Disclaimer: Anything you recognise is Ms Rowling's, no money is being made with this.
Rating: PG-13
A/N: This is my response to the Time Loop Challenge on WIKTT. The title of this story is borrowed from John Williams' wonderful original score of HP III.
Forward to Time Past
by Claudia
One
The day dawned bright and filled with cheerful birdsong. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, a reminder of the night's thunderstorm. The sun glistened on the black, patched pavement down in the street, and was reflected by the drops that still clung to every leave and petal. The sky was a clear blue, and even the city's air seemed cleansed, less dusty than it had been the previous evening.
Hermione inhaled all this deeply as she stood by the open window, cradling yet another mug of tea. Today was her big day. She would present her Master's Thesis to the Potions Research Board at the Ministry. Nicholas Flamel University of York had already granted her the degree, but what awaited her today was its recognition by the government, which alone would grant her the permission to teach - at Hogwarts or at any other place of education. Ever since the ongoing problems caused by frequent change of personnel at Hogwarts, the new Ministry had passed a law that required minimal standards and teaching skills for the teaching personnel at any school in the wizarding world.
But it was Hogwarts that she wanted to go to and teach. Dumbledore had retired a year after her graduation, and Minerva McGonagall had become Headmistress of Hogwarts with Remus Lupin as her deputy. And since Severus Snape would leave the school, Hermione was to replace him as the new Potions Mistress.
Again, Hermione checked her watch, but even without doing so, she knew that it was still too early. Too early, even, to go out to the baker's around the corner to get some fresh rolls, let alone to go to the bookbindery to pick up the octavo into which her Master's Thesis had been bound. Her impatience changed into nervousness. Her appointment wasn't until late into the morning, and even with all these chores before her, and the journey to London, there was still plenty of time.
She had been like this since the night before, when she had met with McGonagall and a couple of friends in a York pub for a drink or two to wish her well for her big day. Although her mentor, Severus Snape had not joined them. He probably deemed it unnecessary since her would accompany her to the Ministry this morning. He had been her mentor ever since the previous year when they had run - quite literally - into each other at the British Library (Wizarding Section). Somehow, Snape's interest in her research had overcome his usual nastiness and bad opinion of her as an odious know-it-all. In turn, her eagerness to really talk to someone outside the faculty had had her forget most of his shortcomings as her former teacher. Her thesis - then hardly ripe enough to be called so - grew with the help of his constructive criticism and help regarding her reading list. As always, he had very generously offered her the former, the latter he had used sparingly - to encourage her to work even harder. His demands had goaded on her ambition, as always, but he had done without getting personal. At times, there was even a friendly air about their discussions, which never failed to make Hermione wonder.
Several months into her work, McGonagall had offered her Snape's job. It was a great relief and honour for Hermione. Research was all very well, but she had realised that studying alone did not satisfy her. A teaching position, although not her first and only idea of her career, at second gaze offered all that which she wanted from life. She was in touch with people, working with them, passing on her knowledge, and at the same time had the chance to further it. She would not have to whither away in some dusty Ministry office and had the opportunity to actually do something.
Most amazing, her predecessor seemed to support the Headmistress' choice. The appointment with the Ministry was but a technicality. In a day from tomorrow, she would go on holiday for two weeks. After that, she had a week to move her belongings to Hogwarts; August she would spend at Hogwarts and hiking in the Scottish Highlands.
Again, she drew the cool, clear air in deeply, enjoying the earthy smell. It was going to be a wonderful day. If only it were time to Apparate to London yet!
Hermione decided to take a walk around the city walls and then treat herself to some pastry and strong coffee at one of the Muggle cafés. She loved walking around the city on the well-preserved mediaeval walls, particularly because of the view it offered of the magnificent Minster. It was simply awe-inspiring. Since it was early in the morning, she might even see its towers bathed in the morning sun, and undisturbed by the foreign crowds that populated the narrow streets of the city at this time of the year.
Snape was already waiting for her when she Apparated at a safe point in an alley in Muggle London. He did not comment, however, on her punctuality which was impeccable; she had arrived early. From appearances, Snape was nervous, too, but he wouldn't let that on in her presence, of course. Hermione saw that clearly, and smiled.
"Good morning, Professor."
"Miss Granger." Even on a day as this, Snape could not do without his usual, curt politeness. He retrieved his watch from one of his pockets. "We are early."
"Quite," Hermione nodded. "Why don't we walk to the Ministry?" They had planned on taking the Tube and walk the rest of the way, but it was only one stop from here to there.
Grateful for not having to squeeze into the narrow carriage, Severus agreed. "I trust you have everything you need with you?"
Hermione produced the smart octavo from her handbag and held it out for him. He merely nodded. Then they set off down the alley in a silence that Hermione would have liked to label companionable, but she couldn't. There was an almost tangible tension between them in the air, which she couldn't quite grasp.
"Thank you for accompanying me," she eventually said.
"It is entirely my pleasure, Miss Granger," he replied.
Was that a compliment?
"It is a great relief to know my successor this well, Miss Granger," he continued, "to know that my venerable Art is in good care when I leave Hogwarts."
Hermione blushed, more from surprise than from modesty. She knew she was good, and she had wanted nothing more than have him tell her that she was. "Thank you, sir."
Severus smiled. He had finally been able to express his feelings about her abilities. He had got to know Hermione Granger a lot better in the past twelvemonth, well enough to appreciate her intellect - and to admit to himself that she was more like him than he had cared to even think about. Next to Minerva, she was a woman whose company he enjoyed without feeling seized up or pitied or ... whatever. He enjoyed talking shop with her, and some of her thoughts were quite stimulating. It was a pity that they would not see each other often in the future. Maybe they could continue their friendship - if you could call it that - via owl post. He would send her a letter and see how things would develop from then on.
He was aware of the fact that Granger had noticed his smile. He looked at her askance.
She smiled in return.
They stopped to cross the street. Both directions were clear.
Severus noticed the car that speeded around the corner too late to grab Granger by the arm and pull her back on the pavement.
There wasn't even time for a scream before the car hit her and she was hurled over the car's bonnet, against the windscreen and hence rolled off onto the street. Tyres had screeched and the thud of her body hitting the beast of metal was a sickly sound. Then again, tyres screeched as the driver realised what had happened, and fled the scene, once again at top speed. It was over - quite literally - in a flash.
Severus was by her side with four long strides. She lay sprawled on the wet, tarred surface, and she was very still. Except for some angry bruises that started to bloom on her skin, and a couple of scratches she seemed unharmed. But Severus knew that appearances were deceiving in a case like this.
"Miss Granger?" He touched her arm. "Hermione? Can you hear me?"
When she didn't respond, he carefully scooped her up into his arms, and Apparated them to St Mungo's.
Rating: PG-13
A/N: This is my response to the Time Loop Challenge on WIKTT. The title of this story is borrowed from John Williams' wonderful original score of HP III.
Forward to Time Past
by Claudia
One
The day dawned bright and filled with cheerful birdsong. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, a reminder of the night's thunderstorm. The sun glistened on the black, patched pavement down in the street, and was reflected by the drops that still clung to every leave and petal. The sky was a clear blue, and even the city's air seemed cleansed, less dusty than it had been the previous evening.
Hermione inhaled all this deeply as she stood by the open window, cradling yet another mug of tea. Today was her big day. She would present her Master's Thesis to the Potions Research Board at the Ministry. Nicholas Flamel University of York had already granted her the degree, but what awaited her today was its recognition by the government, which alone would grant her the permission to teach - at Hogwarts or at any other place of education. Ever since the ongoing problems caused by frequent change of personnel at Hogwarts, the new Ministry had passed a law that required minimal standards and teaching skills for the teaching personnel at any school in the wizarding world.
But it was Hogwarts that she wanted to go to and teach. Dumbledore had retired a year after her graduation, and Minerva McGonagall had become Headmistress of Hogwarts with Remus Lupin as her deputy. And since Severus Snape would leave the school, Hermione was to replace him as the new Potions Mistress.
Again, Hermione checked her watch, but even without doing so, she knew that it was still too early. Too early, even, to go out to the baker's around the corner to get some fresh rolls, let alone to go to the bookbindery to pick up the octavo into which her Master's Thesis had been bound. Her impatience changed into nervousness. Her appointment wasn't until late into the morning, and even with all these chores before her, and the journey to London, there was still plenty of time.
She had been like this since the night before, when she had met with McGonagall and a couple of friends in a York pub for a drink or two to wish her well for her big day. Although her mentor, Severus Snape had not joined them. He probably deemed it unnecessary since her would accompany her to the Ministry this morning. He had been her mentor ever since the previous year when they had run - quite literally - into each other at the British Library (Wizarding Section). Somehow, Snape's interest in her research had overcome his usual nastiness and bad opinion of her as an odious know-it-all. In turn, her eagerness to really talk to someone outside the faculty had had her forget most of his shortcomings as her former teacher. Her thesis - then hardly ripe enough to be called so - grew with the help of his constructive criticism and help regarding her reading list. As always, he had very generously offered her the former, the latter he had used sparingly - to encourage her to work even harder. His demands had goaded on her ambition, as always, but he had done without getting personal. At times, there was even a friendly air about their discussions, which never failed to make Hermione wonder.
Several months into her work, McGonagall had offered her Snape's job. It was a great relief and honour for Hermione. Research was all very well, but she had realised that studying alone did not satisfy her. A teaching position, although not her first and only idea of her career, at second gaze offered all that which she wanted from life. She was in touch with people, working with them, passing on her knowledge, and at the same time had the chance to further it. She would not have to whither away in some dusty Ministry office and had the opportunity to actually do something.
Most amazing, her predecessor seemed to support the Headmistress' choice. The appointment with the Ministry was but a technicality. In a day from tomorrow, she would go on holiday for two weeks. After that, she had a week to move her belongings to Hogwarts; August she would spend at Hogwarts and hiking in the Scottish Highlands.
Again, she drew the cool, clear air in deeply, enjoying the earthy smell. It was going to be a wonderful day. If only it were time to Apparate to London yet!
Hermione decided to take a walk around the city walls and then treat herself to some pastry and strong coffee at one of the Muggle cafés. She loved walking around the city on the well-preserved mediaeval walls, particularly because of the view it offered of the magnificent Minster. It was simply awe-inspiring. Since it was early in the morning, she might even see its towers bathed in the morning sun, and undisturbed by the foreign crowds that populated the narrow streets of the city at this time of the year.
Snape was already waiting for her when she Apparated at a safe point in an alley in Muggle London. He did not comment, however, on her punctuality which was impeccable; she had arrived early. From appearances, Snape was nervous, too, but he wouldn't let that on in her presence, of course. Hermione saw that clearly, and smiled.
"Good morning, Professor."
"Miss Granger." Even on a day as this, Snape could not do without his usual, curt politeness. He retrieved his watch from one of his pockets. "We are early."
"Quite," Hermione nodded. "Why don't we walk to the Ministry?" They had planned on taking the Tube and walk the rest of the way, but it was only one stop from here to there.
Grateful for not having to squeeze into the narrow carriage, Severus agreed. "I trust you have everything you need with you?"
Hermione produced the smart octavo from her handbag and held it out for him. He merely nodded. Then they set off down the alley in a silence that Hermione would have liked to label companionable, but she couldn't. There was an almost tangible tension between them in the air, which she couldn't quite grasp.
"Thank you for accompanying me," she eventually said.
"It is entirely my pleasure, Miss Granger," he replied.
Was that a compliment?
"It is a great relief to know my successor this well, Miss Granger," he continued, "to know that my venerable Art is in good care when I leave Hogwarts."
Hermione blushed, more from surprise than from modesty. She knew she was good, and she had wanted nothing more than have him tell her that she was. "Thank you, sir."
Severus smiled. He had finally been able to express his feelings about her abilities. He had got to know Hermione Granger a lot better in the past twelvemonth, well enough to appreciate her intellect - and to admit to himself that she was more like him than he had cared to even think about. Next to Minerva, she was a woman whose company he enjoyed without feeling seized up or pitied or ... whatever. He enjoyed talking shop with her, and some of her thoughts were quite stimulating. It was a pity that they would not see each other often in the future. Maybe they could continue their friendship - if you could call it that - via owl post. He would send her a letter and see how things would develop from then on.
He was aware of the fact that Granger had noticed his smile. He looked at her askance.
She smiled in return.
They stopped to cross the street. Both directions were clear.
Severus noticed the car that speeded around the corner too late to grab Granger by the arm and pull her back on the pavement.
There wasn't even time for a scream before the car hit her and she was hurled over the car's bonnet, against the windscreen and hence rolled off onto the street. Tyres had screeched and the thud of her body hitting the beast of metal was a sickly sound. Then again, tyres screeched as the driver realised what had happened, and fled the scene, once again at top speed. It was over - quite literally - in a flash.
Severus was by her side with four long strides. She lay sprawled on the wet, tarred surface, and she was very still. Except for some angry bruises that started to bloom on her skin, and a couple of scratches she seemed unharmed. But Severus knew that appearances were deceiving in a case like this.
"Miss Granger?" He touched her arm. "Hermione? Can you hear me?"
When she didn't respond, he carefully scooped her up into his arms, and Apparated them to St Mungo's.