An Unknown World
Chapter Two
Her mind was on the blitz. She was hearing voices, she could see glimpses of people watching her, she just couldn't stay in focus. Remembering her apparition experience with Ginny, Hermione had trouble believing she was okay. But knowing she wasn't okay wouldn't help her situation. Assuming she was in the hospital wing, and the blurred blobs surrounding her were her friends, she couldn't understand why no one had noticed her struggling to wake. If she knew Harry and Ron, which she did, they would be pressuring Madam Pomfrey to administer every test in the book, but the people she was trying to make out – if they were in fact people – were doing nothing but watching her.
'Shouldn't they at least try and wake me up?' She knew they were probably doing all they could, it just wasn't a comfy position – not being in full control of her body.
Eventually after many attempts to open her eyes, move her body, even scream, she heard a voice of a woman she vaguely recognized. It was a stretch, but the tone of the woman was somewhat familiar to that of Madam Pomfrey's.
"Miss? Miss, can you hear me?"
'Yes.' By now Hermione had lost all reason to panic.
"Miss can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?"
'Now would we be in this dilemma if I could? Honestly, who are you?' She was now just plain annoyed. It wasn't until she heard another familiar voice that she calmed down – well calming down wasn't the exact term she would use, but her temper did cool down, her utter confusion on the other hand was no where near diminishing.
"Who's the bird?"
It was so frustrating. 'What do you mean, who's the bird? I go to school here! Who doesn'tknow me?' Then it hit her. That voice – she knew it, but once again it wasn't the same.
She watched as his body disappeared through the transparent material. Harry stood close by and watched in anger and disbelief. He was gone.
Slowly her eyes fluttered. Open. Closed. Open. Closed. When her mind went blank, when the past vision had finished, her eyes shot open and she couldn't help but speak the name that occupied her thoughts. "Sirius."
The room was full of people who she'd never seen before, and they were all arguing. But then it stopped. A boy with dark, shaggy hair walked closer to the head of the bed. He looked her in the eye, and said, "Yes?"
The room was silent, and all eyes were on Hermione and the boy. Thirty seconds or so had passed and a woman clad in white robes rushed to the side of the bed. She was probably in her mid-forties, but then again looks meant nothing in the wizarding world. Not only did she sound like Madam Pomfrey, she bore an extremely strange resemblance to her as well. But Hermione couldn't recall the school getting a new nurse. It wasn't in the letter. Maybe she was her niece.
The woman was making such a fuss, Hermione barely had time to worry about the fact that a seventeen year old boy had just responded to her calling out the name of Sirius Black – the name of a dead man.
"How are you feeling Miss?"
"Fine." Hermione tried to sit up, but fell back due to dizziness.
"Slow down Miss. You've been out for three days. You're in no condition yet." The woman reminded her so much of the older medi-witch, they even shared persistence characteristics. "Can you tell me your name Miss?" She asked with slight concern as she ushered the group of protesting students out of the room.
"Hermione Granger, but aren't I in the files? I go to school here. I'm the Head Girl."
"Lily Evans is our Head Girl. You've probably got a case of amnesia. You've probably already graduated and don't remember. Don't worry it's to be expected. Just a side effect from a potion I've given you."
"No! You don't understand! I'm Hermione Granger! I'm Head Girl, not Lily Ev- wait- who did you say was Head Girl?"
"Lily Evans."
"What?" As if she hadn't heard.
"Lily Evans is our Head Girl, and James Potter is our Head Boy. Do you recognize those names?"
Hermione didn't answer. 'James and Lily Potter – Head Boy and Girl? Am I dreaming? I have to be nuts, I just have to be. Lily and James can't possibly be Head Boy and Girl – they're dead.'
'Then who was that boy answering to the name Sirius?' Her conscious asked.
"Miss? Is everything okay?"
Hermione shook herself out of the trance, and looked at the woman with eyes full of fear and anger.
"Miss?"
"No. I'm not okay! I do not have amnesia! My name is Hermione Granger, I go to school here and I am Head Girl! Now where is Headmaster Dumbledore?"
The woman stared at Hermione as though her face had just turned a cerulean blue, until Hermione gave her a glare that would give McGonagall a run for her money.
Within minutes Dumbledore came strolling towards her cot with the woman behind him. Not that it was surprising at this point, but he did look at least twenty years younger.
"Ms. Granger I presume?"
"Yes. I really need to talk to you Headmaster. Is it possible to…" She glanced at the lady with an expecting look.
"Of course Miss. I'll be in my office Albus." With great composure the lady carried herself out of the room through a side door.
After seating himself on the bed next to hers, the Headmaster asked how she was feeling.
"I'm fine. Headmaster? Do you know who I am?"
"You're Hermione Granger."
"Yes, but would you have known that if that medi-witch hadn't told you?"
"Madam Pomfrey? Oh she didn't tell me."
"Wh- but then who?"
"A girl who claims to be your best friend."
Hermione gasped. "Ginny!"
"So she is you acquaintance then? Well I'm glad. That means we have figured out the problem here." The man had a huge smile on his face, a smile that Hermione wasn't returning.
"Headmaster? Have I gone back in time?"
"Well yes, but not just you, you're friend Ms. Weasley as well." His jovial composition was enough to throw Hermione over the edge.
"WELL? CAN YOU FIX THIS?"
"Ms. Granger please calm down; this has never happened before. I am to an understanding that you experienced a strange trip through apparition, and that you were on a running Hogwarts Express with no driver. The only way this actually makes sense to me is that someone wanted you two to come back in time. As to how to get you back, do not worry. I've got the staff working on it now. Just give it some time."
"Time? Time? This is supposed to be my seventh year! I have to take my N.E.W.T.s! What do you expect me to do?" She asked fretfully.
"Well Ms. Granger, I expect you to do just that. I, along with Ms. Weasley and yourself , have to expect the worst in this situation, and until the better situation comes out of hiding I don't see why the two of you can't go about life normally."
"Normally? Maybe because I've gone back in time, what? Twenty, twenty-one years? I don't think you understand. Lily and James Potter are my best friend's dead parents."
"Wow. Lily Evans and James Potter? Married? Well I can't say I didn't see that one coming."
"Headmaster! You're missing the point. In a matter of four years they'll be dead, and Harry will be an orphan! How am I supposed to sit around and play with his parents, when he's never met them?"
"Ms. Granger, please calm down. Now I assume Harry is their son?"
"Yes. But he's also the only person to survive the killing curse. He's the boy who lived, and in just a few short years you will hear a prophecy from Sybill Trelawney. It's a prophecy all about Harry. He's going to defeat Voldemort!" Hermione was now on the verge of tears.
"I see. Ms. Granger, how does Harry survive?"
"I'm not one hundred percent sure, but it's been said that the night Voldemort came to the Potter's house, he killed James instantly, and sought out Harry next. The only problem was when Lily got in the way. She was then killed only through the protection of Harry. It's not been proved, but if they would've handed him, Harry, over, their lives may have been spared."
"It is not uncommon for parents to fight for their offspring's safety Ms. Granger."
"It's just not fair." She said, looking away slightly.
"Nothing ever is. But I'm sure Harry would much rather have his two friends experience the company of his parents than no one at all." Dumbledore said with a sad-ish smile.
"You're probably right. I'll just have to make the best of it."
"Very well. I have already talked to Ms. Weasley, and due to the fact that neither of you have any family here – " this hit Hermione with a slight bit of shock. How would her mum and dad react? "I have allowed Ms. Weasley to skip her sixth year. That way when you two graduate you can stick together. That is if you are still here. We'll figure that out when the time comes. She had to prove her worthiness of the promotion, of course, but she excelled with flying colours. She told me she had you to thank for that." Hermione blushed and smiled. "Now, as for your houses, I don't see why you can't stay in Gryffindor. I'm sorry I can't let you be Head Girl, though I'm sure you have much further topics on your minds, but I'm looking for a replacement prefect as Loretta Johnson has transferred out of Hogwarts for her seventh year. Presuming I gave you the Head Girl spot twenty years down the line I have no trouble giving you this position. You may talk to Remus Lupin for instruction. Do you know Mr. Lupin?"
"Yes. He was a former professor of mine, and now – well now he's just a good friend."
"Hmm… ah the future."
"It's not all it's cracked up to be I'm afraid."
"When is it ever? I do have one more point to discuss, however. Now I understand your position, but these are not the best of times Ms. Granger. I urge you to value the secrets you and Ms. Weasley hold. It is, of course, your information to tell, but I advise you to use extreme caution." He said warningly.
"I will Headmaster."
"Then I will leave you to rest."
"Thank you – oh and is it possible to see Ginny?"
"Of course. I will send her in. She's been asking about you for quite a while you know?"
In the time it took Ginny to arrive Hermione had fallen asleep.
"Hermione?" Ginny then realized her soft whispering was completely unnecessary. Deciding that it would be okay to give her friend a little tap on the shoulder, she tried again. "Hermione?"
Hermione's eyes shot open and she found the youngest of the Weasley clan hovering over the bed. Hastily pushing herself off the mattress, she immediately fell back. "Oh my head."
"Slow down Hermione. You just woke up. How are you doing otherwise?"
"Oh Gin, I had the worst dream! I dreamt that you and I went back in time to 1976, and Harry's mum and dad were alive and Head Boy and Girl. Oh and Sirius was alive! Dumbledore said that time travel had never happened in his time and they had no idea how to get us back, and we probably would have never seen Harry or Ron again, and not to mention our mums and dads - oh I'm just glad it was a dream." Ginny looked at her best friend without any emotion. She had no idea how to break the news to her. "Ginny isn't that silly?" Ginny looked down at her hands. "Gin?" Hermione jokingly laughed. "Ginny what's wrong?"
"Um… Hermione, I don't know how to tell you this, but that wasn't a dream."
"What?" Ginny didn't feel the need to repeat her sentence, she knew it would only make it worse. "So we're stuck here?" Ginny nodded. "Great. What about Harry and Ron? What about our parents? Will we ever see them again?"
"I'm not sure. Listen, Hermione. This can be a horrible experience if we let it be, but we have to accept it. If we ever get back home, Harry is going to want to know what his parents were like. Who knows maybe we can save them!"
"But we can't change history Ginny. You know that. It's not allowed."
"How will anyone ever know? If we save his parents now, then Harry will grow up with them all his life. Think of how great that would be!"
"So, what – we save his parents, then go home and bam Harry's parents come out of nowhere and nobody suspects anything due to the fact that, oh I don't know, they've been missing for the past sixteen years? Ginny it's so far-fetched!"
"Well that's not the point at the moment. The point is, if we have this chance, we should savor it. For Harry's sake."
"You're just saying that because he's your boyfriend again."
"And did I mention that he's your best friend?"
"Minor detail." Hermione smiled.
"That's it. Smile. That's the way it should be. Come on Hermione. This can be a blast. We get to go to school with the Marauders, and actually torment Snape. Think of it. All those years of anguish with him and now we get our oh so sweet revenge."
Hermione giggled at the thought of actually repaying her darling potions master for all those years of misery. She knew it was out of the question, but nobody said thinking was illegal.
"I guess you're right. Heck I already had this conversation – I think- with Dumbledore. I have to look on the bright side. If we ever get out of this, we'll have tons to tell Harry. Not to mention how it would look if we were the only two people to ever succeed in time travel."
"Now there's the Hermione Granger I know. Always looking for a way to gain experience and knowledgeable admiration."
"Alright. I should probably get some rest. Madam Pomfrey said I should be allowed to get out of here tomorrow if I'm up to it."
"Well then… I will see you tomorrow."
The two friends exchanged a warm-felt hug, and Ginny walked out of the room leaving Hermione to fall into another exhausting sleep.
Dear Mum and Dad,
We got our letters today. I'm Head Girl; no biggie I suppose. I'm just worried as to who the Head Boy will be. I hope it's one of the boys. I don't know if I could deal with an incompetent stranger. Not to mention I've not kept up with my records so I have no idea who has what marks. If only I had been stricter with myself I could probably figure it out for myself. Whoever said "progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things" needs their head examined. Oh well I'll just have to find out tomorrow like everyone else. We're probably going to head into Diagon Alley soon to get a few bits and pieces. Oh! Did I tell you I learned to fly? Well learned is an overstatement, but I did it nonetheless. I'll have to take you guys one time – if I can muster the courage to sit on a broom again. I think this year will be a good one. The war will be ending soon – hopefully. It'll be tough, but it has to end sometime or other, and we can't have you-know-who traipsing around like a blue-assed fly now can we? Fingers crossed, and don't worry I will be absolutely fine. I love you both to bits. Talk soon!
Hermione xoxo
"Hermione!" Harry yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "Hermione! Come on we're leaving!"
"Coming!" She attempted to stuff the letter in an envelope, but deciding she could send it when she got back she left it on the desk.
Later that night when the group returned from a day of shopping, Hermione had forgotten about the letter. They were going to celebrate, and who had time for letters at a time like that?
The next morning was a busy one. Hermione rushed to pack her small rucksack with her small commodities for the train ride – mainly books – and realized she had forgotten to send the letter. Knowing that Hedwig and Pig were both put away already, she decided to chuck the letter in the bin and just write another more up-to-date letter on the train ride, and use either Hedwig or Pig then.
Hermione woke up in a cold sweat. She'd never written her parents that letter. Her one chance to speak to them – though she did lack the face to face contact that usual conversations held – and she had inadvertently forgotten. She realized it was typically out of the question to send a letter now; she didn't think her mum and dad would find it amusing to receive a letter from their future daughter. No – there was enough drama going on already, besides they weren't even married yet. Who knew if they knew about each other's existence yet – she was never one to ask questions about her parents prior love life. Now she was stuck in a different dimension, and the last thing she'd talked about – or had planned to talk about – was how she hoped they would win the war.
'Heartfelt Hermione, real heartfelt.'
She looked about the empty infirmary and noticed it hadn't changed at all, this was of course considering the fact that the last time she had spent any real time in the hospital wing she was petrified. The huge stained glass windows were illuminated with sunlight, and the room was immaculately clean. Each bed was stationed precisely five feet from the next, their duvets turned down, with a bedside table and lamp next to each. The tactful masonry floors had not one speck of dust on them, and she could have sworn to have seen medicine bottles putting themselves away the night before. It was as if she were still in her own time. Then Madam Pomfrey walked into the room and reality hit her.
"Good morning Ms. Granger. I'm sorry to hear of your situation. If Dumbledore would have informed me of the situation I would have taken your case much more to heart."
"Don't worry about it. I was just a little flabbergasted I guess."
"Well that's all in the past now, how are you feeling today?"
"Much better."
"Do want to test the waters and take a walk around the infirmary? I think it will do you some good. If your okay with walking I'll be happy to discharge you around lunchtime."
Hermione slowly stepped out of her bed. So far so good. The floor was cold to touch, and her bare feet flinched at the chilly brickwork. After successfully taking three laps around the room Madam Pomfrey signed her out of the hospital wing. She would need to take one more potion and after an hour of distribution she would be free to go.
Around eleven-thirty Hermione stepped out of the hospital wing and onto the first floor. This was different. Last time she checked the hospital wing had been on the third floor. It had completely slipped her mind that in her fifth year the wing had moved to the third floor, and that before that it had been located on the first floor, down the hall from Professor McGonagall's office.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, 1976." She said to herself, as she headed in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.
After climbing the seven or so flights of stairs to the location of the Gryffindor tower, Hermione ran into a certain unexpected person, or rather an unexpected soul.
"Sir Nicholas! It's so nice to see you!"
"Ah! It's nice to see you to – pardon me dear, excuse me for asking, but who are you?"
Hermione laughed to herself. "I'm Hermione Granger, you don't know me – yet, but you will. I'm –"
"Ah yes. You're one of the girls the staff won't shut up about. So… you're from the future eh?"
"Yes, but I ask that you don't say that too loud. I don't want anyone knowing at the moment."
"No worries my dear. Don't worry; Dumbledore has already given us the threat that if we tell, it'll be him we'll be answering to." Hermione smiled at her house ghost. "So I hear you're a Gryffindor. Welcome, welcome!"
"Thank you! Glad to be here."
"I say, would you mind telling me something my dear?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Hermione knew what was coming. "I'm sorry Sir, but you've still not been accepted."
"Damn Headless Hunt! I'll get them one day, you watch!" Hermione smiled, as the sheer figure flew off in a rage.
'It was nice talking to you again,' she thought. Then turning to face the portrait of the fat lady, she realized she didn't know the password. 'Bugger! What am I supposed to do now?' "Um, excuse me miss."
"Do you have the password?"
"Well… um… no, but you see the problem is I'm new, and Dumbledore never told me the password, so if you could just open the door for me that would make my day!"
"I'm sorry; no password, no entry."
"Pandora's Crest." The voice came from behind, and scared the living daylights out of Hermione. Turning around, she soon found it to be none other than the boy who had claimed to be Sirius Black the day before. He saw her turn, and put a huge smile on his face, "Hello. Remember me?"
Hermione was speechless. Harry's godfather, the man whose death she had witnessed firsthand, was standing in front of her – speaking to her! "Uh…" It suddenly dawned on her that he was probably looking for a reply. "Yes!"
"Well I've never had quite an enthusiastic response, but it's nice to know somebody gives a damn about me… then again what am I saying, who doesn't want a piece of this?"
'Same old Sirius I see.' Hermione thought. Then she realized, she couldn't spill her secret. It had to be kept, and as much as it would pain her to hold her tongue, she had to. "Sirius right?"
"Sirius Black. My friends call me Padfoot, or Pads, but only my closest friends."
"Then why would you tell me that information. You hardly know me." She turned around and realized that her tone was tiny bit on the harsh side, so she turned back around, thanked him for the password and vanished into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Sirius watched as the "new" girl walked into his house common room. "Hmm… tricky."
So how'd you like it? Please, please, please review! I love you all lots! Hpobsessor (Dominique) Loved it, DOM!!! 33 Your LOVLEY Beta….hahaha. Here, want a cookie? 'Cause you know, if you review, you get a cookie… and I know for a FACT that virtual cookies are WAY better than normal cookies! You don't get any of the calories!!! Hahah, okay, I'm shutting up now.