Hermione pushed the portrait open softly and slipped into the corridor. She flexed her fingers as she walked through the dim castle. A door slammed in the distance. Hermione held her breath, but the footsteps faded away from her.

She arrived in the bright kitchen a few minutes later and was nearly knocked down by Dobby. Miss, miss friend of Harry Potter, miss. How is Harry Potter?

He's okay. I bet he'll come down to see you soon.

Is miss needing something, miss?

Could I make some tea please? As soon as she had spoken the word tea, two house elfs brought forward a tray. Hermione frowned; then, defeated for the moment, smiled her thanks. She drank her tea and chatted with Dobby for a bit. She left feeling cheered and freshly determined to call for elf rights.

Hermione was not so cautious on her return walk. Her thoughts drifted back to the work awaiting her upstairs. She was composing the conclusion to her history of magic essay when it happened.

Professor McGonagall appeared suddenly from around a corner. Ms Granger what can this mean.

Professor I . . . She failed to stop walking as she turned to answer. Whatever she had planned to say was lost in the tumble down the stairs. It was not a long flight, but it sent her time turner, necessary for someone attempting a record number of NEWTs, spinning like a top on the smooth floor. Hermione vanished.

Minerva McGonagall froze and her face grew pale. So that's how it happened,' she thought. She was soon in Dumbledore's office.

After calming down. McGonagall finally said, It is a small comfort to know where or when, rather, she has gone.

It is indeed. Well then Minerva, would you please inform her house in the morning. For the sake of all concerned, be vague.

Yes, I will do that professor.

Thank you, and good night.

Good night.

Professor Dumbledore pulled out a quill and began to write a letter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione's world swirled for a minute. She groped for her time turner, trying to still it. When her hand finally closed around something solid, she was holding a rock. Oh no, I'm in the stone age,' she panicked. But a more rational investigation revealed that she was still at the bottom of the same flight of steps, which were still well worn.

Nerves overtaking her again, she jumped to her feet and checked to see that she had her wand. Thankfully it had not become a leafy tree branch or a pine cone. What year? What year?' Her eyes roved as if she expected it to be painted on the wall.

Then, a voice behind her, a whisper, What are you doing out? She turned to face the voice. And who are you?

Hermione's eyes were wide with disbelief. It was Sirius Black. What can I say?'

My name's Hermione, and I am going to find professor Dumbledore.

I've never seen you before. You could be anyone. I'm coming with you.

On cue three more voices piped up, So are we.

Wands out do you reckon? asked a boy who could only be James Potter. The others nodded and surrounded Hermione. It was a silent walk. The absence of speech did not, however, prevent them from looking at each other Hermione with frank curiosity, the others suspiciously.

They look so young, and so young.' It was unsettling.

Mars bar, said James, and there was no more time to look.