AN: Characters and Hogwarts are not mine. Neither are time turners, though I'd really like one.

Obtaining the time turner had been nearly impossible but, Hermione felt, it was worth it. After all, it was NEWT year and she needed all the time she could get. Not forgetting, of course, all the research she needed to do on Horcruxes, so that she, Harry and Ron would be able to find and destroy the remaining ones. However, that plan had to be kept quiet – they didn't want the ministry accusing them of interfering.

Now, how many hours would it take to do Snape's essay? Three, she decided, would be plenty. Taking hold of the time turner, she twisted it round three times. Then, satisfied she'd gone back in time, she set off for the library.

Pushing open the library door, she called out a cheerful hello to Madam Pince. However, she received a puzzled look back.

"Do I know you, dear?"

Hermione looked at the woman behind the desk. It was definitely Madam Pince, but a much younger version. About thirty years younger.

"Oh, hell," muttered Hermione, but she went to sit down anyway. She had to figure out what went wrong with the time turner, and how to get back. She didn't want to risk just turning it again – she could end up anywhere. Her eyes widened as she saw Harry at one of the tables, before realising that it couldn't possibly be Harry – he hadn't come back in time with her. That left one possibility – she was looking at James Potter, Harry's dad.

And those must be… yes, it was. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Peter Pettigrew wasn't there for some reason though. Good. She didn't want to see the evil rat – she might end up sending some very nasty hexes at him. It was his fault that Harry grew up without his parents, after all.

"Albus, I think you should know – there's a strange girl wandering around the library. She knew my name, but I'm sure she's not a student."

Madam Pince sounded frantic as she explained to Dumbledore.

"Calm yourself, Madam Pince. I'll find her and sort this out."

It didn't take long for Dumbledore to find Hermione – she was obviously a stranger by the way she was staring around the place.

"You're not a student here, are you?" He spoke quietly, so as not to attract the attention of other students.

"I am, but… not yet, I don't think. It's my time turner, I think I got sent too far back."

Dumbledore hadn't changed much – the hair and beard were darker, that was all.

"Perhaps you should come to my office and explain this story from the beginning."

Hermione had never seen Dumbledore's office before, but she recognised the sorting hat (less battered) and Fawkes, the phoenix (identical – phoenixes don't age).

"Sherbet lemon?"

Hermione almost laughed – Dumbledore was still offering sherbet lemons to everyone – it was strangely comforting.

Shaking her head, she began to tell him what happened.

………………

"Well, I'm afraid we have no such thing as time turners, but if you'll let me borrow it, I can try to see if I can figure it out."

Hermione removed the chain and time turner from around her neck and passed it to Dumbledore.

"Now, we're going to have to put you in one of the Houses – which House were you in?"

"Gryffindor."

"Perhaps we should see if the sorting hat still agrees with that decision."

Taking the hat down from its shelf, he handed it to Hermione, who placed it on her head nervously. Almost immediately, she heard its voice in her ears.

"Hermione Granger. Somewhat before your time, aren't you. Well, where to place you? Gryffindor, you say? Yes, my future self and I agree on that."

Dumbledore smiled as the hat made its announcement.

"Good, good. I'll just call the Head Girl – she's a Gryffindor, you know – and she'll sort you out."

About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

In walked a red-headed girl who looked very much like Ginny Weasley.

"This is Lily Evans, our Head Girl," Dumbledore informed Hermione.

Hermione gaped, and promptly fainted.

AN: Like it? Hate it? Let me know by leaving a review.