Shaping the Future's Past

by Lady Merope Riddle

A second prophecy completely changed the fate of the wizzarding world. Only one can save them all: the person bound by the prophecy. As she strives to execute her plans, she learns that there is no good and evil, and discovers that knowledge is power. She also learns the true meaning of power and lust. Will her plans succeed? Or does fate has other plans for her? LV/HG with a twist

2. Chapter 2 Hope Is Born Again

Author's Notes:

Hello readers!

Here is a new chapter. Please let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Cheers

Lady Merope Riddle & Queen Voldemort de Riddle

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Chapter 1: Hope Is Born Again

1st January 1999

Severus Snape apparated soundlessly near the edge of the Forest of Dean. He shivered as a cold gust of wind smacked against his face. Although he was wearing a thick travelling cloak and a dark hood, the cold seeped through his body and made his teeth chatter. His nostrils were pricked by the scents of fresh snow and old tree barks. The sky was dark; the moon had hidden behind the clouds, making the sky pitch black. Not a single star can be spotted above the sky. This was indeed a cold and frosty night. A wise person would not have wandered into this part of the world at this time, but Severus Snape knew that this did not apply to him. He had a task to carry out, and he will ensure that he performed it well. There was no time to lose.

He would not fail Lily Evans, his one and only love. He would not let her down. He will do what he can to protect her son; the boy whom he had hated for so many years, the boy whom he had taunted and mocked throughout the six years he was teaching at Hogwarts and the boy whom was the only reminder of Lily's presence to him. He could not bring himself to look into those big green eyes. It pained him to do so, for he would feel her presence stronger than ever if those eyes were turn on him. Every time he looked at the boy's eyes, a bitter resentment overtook him. He hated his life, hated the whole wizzarding world and hated the one who had killed the love of his life. A part of him died along with Lily on the night the tragedy occurred.

It was then that he made the biggest decision in his life; he decided to do what he could to ease his conscience and to savage what is left of her i.e. her own bone and flesh. He vowed that he would protect her son, although he hated that stupid egoistic brat, James Potter, who had taken everything away from him; his life, his happiness and his self-confidence. He kept reminding himself that he was doing this for Lily, and this was his only gift to her departed soul that he can afford to give her. For this reason, his loyalty lies with the light side, and he was ready to carry out what Albus Dumbledore had assigned him to do. Even after Dumbledore had told him about the horrible truth. The boy would have to die eventually.

At first, the truth stung him like a poisonous bee for it hurts. All he had done for all these years to protect the boy was nothing. His sacrifice will be washed down the drains by a simple flick of a thirteen-and-a-half inches yew wand which had killed many others. Albus Dumbledore had dared to keep the truth from him for so long, and he, Severus Snape felt humiliated and being used as a tool to achieve whatever stupid goal that old codger of a headmaster had in mind. He felt stupid for accepting Dumbledore's offer. He admitted that Dumbledore did not in any way force him into this. He had been rash on that Halloween night as he was over stricken by grief and distress upon hearing Lily's death that he did not have a clear head to mull over his options. He only wanted to avenge her death and do something for Lily. He felt that he owed his life to her. And now, after all these years, Dumbledore dared to tell him that Harry Potter would have to die and there was no other way around this.

Rage boiled up inside him when the truth finally hit him. He was just like a puppet, letting himself to be used by Dumbledore. He was told what to do without knowing the purpose of doing it. He was kept in the dark for as long as possible until he insisted to know the truth. He wondered why Dumbledore had told him the horrible truth. He wished the old man would continue to keep him in the dark. This would make him feel better and not doubt the old man's judgments. For so many years, he had never doubted Dumbledore's capabilities. Dumbledore was always a great man, although he refused to say it out. The old man was capable of many great things. And most important of all, Snape felt that Albus Dumbledore was not a liar. He never deceived anyone, in Snape's opinion. Deep down inside, he secretly admired the old headmaster's strength and wisdom. He wished that he could be like Dumbledore some day in the future.

The truth had been a great blow to him. He started to doubt his beliefs and all the ideas that Dumbledore had planted in his head earlier. How could the old man be so cruel, he wondered. He had raised and protects a boy until he is ready to be killed, which is akin to raising a pig until it was ready to be slaughtered. This way of death was, in Snape's opinion, the most gruesome and cruel of all. To think that a person is lead into believing that he will survive and walk away from death by raising him and planting said beliefs in his head until the last moment of his life, wherein all the hopes were shattered. Snape could not imagine what Harry Potter would feel when he finally knew the truth.

He was on the verge of doubting his loyalty when Dumbledore told him that there was still a sliver of hope. He wanted to belief every word that Dumbledore had told him, but he still doubts the old man's assurance. Dumbledore had preferred to keep him in the dark again this time, and had assured him that all would work well if the plan is carried out accordingly. However, Snape did not miss the doubt and hesitation in Dumbledore's eyes when he gave Snape the instructions for his task. This would be his last task, Dumbledore assured him. He would not have to do anything more after that. If the plan was successful, all would be well.

Snape hoped for the best. He had gone so far in protecting Lily's son. There was nothing much that he could do, except proceed with Dumbledore's plan. A final resort to save the boy's life and the whole wizzarding world, Dumbledore had told him and Snape was willing to belief it. He wanted to belief it. He would not let all his hard work for the past seventeen years be destroyed. He was willing to risk another chance to ensure that Harry Potter, the son of his beloved Lily escape the clutches of death. He would not let Lord Voldemort succeed. Lord Voldemort would not get to kill Harry Potter, the boy he, Severus Snape had vowed to protect. Harry Potter would survive, and the entire wizzarding world would be free from this terrible war if the plan succeeds, Dumbledore assured him. And Severus Snape had chosen to believe the old man's words. Either this was to delude himself from the truth or to ease his conscience, he did not know.

The wind smacked against his face again, and Severus Snape shivered. He wrapped his travelling cloak more tightly around him and started to walk slowly into the dark forest.

Pheanius Nigellus Black had told him that they were camping in the middle of the forest, not far from a lake. He observed his surroundings as he entered the forest. The ground beneath his feet was frozen. Snow covered the small pines along the edges of the forest. The air got colder as he trudged deeper into the forest.

At some point, he glanced behind him nervously to ensure that he was not followed. The dark shadows made up by the tall trees which were all covered with snow were the only things he saw. He must work fast. He must get back to Hogwarts in time before the other Death Eaters realised that he was gone. Not that it was any of their business, what he did. He was one of the dark lords must faithful and trusted follower, and he would not have to report his whereabouts to the others, except the dark lord. Nonetheless, he decided to play safe. He did not want anyone to get suspicious. If they knew that he was a double agent, all his hard work would be wasted and his own life would be at stake. Not that he would care, but he still had to protect the boy. He would not risk any chance.

The trees begin to thicken as he approached a tall boulder, which formed a clearing which stood out at the middle of the forest. He approached the boulder, and leaned against it. He lit his wand cautiously and scanned his surroundings. He could see some shapes not far from where he was standing. There were more trees ahead of him and in the distance; he could see the unmistakable silhouette of a tent. He was nearing his target now, he gathered.

Cautiously, he edged around the tall boulder, and quickened his pace. He rummaged in his pocket for an invisibility cloak. He unfolded the soft silvery cloth and threw it over himself as he was nearing the tent. He made his way quietly past the tent. He caught a glimpse of someone sitting at the entrance of the tent as he passed. He could feel the strong wards closing in on him as he approached the tent.

At least they have the sense to put up protection when they are camping out, he mused, as he casted a strong spell over himself to avoid being detected by the wards. If they knew that someone was around, it would not help matters as they would be suspicious and move away as fast as possible. He was already running out of time.

He could see a patch of white ahead of him. He knew that he was approaching the lake now. He was some distance away from the tent.

Sure enough, as he turned into a small and narrow path, he saw the lake. It was frozen, its white surface glistening. He trudged carefully along sharp edges and jagged rocks until he reached the bank. He put out one foot and prodded the frozen lake. The water was frozen and was as cold as ice. He could feel the child seeping into his foot even though he was wearing thick leather boots. He watched his steps as he started to skid across the lake. When he reached the middle of it, he stopped. He looked around him again.

He was safe. He was completely alone.

He reached into the pocket of his travelling cloak and brought out a glass case. With a casual flick of his wand, the case shattered. He held the hilt of the sword in his hand. The glint of red ruby pierced his eyes as he crouched down, and inserted the blade of the sword into the frozen snow. The blade only sank halfway into the snow. With the aid of his wand, he managed to get it a few inches deeper.

He straightened up a few minutes later when he was satisfied with what he had done. It would not be easy to pull the blade out of the snow, but he hoped that the boy would use his common sense and do what was right. He had no time to see whether the boy would manage to get the sword out of the frozen lake, but Dumbledore had assured him that it would all turn out fine.

He skidded back to the bank, and stepped over the sharp and jagged rocks once more. The first step of the plan was done. He smirked satisfactorily as the glint of red caught his eye as he looked across the lake from where he was standing. The boy would not miss it, he figures.

He would have to lead the boy to the sword now, and he figured that this would not be difficult at all. He turned and retraced his steps towards the tent.

Sure enough, he saw the boy as he approached the entrance of the tent. A pair of bright green eyes looked right through him, unblinking. He looked away, for he could not stand looking at those eyes. It brought back various painful memories.

He was not far from the tent when he spotted a clump of tall bushes. He hid behind the bushes and observed his surroundings once more. Once he ensured that he was completely alone, he raised his wand.

: Expecto patronum!"

The silver doe erupted from the tip of his wand. He began to lead it slowly towards the tent, watching his steps as he walked. The silver doe approached the tent and beckoned the boy to follow him. After a moment's hesitation, the boy started to follow his lead. Surprise and alarm was written all over his face as the boy ran after the doe.

He wished that the boy would hurry up and not make too much of noise. He could hear the boy's slow and silent footsteps as he drew closer. He quickened his strides and leads the doe to the edge of the lake. When the boy was approaching the bank, he flicked his wand and the silver doe disappeared.

He waited as the boy observed his surroundings. The bright green eyes were staring into the darkness with confusion.

Finally, it rested on the glint of red at the middle of the lake. The boy's face was blank for a few seconds. Then, comprehension dawned on his features.

Snape smirked satisfactorily. He turned away and retraced his steps quickly to the tent. He had no time to lose. This was the most crucial part of his plan.

He took one final look at the boy before he approached the tent. The boy was now pointing a wand at the middle of the lake. He hoped that the boy would not try something stupid, but he had no time to care about that for now.

He threw off his invisibility cloak and stuffed it back into his pocket when he approached the tent. He quickly cancelled all the protection wards and stepped into the tent.

He glanced around the tend and spotted the girl. She was lying fast asleep on one of the bunk beds in the tent. He approached it, and gave the girl a rough shove on her back.

She stirs a little, but did not wake. He prodded her hard in the middle with the tip of his wand. Her eyelids flew open and she jerked awake.

"Harry? What..."

She rubbed her eyes before sitting up quickly and looked around her. It was a few moments before she was fully awake and her gaze finally focused on him.

Horror was written all over her face when she saw him. Her mouth fell open and she clamped one hand over it after a few seconds.

As she was about to scream, he quickly silenced her with a silencing spell. Her eyes widened with fright. She tried to push herself up from the bunk on which she was sitting, but he was too quick for her.

"Petrificus totalus!"

She was not able to move a muscle. Her arms fell limply on her sides and she collapsed onto the bed. He hoisted her upright, and dragged her body out of the tent, keeping a firm grip on her left arm. Her chocolate eyes watched him with horror. He could feel her breath quickening and her whole body trembling as he leads her out of the tent.

He dragged her along with him until they reached the edge of the forest. Then, he turned on the spot and apparated both of them away.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

They were all doomed.

Hermione knew that they will all die that night.

The Death Eaters have managed to discover them at last. But how? The wards she put up did not even show any signs of someone being in the vicinity. They must have cleverly cancelled them, she thought. They must have known that they were camping out in the Forest of Dean all along, and waited for the best moment to strike. And what better time to do it than in the middle of the night?

This was all Ronald Weasley's fault, she thought bitterly as Severus Snape dragged her limp body out of the tent. She could not move a muscle or scream. Snape had been too quick for her. She tried to glance around the tent before she was dragged out of it. Harry was nowhere to be seen. He must have been captured already, Hermione gathered. Lord Voldemort would kill his so-called enemy, the cause of his downfall and all his sufferings tonight. The wizzarding world would be under his reign in no time.

But what could stupid Ron do if he was here, she wondered. He was really quite useless, save from complaining that they have not enough to eat. His ideas and strategies were all useless. It is a blessing instead of a disappointment when he left, she decided. She and Harry would be better off without him. Yet, deep down inside, anger boiled up in her. How dare Ron behaved so childishly" How could he said such horrible things? It had torn them apart, and Ron had the nerve to suggest that she was on his side, whilst all along, she was supporting Harry through and through. He should have understood the difficulties of the situation. She was willing herself to belief that Harry had really no idea at all on what Dumbledore had assigned him to do. She pitied him for that. He had already a lot of burdens on his shoulder, having to cope with the loss of his parents and his godfather. Hermione was willing to do what she could to help her best friend get through the war. She was sure that they would eventually succeed if they execute the appropriate strategies. The wild goose chase that Dumbledore had set them on was beginning to irritate her. At least the headmaster should lay down clearer guidelines instead of living them weird clues which were difficult to decipher.

The incident back at Godric's Hollow had scared her. They had nearly fallen into one of the dark lord's traps. Guilt clutched at her when she had broke Harry's wand accidentally. She knew that the boy-who-lived was fuming, but he did not show it. She had let him have her wand instead, but she knew that Harry was not too comfortable with it. Of course, she mused. The wand chooses the wizard. Her wand was not the ideal wand for Harry. He was more comfortable with his holy and phoenix feather wand, which was now broken, and laid at the bottom of her beaded bag.

They should not go to that dreaded place, she mused. However, curiosity had gotten the better of them. Harry wanted to find Bathilda Bagshot, to see if the old historian can tell them anything about Dumbledore and whether Dumbledore had left any clues for them with the old woman. It was unfortunate that Lord Voldemort had discovered their plan, and set a trap for them.

Hermione shivered as a cold gust of wind smacked against her. They were nearing the edge of the Forest of Dean now. Snape was gripping her elbow so hard that she was sure that her arm would be bruised when he let go of it. She was not sure where he was taking her, but she knew that the end is near. They will all die.

Harry would die first, followed by her. Then, they will find Ron and kill him too. And then, all the wizzarding world will be destroyed. Those who did not pledge their loyalty to the dark lord once he had taken over the wizzarding world will suffer and be banished from the world for good.

Snape stopped when they had reached the edge of the forest. Hermione gazed around franticly. There was no sign of Harry. The others must have already captured him and brought him to the dark lord, she realised.

Without warning, Snape turned on the spot. Hermione nearly lost her balance as Snape pulled her with him as he turned. The familiar suffocating and compression process of apparition filled up her body as they disappeared into a tube of darkness.

Hermione closed her eyes. She was going to die. And she will die bravely, like a Gryfindor.

This was the last thought that entered Hermione's head before she collapsed onto a hard surface. Air filled the surroundings, and she inhaled it greedily. She did not dare to open her eyes just yet. They have reached their destination, she gathered.

A painful jab on her neck made her open her eyes. Snape stood before her, like a predator standing before his prey. His expression was unreadable as his black beetle eyes surveyed her. The tip of his wand was placed on her neck. She trembled and averted his gaze. She knew that he was a good occlumens. She hoped that he would not try to read her mind. Quickly, she blocked her mind from his intrusion. She had become a rather good occlumens herself as she had studied the art of it for the past few months. She figured that this would be a precaution to take, just in case they were captured by Death Eaters. Harry still failed to close his mind, but Hermione knew that he was not making much effort to do so. Harry wanted to use the connection between his mind and the dark lord's mind to his advantage, to try to figure out the dark lord's plans but Hermione was strongly against it.

Hermione cast her gaze downwards as Snape took a few steps towards her and close the distance between them. She could feel her pulse quickening and her hear thumping crazily as he approached.

"Get up, Granger!"

Snape's voice was cold and lack of emotion. Hermione tilted her head and looked up into the face of her potion's master. The face she had come to hate. The horrible traitor to the light side and Order of the Phoenix and the murderer of Albus Dumbledore. Black beetle eyes bore into hers when she studied his face. He had not changed much, he gathered. He wore a thick travelling cloak, which he now took off with a casual flick of his wand. His immaculate black robes billowed as he stepped briskly around her and placed the cloak on a nearby couch. His long greasy black hair sticks to his forehead, as though it had not been washed for edges. His greasy face betrayed no emotion as he turned to face her again.

She flinched inwardly when he raised his wand. This is it, Hermione decided. He was going to kill her now. She was not worth his time. She was a Mudblood after all. By right, she should be long dead.

She would not show him any fear. She would die proudly. She held up her head high and faced him.

He flicked his wand. Hermione closed her eyes and waited for the killing curse to hit her body.

Surprisingly, she felt nothing. She opened her eyes and looked at Snape. He smirked as he flicked his wand again. This time, she felt the body bind spell lifted from her body. She moved her fingers and wriggled her toes. She opened her mouth, and found that the silencing spell had been cancelled. What was Snape playing at, she wondered.

Perhaps he wanted to question her about what she knew about Dumbledore's plans thus far. Yes, she gathered. This must be it. He was going to interrogate her and torture answers out of her. She would not give in to him. She would not let him get his way. She was sure that he would kill her after he had the answers from her. She had no more use for the wizzarding world; she was just a insolent and pathetic know-it-all, as he used to call her back in his classes.

Her courage got the better at her as she stood up. Her legs were still sore and shaky from the walk but she was determined to give Snape a piece of her mind. After all, it made no difference, as he would dispose of her sooner.

She looked at her surroundings. Snape had brought her to a house, it seemed. The small living room was cluttered with old furniture and clouded in dust. It was as though the place had not been inhabited for a number of years.

Two tall cabinets lined the opposite wall where she was standing. A tall bookcase was placed next to it, with heaps of dusty tomes arranged not too neatly on respective shelves. There were two long couches and a long coffee table at the far end of the room. Paint was beginning to peel from the white-washed walls. Cobwebs covered the two crystal chandeliers hanging above their heads on the ceiling. A dim and dull glow emitted from the chandeliers and Hermione could not suppress a shudder as she looked around the small and cramped place. The place had a dark aura around it.

She wondered where was this place. Perhaps this was one of the Death Eaters' headquarters, she gathered. Of course the Death Eaters would be pleased to offer their homes to serve the great Lord Voldemort, she mused.

She turned up her nose in disgust and turned on Snape, who had now seated himself on a small stool a few inches away from where she was standing and was regarding her with those hateful and contemplating black beetle eyes.

"You!" she hissed at Snape. "You pathetic, insolent, stupid, idiotic liar! How dare you betray us! How dare you kill Dumbledore! How dare you do all this to all of us! Traitor! You . . ."

"Enough!" Snape snapped and raised his wand. Hermione took a deep breath and continued. She ignored the dangerous glare Snape threw in her direction.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that, you insolent . . . "

"I said enough, Granger! I have no tolerance for such rudeness, and I would not take such insults from an empty vessel and insolent know-it-all Mudblood like you!"

Hermione glowered at him, but said nothing. She pursued her lips tightly and looked at Snape with full of hatred.

"Now, if you will sit down, we will go over the plan. We don't have all day, mind you. Time is running out," Snape hissed coldly at her, gesturing to the couch opposite from where she sat.

Hermione moved towards the couch and sat down. It creaked slightly as she sank down on it. She hoped that it would not break. It looked fragile. The leather was peeling and the couch had an old and musky scent.

"I would not help you, Snape," she spat at him. "I have no intention of doing so. You can torture me as much as you like, but I will not betray my friends. I am not like you!" Hermione said, plastering a determined expression on her face.

Snape was quiet for a few seconds. Hermione could see that he was trying hard to control his anger. She could see his nostrils flare when she was mocking him. His grip on his wand tightened, and Hermione could see from where she was sitting that his knuckles were beginning to turn white. He was trying to calm down so that he could execute whatever stupid plan that his master had assigned him to do. Hermione was determined to not let him talk her into following his plan.

Snape let out a long sigh after a few minutes of silence and looked at her with the same cold expression that he had before. "Ms. Granger, I would ask that you listen to me before you continue with all your baseless insinuations," Snape finally said. His voice held no emotion, and Hermione was slightly taken aback by his reply. She was expecting him to curse her anytime soon.

She gave him a questioning stare as Snape leaned forward.

"Contrary to the whole wizzarding world's belief, I did not kill Albus Dumbledore," Snape finally said. His voice had gone softer, and Hermione find it strange that she could detect a sad look in his eyes.

What was he playing at, Hermione wondered. Was he just saying this in order to lull her to join him and the dark side?

"I don't believe a word of this," Hermione said quietly after a few minutes of silence.

"Believe what you like, Granger. I have no intention of lulling you to join the dark side, and neither did I have the intention to make you trust me. I am just doing what is asked of me by Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?" Hermione asked with disbelief. "How nice of you to put it this way, professor. Do you think that any person in his or her right mind would be stupid enough to believe what you said? Dumbledore is a great wizard, but he made the biggest mistake in his life by putting his trust on you, professor. You betrayed his trust and use it to your full advantage. Even if Dumbledore had planned anything at all, you no doubt had exposed all those plans to your dear master, Lord Voldemort."

"Granger, I will appreciate it if you hear me out first before interrupting me. As I said, we have not much time left. The sooner we get this over with, the better."

"I will appreciate it if you stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point, professor. Please feel free to interrogate me and get any information you liked. I am not going to give you the satisfaction that you craved for," Hermione snapped and glared at Snape before casually leaning back on the couch. "Even if the light side loses, we will lose with dignity. We will not back down until the last minute. I am sure that Harry has already been captured by the others and was now on the way to his death destination."

"You think so?" Snape said, chuckling slightly as he straightened up and gestured for Hermione to follow him as he pushed himself up from the stool which he was sitting on. "Follow me, Granger."

Hermione trembled as she pushed herself up from the couch and followed Snape down the narrow hallway. She could not suppress the shudders that ran down her spine as they reached the end of the hallway, and Snape turned into another dark and narrow corridor which lead to a spiralling staircase.

Hermione could hear her own heart beating faster and faster as they began to ascend the steep spiralling staircase. She hoped that Snape would get this over with once and for all, whatever it might be. Plans begin to formulate in her brain. She would have to try everything possible to get herself out of here after Snape had obtained what he wanted from her. That is, of course, if she survived, she thought sadly.

As they approached the landing, Hermione realised with a pang that her wand was still with Harry. He had taken it when it was his turn to keep watch at the entrance of the tent. Her pulse quickened as she silently patted her jeans pockets. Relieved washed over her as her fingers connected with a small bulging object in one of the pockets. At least she had the sense to keep the beaded bag near her. It had everything in it; books, potions, clothing, etc. She felt save when the beaded bag was around. Perhaps there was still some hope left, she mused.

Snape finally turned into another long corridor which branched off towards the west wing of the house and lead Hermione towards a door at the far end of the corridor. Flaming torches lit the walls as they passed the narrow and long corridor. With a flick of his wand, the door swung open and Snape stepped into a brightly lit room. After Hermione had stepped into the room behind Snape, he closed the door silently and turned to face her.

The room was like a small office, Hermione noted. It was decorated using Muggle style. There were a few old Victorian paintings. A large wooden desk was placed at the centre of the room, while tall bookcases leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the room from where they were standing. A soft green and silver carpet ran the entire length of the room's floor, and a few straight-backed chairs were placed at one corner of the room. A tall leather armchair was placed near the wooden desk, and a crackling fireplace burned merrily at another end of the room. The crystal chandeliers flickered brightly, emitting a more lively glow as compared to those in the hallway downstairs. Snape must have been spending most of his time here, Hermione noted.

"Have a seat," Snape said, gesturing to one of the straight-backed chairs in the room. He levitated one of the chairs towards Hermione with a flick of his wand. He seated himself in the tall leather armchair near the desk and gazed into the fireplace for a few moments before turning back to face Hermione, who was now already seated on her chair, awaiting what is to come.

"Where is this place?" Hermione finally broke the silence after a few minutes.

"Spinner's End," Snape said. "My old home."

"Oh," Hermione said.

Snape was silent for a few more seconds.

"Are you ready for a little surprise, Granger?" Snape asked in a soft voice. Hermione's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Snape was looking at her with a weird expression on his face. His tone was less cold than before, and Hermione could detect some emotion in them.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dawn was approaching when Snape leaned back in his chair. He sighed and looked at Hermione, who was sitting across from him.

Hermione's heart was racing. For the past five hours, she was in for the shock of her life. Snape had told her a few astonishing and shocking revelations. He had even shown her proof of what he had said by showing her certain memories which he had extracted from his mind. She viewed all of this with disbelief using the pensive sitting on the wooden desk in the room.

Hermione knew that Dumbledore had asked Snape to kill him, as it was part of the plan. Dumbledore had to sacrifice himself in order for the plan to work. The deadly curse that had hit him when he destroyed Lord Voldemort's horcrux [the Gaunt ring] had marked his end. Snape was merely doing Dumbledore a favour, in giving him a quick and painless death. It would be convenient, as Lord Voldemort would not be suspicious and question Snape's loyalties. Snape was seen as helping Draco Malfoy to complete his assignment from the dark lord.

Snape was on their side, after all. He was a double agent. The only thing which puzzled Hermione was Snape's motive, which he refused to tell her when she questioned him about it.

"This is my personal business, and would have no importance to the task at hand. I dare say that it is completely irrelevant. Therefore, you would not need to know about it, nor would I wish to discuss it with you anyway."

"Fine," Hermione said. She was not ready to trust Snape completely.

Hermione had also learned that her best friend, Harry Potter was the dark lord's seventh and final horcrux. Lord Voldemort really managed to create seven horcruxes after all. No wonder Harry possess certain characteristics which were similar to the dark lord, such as the ability to speak Parseltoungue. Hermione suspected that Dumbledore had known this all along. He had kept this away from Harry as long as possible.

Hermione did not blame him, even though she could not help feeling angry towards Dumbledore. How could he delude all of the wizzarding world from this horrible truth? She was not prepared for this. Harry had believed that after he had destroyed the horcruxes, all would be well. He did not know that he had to die in order for the war to end and in order for Lord Voldemort to be destroyed once and for all. Someone else must kill Lord Voldemort after Harry's death, Hermione gathered.

Dumbledore was right. This was the only way around it. Harry was going to die. Lord Voldemort must destroy his own horcrux, and there was no other way around it. With a pang of sadness, Hermione realised that Harry had lived for nothing; nothing at all. He was going to die in the hands of Lord Voldemort, for neither would live while the others survived. To destroy Lord Voldemort, Harry would have to be destroyed to, in order to kill the filthy fragment of soul which had lashed onto his body for seventeen years. Seventeen long, dreadful, horrible, miserable years. The pieces of the puzzle finally clicked together nicely. Harry would not have to know this until the last moment, for it would drain his strength away. He would have no motivation to fight on. And Hermione knew why Dumbledore had planned all of this.

This was for the greater good.

Hermione suspected that Dumbledore did not tell Snape about the other horcruxes. As far as Snape is concerned, Harry Potter is the dark lord's only horcrux. Snape had no knowledge about the other horcruxes, judging from their conversation. He did not even bother to ask Hermione about what the golden trio were doing all this while, and Hermione has no intention to tell him anything at all. If Dumbledore did not need Snape to know about this, Hermione was going to play along with her late headmaster. Snape should not know what he is not supposed to know.

After viewing the memories in the pensive, Snape had told Hermione about the plan. Dumbledore had decided that Hermione was the key to everything. She would be the chosen one to complete the task.

"Why?" Hermione asked Snape with a questioning look in her hazel brown eyes.

"I have no idea whatsoever, Granger. As you know, Dumbledore had his own ways when dealing with such crucial matters, and he was a secretive person. Furthermore, it is not in my interest to know what he has assigned you to do."

Snape had then pulled out a thick envelope and handed it to Hermione.

"What is this?" Hermione asked, eyeing the envelope suspiciously.

"This is a letter from Dumbledore," Snape said. "You will find all the instructions for your task within this envelope. Do not open it now. You can open it later, when you have settled down."

"Okay," Hermione said, taking the envelope and pocketing it.

Snape took out a small box which was wrapped in brown paper from his cloak pocket, and gave it to Hermione.

"Dumbledore would like you to have this," Snape said, pressing the small box into Hermione's hands. "He had asked me to tell you to keep it safe after you discovered what is within it."

Hermione took the box from Snape and turned it over in her hands. Warmth coursed through her fingers as they connected with the box. A burst of energy shot through her body and Hermione felt weird all of a sudden. She wondered what might be hidden in the box, but she had no time to think about it as Snape rose to his feet.

"Time to go, Granger," Snape said, beckoning her forward.

Hermione nodded and rose to her feet as well. Her body felt stiff from sitting on the chair for a few hours without moving a muscle. She was so intrigued with what Snape had told her that she experienced mixed feelings as he progressed further into his account of the recent events.

Dumbledore's plan was for Hermione to go back in time, earn Lord Voldemort's trust and possibly friendship and try to find out the location of his horcruxes. She was to get close to Lord Voldemort and show him her loyalty. Then, when the time was right, she must kill and destroy the monster. However, Dumbledore had suggested that if she felt that there was other ways around it, perhaps killing the psychopathic murderer should be the last resort. Dumbledore had asked Hermione to try to show Lord Voldemort how to love. Hermione was not too keen on this matter. As far as she was concerned, once a monster, always a monster. A person's philosophy and way of life cannot be changed overnight. She was willing to give it a try, but she doubt that it would succeed. She still believed that destroying him and his horcruxes would be the ultimate solution for their problem.

Snape had handed her a memory in which she alone watched in the pensive, where Dumbledore had told her what to do. Dumbledore had also revealed something crucial to her. Snape should not know about this, Hermione gathered. She would keep this from him.

Dumbledore had told Hermione that if all went according to his plan, all would be well. The wizzarding world would not have to suffer the reign of Lord Voldemort. A lot of innocent lives would be saved.

However, Dumbledore also warned Hermione that the risk of this plan is unknown. Hermione's destiny would be at fate's mercy. She would not be able to return to her original timeline and would have to spend the rest of her life in the timeline she had gone back to. This was because there would be no time turners that would be able to bring her back to her own timeline. Dumbledore had only designed a specific time portal which would enable her to travel back in time. A special time turner would have to be activated by Snape in order to send her back in time. Hermione would be forgotten in this timeline and would begin a new life, according to Dumbledore.

However, she would still be able to remember her past life from this timeline for a period of time, before it all slipped away as her past would create a new life for her.

Nonetheless, Hermione sensed a slight hesitation in Dumbledore's manner when he related to her that she was the chosen one, and not Harry. When she tried to ask Dumbledore what he meant, she got no response.

Hermione nearly slapped herself after she had shouted at Dumbledore in the memory. Of course she would not be able to ask him anything, as this was merely a recorded memory. Dumbledore could not hear her questions at all.

Hermione made up her mind after pondering her options. She would do it, she decided. After all, the wizzarding world would be a better place without Lord Voldemort. She had nothing to live for, she decided. Her parents had already been discovered last September, and the Death Eaters have tortured them into insanity when Hermione failed to turn up during the Muggle Born Registration regime, where Umbridge had carried out the interrogation. She had known about this a few days after they had broken into the Ministry of Magic and obtains the locket of Salazar Slytherin. She had kept magical tabs on her parents, and the tabs would alert her if something had happened to them. She had borrowed Harry's invisibility cloak when the golden band which she had put on her right ring finger began to glow red. She had apparated away to London and obtained a copy of the Daily Prophet. It was then that she discovered the horrible truth.

Lord Voldemort had done it himself. He had captured her parents, tortured them into insanity and then mutilated their bodies. They were subsequently hanged to death near Godric's Hollow. Hermione felt furious, and vowed to take revenge. It was then that her desire to help Harry to succeed grew stronger.

She could not do anything about it at all. Harry and Ron had felt sorry for her, but she was sure that they could not possibly know how she actually felt. She finally understood how Harry felt when he had lost Sirius back in the Department of Mysteries two years ago.

She had nothing to live for. And if she succeeds, Harry would not have to die. Harry would not even be the dark lord's horcrux at all.

This thought comforted her. She had nothing to live for, she decided. A part of her died along with her parents. And she figured that she would not miss Ronald Weasley too much either. They have been old friends, and there was nothing more to it. Hermione had decided that her crush for Ron was only a little girl's crush, and it was time to put the end to her own fantasies. She made up her mind that there was never going to be anything between Ron and herself on the night he left the tent. They would be friends, and nothing more.

She would be doing the whole wizzarding world a great favour by vanquishing the darkest wizard of all time. She would gladly sacrifice herself for the task. She would not fail Dumbledore and the whole wizzarding world. She must be brave. Harry had gone through the past sixteen years full of bitterness, sadness and hope. Harry was so strong. Hermione, as his friend, must take him as an example and be strong.

No matter what the consequences are and no matter what it takes, she would go back in time and complete her mission. She might even be able to design a way to enable herself to be brought back to the current timeline if she wishes to do so, but Dumbledore had strongly advised her against it in his memory. He had stated that it would not be wise, as she would have change the future without knowing it and enter into an unfamiliar timeline. The consequences would be much severe than she would have intended it to be, he warned her.

Hermione had also been told by Dumbledore about his actual plan. Harry would continue to destroy the horcruxes in this timeline, but that will probably change once she gets back in time. Hermione also learned about the Deathly Hallows. She finally knew what the symbol in the Tales of Beedle the Bard represents. The Hallows represents everything. The final piece of the puzzle was solved.

Hermione doubted that the Hallows really existed. However, since Dumbledore said they did, she was willing to believe it. Harry's invisibility cloak was probably one of it, she figured it out. The alder wand was Dumbledore's own wand, as he had told her. It was the wand that he used ever since he defeated Grindelwald. Hermione wondered about the resurrection stone. Dumbledore had not mentioned it for a reason. She would have to discover it herself, it seemed.

Nonetheless, Dumbledore told her that the Hallows would not be an important part of her mission. It would have some use eventually, he told her, but she was to keep this in the back of her mind. The dark lord cannot know about this, Dumbledore warned her. Hermione understood perfectly well. If Voldemort was so keen on achieving immortality, knowing about the Hallows would open more doors for him to gain more power. He would no doubt seek out the Hallows and use them to his own advantage. Once he had become the true master of death, the wizzarding world would be doomed. They would be no turning back ever again.

Dumbledore had told Hermione in the memory that all they have gone through thus far [though Hermione find it surprising that her old headmaster knew exactly what they have been through even though he had preserved this memory at an earlier time. She figured that he must have asked Snape to give her this memory during this time period. How clever!] that part of their efforts would be wasted. There will not be much use in finding horcruxes once she was sent back in time. Everything changes the moment she disappeared from this timeline. The earlier stages of the plan was just to buy time and to ensure that Lord Voldemort was busy with the task of looking for Harry and did not pay much attention to what the light side is planning. Snape would be preparing the time portal to get Hermione back in time based on Dumbledore's written instructions, and Hermione will go back in time when the time was right.

After viewing the memory, Snape had given Hermione some time to ponder her option. She could choose either to accept or decline it. Hermione had of course pondered her options and accepted it. If she refused to accept her mission, then she can go back to the Forest of Dean and treat this conversation as nothing other than utter nonsense and forget about it altogether. Snape had asked her to weigh her options carefully, as there was no turning back once she had made up her mind.

"I accept," Hermione had finally said, with a tone of finality and determination in her voice.

"Are you sure, Granger?" Snape asked, giving her a contemplating look.

: Yes, professor. I would not fail Professor Dumbledore and my friends. I accept the challenge," she said in a confident voice and held up her head high to face her potion's master.

"Very well," Snape said.

They have sat there for another few minutes before Snape passed her the envelope and the box, which she had now stuffed into her beaded bag.

Snape held out his arm to Hermione, and she took it. Together, they turned on the spot and apparated away from Spinner's End.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Snape lead Hermione deeper into the Forbidden Forest as the sun begins to rise. He had assured her that Harry was fine. He had lead Harry to the sword of Godric of Gryfindor in order to distract him from the tent so that he would be able to bring her to Spinner's End to explain the plan to her. It would take him some time to notice that Hermione was missing, and it would not be a problem as Hermione would be gone by the time Harry realised that his best friend was missing. He might not even remember her at all, as she would be wiped out from this timeline when she travelled back in time.

"We need to be quick," Snape whispered as they continued to walk silently into the forest. "Some Death Eaters would be around, and I would not guarantee that we will be safe at all here."

There were under an invisibility cloak, which Snape had taken along with him before they apparated. Fortunately, the cloak was large enough to cover both of them.

"Almost there," Snape whispered. Thus far, everything went well. No one was following them.

"Professor," Hermione whispered urgently as a realisation suddenly hit her. "I don't have my wand."

"You got Potter's wand," Snape whispered back.

"Yes, but it is broken," Hermione said.

Snape was in shock. He stopped dead in his tracks.

"What?" he asked. Hermione had told him earlier that Harry's wand was with her, and that Harry had taken her wand. She failed to mention that the wand was broken.

"I have no wand . . . "

"I think Dumbledore can fix that," Snape finally said. "Just go and see him when you arrived."

"Err, right," Hermione said. She hoped that Dumbledore would be able to help her.

They reached a small clearing at the middle of the forest. Snape stepped out of the cloak and walked towards the clearing. Hermione followed behind him and only took off the cloak when Snape had leaded her inside the clearing by flicking his wand to reveal a small entrance by the bricks, in which they managed to squeeze in.

Snape handed her another envelope along with a golden crystal flask.

"Give this to Dumbledore when you arrived," he instructed her. "This is from his future self, explaining to him about your presence."

Hermione stuffed them into her beaded bag as Snape produced a small shrunken trunk and handed it to her.

"This is your necessary supplies," Snape said.

"What time period will I be going back to?" Hermione asked as she turned the small trunk over in her palm.

Perhaps the 1940s, Hermione mused. She would be a student at Hogwarts, taking classes together with the young dark lord. That would be a good chance for her to get close to him and earn his trust and also his secrets.

"You will be travelling about 40 years into the past. That would be the year 1960."

Hermione was puzzled. The young dark lord had already left Hogwarts by then. Was she supposed to follow him to Albania to destroy his horcruxes and was she supposed to be one of his Death Eaters? She shuddered at this thought.

Snape's voice jolted her from her thoughts.

"You will be enrolling as a seventh year student at Hogwarts. There will be a few changes at Hogwarts, but I would not know what those changes were. Dumbledore had written it down in the letter addressed to him, and he would no doubt know about it."

"Okay," Hermione said, still puzzled. She wondered what she would have to do during the 1960s. Voldemort had already graduated and Hermione doubt that she would be able to do much by enrolling at Hogwarts.

However, she would figure it out soon as Dumbledore always have his own reasons, and Hermione had confidence in him. She trusted his judgments entirely.

Snape had now bent down and was busy tapping his wand on the dirty floors of the shack they were now in.

Hermione watched as thick layers of dust disappeared, revealing a golden circle at the centre of the floor. Runes were carved at different angles.

"Granger, please step into the circle," Snape said after a few minutes.

Hermione did as she was told.

"Good luck," Snape said. Hermione gave him a faint smile. Her heart was pounding faster and faster as Snape raised his wand.

"Tempus inglemoreal activation!"

The golden circle begins to glow as Snape waved his wand. He repeated the incantation for a few times, until the who circle glowed brightly. Snape took out a large hourglass from his pocket and placed it around Hermione's neck.

"Turn it counter-clockwise for 40 times. Concentrate on the year 1960. Do it when I have performed the final spell."

Snape's voice was barely a whisper. Hermione could no longer hear him as a sudden strong breeze began to blow around her. The runes around the golden circle begin to emit blue and golden flames. The flames grew hotter and hotter as the breeze grew stronger and stronger.

A silver light appeared at the far right corner from where she was standing. Her eyes were beginning to burn from all the smoke and wind. She could vaguely make out Snape's tall form as he moved around the circle, chanting strange incantations which were barely audible.

From the corners of her eyes, she saw Snape gestured for her to step towards the silver light. She moved with difficulty towards the light. As her foot touched the spot where the light was, the beam shot through her body. She let out a scream of surprise, as warmth spread through her body. She was now completely enveloped in the silver light. She was inside it. It was as though she had been swallowed into a bubble. She was engulfed in the bubble of light.

"Now!" she heard Snape's shout as she saw him gave a final swish of his wand. She could feel a strong vibration under her foot.

The vibration grew stronger and stronger as the wind and flames died down.

With trembling hands, she started to turn the time turner counter-clockwise, counting as she did so.

Shapes begin to blur in front of her. She felt herself moving backwards through time, but this was worse than her third year.

She closed her eyes and continued to turn the dial. She was not going to screw this up.

"Twenty-five . . . "

Her head was pounding. She was starting to feel dizzy.

"Thirty-five . . . "

Almost there, she kept telling herself. Her knees begin to buckle. The vibration under her feet was stronger than ever, and she tried to maintain her balance.

"Thirty-eight . . . "

Her vision began to blur. No more energy was left in her.

"Thirty-nine . . . "

Her hands were shaking so badly that she almost dropped the time turner.

"Forty . . . "

She turned the dial for one final time before letting go of the time turner.

The spinning stopped after a few moments and she collapsed in a heap onto a hard surface.

The last thing she remembered was the shattering of the time turner as she collapsed. The glass and sand begin to shatter into a million tiny pieces and melt away into her skin. The chain around her neck disappears along with the shattered pieces.

A searing pain shot through her chest as the glass pieces pierced her skin as they were completely absorbed into her body.

Darkness engulfed her vision and Hermione faded into oblivion.