It wasn't long before the cool, grassy ground woke Hermione from her unconsciousness. She sat up and grabbed at her head as the sudden feeling of nausea washed over her.
"Ergh," was all she could let out as she managed to pull herself to her feet. Looking around her she found herself on a bright sunny day near the edge of the forbidden forest. "I'm close to Hagrids's," she said aloud.
"Hermione began walking the usual pathway to her friends small hut but it wasn't long before her common sense took over. 'What am I doing?" she thought snappily to herself. "He might not know who I am! Heck knows what time I'm in. I should be lucky that I'm in a time where Hogwarts is still here!"
Shaking her head she turned on the small hut in the distance and looked back up the path she had just come down. If she followed it for a few minutes' walk she would find herself at the front entrance to Hogwarts – hopefully if it all still remained.
As Hermione walked along the twisting steep path towards the growing castle she couldn't help stop the excitement that surged through her. She was thankfully still in the safest place in the country, but was in a completely different time. She had no idea whether she had only moved mere minutes or hours in time or whether she was looking decades into the future. This was her first proper adventure alone, and what an adventure to tell Luna, Ginny and all her friends when she got back.
If she got back.
The idea suddenly dawned on the young witch and stopped her in her tracks. Her hands flew to her neck and tore off the time-turner that had been hanging on its safe chain. Scanning it she quickly fell to her knees.
It was broken.
Looking at the fragile object she held so delicately in her hands she could see the marks of destruction. The glass was now shattered, probably from the fall to the ground, the usual ticking sound had stopped, and small droplets of water were still shimmering on its metal.
Hermione sobbed deeply at the realisation of how much trouble she was in. "What am I going to do!" she moaned. However, the idea of only being a few hours off usual time track seemed to brighten her spirits. "I need to see Dumbledore. He can fix this. He can put it right!"
Gathering herself up the witch started a brisk walk up the path and to the castle doors. It took all her might to enter the castle. Although it was familiar to her it somehow held a feeling of newness and originality. Like she was looking at the same artwork yet for the first time again. Gazing up at the many pictures that hung in the entrance to the castle she frightened herself as she walked straight through a white misty being.
"S-s-sorry!" she stammered focusing herself once more.
"Ah it is quite alright my lady!" bowed the gentleman ghost.
"Sir Nicholas!" Hermione exclaimed.
The ghost seemed taken aback at the girl and hesitated before replying. "I am awfully sorry but who are you? You don't seem in the slightest bit familiar. Are you Slytherin?"
"No! I'm Gryffindor!" Hermione protested. Fear shot through her as she looked into the blank face of nearly headless nick. "Don't you recognise me?"
The ghost seemed to ponder this question before answering. "Gryffindor you say. Here? Are you sure?"
Hermione nodded silently in reply. She really must have travelled far. Working it out she realised she must be in the past. He didn't even know her.
"Sir what date is it?" she asked uncertainly.
"Oh my dear, it's 24th July!" Nick winked at the girl with a grin on his face. "Been on the firewhiskey? It's fine, I must admit I'm rather partial to a drop or two myself. Well, I was. Before..." he said indicating his severed neck.
"What year?" she asked abruptly.
Nick scoffed slightly but answered after seeing the panic cross her face. "1977."
Her mouth dropped in astonishment. "I-I'm sorry! I have to go!" Turning away from the surprised ghost, Hermione raced out of the hall and started her run to the only man who could help her. Dumbledore. Surely he was wise enough to help her get back to her own time.
The halls were empty thankfully and she figured the pupils must be in classes at the minute. Running down the hallways she felt dread sink into her. What if he didn't know her either? What if he couldn't help? She might be sent to Azkaban for being insane.
Questions swirled round her head as she came to a stop outside the statue to Dumbledore's office.
"Oh Merlin!" Hermione exclaimed. "What's the password?"
Without a seconds delay the statue moved to be replaced by a spiral stone staircase. Something about it told her Dumbledore was expecting her. Maybe it was just hope.
Her stomach in knots Hermione climbed the steps to the top and knocked on the solid wooden door.
"Come in," she heard the friendly magical sound of the wise old man.
Turning the handle Hermione prayed to herself he knew what was going on.
The door opened and revealed the strange room to her as she stepped in. It was exactly like the present times office she had seen a handful of times. The room was littered with random artefacts and magical objects. And even though it was so crowded Hermione could feel the power that came with it and knew fine well that the man which sat at the desk looking over papers was the perfect man to go to.
As the door creaked closed the beautiful phoenix perched on its ledge let out a squawk.
Dumbledore looked up from his work for the first time and stared right into Hermione's eyes.
"Thank you fawks for gaining my attention. It would have been rude to keep Miss Granger waiting for too long," he said plainly. "As I am sure she has come a long way to get here, well at least a long time." His eyes twinkled behind their half moon spectacles.
Hermione let out an involuntary sigh in relief. Stepping further into the room she spoke. "Professor.."
Dumbledore cut the curious witch off before she could ask much more. "Miss Granger I must tell you that yes I know who you are, and I know what has happened to get you here. However I must warn you, I cannot help."
The old looking man still smiled at her but Hermione could only stare helplessly back. "Why?" she asked simply but with her voice full of emotion.
"I can't go meddling around with time-turners Miss Granger. Surely you know that this point in time is important for everyone." Dumbledore said. Hermione thought deeply but could come up with no ideas. Was this time important? "I must continue looking after my pupils. I am sure you will make it back. I hope. And if not I pass on this note, the 80s were always my favourite time."
Dumbledore remained smiling as Hermione's head whirled. "But professor, I don't understand how to get back, or even what to do now I'm here. Who can help me if not you?"
"Use that brilliant amazing head of yours girl! You'll find a way .And I am sure it will be an adventure!" he said with a wink.
"Professor, how do you know me? We haven't really met yet." She said slightly off topic.
"Of course I know you. When you returned you told me all about it. A very interesting story may I add." He said.
Hermione stared, completely confused. "Sir, that doesn't make sense! We haven't properly met in this time. I'm not even born!" the old man laughed. "If I told you, in the future, do you know how I'm going to get back?" she added hopefully.
"Aah that can be changed, that is why I must stay out." He answered honestly.
Hermione had lost hope. The old head teacher wasn't being useful at all. And she had nowhere to go.
Feeling the short conversation come to an end, Hermione turned from the wizard and began walking to the door. Hand outstretched onto the door handle she was halted.
"My dear," he called to stop her leaving. "Although it is wrong to meddle with time, I might suggest a trip to Hagrid's is in order."
Hermione sighed. The old wizard knew so much yet wasn't letting her in on anything.
Without waiting for her to turn to face him he continued, "Feel free to come through the school grounds as much as you wish. It is after all your school."
Hermione could tell the old man was smiling at her but she couldn't face him. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of her immediate future. Maybe she wouldn't be here too long.
"On a more serious note Miss Granger," the professor spoke suddenly more stern yet with the same friendliness. "Do not be afraid to drop your guard once in a while."
Hermione confused with his parting statement opened the door and left the room. Drop her guard? Was she going to have to battle? Or battle and then stop defending?
If anything, Dumbledore had not helped her, but made her more confused with new possible events popping through her mind. She walked down the stairs and back into the long corridor. Taking the steps she had taken to get to his office, but in reverse, Hermione found herself wandering through the peacefully quiet school towards the entrance hall again. Once there she looked towards the large door. She should go see Hagrid. Maybe he could help, somehow.
She walked almost trance like out of the castle and courtyard along the bridge and towards Hagrid's hut.
"Best make the most of this adventure," she thought in an attempt to cheer herself up. "Maybe this won't be as bad as I'm imagining. Yes, Dumbledore's final words don't fill me with joy, but I'll cope." Pasting a smile onto her face, her walk seemed to speed up with a bit more bounce.
Her journey had begun.