'There's a place where you'll feel at home."

Chapter 1: Most of us don't know

Hermione sobbed on her pillow looking at a photo of her, Ron and Harry. They looked so happy together, hugging each other, laughing…where were those days?

Now Ron was far away from her and Harry kept his secrets to himself. And he couldn't have either of them.

She had flung her yellow birds at Ron out of desperation. She wanted him to act! She wanted him to shout at her. This way he wouldn't ignore her, she would be the centre of his attention. She hadn't planned on hurting him; she just wanted him to know that she was sad...without him.

She rummaged through her bag for a handkerchief and instead touched something cold. When she picked it up it was her hourglass. She smiled melancholically… Her time-turner was still with her, waiting for her to take a step and mend everything, but she doubted she could still fix things, like she had in third year.

McGonagall had given it to her as a present and she treasured it as a proof of her life. She had promised never to use it except emergencies.

But maybe this was one. What if this silly outburst of hers cost her Ron's friendship? She couldn't bear that…

'I'll just go back an hour and stop everything…'

With that thought in mind she slipped the time-turner around her neck and turned it once.

Her world turned to…white and soon the light changed and the furniture disappeared.

Someone was pulling her inside something…and out of something and when she opened her eyes she was sitting on the cold corridor's floor.

She got up slowly and brushed her hair.

'I need to find Ron quick, I probably don't have much time,' she told herself.

She took a turn and ran down the stairs, not knowing exactly where she was going. She knew she shouldn't be seen so every time she could, she would hide behind a knight's armor.

She reached the Gryffindor common room and slipped gently in. There was no one, just her luck, but she heard voices on the stairs to the boys' dormitories so she hid behind the couch.

'I'm telling you James, there's no sense in chasing after that skirt. She's nothing but trouble, if you ask me.'

'Well no one asked you, Padfoot so there's no reason for you to tell me what to do at all.'

'When you come back whining like a pansy don't expect me not to say I told you so,' the other voice replied.

Hermione saw two young boys, handsome and tall coming out in the common room. One had thick black hair and mischievous eyes, the other brown soft eyes and ruffled brown hair, similar to Harry's.

Hermione knew them, but it was not their apparel that made her tick, but the names. She had in front of her James Potter and Sirius Black. But what were they doing here? She had only turned the time-turner once.

It dawned on her the suspicion that the time-turner malfunctioned. If so, she would better find a quiet place where to turn it back to her time.

However, it was fascinating to see the past, especially one where Harry's dad was in it.

Unfortunately for her, Sirius threw himself on the couch and before she had time to crawl away he discovered her.

'You there…what are you doing here?!'

Sirius had already caught her arm and she rose embarrassed and frightened. What would she say? How could she explain?

'Gryffindor I see,' he noted looking at her school robes. 'What were you doing sneaking down there?'

'I…you see…'

'One of your admirers stalking you again, Padfoot?' James asked eyeing her amused.

'I wasn't stalking anyone! I just…dropped my er…earring on the floor.'

'So who are you anyway?' they both asked.

'I'm…Hermione.'

They both looked at each other impassively, clearly the name not telling them anything.

'Don't know anyone by that name. What Year are you in?'

'Er…sixth.'

'Well, I know all the girls in sixth year,' Sirius said.

'More like you dated all of them,' James added.

'But I don't know you,' Sirius continued ignoring the interruption.

'I…I wouldn't expect that,' Hermione said panicking. 'I'm not very noticeable…'

She was starting to sweat, dreading what was to follow.

'Odd, I have a pretty good eye, usually…' Sirius muttered.

'Hey, Eliza! I was looking everywhere for you,' someone shouted and upon turning she saw a young girl coming towards her, waving. 'Where were you?'

She was a petite dirty-blonde girl with black eyes that looked like a more faded version of Narcissa Black.

'Sorry…?' she asked transfixed.

'Hullo Mary-Anne,' Sirius said waving noncommittally. 'This here your friend?'

'You idiot, it's Eliza, of course!' she said rolling her eyes.

'Oh…oh really? I think I know someone by that name…' James added.

Hermione stood there wondering when she should yell and tell them they're confusing her with someone else.

'Only she curled her hair, didn't you Eliza?' Mary-Anne said touching one of her curls. 'Nice touch, though you could have told me before this big change you now!'

Hermione nodded, looking at her feet sheepishly.

'Well, come on, you promised to go to Hogsmeade today, it's almost time,' she said dragging her away.

'Bye guys,' Mary-Anne added.

'Bye…er, sorry Eliza for not recognizing you,' Sirius said awkwardly.

Hermione nodded again sheepishly and followed Mary-Anne.

Once they were out of the common room, Hermione exhaled a big breath.

'Why didn't you tell me you were going to curl your hair? You look a bit frizzy but it's a nice change,' Mary-Anne said shrugging. 'Think James will notice?'

'What do you mean?' Hermione finally asked.

'Come now, we're alone Eli. You did it to impress him, didn't you?'

Hermione was getting more and more confused. How could they possibly think she was…someone else? Probably the real Eliza was somewhere around the castle and she'd be discovered soon.

'No…' Hermione finally said when she saw her…so called friend was expecting an answer.

'Well, I felt your pain when James said he knew someone by that name…but it's a step! First time you had a real conversation,' Mary-Anne said smiling.

'I wouldn't call it a conversation,' Hermione replied.

'Don't be so pessimistic. Sirius is trying to convince him to let go of Lily Evans. He will probably give up chasing her by the end of the year.'

Hermione nodded hoping she would elaborate. She wished she knew who this Eliza person was. She had never thought she had a look-alike.

'Oh, darn, wait here. I have to go to the owlery to send this letter…' Mary-Anne said taking out a small envelope. 'I won't be long.'

'Okay…' Hermione replied and before she knew it Mary-Anne was gone.

Now was her chance to take out the time-turner and go back home.

But Hermione did something very…un-Hermione. She put the time-turner in her pocket and sat down, waiting…