Chapter 3.

Stuck

Hermione woke up in the Hospital bed and kissed the sterile pillow at the sight of familiarity. Everything was okay! She had obviously fainted when the train stopped. Harry probably came looking for her and brought her to Madam Pomfrey as soon as they arrived at Hogwarts. The Marauders were just a dream! She was looking forward to telling Harry about this dream and wondered if he would visit after the feast tonight. She saw the double doors to the Hospital Wing open and a bearded wizard enter. He approached her with a twinkle in his eyes. Hermione's eyes traveled up to his face and her eyes widened.

"Ms. Granger I presume?" The younger wizard asked. He was wearing his signature half-moon shaped spectacles.

"Professor D-Dumbledore" Hermione puttered out

"Ah, see this is where I am confused. We have never met. Maybe I should ask, when will we meet?" Dumbledore winked as he picked up the Time Turner from the night stand.

And so she told him what happened. Hermione knew this brilliant wizard was her only chance of returning home. She didn't tell him why she was going back in time for obvious reasons. When she finished she looked at him with hopeful eyes. "So, can you help me get back home?" She asked.

"I'm afraid Ms. Granger, I cannot. Not yet at least. I have seen Time Turners before but this one is obviously very advanced. I also have a feeling that time turners do not turn forward? Unless they have found a way?" Dumbledore spoke in a gentle tone. She shook her head no, feeling distraught.

"Well Ms. Granger, my only solution is to have you attend school until we figure some things out. You are already in Gryffindor robes so no need to sort you again. You look like you are in your 6th year? I will see to getting all your books, clothes and supplies so don't fret. I will speak to Professor McGonagall, your head of house and sleeping arrangements shouldn't be a problem. Now, we have a welcome feast to attend! I will announce that you will be attending Hogwarts for the remainder of your education." He smile down at her and Hermione returned one. She was terrified but also genuinely excited. "As far as a background story, well I'm sure you are clever enough to come up with something." He said with a twinkle in his eyes.

They walked into the Great Hall and all heads turned to Dumbledore and the mysterious new girl. Hermione would have loved to hide her head in a book. Hermione grew stiff as they approached the Gryffindor table.

"Just the boys I was looking for. I know you have met Hermione earlier and I was hoping you four could take her under your wing! Show her the ropes! And perhaps refrain from pranking her." Dumbledore addressed the Murauders with a wink.

"Of course sir! Not to worry! Here, sit by me!" Sirius said with a handsome smirk on his face. Hermione sat down next to him and refrained from looking at James Potter, who was sitting directly across from her. He looked so much like Harry that her heart literally ached. She barely listened to Dumbledore's speech to the school until she heard her name. Every eye was once again on her as he explained her presence. Remus was sitting on her right. She looked up from her hands and caught him starring at her. He blushed beet red when she gave him a small smile and once the food appeared she was feeling a little lighter.

"I'm Peter by the way. Peter Petigrew." Peter reached out to shake her hand and Hermione felt her stomach drop. She returned the shake but couldn't look him in the eye.

"Oh. Mione I'm so sorry we didn't introduce our selves. I'm James Potter and this is Remus Lupin. I hear you've met Sirius. He's a bit of a git. Ow!" James said as Sirius punched his arm for the comment.

The three Marauders laughed at James and turned their attention back on Hermione.

"Don't worry about it, but wait…what did you just call me?" Hermione had a flash of Harry and Ron's faces.

"Mione! We like to have nicknames for each other. No offense but Hermione is a mouthful. Ow!" James earned a kick under the table from Remus. "Can we stop abusing me? Please! Quidditch Trials are coming up!" James said while the table sniggered.

Hermione returned to her Dormitory exhausted emotionally and physically. She knew Lilly was sharing a dorm with her but wasn't ready to face her again. She shut the curtains around her bed. She thought about what Ron and Harry must be thinking. She even allowed the thought of what older Remus was thinking. Would he remember that I had come back to 1976? That I was in school with him? She finally drifted to sleep.

Hey ya'll! This is my first Fanfiction. I'd love to hear some feed back. Sorry this chapter is so short but I promise the story will start picking up more in the next couple of chapters. This story is definitely going to multi chapters. Anywho! Thanks for reading and I promise to update later today or tomorrow!

-Sierraemilie