a dance with destiny

vii

Disclaimer: I am not transphobic :), so therefore I own nothing except the order these words are in, as everything else belongs to JKR

September 21, 1977

The Great Hall ~ Dinner

3rd Person POV:

Hermione glanced at her watch, 6:47 pm. She glanced at Peter, who was nervously picking at his food. The buzz of the Great Hall surrounded her, enveloping her in its warm embrace. Home. It had been a long time since she felt safe.

Three minutes passed, and Peter stood up.

"Pete! Where're you off to?" Cried Sirius, looking up at him.

"Bathroom - I-I don't feel too good. Might go to the Hospital Wing. I don't know how long I-I'll be."

"'Kay," nodded James, turning back to his food.

Only Hermione remained staring at him. He caught her cold stare and flinched, hurrying away. She only raised an eyebrow and watched as he walked out of the Great Hall. Hermione decided that she could go for a walk later – while she waited for the meeting with Voldemort to end – and then she would confront Peter. Or something like that – I don't want him or anyone else to suspect too much about what I know.

"Hermione?" Sirius waved a hand in front of her face.

"Huh?" Hermione startled.

"Dinner's over, c'mon," he grinned at her.

Hermione glanced around, seeing the hall emptying out, "Oh, yeah," she gave him a sheepish grin and followed him back to the Gryffindor common room.

Remus and Sirius played chess, Lily and Marlene were finishing their History of Magic homework, and James was watching Lily with a wistful expression. Hermione was curled up on the couch, book in her hand, watching Sirius' and Remus' game with an amused expression.

James sighed, still looking at Lily, and Hermione glanced at him, beckoning him over. He sat down next to her on the couch, "What's up?"

"Wanna know how to get Lily?"

His eyes widened, and he nodded in excitement.

"Okay, then. Listen up – and you have to do exactly what I say, or it won't work."

Another nod from James.

"Stop acting so obnoxious around her – I understand that you really like her, but when you act like a child, there's less of a chance that she will like you back." James opened his mouth to reply, but Hermione held up her hand to stop him, "Lay off asking her out – just hang out with her some," she paused, "like study with or something – go for a walk. Talk to her – show her that you can be mature and understanding. Be nice to Snape, for gods' sake – you know she doesn't like it when you're rude to him. Then, after a few weeks, ask her out to Hogsmeade. Nicely. And in private. No yelling across the Great Hall. Got it?"

James nodded, "Will it really work?"

Hermione smiled at him, "Of course it will, but you can't mess up."

"Okay! I promise I won't! Thank you so much, Hermione!"

"No problem."

James leaned forward and pulled Hermione into a hug. He couldn't help but notice how she flinched and stiffened at first, before finally relaxing after a few seconds. What happened to her? He wanted to ask her so badly, but had a feeling that she wouldn't want to answer any questions right then and there, with everyone around and all. After all, it's only been a few weeks since she came here.