Title: Destiny

Author name: Hyperiongirl

Author email: Romance/drama
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OOTP

Keywords: Sirius Hermione
Rating: R

Summary: Hermione has an accident at the ministry of magic whilst on her way to a hearing regarding the return of you know who, the accident involves a ageing potion that makes her around 20, the potion is for the time being not reversible.

She is sent to stay with Sirius for her own protection, as she can't continue with school until the ageing is reversed. With the battle between Lord Voldemort and the order is raging on Hermione must try and carry on with her studies with Sirius playing the reluctant tutor. Thrown together in Grrimould place Hermione and Sirius become increasingly close as the solitude from the outside world engulfs them, forcing them to take solace in each other's company. Hermione begins to feel trapped and helpless, A feeling Sirius knows only too well, and one that almost cost him his life not so long ago.

This is their story, Its about trust, fear, love, hatred, and destiny.

Chapter one

The ministry of magic

Hermione was running, very quickly. She was late for the hearing at the ministry of magic.

Hermione had been requested as a witness to relay the event s of the fateful night Sirius had been killed. Or as they had believed that night killed.

Sirius had been gone for several months when Albus Dumbledore had summoned Harry, Ron and Hermione to his office and told them there had been a sighting of Sirius in Africa. At first nobody believed it to be true, How could it be? But much to the delight of joy of everyone it was true.

The night Sirius had disappeared behind the veil to his death, as all believed, he had in fact been transported to another archway.

This archway was hidden in a remote cave, unknown to humans and wizards alike for many, many years. Sirius had appeared not knowing his name or where he had travelled from.

The chamber of death would have all most certainly claimed him permanently if it had not been for the fact he had been forced into it by an other, Bellatrix Lestrange to be precise.

The chamber would only claim those permanently that crossed over of there own will, and as this was not the case with Sirius it had unceremoniously spat him back out again.

After several weeks Sirius had been bought back to number twelve Grimould place and had preceded to rest and gradually regain his memory. Sirius was weak and in the first few weeks in need of constant attention but after a while he began to get stronger and more like his old self.

Harry was of course beyond overjoyed to be reunited with his godfather and Hermione and Ron were pleased for Harry and Happy themselves, as they two had grown attached to Sirius.

The hearing was about to start and Hermione was racing toward the lift. "I'm late, how on earth will this look to everyone. ME Hermione Granger late"

As she approached the lift she realised it was the same lift they had all travelled in the night of Sirius's supposed death. It had seemed so loud and clanking as it descend. Of course the ministry had been deserted that night. Not like now Hermione thought as people bustled around her, dashing in and out of rooms and corridors.

As she entered the lift to descend to the dungeon she ran straight into a small older than average looking wizard who was carrying a flask of dark red liquid, the moment Hermione collided with the wizard the liquid seemed to fly into the air above her head in slow motion and crash down upon her with an almighty thud.

Hermione wobbled on her feet for a moment and tried in vain to rub away the red gooey substance that ran down her face "argggh" Hermione cried.

The old wizard looked quite worried "WH, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE" the wizard shouted giving

Hermione a look so unnerving Hermione felt positively frantic "What is it, what on earth have you just spilled on me…WHY are you looking at me like that"

Just then Hermione started to feel a very odd tingling feeling creeping up her legs past her waist moving upwards to her neck, then face and at last the light from the building seemed to dim and Hermione realised somewhat too late she was falling to the fall.

Everything went black.

Some time later Hermione started to awaken from her magically induced slumber. Slowly opening her eyes and trying to adjust to her surroundings she realised she was in a bed. Not just any bed but a bed in a ward. A ward at none other than St. Mungo's.

Albus Dumbledore looked down at Hermione with a kindly expression "Well here you are miss Granger, and not a moment to soon, You have visitors waiting to see you…I just wanted to have a little talk with you first, before you see anyone"

Hermione sat up, still feeling groggy and unbalanced. "Oh..Professor" she exclaimed rather quietly "Wha, what's going on? I'm late for the hearing" she tried in vain to pull herself up further as if making an attempt to get out of bed.

Dumbledore smiled serenely at her "There's really no need for you to worry about that now miss Granger, its all been taken care of. In fact it all went rather well as I'm sure Harry will explain to you later"

Dumbledore looked around as if to see if anyone was listening. "I'm sure you may remember running into my colleague at the ministry"

Hermione looked at Dumbledore with a slow recognition "yes I er, Yes I do. He spilt his potion on me and then, then…. I don't remember"

Dumbledore smiled yet again and placed himself on the corner of the bed " Miss Granger, I don't really know how to say this but" he paused momentarily "do you not notice anything different about yourself"

Hermione looked panic stricken, Images of cat ears and fur flashed in front of her eyes as she desperately felt her head and face "Oh no" but as soon as she began to feel her face she stopped and frowned. Slowly she began to feel her face and then she looked down at her body. Hermione's face became a blush of crimson and she realised she was looking down at her body, not the body she had woken with that morning though, this body resembled one of a full grown woman with curves in apparently all the right places. "ARGHHHHH" she shrieked staring at Dumbledore who's expression had yet to change.

Dumbledore pulled out a small mirror from his robe pocket and handed it gracefully to Hermione "You see miss Granger, the problem is the potion that was er how shall I say, inadvertently spilled onto you was in fact a rather new potion my old colleague had been preparing, yes one in fact that had yet to be passed by the regulatory board"

Hermione was staring into the mirror now not really aware of Dumbledore's speech "In any case miss Granger the potion was, is being designed to help with ageing disorders as well as other more interesting uses, and as I'm sure you are now aware you have apparently aged oh lets see" Dumbledore paused as if to count "Er yes id say your now at least 20"

Hermione was still entranced at her own reflection in the mirror. Looking back at her now was a woman. A woman who actually looked rather attractive, her normal bushy hair had at last seemed to be calmed and looked quite sleek, her face more defined, lips somewhat fuller.

Hermione finally looked back to Dumbledore with a look of almost speechlessness "Well how long will it last for? I mean it's actually nice to see what I will look like in the future but also quite frightening"

Dumbledore's smiled now faltered ever so slightly "Well this is the thing miss Granger, I'm rather afraid that my colleague has not yet had the chance to modify this particular strain of ageing potion and well, for the time being at least it's not reversible"

Hermione gasped "NO" she looked back to the mirror yet again as if to make certain what she was seeing "You..You" tears began to fall rapidly from Hermione's face "You mean I might not ever be, well be me again"

Dumbledore looked around the ward as if searching for inspiration "Now look here, everything will work out just fine miss Granger you have my word" he bent down to her face and spoke in a somewhat hushed tone "All will work out in the end, In fact some would rather relish the chance to be older than there years for a little while at least"

Hermione didn't look so sure "well I don't know about EVERYONE" she began to shout getting more and more anxious by the moment. Dumbledore simply smiled "Hermione Granger everything will be fine as I've promised. It will however take some time to remedy this situation and until then I suggest you stay with Sirius at the order headquarters"

Hermione looked panic stricken "Why? I should be back at Hogwarts" she began to sniffle again.

Dumbledore straitened his back again "the potion that has been used is something that the ministry has been working on for several months, Something that when developed may have a great use in the Orders fight as well as the ageing disorders of which I spoke earlier. I'm afraid I can't allow you to return to Hogwarts in your present state, as it would unfortunately alert people to this situation. People who may use this information for there own dark means, I'm sure you understand that I shall say no more on the matter at this precise moment"

Dumbledore stood slowly still smiling "Harry and Ron have been informed about your condition and of course I will relay the news's to your parents as soon as I can contact them without fear of interception" he turned to walk away and paused looking around once more "you will of course be more than able to keep up your studies, In fact Sirius will be able to assist you, and I dare say you him. He is still finding it hard adjusting after his reappearance and as your no doubt aware letting Harry go to him is an impossibility at this moment in time"

Hermione looked up and smiled weakly, at least her studies wouldn't suffer that was surly something. And Sirius did need help at his horrid house in Grimould place, and at least Creature was no longer there to spy on him and the orders business. "Yes professor, I know your right of course its just..ju, just a shock that's all. You will let me know straight away if a reverse potion is made available wont you, I, er, I'm just finding this all a little hard to get to grips with that's all" Hermione forced a smile and nodded her goodbye to Dumbledore as he turned to leave.