Through Her Eyes

Chapter 15: The First Meeting

Hermione was nervous. Abe was certain the meeting would turn out alright, especially since more people signed to show up then originally expected, but that didn't keep Hermione from worrying. Not only was she still horribly sore from her encounter with Bellatrix the day before, but a bad feeling about Voldemort's movements had sunk down into her gut. Dumbledore had assured her that she could no longer effect the future, as it had changed drastically anyway due to her 'meddling'. But as Hermione didn't particularly believe in the future, she knew that summoning the Order was still the only chance of defeating the Dark Lord.
Items of discussion tonight. Meeting times and subjects, possible private tutoring and locating the Horcruxes. Even with all that had been going on, Hermione hadn't forgotten that Tom had split his soul to become immortal, though there was now one less piece of the puzzle since Harry had yet to become the boy-who-lived. Running a hand through her new dark auburn locks (which she had taken a liking to), Hermione sighed deeply and watched as small groups of cloaked students entered using the password distributed at dinner. Arrivals included Remus, Sirius and James with Lily tagging along behind. Hermione wasn't at all surprised that Peter wasn't present, though he was probably with the Dark Lord or other Hogwarts Death Eaters which worried her. Also included in the group were many other Gryffindors, a few Hufflepuff's and the occasional Ravenclaw. No Slytherins had shown up on the list, and hence none of them were at the meeting,

"Ahem,"

Hermione looked up from her position on a backwards facing chair, staring into very distinguished, warm brown eyes. Brightening significantly, Hermione straightened as the pudgy woman extended a hand,

"Hermione Black, I'm Molly Prewett, soon to be Weasley. This is my fiancé Arthur,"

The stick man beside Molly held out a hand as well as Hermione shook them both. She had been curious as to where Molly and Arthur were, as they were members of the original Order. She had, of course, seen their names on the list but was surprised they would be so open with someone who used to be in Slytherin house,

"Congratulations on your engagement," she said kindly, "though I'm merely curious, when's the wedding?"

"Ah, after graduation sometime, though I might not be able to wait that long. Isn't that right Arthur?"

"That's right, love," the man stated, kissing his wife's forehead happily. They looked and acted the same as they had in her own time,
'Except Molly actually speaks at the volume of a regular person,'

Snickering at the thought, Hermione watched as the two lovebirds floated off to mingle with others at the meeting,

"Those two seem smitten wit' each other," Abe grumbled, coming to hand Hermione a shot of firewhisky as they clanked glasses together,

"You have no idea. They'll have seven children in the future, six boys and one girl,"

"Oi, and busy in the bedroom apparently,"

Hermione smacked the long haired man with a hand as another couple approached. Hermione didn't know immediately who the pair were, but the introductions made her heart sore,

"I think Molly set a good example. We're the Longbottoms. I'm Alice and this is my husband Frank. It's nice to make your acquaintance Miss Black,"

The two impish 7th years shook hands as Hermione nodded and tried not to show how sad and uncomfortable she was,

"It's just Hermione, please. Thanks so much for coming,"

The two nodded before following in step with Molly and Arthur as Hermione looked at the floor sadly. Why did she get to meet Neville's parents? He was the one who deserved to be here right now, looking at them before the Dark Lord ever got hold of them. Shaking her head, Abe didn't ask any questions but Hermione felt the urge to answer him anyway,