It's About Time

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A/N: To be clear, the italics towards the end are Harry’s words and actions

Chapter Sixteen.

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Sirius looked between his friends intently. There he stood, perched upon on an uncertain precipice. He knew he could not turn back.

And so he leapt.

He backed away from his friends and strode out of the pub. His feet hit the road and he began running towards the school not knowing what would he would say if he reached her in time or if he was already too late.

His run became a sprint, the pounding of his shoes upon the ground matching the pounding of his heart, beat for beat.

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Sirius ran on. Past the bustling shops of Hogsmeade Village. Past the blurred faces of his fellow students.

He raced through the streets peering over the heads of his classmates looking left and then right with no sign of the woman he sought. Carrying him with each stride was the blind longing to hear her voice, soft and assured, and all the hope that would come with it; to see her face, the very image that had been burned into his subconscious… his final waking thought each night.

He no longer cared that they weren't speaking. His anger and their argument meant nothing now and the pain it had inflicted upon him dissolved with every promising step.

Finally, he reached the gates of the school. Never slowing for even a second, Sirius raised his eyes to the heavens in a silent prayer that he would find her in time.

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Hermione folded the last of her few items of clothing and placed it into her trunk. Wiping away the stray tears that she hadn't realized had been streaming down her face, she took one final glance around her dormitory and was surprised to find that she had truly come to feel at home in this strange time.

Now she would leave and become a stranger yet again… wherever she ended up. Perhaps she would take a job in Diagon Alley or even try living in muggle London. Whatever happened, she knew she was doing what was best for the future.

She closed her trunk and choked back a sob as she latched it shut. This was it.

As she turned to the door, a purple quill on Lily's bedside table caught her attention and a thought occurred to her. It was risky, yes, but it could mean that Lily and James lived to see Harry grow up… it could mean that Remus didn't have to live a life of solitude and, most of all, it could mean that Sirius was able to become the man he was always meant to become.

Throwing open her trunk, Hermione snatched up a spare bit of parchment and ran over to the table, grabbing Lily's quill and ink.

She placed the point of the quill to the paper and halted. What was she to write? She couldn't explain in a letter that she was from the future… who would believe her?

In hopes that the right words would miraculously appear before her, Hermione eyed the parchment intently, chewing on her bottom lip. Her eyes travelled to the large window that overlooked the grounds and fell upon a most familiar sight: The Beech tree, beneath which the Marauders spent innumerable hours together and where she and Sirius had shared their first and only kiss.

And then the words came to her. Furiously, she began scribbling her final message to those she would leave behind.

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Sirius tore through the grand doors of the castle and into the Entrance Hall dodging left and right the students that were milling about enjoying their day off. There was no sight of her.

Continuing up the grand staircase, he swore under his breath when he saw the next set of stairs begin to move. Not even a moving staircase could stop him though. He finally knew, with crystal-clear certainty that it was Hermione and Hermione alone that he could not waste another moment without, so he sped up and just barely managed to reach the stairs.

Sirius climbed half a dozen staircases without paying any heed to where he was going. Another extended corridor stretched out before him and he ran the length of it in a frenzied haze when he finally arrived at the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. He spoke the password with shallow breath and flew through the entrance, searching the common room hurriedly for her familiar face. But she was no where to be found.

Without a second’s hesitation, he bolted up the stairs to the girls’ dormitory.

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As Hermione scrawled the words of advice upon the parchment, tears had begun trailing freely down her face. For the first time in her life she truly, wholly and beyond the shadow of a doubt knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed, and now all she could think was that she would never have the chance to tell him.

It was likely she could never return to her own time, though the hope that she could change it for the better was worth this sacrifice. Maybe one day Sirius Black would know how much she truly loved him. At least she hoped. Perhaps, it would make up for the fact that their last words to one another had been so hateful.

The final words of her hasty letter flowed from the tip of the quill when a voice brought her script to a standstill.

“Hermione?” The unforgettable deep voice sounded from behind her.

Her breath caught in her throat. She hardly dared believe it could be. Turning away from the window, an exalted sob escaped Hermione’s mouth when she finally laid her eyes upon Sirius’ weary and yet, still, beautiful face as he stood tall in the doorway. The forgotten parchment fluttered to the floor behind her.

Before Hermione could breathe a word he soared towards her, his dark gray eyes shining with emotion and wild, unyielding desire. Reaching her in mere seconds, he buried his hands in her long, curly locks and crushed his lips to hers, stealing the breath from her very lungs.

Sirius explored her mouth fervidly, the sweet taste of her kiss mingled with salty tears. Hermione clutched the front of his robes desperately to prove to herself this was not a dream and she kissed him back more ardently.

Sirius swept her up in his strong arms as though she weighed no more than a dried leaf. Their kiss never ceased as he lay her down upon her bed, lowering himself over her. They broke apart breathlessly and he took in the anticipated sight. Her long hair splayed out on the pillow beneath her head and she gazed up at him beneath hooded eyes. She literally took his breath away.

Their lips met once more in a bruising kiss.

Their bodies flush against one another; he rested above her and searched her features as though he was seeing her for the first time. He cupped her face and placed a soothing kiss upon her forehead.

“I’m so sorry,” He said hoarsely, caressing her face with his hand, as a tear escaped and trailed down his face.

Hermione brushed it away with her thumb.

“Me too,” She whispered and pulled him down to kiss him again. Passion burned with a fiery rush as she opened her mouth to him, their yearning hunger could not be contained any longer and the months of desire over took them.

Sirius pulled her sweater off over her head followed by his own shirt and tossed them aside. Drawing her against him he reveled in the sensation of her warm, skin upon his.

They both not only desired one another but at that moment they desperately needed the other. Both were seeking reassurance and treasuring the realization that they were together, at last. They had wasted so much time… everything within them was urging them to make the most of this experience.

Sirius’ hands explored Hermione’s smooth body. His hands tickled her sides as they came to rest at the waistband of her jeans. Hermione quickly flicked open the buttons of her own pants and Sirius pulled them down over her hips, taking in the white satin panties that were revealed.

Sirius kissed her neck and nipped at her earlobes. His fingers grazed her shoulders, traced down her chest and around her back where he found the clasp of her bra. In moments he had removed that too and he caressed the soft swells of her chest within his large hands. Lowering his mouth gently over one breast, his tongue massaged the sensitive skin causing pleasure to spear though Hermione’s body.

Urgency incited her to touch him in return. She fought with the buckle on his belt until Sirius relieved her. She then unbuttoned his pants and slid them down his muscular frame.

His arousal strained against the thin fabric of his boxers and she rolled her hips against him, eliciting an anticipatory groan from the gorgeous man above her.

When she began easing his boxers down, Sirius looked down at her and his eyes darkened with encouragement. With one sweep of his hand, he freed her of the white panties that had caused his heart to skip a beat.

All that remained were the two of them, clutching one another tightly. Her body fit against his in all the right places. Her breasts firm against his chest. His length teasing her with eagerness.

Upon the threshold, their eyes met in silent question, seeking affirmation. But they both knew. There was no going back now.

Time fell away to yearning when his mouth sought hers. Drawing her out of herself and into him, Sirius’ lips parted and her heartbeat quickened. She wanted more of him.

His breath solidified in his throat as he slid inside of her gently, Hermione’s body reacting to him in all the right ways. She raised her hips against him and he moaned. Tentative at first then bolder, they began moving together, matching the other’s pace. His moan darkened into a growl.

Hermione gripped his broad shoulders as she brought herself up to meet his thrusts. Her nails dug into his skin. The sensation of their bodies finally coming together as one overwhelmed every one of her senses and she threw back her head, arcing into his body.

He kissed her exposed throat. Sucked the sensitive skin.

Hermione bit her lip to keep from crying out.

Ecstasy.

Increasing their rhythm, Sirius thrust more solidly.

He had never known such feral pleasure. Watching Hermione, eyes closed, biting her bottom lip and equaling him with each motion of their passionate convergence was the closest to heaven he had ever felt.

His rhythmic stroking drew her near her climax. He sensed the rise, the ache, the helpless tightening deep inside her. Her breath punctuated each thrust as it blew against his neck.

He gripped her hip with his strong hand and held her firmly upon the mattress as he strove to drive her over the edge of rapture.

Sirius was taken to the edge of reason. Where he was mindless and he knew only sensation and overwhelming love.

She clutched his back and his chest heaved. Faster they moved in time.

Unable to restrain herself any longer, a sharp cry escaped Hermione’s lips.

Together, they shattered in a melding of flesh and bone. In gasps and groans and sighs of surrender. His body shook as he ground himself against her one final time. A crescendo of exhausting physical expression.

Panting, they relaxed back into the bed. Hermione turned on her side and reached out to wipe the sheen of sweat that had beaded upon Sirius’ forehead. She smiled with tears of exaltation in her eyes and brushed a kiss against his lips.

Sirius gathered her to him tightly enjoying the soft warmth of Hermione cuddled against his side. Knowing everything had changed between them.

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Harry could not possibly sit still in his hospital bed for another moment. Try as he might to convince Madam Pomfrey that he was feeling better, she would not permit him to leave until he had taken at least a week's worth of potions.

"Don't think for one moment that I am not watching you, Harry Potter!" Her scolding voice came from within her office. "I am preparing your next potion so you just sit tight."

Releasing an exasperated sigh, Harry fell back against the pillows. He could not remember ever feeling so restless. After having been unconscious for two days after his collapse, according to Ron, some of his strength seemed to be returning, not much but some.

If Ginny was right about possibly finding answers at Grimmauld Place then Harry was not about to waste any more time lying in the hospital wing like a petulant child. They had devised a plan. It would break a great number of rules but after everything Harry and his friends had done over the years, a few broken rules were scarcely a threat.

Checking the clock on the far wall, Harry saw that it was almost time. And right on cue, Ron and Ginny came bursting into the ward in a panic.

"Madam Pomfrey!" Ginny cried, as she ran the length of the room. "Madam Pomfrey! Neville's been bound by Devil's Snare in the Herbology greenhouses! He's hurt!"

The matronly witch glided out of her office.

"Oh, Longbottom! Why didn't he use his wand? I swear sometimes that boy forgets he is even a wizard!" Her piercing voice scathed.

She grabbed a healing kit and walked briskly from the room, speaking over her shoulder as she went. "Don't you move a muscle, Mister Potter!"

As soon as she disappeared around the corner, Ron and Ginny dropped the panic act and turned to Harry with identical grins.

"That was too easy," Ron mused. "Neville was only too pleased to help anyways. Ready, mate?" He walked over to assist Harry in getting out of bed.

"Is everything ready?" Harry asked his best friend and he rose unsteadily to his feet.

Ron nodded as the three of them slowly made their way towards the door, taking their time as Harry steadied himself on Ron's shoulder.

"Yeah, we packed your things and Ginny shrank it all down. It's in her bag."

"Right. And the invisibility cloak?" The weakened boy posed.

"Here, Harry," Ginny spoke up, holding out the cloak.

Harry smiled gratefully and took it from her, vanishing instantly as he threw it over himself.

"Now, we just have to get beyond the gates of the school so we can portkey back to London," instructed Harry.

Adjusting to a fixed pace, they left the hospital wing. They crossed the grounds cautiously, in the broad daylight Madam Pomfrey could spot them at any moment and they hoped to be gone before she realized Harry was no longer in his bed. Though it took a bit longer than usual, the intimidating gates were looming over them shortly.

Ginny set down her bag and rummaged around inside before withdrawing a dirty old sneaker that would serve as their escape route. She set the illegal portkey on the ground between them.

"Ron created the portkey inside the school walls so there shouldn't be a way for anyone to trace the spell back to him," asserted the pretty redhead.

"I would have done it," Harry challenged. “There is no sense in you getting in trouble.”

Ron just shrugged and smiled. "It was nothing, mate. Glad to do it."

Before Harry could retort, Ron confirmed that it was time. They all placed a finger upon the shoe. The tug behind their navels jerked them back as they spun away, landing moments later in a heap upon the doorstep of Grimmauld Place.

Harry waved his wand, silently removing the protective wards around his house. He stepped through the door and though the house remained as dark and lonely as ever, he felt a strange sense of comfort wash over him. He was home.

They walked through the hallway together and descended into the kitchen. Somewhere overhead, Kreacher could be heard scuffling around, no doubt hoarding more Black family heirlooms in his cupboard.

"I'll make some lunch. Sit down and rest for a bit, Harry," Ginny said, rolling up her sleeves and pulling a number of food items taken from the Hogwarts kitchens from her seemingly bottomless bag. Harry leaned his head back and closed his eyes while she set the meal out on the table. The trip, however brief, had taken quite a bit out of him.

A burst of silvery light shot through the window, forcing Harry out of his restful state. A werewolf patronus… Tonks.

"I looked for you three at Hogwarts. Please respond. It is urgent," Spoke her solemn voice from the shimmering beast.

Harry sat up straight, eyeing his friends inquisitively through the dissipating silver vapor. He raised his wand and sent his stag response back through the window.

"I wonder what that was about?" Harry asked aloud.

Ginny's eyes widened in apprehension. "You don't think… it's because of the portkey? Ron, you aren't going to be in trouble are you?" She gasped.

Ron furrowed his brow in concern. He leaned forward on his elbows and said, “I don't know. Could be -"

A rapid pounding on the door cut his words short.

The three exchanged inquisitive glances before Harry pushed away from the table and took the stairs three at a time, hastening to answer the door.

He pulled it open and found Nymphadora Tonks standing on the other side. Her natural black hair hung limp around her shoulders and her eyes were red-rimmed from crying, she looked so small and frail without her typically colorful appearance.

"Tonks! What's happened? Are you alright?!" Harry worriedly bombarded her with questions as he ushered her in the door.

She shook her head and started sobbing into a handkerchief that was crumpled in her hand.

"It's… Remus," She choked out.

"What about him?" Begged Ginny, who, along with Ron, had rushed after Harry into the hallway.

"He… He's – " Tonks tried to force the words out but found her voice failing her.

Harry paled, horrorstricken. "No," He stated, the volume of his voice rising involuntarily with concern. "You don't mean - He isn't -”

"He's dead, Harry," Tonks managed to speak the abhorrent truth before collapsing into sobs once more.

Ginny screamed and buried her face into Ron's shoulder. Her horrible argument with Remus replayed through her mind. She was ashamed that it would be her final memory of her former professor.

Ron felt nauseated. His breathing became ragged as he watched Tonks sink to the floor in despair.

Harry knelt down and wrapped the young woman in his arms, battling tears himself.

"What happened, Tonks?" He whispered to her.

Drawing a deep shaking breath, she murmured into Harry's shoulder.

"He was on an Order mission in Kent and… and something went wrong. The Death Eaters turned an attack and… Remus gave the sign for everyone to apparate back to the safe point but he never made it. Kingsley went back for him but he was… it was… oh God, Harry!"

She doubled over, weeping, supported only by Harry's sturdy frame.

As the four of them mourned in the darkened hallway, the heavy air of sorrow weighed down upon them, stinging like salt in an open wound. From time to time a stifled sob would punctuate the deafening silence.

After a few minutes or possibly hours, no one knew, Ron moved forward and helped the fragile Tonks to her feet, leading her into the small sitting room.

"I'll get some tea," Ginny said somberly, needing an occupation to distract her for the moment.

Harry remained standing, half concealed by the shadows of the corridor, his jaw clenched in adamant determination. He looked on as the only family he had ever known mourned the loss of yet another.

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The winter chill began penetrating the small dormitory as their bodies cooled and Hermione nestled closer to Sirius’ warmth. Her head rested on his shoulder and her hand splayed across his chest.

She knew that there were a million things she ought to say, above all… goodbye, but she could not bring herself to speak. There were no words to express to Sirius what their passionate union had meant to her.

Sirius stroked her cheek with his thumb and kissed her brow.

She tilted her chin, meeting his lips in a soft kiss.

His gray eyes bore into her own of chocolate brown.

“I thought I’d lost you,” He spoke softly to her.

Hermione flinched almost imperceptibly. She had to tell him. James was right; she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye. But more than that, she would tell him the truth… all of it.

“Sirius, I have to tell you something.”

“I have to tell you something too,” He responded, brushing her hair off her face tenderly. “You first.”

She began to launch into her explanation, “This is… going to sound very strange but I need you to know –”

They both bolted upright as an earsplitting explosion shook the very walls of the school, interrupting their conversation.

"What was that?!" Hermione gasped in alarm.

Sirius pulled his boxers on and ran to the window. He craned his neck to see the source of the blast and found a large crowd of students gathered around the massive front doors of the castle. Adrenaline ripped through his body when, just discernible through the crowd in the center of the circle, he saw his friends, James, Remus and Peter, wands aloft and completely surrounded by Slytherins.

“Bloody Slytherin gits,” He cursed through clenched teeth.

He turned to Hermione who had run up to peer out the window as well. Her eyes were wide with fear. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Don't go, Sirius," She begged in a whisper.

He observed her intensely through his dark gray eyes. They both knew he would go. But for the first time in his life, he wished he didn't have to. For the first time in his life, Sirius Black did not want to rush into the heart of a battle seeking excitement and danger. Sirius Black wanted to stay behind. Because for the first time, he had something to live for.

He quickly began collecting his scattered articles of clothing, dressing feverishly. Hermione, too, dressed and grabbed both their wands.

Sirius took his offered wand and gave her a searing gaze.

“Stay here, Hermione.”

"I'm coming with you," She said earnestly.

There was no time to argue, shouts from the grounds below were growing louder and more insistent.

Sirius kissed her soundly on the mouth, allowing his lips to linger for only a few seconds before grabbing her hand as they raced out of the room.

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Harry hovered in the entrance of the Grimmauld Place library. With a wave of his wand, he lit the sconces on the walls. The grimy windows did not allow the daylight to penetrate the room.

Leaning in the doorway, he surveyed the illuminated room. It had remained exactly as it had been when he, Ron and Hermione were using it to research possible horcruxes. A heavy layer of dust created a sheer gray tinge on every surface. Filthy as the house was it was difficult to believe that Grimmauld Place had a resident house elf at all.

Harry scanned the room in front of him for anything they might have missed, some clue Hermione may have left behind. But nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There were books scattered about, but it was a library so that was hardly unusual.

He released a weighty sigh. He had spent the past two hours in the emergency Order meeting listening to four different accounts of the events surrounding Remus’ death, watching while Tonks listened stoically, her eyes having taken on a haunting vacancy.

As far as Harry was concerned, replaying Remus’ final moments again and again served no purpose. He had excused himself from the meeting hastily and sought refuge away from the pain. The house had become incredibly stifling since Tonks had arrived earlier that day… Tragedy hung heavily in the air and was bearing down on them all.

He had come upstairs to force himself to think of something other than death, to try and forget that Remus’ death was entirely his own fault. If he had tried harder to find the horcruxes… or been strong enough to defeat Voldemort sooner… then Remus would still be alive.

No one in the meeting downstairs could possibly understand that. Everyone would only attempt to convince him that he could not blame himself. But there was nothing he could do now. Remus was dead.

Harry knew that he could never run far enough to escape the pain that closed in all around threatening to suffocate him. Everything and everyone was being taken from him… his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, and now, Remus. Even Hermione had been stolen away.

It would never end. Until Harry found a way to conquer the darkest wizard of all time, he would continue to suffer the losses of those he loved. Who would be next? Mrs. Weasley? Ron? Ginny?

It didn’t bear thinking about… but he couldn’t think about anything else.

He crossed the room and sat heavily, sinking into the dusty, moth eaten couch. A renegade tear escaped his eye and trailed down his cheek against his will.

The knowledge that he would, in the end, lose everything that mattered to him ate away at his insides and he succumbed to the despair.

He leaned forward with his head in his hands, more tears following the first, racing down his face and through his fingers. Fleetingly, he entertained the thought of getting a time turner; some way to warn Remus, at least to spare Tonks this grief.

But he knew that was futile.

And then he thought of Hermione, the one person who did have the power to change all of this. She had a golden opportunity to repair all the damage that he had done. Though gauging from his own health, she seemed to be doing more harm than good.

He stood and began collecting some of the scattered books around the room and placed them back on the shelves, unable to sit still. An ancient looking tome with a worn, black leather cover printed with gilded runes lay open on the floor and he bent to pick it up when a thought occurred to him.

Hermione could be undoing his birth… but, as certain comprehension flooded over him, he realized, it would be for the best. Everyone he had lost had died because of him. They had given their lives for him. If he were never born, none of the terrible tragedies would ever come to pass.

His parents would never have died to save him.

Sirius would not have left the safety of Grimmauld place to rescue him at the Ministry where he would fall beyond the veil.

Dumbledore would not have been killed trying to protect him.

They were entirely his fault. None of them would have died if he had never been born.

Harry fell to his knees on the floor, the large book still clutched in his arms and he cried.

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The Entrance Hall was crammed with nosy students shoving their way through the doors, eager to witness the fight between the three Marauders and what appeared to be nearly every student in Slytherin.

Sirius pulled Hermione through the crowd, fighting his way through roughly. When they neared the center of the group, Sirius turned to Hermione and said firmly, "Wait here."

A useless statement. She would never stand and watch as those she cared about were in danger.

With a final squeeze of her hand, he charged into the fray where his friends were feverishly casting spellsin every direction. Sirius did not hesitate for a second before he began firing off spell after spell at the offending Slytherins. The younger members of the Slytherin house were taken care of quickly and many simply began to run away from the fight when they saw the Gryffindors' strength and skill.

Sirius took fleeting looks in every direction to assess the location of his friends noticing that a number of his own housemates were joining in to support their own.

James was nearest the castle doors, engaged in an intenseduel with Damien McNair. They were each shouting and deflecting spells so quickly that all that could be heard was a cacophony of magical terminology. All the while James bore a haughty smirk, enjoying the skirmish. A Marauder through and through.

A cry of pain from behind Sirius sent him whirling around where he saw Peter falling back into the horde of bystanders, clutching his elbow, blood running through his fingers and Bellatrix Black standing over him cackling.

Sirius lunged forward to curse her himself when, instead, Frank Longbottom jumped out of the crowd, aimed his wand at Bellatrix and shouted "Stupefy!” The spell whizzed past her, sending a ripple through her black robes.

She turned around snarling and smiled menacingly when she saw her attacker. She launched herself at him and the two began waging a new battle.

“Wormtail? Are you alright?” Sirius called over the clamor.

The smaller boy pulled himself to his feet aided by Sirius’ outstretched hand. He wiped his bloodied hand on his pants and nodded vigorously. “I’m fine!” He piped up.

Sirius nodded at his friend once reassured he was not severely hurt and immediately caught sight of Rodolphus Lestrange who had cornered Alice between three of his mates and was egging her on to hex him. Sirius threw a curse, aimed at his chest. The spell just grazed its precise target and the neckline of Lestrange's robe slit open.

Sirius opened his mouth to cast another spell, one that wouldn’t only tear Lestrange’s robes, whena blaze of red sparks flew pasthis head, barely missing his ear. He spun around, without even a first glance, shouting, "Expelliarmus!"

The well placed curse sent a wand flying high in the air and he caught it neatly. He looked up to stare his would-be attacker in the eye and came face-to-face with his own brother, Regulus, whose visage was a mask of trepidation.

"I'm s-sorry, Sirius," He stuttered, looking around to see if any of his housemates had seen him disarmed by his own brother.

"I will disregard the fact that you just tried to curse me, Regulus," Sirius growled, approaching his younger brother dangerously. "Take your wand and get the hell out of here."

"I - I can't,"Cowered the younger Black.

"Don't make me hex you. Go to your common room. NOW!"

Regulus peered around again, making sure that none had witnessed the scene. He snatched his wand from Sirius' open hand and backed away slowly before bolting into the surging mob of onlookers.

Sirius dove back into the fight, confident that his misled arse of a younger brother would at least be spared from his own stupidityfor the moment.

The shouts of spells and curses rang in his ears and the roar of the crowd's gasps and screams were disorientating. He could hear teachers shouting to be let through the group but no one turned away from the escalating battle.

A Stinging Hex stabbed Hermione’s abdomen and she nearly doubled over in pain. Compelling herself to stand tall in light of the pain, a shadow fell over her and she looked up into the face of a much taller though younger Slytherin girl, Alecto Carrow. Her stringy, limp black hair hung about her rounded face and she grimaced, showing her yellowed teeth.

“Levicorpus!” Alecto spat. Hermione instantaneously flew upwards by her ankle.

“Liberacorpus!” Hermione muttered the counter-spell dizzily, as she plunged back to the ground.

Alecto chuckled when Hermione flinched as she pulled herself to her feet, clutching the arm on which she’d landed. As the burly Slytherin girl gloated, Hermione cast a retaliatory non-verbal spell. A small fire flared up at Alecto’s feet. She shrieked as her robes began to smoke, the triumphant smile melted from her face as she jumped up and down in an attempt to extinguish the flames. Hermione utilized her distraction to hurl a leg-locking jinx at the girl. Alecto’s legs bound beneath her and she lost her balance, tumbling to the ground in a useless heap.

It was Hermione’s turn to sneer. She quenched the fire with water from her wand as Alecto swore at her from the ground. Though Hermione wasted no time with false triumph, there was still a senseless fight to finish.

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“Please, Hermione,” Harry begged aloud to the empty library as he knelt weakly on the floor. “Please, fix it. You have to fix it. I don’t care what happens to me. But you have to find a way to save them. Give them the lives they all deserved. Save their futures.”

He dropped the ancient book he’d been holding and it fell open on the floor beside him.
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Hermione set eyes on Frank Longbottom, gasping for air as he dueled Bellatrix at an exhausting pace. The Slytherin may have surpassed Frank in ability but she had underestimated the power of his courage. The man would not back down. Hermione ran after them to assist Neville’s father. Together, the two Gryffindors rounded on Bellatrix Black.

Sirius glimpsed Remus and sprinted towards him. The werewolf was fighting both Grayson Goyle and Evan Rosier at once, his lycanthropy lending him speed and dexterity in his combat maneuvers.

“Petrificus Totalus!” Remus caught Goyle dead on and the husky boy stiffened as though made of marble and fell to the ground, the sound of his body hitting the stone pathway was muffled by the resounding noise all around them.

Red sparks flew at the two Marauders from Rosier’s wand.

“Protego!” Remus and Sirius shouted in unison.

The Slytherins were no match for them in skill. But they were vastly outnumbered, even as more Gryffindors enlisted in battle.

"Are you alright, Moony?" Sirius asked, as they stood back to back, deflecting curses once more.

"Fine," Remus confirmed. "Took a hit to the shoulder but I'll live." Remus made a passing gesture to his wound.

Sirius took notice of the torn robes and blood running down Remus' arm and was overcome with the desire to fulfill a deadly vendetta against his friends’ attackers.

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall burst into the group, appearing as though from thin air, holding her wand out in front of her.

"Stop this at once!" She screamed in her shrill voice. "Stop, all of you!"

But they did not stop. They did not even hesitate. Some did not even hear the voice of the strict Transfiguration professor. The bad blood between the houses ran fartoo deeply to stopnow. Only the Gryffindors were momentarily distracted by the appearance of their head of house.

McNair and Lestrange acknowledged the Gryffindors’ fleeting distraction. They took the opportunity and bolted into the swarm of students and through the open doors of the school followed by Bellatrix, Rosier, and the rest of their malevolent housemates that hadn’t yet been bested.

The Marauders, Frank, Alice, Hermione and most of Gryffindor house, sprinted after them into the Great Hall.

"Don't you dare run!" Sirius bellowed at them, breathing heavily from exhaustion. They pursued their adversaries to the far end of the Hall. Students flooded in all around the tables, many were horror-struck spectators but some were brave enough to step into the conflict themselves.

McNair spun around from behind the staff table and screamed, "SECTUMSEMPRA!"

James ducked in time to avoid being hit square in the chest but he wasn’t fast enough to avoid it entirely. The spell brushed his forehead splitting a gash above his right eyebrow that began bleeding down his face.

Lily, who had returned from Hogsmeade only seconds earlier and followed the crowd into the Hall, witnessed the attack and emitted a horrified scream.

"James, No!"Tears ran down her face as blood streamed down his.

He turned to look at her and saw her terrified expression as she ran into the midst of danger without a second thought, desperately needing to reach him.

"Lily, get out of here! You're going to get hurt!"

She looked up to meet his bloodied gaze, her green eyes burning with fiery intensity, the tears dissolving with her tenacity. “I am not leaving your side, James Potter.”

James swelled with pride as he looked down at the beautiful woman who was willing to risk her own safety for him. For a moment the bangs issuing all around them disappeared and he realized at once that right there, with Lily… it felt right.

The communication between the two was clear. Awakening to their surroundings, they turned back to the scene around them and began fighting side-by-side as their rivals closed in on every side.

A large group of faculty members could barely be heard shoving their way through the Entrance Hall. Damien McNair eyed them menacingly over the heads of the masses and raised his wand slowly. With a deadly glare in their direction he slashed his wand downward and shouted, “Expulso!”

The walls of the castle shook again as before and the doorway leading into the Great Hall began to collapse, rumbling the stone floors beneath their feet. Students ran screaming in every direction, some made it into the Hall before the stones came crashing down and some escaped the other way. But those who remained inside were now trapped.

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“I don’t know what to do. I’m scared, Hermione.”
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Lily’s instincts as Head Girl had immediately called to her to ensure that no one had been trapped beneath the rubble but before she could get to the doors, Amycus Carrow, Alecto’s brother and an exceptionally cruel future Death-Eater, leapt in front of her.

“I don’t think so, mudblood,” He sneered so close to her that his hot, murky breath dusted across her face. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

The bold girl poised herself to strike. “STUPEF- ”

“Serpensortia!” Carrow cut her off.

Instantly, an enormous emerald green snake burst from the tip of his wand and landed heavily on the floor. The serpent set off directly towards Lily, slithering nimbly around the feet of the dozens of fighting students.

Lily backed away from the snake hurriedly, until she smacked into the stone wall. She was blocked in. The snake approached all the more quickly.

“Impedimenta!” She screamed, pointing her wand at the awful reptile in an attempt to slow its progress. The spell hit the snake but ricocheted off its slimy green skin and had no impact on its speed. It glided more quickly until it reached her feet and slowly began wrapping its body around her legs, binding them together.

Across the room, a Slytherin underclassman by the name of Avery crumbled to the floor, stupefied. James having cast the hex on Avery, turned away from his victim sharply, instinctively hearing Lily’s shrieks despite the raucous commotion.

His eyes scanned the chaos though his vision was blurred from the blood that still ran from the cut on his brow. Then he saw her, in a corner, back to the wall and spouting off spell after spell to no avail. At once his feet set into motion, deftly curving around one of the long tables.

The snake came into view and James wielded his wand with a swish and flick, reciting, “Wingardium Leviosa!” Another flick of his wand and the snake sailed, spiraling through the air, latching itself around the neck of Amycus Carrow who dropped his own wand as he struggled to fight off the serpent that tightened itself around his throat.

Rodolphus Lestrange called out a spell to release the snake, vanishing it entirely. Carrow drew an exaggerated breath as his airflow was restored. Rodolphus then trained his beady eyes on James.

Bearing down on him, treading ferociously, hate seeping from every pore, Lestrange, whispered forebodingly, “Crucio.”

James cried out and crumpled to the floor, his face twisted in excruciating pain.

“STOP!! Leave him alone!” Lily screamed, shoving Lestrange forcefully to no avail. She crouched down beside James’ writhing body. “Protego! Protego!!”

But her spells could not shield him against an Unforgiveable Curse.

James’ tormented screams carried over the room and pierced the eardrums of his best friend. Sirius halted amid his own battle with McNair upon hearing the sound and turned to see his best friend, his brother, convulsing in pain on the floor.

Forgetting that there were a hundred bystanders to witness all that happened, only aware that he had to get to his friend, Sirius instinctively transformed into his animagus form and hurdled over the Gryffindor table.

The large black dog rocketed through the air, directly towards Lestrange. Sirius charged into his chest. Rodolphus was lifted off his feet and they both slammed into the wall, sliding down to the floor. A dull crunch denoted Lestrange’s ribs had broken on contact. His wand soared out of his hand and snapped in two as it vaulted off of the solid earth.

The predatory animagus transformed back into the equally seething Sirius Black. Having sustained a bloody lip in his assault, Sirius gathered the neck of Lestrange’s robes and forced him to his feet and held him firmly against the wall by the throat. He swung his other arm back, balled his hand into a tight fist and thrust it forward, colliding into the Slytherin’s temple with a brutal crack. Rodolphus’ head snapped back from the powerful hit, a purple-ish hue surfacing

Sirius brought his face deathly close to Lestrange’s as his entire body shook with rage. “Don’t you ever, EVER even think about uttering an Unforgiveable at one of us again. If you do, Merlin help you, I will gladly spend my remaining days in Azkaban if it means that you die a painful death.”

The blind hatred in Sirius’ eyes chilled Lestrange to the bone. Sirius shoved him back into the wall and he slid to floor in pain, clutching his broken ribs.

“Prongs!” Sirius ran over to James who was leaning unsteadily against a table supported by Lily.

James held up his hand as Sirius approached. “I’m alright, Padfoot. I’ll be alright.”

Sirius released a breath he had been holding for heaven only knows how long. James rested his extended hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Thanks, mate,” He said, though he winced as a jolt of resonant pain shot through him.

Sirius never had the chance to respond. A massive stone block came crashing down from overhead, smashing into the table before them. They covered their eyes as splintered wood was thrown high into the air then rained down over them.

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“Save them. My parents, Sirius, Remus… they were robbed of their lives. They deserved them... More than I ever have.”
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Damien McNair threw his head back in vengeful mirth.

Sirius turned to McNair and bared his teeth furiously. “You mean to kill us all, McNair?!” He bellowed audaciously.

“Only if I can,” The lanky Slytherin shot back with a snarl.

Sirius strode towards him purposefully. “You’re going to regret that.”

McNair raised a single eyebrow arrogantly and smiled widely, “On the contrary. You will be the one with the regrets, Black.”

“I will never regret what I am about to do to you,” Sirius cautioned as he pulled out his wand at lighting speed.

“Tsk, tsk,” McNair goaded him. “Not so fast, Black. Look around. You’re surrounded.”

Sirius swiveled his head to the right and left. Damien was right. He was, in fact, surrounded by Slytherins.

“Come on, Cousin,” Sassed Bellatrix from his left side. “You thought you could take us all by yourself. Let me see you try.”

Sirius smiled to himself sardonically. He was known for his recklessness, for his disregard of the rules and for causing trouble. But even he could recognize danger when he saw it.

Turning in a slow circle, he saw James, despite the great physical pain it caused him, trying to make his way over to Sirius while Lily attempted to keep him out of the fight. Duels were in full swing all around the hall, students that had been injured in the crossfire were being helped out of the way by their fellow bystanders. But the brave among them refused to concede.

Peter, his wand arm having been injured by Bellatrix, fought a short, stocky Slytherin prefect awkwardly with the other hand. Remus and Nadine were sparring with a daunting blond seventh year Slytherin male who towered over them both. Hermione dodged a curse from Amycus Carrow and a suit of armor directly behind her exploded.

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“Help me, Hermione. Help me save them.”
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Sirius willed Hermione to look at him, wishing that she had stayed behind in her dormitory. He took a split second to verify that she seemed unhurt. The paradox between the scene unfolding around them and the passionate bliss they had experienced only hours before was astounding.

“Your move,” chided Bellatrix.

Shaking the image of Hermione from his mind, Sirius focused on the four dark wizards that encompassed him.

Drawing a long deep breath, Sirius began barking curses relentlessly in every direction as he ducked and jumped the retaliatory spells sent back at him from every side.

A spell soared past his shoulder, blasting a dent into the stone floor that it impacted. The debris flew back at Sirius who waved his wand and sent the rock shards into McNair’s face. On and on they fought, four on one, his quick reflexes aiding him at every turn.

“Starting the party without us, Padfoot?” James called as he, Remus and Peter suddenly appeared on the edge of the outnumbered fight. Weary though he looked, James smiled and half grimaced from his lingering pain, the after effects of the Cruciatus Curse.

The Slytherins that had been focused solely on Sirius did not waste a second before launching into battle with the newly arrived Marauders.

Except for Bellatrix. She sauntered towards Sirius at a dangerously slow rate. Her wand directed at his heart.

“I’m not afraid of you, Bella,” Sirius stormed, planted firmly in one place as she approached. He was not afraid of her for one second. Not for himself, at least. What did frighten him was that Bellatrix would not hesitate to harm anyone close to him in a demonstration of psychological torture.

He silently gave thanks that his cousin did not know of his feelings for Hermione Granger. It would only serve to endanger the bright, young witch. As he thought of her, his eyes involuntarily sought her out. His gaze settled on her once spotted and he felt a sense of pride mingled with fear when he found that she still fought on tirelessly.

Bellatrix trailed his line of sight and her eyes too came to rest on the mysterious Gryffindor girl. The look in her cousin’s eyes was unmistakable. He was in love.

The dark witch’s face contorted into a wicked smile.

“Pretty little thing, isn’t she?” Bellatrix dared, her words dripping with malice.

Sirius snapped his face back towards his cousin and his eyes widened as realization dawned upon him. She knew.

“Don’t worry, cousin,” Her murderous smile broadened as she whispered. Her eyes alight with madness. “Your secret is safe with me.”

Moving towards her for the first time, Sirius commanded, “If you so much as look at her, I’ll –”

“What?” She ridiculed. “Hex me? Kill me? What are you going to do to me?”

Sirius’ eyes flicked from Bellatrix to Hermione and back.

“Stupefy!” He shot at her. The spell was quickly blocked though and she sent another back instantly.

He lunged to the left as the blue sparks dashed past him. They mirrored one another in stance, circling tentatively.

“Expelliarmus!”

This time Bellatrix did not manage to halt the spell before it hit her precisely on the hand clutching her wand.

It was pulled from her fist by the invisible force and skidded across the floor and under a table. She tore after her magical device, throwing herself under the table. While she fumbled around frantically for her wand, Sirius sprang across the room.

“Hermione!” He called eagerly. Hermione had petrified a Slytherin teen only seconds earlier and she stood back exhaustedly. But she did not hear him. The blasts and shouts combined with the roar of the surplus masses were too loud.

“HERMIONE!!”

She heard his voice calling her and looked up.

Their eyes met and a relief flooded his entire being. He moved swiftly toward her, every inch of him itching to hold her.

When he was ten yards away from gathering her in his arms, his pathway was obstructed by Damien McNair. Hermione rushed forward but was blocked by Bellatrix who gripped her firmly by the arms.

The broad young man stood firmly in front of Sirius. “Not so fast, Black,” He cautioned. “I have something for you.”

“What’s that, McNair?” Sirius spat. Never tearing his eyes away from Hermione’s.

“This!” Damien held his wand high above his head and brought it downward in a violent slash.

Sirius’ face went blank as he was blasted backwards into the air. He hovered in space for an ephemeral instant, his lifeless body set against the bewitched ceiling of the Great Hall reflecting a cerulean sky.

Then he came crashing down, colliding with the ground.

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“It’s up to you now, Hermione. You are the only one that can change it.”
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Hermione’s blood ran cold as she watched Sirius’ limp body fall from mid-air. She released a spine-chilling scream.

Everything around her stopped. Wands were lowered. No one spoke. Every eye was trained on the figure of Sirius Black plummeting to the earth. The crash echoed throughout the Hall that was otherwise as silent as the grave.

The crowd surged forward and swarmed around where he lay.

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“I need you.”
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Hermione charged towards him but the faster she ran the farther away she seemed to get. The room felt as though it was lengthening… stretching.

She felt dizzy but she pushed on. Compelled to get to him.

She shouted but no sound came out.

The crowd of students extended farther and farther beyond her reach.

Something was pulling her backwards. She fought against it, running harder but her feet were no longer hitting the floor.

Everything became a hazy blur of color and motion.

The ground fell away from beneath her.

She was flying back in the opposite direction at an increasing rate.

“SIRIUS!!” She tried to call to him, but her voice was silent.

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“I need you, Hermione.”

The pages of the tattered book fluttered in a non-existent breeze as the final words left Harry’s mouth.
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The Great Hall was miles away now.

She was whirling.

She was falling.

And everything went black.

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