A/N: Hi everyone, so I've taken down the first few chapters and I've reworked the story. I wrote those chapters almost 6 years ago and I just thought it could be a lot better than it was. Hope you enjoy it and please feel free to leave a review. I think it really helps a writer improve with any mistakes we make and also just makes us happy, hahaha :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
All rights go to Joanne Rowling.
Also, I just wanted to note that I'm only going to say this once but it applies to the rest of this story.
Happy reading.
Chapter 1: A bolt in the plan
Hermione, stood at the entrance of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, her heart heavy as she knew that she would have to strongly fight her argument in order to go on her next mission alone.
The Order of Phoenix had grown since Harry had taken over, with members around the world and safe houses spanning across nations. Things had changed since her godfather Sirius Orion Black had told her that she was the sister of Harry James Potter, the "boy who lived", back when they were in their third year of Hogwarts.
To Hermione it seemed like a lifetime had passed.
The world had been oblivious to the fact that another Potter had ever been born. With a war raging on, and the wizarding world crumbling around them as Lord Voldemort came into power, famine struck as wizarding Britain was barricaded from the rest of the world. With Dementors at his beck and call, and an army of the darkest wizards in Britain, Lord Voldemort seemed unstoppable.
The British wizarding society was desperate for a saviour.
There were some individuals who were just desperate to save themselves.
Healer Montgomery was a simple man. He had become a healer because it was what he was good at, but his first priority was to protect himself. With death eaters eradicating muggle-borns, threatening families to join or watch as their families perished, he knew that as a muggle-born it was only a matter of time until their threats became a reality and they came for him.
So, he listened carefully and watched closely. He knew he needed a way out of the wizarding world.
However, he needn't look so far.
The day Lily Potter, nee Evans, gave birth to Harry James Potter, who would later be known as the "boy who lived" she had also given birth to his twin sister. Healer Montgomery could not believe his luck.
Having twins in the wizarding world was a very rare occurrence. So rare, that it was almost taboo for couples to tell anyone that they were having twins, as they knew that there was a high probability that both children would not survive after birth, as their magical cores tended to be weak.
He had heard rumours of an affluent couple in muggle Britain who were desperate for a child. So desperate they were willing to pay any price.
He knew it was only a matter of time before the death eaters came for him and he knew he had been placed with a ticket out the mass chaos and destruction around him. But what he was about to do would break every moral and ethical values he had ever held. But he didn't have a choice.
As the Potters diverted their attention away from their beautiful daughter for a split second and onto their son, with sweat tickling down his forehead and back, healer Montgomery quietly uttered "obliviate". He then picked up the sleeping girl, and rapidly walked out of the room, and silently headed straight for his office. He was careful to avoid anyone lurking in the corridors before he locked his office door, performed a quick 'Accio' to summon his already packed belongings, and apparated out with a 'pop'.
The very same day, the Granger family signed over their summer cottage in the Lake District to one Mr Alan Montgomery, as they welcomed their daughter Hermione Jean Granger to her new home.
2 weeks later the local police found Alan McGomery dead on the cobbled floor in front of the cottage and presumed that he had died from a heart attack. No one suspected that a deeper sinister plot had taken part.
No one, but Sirius Orion Black.
Hermione Jean Black, nee Granger walked into Grimmauld place and headed towards the drawing room. She checked her watch; it was 8am. A meeting was scheduled at 10, but she wanted to be early.
"Hermione, you're early", Harry called out as soon as he saw his best friend.
"Hey, Harry", Hermione greeted him with a smile, as she walked over and gave him a hug. She wasn't surprised to see that he had also arrived early, and she had been hoping that he would be the first one there.
Harry had a tendency of arriving first to meetings that he had arranged, and although Hermione couldn't see her, she knew that he would have arrived with his wife.
"I know", she laughed before sighing. "I wanted to talk to you before everyone arrived".
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"First, Draco's still on his mission in Italy, with Neville, Theo and Ginny, and they're still not back. They were supposed to arrive yesterday".
Before Harry could interrupt, Hermione continued. "And yes, I know, they have 48 hours after the mission ends to make it back before we send out a search party and enquire what happened to them. But I was wondering if you had heard of any updates on the progress of the mission as he hasn't contacted me since the day before last".
Harry grabbed her hand and led her to a chair before taking a seat next to her. He understood what she was feeling.
At 21 years old, Harry Potter had seen more death and destruction than he'd like to admit. Since entering the wizarding world at age 11, he knew it was where he belonged, and he knew he would fight until his last dying breath, to make it a better one; A world of peace.
Hermione had always stuck by him, her belief in him never wavering. He always considered her his best friend, his sister. He didn't need a DNA test to prove it, but it sure as hell did make things official after Sirius requested they take one.
He could feel her pain as he understood, like she did, that they had to be strong for the others. They were the face of the order. And if they collapsed, it would cause a riot of panic that they could not afford.
But they were only human.
Hermione hadn't seen Draco and the others since they had left for their mission in Verona, Italy 5 days prior. It was supposed to be a simple mission. They had received intel from their commanding officer Blaise Zabini, the husband of Ginevra Molly Weasley, who was stationed on and off in Verona for the past year. and the husband to Ginny Weasley, He had reported that a group of death eaters had built an underground establishment and were using it as a hidey hole to rape un-consenting females and were torturing individuals for information about the Order.
The Order had agreed to send in a small elite group to release the prisoners and take them to an off shore safe house, without alerting the death eaters, before burning the establishment, hopefully killing or maiming as many death eaters as they could.
They were in war. There was no room to allow mercy. The death eaters would always aim to kill first, every chance they could get.
Death seemed to be the only way to stay ahead and win.
So, the Order had adapted, and changed their defensive strategies into a more hostile approach.
Harry reached over and gave Hermione a one-armed squeeze.
"They've been on missions more dangerous than this. Daph told me this morning that Theo had sent word that all the victims had successfully been placed into a safe house, and that the mission was a success", he told her. "They still 24 hours before they're due to be back".
"Thank Merlin", Hermione exhaled.
"Now, why don't you tell me what's really got you anxious?" he questioned. "You're usually the one who is the most rational. What're you worried about Mione?" he asked, his green eyes shining as he inquisitively watched her.
Before she could reply, Daphne Potter nee Greengrass walked into the drawing room, one hand protecting her pregnant belly. At 5 months pregnant she looked radiant, her face and hair glowing as she came over and gave her husband a quick kiss before hugging Hermione tightly.
"Hermione", she smiled brightly. "I was just grabbing a bite to eat. Honest to merlin, this past week I've been eating more than I have my entire life", she laughed silkily.
"How're you Daph? And how's my beautiful godchild doing?", Hermione asked excitedly as she placed one hand over Daphne's small pregnant belly.
Hermione was overjoyed, as was the rest of the order, when Harry and Daphne had broken the news that they were expecting their first child. It was a night of celebration, where everyone had forgotten for just a few hours, of the horrors that lay ahead.
"We're both fine. The morning sickness has finally passed", Daphne said in relief, "but now the cravings have begun, and Harry has been more than happy to satisfy them", she teased as she patted his chest with a wicked smirk directed at her husband.
Hermione and Daphne both laughed at Harry's expression.
Harry fake coughed, "Mione was just asking the mission in Verona", he pointed out, aiming to change the subject and prevent both his best friend and wife to continue laughing at his expense.
"I'm glad it was a success", Hermione began with a sigh of relief. "I have something important to tell you", her smile diminishing as she continued.
Harry wrapped an arm around Daphne, as he pulled a chair out for her so that she could sit down next to Hermione, before taking a seat next to his wife, his arm over her chair.
Daphne reached over and grabbed Hermione's hand, trying to provide some physical comfort as if to sooth some of her sister-in-law's distress.
"We agreed to call this meeting so that we could tell everyone about the mission to 1978. But there are some things you need to know first", Hermione confessed. "The time turner I acquired from the French ministry, it seems to only work for me".
Harry's eyes widened with surprise. "What does that mean? That you're the only one that can travel back to 1978?".
"That's how it appears; Yes", Hermione murmured. "I didn't understand the importance of what the goblin was trying to tell me at the time, everything was so frantic, and we were in a middle of a battle.
But the time turner I took from the French ministry is tuned to the first person who uses it. It must have a mechanism that is similar to the one that allows a Snitch to regain its first flesh memories. A snitch becomes attuned to the first person who touches it and similarly, the time turner appears to remember that I was the first person to have used it, so it only works for me".
"Hermione", Daphne cut in, hesitating before continuing. "You only just recovered from being hit with the sectumsempra curse in your last mission 3 weeks ago. Because Draco reacted quickly and gave you dittany, you're lucky you don't have any long term scars this time. But, you have been on mission after mission without a break, and you need to allow your body to rest in case something urgent comes up. You know the rules. Nobody will be eager to allow you to go back into another mission so soon. Especially not one of this calibre", Daphne explained tentatively.
"I know", Hermione conceded "but it seems to be the only option. The potion has been ready for a while now, and Harry, you called this meeting today to discuss who would be best suited to go to 1978 and what measures we'd have to take when that happens".
Harry sighed – it was an almost defeated sound. He ran his hand through his hair and tugged almost painfully, trying to come up with a solution. "Have you checked to see if it works for anyone else".
"I think if it'll work for anyone else, it'll be Draco", Hermione speculated. "The first time I used it, we both travelled back together, but since then I've been running all the tests on the time turner on my own. When he's back from his mission in Verona I'll have to check to see if it works for him. But other than him, I'm certain that it won't work for anyone else".
Harry and Daphne warily glanced at each other. This was not what they had been expecting.
"I was at the safe haven in Scotland yesterday evening. I had Minerva, Charlie and Tonks test it out and it didn't work for either of them. Nothing happened. Also, after I had finished teaching the duelling class last night, before I left I ran into Percy and Pansy on my way out. We had dinner and I told them what I theorised, and they gave it a try. But it didn't work for them either. It only seems to work for me", Hermione stressed, trying to convey the importance of what she had found even if it wasn't what they wanted to hear.
She knew she would have to convince Harry first, before she could address the situation with everyone else.
Daphne was right, she had been on missions back to back, and they had rules – rules that stated that after 6 months there was a mandatory break that each person had to take to recoup before going back out; unless they were on a long term deep undercover mission which could not be jeopardised. Whilst Hermione was the one who always stressed the importance of following the rules, she never was quite as good at following them herself.
Harry ran his hand through his hair again, in frustration. "This puts a huge bolt in the plans we already had. We were supposed to send someone in who wouldn't be recognised and wouldn't have any emotional attachment. That way, when the time came to administer the potion to make everyone in 1978 forget, we'd know for certain there'd be no lasting effects that could impact the future", Harry exasperated.
"I know", Hermione argued "but we've got to re-plan, and we'll have to it when Draco is back". Hermione sighed heavily. "He's not going to be happy".
"Like I said Hermione, no one is going to happily allow you to just go on this mission alone", Daphne countered. "Look", she continued, "the others will be here soon, and I think it'll be better to hold off talking about this mission until Draco returns. We'll need to discuss this properly … with all the leaders", Daphne commanded with a pointed look at both Harry and Hermione.
They all knew she was right.
Harry took out his wand and swiftly cast, "Expecto Patronum", his voice echoing off the walls. A large illuminating Stag appeared from his wand and galloped in a circle around him. "The meeting today has been…".
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud 'THUMP' could be heard coming from the corridor, announcing the presence of a portkey.
Draco and the others had arrived back from their mission.
A/N: Please tell me what you think, and if there are any errors please let me know. Thanks for reading this chapter!