smiling a bit at the teasing barb as she continued, "Well, anyway, in one section, it said that Hogwarts never admits foreign exchange students. However, this rule didn't apply before 1980. It should be around, what, 1977, 1978 right now?" Without waiting for a reply, Hermione was already planning their cover story, "We could tell them that we're on an exchange program from a nearby country, someplace where they wouldn't be surprised by our accents. Wales? I've heard of a small wizarding school there, but I'm not sure. We'll have to meet with Dumbledore before we can hash out the details."

“Hermione…..I know what your saying is right….but I may not have a chance like this again.” Hermione bit her lip, knowing that apologizing would do nothing to make Harry's longing for the family he never had any less than it had ever been. "Harry..." She sighed, "The risk behind staying here longer than necessary could be disasterous. It only takes one event, one situation to alter the future forever. And the worst part about meddling with time, Harry, is that you never know whether it will change for the good or for the bad. What if you see Pettigrew, and attack him? We could go back home to Voldemort dictating the entire Wizarding world, not just his minions. I know you think it's worth it, and believe me, if I were in your place I would think the same thing, but..." Hermione trailed off, not knowing what to say in order to express the seriousness of the situation. Not only was she afraid for the future as a whole, but she was frightened for her friend. What if his parents didn't turn out the way he expected them to be? What if he were disappointed? Sure, they were only teenagers now, young and naive in their beliefs and actions, but they were only barely adults when he had lost them. Would this experience truly help Harry answer all of his questions, or would it only lead to more heartache and sorrow when it was time to leave.

“I still say we talk to Dumbledore and see if he can help us get back to our own time, but I really want to spend at least a little time with my parents before I lose them again.” Hermione's heart broke at the obvious longing in his voice. Well, maybe it wouldn't have been obvious to others who didn't know him like she and Ron did. But she knew. She could tell my the pleading in his eyes and the struggle for control in his voice. Hermione nodded, agreeing with him for the time being, then asked, "How many others do you think are here? So far, you're the only one I've seen since I've woken."

[severussnape]

"You see, unlike Snape, you have friends that care for you deeply. You have many people who would be there for you in a heartbeat if you felt insecure or hated for a moment. You don't know what it's like to be constantly taunted and teased for something you can't control, to know that, every time you turn down a new corridor, the majority of people you see can't stand to look at you. You don't know what it's like to feel as though everyone loathes you. If you die, you know people will miss you. So no, Sirius, I don't think you know what it's like to be truly hated."

This had gotten worse quickly, now Snape had no friends, was despised by everyone and might not be missed when he died according to this girl. For someone he had never met, she had certainly formed a solid opinion about him. Snape had half a mind to say something, but bit his tongue. Too quickly, the window of responce time was gone and he had defended her to Black once more.

Hasty words, after all, was the way he had lost Lily and a repeat of that was not something he desired. Then she had been joined by the boy who looked like Potter, but had eyes like Lily. That kid was certianly one who evoked mixed feelings. He had an unfortunate face but perfect eyes. Surely he had to be related to one or the other. What if he was a missing Potter cousin that linked James with lily as obscure cousins. If Severus could find the family links, then Lily would have wizarding family and he could argue to spare her life in turn. Hermione had left with the imitation Potter and Snape was left alone with Black.

The ironic thing was, Severus was standing there, ready for the slightest move from Black, but the majority of his attention was on the brunette and the boy that looked like Potter. It was possible that Black was thinking in the same direction. The sad part was, there was no way to ask. I know we've hated each other for seven years, but lets put that all aside and go chasing after the new shiny thing? Well, that question would not quite fly. Snape caught himself trying to listen in to the conversation, but hearing only muffled speech with one female voice and one male voice. I few words and phrases fell through to hearing range, mainly Dumbledore and Exchange student. They could be Durmstrang, many of the pure blood families opt to send their children there instead of Hogwarts due to their more aggressive teachings towards the dark arts and other thing that the dark lord would find favorable in the people he took in. Even the motto, "For the greater good," spoke of this philosophy. It encouraged the idea of subduing and controlling the muggles so that they would have to accept magic rather than having to hide one's true self.

And there there they were trapped in a standstill while Snape watched Sirius and listened to Hermione and her friend, whoever he was. There have been few situations as odd as this one and Severus found himself desperately hoping this was not something that would last too long. Falling into boredom or complacency would be a dangerous place to go.

[siriusblack]

She was twisting all of his words around against him, and Sirius didn’t appreciate it. "To be frank, I really don't think you do know. You see, unlike Snape, you have friends that care for you deeply. You have many people who would be there for you in a heartbeat if you felt insecure or hated for a moment. You don't know what it's like to be constantly taunted and teased for something you can't control, to know that, every time you turn down a new corridor, the majority of people you see can't stand to look at you. You don't know what it's like to feel as though everyone loathes you. If you die, you know people will miss you. So no, Sirius, I don't think you know what it's like to be truly hated." In a very general sense, what she was saying was true. But of course, Sirius never did look at things in a conventional way, and he also wasn’t particularly fond of telling people he was arguing with that they were right. Right as it was, she was going about it in the entirely wrong way, and he wanted her to know that.

“You don’t know me... I’ve never seen you before. I’ve never talked to you before. And you don’t have any reason to, or any right, to judge me. Or anyone! You think you’re helping him? You think it’s nice to tell someone that they won’t be missed when they die? You’re a hypocrite! But you’re right. Somehow. I’ve got three of the best friends in the world. Snivellous’ lack of friends isn’t anyone’s fault but his own though. We have this thing in life called choices!” He honestly didn’t understand how this girl that had been asking Snape’s name only a moment ago, could have them so pegged. Something about it didn’t fit together. And the judging, that just wasn’t- he wasn’t all everyone made him out to be sometimes. If he died, he honestly didn’t know if anyone other than the remaining Maraduers would mourn him. It would more likely than not be at his alleged family’s hands, and the rest of the school- well they’d be shocked that someone who made everyone believe he was completely invincibly died, but he never got to know anyone better than that. And he didn’t need to. James, Remus, and Peter were all he could ever want or ask for.. In that sense, yes, he was far more fortunate than Snivellous. But not because of luck, not because of anyone other than himself. Snape hadn’t had to go calling Lily a mudblood. Had he called James a blood traitor, or Remus a werewolf in the bad way, of course they wouldn’t like him! That was just stupid! And trailing about Death Eaters like Malfoy, Snape wasn’t trying to make friends. And it wasn’t his problem. "Do YOU know what it's like to be hated?" he snapped. "I'm sure you do, because we've all dealt with it. Is this how you deal with it? By getting up in other people's faces and accusing them of things, just whatever you want to? That doesn't make you a better person than me!" Maybe he wasn't a greasy death eater git, but he'd been the one that spent his first of day of Hogwarts sitting at a table with a house that thought they could never trust him because he was a Black, and a table of Blacks that wanted to kill him because he was a Gryffindor. Being alone wasn't fun, it was terrible, but he'd fixed it and proved himself. If Snivellous couldn't do that, then he didn't deserve friends.

"I've had the displeasure of being in her presence before. Not long after the introduction, I lost one of my friends. Didn't even know what hit him." Lost? Lost like… death. “Bella… killed someone?” He couldn’t help looking a bit aghast, and even more infuriated than he already was. He didn’t doubt his cousin had it in her He’d seen her curse enough times, and more than enough had he been on the receiving end. But killing, it was a bit harder to grasp. And so was the psychic hypocrite girl, and the confident Snivellous, and the Prongs clone. It was so weird.. he couldn’t really be blamed for being on edge.

He hadn’t had an intelligent retort for her before she went off with Harry. He just couldn’t stop staring. Hermione’s words from before were playing over in his head, and so were a million and one other little things Sirius needed to think about. Like the Prongs clone; which he had determined was in fact a clone. Slightly less good looking, but enough to fool someone that wasn’t his closest friend. The girl was clearly supposed to be Evans, but there had been a mega failure in that hair. The personality however was scarily accurate. Finally it seemed to click, and he muttered “It’s not funny Prongs”, as if his friend really was somewhere in close vicinity, pulling the strings on some elaborate prank. He was convinced for a few seconds that it was over now and everyone was just going to go away, but it wasn’t happening. James wasn’t showing up, and the strange new people weren’t leaving. The reckless ideas started again at full force, along with the idea of Bella shrieking the killing curse. First it was just a word; then at some random unsuspecting wizard. And then it was at his friends. And that's when Sirius decided that the loudest, most obnixous sound though, was what he assumed to be Snape’s breathing. It was one of the only sounds in reality, but Sirius had suddenly flipped his rather classic fight or flight switch, and without a warning he pushed Snape against the nearest wall. “Shut up!” It wasn't really directed at Snape so much as a very belated retort to Hermione, and maybe a bit to himself. He hadn't even drawn his wand. He didn't want to really hurt anyone, whether it looked that way or not. The Slytherin had just been unfortunate enough to have been standing the closest, and well, it had all started with him.