Before the Moon Rises

BEFORE THE MOON RISES

Stumbling for the Answers

Chapter Three

January 1978

Hermione rubbed her eyes with the back of her fingers. She stood completely still and listened. What had just happened? Hogwarts, A History was no longer lying at her feet; the silver light was gone, and now she stood in the Hogwarts library where all was dark and silent except for a few stray voices she could hear just around the corner.

"I don't know if it will work or not. And I seriously doubt he'll be able to change history..."

Is that Sirius? Hermione's heart ached at the probability; it had been two years since she'd last seen Sirius and tears threatened to appear. She leaned forward against the bookcase so she could hear the conversation better.

"Quit worrying so much, Remus..."

Professor Lupin? Hermione felt sure the book had actually fallen on her head, succeeding in knocking her unconscious and now she was dreaming. She bent down slightly and peered over the tops of a few books and almost screamed.

The Marauders were sitting at a table on the other side of the bookshelf. They looked so real and life-like. Could it really be but a dream?

She cast her eyes first on James Potter. She smiled despite herself. He looked so much like Harry--same messy black hair, same smile. Only his eyes were different--Hermione knew Harry had his mother's eyes.

Next she recognized Sirius. My, but he was handsome in his younger years. His hair was as black as a raven's wing as were his eyes...so deep and fathomless. Tears sprang into her eyes. Sure he had always seemed rebellious and foolhardy, and she had warned Harry about him, but now, none of that mattered. Sirius was sitting before her, young and confident that the world would hold the greatest adventures and he would live to see them all. She had missed him.

Then, there was Peter Pettigrew and it took all Hermione had to control her rage. She wanted to dash around the bookcase and throttle him. How could he betray his friends? How could he sentence them to die? How could he have sent Sirius to Azkaban for thirteen years? But it was funny how Peter didn't look like a murderer. He didn't look like the man who would deceive them all--he looked like an insecure teenager on the verge of manhood, uncertain of where exactly he fit in.

The last boy at the table she knew to be Remus Lupin. She wouldn't have guessed it to be him at first though because this young man looked so full of life and not nearly as tired as his future self. There were no dark circles beneath his eyes, no grey in his hair, no weary and worn out looks on his face. He was still a young man. His friends were still alive. Peter had not switched sides, and Voldemort did not reign...not yet. And Hermione found him oddly attractive. His hair was light brown, brushing over his ears. She could see his eyes were a pale blue and when he grinned, she smiled in response even though he could not see her.

"This is going to be fun. And as for what occurs with time while he's gone and what will happen, there's only one way to find out--test it on Snivellus," Sirius flashed his charming smile and lifted his eyebrows up and down quickly.

Remus rolled his eyes and sighed. "I just want it put on record that I think this is a bad idea." Remus looked over his shoulder again in Hermione's direction. Sirius continued casting charms on the book.

Hold on a minute. Hermione noticed the book Sirius was leaning over was Hogwarts, A History. Could it really be possible? Is that the same book? Is that why I'm here?

"Opinion noted," Sirius said without looking up.

"Why do you keep looking around, Moony?" James asked, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table.

Remus frowned and leaned closer to James so he could whisper without being heard. Hermione leaned closer as well, resting her hands on the books in front of her.

"I feel...weird," Remus whispered.

"Why?" asked James.

"You're being paranoid," Sirius answered nonchalantly.

"What is it, Moony?" James asked again.

"It's just--I get the feeling we're not alone," Remus whispered quickly, glancing around again.

What? Surely they aren't talking about sensing me.

"W-what do you mean?" Peter stuttered.

"I'm glad you said that," James began, "because I've got the very same feeling."

"M-maybe we s-should go," Peter said, standing up quickly and knocking his chair to the ground with a loud slap. Hermione jumped away from the bookshelf in surprise, her heart pounding.

"Damn it, Peter, be quiet!" Sirius barked then lowered his voice. "Madam Pince always spends at least ten minutes in the back storeroom of the library before she makes one last sweep and you know that," he said, now glancing over at Remus and James. "There's no one else here. Quit being so twitchy Peter."

Peter picked up his chair, apologized, and sat back down at the table, while Sirius finished charming the book.

Hermione took a deep breath and bent back down to look at the Marauders. When she peered over at them, she noticed that Remus kept glancing around. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on her. She widened her eyes. She leaned forward, resting her hands on the books again. She was afraid to breathe too loudly.

Can he see me? She felt panicky. What would happen if they knew she was there.

"Listen, Sirius, I'm going to have to go with Remus on this one. I'm getting some really weird vibes right now," James said, fidgeting in his seat.

"Okay okay, I'm done. I can't believe you lot. When did you all become such cowards--" Sirius began saying but he stopped immediately when books on a nearby shelf toppled unexpectedly and very loudly to the floor.

Hermione was leaning against the books and without realizing it, they began to slide on the shelf, finally dropping to the floor and revealing her hiding place. She ducked down quickly, her heart beating loudly in her ears. She placed her hand over her mouth to quiet her breathing.

All four boys jumped from the table instantly and bolted for the door. The charmed copy of Hogwarts, A History lay on the table. Hermione heard the sounds of their feet fading. When she was sure the coast was clear, she stood up slowly.

This doesn't feel like a dream. She told herself uncertainly. She began to feel very alone and nervous in the dark library. A noise from somewhere behind her startled her out of her shock.

Madam Pince!

Hermione sprinted through the library, weaving her way through tables and aisles of books. She pushed the doors open and burst out into an empty corridor. Looking around apprehensively, she felt cold and alone.

Okay, I can wake up any time now. Now would be nice.

She pulled her robes tighter and took a deep breath. The only place she knew to go was to Dumbledore's office.

He was Headmaster when the Marauders were here right? I only hope his office hasn't moved.

And so Hermione made her way through the deserted hallways in search of Dumbledore's office, hoping he would have the answer she needed. Is or isn't this a dream?

oHo