Turn back time - Hermione Granger in the Marauders era

Chapter 27 - Maybe she deserves better

There was something fantastic about having everything you wanted. And Hermione experienced that feeling completely. She was constantly happy, apart from the stress of their upcoming N.E.W.Ts exams. She had wonderful friends, supportive teachers (mostly) and a great boyfriend.

Her and Sirius were by no means inseparable. Actually, they were pretty casual together when around people. But when they were alone their conversations and kisses brought them closer and closer. Neither of them had said it; the I Love you. Hermione didn't bother thinking about rubbish like that, after all they'd only been officially together for less than a month. Yet Hermione realised that maybe she actually had had feelings for him for longer.

James and Lily were almost perfect. James constantly laughed and joked about, never behaving to stupidly or ridiculously. Lily was finally happy that her feelings about him were finally settled. They were the perfect couple. On the free periods that they spent together, which were now much more limited thanks to their exams, they walked around the grounds with their hands joined. The girls would giggle at them when they passed, or shoot jealous glares at Lily. Oh, it was nice to have such a handsome boyfriend.

The four Marauders had never really talked about girls, with Lily being the only exception. Sirius had obviously had had many, many girlfriends that had lasted for less than a month. And he kept his latest toys away from his group of friends. He'd probably had around 15 girlfriends already. But they weren't serious serious. Sure he kissed most of them a fair few times, and a couple confessed their feelings to him, but it was no big deal. He had just had a couple of flings. Maybe Hermione was different.

"How's Evans?" Remus asked James cheerfully.

"Perfect." James smiled laying in his bed.

"What about you and Granger. Have you broken up yet?" Peter asked Sirius.

"What do you mean, have we broken up yet?" He snapped, sitting up.

"Well you're not actually going to stay with her, right? You've been dating for three weeks. That's about your average. When are you planning on breaking up with her?"

"I'm not planning on ending it! Why would I do that?"

"Why have you done it with every other girl?" Remus asked.

Sirius shrugged. "Do I need a reason?"

"Yes, you do!" Remus snapped.

"I don't like that commitment stuff. Besides, they were all only flings, I didn't like any of them really."

His three friends sighed or made disapproving noises.

"So do you actually like Granger?" Peter asked.

Sirius shrugged. "Dunno." He lied.

Remus shot him a glare. "Don't mess her about, Padfoot. She doesn't deserve it."

"Woah, alright. I won't. You never know, maybe we'll end up being married."

Peter snorted. "How many other girls will you be marrying at the same time?"

Sirius laughed shortly. In fact the idea of marriage frightened him slightly. All that "till death do us part" - way too much of a commitment!

"Seriously Padfoot. Don't mess about with her. Granger's too nice to get played about by an ass."

"Are you suggesting I'm an ass?"

"Wouldn't dream of it." James replied. "But honestly, she doesn't need any more crappy boyfriends."

"Oi!" Remus said loudly.

"No offence, Moony." James added.

"Alright. Let's stop now. Go to bed you stupid lot." Sirius ordered.

His friends obeyed quickly and wished him goodnight, James adding on "sweet dreams of Granger."

Funnily enough, Sirius did have a dream about her, and it was sweet. It was calm and peaceful and everything else Sirius would hate. But somehow he enjoyed it. What was this girl doing to him?

AN: So I'm about 4/5 chapters ahead when writing this so I don't even remember writing this chapter. Euh it fails on so many levels. Anyway, the votes and comments have really been making me so happy, which I'm do grateful for because I really needed cheering up :3 Thank youuu! I think that I should probably wait 24 hours after reaching at least 5 votes before posting another chapter. This story could be finished in two weeks or two months - it depends on how many votes+reads I get. :D so as always thanks for reading, voting, commenting and just everything. xxxx