The trio didn't do much that day, waiting for six o'clock to arrive. Ginny had joined them, sitting close to Harry, enjoying his rare good mood. They were still patching things up, but Hermione felt perfectly confidant that they would eventually work it all out; they obviously loved each other, they just needed to concentrate on the smaller things.

After eating a small meal, by Mrs. Weasley's standards, everyone remained seated at the table. Tonks, Kingsley, and a few of the other surviving Order members soon joined them.

"Shall we begin?" McGonagall stood at the head of the table. "It's been a while since our services were really needed, to which we are all extremely grateful. However, the time has come when one of our Order must undertake a dangerous journey."

Hermione watched as Remus stared at his folded hands again. Apparently, whatever disagreement he and Sirius had earlier was now forgiven, as the two sat side-by-side.

"Before I call for volunteers, let me explain the situation. Caius Carrow, a cousin of Amycus, has managed to get his hands on the last known time turner not under our control." The elderly Headmistress sighed as she looked around the room. "Now some of us, those who fought during the first war against You-Know-Who, will recall a certain young lady out of place in our time."

Several heads bobbed, including Sirius and Remus, although each seemed careful to not avert their eyes from whatever held their previous gaze. She looked around to see Tonks doing the same.

"Now, because of the timing, most of us are ineligible of going back, as it would be too much of a shock to our younger selves. There are a few others whose parentage would be too easily identified."

"I'll do it," Tonks chirped, thrusting her arm into the air. "I'm perfect for it; I'll just be someone else entirely and no one would ever recognize me."

"And in that, lies the problem. We did recognize the young lady, not for quite some time obviously, but in her first year at Hogwarts. And later, for those who weren't there to greet her upon entry to the wizarding world."

Many eyes had now shifted and fell on Hermione. As usual, she had already reached the correct conclusion and so nodded her head in acceptance.

"Why her? How do you know it wasn't me in disguise?" Tonks asked.

"Why on earth would you choose to take her form? And name, might I add," Remus answered.

She glared at him, with narrowed eyes.

"What sense does it make to send a little girl? I'm a fully qualified Auror."

"That little girl has seen just as much action as you," Harry clarified, crossing his arms.

"Besides, if you went and they discovered you're a metamorphamagus, they might not trust you. You could've deceived us to get the assignment," Ron added.

"That's true," Sirius spoke. "It would have made you highly suspicious."

"Remus?" Tonks pleaded.

"I quite distinctly remember meeting Hermione when I was a younger man." Remus shrugged, not looking up from his hands.

"Sorry Nymphadora, but I do as well." McGonagall put an end to the negotiations.

There was a moment of quiet that none felt at ease in, before Tonks sat back with a huff and crossed her arms, looking like a sullen child.

"So what am I to do?" Hermione asked.

"You protect Lily," Sirius and Remus said together.

"Er…I'm sorry? Lily?"

"Yes, Carrow went back to kill Lily Potter before she could give birth to Harry." McGonagall offered a tight smile to Harry, who had gone pale. "Don't worry, Potter; she'll do fine."

"There's the most important reason for it to be you," Harry whispered, "I couldn't trust it to anyone else."

Hermione grinned nervously and held his hand. Clearing her throat in an attempt to find her strongest, most confident voice, she asked, "When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow morning will be fine. You recall the password for my time turner?"

"Of course."

"Good. Pack tonight for a long trip. And I'll meet you tomorrow, eight a.m. Remus and Sirius will bring you to the appointed location." Everyone was silent as McGonagall, Kingsley, and the rest left the Burrow.

"Long trip," Harry mumbled, rubbing his face.

"How long?" Hermione directed her question to the two older men, still sitting at the table.

"A little over six months, I believe," Remus said softly.

"Sounds about right," Sirius confirmed with a nod of his head.

"Six months," Ron practically squealed.

"I don't imagine it will be more than an hour or two for us here." Sirius eyed her carefully. "Don't worry pet, you'll do brilliantly." He stood and stretched casually. "Let's go mate, early morning."

"Right you are." Remus stood and made to follow his friend to the floo.

"Remus," Hermione blurted just before he reached the doorway; he froze and turned his face to the side. "Could I have a word, please?"

He nodded, moving to the side to allow the others to leave the room. "What can I do for you, Hermione?"

"Have I made you angry?"

His eyes jumped to her face, for the first time since that morning. "I'm sorry?"

"Was it because of this morning? I didn't intend to start an argument between the two of you."

"No. No, Hermione, that wasn't your fault." She watched his cheeks turned a bit pink. "It was a long time coming."

"Then is it something that's going to happen, in the past? Something I'm going to do? Or not do?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "No, it's nothing like that. I'm not angry with you. I'm not angry at all." He must have seen the doubt in her eyes, because he put a hand on her shoulder. "Honestly. I've just been thinking about James and Lily a lot lately; remembering the old days."

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Of course." He looked as though there was something more he wanted to say, but he clamped his mouth shut and looked towards the door.

"I'll see you in the morning then." She let him go, it was obvious that was what he most wanted.

"Harry?" she called later that night.

"Yes?" He strolled into the room and shook his head at her organized packing.

"Are we going to be okay? You know, when I get back."

"Of course we will. I know you can't change anything." He sat on her bed, careful not to tip over any of her piles. "And as much as I'd love to have my parents alive and well, I equally don't want Voldemort ruling our futures."

"If I destroyed his horcruxes-"

"Then, we would have chased after them with no success last year."

"I could leave the remnants somewhere we looked."

"Then, perhaps Voldemort would discover that and make all new ones and we wouldn't know what to look for. No, it's too risky. Besides, you heard them; they remember you being there. Which means that it already happened, so even if you tried to destroy them, you would ultimately fail." He handed her a stack of socks. "Just keep my mum safe, and yourself."

"I will."

Hermione woke early the next day, not feeling at all rested. She had tossed and turned all night, dreaming of all the things that could go wrong. Despite all the reassurances that she would do fine, she couldn't help but worry; she'd never undertaken such an adventure without Harry and Ron before. Would she be enough on her own?

She grabbed her bag and left for the kitchen. She had nearly an hour until she was supposed to leave with Remus and Sirius, but they were already waiting. They looked up from their eggs, both looking tired.

"Didn't you two sleep at all last night?" she asked, sitting across the table from them.

"Not really," Remus shrugged.

"I'm surprised you did," Sirius said, eyeing her.

She grinned and took a bite from the plate Molly sat in front of her. "Just because I slept, doesn't mean it was a peaceful night." She sipped her juice. "Besides, I thought you all assured me how well I'd do; what do you have to stay up worrying about?"

"Nothing bad," Sirius blurted loudly, then cleared his throat and spoke normally, "I mean-"

"What he means to say, is that you leaving is bringing back quite a few memories, not all of them pleasant."

"Yes. But that's not your fault."

"And we are most looking forward to your return."

"Yeah."

"So we can talk to you about-"

"Things that happened."

"Alright," Hermione said, dragging the word out with her uncertainty. "That sounds…interesting."

"Eat up, Hermione dear," Mrs. Weasley said, sliding more bacon onto her plate.

"Thanks."

They finished breakfast before Ron and Harry came to join them.

Ron yawned, dropping into a chair beside her, Harry sitting on her other side, kissing her cheek.

"Good morning," Harry chimed.

"Why do we need to get up so early?" Ron grumbled.

"Today is a big day, Ronald," his mother chided.

"But if she's going back, however many years, why does it matter if she leaves at eight o'clock or ten?"

"Because…well…it's important to get an early start."

"But it doesn't matter what time she leaves," Ron reasoned. "She's still going to show up when and where they tell her. Isn't it more important that she be well rested?"

"Do you want to go back to your room?"

"What? No, I was just-"

"Then stop being difficult." She took his plate away before he had time to eat more than a slice of toast.

"Mum! Please? I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything; I'm just tired."

"Now you're thinking with your stomach. When you decide to be reasonable, then we can discuss your meal schedule." She dropped the full plate on the counter and retreated to the laundry room.

"Rough morning," Arthur apologized, ducking into the room. He tucked Fred's Gryffindor badge inside his breast pocket and passed Ron back his food, but his appetite had already fled.

"S'alright," Ron muttered, poking at his bacon.

Hermione bumped his shoulder lightly and he offered her a weak smile.

"Finish up; it's time to go," Sirius spoke into the silence.

The trio shuffled around, not eating, but not ready to leave. Eventually, Hermione sighed and grabbed up her rucksack, throwing Harry an anxious look.

"I guess we're ready," Harry declared.

"Let's go. Boys, elbows please." Sirius held out both hands and gripped them by the elbows to apparate them away.

"Ready?" Remus held out a hand.

"Not even close."

A/N: Thank you to Clover Bay for the beta work, you're lovely!

Thanks to everyone for all the great reviews so far. Look forward to hearing more from you! Hint hint.