The Biggest Sacrifice

Sunday the 4^th of January 1976

She was getting tired of this office – the same circular walls and trinkets – the same man sat behind his desk, half moon spectacles perched on his crooked nose and twinkling bright blue eyes staring at her from behind the glass.

Sometimes she wondered why he even bothered continuing with this charade of checking up on her, calling her up to his office like they had something to talk about, instead of excepting the truth of their relationship that was – they didn’t trust each other. Honestly she just didn’t understand why he didn’t try and pierce her mind and get whatever the hell he was after.

Instead he spoke about something, soft, unaware that Hermione had stopped paying attention the moment he opened his mouth and nothing important came out.

“Sirius was called back home during the holidays.” Hermione spoke, cutting him off before he could go on another tangent that might actually put her to sleep.

“I suspected he might be.” A sigh was all that followed, not true concern or worry, but a simple sigh.

“He didn’t go, I wouldn’t let him.” Hermione spoke again, shaking her head and crossing her arms over her chest. “I refuse to let him walk into that...to give himself over to him.” Dumbledore’s jaw ticked a fraction and his eyes dimmed as he stared up at her.

“Miss Potter…”

“And you were right – I am willing to put my friends before everyone else – to put someone else in their place so that I don’t loose them – you were right about that.” Hermione admitted, his eyes flashed again, with something far too much like pride and Hermione bit her tongue for a second.

“It gives me no joy to -”

“But you were wrong too, because I refuse to let Regulus be anything short of what is expected of him – he doesn’t deserve it, Sir, and if we could find some way to help -”

“I am unclear as to what you want me to do.” Dumbledore spoke softly, leaning onto his desk and giving her his best innocent stare. “I can not save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.” Or save someone who doesn’t fit into my plan. Hermione added silently.

“He’s a child, barely fifteen and more than likely to be marked when Sirius leaves, if we could find some way to save him – I could even ask my parents or the Order -” Her words race to trip over each other, urgently trying to find their way out.

“While I admire your heart, how do you think the Blacks would react as to not only having their heir deny them but their spare then taken away?” Bile raised up her throat as he named them as nothing more than pieces. “How do you think Voldemort would feel, knowing he had been withheld the promise he was no doubt given?” He added when Hermione didn’t speak, a sigh once again leaving his mouth as he leaned forward. “We can not save everyone.”

She knows this, Merlin does she know this. Some things have been changed, a small piece removed had changed a larger part of her future, but now it was unpredictable – except with Regulus and Sirius, the pair of them stuck to their paths no matter what.

And Hermione would be damned if she didn’t try to save them from the pain that would soon fall on their doorsteps – it was the least she could do. Yet Dumbledore would never see it like that, he had made a choice, one he was trying to make now as he stared at her rather pointedly.

“Then why was I sent back?” Hermione snapped, raising her arms. “Why was I given this impossible mission that you refuse to allow me to fulfil – if not to make the future better, end years of war and to save people who didn’t deserve their fate?” Her words lashed out of her mouth, making Dumbledore flinch and lean back.

“You are here for those reasons, but also for yourself, and in that fact, we then have to make peace that with every step we taken into a different future, the unknown can not be predicted.” Dumbledore rose from his desk, leaning slightly and staring at Hermione with that little smile he got when he spoke about something impossible and fascinating.

“Yet Regulus -”

“Might never need to be saved, we can not know and I can not risk other people for his sake.” He had decided, made a choice without even thinking it through.

“I used to think you were a man worthy of respect, a long time ago – but you just play people like pawns, no one moving without your permission, no one planning without your oversight.” Hermione laughed bitterly, shaking her head. “But I warned you once, Professor, and I will warn you again – I’m not afraid to go out on my own and do what I need to do – I am not someone you can control – I have seen the future and I know what needs to be done, you will not stop me any more.”

Bold and stubborn, never knowing when to back down, her father, Fleamont, had described her as he patted her head and laughed. It had always felt like something she should be proud of, but now it soured in her gut as Dumbledore rounded the desk with fury in his eyes.

Hermione though, refused to be afraid, even as he spoke lowly. “I do not take too lightly to insults, Miss Potter, and I think it would do you a great deal of good to remember just how dangerous it could be to insult and disrespect someone much more powerful than yourself.” A warning and a threat.

Yet he needed her, despite his tone and anger, he needed her more than anyone else. He needed her to fall in line and listen, because no one could do as much damage as she could.

“And I do not take too kindly to threats – especially when they come from people who would much rather sit behind a desk than actually help in the war they claim they are a part of.” She left the moment her words hissed out of her, no longer interested in seeing whatever he had to claim.

Nothing good would come from this, and Hermione couldn’t find it within herself to care.

…

Put it away. Put it away. Hermione’s mind rang with every step closer to the Common Room, pushing down her anger and annoyance until it was nothing but a tickle in the back of her mind. An unhealthy way to deal with it, and she would probably explode at some point or the other but she could deal with it for now – or rather, ignore it and not deal with it for now.

A sigh left her mouth as she climbed through the portrait hole, the Common Room except for one who sat on the sofa staring at the slowly dying fire, the faint light reflecting on his hair and adding a tinge of reddish brown to his eyes.

“Zach?” Hermione asked unsure, the eyes snapping to her own, followed by a large grin. She moved slower into the light, the anger fading into nothing as she gave him an amused smile. “Were you waiting for me?”

He stood up, a faint blush on his cheeks as his grin turned more sheepish. “We didn’t get much time on the train today, and I – well I – I wanted to see you before I went to bed.” Whatever tension remained left as she moved forward to wrap her arms around his waist and rest her head on his chest.

Maybe it was too soon – too much happening in one day, too much reliance, but when his arms settled around her shoulders and his head rested on top of hers, she didn’t care to think about it any more.

This is what being a teenager was, moving too fast and not thinking. Sending letters and giggling at replies, been consumed by something that she was sure wasn’t love but still made her feel warm inside. Missing them when they weren’t around and blushing at flirty comments.

It was sweet and simple, and something Hermione Granger had kind of missed out on, her brief relationship with Krum had been nothing more than a couple of kisses. Not like with Zach.

Sweet Zach who probably deserved better, and who would leave Hogwarts in a few months. Her heart ached slightly, the thought of two more years without their talks, without someone seeing her for someone better than she was. It made a sigh leave her mouth.

“You ok?” His hands were large on her shoulder but so gentle as he pulled back, a rare frown between his eyes as he looked down at her with concern.

“Yeah, I just missed you.” Hermione muttered back with a small smile of her own, the frown lessened slightly and his hands moved to cup her cheeks, a question in his eyes as he lowered his head, waiting for her to give him a nod.

His lips were soft and tasted faintly of mint, and his hands moved into her hair, tugging slightly on the curls, Hermione moaned slightly as Zach pulled back, an apology on his lips and his eyes wide, but there was something else there – curiosity and it made Hermione giggle to herself lightly.

“Don’t worry.” His mouth opened to say something but Hermione pulled him back down with another giggle, kissing him with a bit more force and clasping her hands around the back of his neck. His own hands moved from her hair hesitantly and settled gently on her waist, gripping a bit tighter as she let out a content sigh.

It made her insides warm as he pulled her closer, still being mindful, and while she wasn’t complaining but she couldn’t help but wish he wouldn’t hold her like she was about to slap his hands away.

Sirius hadn’t needed to be told what you wanted. The small voice in the back of her mind muttered, shoved away by gritted teeth and feet that moved Zach closer towards the sofa, a small smile on her face as he sat down with a slight an exhale, his mouth opening to speak but his eyes were glassy.

“I -”

Hermione chuckled again, leaning over to give him another kiss on the lips and grinning against his mouth when his hands came up automatically to rest on her sides. She slipped beside him, legs resting over his lap and mouth glued firmly to his – her tongue coming out to trace the bottom of his lip as he groaned, his hands digging more into her side and her whole belly clenching as one hand moved closer to her stomach...

“What the fuck!” Zach pulled away, eyes glazed and hooded, staring down at her probably swollen lips – a frown on his face as he seemed to try and recall why he had stopped. “Why do I always have to walk in on this shit?”

“James?” Hermione asked confused, her head turning to see her brother as she tried to order her body to move from it’s current position, hands on Zach’s chest, her legs over his like she was a second from straddling his lap. “What are you doing here?” Her breathing came out laboured and didn’t help the situation as Zach let out a barely there groan.

“What am I doing? What are you doing – this is a public safe space!” James shouted, his voice raising higher in pitch as Hermione bit out a chuckle.

“James, mate, why are you shou – oh.” The grin quickly slid off her face as Sirius followed after James through the portrait hole, stepping closer into the light and eyes turning stony as he looked between Zach and Hermione.

A sharp twist in the gut and a quick glance from James had her bowing her head slightly and turning away, if Zach thought anything about the stern expression on Sirius’ usually happy face then he didn’t show it. Instead he seemed more focused on taking deep breaths and keeping her by his side.

“Are neither of you going to get up?” James asked suddenly, trying to remove whatever tension remained in the room.

“No, Jamie so why don’t you just run along to bed.” Hermione bit back as Zach ran a stroking hand over her waist and let out another breath, seeming more and more uncomfortable with every passing moment as James’ moved opened and he narrowed his eyes.

“Nah – I think we should stay here, make sure nothing unsavoury happens.” Sirius spoke, grinning once again as he jumping over the top of the single sofa, kicking out his legs and resting them on the coffee table, wagging his eyebrows as his hands rested behind his head.

Hermione wanted to curse him, to remind him that he had nothing to do with this side of her relationship but it was easier to ignore. “Fine, then we’ll just go to Zach’s room.”

“No you won’t, young lady!”

“Like fuck you are.”

The two replies came at once, everyone seeming more surprised at one than the other, silver eyes darting nervously around the room before an easy grin settled on his face and his raspier than usual voice rang out. “You have to understand, Townsend, I can’t just be letting Hermione, my good friend, be gallivanting off places in the night – not until you prove yourself.”

“Prove myself?”

“Sirius, you spend most of your time gallivanting with different girls in broom closets and not once have I asked any of them to prove themselves.” Hermione spoke dryly as Zach frowned, turning to look back at Hermione.

“It’s different -”

“It’s you interfering which I don’t want and I don’t need – Zach and I will make our own choices without you being involved.” She spat out as Sirius scoffed and muttered something under his breath. She didn’t ask what he was saying, didn’t much care what he was talking about.

“She’s right – we shouldn’t be involved – well you shouldn’t, if Zach wants to prove himself then he’ll have to show me, not you.” James spoke next, a bold grin on his face as he crossed his arms and stared down at Zach who was watching his with raised eyebrows.

“James -”

“No, he’s right.” Zach spoke suddenly, standing up and facing her brother. “Not that I’ve given any reason for you to doubt me, but I understand, she’s your sister and you’re protective and I’ll do my best to make sure I never hurt her or make her do anything she doesn’t want to do.” He held out his hand as James eyed it warily.

“Not that you could anyway, she will hex your balls straight off, but I appreciate and respect that – I will also be watching and if there ever comes a day where you fail, I will kill you.” Hermione sighed as James clasped the older boys hand, leaning close and gritting his teeth in a way that she was sure he thought made him look tough but really he just looked like he need a shit.

“I don’t doubt it so I’ll make sure to let you see how much I actually like Hermione, even if I haven’t admitted that to her.” Zach muttered, sending Hermione a red cheeked look as a smile began to form on her face again.

“I think the kissing and dry humping made it known.”

“Shut up – sorry Zach, ignore him, he hasn’t been trained yet.” James spoke, shaking his head and staring down at Sirius like he was a naughty child.

“Fuck off.”

“That’s all I needed to hear though, so you have my blessing to see my sister and don’t piss her off.” James grinned, moving to try and pull Sirius up by his armpits, throwing the boy onto the floor before turning to Hermione. “Now that’s all settled, I think it’s time we went to bed.”

She stared at him wide eyed, hands on either side of the sofa as she thought about actually following through with his command. “James -”

“I may be agreeable but I’m not letting either of you continue.”

“Fine – can I at least say goodnight?” Hermione bit out, standing off the sofa and glaring at her brother as he tapped his chin and turned back to look at his watch.

“Ten seconds.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Hermione whispered, hugging Zach around the waist and cranking her neck to stare up at his face, reaching onto her tiptoes to give him a soft peck on the lips before she grinned. “And if it’s any consolation, I like you too.” His face split into a grin, his hands reaching for her, only to frown as James pulled her away.

“And time to go!”

…

Monday the 12^th of January 1976

“Watch where you’re going, Potter.” His lip curled in a sneer as he stared down at her, all black except his pale face. Severus Snape. And to think they had managed to go a few months without speaking, it was a shame that her luck had ran out within the first week back at school

“I could say the same to you - do you always wait around for people in dark corridors or am I just lucky?" Hermione asked sweetly, standing up and brushing herself off. Snape moved his arm awkwardly, like he had been thinking of helping her up – a flash of something dark peeking out beneath his sleeve.

Something that made Hermione grow cold.

“You wish, Potter.” His black eyes met hers, his arm shaking out his sleeve as Hermione clicked her tongue and tilted her head. In truth she wasn’t all that surprised, though a part of her had wished that somehow Lily’s early exit from their friendship would have changed his mind.

“I can assure that I haven’t, nor would I ever, wish for anything of the sort, Snape.” Hermione muttered, her eyes still flicking to his pale fingers, enough that even Snape looked down with a frown.

“I wasn’t offering.”

“Glad that’s sorted...can you move now?”

“In a rush, Potter?” His black eyes glittered, his lip curling up into some amused sneer as his hands crossed over his chest. “Do you have to go see to the needs of the Gryffindor Tower?” It was meant to be an insult – she knew that, and it so easily should have been one she could have walked away from with a roll of her eyes.

“Actually, I was meeting Lily – you remember her don’t you, red hair, green eyes – Muggleborn?” Hermione asked, tilting her head to the side and giving him a grin that made his smirk drop in a second. “I mean, I can only assume you do, didn’t you used to be friends?” It sounded like an honest question, and maybe it was but it only made Snape grit his teeth harder.

“Shut up.” Her back hit the stone wall, drawing a hiss from her lips as Snape stood in front of her, wand pointed at her throat, her chin tilted upwards, and eyes burning into hers. “You know nothing about me and Lily.”

“I know more than you think – and I know any hopes you had of continuing your friendship were gone the moment you got that mark on your arm.” Hermione gestured down to his arm, the wand poking her neck a bit more as Snape’s eyes turned wide.

“I don’t know what you’re -”

“Was it the moment you turned sixteen?” There was something wrong with her, taunting someone clearly on the edge. “Lily thought about you that night, she wondered how you were celebrating your birthday, I bet it would pain her to hear you spent it being marked by someone who wants her dead.” Yet it was thrilling to do.

The ball of anger and hurt inside her eased a bit, a sick smile making it’s way to her face as a flash of hurt ran through his own. It made her want to be sick, made a side of scream out, she had never been this cruel, never hurt just to forget her own.

“You don’t understand, you never did.”

“Try me.” For a second she thought he might, his mouth open and his hold on her lessening. Something flashed behind his eyes, sad and pleading but gone before she could fully figure out what it meant.

“Snape? Potter?” Footsteps followed the voice, bright blue eyes and shorter waves than his brothers, the green of the lining of his robes catching in the light. “What’s happening here?” Regulus asked after a second, eyes trained on Hermione.

“Your little bloodtraitor cousin was just about to get what’s good for her.” Snape hissed, stepping closer to Hermione once again.

“Perhaps you should put down your wand, Severus – you know the retaliation you will face if they found out you hurt their precious Hermione.” Regulus was stepping closer then, inserting himself into the little space between them and placing his hand on Snape’s arm to push down his wand.

Hermione grinned, sure her eyes were flashing in the light as she moved to look around Regulus. “I can promise you what they will do to you will be nothing compared to what will I do if you dare to try anything else.” Snape’s eyes moved down as her wand slipped into her hand, hidden in her cloak the whole time, his black eyes seeming to burn with fury.

His eyes snapped to Regulus, and Hermione could see how it would look. The smaller boy stood seemingly protective, in front of a girl he barely acknowledged, his arms spread wide and his eyes mainly focused on Snape before him.

“I should have known...one day, your pathetic weakness for these people is going to get you killed.” Snape didn’t wait to see what the response would be, swinging around, his cloaks billowing around him dramatically and his head bowed as he stormed away.

“He has a point, you know.”

“Are you going out of your way to aggravate everyone today?” Regulus turned to ask her, eyes amused and mouth turning up slightly at the corners. Her own eyes rolled as her arms crossed over her chest.

“I think it’s -”

“Hermione?” The pair turned to see the older, slightly more handsome silver eyed Sirius walking towards them, a lack of anger in his eyes but instead a look of stony coldness as he sent a quick glance to Regulus – the boy remaining the same. “What are you doing here?”

“We were just talking.”

“Shouldn’t you be off practising how to stick your head further up Walburga’s arse.” Surprisingly Regulus let out a loud laugh, shaking his head and missing the shocked expressions of Hermione and Sirius as they turned to watch him.

“Good one – but no, instead I’m filling in the drama you made when you didn’t come home.” Regulus spoke, though it didn’t seem harsh, simply as though he was commenting on the weather or the décor of the corridor the three of them stood in. “You should thank me for that.” He added smugly as Sirius glared at him.

“Thank you?” Sirius asked, before biting out a cold laugh. “You’ve all but signed yourself up to be Voldy’s personal boot licker – it’s what you’ve wanted for years, I bet you can’t wait to get yourself marked up and out killing innocent people.” His lip sneered unattractively and Hermione’s heart clenched as Regulus’ smile fell.

“Sirius -”

“Don’t mind him, Hermione, he’ll only ever see what he wants to see.” Regulus hit back, though the tinges of amusement still lingered, they were mixed with sadness and annoyance.

Sirius’ white teeth glinted in the dim light, his tongue running along them and his eyes narrowing. She wanted to stop them, to get them to see the others point of view, to fix the damage done so long ago but it felt impossible at this moment. “I only see the truth.”

“Maybe one day, brother, until then you should start worrying about yourself.” Regulus spoke back calmly, though his hands brushed down his robe, the Slytherin badge catching in the light.

“Is that a threat?”

“Keep an eye on her too, I don’t want to have to do your job of stopping Snape from cursing her annoying little mouth shut.” Regulus added without elaborating, pointing to Hermione with one last tense smile and turning on his heel, leaving the to watch after him.

It made sadness grip her from every angle. So young and the world already on his shoulders, duties that would be expected of him when Sirius finally left, questionable morals and a brother who thought he was going down the wrong path.

A path he had decided to choose simply because he knew Sirius wouldn’t if he didn’t have to.

Hermione didn’t wait to see what Sirius would say, sending him a quick frown as she moved down the corridor, her heels clicking against the stones and his own louder footsteps following behind her. It wasn’t unfamiliar for them to walk together but now it felt forced and strange.

“What were you doing with him?” Sirius asked finally, his arm brushing up against her own and his silver eyes locked onto her face.

“He just told you.” Hermione hissed slightly, turning the corner and letting out a sigh when he grabbed her arm. “Snape and me got into a little argument, I was backed into a wall, Regulus came and broke it up – that’s all there is to it.” Her voice softened as she gently pulled her arm away and sent him a quick look.

“Then why do I feel like your lying.” Maybe she was, about so many things that she didn’t even want to get into with him.

“Because you refuse to see what’s in front of you.”

“Don’t you start too.”

“No, Sirius, don’t you start – he’s your little brother -”

“He’s about to become a future Deatheater!”

“Not because he wants to but because he has to – it took me a long time to see it, to try and understand why he would want to go down this path – but he knows it’s either you or him, and we all know that it won’t be you.” Hermione hissed out, her voice much harder than it should have been, but she was tired of this – tired of trying to make him see.

“So this is my fault?” Sirius asked, a look of disbelief on his face.

“When will you stop being so defensive?” Hermione asked, finally stopping outside the Common Room. “We’ve been through this time and time again since Christmas, when are you actually going to listen to what you are being told?” He let out a little laugh, his breath making the smaller hairs tickle her face.

“When I see him prove it, when I can look in my brothers eyes and know that he isn’t like them, that he doesn’t believe them!” He all but shouted in her face, much too close than what he probably should have been but neither of them moved.

“Can’t you just trust what I’m telling you?” Can’t you trust that whatever mess your brother will get himself into, I will be there to clean it up – to bring him home.

Her voice had been soft and the anger melted off of Sirius’ face as he looked down at her, eye flicking lower than her eyes and then back up as he gulped. She could see the traces of dark circles under his own eyes, the slight growing stubble above his lip and on his chin.

Why did they always seem to end up in these situations? Fighting and then staring at each other for what felt like hours, days even, not a drop of anger left between them but instead something else...something that felt like coming home on a cold day and sitting much too close to the fire.

He burnt her from inside out, lighting her skin on fire with even a trace of his eyes or the gentlest touch of his fingers. And more than that, she craved it, now, tomorrow and when she was alone at night thinking of his gaze and wicked smile. It was both too much and not enough.

“Hermione?” Her breath left her, stuttering and shaking, as she turned her head to see Zach leaving the Common Room.

Her feet took her a step back and an easy smile made it’s way to her face, even as she risked one last look at Sirius. His eyes met hers, understanding flying through them, it was all she needed for now, enough to turn her away and to get back to Zach.

...

Friday the 30th of January 1976

“Erm...good morning?”

“Happy Birthday – Bitch!” Hermione blinked, frowning at Marlene as the girl let out a cackle and threw her arms in the arm, all but diving on top of the girl who was staring at the both of them like they were insane. It was quite possible.

“Thank you, that’s really – for fucks sake Marly, get off!” Lily snapped pushing at the blonde who was all but laid on top of her, the corner of her lips turning up slightly when Marlene placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek.

“Oh don’t be rude, Evans, she’s just trying to offer you the same gift she offers everyone else.” The three girls turned to see Emmeline and Jenny making their way to the bathroom door, catty eyes on them and smirks that tainted their faces.

“And we mean everyone, you just can’t keep your legs closed for anyone, can you McKinnon?” Jenny added nastily, something in her voice that spoke like it was a secret, and Hermione froze, turning to look at Marlene whose mouth was stretched into a tight smile. She had moved off of Lily now, laid beside her with her hands clasped tightly on her stomach.

“I can when you’re involved.”

“Come on Emmeline.” Jenny spoke, moving to grab her best friend and all but drag her out of the room, that even Emmeline looked a bit nervous to be in.

Hermione couldn’t blame her. Despite all their differences, Emmeline had never made a comment about Marlene’s rumoured preferences – no one had. It wasn’t like they could just come out and ask the question that sometimes played on the backs of their minds.

Maybe in a different world, or a different time, it would be more acceptable and Marlene, if that was the case, could come forward and tell her friends honestly – but for now, it was just something they were going to have to pretend they didn’t know.

It wasn’t like it mattered much either way. Hermione honestly didn’t care who Marlene wanted to fuck, as long as her friend was happy.

“What a great start to my morning.” Lily mumbled as Hermione turned her gaze away from the door and back towards her friends.

“Maybe this will cheer you up.” She grabbed the present from where she had rested it on Lily’s trunk, throwing it onto the girls lap and sitting on the edge of the bed as Lily moved to open the gift, taking her time in pulling off the paper.

A gasp left her mouth as her emerald eyes turned to Hermione, watery with tears. "Where did you find this?" Nimble fingers ran over the edge of the book, old in appearance and not even written in today’s English but it was what Lily had wanted.

“I have my ways.” Hermione muttered, a small smile on her face as Lily raised an eyebrow and waited. “I asked dad.” She added with blushing cheeks as Lily grinned.

“Well then I’ll have to thank him when I see him.” Lily teased as Hermione frowned, bouncing slightly on the bed as Marlene pulled herself off and moved towards her own trunk.

“Hey! I paid for it – he just asked a friend.” It was weak but a smile made it’s way onto her face as Lily chuckled to herself, already looking through the pages of the book. “Thank him for the gift he and my mum sent instead.”

“Your parents sent a gift?”

Hermione couldn’t guess why that was surprising, Lily had made a good impression on her parents – that and they had a love of spoiling friends and family it seemed. Hermione leaned back around, picking up the present her mother had so carefully wrapped and held it out to Lily. “Of course – here, open it.”

Lily did so with seemingly extra care, like it was the most important gift in the world to her. Her hand pulling at the parcel, as the box opened by itself, a couple of gifts inside.

“Oh nice, Aunt Effie sent you some biscuits.” Marlene cried, popping beside Lily and placing her own present by the girl as she reached into the box, frowning when Lily slapped her hand away and moved towards the other present. “Ow.”

It wasn’t anything too grand, not compared to what her parents could usually buy, the ruby on her own necklace and the diamond one she had worn to the ball came to mind, but it was sweet and so perfectly Lily in every way. A beautifully feathered quill, Phoenix by the looks of it, and a cream journal to match, her name encrusted in small garnets on the side.

“Is that – are they real?”

“What are they - rubies?”

“Garnets, I believe.”

“My birthstone – are they real?”

“Probably.”

“Don’t just shrug – what – why – your parents must have paid a fortune.” Lily finally snapped at Hermione, her hands running over the dragonhide and stones, her eyes wider than normal with a frown forming between them – quite a strange expression.

“At the risk of sounding overly spoiled and rich, I really doubt that even made a dent in their Gringotts Vault, Lil’.” Hermione spoke slowly, wincing when both girls turned their eyes onto Hermione. She had only been trying to help, it wasn’t her fault that her parents were rich.

“Because that helps.” Lily snapped, her eyes turning watery again and making Hermione cringe as she reached forward to take the girls hand.

“Don’t snap, it was a gift – enjoy it, use it and don’t think about the cost.” Hermione spoke softly, it was a mentality she had to adapt to when she joined the family and was given gifts that probably cost more than they should have, but it was her parents way and if they wanted to spoil her then who was she to stop them.

“And open this gift, it’s not as extravagant as everyone else’s but I think you might still like it.” Marlene spoke, pointing to the gift still beside Lily. “But do it fast, otherwise we are going to miss breakfast.” As if to make a point her stomach rumbled.

Lily let out a chuckle and picked up the present, a small smile on her face as she unwrapped the gift – it was a photo of the three of them from Christmas Eve. Dressed up beautifully, before they got high, all squished together, Lily hugging Hermione and Marlene hugging Lily from behind, massive grins on their faces. A reminder of their fun night.

“Thank you, Marly.” Lily whispered, hugging the girl quickly before moving on to open the rest of her presents from her parents, a smile on her face with each on. "Oh look Petunia wrote a letter." Lily exclaimed, a nervous smile on her face as she opened it up and let out a sigh. "Dear Lily, Happy Birthday, Petunia.”

“You know, there’s short and sweet and then there’s just this – maybe she just got so lost in her emotions that she couldn’t put quill to parchment.” Marlene spoke with a grimace, looking to Hermione for help.

“Doubtful, extremely doubtful.”

…

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LILY!"

If Lily was surprised then she didn’t show it, instead she grinned prettily and moved to give each of the boys as quick hug, staying a second longer than she should have for James, but no one commented, not even the boy whose smile was larger than ever.

The Common Room had been transformed, cake, snacks and butterbeer on a side table, banners and streamers hanging above the windows and fireplace, and people enjoying the atmosphere of what could only be called a tame party, considering the Marauder’s reputation for grand spectacles and burning liquor.

“It’s not much, but it was either this or James prosing, and chocolate from me and Remus.” Sirius spoke suddenly, moving Lily to sit down on the sofa and placing a large square present in her lap, a grin on his face as James blushed.

“Though just to be safe, we did also get you chocolate.” Remus added cheekily, pulling a couple of bars from his robes and setting them on the coffee table.

Everyone turned to James, unsure as he sat beside Lily with a frown, her emerald eyes wary as he pulled something from his pocket and let out a scoff. “It’s just some sugar quills, don’t worry – I’m not going to propose for a few years.” Between three to five to be more exact, Hermione thought to herself, hiding her knowledge behind a careful smile.

Lily simply shook her head, the corner of her mouth turning up slightly as she looked down at her gift, her mouth forming in an ‘o’.

A small cat poked it’s head out of the box, black and white and tinier than any kitten Hermione had ever seen. “You got me a cat?”

“Yeah...well we saw how much you liked Crookshanks and Remus remembered that you always said you wanted a pet...so yeah.” James finished wincing slightly, reaching down to scratch the cat’s head. “Probably should have thought it through or asked your parents...but I can always keep him and we can get you something else…”

James was rambling now and Lily was staring at him with wide eyes, her hands reaching forward to stop his own from moving the cat that was now staring up at her. “No, I – thank you all so much.” She whispered, moving forward to wrap her arms around James.

The boy stayed still, even as she moved back, picking up the cat and cuddling it to her chest and muttering softly as it purred. She didn’t say anything else, seeming more than content to cuddle her cat than actually speak to her friends, a laugh leaving her mouth as Crookshanks appeared on the back of the sofa, scrunched up face peering down the small thing.

“Isn’t he cute, Crooky?” Lily asked, letting the cats smell each other as Hermione stared in shock, turning to James.

“I haven’t seen him in days, but the moment Lily gets a cat he’s there.” She complained, moving to stroke her cat who blinked and jumped to curl beside Lily.