Hermione panted slightly as she reached the top of the steps up to the Headmaster's office, more from her shock at meeting the mass murderer in his youth and discovering his friendship with James Potter than from actually running up the stairs.
"Calm down Granger," she told herself as her breathing got even more sporadic, "you can't panic right now, you need to focus." Unfortunately, her little pep talk did nothing to slow down her breathing, as she continued to hyperventilate.
"My dear child, is everything alright?" came a stern but warm female voice.
Hermione looked up and almost began to cry at the sight of Professor McGonagall's familiar face. The older woman looked a little bit younger than in Hermione's memory, but that didn't matter as the young witch launched herself at her, quickly wrapping her arms around the woman.
Professor McGonagall was unsure what to do at first, but slowly enveloped the hyperventilating girl in her arms calming her down until she could be shepherded into the headmaster's office.
"Albus!" the woman's voice rang out, alerting the old bearded man at the desk to his visitors, "I found this young woman in a state of distress outside your office as I was headed out."
Hermione, who's breathing had slowed to a normal pace, was finally able to take in her surroundings just as the headmaster stood up and walked over.
Peering down at her from behind his half-moon spectacles, his eyes twinkling with a hint of wonderment, Albus Dumbledore smiled at Hermione warmly, before asking, "Well hello there, I don't believe we have met. I am Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. Who might you be?"
"My name," Hermione began slowly, still gathering her wits, "is Hermione Jean Granger. And I'm afraid I've landed myself in a bit of a predicament."
It had taken very little time to explain to two adults exactly what had happened, but it had taken quite some time before the headmaster and deputy headmistress had come up with a plan.
"Now, Miss Granger, it will take at least tonight and possibly another for an unspeakable to arrive here from the ministry to help you, and it may take even more to figure out how to send you back. Time-turner related mishaps happen quite often, and we have the ability to send people back to where they are supposed to be, but your instance is rather unique."
"How so Professor?" Hermione asked blinking up at Dumbledore inquisitively.
"Well," replied McGonagall gaining the frizzy-haired youth's attention, "while small time jumps occur fairly regularly, jumps over five years rarely happen, and you have jumped … how far was it you said again?"
"Well if it is 1973 as you said, that would be 20 years."
"Remarkable," said Professor Dumbledore, "Well no matter, seeing as it is Friday, I suspect you will be staying for the duration of the weekend. I will have a bed set up for you in the Gryffindor tower where Professor McGonagall can easily fetch you when the time comes. But for now, I suggest you join the student body for dinner as you are likely hungry from this whole ordeal. Minerva would you mind leading Miss Granger to the Great Hall as I draft a letter to the ministry?"
"Of course, Albus" Stated the transfiguration professor, standing and gesturing for Hermione to do the same.
When the two arrived in the Great Hall McGonagall brought Hermione over to the Gryffindor table.
"Miss McKinnon?" A young woman who looked to be a bit older than Hermione looked up from where she was talking to a red-headed girl. Hermione noticed a prefect's badge placed on the girl's lapel.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Miss McKinnon, this is Hermione. She is visiting Hogwarts for the weekend from a private wizarding institution that is thinking of possibly starting an exchange program." McGonagall began, using the story that the headmaster and herself had decided on earlier, "She will be staying in the Gryffindor Dormitory and I would like for you to take her there after dinner as well as answer any questions she might have about our school. Do you think you could do that?"
"Of course, professor," replied Marlene with a wide smile lighting up her olive face, "should be no problem at all."
"Thank you, Miss. McKinnon." McGonagall turned to Hermione and said, "I'll see you in the morning Miss Granger," before walking up to the professors table at the front of the hall.
"Which institution are you from?" spoke the red-head from beside Marlene.
"Oh," Hermione quickly realized that she didn't know the names of any private wizarding institutions.
"I'm from uh-, Caliban Academy" Hermione winced at the false name she came up with, "it's a little-known school on a hard to reach island in the Mediterranean."
"Like in Shakespeare? The Tempest" the red-head asked.
Hermione winced again, knowing she should have been vaguer, "Uh, yeah. Not many people know but Shakespeare was actually a wizard, the academy is pretty new, but they named it after The Tempest in tribute."
"That's really inter-" the girl was interrupted by a sudden thud as an arm wrapped around the shoulders of Hermione.
"Mione dearest," a familiar voice echoed out, "I just remembered where we met."
"Potter, don't you have eyes!" the fiery haired girl spat, "Hermione and I were obviously talking."
"I did notice that Lily," James spat back, "which is exactly why I came over here: to save her from you."
"Um," Hermione interrupted softly, "James did you just say you remembered where we met?"
James perked up and turned his head back towards her.
"Oh yeah," he said, "I remembered where I met you. It was first year, at Kings Cross Station. You asked me how to get through the barrier."
Hermione didn't have time to respond before Lily cut back in, "That's not possible, Hermione goes to a different school and has never been to Hogwarts."
James and Lily's conversation quickly devolved into and argument between just the two of them while Hermione ate her food in shock. Was this the same Lily that James Potter was going to marry? Was this Lily Potter, Harry's mother? From the looks of it, James and Lily couldn't stand each other in the slightest, how was poor Harry ever even born?
"They're always like this," said Marlene noticing Hermione's shocked expression, "If you are ready to head up to the dorms I can take you."
"Yes please," Hermione stated gathering her things and standing to follow Marlene out of the Great Hall. Leaving the still loudly arguing Lily and James to their own devices.
As they arrived at the portrait of the fat lady, Hermione realized how tired she was and a large yawn escaping her mouth as they climbed through the portrait hole.
"You must be tired," Marlene said with a small laugh, "all that travelling and culture shock that comes from experiencing a new and different school."
Hermione smiled shyly, "Yeah something like that."
"Well whenever you are ready to go to sleep the girls' dorms are just up those stairs, there should be an extra bed in the third-year dorm that you can use." Marlene stated smiling warmly again, illuminating her gorgeous olive complexion.
"Thanks" Hermione smiled back, "I think I will go there now. You are right, I am quite tired."
"Well sleep well Hermione."
"I'll see you tomorrow Marlene," Hermione stated before heading up the stairs to her bed.
As she lay on her bed waiting for sleep to overtake her, Hermione thought about the events of the day, but specifically the words of James Potter over dinner.
I remembered where I met you. It was first year, at Kings Cross Station. You asked me how to get through the barrier.
Hermione had asked a boy with messy black hair how to get through the barrier her first year, but it couldn't possibly have been James. Could it?
_oOo_
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or settings, I'm writing for fun.
AN: I think that simply by updating once this has become my longest story on here, but in my defense, I was in middle school and high school when I wrote those other ones. You guys should definitely let me know if this is any good and if you think I should keep going. Also, the title might change in the future because I'm not particularly attached to it.
