Never All Together

Chapter 15: Maybe

In another lifetime,
It will be forever
In another world where
You and I can be together.
In another set of chances,
I'll take the ones I've missed
And make you mine.
If only for a time.

--- Gary Valenciano (In Another Lifetime) ---

"I enjoyed spending today with you," James told Hermione casually as they climbed the stairs to the Gryffindor tower. The unspoken question hung in the air. Did you too?

"I did as well," Hermione answered, her voice as soft as the clouds she felt she was floating on. James had been so sweet throughout the day, attending to her every whim and now taking the time to escort her back to the common room after dinner. Perfect. So wonderfully perfect. Hermione did not bother asking why he was doing all that he was. To do so would mean that she was questioning his motives, and she didn't want to do anything that could dampen the exciting newness of the relationship she was building with him.

They entered through the portrait hole, and James tossed a bag of sweets from Hogsmeade--which he had bought on their way back into the tunnel at Honeydukes--on the couch. He glanced at Hermione, who was looking expectantly at him and waiting for him to say something. Anything.

For the life of him, he could not. Time stood still as all his senses feasted on the enchantingly beautiful sight in front of him, her features made more radiant by the glow of the candlelight. He gazed at her as he stepped closer, his heart spinning wildly out of control. What was he feeling?

He was so near, Hermione was sure he could hear the nervous fluttering of her heart. She could not tear her eyes away from his, which had taken on a fire she had encountered in him only in her time. A small intake of breath revealed her surprise when he took her right hand, held it up to his lips and kissed it gently, almost reverently. Her voice caught in her throat. Was this really happening?

Equally startled at what he had just done, James almost dropped her hand. Instead, he lowered it carefully and, with his eyes back to normal, said, "I've got to report for my rounds." The slight hoarseness in his voice was the only indication of how intense his feelings were only a moment ago.

Hermione was both electrified by his touch and faintly disappointed at his attempted nonchalance. "Right. Good night then."

James smiled, somewhat relieved that she did not slap him across the face for allowing himself too much liberty. "Good night." He started to walk away, but turned back after only a few paces. He felt strangely reluctant to be without her. "Are you going to be awake still when I come back?"

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I can be, if you want me to," she responded shyly.

Tenderness swept over him. "No. I'd rather you rest; you must be tired." He started making his way towards the portrait hole, but stopped again and gave in to that urge to have another look at her. What an exquisite picture she painted. "Good night."

"Good night."

"Sweet dreams."

Indeed. "You too, James."

* * * * * * *

"Congratulations, mate," Sirius greeted enthusiastically the moment James took his place at the Gryffindor table. "Sunday morning, and you're already up? That's got to be a record!"

"I just didn't want to miss breakfast," James mumbled sleepily as he reached for a silver platter. "They say it's the most important meal of the day. Besides, it's such a magnificent morning. How could I waste it lounging around in bed?" He grinned lazily as his mind conjured up an image of Hermione the way she was last night. "By the way, is Regina awake?"

Remus looked up from his plate and stifled a wry smile. For all James's talk, he guessed this was the real reason he had roused himself this early. "I don't think so."

Marginally crestfallen, James leaned back in his seat. "Oh."

"Isn't one day of being with her enough?" Sirius asked, making it sound as though Hermione was very bad company.

James blinked. "What?"

"I said, isn't one day of--"

"I didn't mean a could-you-repeat-what-you-said what; I meant a what-do-you-think-you're-saying what!" James interrupted.

Sirius shrugged. "I was under the impression you woke up early just to see her again."

"I did--didn't," James denied, faltering.

Sirius guffawed at James's apparent discomfort. "Don't worry, mate. You can tell us."

"She's very nice, after all," Peter said, joining the conversation. "It wouldn't come as a big surprise if you do like her."

I like her?

"It wouldn't?" Sirius repeated, flabbergasted.

The screeching of a flock of owls soaring overhead drowned out Remus' comment on that last remark, and James sat up straighter as a small note landed right in front of him. He wasn't expecting any mail. He snatched it and tore it open impatiently, worried it might contain unwelcome news about his parents.

James,

Thank you for everything.

--Regina--

A big smile spread over James's face as he sat still for several seconds.

"Who was that from?" Peter asked, looking at the parchment his friend was happily staring at.

"Regina," James said promptly, finally looking up, still smiling. He folded the letter, tucked it into his robes and attacked his food with new gusto.

Sirius was observing him very carefully, trying to detect signs that his theory on James's sudden interest in Regina was correct. Failing, he decided to mention it outright and test his friend's reaction. "Well, Prongs, if you keep Operation Number three hundred and eighty up, I'm sure you'll have Evans saying yes in no time."

James gagged on the cured meat. "What?"

"Is that a could-you-repeat-what-you-said what or a--"

"No, it's a what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about what," James interjected petulantly, rolling his hazel eyes. "Operation Number what? Lily what?"

Peter and Remus both tilted their heads toward them, listening intently. Sirius sighed and explained, "Operation Number three hundred and eighty. We stopped at three hundred and seventy-nine, didn't we? Or have you forgotten how to count?"

"And what exactly is the three hundred and eightieth plan?" James enquired, not understanding.

"Trying to make Evans jealous," Sirius answered simply.

James stared at his best friend for a full minute, letting the impact of his statement sink in, before bursting out laughing. "Wait. So you thought I befriended Regina and had been spending so much time with her because of Lily? Just because of her?" He laughed harder before gasping, "You're too much, Padfoot."

"Isn't that true?" Sirius demanded stoutly. "I certainly didn't buy any of what you said about getting over Evans. You couldn't have--not that easily. And you know what? I could just see this plan working. I saw Evans and Clarke talking seriously a while ago, their eyes drifting towards us, and I reckoned they were discussing you."

"Pretty big leap for a dog, Sirius," James said, slipping on purpose. He held up one hand to stop him from continuing. "I don't care. Like I said several times over, I'm finished with Evans. You're supposed to be my best friend. I am so hurt you don't believe me," he added, feigning indignation.

"But everything seemed to happen so fast. You and Regina were, in a flash, this tight," Sirius argued, bringing his middle and index fingers together.

Ah. His friends didn't know everything that had happened that night almost one week ago, and even now, James didn't want to tell them. "Is the idea really so difficult to entertain? Regina is quite a character, you know." His expression became gentler at his next words. "She's too special to be used like that."

Remus could not contain his shock any longer. The only instances he heard James talk as such was whenever he spoke of Lily. Sirius was right; everything was happening too fast.

Sirius maintained a look of utmost scepticism. "I suppose you're right," he agreed grudgingly. "It certainly does not make sense trying to spark Evans' jealousy over a very plain girl. She's not even beautiful, and I'm sure you could have chosen a better one."

She's not? Remus, despite his good nature, suddenly felt inclined to throw a hex at Sirius for his indiscretion. He glanced at the doors of the Great Hall to avert his annoyance and saw Hermione stride in. Even from a distance, he could not help but admire the quiet poise with which she moved.

James noticed Remus' line of sight and followed it, pleased where it ended. "Well then, Sirius, I guess I should be happy you don't find her attractive. Saves me some trouble, I daresay." He kept his eyes on her as she approached them from his side on the table. All his confidence, however, evaporated the moment she was standing beside him, looking all fresh and delectable in a light pink cardigan that matched the flush on her cheeks.

"Morning," she greeted with a smile, her eyes locked with his as though he was the only one she could see was worth addressing. He felt his heart race once more.

"Morning," he replied warmly, patting the space beside him in an invitation to sit.

Hermione took the offered spot and smiled at the rest of the Marauders. "Morning."

Remus' heart somewhat lifted at the attention, and he returned the greeting with the same enthusiasm.

James watched Hermione serve herself some food, enjoying the way her locks partially obscured her face and yet wanting to tuck them behind her ear. The storm of emotions that erupted in his chest stunned him. What was happening? Why was he feeling so much for her after only a short span of time? In the first place, what in the name of Merlin was he feeling anyway?

His brain easily supplied the answer. I'm attracted to her. He swallowed hard. Even the notion of being interested in a girl other than Lily Evans was foreign to him. Maybe this is part of that getting over stage, a side effect of being rejected. Your attention latches on to the nearest member of the female population around. The rationalisation sounded harsh and inadequate, even to his ears. He reached out and lightly brushed her slender wrist with the tips of his fingers.

Immediately, she turned to him. The movement caused her scented hair to tease the bridge of his nose. "Yes, James?"

He silently scolded himself for losing control and touching her, but why did she have to notice everything? He adjusted his glasses as he cast his mind around for something credible to say. "I--uh--what was that note about?"

She smiled, much to James's astonishment. "Oh, you got that already? I wanted to be here when you opened it." Hermione pursed her lips before continuing. "That little message was the first thing I wrote using the quill you bought for me. I wanted to surprise you."

James definitely wasn't expecting that answer, much less the warmth that engulfed him afterwards. "Well, you did."

"Did you keep it?" Hermione normally wouldn't have dared to hope, but just in case he did, she knew that would mean something. It had to.

James gestured towards his pocket. "Of course. But tell me if you want it framed or anything, and I'll be glad to oblige."

Hermione laughed, thankful that he knew just how to inject some humour into their conversation to keep it from becoming too serious. "That's not necessary."

"I know," James answered earnestly. "Its memory is enough."

* * * * * * *

Lily stared glumly at the parchment in front of her, which was sparsely covered with her Charms notes. In the background, Professor Flitwick was busy rambling about some of the more imaginative spells invented, and while normally Lily would have been listening with rapt attention, she was definitely not in the mood today. Come to think of it, she had not been for several days now--four, to be exact--since she had had that conversation with Alice that Sunday morning.

"I saw James and that new girl yesterday at Hogsmeade," Alice had opened conversationally.

"Uh--huh," she had replied uninterestedly. "I saw them too. I was with you, remember?"

A dreamy expression had crossed Alice's features. "Don't they look so sweet together? I wish Frank was more like James."

"Be careful what you wish for," Lily had retorted, annoyed at where the discussion was going. "If Frank was like James, I don't think you'd want to marry him anymore."

"On the contrary, I would," Alice had corrected. "James seems so stable; he's the one you can run away with, the one who can take care of you for the rest of your life."

Lily could not believe what she was hearing. The Alice she knew was too sensible to get in way over her head, especially over--ugh--James Potter. "Oh, so now you're one of those giggly girls who worship the ground he walks on?" she had snarled.

Alice had sighed. "You've got to admit, Lil. He is attractive. If he would ever ask me, I'd immediately say yes." She had paused for a heartbeat and added, after surveying her friend intently, "Are you completely sure you don't like him?"

"Of course I'm sure. In fact, I am so confident I would bet my life on it," Lily had snapped. "I've been sure since I was in third year, so why should things be any different now? He certainly is still that same vile, despicable git whose head is so swollen, I'm amazed he can still strut around."

Alice had shrugged, knowing it was pointless to argue with the strong-willed redhead. "Well, I suppose it's better that way especially since he seems to be getting interested in somebody else," she had concluded with obvious relish. She had glanced down at the Gryffindor table; it had been hard to miss James and Regina sitting a little too close to each other to be just friends.

A hot, unfamiliar flame had seared through Lily at her friend's words and at the sight of them together, and even now, it still had not abated. She would never admit it to anyone, but she wanted to hex that stupid Potter senseless for--well, for irritating her this much. And no, she wasn't jealous. Lily Evans would never be jealous of anybody. It was just that the idea that one of her more ardent admirers forgetting and giving up on her so easily bruised a large portion of her ego.

I guess I was right in my initial assessment of him, Lily thought bitterly. I was a mere conquest for him until someone else--someone easier to charm--came along. She scribbled angrily on her parchment. She usually loved being right, so why could she hardly contain her fury?

"Miss Evans, would you like the honour of defining and demonstrating the Protean Charm?" Professor Flitwick requested. His voice, however, sounded dim to her ears.

"Miss Evans?" The slight rise in intonation intruded on Lily's reverie. She looked up and blinked, her mind still in a haze.

"I'm sorry, Professor. Could you repeat that for me?"

"I asked you to define and demonstrate the Protean Charm, Miss Evans," Professor Flitwick reiterated, watching his best student expectantly.

Why in the world does he have to call on me today? Lily wondered irritably. She struggled through the cloudiness in her mind in an attempt to recall what she needed to cast that charm. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment; trust her brain to let her down at this crucial moment. "Uh--sorry, Professor. I--I don't remember."

Professor Flitwick's grey brows rose in surprise, and he paused for a moment before kindly saying, "It's fine, Miss Evans. I'm sure you'll look it up for next time, eh?"

Lily nodded, barely looking up in shame. She shifted slightly in her seat and looked back, wanting to shoot that arrogant Potter daggers. If only looks could kill.

She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth at the view that greeted her. Potter was busy showing that Regina something under his desk, his swollen head intimately bent towards her. It was obvious that he had not been paying attention for some time already and had probably not even noticed that something had happened to her.

Huffing testily, Lily turned to face the front once more, crossing her arms over her chest. Damn him; he didn't care. And neither would she.

* * * * * * *

"I didn't know you could write," James said teasingly as he slid into the couch beside Hermione, who was writing on a parchment, using her knees for support. It was almost nine in the evening, and he had just returned from his rounds. Most students considered Thursday to already be part of the weekend, but his fellow Marauders were still up, cramming the Potions assignment due the next day.

"Must be this new quill," Hermione answered back, melting from the warmth that emanated from him beside her.

"Doesn't look like Potions, huh?"

Hermione grinned at him. "That's only because I've finished mine, and it's there," she said, pointing at the other Marauders, "being copied by your friends."

James laughed, shaking his head in amazement.

"Hey, I'm only using it as a reference material," Sirius said defensively. "I would have done this on my own, had I not been too busy with Snape for the past hour."

James stopped smiling, and his forehead creased with worry. "What happened?"

"Oh, more of the same bull," Sirius answered nastily. "Got too cocky being in Slytherin despite being less than a pureblood and started taunting me about the same old thing. So I hung him upside-down and made him eat slugs, but turned out he was very good at nonverbal spells and managed to hit me with an Engorgement Charm."

"Where?" James asked, looking very concerned.

Sirius looked distinctly uncomfortable while Remus and Peter snickered. "Never mind that," he answered quickly. "My point is we have to exact revenge on that slimeball."

Peter nodded vigorously while Remus sighed. "Thank Merlin there's only one Snape in this world."

"Oh, come on," James said mockingly. "What would we do without Snivellus around?"

"What would we do indeed?" Sirius muttered as though in deep thought. He sat up straighter in an instant, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Maybe we could make the world a better place."

"How?" Hermione asked interestedly, pleased that Sirius was finally growing up.

Sirius smirked. "Multiple Snapes!"

Peter frowned. "What?"

"Is that a could-you-repeat-what-you-just-said what or a--"

James snorted. He had lost count of the number of times this week that Sirius had made that wisecrack.

"It's a could-you-please-elaborate-what-you-said what," Peter answered, cutting his friend short before he'd had his fun.

Sirius spread his hands out like his previous statement was obvious. "Multiple Snapes," he repeated. "He's such a git; he probably believes himself to be unique. Besides, it'll be a laugh."

"And how will we do that?" Remus asked.

"Wait a minute. Is this another prank?" Hermione demanded. To think I was so naïve to believe he had finally stopped stooping to Snape's level.

"I thought you said she was smart," Sirius told Remus.

Hermione bristled, but before she could give Sirius a piece of her mind, James put a restraining hand on her and warningly said, "Sirius, that's enough."

Sirius raised his eyebrows and snorted, but he didn't say anything else about it. It had always been like that between the two of them. James was the only one he would listen to whenever he told him to stop whatever he was doing, and in turn, it was the same with him. He returned to the topic at hand. "Polyjuice Potion," he drawled, savouring the words. "You see, quite coincidentally, I had managed to cut off a large chunk of Snivellus' hair in Defence Against the Dark Arts today."

"Eew, yuck," Peter said with a shudder. "You actually touched his hair?"

Sirius glared at Peter. "I am a wizard," he emphasised. "I don't need to lay my hands on such filth to get what I want."

"What did you do it for anyway?" James asked. It wasn't like Sirius to carefully think over a prank before setting out to do it.

Sirius shrugged. "On impulse. Thought it might come in handy someday." He withdrew a medium-sized glass bottle from his robes and showed it to his friends. "Doesn't it reek of oil and potential? And don't we have quite enough of the potion left from last time, enough for an hour's dosage for all Slytherins?"

Hermione could not help but shake her head in amusement as she stifled a smile. The boy was creative, that she would grant him.

James let out a low whistle, allowing his mind to picture the scenario. "So how do we slip it into their drinks?"

"Well, I haven't figured it out that far yet," Sirius admitted. "But I was thinking we could go into the kitchen and slip it into the Slytherin table's punch bowl. We could always ask the house-elves to help us."

"That sounds doable," Peter agreed. "But I think Prongs should talk to the house-elves himself."

"Thanks for volunteering me," James replied sarcastically. "Why me all of a sudden?"

Peter shrugged. "The house-elves love you. They wouldn't say no to you."

Hermione laughed. "I didn't know your charm went that far," she ribbed.

James smiled, now feeling a little embarrassed. "Maybe you should come with us too. It never hurts to have a girl around."

"And here I thought you wanted to be with me!" Hermione reacted, faking outrage.

I do. The thought came unbidden to James, and he was so relieved he had not spoken it out loud. "There are male house-elves too, you know," he joked instead, making her laugh once more.

Sirius rolled his eyes impatiently. "Do I need to send for some champagne?" At James and Hermione's questioning looks, he harrumphed and said, "Never mind."

"When do we do this prank?" Remus asked.

Sirius looked around the common room first before answering, his voice a notch lower. "Why not tonight? Most of the students are asleep anyway. As for the staff--well, we can use the cloak and the map."

"Sounds fine with me," James said and then turned to Hermione. "Are you with us?"

"Literally, I am," she answered hesitantly. "But as for this trick..."

"We can get you some hot chocolate later downstairs to calm your nerves," James reassured.

Hermione still did not look convinced. "Do you think this is okay?"

Sirius hooted. "You're asking James? Of course it's freaking okay!"

James grinned boyishly and messed his hair up. "Sirius is right. It is perfectly fine with me."

"I guess I'll have to trust your judgment then," Hermione said. "I'm in."

"Terrific," James said, squeezing her hand.

Sirius instructed Peter to retrieve the bottles of Polyjuice Potion they'd stored in their dormitory, with Remus offering to help him. Once they had lugged the containers downstairs, along with the cloak and map, the five of them set about splitting the hairs and adding them in correct proportions to the volume of the potion within each bottle. The entire process took them only half an hour, and at exactly ten o'clock, they were ready to go.

"I don't think we'll all fit under the cloak," Remus commented. The truth was that he didn't want any part in this plan, not because he didn't feel like playing the joke on Severus, but because he simply wasn't in the mood. Whether it was still due to James and Hermione's extant closeness or to some other reason, he didn't know. He was pretty certain, however, that his resentfulness over the matter had somewhat faded. Time really had some power over such wounds.

"Yeah, that was what I was thinking too," Sirius said. "Well, obviously I have to go. James too, of course."

"And Regina as well," James added quickly, pretending not to notice his best friend's grimace.

"Fine," Sirius said dismissively. "There's room for another. Peter?"

"I'll go, if it's okay for Remus to be alone here." One swift from nod from him confirmed his approval.

James unfolded the Invisibility Cloak and showed it to Hermione. "This is an Invisibility Cloak," he explained, unmindful of the fact that she already knew what it was. "It's been handed down in my family for generations." He reached for the map and unfurled it as well, having every intention of also disclosing its existence.

Hermione heard warning bells sound off in her brain, and her eyes widened in apprehension. Before she could protest, James had already tapped it with wand, muttering, "I solemnly swear--"

"Could I do that myself?" Hermione interrupted, hoping her voice did not betray her worry.

James blinked, startled. "Sure," he said, handing it to her. "Do you know what it is?"

"A map?"

All of the Marauders' eyes were as round as saucers. "How could you possibly know that!" Peter exclaimed.

Hermione shrugged. "Didn't Sirius say we were going to use the cloak and the map?" she repeated, relieved that he had earlier given away their secret. "I've seen the cloak; obviously this parchment's the map." She really was getting good at worming her way out of tight situations.

"Oh." Peter looked abashed at her explanation. "Right."

She smiled kindly at him, fished for the wand in her pocket and tapped the map. "What am I supposed to say?" Hermione remembered to ask.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," James said.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!" Hermione exclaimed, touching the map with a practiced hand. As she had known it would, lines outlining the interior of Hogwarts formed, along with bubbles that contained each of its occupants' name. Her eyes sought out the Gryffindor common room, and she saw, much to her consternation, her name along with the Marauders'. Hermione Granger, she read inside her head. She felt as though it had been so long since she last used it; she was almost afraid she had forgotten her real identity. Hermione Granger. Seeing it reminded her of whom she really was.

Realising that the four boys were awaiting her reaction, she hastily rearranged her features into that of awe. "Wow," she breathed. She traced her finger along the secret passages that were on the map and said, "How did you manage to discover all these?"

Peter was grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, we did a lot of exploring," he said. "I reckon nobody else knows Hogwarts as much as we do."

"We're wasting time," Sirius informed them. He took the cloak from James and motioned for the others to go under it. He was about to retrieve the map from Hermione as well, but she refused to give it to him.

"Could I just hold on to this?" she requested. "I promise I'll be on the lookout."

Sirius shrugged. "Okay. I'm sure you'll do an excellent job anyway." He had not exactly meant it as a compliment, but he hoped she saw it that way, or James would be on his case once more.

When the four of them were set, Peter looked one more time at Remus, who looked peculiarly forlorn. "Are you sure you're going to be fine?"

Remus nodded. "Go ahead. I'll be waiting here." With the faintest of smiles, he added, "I'll tell the Fat Lady to wait for you."

The four of them climbed out of the portrait hole and trudged their way down to the kitchens, stopping occasionally to allow Hermione to check if anybody was within the vicinity. As soon as they reached the door to the kitchens, James, being the tallest among them, tickled the pear that hung high above. The door opened, and the soft melody of chimes welcomed them as they stepped inside.

A multitude of wide, orb-like eyes were staring in their direction, some of them fearful. Sirius realised that they were still under the cloak and pulled it off them, causing the house-elves to gasp. Some had even scurried under the tables to hide. Sirius nudged James in the ribs.

James stepped forward, causing the house-elves to take one step backward. "Hello," he said uncertainly.

It took several moments before one of them spoke. "Mr. Potter!"

James smiled disarmingly at the female house-elf. "Hello, Tinky," he greeted, remembering her name in the nick of time. "How have you been?"

"Well enough, sir," Tinky answered in the same high-pitched voice. Her eyes shifted to his companions. "Ah! Where's gentle Mr. Lupin? And who is the girl?"

Hermione, who had always been fond of house-elves, approached Tinky and offered her hand. "Regina. My name's Regina."

Tinky's eyes widened even more, suddenly looking watery. "Mr. Potter's friends are as great as he is!"

James turned to her, admiring how easily she had gained Tinky's respect. He met her eyes and gave her a smile, which she returned.

The house-elf shook Hermione's hand, her own trembling, and then shifted her attention back to James. "What can we do for you, sir?"

He could have lied, but James didn't want to. As simply as possible, he explained their reason for going there so late in the night.

"Slytherin's punch bowl, eh? Where we prepare their morning pumpkin juice?" Tinky repeated with a knowing look. As a servant of Hogwarts, she shouldn't be taking any sides, but she had always had maternal affection for these Gryffindors. She discreetly pointed a bony finger towards one at the far end, hoping her tattletale fellow house-elves would not see. "There, there," she whispered. "See the one laced with green leaves?"

James smiled down gratefully at her. "Thanks a lot, Tinky." He glanced at Sirius and Peter and nodded his assent, and the two of them sauntered over to where the bowl was. Hermione remained by his side, staring at the clock that hung on the wall. She was wary of how long they had been roaming the school out of hours.

"It is nothing, sir," Tinky said. "Is there anything else?"

"I'd like two cups of hot chocolate, if it isn't any trouble," James replied.

Tinky shook her bald head vehemently. "Oh, no, sir! No, not at all." At once, she scurried about preparing James's request. She had to make sure it was going to be the best hot chocolate he had ever tasted!

While she was doing so, James was observing Peter and Sirius from afar as they emptied the bottles of potion into the prepared drink. It had turned into a garish shade of brown from its original orange colour. He frowned, hoping Sirius would remember to perform a simple Concealing Charm on it. He was not disappointed.

"There you go, Mr. Potter," Tinky said, handing him two cups of hot chocolate on a silver tray just as Sirius and Peter walked towards them. James thanked her and tapped Hermione on the shoulder, who was still gazing at the clock.

She started, her face lighting up when she saw the drink he was offering. "Thanks." Hermione brought it to her nose and inhaled the sweet aroma; she could almost taste its strong flavour. "Thanks, Tinky. It looks delicious."

"Miss Regina is too kind," Tinky said, bowing.

"I am very grateful for your assistance tonight, Tinky," James said when Sirius and Peter reached them.

"Don't mention it, sir. Tinky loves having you and your friends down here especially since it has been awhile. Maybe Mr. Lupin could make it next time?" Tinky said hopefully, peering up at him.

"I'll tell him that; don't worry. Good night!" he said, glancing and waving at the other house-elves as well.

They sailed out the door, which automatically closed behind them, and fit themselves under the cloak. James took Hermione's cup from her so she could hold the map better. Their precautions served them well because they were able to manoeuvre their route so that they could avoid Filch lurking around a corridor.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked listlessly when they had successfully woken her up.

"Canis Major," Sirius answered. The door swung open at once, and they all entered it, finding Remus with a book.

He looked up at them in surprise and then at the clock. "That was fast."

"We practically had no trouble with the house-elves," Peter explained.

"Yeah, James was as charming as usual," Sirius cracked, flopping down on the couch next to Remus.

"Shut up," James muttered, setting the two cups of hot chocolate down on the glass centre table. He took his seat on an armchair, and Hermione did on one opposite his.

Remus raised his eyebrows. "So you went ahead with the hot chocolate plan?" he enquired wryly.

James shrugged. "Kind of, but we told the house-elves the truth. By the way, Tinky asked for you."

"She misses you," Sirius said in a false, sweet voice, causing all of them to laugh.

Remus shook his head in amusement. "Well, it seems like my powers of attraction can only get as far," he joked, wondering if there wasn't any bitterness underlying his words. "I'm tired," he announced before anybody could react. "I'm going to bed."

"I am, too," Sirius said, yawning and stretching his arms over his head as he stood up. "Good night."

Peter jumped up as well, taking his friends' lead. On the foot of the stairs, however, he glanced back at James and Hermione, who had remained seated. "Aren't you going yet?"

"We'll just have a nightcap, Wormtail," James said. "Night."

Peter smiled meaningfully at James. "Have fun. Good night." His eyes flicked over to Regina. "Night, Regina."

James waited until the sound of Peter's footsteps had disappeared before turning to Hermione. His fingers were suddenly clammy at the realisation that they were alone again. "Well, I guess we should drink this before it gets really cold."

Hermione smiled. "I suppose we should." She stood up and sat on the long couch that had been previously occupied, the one that was nearer her cup of chocolate--and well, the one also closer to James. She lifted her cup to her lips and tasted it, closing her eyes briefly at its satisfying taste. "Mmm. This is incredible." She put it down and looked at James. "You know, I was really impressed with what you did down there."

"With what exactly?" He grinned at her. "Come on, you can tell me. I've heard it all before."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him before laughing. "You arrogant jerk."

"Just last Sunday you told me I was sweet," James protested.

"Things change," Hermione said smugly.

James shrugged. "They should. The world would be in a sorry state if they did not." He took another sip of chocolate and said, "By the way, a lot of things have been happening that I've neglected asking you how you're finding Hogwarts so far." Hermione made a face, and he added, "I know, I know. It's kind of late, but well..."

"I've never felt more at home," Hermione answered truthfully. She couldn't very well say that he was the reason, so she explained, "The subjects are challenging, the people are warm--"

"Sirius is warm?"

Hermione laughed. "Not really, but you more than make up for it. Thanks for sticking up for me a while ago."

James self-consciously pushed his glasses up his nose. "It was no trouble. He does get out of hand sometimes." At her arched eyebrows, he grinned and amended, "Well, okay. Maybe most of the time. But he's a great guy, really."

"Most girls in this school think so anyway," Hermione said. She had noticed that in the weeks she had spent at Hogwarts. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the map, which was still open for anyone to read. "How do I turn this blank?"

"Just tap it and say mischief managed," James said, watching her as she followed his instructions and handed it back to him.

"You sure do have a lot of tricks up your sleeve," Hermione noted, thinking of the cloak and the map.

James smirked. "We have a lot more than that, you know," he said. "I'll reveal them to you in time."

"Oh, I am just dying of suspense," Hermione replied drolly. She gestured towards their drinks. "We've been neglecting Tinky's concoction."

"I'd rather talk to you," James responded instinctively, causing Hermione to stop in the middle of raising her cup for another gulp. "I mean--well--you are remarkably easy to talk to, Regina."

Hermione drained half of her cup before answering, her face slightly pink. "Thanks. I'd like to think you really mean that."

"I do," James confirmed, his voice lower than usual. She didn't say anything and started playing with her fingers. "Hey," he said.

She looked up at him, nervously awaiting his next words. "Yes, James?"

The breathy way she said his name distracted him from what he was supposed to say. Merlin, it stirred feelings of longing inside him. He licked his suddenly dry lips. "I like the way you say my name," he said instead, his voice tinged with wonder.

Hermione continued staring at him, her calm exterior belying the storm of emotions raging inside her. Her heart was pounding so fast she thought it might explode.

James bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. "I'm sorry," James apologised. "I am making you uncomfortable, am I not?"

She smiled faintly, not knowing how to answer. "I guess we should say goodnight then."

James swallowed hard. "Right." He drained the last from his cup and stood up. Hermione followed suit, and he accompanied her to the foot of the stairs to the girls' dormitory. They were standing so close to each other, he could almost see the way each of her lashes curved, the gentle slope of her nose, her flushed cheeks... He was reminded of that moment between them last Sunday, and he wanted so badly to tenderly cup her face and kiss her. But he steeled himself against his impulse; he did not have any right to do what he desired. The words he'd spoken to Sirius came back. She is too special. And at that place and time, he vowed to himself that he was going to do everything right with her.

"Good night, Regina."

Even without them touching, Hermione could feel the electricity between them. She could see the passion in his eyes and couldn't believe it was finally directed at her. "Good night, James." I love you.

James watched her climb up the stairs, committing everything about her to memory. Before she disappeared into her dormitory, she turned back and smiled at him, her curls billowing behind her. He smiled, and long after she had gone, he was still standing there, still smiling.

It was truly a wonderful world.