A/N: Like promised, here is the second chapter. Please review! Lets show them that D/Hr is still strong!

It was dark, and very humid.

What the hell is going on? What have I done? She thought frantically to herself. She stood up and looked around; all she saw was trees. Did she just transport herself into the Forbidden Forest? Hermione did not allow fear to consume her, although, it was trying to break through her defenses. Being lost in an unfamiliar forest was no stranger to her; she spent what was supposed to be her seventh year in Hogwarts on the run from Death Eaters. The difference was then, she had Harry and Ron, now, she was alone. She took a deep breath; there was absolutely nothing to be worried about. England was an island, a small one at that, she would just keep walking until she hit a town or a main road. Thankfully, she had her wand in the inside pocket of her Ministry robes. When dealing with dark artifacts from former or deceased Death Eaters, it was imperative to keep wands very close at all times.

Hermione used the Four Point spell and started walking North, to what she hoped would be civilization. The dark forest was not as foreboding as it first appeared. It was teeming with wildlife; there was nocturnal birds speaking to each other in the canopy above, while rodents and other small animals darted between bushes with hopes of not being eaten. The full moon overhead lit her way perfectly, and the humidity in the air caused the night blooming flowers to envelope her in their musky scent. Hermione sighed dejectedly, it was quite romantic. She thought about her dinner tonight with Draco, and hoped feverishly that he made good on his threat to come get her at work. If he went to both places of work and home and she was not there, he would surely get in contact with Harry or Ginny.

She walked for almost an hour when she first heard the voices, very low and far away, but she was positive the sounds were not from animals of the sleeping forest. Casting a Disillusionment Charm on herself, she crept forward quietly. She couldn't be too careful as there were still people that were sympathetic to the Dark ways, and she was very recognizable. The voices were becoming louder and clearer, and she gave a thought to just going around the voices. What people of good rapport would be gallivanting in the middle of the forest at this hour?

"Charles?" a girl's melodic voice rang out playfully through the trees. "Charles? Where are you?"

Hermione looked around, not wanted to bump into anything that would give her position away. "Charles," the girl called out again, her voice less playful. "This isn't very funny, you know how fearful I am of the dark."

"Darling," the boy named Charles' replied to the girl. "You need to find me."

Hermione observed the girl, and a trickle of fear rolled down her spine. She was dressed in a front-laced half-sleeved gown with bands of red-gold and black brocade and ruffled cuffs that displayed her chemise cuffs beneath. She prayed to every deity imaginable that she was about to intrude on a very realistic costume party.

"Charles, this is childish, I am going back to court." The girl turned and started walking away from Hermione. "The Queen will miss me, you know how she hates when I away from her."

As the young girl started walking away from the place Hermione first spotted her, the boy came from behind a tree, not too far from where she stood, and pinned her to another tree. "The Queen can only dream of doing this." He bent his head down to kiss her. The girl gasped in mock outrage, but soon was returning his kiss. "Please." She turned her head to gasp for air. "We mustn't!"

"You didn't think I brought you out here for a few kisses," he muttered, his face buried in her neck. "We are almost betrothed, married in a few months, we can taste each others passions before then." His face moved down to the swell of her breasts, ripping the delicate silk away from the corset.

"Charles!" The girl shrieked. "You will behave your self this instant!" She started to push him away. "There will be joining of our families, you are a swine!"

His eyes narrowed into slits, "Whore!" he snarled, pushing her to the ground. "Filthy, quay side whore!" She tried to scramble away from him. "You lead me around by the cod piece for months only to deny me now?" Her huge skirt was a hindrance, preventing her from getting up. "Marie, you will give me what I want."

Hermione knew what she had to do; she was not going allow this to happen, not if she could help it. She raised her wand to cast a hex on the predator, but right then, Marie spoke, "You have no idea how sorry you are going to be if you do not walk away right now Charles Devonshire, I will see to it that you will not ever do this to another woman again."

Hermione hesitated, but kept her wand at the ready as he started to walk towards her.

"REDUCTO!" A bright light filled the clearing and momentarily blinded Hermione. When her vision cleared, she saw Charles writhing in agony, holding his privates on the floor a few yards away. Marie was on her feet and she was-- Hermione breath caught in the throat-- she was holding a wand!

Marie glared disdainfully at Charles and started to walk away. Hermione, who was momentarily stunned, found her voice. "Please!" she choked out. "Wait"

Marie spun around, skirts swishing, wand at the ready. "Who is there?" she growled into the night. "Show yourself!"

Hermione took off the Disillusionment charm, revealing herself to the astonished witch. "Please, don't be scared!"

Marie was used to seeing people appear out of thin air, but she knew all the wizards that lived in England, and this woman was unfamiliar to her. "Who are you, explain yourself." She gripped her wand harder. "Quickly!"

Hermione didn't have time to feel frightened that a wand was now pointing at her, she was too busy feeling relieved that she found another person like her to help find her way back to the Ministry. "My name is Hermione Granger," she started quickly. "I was working in Ministry of Magic when I came across an old incantation of some kind. I read it aloud in error, and I was transported here. I have been walking for close to an hour in hopes of finding a Muggle with a phone or another wizard with a fireplace so that I can floo myself back home, or to the office."

"How do I know you are not apart of the Inquisition?" Marie asked, her voice was still suspicious, but Hermione noticed that her grip on her wand loosened considerably.

"Ask me anything," she pleaded desperately.

"Name the founders." Marie hesitated, was this a trap?

Hermione felt the relief wash over her. "Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. They founded the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 10th Century, or so it is believed."

Marie was astounded. When the Inquisition questioned those suspected for witch craft, they were mostly asked if they owned black cats and all other types of nonsense. "You are correct," she stuttered. "But, we do not floo here, in the palace, for fear of being caught." She lowered her wand and stared at Hermione, her suspicion turned to curiosity. "Where are you from? Why are you walking in the forest alone?"

"I was sitting in my office at the Ministry." Hermione started rubbing her temples with frustration. "I was sorting through all the items in Snape's vault, and I was cataloguing a diary I found in there when a piece of parchment fell to my lap. I was so preoccupied with other things, I read the incantation aloud, and here I am!"

"I do not understand. Who is Snape, and why were you going through his personal affairs?" Marie asked, putting her wand in a hidden fold in her skirt.

Hermione's eyebrow went up. "Severus Snape? Potions teach at Hogwarts? Surly you must have had heard of him?"

"I am sorry, I have not. Classes at Hogwarts have been canceled until we know Phillip won't go about burning people at the steak for witch craft," Marie spat, she harbored a great dislike towards the future King.

"Burning?" Hermione breathed, "Who is burning?"

"Were have you been?" Marie asked incredulously. "Queen Mary has been hanging and burning all those poor Protestant people these past months. Quite primitive if you ask me."

Hermione choked back a sob as her hand flew to her mouth. "What year are we in?"

Marie thought it was a very odd question to ask, but figured the girl must have been tired from walking through the forest. "It is the year 1554."

Hermione fought to hold on to her consciousness. "I do not understand-" she stuttered. "I need to sit down." She fell to her knees. "This can not be happening!"

Marie rushed to her side. "I do not know who you are, but it is clear you are one of us. My family and I are one a handful of wizarding families left in London. Come, I will take you to our house and you will explain to me your plight in private."

Marie pulled her want out and apparated to her family's home which was situated on the Thames River. Perfectly situated a short barge ride away from Richmond Palace, they were the envy of most of the nobility who had to sleep in small, cramped rooms within the palace. Marie and her family always had the option of going to their warm, comfortable home. They apparated to Marie's room. It was a cozy place, with a dominating four-poster bed taking up half the room. The walls were a beautiful peach color with gilded panels surrounding the large stained windows.

"Incendio," Marie muttered lowly toward the large fireplace, while helping Hermione to the bed. "I can not stay with you right now, but you will find safety within these walls." Hermione could only look at her with wide, shocked eyes. "I am Lady In Waiting for the Queen, and I also happen to be a favorite, I can not dawdle here. I will return when we set her to bed, we will talk then."

Hermione's only response was to nod. "I will tell the servants to send something to eat." Marie walked over to her large wardrobe and pulled out a long, silk, cream colored nightshirt. "Put this on, and please do not use magic here. The servants are Muggles, and we tire of casting memory charms. 'Tis a dangerous time we live in, and we must be more careful than ever before."

Marie turned to leave when Hermione finally found her voice. "Please," she crocked. "What is your name? How can I thank you?"

She smiled, and two deep dimples appeared on her peachy skin. "My name is Marie DeMarsico. Welcome to my home." She gave a small curtsey and left the room.

Hermione could only stare at the closed door. Marie DeMarsico, the owner of the diary that held the spell that transported Hermione 450 years in the past. She buried her face in her hands, what was she going to do? She didn't know where to start! Thank Merlin she found a magical family that may be able to help her, and there was also Hogwarts. The Headmaster, whoever he was at the time, Hermione couldn't be bothered to try and recall at this moment, should be able to help her. Panic gripped her, what if she could never go back? Would anyone know what happened to her? How would this affect the War that would happen between Harry and Voldermort?

A knock on the door made her yelp in fright, and she half ran across the room. "Who's there?"

"Nancy, my Lady," a soft voice called out from the other side of the heavy oak door. "Lady Marie sent me up with dinner and to help you with your attire."

Hermione opened the door and stepped to the side to allow the young girl in. She was flanked by two other servants that carried the silver trays to the table. "My Lady instructed me to help with your evening attire, do you require a bath?"

Hermione never felt so out of place in her life. She knew the work that went into 15th century bath; the men would bring out a big oaken tub, while having to bring up buckets and buckets of water. After they were done, the maid would literally wash you from head to toe. Being a person that liked to have her personal space respected, Hermione declined a bath, as a simple cleaning spell after they left would do the job perfectly. "I thank you, but I think I will just have my dinner and retire to bed." There, that should sound like nobility.

"Yes. My Lady, would you require any other services for the remainder of the night?" Nancy asked as she dished out Hermione's dinner.

"No, that will be all, thank you," she replied with a smile. As Nancy left the room, Hermione approached the dinner with trepidation. 15th century foods, according the books she read, were not always the most savory meals.

Bloody hell, was she wrong. There was shepherds pie, packed with a flavorful minced meat, a hard cheese paired with soft, crumbly bread and cold mead to drink. The meal, simple as it was, filled Hermione quickly. She sat back and patted her stomach appreciatively. That was amazing, she thought to herself. She quickly changed into the nightshirt that Marie left her and climbed into bed. Too high strung and nervous to sleep, Hermione soon left the bed and started to pace the room, anxious for Marie to return. She didn't have to wait long; an hour after Hermione finished her dinner, there was a small sound of a crack, and Marie appeared in the center of the room.

"Marie!" Hermione exclaimed, relieved that she was finally back. "You are here! Finally!"

She smiled. "You seem to be very lucky, Hermione, the Queen was very tired and retired to her chambers early."

"You need to help me," Hermione started, walking towards to bed. "I need to get back."

Marie strolled behind a decorative changing screen on the far side of the room. "Before we even tackle helping you, I need to know what happened to you." She emerged from behind it, wearing a similar nightgown as Hermione. "I spoke briefly to my mother and father about you, they were quite angry that I brought a stranger in our house, but I assured them you were also a wizard. Unfortunately, they both hold high offices within the chambers, and they will be held there until the morning. My mother is quite anxious to meet you."

Hermione sat on the edge of the bed while Marie climbed to the center. "My name is Hermione Granger. I was born on September 19, 1979."

Marie gasped her hand flying to her heart. "A time traveler? It cannot be! How is that possible?"

Hermione rubbed her temples. "You really will not believe me if I told you."

The younger girl grabbed her wand and cast a silencing spell on the door, then she ran to the windows and closed them as well, and she turned to Hermione. "These are dangerous times, Hermione, we can never be too careful. Now please, tell me what happened?"

Sitting on the bed, facing each other, Hermione sat cross legged hugging a pillow.