A/N – text in bold denotes a dream sequence, italics, apart from the previous chapter review are thoughts. Also, if you haven't noticed, there is no Remus/Tonks in this story. Nothing against Tonks, but she just doesn't fit in this story line.

Grinning he continued, "All kidding aside Mia, have you stopped to consider what all this might mean?"

"Of course I have," Hermione shouted, as she stood, knocking her chair over. "What the bloody hell do you think I've been doing since all this started? I can't sleep Remus, all I see are their faces; and now that Sirius is back, he's acting so strange, I just don't know what to do! I'm just so bloody confused, and my head hurts all the time!" Hermione started to cry.

"Come on Mia, this isn't like you, don't give up. I think you need to take a break for awhile, let yourself relax. As far as these dreams go, you told me that you always wake when you try to focus in on someone or something. Is that right?"

"Yes." She sniffed.

"Well how about tonight you don't try to see their faces. Just let it happen, and see what comes of it."

12 Grimmauld Place

Later that night

To be perfectly honest, Hermione didn't really think that Remus' suggestion would work.

How am I supposed to control my focus while dreaming, I'll be asleep for Nimue's sake?

The rest of her evening was pleasant, no more run-ins with Sirius, so she felt more confident in her ability to follow Remus' advice. So, despite her misgivings Hermione prepared for bed, trying to relax and not stress about the coming dreams. She drank some chamomile tea, wore her favorite pajamas, and even changed her sheets that she had put on the bed the day before. When all of that didn't work she resorted to taking a calming draught, something she would never do under normal circumstances. After she climbed into bed, she laid waiting for the potion to take effect and decided to take a note from Professor Snape's book and clear your mind.

"Clear my mind, Harry was right, what the bloody hell does that mean any way?" she mumbled.

After quite some time she finally drifted to sleep while that same nagging feeling of incompleteness flared. She could only hope that figuring out her strange dreams would also help her to discover the cause of her unease. Determined, Hermione finally fell asleep prepared (she thought) for whatever she might find.

The dreams came again, at first they seemed to be just like the dreams she initially experienced when all of this first started happening. While the somewhat naughty dreams of Sirius were enjoyable, she was used to them by now. Hermione slept deeper, seemingly soothed by the familiar visions. She drifted, catching snippets of various people and places. Her relaxed state allowed her to slowly see more detail from the visions and soon she was able to see everything quite clearly.

"Remember children, you are Potters; and with that name comes great responsibility."

"What's 'sponsbity' Grampy?" a little boy with dark messy hair asked.

"That's res-pon-si-bil-i-ty, James, and it means that we have important things to look after. You especially, as the heir apparent after your father will bear this responsibility."

It looked like James liked that, he was important, Grampy said so.

"What about me Grampy, am I not important too?" The little girl with brown eyes and bushy hair that was seated on the couch with James asked.

"Ah my pretty poppet, you are indeed most important. You my sweet girl will be the key."

"What key, do I have to unlock something? Is it like when Jamie locked Mummy in the broom cupboard? If it is I don't need a key I'll use a spell like Jamie did, I can do it, want to see?"

Grampy laughed, "no my girl, it's a little different. You will know when the time is right. When the days grow dark you will be awakened."

Hermione shot up in her bed, awakened by the sounds of the others starting their day. She immediately reached for her journal that she kept in the bedside table to record what she could remember from her dreams. She was so excited! Excited and confused.

What does it mean? The little girl looked awfully like me when I was younger. Why am I dreaming of the Potters? Was that Harry's dad? Maybe there's something I need to find out about the Potters to help Harry. Voldemort's gone, so I don't know what it might be.

Her musing was interrupted by a knock at the door, followed by Remus' head peeking around the corner with his hand over his eyes, fingers spread.

"Are you naked?"

Hermione snorted, "No Moony, I'm not naked."

"Damn, I'll have to time that better next time."

"Perve!" Hermione laughed. "What do you want at – 10:20 in the morning? Holy cricket! I don't remember the last time I slept that late."

"I know; I came to see if you were dead, or simply enjoying more of your dirty dreams. You're not dead-"

"Well spotted."

"So the alternative would mean that you were too caught up in your non-G rated dreamland to notice the herd of elephants otherwise known as Harry and Sirius tromping up and down the stairs!"

Hermione rolled her eyes at Remus. He was much more light-hearted since Voldemort's demise and especially since Sirius' return. That ever-present sorrow was still there just under the surface, but it seemed that Moony finally had something that he lacked for many years, hope. He rarely talked about his past, only bits here and there about his childhood and Hogwarts years with the other Marauders. Hermione didn't know how, but she knew that there was something other than the curse of lycanthropy that weighed him down.

I wonder if Moony ever had a girlfriend. Hum, he's never mentioned anyone. Heck, he could have been married for all we know, why have I never asked him that? Maybe that's what-

"Hellooooo, Mia!" Remus waved his hands in front of Hermione to catch her attention. "Good your back, I know I'm the sexiest thing you've ever seen but really that staring is a little creepy."

Hermione slugged him in the arm. "Ow, woman! Kinky!"

"REMUS! You are such a lecher! Ah!" She attempted to shove him off her bed, only to be pinned underneath him and subsequently tickled within an inch of her life.

"Do you surrender?" Remus said as he continued to tickle her, "All you have to say is 'Moony is a sexy beast' and I'll stop."

"Never! Ah ha hahahahaha, stop Remus!"

"Nope, that's not the mag-" *BOOM* The door to Hermione's room was slammed into the wall by a very irritated looking Sirius Black. "Ah, hey there Padfoot, this isn't what it looks like. Um-"

"Off, now." Sirius ground out.

"Yep, off and out. See you kids later." Remus said as he tried to slip out the door only to be grabbed by Sirius.

"Get dressed." Sirius barked to Hermione not even looking at her. He slammed the door closed this time, dragging Remus with him.

"Bloody chauvinistic prig! I'll get dressed when I bloody well feel like it! Why am I saying bloody so much? *sigh* Why too much time around Ron."

Despite her irritation with Sirius, she did decide (it was her decision thank you) to get ready for the day. She picked up her journal which had fallen during her morning assault and placed it back in her nightstand; grabbed her clothes and a towel and headed for the bathroom.

As she exited her room she almost ran right into a seriously pissed off Sirius (sorry, couldn't help it). The red-faced Black heir seemed to be stalking his prey down the hallway, which at the moment consisted of a slightly bemused werewolf.

"I thought I made it perfectly clear that she was hands off! She is-"

"Oh for the love of Merlin!" Hermione yelled, "Would you knock it off with this territorial pissing match!"

"Mia, I-"

"No, if you feel the need to continue this idiocy take it outside, but either way get out of my way so I can take a shower!" Neanderthals.

Sirius straightened and moved to the side to let her pass, just not enough to where she wouldn't have to touch him to get through though. He is a Marauder after all. Hermione huffed and brushed past him to get to the bathroom, once again feeling the electricity in his touch. She tried to ignore it as she closed the door and got herself ready for the day.

"Ok Padfoot, be reasonable here. You know out of every male that is ever in this house that I'm the least likely to ever try to take her from you." Remus took the risk of grasping his friend's shoulder as he explained.

Sirius sighed and shoved his hand through his ebony mane of hair. "I know Moony, I just go a little crazy where my Mia's concerned, and I didn't mean to flip out on you like that."

"No mate, I'm sorry, I didn't think about how hard this is on you. We've become very close since the final battle, it's almost like it was before. She's my little sister Padfoot, you know I'm not threat to your bond."

"You're right, you always are. You've been there for her when I couldn't be and I'm grateful for that."

"Don't mention it, you've done the same for me in the past. And I should have thought, if the tables were turned and that was Evie, well I probably would have done the same if not worse."

"Alright mate, enough of this touchy feely crap, let's eat!" Sirius threw his arm around his friend's shoulders.

They started down that hall and Remus banged on the bathroom door as they passed.

"Mia, cover your arse and hurry up it's time to eat!" He laughed as Sirius pushed him toward the stairs while he paused just past the door.

Yep she's thinking about me, and blushing! Ooo, this is good! Grrr, she's really got to put some clothes on!

Several days passed as everyone at Number 12 tried to adjust to the recent changes and get back on some kind of schedule.

Sirius was offered the old position he held during the first war as a Senior Auror, but he hesitated to make a decision. Hermione was frustrated with him; she didn't understand why he wouldn't find something to do with his time other than bugging her constantly! He on the other hand hoped that soon his life would be so different that such a decision wouldn't be necessary.

He was about at his wits end though, nothing was working. He dropped hints, he flirted constantly, invaded her personal space to the point he was sure Mia was ready to hex him, again. Harry was starting to ask questions; now that was an awkward conversation.

[Flashback]

Sirius was sitting at the kitchen table late one night after Hermione had made her escape for the evening. He was really frustrated and running out of ideas. He had practically sat in her lap on the library couch earlier, bought her favorite chocolates from Belgium, hell, he even cooked dinner! He was mooning around like a lost puppy, sometimes quite literally. She seemed to deal with him better as Padfoot these days anyway. He should have known that he should have stayed as Padfoot after she used a stinging hex on him not long ago.

All I did was offer to help her get ready for bed, not too unreasonable. It would have been highly enjoyable in fact . . . hmmm.

His mind began to wonder, straight into the gutter only to be interrupted by Harry sitting down across from him and grabbing the fire whiskey bottle in front of him.

"We need to talk Sirius." Harry said.

"No Harry, we're not breaking up." Sirius quipped.

"Shut up you berk! No, seriously. What's going on with you and Hermione?" Harry gazed across the table at his Godfather earnestly.

Sirius sighed. "What do you mean Harry?"

"You know exactly what I mean Padfoot. It's starting to get a little creepy honestly. You're practically stalking her!"

"Harry you don't understand-" Sirius moved his glass back and forth between his hands, avoiding Harry's eyes, Lily's eyes. He never could lie to her.

"Then explain it to me, I'd hate to have to kill you since you just got back." He said dryly.

"Son, there are things that I can't explain to you right now, but please realize that I am the last person on earth that would ever hurt her. I know it all seems kind of confusing right now but it will all become clear soon – I hope." He added under his breath.

"Alright Sirius, I do trust you, but you might want to ease up a bit. I can only hold Molly off for so long. I think she has her tirade already prepared about you being a 'cradle-robbing pervert' or something like that." He laughed.

Sirius huffed, "Cradle-robbing pervert! Ha, that busy-body should mind her business and leave me alone in my own house. Hypocrite! Her own father was 25 years older than her mother! Meddling wind-bag, interfering harpy-"

"Hey, easy, that's my future mother-in-law you're talking about!" Harry snapped.

"Oh reeeaaaalllly?" Sirius grinned at his godson. "Do tell!"

Harry blushed as he stood up from the table and hastily made his way to the door, "um, never mind, forget I said anything. Well, I'm off to bed, work in the morning you know, ah, yeah-see you later."

Sirius chuckled at his godson. Well, it looks like I'll have to go to plan F, I'm running out of time.

[End flashback]

The next evening Hermione went to bed early. She was troubled by the dreams she was continuing to have, not to mention by Sirius' strange behavior. He seemed to have let up a little today, thank God, but she was sure that it wouldn't be long before he resumed his torture.

Hermione had cornered Remus that morning to interrogate him regarding Sirius' behavior. She was sure that the lycan must was told his friend about the dreams she was having about him. He swore however, that he hadn't said a thing to his fellow Maruader.

Humph, yeah right! Why else would he act the way he has been lately. He's Sirius Black for heaven's sake! Molly always said that women were constantly throwing themselves at him. It's no wonder if he always acted the way he has been the last few days. Not that I would through myself at him, but – oh bugger it!

This thought brought her no comfort however; in fact it only seemed to frustrate her more. The thought of Sirius with other women was not a pleasant one, in fact it made her a little crazy. She felt crazy these days, not to mention sleep deprived.

Maybe something will make sense tonight; maybe I'll be able to figure out what all this has to do with the Potters.

While Hermione was trying to get to sleep a hushed argument was taking place in the hallway outside her room.

"I don't like it Padfoot. There's got to be another way to help her remember, this is too dangerous. Too many things could go wrong."

"No Moony, this is the only way, I've tried everything else. Only she can bring them back, only she knows where they are. The Fate's won't let me just tell her, not that she'd believe me anyway. She'd probably think I had some kind of brain damage from my time behind the veil."

"Well, now that you mention it . . ."

"Shut it. This has to be done, you know your part, don't let me down brother, this is our only chance." Sirius told Remus earnestly.

Remus nodded reluctantly "You know I'll do it, if there's any chance at all we have to take it. I'll see that you're not disturbed. You have my word Sirius."

"Alright then, let's do this." Both men quietly stepped toward the witch's bedroom door. "She's asleep, I'm going in, cover me!" Sirius said.

"You're an idiot."

The soft sound of the bedroom door opening failed to wake the witch, as did the words chanted from the darkened corridor:

"Somnus penetranter quod memor. Memor nos."

"Do you really think this will work?"

"It has to, I'll know when she's ready. You'll need to keep them away Moony, no matter what we can't be disturbed."

"I know, I'll just explain to Molly Weasley why you are locked in a room with Mia for Merlin knows how long, not to be disturbed. She's going to kill me . . . bloody mutt, leave me to do the dirty work . . ." Remus muttered as he closed and the sealed the door. No one would be getting through that, they hadn't been dubbed the Marauders for nothing!

Meanwhile, inside Hermione's room Sirius conjured a plush arm chair and positioned it as close to the bedside as possible sitting on the very edge. He fidgeted, trying to calm himself before he proceeded to the next step.

It was a delicate process, unraveling the strands of a lifetime. He had waited so long for this, too long in his opinion. The fates owed him on this one! Too bloody right! After all he and his Mi-Mi had done for this world Sirius felt that the "Oops, we didn't mean for that to happen!" that he got behind the veil just didn't cut it. He wanted his life back, he wanted his family back. And he was damn well going to get it!

After several more minutes he slowly began to calm himself enough to continue. It was time, she was ready. Center Padfoot, concentrate. He had to maintain complete focus for this spell to work the way it should.

Nineteen years ago something happened that Voldemort did not intend the night he came to murder the Potters. He did not realize that the Potters were not alone that night, or that there was much more to the family that had plagued him for years. Sirius knew that this could go one of three ways. Firstly, he could bullocks up the whole thing and nothing would happen. Not an option, he thought. Secondly, she would remember everything and return to him here where they could pick up the pieces of their once fantastic life. Or thirdly, definitely the best option, she would relive it all, but remember her life here in time to save everyone.

"Well, here goes everything love." Sirius leaned forward to gently kiss her lips before he began to chant: "Vicis locum. Donec tempus perdidimus. Meménto amore liberare quod perierat. Animae meae recordare consortem."

"Remember Beloved."

March 28, 1965

Mia felt very strange. She woke up in her room, same pink curtains, same pretty nightgown Mummy and Daddy had given her for her birthday the day before. All her books were in their rightful places. Yep, everything looked the same, right down to Dumbles, her stuffed hippogriff.

"Strange, I wonder if Jaime did something to me again. I best go check . . ."

Mia hopped off of her bed; she refused to use the little stairs her Daddy made for her to get down. She was a big girl, thank you very much. Jaime didn't use his, so why should she?

She made her way to the hall bathroom that she shared with Jaime and Evie, to make sure Jaime hadn't turned her eyebrows purple again. That one had taken forever to get out, he had actually used muggle hair dye instead of magic!

Hmm, nothing looks wrong, but I still feel funny, likes something's missing. I'll ask Mummy, she'll tell me if something's wonky.

Mia made her way downstairs to the kitchen in hopes of finding her mother. Thankfully she was there, working alongside their house elf Popsy to prepare the family's breakfast.

"Good morning Mummy! Good morning Popsy!"

"Goods morning Missy Mia!"

"Good morning my sweet Mia! So, your first full day as a five year old; what do you think so far, is five better than four?" Her mother, Jean asked with a smile. Her Mummy was so pretty, Mia wanted to look just like her when she grew up.

"I don't know Mummy. I read that five was better than four in "The Young Witch's Enclyopia."

"Encyclopedia, love."

"Yes, sorry, ency-clo-pe-dia; but I feel funny."

"What do you mean funny, sweetheart? Do you feel sick? Here sit down at the table and Mummy will see if you have a fever."

"No Mummy, I don't feel sick, I just feel funny. Do you think Jaime did something again? I checked in the mirror but I didn't see anything."

"It doesn't look like . . ."

"Did you call me Mia?" Jaime asked sleepily rubbing his eyes as he walked into the kitchen.

"No, but did you do something to me last night? Something Mummy and I can't see? You better tell if you did!"

"I didn't do nothing-"

"Anything, darling."

"Right, I didn't do anything!"

"Are you sure? I feel funny."

"Well you look funny." Jamey muttered so that only Mia would hear him.

"Hey! You take that back James Harold Potter, you are mean!"

"James . . ."

"What, I didn't-"

"What did I tell you about lying James?" His father asked as he walked into the kitchen, making Jaime jump.

"Um, I don't remember . . ?"

"James-"

"Ok, I'm sorry Mia for being a meany. You don't look funny, you're very pretty. And I love you and please don't take my broom away Daddy!"

"I'm sorry son, you know the rules, no broom today. If I catch you lying again it will be two days."

Jaime pouted as he sat down at the table to eat breakfast. Mia sat down next to him as usual.

"What did you do this time Jamie?" Another little girl asked as she walked into the kitchen already dressed and ready for the day. She sat in her seat next Mia.

"Nothing, Evie, mind your own business!"

"James Harold!"

"Sorry Mummy, sorry Evie. I didn't tell the truth so now I don't get to play with my broom today." He huffed.

"You can play with me and Evie and Dumbles if you want Jaime, I don't mind." Mia offered.

"I don't want to – well, I guess so. Thank you Mia." He smiled shyly at his sister. She was his favorite person, even if she is a girl.

"You're welcome Jaime. We'll have so much fun! Today we can play school, I'll be the teacher. You and Evie will read and learn new words and numbers and I will show you how to read your new book . . ." Mia babbled excitedly to her twin as he inwardly groaned and shared a look with his cousin.

"Sure Mia," Evie said, "but then we can play outside on the swings too and maybe play the piano."

"I suppose, but we have to learn two new words before we can go outside." Mia stated firmly.

"Ok, two words, no more though. You made us learn words for hours the other day. My head is only so big, I don't have as much hair as you and Evie do."

"What does that mean Jaime?" Mia asked angrily.

"I think he means that we are much smarter than him, isn't that right Jaime?" Evie smirked at her cousins. As Mia smiled back.

"Yep, hey wait a minute!"

Harold and Jean smiled at one another across the table. They truly loved their life, it was definitely not a quiet one, but they wouldn't trade it for anything. Yes, this one was the best yet despite the losses they had incurred. Hopefully it would be enough for them to succeed this time.