Chapter Two: Through Time and Change
Hermione returned to the Headmaster early on Christmas Eve as prepared as she could ever be for the events that lay ahead of her. It wasn't a difficult decision to make; when Dumbledore had asked her to decide if she would accept his mission, for his words of encouragement and his instruction that she was the only one able to complete the task, meant to her, that she had no other option but to say yes.
"Good morning Miss Granger," beamed Albus Dumbledore as Hermione stepped into his office. "I wasn't expecting you this early," he said with a brief gesture towards his steaming morning cup of tea which he held comfortably in his hands.
"I can always come back later Sir," she replied as she stepped backwards towards the door.
"No, no, Miss Granger, your early appearance represents your eagerness, and for that I am delighted."
"Oh good," smiled Hermione as she took up the same seat opposite Dumbledore that she had the previous evening.
"I trust that you are agreeing to participate in the task I have planned?" he asked.
"Yes, of course I'll do it," she replied with enthusiastic vigour. "Who else will ever get the chance to travel back in time by such a large amount of years?"
"I see you have a first-class outlook on the situation as ever Miss Granger," beamed Albus. "But I must iterate the importance of this mission's success."
"Of course, sir…but I still don't fully understand what it is I am required to do."
"It is simple really," answered Dumbledore his twinkling blue eyes seemingly to boring into Hermione's. "You must follow your heart whilst you are in the past, and block out your brain's protests to any event that may occur. Logic is not required for this mission Miss Granger, but your heart most definitely is. It is because you are unaware of what you have to do, that you will not openly seek certain requirements for success. To put it quite simply, I need fate and what is in here," he said as he brought his hand to his chest in a clenched fist, "to guide and assist you to achievement."
"So I'm not to use my head?" she asked in puzzlement.
"No, only your heart."
"Right," said Hermione, looking rather baffled at this explanation.
"Do not look so perplexed Hermione," chortled Dumbledore, "all will become clear when you return to us."
"Is there anything else I should be aware of before I leave sir?" asked Hermione, and once again Dumbledore smiled.
"You must return here two months after you arrive in the past, which will be Christmas Eve.
Despite of what relationships you form whilst you are there, no matter how happy you are in the past, you must leave when Christmas Eve arrives and my younger self calls you to my office. You must not tell anybody that you are leaving, and I now must reiterate once more, the importance of them never knowing who you are in the first place."
"I understand Professor," answered Hermione acutely.
"I hope you do Miss Granger, for failure is not an option."
Hermione gulped at the Headmaster's unusual austerity.
"Now," continued Dumbledore more characteristically as he passed the time turner which lay on his desk over to Hermione. "With each anti-clockwise turn of this time turner, you will be transported a year into the past. This is reversed with each clockwise turn," he added. "As such, you will need to make twenty turns anti-clockwise to visit the past and twenty clockwise to return to us."
Dumbledore reached into his pocket as Hermione made the first anti-clockwise turn, and pulled out a sealed envelope. "Give this to my younger self when you arrive in the past and he will answer any questions you may have. Good luck Miss Granger," he said on the nineteenth turn, "and follow your heart!"
Just as Dumbledore's words hit her ears, he vanished from sight. When she opened her eyes after blinking she was stood before the very same Albus Dumbledore, but twenty years younger.
"Professor Dumbledore sir," began Hermione shyly at Dumbledore's befuddled look, as she seeming appeared out of thin air. "This is for you."
Hermione promptly handed over the letter which the future Dumbledore had given her, and watched nervously as the younger man read over it. As the letter drew to a close, the Headmaster's expression malformed from confusion, to amazement and finally elation.
"Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Granger," beamed the younger Dumbledore, who gestured, as his older self usually did, to the leather chair before his desk where Hermione soon sat.
The chair, Hermione noticed, looked brand new and nothing like the rather worn looking one that she was used to sitting on in her time. As she let her eyes examine the room and its possessions, Hermione noticed that this comparison of old and new fitted almost everything. The circular office was far less cluttered than it was in the future and Hermione put this down to Dumbledore's tendency to accumulate all sorts of odd items over the years. Obviously his habit had not yet spiralled out of control!
As her eyes fell upon the Dumbledore before her, she noticed that even he was looking much less worn. His beard had yet to turn fully white and still held a subtle tone of ginger, and his face was far less creased than she was used to.
"Am I that different to the Dumbledore you know?" asked the Headmaster as he took note of Hermione observing him.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry if I was staring," said Hermione quickly, "it's just so peculiar to be here."
"I can assure you that I was as startled as you, but my future self's letter has put my confusion to bay. Well," he added humorously, "to a certain extent anyhow."
"He's a great man," said Hermione with a smile. "I mean, you're a great man…oh, I'm confused already!" she supplemented with a frown.
Albus Dumbledore chuckled heartily. "The letter which you have kindly passed onto me outlines what I am to do and similarly your plan of action."
"If you can call it that," muttered Hermione.
"I believe that my elder self would not have concealed information with regard to your mission if it wasn't prudent to do so, Miss Granger," informed Dumbledore as he stroked his greyish ginger beard thoughtfully. "From what it says, it seems that he, or rather I, am a big aficionado of yours."
"I know he wouldn't, but I can't help feeling a little disheartened that I don't know exactly what to do," replied Hermione who was speaking with regard to his first statement rather than the latter.
"One can only imagine how you feel Miss Granger. But," he sustained with a sigh, "we all face daunting tasks at some point in our lives and we just have to perform them to the best of our ability."
"I know and I'm ready for it," said Hermione determinedly. "Just a little apprehensive."
"The letter does say that you'd react with as much determination to succeed as you have already shown. Anyway Miss Granger, let us move swiftly on, for time is unfortunately not on our side. I am sure that you are aware of the rules that have been placed upon you."
"Yes Sir," replied Hermione. "I must follow my heart not my head, I must not tell anybody who I am or where I come from, and I must leave on Christmas Eve, which is in two months time, regardless of what friends I make and how happy I am here."
"And you will come to my office when I call you on Christmas Eve," added Dumbledore, "without telling anybody that you are leaving."
"How could I forget?" countered Hermione solemnly.
"Your efforts will prove priceless, Miss Granger, according to the words of my future self, and for that we are all indebted."
"I'm just happy to help," said Hermione with a broad smile. "Harry's always the one-"
Dumbledore cut Hermione of with a wave of the hand. "I don't think it is wise for you to mention the future or anybody in it," he said seriously.
"Of course, that was stupid of me," she said apologetically.
To Hermione's surprise Dumbledore did not disagree but instead continued swiftly.
"Now, as for the arrangements whilst you are staying here you will be placed into Gryffindor house of course and the seventh year. You will be appointed Head Girl so that you have your own rooms and are away from an excessive amount of prying eyes."
"Won't the current Head Girl mind?" she asked, not wanting to tread on anybody's toes so early in her new school.
"Unfortunately Miss Voxwell, the Ravenclaw Girl whom I selected Head Girl at the start of the year, was murdered by Death Eaters some two weeks ago, so the post remains, somewhat open."
"That's awful," exclaimed Hermione with teary eyes and with an underlying concern for the younger Dumbledore's unusual lack of compassion.
"Indeed," replied Dumbledore mournfully, but still less so than Hermione would expect. "She was an excellent student and a fantastic young woman."
"It's for reason's like that I'm going to help destroy Voldemort once and for all," said Hermione fiercely, who then blushed as an immediate result of her impulsive outburst.
Dumbledore smiled once more at her fortitude, briefly flashing his top row of flawless white teeth as he did so, but soon returned to the matter at hand in customary Dumbledore fashion. "Professor McGonagall will be arriving shortly to escort you to your rooms and to introduce you to the Head Boy," he informed astutely. "You will have an hour to unpack your things and settle in to your quarters, and then the Deputy Headmistress will return to introduce you to Gryffindor house as a whole."
"What shall I tell her about where I come from?" asked Hermione, who was not sure if the younger Professor McGonagall's position within both the Order and Hogwarts was as strong as the elders.
"Fawkes has already forwarded the letter which explains the situation to her, so she fully understands the circumstances and what is required of her. If you should have any queries or concerns during your stay here, you have permission to express them to either her or myself."
"Yes sir," answered Hermione with a nod. She couldn't help but notice how much more direct the younger Dumbledore was than the elder, and inwardly questioned whether this was preferred as the Headmaster she was used to, did tend to beat around the bush at times.
"One more thing Miss Granger, from now on, and during your stay with us, you will be known as Hermione May."
"Hermione May," mused Hermione intently. "I like it!"
"I'm glad to hear it," beamed Dumbledore, "because I'm afraid you have no choice on the matter."
A short moment later, Professor McGonagall entered the Headmaster's office and greeted Hermione with a broad smile.
"So you are the young lady who is visiting us from foreign lands," she said with a rich Scottish accent. "Tell me," she continued, "do I look as good in my old age as I do now, or do I look like the dried up old prune I fear?"
Hermione giggled at McGonagall's concern but answered as honestly as she could. "You look fantastic actually. You always do."
"Oh Albus I love her already!" beamed McGonagall as she pulled Hermione into a hug and showed none of the severity that the younger witch was used to. Clearly, personalities did alter with age.
"Minerva, when you have finished manhandling our guest, could you please escort her to her new rooms and introduce her to the Head Boy."
"Yes of course Albus," replied McGonagall, who nodded goodbye to the Headmaster and shortly led Hermione out of the wizard's office.
On the way up to the Head Girl and Boy's tower, Hermione was bombarded by questions and conversation by her head of house. It was strange for Hermione to talk to McGonagall in such a friendly manner as the elder witch was usually so reserved and seldom indulged in what one may call fruitless conversation.
"Here we are," said McGonagall contentedly as they reached the base of the tower, cutting off Hermione's explanation of the Holyhead Harpies future successes. "Your new home for the foreseeable future. I must pre-warn you," continued McGonagall in more serious tone, "the Head Boy will take some getting used to, and it would not bode well to expect a warm welcome from him. He's a Slytherin you see," added the Deputy Headmistress light-heartedly.
"Typical," huffed Hermione humorously in return.
Soon McGonagall was leading Hermione up a spiralling stair case and through a portrait which opened out into a large, warmly decorated sitting room.
"This is the common room which you will be sharing with the Head Boy," she explained as Hermione surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings with intrigue. "Your bedroom is to the left at the top of them stairs," she said gesturing towards a large spiral staircase which sat boldly in the centre of the wall opposite, "and your bathroom to the right. Oh and if anybody asks, you used to attend a private school, but circumstance means that you have had to join Hogwarts for your final year of compulsory education."
Hermione nodded in acknowledgement but was otherwise distracted as she looked around in search for another staircase. "Then where are the Head Boy's bedroom and bathroom?" she asked, seemingly ignoring the deputy headmistress's last instruction.
McGonagall regarded Hermione with a humorous expression before answering her question with a smile. "His bedroom is to the left," she said, once more pointing to the same staircase as before, "and his bathroom to the right."
Realisation hit Hermione square in the chest and with a hefty thud. "You mean we share?"
"Is that not the case in the Hogwarts you know?" asked McGonagall, who looked almost as confused as Hermione.
"Well no," explained Hermione, "everything is segregated other than the common room."
"Oh how times change," sighed McGonagall solemnly. "You see in our day, we trust the Head Boy and Head Girl to respect our trust, and therefore not get up to any hanky panky."
Hermione giggled despite herself and the Deputy Headmistress looked baffled once more at her outburst.
After a moment or two of hysterical laughter, Hermione's giggles suddenly caught in her throat as she caught sight of the figure that was bounding with large, familiar strides, down the spiral staircase which she now knew led to her new bedroom.
"Ah Severus," began McGonagall as the young, tall, dark haired wizard approached, "I'd like you to meet out new student and Head Girl, Miss Hermione May."
"Severus Snape," greeted the young boy lazily and without any sort of warm welcome at all.
Hermione's voice failed her as she opened her mouth to reply. It was a petrifying sight to see Professor Snape as a young man, and to hear his familiar, deep, silky voice coming out of such a young wizard. As she stood there observing him in astonishment, she couldn't help but notice how unconventionally handsome he was as a seventeen year old. His hair was the same as she knew it was like as an adult, except far less greasy and it fell in a way that framed his well defined face, rather than hide it like she was used to.
"Nice to meet you," said Hermione unsurely after a moment of awkward silence.
"Severus is a budding Potion Brewer, Miss May," informed McGonagall who was so blatantly trying to eliminate some of the discomfiture and spark some sort of conversation.
"Really?" replied Hermione, feigning surprise.
"I take it by Professor McGonagall's mention of that little fact, that you too are familiar with Potions."
"Oh yes, I simply love it!" said Hermione rather excitedly but Snape merely nodded in reply.
"I'll leave you two to get to know one another," informed McGonagall with a wink of support sent Hermione's way. "I'll return in two hours to escort you to Gryffindor where I will introduce you to your housemates."
Hermione heard Snape distinctly grunt as McGonagall mentioned her house. It seems his customary house prejudice was set in place at a young age.
The Deputy Headmistress left the room with a stiff nod towards both Hermione and Snape leaving them alone with their uncomfortable silence. Instead of attempting to break their silence, Snape pulled a book out of the bookcase, before settling down in an armchair before a blazing fire to read.
"So what house are you in?" asked Hermione quietly as she sat opposite Snape, and although knowing the answer, deemed her question the best and only way to at least get his attention for a minute or two.
"Slytherin," came the short reply, his eyes never leaving his page.
"I'm in Gryffindor," explained Hermione, "although the sorting hat did contemplate placing me in Ravenclaw you know."
"Is that so," drawled Snape in reply his interest clearly falling upon the page before him and definitely not her futile attempts at conversation.
"Are you looking forward to Christmas?" asked Hermione after yet another moment of silence and noting the exceptionally small Christmas tree which lay bare in the corner of the room.
'Typical Snape,' thought Hermione reverting her glance from the pathetic tree and back to Snape.
"Not particularly," answered Snape, his answer once again as concise as it could be and bordering on rudeness.
"Oh, it's a wonderful time of year!" exclaimed Hermione, causing Snape for the first time since McGonagall's departure to look up.
"Look, Miss May," said Snape firmly in a very Professor like manner, "I have reading to be getting on with that white noise emanating from your mouth is disturbing me," he drawled. "So please, occupy your time more productively and refrain from attempting to indulge in conversation with somebody who wishes not to be spoken to!"
"Fine!" huffed Hermione, who stomped out of the common room petulantly and up to her bedroom to unpack.
As he watched her leave, Severus Snape couldn't help feeling a little bit guilty for his abruptness due to the fact that the girl genuinely seemed tolerable. However, he had learned from his previous escapades with Lily Evans that getting close to any female Gryffindor would only lead to hurt, and so his attitude to his new room mate was simply his way of putting up walls around himself and preventing any harm that may come his way.
With a sigh, and resenting the guilt that was currently coursing through him, Severus placed his book back on its shelf and made his way up to the bedroom which he would now have to share with the new comer.
As he stepped into the room he noticed that Hermione was already unpacking her small bag of belongings and looked rather agitated.
"I apologise if I was a little short with you before," started Snape as he stepped over to Hermione unsurely.
"I'm used to it," she muttered, but of course Severus did not understand the true meaning of her words and instead interpreted them as she was used to being spoken to rudely by people in general.
"I just wasn't expecting to be sharing my rooms any time soon," continued the dark-haired young man as he helped himself to a seat on Hermione's bed. "It was just a little bit of a surprise."
"Well I was only trying to be polite," huffed Hermione as she folded her cloak up and placed it in the bottom of her wardrobe.
"I know," agreed Snape concisely and not revelling in the strange desire to apologise that was coursing through him
"It's okay," said Hermione as she held an outstretched hand out to him to shake. "New start?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied as he took her outstretched hand.
"So," asked Severus, "how come you came to Hogwarts?"
Hermione paused having not planned an answer for such questions so soon, but decided to tell him some truth.
"My parents were murdered by Voldemort," she explained with teary eyes. (This was true)
"I'm sorry," said Severus, and Hermione was sure that he had briefly glanced down to where his Dark Mark would be if he had already taken it.
"Dumbledore thought it best if I come to Hogwarts and stay under his protection should the Death Eaters come after me."
"It is the safest place to be," agreed Snape with what Hermione presumed was his attempt at a small, comforting smile.
"It just feels weird to be here," said Hermione honestly as she glanced around the rooms which would be her own and not 'their's' if she were back in her time.
"You'll get used to it," replied Severus. "I found it hard at first too, but I'm sure you'll make new friends and fit in fine."
Noticing the melancholy tone of his voice and with remembrance to what Harry had said after seeing Professor Snape's memories, Hermione knew this was not the case for him; he had never fitted in.
"I hope so," said Hermione, attempting a brief smile of her own. "I'm looking forward to our lessons tomorrow."
"What lessons do you like other than Potions?" asked Snape.
"Everything except for Divination really," she said honestly. "What about you?"
"The same. I have no time for Divination and it's a load of old twaddle if you ask me. Professor Fredwick, who's the Professor of that particular field here at Hogwarts, says that I simply do not have the aptitude for the subject thus refuses even let me in her classes."
Hermione laughed as she remembered Trelawney saying near enough the same thing to her in her third year.
"What did you get in your O.W.L's?" asked Snape after Hermione had stopped laughing.
"All Outstandings," she said with a proud smile. "And you?"
"The same."
"Well it seems you have a little academia competition now that I'm here," Hermione said with a smile.
"You have no chance Miss May," replied Snape firmly, no emotion readable in his stern black eyes.
"Oh we'll see," she said with pouted lips. "We'll see."
Thank you all for your encouraging reviews...keep them coming and I will, as always, aim to please :D