Through Her Eyes

Chapter 3: The Mauraders

"Lay off, Regulus. At least she doesn't look like you," the blonde girl snapped from beside Hermione, causing her to smirk slightly. Regulus snorted and leaned back as Lucius rolled his eyes but said nothing,

"Shut up Narcissa," Regulus finally mumbled. Hermione's heart leapt slightly as her eyes flicked to the blonde woman beside her. She did have some resemblance to the older Narcissa Malfoy, but she was almost unrecognizable. Hermione's thoughts were broken however as Professor McGongall appeared at the Slytherin table, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder to get her attention. Turning, she was relieved at the stern yet kindly face of her favorite Professor,

"Miss Black. Can you come with me, please?"

Glancing back at her small group of Slytherins, Hermione nodded her head,

"Come along, Quitz," Hermione stated, waving a hand to the house elf who padded after her robes. She didn't like domineering over the poor creature, but some battles were to be fought on a different day. The rights of house elves was only one of those numerous battles.
Following McGongall past the staff table, she was guided into a side room. The walls were paneled in wood, and the furniture was dark and comfortable looking. Sitting in the room was a single group of four boys. Hermione's heart caught in her throat as all four of them turned to look at her.
Their stares were shadowy and angry, and Hermione couldn't help but flinch back. But one pair of eyes, a beautiful hazel pair, remained calm and relaxed. Noticing her tension, McGongall waved at one of the chairs,

"Please Miss Black, sit. Would you like a cup of tea?"

Hermione nodded, hands quivering slightly as she attempted to hold back her emotions. Sirius Black was a jovial boy, tall with shaggy black hair and a Gryffindor tie wrapped around his head like a band. Hermione remembered that he was her 'cousin' in this timeline, and they would most likely not get along. Peter Pettigrew was a man Hermione wanted to despise with all her heart. She wanted to take and grind him into nothing but dust (getting in touch with her Slytherin side of course), but looking at him now, she couldn't feel anything. His failed attempts at glaring at her were adorable, as he was such a small a pudgy boy who probably wouldn't hurt anything. Next came the Harry Potter lookalike. James Potter certainly reflected his son (or the other way around, Hermione supposed), as they shared many of the same features. James was a bit wider in the face then Harry in his 5th year, and his hair was a bit lighter, if not even more messy. But just looking at him made Hermione's heart twist in pain. Finally, Remus Lupin came into her sight. Though she hadn't been as close to the professor as Harry or Ron had during the battle, Hermione was close with his wife Tonks, and therefore spent a good amount of time around him. Remus was very similar to his older counterpart, lanky - if not sickly - with a narrow face, big hazel eyes and a head of mixed golden almond hair. If Hermione were to continue staring, she could faintly make out the scars on the boys face, but only just barely,

"I suppose you all know why you are gathered here?"

McGonagall's voice pulled Hermione away from her staring match with the boys, turning to the Transfiguration Professor with knitted brows. What were they all doing here anyway?
"Mr. Black, Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin, the staff have now finalized their decision about your punishment,"

Hermione felt herself pale, and saw several of the boys go ashen as well. McGonagall continued, levitating a cup of tea to Hermione with her wand which she took and sipped nervously,

"Due to your blatant disregard of human life, as told by Miss Black whom has only just awoken from 3 months comatose, the punishment will be permanent expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,"

The silence hanging over the room was thick, all four boys staring at McGonagall with dumbstruck expressions. It was Sirius who broke the silence, with an angry shout of,

"You can't do that!"

McGonagall glared sternly at the dark haired boy, waving her wand as he was forced back into his seat,

"Indeed I can Mr. Black, and there will be no doubt that your family will be hearing about this incident-"

"Professor,"

Hermione spoke before she even knew what she was saying, eyebrows knit together as her heart twisted in her chest. The Marauders couldn't be broken up simply because of her,
"I think this punishment is a mistake,"

The Marauders whipped their heads around in surprise as Professor McGonagall frowned deeply,

"Ms. Black, these boys easily could have killed you with their Tom foolery. Surely you are aware of that?"

Hermione nodded, handing her empty tea cup to Quitz who disappeared with it quickly. Standing, she smoothed her cloak and nodded,

"I know Professor, but Hogwarts is home to all of us. To some more then others,"

Hermione glanced at Sirius, then at Remus who was standing calmly with his hands in his pockets,
"These four are family to each other, Professor. Give them a different punishment, anything, but not expulsion. That's just a waste of four exceptionally talented wizards,"

Professor McGongall seemed hesitant, but eventually gave in and sighed heavily,

"You make a valid point, Ms. Black. I will bring it to the staff and we will come to another conclusion,"

Hermione sighed deeply as well and nodded, satisfied she had prevented a disaster,

"Thank you, Professor,"

"Any more foolishness and all of you will be immediately expelled, understood?" McGongall addressed the Marauders who nodded quickly, "very well. You are excused,"

The four boys filed out past Hermione, Sirius being sure to knock into her shoulder on the way out the door. Remus stopped like he was going to say something, but was just as quickly pulled away by his friends as they disappeared into the now empty Great Hall. Groaning slightly to herself, Hermione too made her way out, closing the door softly behind her,

"Quitz, what's this weeks Slytherin password?"

"I do believe it's Fungus Ignes, my lady,"

"Right. Let's head back to the common room, then?"

"Anything you wish, my lady,"