AN: My third story...Yay! Thanks to anyone who read my other two FanFics. I got a lot of requests for another sequel and even more asking for another HG/LV Fic since there are so few. I decided that I would consider a follow up to The Deadly Promise, but I was so happy with the ending I'm not sure if I'll write another. I did however consent to writing a new HG/LV with a new (non-Time Travel) plot line so I would get to keep the OC I spent about two months creating ha, ha. This story may seem a little far fetched, but I prefer to call it imaginative. Again I will try to keep everyone in character and as believable as possible.

After the second chapter I'm going to ask you all to review and tell me if you think I should bother continuing with this plot or just scrap it and start fresh...So thanks again for reading and as always ENJOY!

PROLOGUE

Salazar Slytherin paced his study in oddly calculated, precise steps. The sound of black leather boots tapping on the cold floor echoed through the stone walled room, but Slytherin could only focus on his own impatient mumbling. He was completely surrounded by idiotic, clumsy and moronic, albeit, loyal followers. Three hours ago he had sent them on a simple mission to collect an item he had been searching after for several decades. A job that should have only taken them half an hour.

Even if they returned with a plausible excuse, they would learn what it meant to test the patience of the great Salazar Slytherin. It was not wise to keep the founder of Slytherin house waiting if it was unnecessary or even if it was necessary. He was not known for his understanding nature or mercy, rather his temper and violent tendencies.

His calm yet irritated pacing lead him to a large, glass framed mirror. Salazar looked up into his own cold, piercing eyes and the alabaster skin of his face. There was a snakeish quality to the shape of his jaw and his slippery coal black hair. He was not a traditionally handsome man, but there was something about him that commanded attention and instilled fear.

Salazar had been parted from the three disgraces he built Hogwarts with for just over a year now. He remembered their parting was such bitter relief rather than sweet sorrow. To his own surprise, Salazar didn't miss their company one bit. It was almost refreshing not to feel on edge twenty-four hours a day. Although some might say he had lost the battle by vacating the school, he knew he had won his own little victory with his hidden chamber. An amused smile danced across Salazar's pale lips as he thought of the day his heir would return to the school and finish his work that made his once tolerable colleagues label him a savage. The smile quickly faded as he thought of the hundreds of Mudbloods that were flooding through his precious school, tainting its classrooms and its eventual history. At that very moment some undeserving little rat was practicing a spell he had no right to learn and who would one day take his place in a world that he ought not to have the privilege of experiencing.

Slytherin was snapped from his bitter revelry by the sound of a sharp knock on his study door. He cast one last arrogant glance at the figure in the mirror before crossing the room and opening the door to reveal one of the followers he had been waiting for so impatiently.

"We have retrieved it, my lord," A tall man with greasy blonde hair bowed so low he nearly hit his head on his knees.

"In appalling time, Grindelwald," Salazar drawled coldly and the man openly cringed at his masters' icy tone.

"My most humble and sincere apologies master, we encountered some meddling wizards on journey back," Grindelwald said, beginning to tremble. Salazar stared down at the young, yet eager minion.

"Your delay shall be dealt with later," Salazar dismissed and heard the nearly inaudible sigh of the blonde boy.

"Thank you master, may I take you to the cage master?" he asked, not daring to look up for fear of being cursed into tiny wizard pieces.

"You may," Salazar stepped forward briskly, forcing Grindelwald to jump back.

"Many thanks, sir," He straightened up and led the powerful wizard through the many corridors of the manor and to the large, circular entrance hall. Standing at attention was a group of ten, travel-worn, but rigid followers who all surrounded a ten foot high cage that was concealed under a green velvet cloth. The room was filled with a silent anticipation, wether it was because of his presence or because everyone was just as curious as he to view the contents of the cage, Salazar didn't care. It was finally here, what he had been waiting for since he had discovered its existence twenty six years ago. Salazar couldn't remember how many galleons he had spent or how many hours he had spent searching for his prize and after so long it was now merely a few feet out of his reach.

Finally he got his legs to work and stepped ceremoniously up to the emerald cloth and gripped it between two rough, pale fingers. He took a deep breath and prepared himself. Now that the moment had finally come, Slytherin was hoping that it would be what he had expected. Having waited long enough and with a theatrical sweep of his arm, Salazar Slytherin whisked the velvet blanket from over the cage. There was uniform gasp from Slytherin's followers and even he found himself momentarily speechless. Floating in the centre of the charmed prison was a pure white ball of light. After regaining the use of his voice, Salazar stepped forward a little and held his head up in true Slytherin fashion.

"Show yourself," he demanded pompously. Everyone in the room moved their eyes from the dark wizard to the seemingly inanimate ball of light. A few overly tense seconds ticked by and the whole scene appeared to be frozen. There was no sound from the bright orb in the cage and Salazar was losing what miniscule thread of patience he had left. "Answer me,"

"Why?" A few wizards jumped at the sound of the oddly melodic voice emanating from the sphere of light. Salazar grinned at his small triumph.

"I have captured you, therefore you belong to me now and will answer any and all questions put to you," he commanded calmly.

"Ignorant wizard," the orb scoffed. Its voice was soft and flowing as though the words were made of liquid silk. "I am owned by no one,"

"I beg to differ, now show yourself,"

"I would not waste time in revealing myself to one as deserving as you," Several worried glances were passed between followers at the orbs insolent words.

"You will be punished for your insolent remarks," Salazar warned and drew his wand quickly. "Now reveal yourself,"

"Demands will not sway me, Salazar Slytherin. Howl all you please I shall not bow," The voice was calm and in control with no hint of fear, this enraged Slytherin. People cowered at the very mention of his name; they knelt in the presence of his shadow. They did not insult him and refuse his direct orders.

"You test my patience," Salazar seethed. "I would regret using force to gain your compliance,"

"I can guarantee you would," The orb retorted smoothly.

"Enough now," Salazar raised his wand and opened his mouth to cast the Cruciatus curse, but paused at the last minute. A cruel smile worried the fascinated group surrounding the cage. "No, something tells me I shall get a better response from you if I inflict pain on another," Two men dropped to ground, writhing in pain as Salazar gazed furiously into the cage.

"Release them," the soft voice said calmly.

"Not until you reveal your true form," Salazar said lazily. The screams of the men being tortured on the floor peirced through their fellow followers.

"And reward your cruelty?" The voice challenged smoothly. "Seems rather illogical I fear,"

"Very well you shall reward my mercy," Salazar lifted the curse from his two minions who laid still and panting as their friends twitched from the urge to help them. "Now show yourself!" There was a deafening silence and then a light, almost warming laughter filled the air.

"Mercy and self serving are two entirely different entities and one day you will learn that," The ball of light grew steadily larger. "I have humoured you long enough, Slytherin and now I shall take my leave from your venomous presence," The whole room was engulfed in a radiant white light. Salazar and his followers alike were forced to shield their eyes or risk being blinded. The light gradually shrunk away and the rooms occupants carefully uncovered their eyes, looking around for any damage, but the room looked as it had before. With one very noticeable difference, the cage was empty. There was one, brief terrifying moment when everyone noticed the absence of the glowing orb and looked from the empty cage to the blank face Salazar Slytherin. He said nothing and did not move for a few minutes. His eyes were black spheres and the room grew unnaturally icy. Just as one of the followers opened his mouth to say something a massive, black wave flew out of Slytherin's being and went straight threw every living thing around him. In just seconds eleven bodies dropped to the ground in limp, lifeless piles. Salazar sighed in frustration and just continued to stare at the cage.

"You can't hide forever, whether it is me or my heir you will be found and tamed," he vowed.

Chapter 1

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"You are a no good, git-faced prat Ronald Weasley!" Hermione cried, throwing her arms around Ron, who was snickering. "Thank you so much,"

It was actually quite a feat for Hermione to hug Ron anymore, or even Harry. Both had shot up several inches over the past years. Ron was no longer such a gawky red-head but had actually matured into quite a handsome young man with a few girls interested in him. Something Ron was fond of reminding Harry, even though Harry had every other girl in school after him. He had even made Hermione the envy of all those girls last year when he asked her out. Of course Hermione said no and the next day it was all forgotten about, something she was eternally grateful for.

Although the boys weren't the only ones who were getting more attention from the opposite sex. Hermione's figure had filled out, her hair had settled down and features had refined into those of a beautiful young lady.

"I'm glad you like it," Ron beamed. "Merry Christmas,"

"You really shouldn't have," Hermione blushed flipping through the pages of the new edition of Hogwarts: A History. "It's so expensive,"

"It's worth it," Ron muttered, turning as red as his hair and Hermione smiled warmly up at him.

"Open mine," she urged and Harry winked at Ron with an amused grin. Even though Ron, Hermione and Harry were in their seventh year at Hogwarts they still behaved like first years when it came to Christmas morning. Ron hastily unwrapped neatly covered present. The excitement in his features dimmed, however when he found it was a photo frame.

"Oh, wow," he said lamely. "A photo frame, thanks Hermione," Hermione stifled a laugh and slapped Ron playfully.

"Turn it over you moron," she said. Ron frowned and turned the seemingly boring present over to reveal something much more significant.

"Oh wow," he breathed, sincerely this time. "I don't believe it, Hermione this is perfect thank you,"

"What is it?" Harry took the frame from Ron and smiled warmly at it. He looked at Hermione, Ron and himself celebrating on the Quidditch pitch last year when Gryffindor had won the Quidditch cup. "That's brilliant, 'Mione,"

"I'm glad you like it," Hermione said, her cheeks turning a little pink. "Harry, do you like yours?"

"Yeah!" Harry smiled as his very own snitch flitted about just above their head. "You're good with gifts,"

"So are you two," Hermione looked fondly at her new book and the tortoise shell kitten Harry had bought her since Crookshanks had died last year. The patchy baby cat was rubbing up against Hermione's arm.

"I think he likes you," Harry grinned. Hermione smiled back and picked up her knew pet.

"Me too,"

"What's his name?" Ron asked with a mouth full of the Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans Neville had given him.

"I think I'll call him Hermes," Hermione said petting him. "It suits him,"

"Yeah...It kinda does," Harry nodded.

"C'mon," Ron said stuffing a handful of beans in his robes. "Let's go down to the feast, I'm hungry," Hermione and Harry exchanged amazed glances, but packed away their presents and followed the still gorging Ron out the portrait hole.

"How have you not exploded?" Hermione asked snidely and Harry laughed. Ron just glared at Hermione and shoved some more candy in his mouth to annoy Hermione. She scowled and ignored Ron for the rest of the walk to the Great Hall. The three of them took their seats at the Gryffindor table, across from Neville, Seamus, Dean and Ginny. They were all bright eyed and talking about their presents.

"Thanks for the beans, Neville," Ron said, flipping one up in air and catching it in his mouth.

"That's okay Ron, thanks for the new Remembrall," Neville said sheepishly holding up the ball that was filled with red smoke.

"At least you know it works," Harry shrugged and Dean snorted.

"Yeah, it's just Neville doesn't," He caught an elbow in the side from Ginny and promptly shut up. Thankfully everyone started tucking into the feast that was in front of them and the subject changed to holiday plans. For once Ron was staying behind for Christmas, as was Hermione. They all decided since it would be their last Christmas at Hogwarts they wanted to spend it together. They were so close to leaving the comfort of Hogwarts and the familiar faces of their Professors to go out into the real world and probably have to battle with Lord Voldemort soon enough. The thought made Hermione shiver, no matter how many times she had been forced to face the reality of the situation, Hermione couldn't stomach the idea of coming face to face with Lord Voldemort.

"You okay, 'Mione?" Ron asked, nudging her gently. "You look a little bummed," Hermione smiled reassuringly and took a bite of toast.

"I'm fine Ron, but lost in my thoughts," she said honestly. Ron nodded, but didn't look like he really believed her.

"Well my Mum and I are going to Wales this Christmas, she says I got a brother over there," Dean said excitedly.

"My Gran and I are going to my Aunty Cybil's...Again," Neville said sadly. "We go there every year. I wouldn't mind so much, but Aunty is losing it a bit and usually ends up cooking a badger or something instead of a turkey for Christmas supper,"

"I'd love a bit of badger rather than my ma's cooking," Seamus sighed with a grin. "She means well, but you can't eat good intentions,"

"I can't believe Mum's letting you off this year Ron," Ginny said, sounding slightly envious.

"She understands that it's our last Christmas," Ron said through a mouthful of sausage Hermione huffed and glared at Ron.

"For Merlins sake Ronald, learn to chew, swallow then talk,"

"Pardon?" Ron purposely emphasised the 'p' and spat sausage on the table. While the boys snickered Hermione and Ginny exchanged tired glances.

"He's your friend," Ginny pointed a blaming finger at Hermione.

"So what?" She laughed. "He's your family!"

"Yeah well...I want tests to prove that," Ginny wrinkled her nose at Ron's piggish table manners.

"I would too," Hermione muttered into her toast. They finished the feast and everyone gradually filed out of the Hall in high spirits and with full stomachs. Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville wandered back to the Gryffindor common room while the others went to the Owlery. All three boys flopped down unceremoniously on the scarlet couches and rubbed their inflated stomachs. Hermione laughed at them and sat on the floor, getting into her new Hogwarts: A History.

"It's Christmas Hermione, give reading a break would you?" Ron whined from his squishy armchair.

"I'm not making you read Ron, so I fail to see why it should bother you if I want to," Hermione reasoned, not looking up. Ron didn't have the energy to argue with her and he knew he wouldn't win anyway. So he just contented himself with sliding further into the comforting embrace of the chair and allowed sleep to claim him. After an hour had passed Hermione found herself to be the only one awake in the common room. She laughed lightly and decided to go for a walk for fear of disturbing the dozing boys. The corridors were unnervingly empty as they always were during the Christmas holidays and Hermione idly strolled around without meeting another soul for at least half an hour.

"Good afternoon Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore greeted cheerfully.

"Good afternoon Professor," Hermione beamed at the silver-haired headmaster. "I hope you've had a good Christmas day so far,"

"I have," Dumbledore nodded. "And yourself?"

"Nice and quiet," Hermione sighed, thinking about how long it had been since she Harry and Ron had experienced a quiet Christmas, a December when they weren't in the middle of hatching a plan to save the wizarding world. "Rather refreshing really," she added as an afterthought. Dumbledore understood what she meant.

"Why might you be wandering the halls by yourself rather than spending today in the common room with your friends?" Dumbledore asked, his informal polite tone never faltering.

"They fell asleep," Hermione found herself laughing for some reason. "And I didn't want to wake them,"

"How very considerate of you," Dumbledore cooed. "How would you like to have a glass of Butterbeer with me, to celebrate the holiday?" he asked. Hermione could never refuse those twinkling eyes.

"I would love that sir if it's not too much trouble,"

"It would be a pleasure," Dumbledore held out his arm and Hermione looped her own through it. They walked to the stone Gargoyle that leapt to life at the mention of Sugar Quills and waited on the rotating staircase as it rose steadily to the magnificent Headmasters office that Hermione was all too familiar with. She stood in the middle of the room as Dumbledore conjured two armchairs in front of his crackling fire and motioned for Hermione to come sit with him.

"Thank you, sir," Hermione snuggled down in the oddly comfy chair and took the warm glass of amber liquid the Headmaster was offering her.

"I was surprised to see you at the feast, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said softly, sipping his drink. "I thought you would be spending Christmas with your parents, as is your custom,"

"Harry, Ron and I thought it might be nice to spend our last Christmas holiday together," Hermione said, relaxing even more as the warm Butterbeer spread through her body, warming her from head to toe.

"A charming thought," Dumbledore agreed. "And I must admit rather convenient," Hermione frowned, she knew when her mentor was hinting about something and it was definitely one of those times.

"Convenient, sir?" Hermione repeated. "I don't follow you,"

"I'm afraid I will have to intrude upon your peaceful Christmas," Dumbledore sat up in his chair and fixed Hermione with a recognizable, searching gaze. "Harry and Ron's too,"

"Why?" Hermione immediately regretted sounding so harsh. "Is something wrong?" she said softer this time.

"Yes and no," A small wrinkle appeared on Dumbledore's pale forehead.

"Your being rather cryptic, Professor," Hermione smirked.

"Forgive me," Dumbledore stirred himself out of his little trance. "It seems Lord Voldemort had recently become aware of something at could secure his victory over the wizarding world,"

"What is it?" Hermione demanded, a feeling of dread rising in her chest that appeared when ever Voldemort's possible plans were discussed.

"Oddly enough it's not a what so much as a who," Dumbledore took another sip of his drink. "A who that could decide the outcome of the up coming war,"

"Who is it, sir?" Hermione asked, panicking now. It was easy to hunt for and retrieve an object, but people were harder. People had to be lured, persuaded and convinced to aid a cause.

"It's you Hermione,"