Chapter 1

It was a cold winter morning - the thin layer of snow on top of the cars was gleaming in the early rays of the sun. There was no traffic on the roads at 8:30 am in the small muggle town of Buxton where Hermione Granger stood, waiting for the Coca Cola can in her hand to activate as a portkey and return her to the busy, bustling wizarding capital - London. She had been visiting her parents for the weekend, but now it was time for her to leave the muggle world behind her and return to where she truly belonged.

"Come on", Hermione muttered looking at her watch. "Any minute now".

Suddenly, Hermione felt an angry pull at her navel and she was sucked into an unpleasant vortex, which constricted her tightly, making her feel as though she couldn't breathe, and, as always, right before she felt she was about to pass out... she landed, upright, at the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic.

"I hate travelling by portkey", Hermione muttered to herself whilst catching her breath.

Hermione hadn't apparated as she had had a couple of drinks with her parents the night before, and considering she had a very important job in the Ministry, it wouldn't look good if she ended up in St. Mungo's with alcohol-related splinching.

She caught her breath and walked into the telephone box, entered 62442 and informed the intercom of who she was before being whisked into the Ministry.

Once inside the ministry, Hermione entered the lift and found herself next to none other than the newly elected Minister for Magic.

"Good morning, Minister", she greeted him.

"Good morning, Miss Granger", responded Kingsley Shacklebolt with a small smile.

"Minister, please call me Hermione, we've known each other for a while now", Hermione said, attempting not to laugh as they both continued the polite charade.

"No, no", responded Kingsley, "we must address each other respectfully at all times".

Both Hermione and Kingsley burst into peals of laughter, startling the only other occupant in the lift (a meek looking man) who began looking at the doors as though assessing whether jumping out of them would be a good idea, or a painful one.

"That stupid article" smiled Hermione, wiping tears from her eyes.

A couple of months ago, Rita Skeeter had decided enough was enough when it came to Hermione Granger and had published an article claiming that she was in a promiscuous relationship with Kingsley (who wasn't yet the Minister and was Head Auror) in an attempt to gain more since the release of the article Hermione and Kingsley had been making fun of it at every opportunity. The article had led to the ridicule and downfall of Rita Skeeter - she was no longer employed at the Daily Prophet. She now worked as a bar tender at the Leaky Cauldron still desperately listening to gossip, hoping she might hit on something that could get her her dream job back.

Hermione left the lift and headed to her office. She worked in the department of mysteries, specialising in the area of time, which had interested her ever since her 3rd year at Hogwarts.

"Good morning Hermione", greeted her boss as she walked into her office.

"Good morning Mr Blackburn", Hermione replied. "Can I help you with something? I hope all the paperwork I sent in yesterday was up to standard. I just thought getting it in early would be beneficial, but if it's a problem I can redo it or -"

"Hermione!" Mr Blackburn smiled at her. "Hermione, my dear, your paperwork will be of the top standard as usual I am sure. I have come to ask you a very important favour."

"Of course!" Hermione responded eagerly, brushing her curls behind her ears as she anticipated what her next job would be. Despite her initial misgivings, Hermione loved working for her department and saw every job she was set as a wonderful challenge.

"Well", said Mr Blackburn, speaking delicately, "I know you didn't want to go back, even though you would currently be taking your NEWTS."

Hermione frowned. After the war Professor McGonagall had invited Hermione and all her friends back to Hogwarts to allow them to graduate. However, anyone who had helped in the war efforts, particularly members of Dumbledore's Army, were also given job offers by many different employers which meant they didn't have to complete their NEWTS. Hermione had surprised everyone by refusing the offer of becoming Head Girl and completing her education by accepting her current job. She had worked there for 3 months so far, starting the very day when Hogwarts opened, and hadn't regretted it since. Returning to Hogwarts, where many of her friends gave their lives was something she had been unable to face.

"I see", Hermione said frowning, "And why would I need to return to Hogwarts?"

"I know you don't want to go" Blackburn said quickly, not wishing to upset his star employee, "But you're in the best position to go. I've written to Headmistress McGonagall and she says she will be delighted to see you at lunchtime, should you wish."

"O-kay" Hermione replied slowly, her frown lessoning at the thought of lunch with her favourite professor whom she had only seen once since the end of the war.

"You see Hermione", Blackburn said. "We need you to persuade the Headmistress to let us borrow her time turner. Without it we shall never be able to make anymore again."