The Ministry seemd to be filled with forbidden knowledge as the officals passed whispering under their breath occasionally stopping to glance up before pushing open doors to their departments. It seemed so anticlimatic as the cameras glared uncomfortably behind her the reporters shouting questions Hermione tried to ignore. Maybe it was the fact tthat she was back in the spotlight as the smartest with of her age and a war heroine, best friends with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
Harry and Ron had immediately been accepted into the auror program deciding not to complete their seventh year at Hogwarts. Hermione had returned for the N.E.W.T.s. before deciding to go on a personal research trip around the world. She knew it was the nighmares that compelled her. The scent of blood as Bellatrix carved into her skin, the maniacal laughter. It seemed to be in slow motion as she everyone that had died look at her with their hollow blood splattered faces, betrayed glares that they had died and that she hadn't. How Ron and her almost died the snake so close, its fangs sharp, ready to bite. She needed to be distracted. At school, she spent the nights reading, taking notes, borrowing every book from the Restricted Section of the library writing unneeded essays and drafts. After she had graduated, the empty feeling had returned. Her parents had decided to stay in Australia convinced that their daughter was evil, cold-blooded, and how wizards were like snakes, entrancing you before betraying you in the face, disgracing their families with their unatural abilities. And so she decided to research and learn some more.
She saved up all her money to travel, staying in hotels in small villages learning old folktales and myths. She had taken upon herself to study acristocratic customs and etiquette. As a child, her grandparents had decided to sign her up for Charm School to "show her British culture appreciation". It was relaxing to learn petty things like etiquette, reminding herself that the war was over, and everything she needed to worry about were small, that she could finally relax. She went in the cities usng her status as a war heroine to her advantage, combing old journals and rare books translating them by herself, rebuilding her magic education. Slowly, she had started to learn the Dark Arts, careful not to use them. After a year, Hermione had returned to London. It was apparent that she had changed.
Her hair color lightened and the strands defrizzed to strawberry blonde-brown colored in thick and curly strands that framed her oval shaped face. Her eyes were the color of molten milk chocolate with specks of golden toffee and amber, confident and alert. She was only average by height and had porcelain toned skin that stayed true to her European orgins.
She was in need a job. Somewhere she could have influence, the power to change what was unjust. Many of the Departments had eagerly booked appointments for her hoping that the famous young lady would work in their department. Which brought her to now, walking through the halls to the Department of Regulation and Control of the Magical Creatures. She paused hesitantly by the large maghony doors that led to the Time Travel research department. As the door slammed open, Hermione hardly registered the fact in her brain when two familiar people launched themselves to Hermione. Neville stood at the edge awkwardly holding a clipboard as Harry and Ron gave Hermione big hugs.
"Hey, Nev," Hermione offered with a smile, " So you work at the Time Travel Department?" Neville shook his head holding up his badge.
"I'm an apprentice. Extended education. Mr. Flosere wanted me to mail some of the timeturners to the Austrian scientists. Ron and Harry offered to help."
Harry held his armload package of timeturners a grin still obscuring his face.
"Oh no..."
Hermione whipped around to face Ron smiling before peering down at the accidentally ripped bag. Her face slowly melted to horror as a glow seemed to shine from inside the package.
Everything seemd to meld to the background as the delicate gold hourglass shined through the envelopes. Everything she learned about time faded as she stepped closer unaware of the background as all three of the boys jumped backwards trying to pull her along. Only at the scream of Ron did she jerk her head. By then she was already caught.