Don't Pretend It's Such a Mystery

by calfoy

5 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione finds herself in the Department of Mysteries where a prophesy sends her hurtling back in time where, without any of her old memories, she journeys as a first year again, this time with the snakes, where she meets and befriends Tom Riddle. Will she be able to teach him the power of love and friendship, or will it all be for nothing?

1. Chapter 1 - Prologue

Disclaimer: All characters/plot lines belong to JK Rowling and am making no money from this.

Chapter 1: Prologue

May 2, 2003

Hermione wandered aimlessly through the various departments located at the Ministry. There was a gala that night to honor the 5th anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, but she couldn't bring herself to go inside just yet. She couldn't bear to look at George knowing Fred wasn't close by like he always had been. She still struggled to be around sweet little Teddy and not have her eyes suddenly flood with tears remembering Tonks or Remus. She knew that as soon as she stepped into the party she'd be quickly surrounded by people, all meaning well, wanting to talk to her about how she's been and what the great Hermione Granger, ⅓ of the Golden Trio, had been doing since that fateful day five summers ago.

Continuing to wander deeper into the Ministry, she suddenly found herself standing outside the Department of Mysteries, and although she would never truly know why, she felt drawn to it's entrance. After the death of Sirius, no one had dared mention the room or even thought of going anywhere near it. They had all even turned down offers to work in any number of departments as the memories associated with the building were still too fresh and too painful to bear. Hermione had found herself quite happily working in a muggle bookshop, just up the road from the Leaky Cauldron. Ron had made the decision to join his brother in the joke shop, hoping it would aid in the grieving process for both of them. And Harry… Harry disappeared for the first year, desperately needing to escape the world that had brought him so much pain and devastation. Upon his return he found a job for himself working at an Inn in Godric's Hollow. Enjoying the simplicity of it all, and the chance to talk to the people who would come by.

Distracted by the memories of the last time she was in this space, Hermione took no note of herself opening the door and walking through the seemingly endless shelves of glowing orbs, each containing some great secret. It wasn't until she felt her hand reaching around the cool glass that she even processed where she was. As soon as her hand encompassed the prophecy she could feel a warm glow take over her. She thought she could hear a soft voice coming from it and as she strained to listen to what it was saying there was a sudden loud noise from behind her causing her hand to slip. The prophecy shattered at her feet and before she could register what happened the world around her went dark.