Author's Note: Hello my lovely readers! I'm so excited to share this new story with you. It's been nagging me for quite some time and I finally decided to start writing it out. Now, I want to let you know I will be writing this as I go and that I do not have an update schedule planned because I will also be starting to post and update Empire (the sequel to Wolves without Teeth) shortly. That said, these chapters will most likely be short and sporadic much like Nights in Diagon Alley (which is nearly finished as well).
I am also encouraging you to check out the trigger warnings as they will become quite important as this story moves forward. I am not joking when I say that this is predominantly a Themione story and Character Death will happen. If that makes you unhappy, this may not be the story for you. This is my first full-length Themione, and while Dramione will play a significant role, Hermione will end up with Theo in the end. Also, as this a Time Travel story, the chapters will jump around from future to past to present so make sure to read the Time Jump Dates. Okay! Enough of that…please enjoy and make sure to drop me a review when you're finished! I'd love some feedback on this! xxDustNight
Disclaimer: All non-original characters, plot points, and information belongs to J.K. Rowling. The story plot and dialogue belongs to me. I do not write for profit.
Current & Future Trigger Warnings: Infidelity, Character Death, PTSD, Depression, Sexual Tension, Sexual Content, Mildly Dubious Consent
Summary: When her partner gets lost in time, Hermione is forced to seek out the help of her estranged husband. With Draco by her side, she travels through time desperately searching for Theo. Along the way, Hermione finds herself having to accept that sometimes love truly is forever and that maybe you really can love more than one person at a time.
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Partners in Time
Pairing: Hermione/Theo and Hermione/Draco
Rated: M
Prologue: January 17, 1980
Song Recommendations: "Night Time" by The xx, "The Rope" by Hurts
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Time Jump #47: January 17, 1980
Silently, the pair crept down the empty hospital hallway, their footsteps barely making a sound. It was nearly three in the morning, and both were anxiously trying not to be seen. They shouldn't even be here really, but time was a fickle thing. Actually, messing with time was worst of all, and that's exactly what they were currently doing. And right now time was not in their favor, the minutes ticking by and making their heart rates quicken with fear.
Turning the corner into the maternity ward, the curly-haired witch held out her hand, urging her partner to stop. There were two nurses stationed at the desk, sipping coffee or tea and filing mundane paperwork. They had to think quickly or their entire mission would be for nothing—he would disappear, never having lived at all. Biting her lip, the witch turned and shoved her partner further out of the nurses' line of vision.
"We have to warn her."
"How do you suppose we do that? She'll never believe us," the man replied on a sigh. "Besides, we're not supposed to alter anything."
"Shut it," the witch practically growled. "If we don't do something, there won't be any reason for us being here! We'll disappear into time! If we don't warn her, he dies and everything changes."
Groaning, the wizard turned his back on the witch to run a hand through his blond hair. He took deep, even breaths to try and calm himself, the disinfectant scented air of the hospital making him slightly lightheaded. They had to do this carefully—the slightest change could revise their entire future. Shaking his head, he turned back around, resolution and defeat reflected in his eyes. He knew in his heart of hearts there was no avoiding this, no way of backing down. If they returned without warning the woman in the room down the hall, there would be nothing for her to go back to…
"Okay," he murmured, closing his eyes and knowing he'd do anything for her, even after all this time. Damn it, he'd risk changing history for her. "What do you suggest we do?"
The smile that lit up her face was enough to push his uneasiness aside for the time being. She seemed to know this, her small hand reaching out to smooth over his shoulder. "You cause a distraction while I go into the room and administer the antidote."
His mouth dropped open in shock. "You're kidding me, right? And if I get arrested, in the past I might add, how are you going to explain that to the Minister?" He gave her his trademark smirk, causing her to narrow her brown eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous…you won't get arrested. You're just going to knock over that medical supply cart," she explained, indicating the cart across the hall from where they were standing. "Then, you'll apparate to the exit point. I'll meet you there."
He blinked at her—once, twice, and then a third time before answering. "Have you gone completely mad," he hissed, attempting to keep his voice low. "That's probably the worst idea you've had since convincing me to join you on this insane rescue mission of yours."
Huffing, she put her hands on her hips, jutting out her chin in defiance. "I don't see you coming up with a better idea. We are running a bit short on time, if you've forgotten, and this is the quickest way to get the job done."
"Oh for the love of Salazar. I can't believe I'm going to let you talk me into this…"
"He'll die…he'll never be born…"
"I know."
She shrugged her shoulders, giving him a sad smile. "I love him," she admitted, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly under the fluorescent lighting. He moved closer to her, pulling her into his body and wrapping his arms securely around her. Settling his chin on top of her curls, he closed his eyes again and ignored the pain that radiated in his chest.
"I know you do, Hermione. I know you do."
"Draco—I…I'm so sorry…"
"Don't." He cleared his throat, holding her at arm's length to stare into her tear-brimmed eyes. "Don't be, alright? You and I…we. Fuck. It's not important right now. Right now we have to save Theo."
She nodded, not quite meeting his gaze. "I love you too—I always will."
"Damn it, Hermione," he growled before tugging her back into his embrace and bringing his lips down onto hers with bruising force. She kissed him back frantically, her body fitting against his just like old times. Draco hated himself in this moment, and he hated her too. How could she be falling in love with Theo but still love him? It wasn't fair. Nothing was fair, but they had a job to do, and that meant he needed to end this before things escalated. He pushed her away, not even caring when she stumbled into the wall, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Go," he panted, pointing towards the room they needed to get into. "Go now before I change my mind." She nodded, looking a bit dazed. Knowing this was insane, he withdrew his wand from the inside of his cloak and shot a stinging hex at the medical cart. It exploded everywhere, effectively hiding the sound of Hermione's disapparation. Then, when he heard the two nurses as they ran towards the sound of the commotion, he closed his eyes and apparated away, praying everything worked. If not, they were doomed.
Her arrival woke the woman lying in the bed, her dark eyes wide with fear. Hermione held up her hands in what she hoped was a sign that she was not there to harm her. "Mrs. Nott?"
"Yes…?"
"Oh good." Sighing with relief, Hermione slipped a hand into her cloak and pulled out a vial of potion. "I'm here to give you this before it's too late."
"I'm sorry, but why would I take anything from a strange person who just shows up in my hospital room in the middle of the night?" Ada Nott made to grab for her wand, but Hermione had been prepared for this, speaking up and startling her to pay attention.
"Because if you don't, that baby you're about to deliver is going to die." She indicated the round stomach hidden under the beige blanket. Immediately, Ada covered her belly with both hands, shielding her unborn child. "You're infected with Dragon Pox, and if you don't take this antidote tonight your baby is going to die, along with you."
Ada sputtered, face going pale in the semi-darkness. "Dragon Pox…how do you know? I've not shown any symptoms…"
"It's not important, but you have to take this. Please." She moved forward, setting the vial on the bedside stand before stepping away. The commotion in the hallway was dying down which meant she had mere minutes before she needed to meet Draco at their exit point. If she didn't…she'd be lost in time too. "I have to go, but I need you to take that before I do. I need to be certain."
"It's not poison?"
"No, of course not. I'm not a killer."
Hesitantly, Ada reached for the vial, pulling the stopper out and setting it aside. She then looked back at Hermione, and she must have seen something she wanted because she put the vial to her lips. Tipping her head back, she swallowed the antidote in one gulp, grimacing at the foul taste. A second later, Hermione heard the tell-tale signs of an approaching nurse. She hurried forward, taking the vial and stopper to tuck away. She nodded once to Ada before disappearing from the room just as the nurse entered to make sure everything was alright.
Draco was ready for her outside, his hand intertwining with hers as she ran into his waiting arms. Brown eyes met silver as the ticking sound started around them followed by the whirling wind. As they were transported back to present day, Hermione could only hope that they'd been successful and that Theodore Nott had been born to Ada and Thomas Nott at 8:32pm on January 17, 1980. If not…then the world would be a far different place than they'd left behind. If Theo was never born, then how would she ever find him?
You couldn't be lost in time if you'd never been born at all.
