Hi there, everyone! How you doin'? I'm pretty nervous to be honest, since this is my first time writing fanfiction in general. But since Bellamione got me hooked this time around last year, I thought to give it a try. There are a lot of awesome Fanfictions out there, so I kind of wanted to give my own part to this fandom, since I've become pretty much a fangirl by now :D Not a native speaker, so please forgive me if there are some grammar mistakes (constructive criticism is welcome as always, of course) Rated M for Chapters in the future, just better be safe than sorry.

The Idea: I know there are a lot of awesome time-travel-stories out there (especially referring to the author N. Blackman here!)
but I planned to make this one a little different. I plan to have it mostly kanon (except for the cursed child, which I'll never accept as kanon :D) actually and I guess It'll become pretty long. I've researched a lot and hope I got all the dates and happenings correctly, we'll see, I guess :)
So, I hope you'll be in for the ride and enjoy. Let's dig in!

Disclaimer: I don't get any money out of this and obviously don't own any of the recognisable characters, the tribute goes to J. K. Rowling, the wonderful woman who gave us the Harry Potter-Universe.

Chapter 1 – A story that waits to start

"From the time we are born, the time we're alive

Waiting for our story to start

We practice all day, we practice all night

But we're waiting for our story to start."

Abney Park, The story that never starts.

Dumbledore was dead.
The proof in form of his lifeless body hit Hermione Granger's reality hard.
How could this happen? It felt so surreal. Murdered by Snape, the man whom the now dead man trusted most deeply in. Only a few moments ago. To Hermione, it felt like an eternity.
She fell to her knees, trembling at first, shivering soon after, as some tears made her way down her dirt covered face. Ron, who stood right next to her, patted her shoulder clumsily as they both watched Harry, walking up alone to the not-moving figure of Dumbledore, to be the first person to show his respects to the greatest wizard they would ever meet.

This would mean change, and an immediate one.

Hermione knew they wouldn't come back to Hogwarts next year, as they had a higher aim to fulfill. Searching for the Horcruxes and work for the greater good. The information Harry got from Dumbledore made very clear what their next goal should be. Harry hadn't spoken to Ron and her about further plans but it was just a matter of time, Hermione assumed.

But little did Harry and and Ron know that Hermione also had an announcement to them, concerning her next steps in the war. They were not interfering with Harry's, almost nothing could hinder her in following her best friend in his task for the greater good. Still, there was something she had to do, what made her plans, well, a little more complex. If nothing would go wrong, she would still go with Harry, and, she strongly assumed, also Ron, on their adventurous journey in the next months. It would only not feel like it. Well, not for her.
Unhandily she wiped the tears from her face, which probably just worsened the extend of the dirt-cover on her face and briefly excused herself from Ron, who still seemed to be in a haze. He only nodded slowly and started moving forward to calm his best friend, joining his little sister, whom held Harry in the moment, following countless others on their way to mourn over their loss.

Hermione wanted nothing more than to grieve with her friends, to cry about the loss of the brillant wizard, headmaster and, in in some way, a friend. Even if she was never actually close to the older wizard, she again felt the tears dripping down her face. She wiped them off again, more eagerly now.
She couldn't afford this behavior right now. She needed to hurry. She needed to act.
Only the focus she had saved her from collapsing at the very moment.

A few days later, Dumbledores funeral was held. It was a touching ceremony, as everyone, wether human or not, wanted to show their respect to the wizard.
She sat with Harry and Ron, when Harry started to speak and talk with them about his plans for the next year. How he didn't want to go back to Hogwarts.

*"We'll be there, Harry," said Ron.
"What?"
"At your aunt and uncle's house," said Ron. "And then we'll go with you wherever you're going."
"No —" said Harry quickly; he had not counted on this, he had meant them to understand that he was undertaking this most dangerous journey alone.
"You said to us once before," said Hermione quietly, "that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?*

They went on, talking about Bill's and Fleur's wedding, Hermione could see the the tension in Harry's movements, a mix out of sorrow, gratefulness and so many more emotions he probably couldn't define himself.

Nonetheless, after a while, Hermione started shifting and gained the attention of the two boys. The news for today weren't over.

„What's wrong?" Ron asked, a little confused about this sudden change of behavior.

Ron. The guy she fought the most with and whom she still cared so deeply for.

„Yeah, tell us, 'Mione." Harry added.

Harry, the boy without parents. The teenager without his godfather and now, without Dumbledore. The man who was like a brother to her.

She would miss them so much.

The young witch sighed deeply, looking both of them in the eyes variantly. „Guys…I-I have to tell you something. Something concerning me. And well, also Dumbledore." And with that she began to explain.

January, 1997

*Knock knock*

„Please, come in."

Hermione opened the door carefully and closed it as silently as possible. She felt very uncomfortable, as she had never been in the Headmasters office alone. Much less, without knowing what he wanted AND insisting in the scribbled note she found on her pillow the day before, not to tell anybody, especially not her friends. Because of that, she excused herself from Harry and Ron for needing to go to the library earlier. Both rolled their eyes, they thought they clearly had something better to do, but didn't question her. And much less, wanted to come with her.
She had counted on that.

„Hello, Professor."

„Hello, Miss Granger, please, sit down" He said, as he pointed at one of the comfy chairs in front of his large desk. Fawkes was sleeping peacefully in his cage, his head under one of his crimson wings.

Hermione followed his invitation slowly, still very anxious, as she sat down as suggested, shifting a little. „What is it that you wanted to discuss, Professor?"

At first, Dumbledore just looked at her, over his half-moon-glasses, sporting a gentle smile on his wrinkled face. For half a minute he didn't say anything, then:

„Miss Granger, let me ask you a question. What do you think it is, that fuels this war?"

Hermione looked puzzled at Dumbledore. As there came no further explanation, she tried to formulate an answer.

„Well…Voldemort..and hatred, I guess. As it fuels every war. And the desire for power."

„Very good. Hate and the desire for power. And which one do you think is the worse?"

„Professor, I don't understand-"
„Just think about it for a moment. You are smart, I am sure you can figure out where I am getting to." Dumbledore said, still with that gentle smile.

After a brief thinking, Hermione finally answered. „Well…I would say that it is the desire for power…" Hermione said slowly. „As you can overcome hatred, but if you just have this raw…pure desire for power, there is little that can make you think differently…maybe?" She added with no little concern.

Dumbledore beamed at her. „Very good, Miss Granger. I hoped you would say that."

Hermione still looked at him. So confused, she could hardly be happy about the compliment she got about guessing the answer right, apparently.

Dumbledore grabbed something behind his table and put a small item on the table, which glimmered slightly in the dimm candlelight of the head-office. „I am pretty sure you remember this item, don't you?"

Hermiones eyes widened in disbelieve and, even more, confusion. „But..but this is..a Time-Turner?! I thought they got destroyed by the ministry."

„Well, except for this one." Dumbledore chuckled. And at this moment it is not a normal Time-Turner anymore. You could say I…modified it a little. There is a form of ancient magic, little known by anyone, which can strengthen the power of some magical objects. Apparently, it also works for those." He said, while gesturing in the general direction of the enchanted object in front of him. „On the one hand, the modification strengthens the magical power of the object. To speak directly, it can now let the user travel way further into the past than a normal Time-Turner."

„How far…"

„Years."

Hermione was utterly stunned. Her eyes grew wide at this suggestion. Observing her, Dumbledore continued.

„On the other hand, it allows the traveller to move back. Meeting certain conditions."

At this moment, Hermiones jar dropped. Literally. What? „But…what…impossible! How?!" Throwing every politeness in the wind, she threw the question at the Professor..remembering slowly after whom she talked to.

„Professor…I am sorry, it just sounds so…incredible." She said, blushing a little. Her curiosity got the better of her.

Dumbledore smiled, leaning forward a bit. „I said earlier, it was made possible due to ancient magic. There is a little known place in North-Egypt, the sanctuary of the ancient Pharaoh Djosier. One of the mightiest wizards of the oldest times. I don't know how familiar you are with the Egyptian History, but due to his abilities he became the first pharaoh of the old empire. Nonetheless, to strengthen his reign, he built three monuments, one of those is known as the ‚Sakkara'-Pyramide by the muggle-world today, the others are unknown to them, as they are gravely destructed since centuries. Still, the magical triangle is still intact, even grew stronger about the thousands of years. He protected the place well, but.."Dumbledore chuckled"…with a little effort, it was possible to find it. I also doubt Voldemort knows about this place, as he was always rather…drawn to the UK, as always, missing on so many important perspectives.

„And…and at that place, there you…"

„Exactly" Dumbledore nodded. „ I was able to recalculate the abilities of the Time-Turner."
Hermione literally had to pinch her arm to be sure not to dream. Pyramid-magic, really? It felt like too much of a cliché. But, still… this was the wizarding world they were talking about and it was no surprise that the pyramids had actual magical power.

The Time-Tuner glittered in the dim light, innocently. Hermione could do nothing but stare at the miraculous object in front of her. She would have never imagined such kind of magic possible. But this still didn't explain…

Dumbledore cleared his throat to regain Hermiones attention.

„So. What could we possibly do with an object like this? Do you know what could possibly be important about the year 1968?

„No, Professor?"

„Well…" Dumbledore said, now sighting a little." Me neither. A lot happened in this time, though. For example, our dear Arthur and Molly got married, also the wonderful singer Céline Dion was born. I don't know if you like her music, I always thought of it as quite catchy."

Hermione just stared at him.

„To be blunt, Miss Granger, I would like you to go visit that said year."

If she wouldn't have been seated in the moment, she surely would have been fallen to the floor. She waited for an explanation, but Dumbledore just sat there, in silence.

One minute.
Two minutes.

Hermione threw every caution in the wind.

„What!? Why?! It doesn't make sense at ALL." She panicked, now seriously doubting Dumbledores mental health. „I- the cause! There is no way it would be helpful to go to the past." Hermione tried in a weak attempt of reasoning". A year were you can't even pinpoint a specific reason to go to! Why not go back further in the timeline and KILL Voldemort, when we have the possibility? Or… or use that pyramid-magic for something that isn't totally unsafe and dangerous to the timeline!?"

She knew she talked herself in a rage. She didn't even realise when she stood up. When her voice became shaken and loud. But he couldn't be serious. She could at least imagine a dozen of better uses for the Time-Turner or those bloody cliché'd pyramids. She was about to go on a next rampage when she recognised the expression in Dumbledores face. An arched eyebrow and tucked lips showed slight surprise and bemusement of her small burst. Slowly taking a seat again, Hermione tried to calm down and doing what she was best at. Searching for a logical solution to the words of the brillant wizard.

„I-..it just doesn't make sense to me… and seems very risky, Professor."

Now blushing, she realised Dumbledore didn't stop talking earlier because he didn't have anything to say anymore. He just waited for a reaction, which Hermione dutifully gave.

When he saw that she was ready to listen to him again, he continued.
„I may not know exactly, why it has to be this year. But it has, and it has to be you, Miss Granger. While I know the difficulties of time-traveling very well, I trust in you completely." While he said this, he stood up from his desk and took a small leather briefcase out of one of the cupboards behind him. He returned and pushed the object gently into Hermione's arms. The light brown leather was in good condition, but didn't look very new either. It seemed more like it hadn't been touched in decades.

Carefully she opened the folder. It contained a single part of parchment, which seemed to be ripped off not-so-gently from a scroll. Also the parchment looked like it was, albeit rarely touched, rather old. There was something written on it, only a small note, in hasty handwriting. But, moreover, a familiar handwriting. Her jar dropped again as she identified it as her own.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I have not much time right now, but I assure you, believe me! When I enter Hogwarts, send me back in the year 1968 right after I end my sixth year. Don't destroy all time-tuners, one will be needed! Hermione Granger

„So, Miss Granger, as you see, I am far from being irrational. I just comply with a request a student gave me a long time ago. And, with that to say…„ he smiled gently again, locking his gaze into hers, „…it's nice to meet you again."

To say Hermione was confused would be an understatement. What? She had been to the past? No, she would be, right? It was already part of the timeline? So it would actually be messing not to go?

She put her head in her hands, trying to process the information. She read the note over and over again to finally understand.

„So…you've known me before?" Was everything she could manage for the moment.

„Yes!" Dumbledore beamed. „And I am happy to say that you have become the same wonderful student I have met decades ago. But, according to your wish, I only contacted you in your sixth year. To be honest, I may not be…able to tell you at the end of the year. So I assumed it would be okay to tell you now, while I still can listen to your questions. And I am sure you have those."

With this, he placed his chin on his fingertips, again observing Hermione with his piercing, but gentle gaze. Hermione couldn't measure how long she held the gaze.

Hermione, however, still needed to find a way to express her current state of mind. She felt like switching between a state of hyperventilation, terror and, still, disbelieve. It just seemed to much. To sudden. To tremendous. For at least ten minutes the headmaster had to look at the probably fascinating display, as Hermione's complexion turned from pale to red to an ashen color several times, her breath either quickened near hyperventilation or was almost not audibly, closing her eyes or staring at the be-scribbled parchment without blinking for minutes.
Dumbledore didn't say a word within this time, and Hermione was thankful for that. It gave her time to process the things she heard and read. So she was finally able to rationalise, to give in on the suggestion.

„I..I think I understand now. Or at least I try." She slowly started. „It is already part of the timeline, so it would be wrong not to do it. A little like with Sirius back then, but surely more complicated. It sounds incredible, really… everything of it. But now I see the reasoning. This writing is mine, I can't deny that. And I doubt I would suggest to send me back as a joke. And, well… certainly, you saw me. In the past. So it has to be important…" She continued babbling about all the thoughts that came to her mind.

„Miss Granger..:" Dumbledore firmly interrupted her talk. „This doesn't mean you are forced to do this. It is completely up to you in the end, I just needed to show you the option. I can't assure you what will happen. And…" At that point he winked at her. „That would also be telling."

Hermione nodded. She understood. She wouldn't be forced to do something she really wouldn't want. But Dumbledore also couldn't give her all the details he knew, to at least try to follow the rules of time-traveling.

„Can I…can I think about it?"

„Of course, Miss Granger. Take all the time you need." As he stood to see her off of his office.

„Well", Hermione thought wryly as she followed the stairs down to the corridor, „that's the bloody problem, isn't it?"

Harry and Ron stared at her in silence for a few seconds, when she had finished her monologue. Obviously as confused as she was at first. Well, almost.

Harry was the first to speak. „That means, later..?"

„Yes" Hermione finished his sentence. „About three days later I went back to his office and told him that I decided to agree to the plan."

„So.." Ron followed. „You are really doing it?"
Hermione shrugged, then sighed. „That's the consequence, Ronald." Even in a situation like this, her bossy side couldn't be silenced completely. „I know I should've told you both earlier, but…well. I promised Dumbledore. And he made very clear that I should keep it to myself for the longest time. And.." She shrugged again. "As far as it concerns you, I am back in, well, no time. So you won't even realise I am gone." She even tried to smile at that lame attempt to sooth the atmosphere. Damn, why did she have to cry right now? Eagerly she wiped the liquid from the corner of her eyes.

„But not for you." Ron finally said, ignoring her comment about him. He probably assumed what was going on in her right now.

„You don't have to do this." Harry added, sporting the same sad and helpless look as Ron. Even if they wanted to, it wasn't something they could actively help her with. But his face was in conflict. It was something, Dumbledore suggested, at least. And Harry wasn't one to doubt the former headmaster. Even if he obviously wished that his best friend wouldn't have to go through something so unpredictable and dangerous.

„Blimey Hermione… I am still waiting for that moment you tell us jokes on you, this would be the top on everything, how could you really believe me?" He sighed heavily. „But I guess this isn't happening." He ruffled through his read hair and looked at her intensely. „You are completely settled on this decision, right? There is no way we could change your opinion on this. Because it could help the cause. And, as always, you are putting everything else above you. But that's just you all over, I guess."

„No, you couldn't change my mind." Hermione sadly smiled. „In fact, I am going tonight. This is a goodbye for me. We'll see…sometimes."

With this he hugged her in a tight embrace. Harry soon followed. This time she didn't make an attempt to hold her tears.

Not even an hour later, Hermione stood in the office again, even if it wasn't ‚Dumbledores office' anymore, she thought bitterly. A last time, she checked if everything was prepared for the journey. After her return three days after, Dumbledore seemed more than happy that she obligated. Again, she wondered how much the wizard really knew, but, through obvious reasons, didn't dare to ask.

„As I told you, the enhanced magic of the time-tuner allows you to go back in time, but it also needs certain conditions for that. First, you have to be at the exact same place which you started before. Otherwise, it wouldn't work. Obviously it's up to you where you go, but I would highly suggest this office, as it should be relatively save for your return."

Albeit Dumbledore couldn't be the one to greet her anymore, she still chose to obligate, as she couldn't think of a better place she could reach without problems that was equally safe. Professor McGonagall would be the temporary headmaster. She could imagine worse people to discuss her experiences with. Even if Harry and Ron tried to insist on accompanying her, she refused. The magic was unstable and it could always happen a slight displacement so that she would arrive one or two days later. It wasn't necessary that they waited for her. She promised them that she would find them immediately, hugged them again and went away quickly. Crying again wouldn't help them in this situation.

„Okay." Hermione whispered to herself. „Place: Check. Bag: Check"

As she didn't have her belongings back in 1968 – hell, she didn't even existed at that time – she charmed a small bag of hers to have infinite space. It was convenient, she could take all her closet, books and other needed stuff with her.
She went through a list she made in her head an decided that she took everything important with her. Then, she remembered what Dumbledore had further explained to her.

„The other thing is, that you have to have to, when you decide to come back, be back at the exact second in the exact same spot were you emerged from. And – he paused for a moment – it has to be exactly a year after you got off from your regular timeline. It doesn't matter if its one or ten years, but it isn't possible to return before a whole year has passed.

Hermione has gulped at that.

A whole year.
But it didn't change anything. Apparently, my former self had insisted on her being sent back. So the time probably didn't matter at that point. She tried to convince herself from not stepping back in the last second.

Now, she was almost ready. Only one thing had to be done.

„The way you go back in time", Dumbledore explained „is basically the same as it was before this object was enhanced. Only it works with years instead of hours. So, for your purpose, you would turn it around-.."

„–29 Times" Hermione said, as she stood in front of the large desk, the now empty cage of Fawkes, to let her view gaze over the office for a temporary last time. At least this office.

With this, and a last, sharp breath, she began to turn the hourglass of the time-tuner.

„1…" she whispered.

„Miss Granger" Dumbledore added, as they had gone through the formalities and organization of her soon-or-earlier adventure. „All that's left for me is to pronounce my utmost respect to you and the courage you're showing. Their wouldn't be much people to sacrifice that much. Even if it doesn't seem difficult on the first sight, it will change you,…"

„8…" she said, now in a normal voice.

„…change your perspectives on many things. You, I am certain, won't return as the person I see right now. But, bright witch that you are, you probably already knew that."

Hermione nodded.
Of course. In the last three days, she had gone through it in her head over and over. Shifted the angle again and thought it over again. It wasn't her to just accept things as they were, she had to tear the situation apart in her mind and put the pieces together, until it made sense. She tried until she got a headache, without any promising results.

„15." She now said sharply, breath turning heavy.

After two days of more thinking and less sleeping than she even did during exam-periods, she awoke relatively calm on the third day, one emotion overflowing the others.

Curiosity.

She had finally realized it wouldn't help her to think it over another time – as the main problem was her lack of Information and uncertainty of what would happen. Still, the evidence scared her almost enough to deny it. But she felt that she would repent it for the rest of her life if she didn't take on that option. She would be the first witch known to visit a timeline that far away, gaining never before seen information. The lone thought of this excited her almost to no end. Also, she had to admit, she was kind of curious how she would do without Harry and Ron. She loved them both to no end, and as she certainly never had the jealousy Ron often showed when Harry once again was in the center of attention – hell, she was happy most of the time it didn't extend to her that much – she was eager to prove her value to herself. As long as she could remember, she had to prove herself more than others. Because she was considered smart, because she was a muggleborn, because she was a woman. Either jealousy or her seemingly lower blood status or whatever reason, she always felt as needing to work twice as hard. It wasn't for gaining attention, but she was almost eager to show her value in a mission she was to handle alone.

„22..!" Her voice was now shrill, being a little to loud for comfort.

„Yes Professor. I have thought it through and I am ready." She simply said, as there was either to much or nothing more to say, as she felt at that moment."

Dumbledore smiled brightly. „A courageous witch indeed" he murmured. „Well, Miss Granger. The last thing is to wish you a pleasant journey."

„29!" She almost screamed, as she turned the hourglass a final time.

The last thing she saw was the image of Dumbledore, as her mind projected him on the now empty chair behind the large table, smiling at her ever so gently, as her vision vanished in a blur of colors.

So, that's it for today. I hope you like it, leave a review if you want to let me know :) I have quite a few chapters almost finished, I intend to update weekly, so we should be good about that for a few months. Funfact: The Conversation between the golden trio I started with a"*" was part of the original sixth Harry Potter-Book, since I intend to be serious about the kanon-part :D So, see you next week!