Disclaimer. Fictional. Nonprofit. Borrowed.

Author's Note: Oddly, it seems I somehow missed uploading this chapter up here when I wrote it a while back. This is probably the story most likely to be continued, as it's one of my favorites. A note to be aware of however: I have dropped all pre-planned ships from this fic. I don't want them weighing down my possibilities. I'm not saying they won't happen, and you can still count on a James/Lily, but I make no other promises.

Chapter Six: Doubt

Is it worth it?
You gotta wonder
No sane person
Would say it was

She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat, and flashed a reassuring smile to Remus, who was frowning in concern. James was going on about his plans for the year, discussing pranks animatedly with the twins.

She could still feel her pocket burning. I don't understand...it doesn't make sense. There's nothing in there! Just some coin and bits of parchment! It occurred to her as plainly as the sun in the sky. The note! His note! The charm! But how...? Professor Dumbledore said it wouldn't affect their past selves! What...can he hear my thoughts?

The dark-haired boy gave no indication that he heard her thoughts. Not a smirk, not a scowl, not even a flicker of confusion. All right....calm yourself. The Headmaster specifically said those effects wouldn't cross time. But....what effects are there?

"You all right?" Sirius' voice broke through her thoughts, as he shook her shoulder.

"I'm fine, Sirius...just...thinking."

"James here asked you what you thought about his master plan."

She blinked over at him. "Plan?"

The twins frowned, but Sirius only laughed. "You and Moony are going to get along just fine."

James laughed, Peter gave a nervous chuckle, and Remus smiled. The twins seemed distracted enough by this to turn their attention away from her, laughing. She would have to remember to thank Sirius later.

"So, why don't I show you ladies where you'll be sleeping for the next nine months?" Sirius offered briskly.

"Nine-and-a-half." Ginny corrected, amusement lacing her tone. "And we already know where they are."

He frowned. "I supposed you've already seen the grounds, then?"

The twins exchanged wry glances, before chiming in unison, "You could say that."

James spoke up, then. "So, you two...you're twins?"

"Oi!" Fred--if she remembered correctly which twin had sat to the left of Remus--looked genuinely offended. "Not you, too!"

"We're cousins." George made a weary sigh.

"Honestly, we don't look that alike."

James seemed at a loss for words in the few moments before Ginny gave a snort of laughter, mumbling something about 'identical'.

"So..." Sirius ventured, as the twins' ensuing laughter died down. "Speaking of cousins...don't I have a few Weasley cousins?"

"Do you?" Ginny asked nonchalantly.

"Grandad married an American witch." Fred replied with a shrug.

"Decided to move out there to be with her."

"Bit of a nutter, really."

"Fred!" Ginny snapped.

Hermione laughed with the rest of them, but her thoughts drifted. Mum and Dad...they'll never even know they had a daughter...never know about this world...

...I wonder if I'll ever be a sister.

An entirely new lump was forming in her throat as she stood up. "I think I'll go and turn in."

"Hermione?"

She smiled bravely at Ginny. "Really, I'm fine. I'm just tired."

Ginny did not appear convinced, but nodded anyway. "You know, I think I'll turn in too..."

"Ginny--"

The red haired girl's eyebrows arched. "Hermione?"

Hermione frown for a few moments. Can't you get the message that I want to be alone, Ginny? She sighed. "Well, I was going to get a bit more studying in. We could work on that Ancient Runes text, though..."

Ginny huffed, and frowned up at her. "On second thought, maybe I'll finish my plate first."

"Good night, 'Mione!" The twins called after her, as she made her way determinedly out of the Great Hall. She didn't stop moving until she made it into the common room with a hurried 'red wine'.

A seventh year was studying something at one of the tables, and offered a quite greeting as she entered, and she gave a slight wave, before marching up the stairs to her dorm room.

Hermione gave a sigh as she finally fell back into her bed. Its too late now to look back and change your mind. Too late by far. You knew what you were getting into when you agreed, remember? Besides...Ginny and the twins...they lost more than you, too.

Her chastisement did little for her mood, but it provided something other than her parents to dwell on. Even if she was still dwelling on them indirectly.

So caught up in her thoughts was she, that she did not even hear anyone come into the room, nor approach her, until they spoke.

"Are you all right?"

"I told you, I--" Hermione's words died in her throat as she sat up. Lily Evans. She shifted on the bed uncomfortably. "...Sorry."

Lily smiled slightly, sitting down on the bed opposite her. "I understand. You must be under a lot of stress."

You have no idea.

Hermione gave a wry smile, and shrugged. "Moving, and all."

Lily nodded. "My name's Lily Evans."

"Hermione Granger." She replied, offering a hand. "Nice to meet you."

Lily smiled, and Hermione almost thought there was a hint of mischief in it. "I thought I should warn you...James and his crowd isn't exactly the best ones to hang out with these days. They're the worst troublemakers ever."

Hermione allowed herself a private grin. "I might've seen worse."

Lily gave her an incredulous look, before shaking her head in amusement."Can I call you Hermione?"

Hermione nodded.

"Good night, Hermione."

Hermione smiled. "Goodnight, Lily."

She fell back into the bed with a soft sigh. This time, Harry will have a mother. That makes it all worthwhile. It has to.

Is it worth
The price we are paying?
Is it worth
The damage being done?

Closing Author Notes Just a refresher, this is set between Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. Although I'll be using some new background information provided in Deathly Hallows, I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.