A Tick In Time – Chapter 1
Welcome to the Past
When Hermione's setting final reformed she was standing in the middle of Hogsmeade village. Thankfully no one was around to see her sudden appearance as she took in her surroundings. It was quite hot but there was an even breeze playing in the air. Hermione made sure she had everything with her then quickly ran up the path to Hogwarts. She was on the clock; she had to get started as soon as possible. She was lucky that she met no one until she reached the gargoyle.
"Pepper imps," she muttered. The gargoyle sprang aside and Hermione rushed upstairs. She knocked on the door with three raps.
"Enter," called a voice.
Hermione opened the door to see Albus Dumbledore seated behind his desk with a parchment in his hands. She took a deep breath, willing the tears to not fall when she gazed at her old professor, and said, "Good afternoon Professor, my name is Hermione Granger. I know this will be hard to believe but I am from 19 years in the future. I have a letter from the future Headmistress Minerva McGonagall that will prove what I am saying."
Dumbledore was completely taken aback by the girl's forwardness but she hadn't made any attempt to reach her wand which was visible in her front pocket and she did have a look of urgency about her. "Alright miss….Granger was it? Let me see this letter." He took the letter from the girl and bade her to sit down. As she took a seat Albus examined the envelope that bore the symbol of the order and tapped it with his wand whispering the password which was the only way to open it. He read –
Dear Albus,
If you are reading this that means that my fellow order member, former student, and friend Hermione Granger is sitting in front of you. I sent her to you because the future where I am now has been fraught with needless carnage and suffering that easily could have been avoided. I sent her in the hope that vital information given at the right moment and acted upon properly can help defeat Voldemort without so much damage. However she has a set time limit of seven days so there isn't any time to waste. Believe me when I say Albus that no harm can come from this, all the necessary researches and tests have been made to ensure that if done well there will be no negative side effects. In terms of authenticity I will say only this; I still treasure the tabby cat charm bracelet you presented to me after my first year of teaching and don't worry time hasn't taken anything away.
Even After The Ashes,
Minerva
Albus smiled as he read the last line of the letter. So it was true, this girl was from the future. He looked at the young lady sitting before him as she waited for his verdict. He folded the letter with great care and said, "Well Ms. Granger everything appears to be in order. What can I do for you and your mission?"
Hermione relaxed a little, at least there weren't going to be any issues here. "I need to see the current Professor McGonagall, James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin as soon as possible please."
"Will I be privy to the same information that you intend to give these people Ms. Granger?"
"Oh yes, of course sir." Hermione nodded while getting to her feet. "However I must get started soon, I have very limited time here."
"Yes, yes, let me summon Minerva now." Albus went to his fireplace and threw in some glittering floo powder, "Minerva I need to see you right away."
Almost immediately McGonagall was spinning in the fireplace, as she stepped out onto the hearth; she saw the visitor and became suspicious. "What is going on Albus?"
"Allow me to introduce Miss Hermione Granger, our own envoy from the future."
"The future?" McGonagall looked completely shocked. Hermione found it strangely humorous that the woman who had sent her back was now stunned by her own actions.
"Yes, read this," Albus handed her the letter and Hermione watched as McGonagall's eyes quickly zoomed across the paper and was surprised to see a slight blush at the last line.
"Well it does seem that this is real," McGonagall handed the letter back to Albus and turned to Hermione, "what exactly is your purpose?"
"I was sent to discuss the future with yourselves, the Potters, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin," Hermione repeated at top speed, "I have just seven days to go over the details with you and perhaps begin to formulate your plans then I will leave."
"If I may make a suggestion, why not go to Godric's Hollow, I'm sure you know the Potters have a baby boy, it would be best to hold this meeting there."
"I'll contact them," McGonagall tossed some floo powder in the fire, bent down and placed her head in the fire and said, "Godric's Hollow!" Hermione couldn't hear what was being said but a moment or two later McGonagall pulled back and straightened up, "Well Ms. Granger, as luck would have it the Potters, Black, and Lupin are all at the cottage. I have told them that we just received an informant and we need to speak with them about something urgent and they are all awaiting our arrival."
Hermione was thankful things were going so well and nodded as she stepped into the fire and yelled "Godric's Hollow!" She had always hated floo travel because it threw her off balance so when she finally stopped spinning she tumbled slightly getting out and was caught by a warm hand.
"Easy there," Hermione looked up at a woman with beautiful green eyes and fiery red hair. She smiled and tried to say thank you but the words caught in her throat as she had come face to face with Lily Potter. She looked around the room and could have sworn Harry himself was there as her eyes landed on man with messy jet black hair and glasses, James Potter. Next to him was a man with dark, shoulder length hair, and happy smile that she hadn't seen on him before, Sirius Black, and to the side was another man who had pale complexion with sandy hair, Remus Lupin. She amused to see him snacking on a chocolate bar and let out an involuntary laugh. The other people in the room found this extremely odd and looked at each other.
Hermione caught the look, "Oh I'm sorry, it's rather hard to explain but I will try to as soon as the professors get here." The others nodded figuring out that this was the informant but were still very confused as the professors spun in.
"Ah, hello there everyone," Albus looked at them all, "I'm not sure what Ms. Granger has told you so I will assume nothing and introduce her, this Hermione Granger, the informant Minerva talked about and visitor from the future."
This was greeted by a stunned silence until Sirius broke the silence, "I'm sorry Professor but did you just say from the future?"
"Yes I did Mr. Black." Albus confirmed with a bow. "She has come to us to help with the war effort."
"It's true I have," Hermione stepped in, "I am from 19 years in future. I'm actually best friends with your son Harry." She looked at Lily and James who were now dumbfounded.
"What does Harry have to do with this?" James asked.
"Everything actually. You see he is going to become the saviour of the wizarding world." Lily and James shared a wide-eyed glance and then with the others. Hermione winced perhaps she should be more explanatory, "Please can we sit down and I'll tell you everything." As they settled into chairs and the sofa Hermione sat in the armchair and leant forwards with her elbows on her knees. With her head on her clasped hands, she was trying to think of the best way to say what she needed to, "Okay, on Halloween of this year Voldemort will come here." The others flinched not because of the name but the implications of that sentence alone. "He will kill you James and you Lily but when he tries to kill Harry because Lily sacrificed herself for him the curse will rebound and Lord Voldemort will disappear. Please note I said disappear not die. Ten years later he will start making attempts at regeneration but is thwarted by Harry. He eventually does succeed with the help of a…a… follower. The war begins again with Voldemort trying to kill Harry mainly because he is the only survivor and now a symbol of hope for the resistance. Harry, with the help and instruction of Albus, succeeds in defeating the Dark Lord and wins at the age 17."
"Wow Prongs, your son is awesome." Sirius was amazed.
"That is quite impressive," Remus murmured.
"That is just the highly simplified version. I'm here to go into detail with you about those years and hopefully prevent the second war altogether and save many innocent lives." Hermione gazed at each face and saw the hardening determination in their faces. "So are you going to accept my help?"
"I think I speak for all of us Ms. Granger when I say yes we will." Lily spoke up and the others nodded in agreement.
"That's fantastic we can start today if no one has any objections?" The all shook their heads and Hermione settled into her armchair and grinned. "Don't worry, on the request of Harry and the others from the future I'm obligated to tell some of the fun stuff and I have letters from everyone to add a little interest and humour so it won't be all serious – don't you dare take that joke Black!" She warned as Sirius opened his mouth and promptly shut it to the amusement of everyone else.
"I take it you know us in the future," commented Remus now understanding Hermione laughing at him.
"Yes Remus. You and Sirius are great friends with me, Harry, and our other best friend Ron Weasley."
"Well then Ms. Granger," Sirius stood up and with bow said, "allow me to be the first to welcome you to the past."