Hi, everyone, this is the new chapter. I am so sorry for the previous one, where I suddenly switched from third person to first person, that was exhaustion talking. Sorry if it was confusing, hope I won't do it again (embarrassing). Anyway, wanted to thank Nutters4Potter and Melora for their reviews and encouragement. And thanks everyone for reviewing and reading. I hope you like this weird idea.

Chapter 3: No way home

It's not as if she was that naïve. He had given her a book. Severus Snape, her hateful, misanthropist teacher, who had indirectly insulted her so many times, had bought her a book. Surely this must have some effect on the future! She groaned frustrated. She had never meant to cause this much trouble.

If before she had thought Snape might not have recognized her during classes, now it seemed almost suspicious that her teacher had not remarked the fact that he had once bought a book for her. And even if they were confusing her with another student who had previously studied at Hogwarts, wouldn't he have remarked on the striking resemblance?

Apparently not.

'Merlin, this makes no sense,' she thought putting her head in her hands.

She wanted to go back right now. She knew she should, but… there were so many questions in her head! Would they ever find a plausible answer? I mean it's not like things like these happened every day. This entire accident must have a purpose.

Her feet were almost frozen in the snow, but she didn't want to move, she wanted to stay there and think, until she found a solution for this anomaly.

'I wonder if Harry and Ron are worried…I wonder if they noticed I am gone.'

She looked at the steps he had left in the snow and she cursed internally. Why had he been kind anyway? He didn't know her… or did he? Did he know this Eliza? Maybe just as another Hogwarts student he saw on the corridors.

And yet again her curiosity was piqued. Who was this Eliza?!

At length she got up, half-heartedly and started walking mechanically towards Three Broomsticks. He found Mary-Anne at the entrance.

'I was just about to look for you,' she said sighing relieved. 'Frank and Alice are inside, they saved us seats.'

Three Broomsticks had not changed all that much; well Madam Rosmerta was a good deal younger and therefore courted by some older Hogwarts students, but beyond that the tables, the soft lighting, the buzzing in the air, the warm butterbeers… everything was the same. And she was grateful for it.

She sat down with Mary-Anne and the two future Longbottoms. They were so calm and friendly, no wonder they were such a good match. They completed each other's sentences and seemed to know right away what the other wanted.

Hermione felt a nice, warm feeling inside seeing them so happy, but then she recalled the future, she recalled what would happen to them, the tragedy, the cruel unfairness of the world. She wanted to tell them everything, to warn them, to shout, to cry, but she couldn't. Such transgressions of time laws were not permitted, notwithstanding her desire to protect them from harm.

'I don't think his mum will ever forgive me for having almost smashed her favourite grand-father clock. I was so embarrassed,' Alice was saying as she retold her Christmas holiday at Frank's house.

'Nonsense! Mum adores you. In fact, she would switch between us if she could,' Frank said laughing. 'She even wanted you to break some more.'

'Well, maybe next time I'll oblige her. You ought to see Eliza, she has the rarest collection of birds,' Alice told Hermione.

Hermione's eyes snapped up alerted. What did she mean? Was Eliza fond of animals, in particular birds? But she couldn't ask that, heavens no.

'Oh, do tell,' she encouraged her smiling shyly.

Alice started talking about the species of birds and Hermione could only nod and ransack her memory for knowledge of these birds. It wasn't awfully fascinating, but it was interesting to hear about it. Eliza wasn't half bad if she had some passions.

'The blue vulture's bite is deadly I hear, but it's just such a majestic bird that frankly, you couldn't care. I couldn't touch it, but I'm sure that when we're in the Department we'll be able to examine them thoroughly,' Alice said enthusiastically.

'What Department?' Hermione asked curious. 'You mean…at the Ministry?'

'The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, which else? You haven't changed your options, Eliza, have you?'

'Oh, no, trust me, it's all she ever talks about,' Mary-Anne said sardonically.

'That's good, I wouldn't want to apply there alone. Though Frank keeps telling me I should file for Auror.'

'Well can you blame me? You're brilliant at Defense Against the Dark Arts.'

Hermione understood; Alice and Eliza both wanted to work with Magical Creatures. That was Eliza's big ambition. Oh well, it was challenging.

As their conversation continued on the same note, the door flew open and in came the dreaded Gryffindor group she knew well; James, Sirius, Lupin and…Pettigrew.

They all sat at a table close by, being as loud and boisterous as possible. Frank and Alice waved at them and they instantly turned their attention to their table.

'Nice seeing you here Longbottom, Mary-Anne…er…Eliza?' Sirius said nodding politely.

Hermione was positively terrified, remembering their introduction earlier that day.

Probably sensing her anxiety, Mary-Anne patted her hand and whispered in her ear.

'Act normal, you don't want James to think you're too happy he's here.'

Hermione really wanted to shake the girl and tell her she had absolutely no interest in James Potter, but for the time being she just turned her back on the boys' table and focused on her drink.

From time to time, she sneaked a peek at Pettigrew. He looked so normal, cheerful and harmless, but she knew better than to trust the rat-faced Death Eater.

Sirius was talking animatedly with Mary-Anne and Alice was telling Lupin something about professor McGonagall. All that racket made her feel very uncomfortable, so she got up and went to the bathroom.

She stalked to the sink, but she almost jumped back when she looked in the mirror. How had she not noticed this? It was unbelievable!

She almost couldn't recognize herself. Yes, it was her, but her hair was much darker, her face longer, her eyes were a bland sort of grey and the general impression was very different. She looked sort of mopey.

The door was opened and none other than Lily Evans came in. She was with another girl she didn't know but simply seeing Lily there made her eyes go double. She was just as she had imagined her to be; a red-haired beauty with soft green eyes and a gentle smile stuck on her graceful face.

'Oh…Hi, Lisa?' Lily asked unsure.

'E-Eliza,' she corrected, trying to get a hold of herself. Lily blushed and smiled apologetically.

'So sorry….I'm not good with names.'

Hermione didn't blame her. The way she saw it, Eliza was anything but unforgettable or remarkable in any way. No wonder no one recalled her name. But this was of course to her advantage.

'No problem, er…Lily,' she said trying to sound nonchalant. 'How are you doing?'

'Fine…I'm here with some friends.'

'You should…come at our table,' Hermione chimed in.

'Um, as much as I am fond of Alice and Frank, Potter and his crew are currently there, so no can do.'

Hermione remembered Harry telling her that Lily hadn't been very partial to James at the beginning. In fact, Lily was quite against his ways, and who could blame her? From what Harry had recounted of Snape's memory, James Potter could be a real jerk.

But if she was there and if she was still playing this insane game of pretend-to-be-this-other-girl she had no idea about, she might as well do something to help the couple.

'Oh, um, sorry to hear that… I could have used some company. Er, Sirius and James are really bothersome,' she said in her most convincing voice. 'You sure you couldn't spare a moment?'

'Well…I guess I could stay a minute,' Lily said reluctantly. Hermione figured that maybe she wasn't completely against the idea. She must have felt flattered that James liked her, right?

They went out of the bathroom together and when James saw she was coming with Lily he almost flipped. The general clamour ceased partially and the boys made some room for her immediately.

'Hi Alice, Frank,' Lily said smiling, trying to ignore the looks James was throwing her.

'Hey dunderheads,' she addressed him and his friends as she placed herself next to Hermione.

'Well, if it isn't the queen of sunshine herself, honouring us with her presence,' James mocked. 'Drinks are on me.'

'No thank you, Potter. I can pay for myself.'

'But I insist.'

'And I insist you drop it.'

'What's with the cold attitude? Forgot our memorable night in the Astronomy Tower?' James said, faking distress.

'In your dreams, you arse,' Lily retorted, turning her head away.

'Oh, I guess she's not ready to admit her feelings,' Sirius added.

Mary-Anne nudged her painfully in the ribs.

'What the heck, Eliza? I thought you wanted to get James to notice you, not throw Lily in his arms,' she whispered.

'Um, I like Lily.'

'Since when?'

'Since she's…er talking to me?'

Hermione sat comfortably next to Lily who was just telling Frank and Alice an amusing story. It was so fascinating to see Harry's parents bicker. It made you wonder how they ever got together in the first place.

'So Eliza how were your holidays?'

She snapped up alarmed. Someone was talking to her. Sirius was waiting for her answer.

'Um…I went skiing,' she replied remembering her own vacations.

'Skiing? What's that?'

Bollocks.

'It's gliding on snow when you have…sticks under your feet,' she explained lamely. 'And you also master some ski-sticks that help you guide yourself.'

'Sounds stupid enough to be fun.'

'It is,' she agreed. 'Er, what did you do?'

'Spent a wonderful Christmas in the family, if you know what I mean,' he said chuckling.

Oh, she knew all too well. His mother had not been very kind to her last year. She smiled sympathetically, but beyond that she feared saying anything that would sound too pretentious and inquisitive.

'Well, couldn't have been that bad, you're in one piece,' she added.

Ugh, lame Hermione. Even you sounded stupid saying that.

'Guess so…' Sirius said confused.

'I mean skiing can actually get you injured…' she added pathetically.

Oh, God. First time around I get to talk to young Sirius and I say this.

Before she made a complete fool of herself, she turned to Mary-Anne, who was talking about Quidditch.

'Eliza, didn't you think James was brilliant when he caught the Snitch right under Rosier's nose?' she asked her.

'Oh, er…certainly, skilled,' Hermione said looking at James warily. 'Though, you know, I'm not such a big Quidditch fan. I find the entire purpose of the game ridiculous.'

Mary-Anne threw her a quizzical look.

'What?' she asked unfazed.

'Er, Eliza, you're on the Quidditch team,' Mary-Anne added patting her on the back gently.

'I am?' Hermione exclaimed shocked.

'Ahaha, Eliza's just being modest,' Mary-Anne said kicking Hermione's ankle under the table.

'She shouldn't, she's a pretty good Chaser,' James said politely, though he did look a bit wary, as if this girl would throw a fit any moment now.

Hermione wanted someone to bury her right there.

'Uh, Eliza, I've heard of girls being incoherent around the guys they like, but this is just ridiculous!' Mary-Anne whispered in her ear.

This isn't going well, Hermione concluded.

After two more hours of gruelling talk, Hermione finally stood up, bearing the incessant chattering no longer and told Mary-Anne they should go back to Hogwarts.

'We have a test, remember? Plus, it's already late.'

'Come again? We just got here, Eliza! We've got five more hours to go,' Mary-Anne said slightly irritated.

'But we need to prepare…'

'What's gotten into you? First you tell me you can't wait to get out of the castle, now you can't wait to go in again. Make up your mind.'

Hermione was fed up with this Eliza person and decided she'd go out with or without Mary-Anne.

'Well, I'm leaving. I'm not feeling too well.'

'Oh, fine, I'll come with,' Mary-Anne sighed resentfully.

'No, no, you stay here. We'll meet up at Hogwarts.'

'Are you sure?'

'Positive. I'll see you there.'

'Okay, take care…'

Everyone paid Hermione a warm goodbye and she opened the door and stepped into the cool, fresh air of winter.

'Finally.'

She turned the corner and walked into a narrow, empty street, took out her time-turner and flipped it once.

Nothing happened. She flipped it again.

Nothing happened. She flipped it twice, thrice…five times, ten times.

Nothing.

'Okay, stay calm Hermione, stay calm. This is just…a malfunctioning. Breathe in, breathe out, that's it. I'm sure you just need to work on it a bit more.'

But she tried in vain. All the way to Hogwarts she tried making the damn thing work but it wouldn't budge.

'Gaaaah, I'm stuck here!' she almost yelped. 'Goodness, now what?'

She had no idea what she should do. She couldn't go running off to an adult, or some qualified wizard, well not at Hogwarts anyway. She had caused enough trouble with her timely appearance among Harry's parents and relatives. God only knew what terrible mess she had caused in the future. Oh, she didn't want to think.

It was all her fault. If she hadn't been such a baby! Mcgonagall had told her to use it for emergencies only and there you go – sudden love interest decided to jilt her and she just had to use a powerful magical object, because that was the only possible solution!

In the last four hours she had been offered a book by her ex Potions Master, possible Death Eater, least popular Order member Severus Snape, been talking with Harry's deceased godfather, tried bringing Harry's parents together over butterbeers as she shared the table with Neville's parents while pretending to be a girl called Eliza who apparently shared some of Pettigrew's features, liked animals and played Quidditch, oh and fancied Harry's dad!
Perfectly normal.

Why on Earth had her looks changed all of a sudden? Why had she taken on the identity of this girl? She had to stop it right now. The real Eliza must be found.

Where was she anyway? She hoped she was in the castle somewhere, because she couldn't be Eliza, she just couldn't! How could she suddenly be a girl she knew nothing about and who had been someone entirely different for the past sixteen years? It didn't make sense.

Unless...but no, that's more than ridiculous! Time-turners didn't work that way. She and Eliza couldn't have switched places.

This sounded like a bad romance novel Parvati would read before going to bed.

'Keep quiet, she's coming round. Easy now...give her some space,' Madam Pomfrey said as she pushed the two boys away, who were eagerly hovering over the nursery bed.

'Mione?' Ron asked hesitatingly as the girl under the covers slowly opened her eyes, taking in the sight. She looked very troubled, almost disoriented.

'Where am I?' she asked groggily.

'You're in the nursery, Hermione,' Harry explained. 'We found you lying on the floor in the dormitory. I think you fainted... Madam Pomfrey said it was because of the stress you're under.'

The girl stared at him, wide-eyed, slowly turning red.

'James? Why are your eyes green?'

Harry furrowed his brows and scratched his head confused. 'Hermione, what are you talking about?'

'What happened? Who is Hermione?' she asked, fidgeting in her bed.

Ron and Harry shared a worried look.

'Stop playing games Hermione. I know you're still mad at me, but it's just us,' Ron said. Eliza stared at him as if he had grown a third head.

'What on Earth are you talking about? My name is not Hermione. I'm Eliza Cross. Now tell me how I got here.'

Madam Pomfrey pulled her chin up and looked into her eyes.

'She doesn't seem to be delusional...dear, do you know who I am?'

'Yes...I know you, Madam Pomfrey, but who is he?' she asked pointing at Ron.

'I'd better...I'd better call McGonagall,' Harry told Ron and he ran out of the infirmary.

'You're going to be fine, Mione. You're just a bit confused,' Ron said sitting down beside her.

Eliza sat up and folded her hands irritated. 'I'm perfectly fine, thank you. And I'm telling you I'm not this Hermione you're talking about.'

The castle was almost eerie. No sound, no commotion, just empty corridors and ghosts popping up once in a while. She reached the portrait of the common room and only then realised she didn't know the password.

Great, just great.

'Yes, dearie?' the Fat Lady asked.

'Um, hi. You might know me.'

'Eh? I see hundreds of girls daily my dear, I don't recall every face.'

'I understand, but you see, I seem to have forgotten the password.'

'No can do dearie. The rules are very strict. Being a Gryffindor doesn't mean one is a Hufflepuff.'

'Just this once though, can't you let me in?'

'I wish I could…'

'Having trouble with the password, Miss Cross?'

Hermione almost jumped out of her skin as she saw none other than professor McGonagall hovering over her inquisitively.

'Professor! How good to see you,' she said meekly.

'Lost the password again, I see?'

'Yes, I'm afraid so.'

'What are you doing so early back at Hogwarts, Miss Cross?'

'I wanted to study a bit for the tests coming up.'

McGonagall lowered her glasses and made an odd sound that almost sounded like a cough.

'It's good to see you don't have Quidditch on the brains anymore, Miss Cross.'

'Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. Could you tell me the password?'

'Certainly. Twigsnaps,' she uttered and the portrait swung open.

She paid her goodbyes to the tall woman before rushing in embarrassed.

She climbed up to the dormitory and started searching for her or Eliza's bed.

She finally found some photos of Quidditch players and one of a yellow mink on the last bed. The photos were written on the back "From Mary-Anne to the obsessive fan-girl."

Yes, this was Eliza's bed. She opened what appeared to be her trunk and fished long and hard for her books and notebooks. She found three letters from her parents, apparently, which were brief and not very warm or in particular personal. Then there was a photo of a young boy riding a bicycle and another one with her and Mary-Anne. They looked happy together.

This girl reminded her of Ginny. Not in a bad way, but she seemed like the normal, shy girl with nice hobbies, normal expectations, quiet friends and secret crushes on Potters. Up until now, she had found nothing in common with Eliza.

She decided to use her only remedy in times of need, when panic got the best of her and she did not know what to do. She went to study in the library for the upcoming Arithmancy test. Even in this mad situation, she didn't have the heart to fail a test. At least the library would be empty and quiet.

Well, it was not empty. Severus Snape (again!) was occupying one of her favourite tables. He was sitting there, reading and taking notes in a tiny pool of light, the sound of his quill scratching the silence. Two First-Years, by the looks of it, were sitting at another table behind him.

What should she do? If she passed by him like nothing happened, maybe he'd feel offended that she didn't even say hello after he had bought her a book. Then again, if she did make her presence known, knowing Snape and his peachy personality he would probably bite her neck.

Decisions, decisions…

Before she could act, however, he raised his head and saw her from the corner of his eye. She awkwardly smiled and waved at him, but to her embarrassment, he just went back to his work, ignoring her.

Well, that wasn't very nice.

She shrugged her shoulders and took a table far away from him. She then proceeded to the Arithmancy section. The Sixth Year Level books weren't there. Apparently, wiser and more responsible students had already borrowed them.

Still, she went to ask Madam Pince.

'Excuse me, Madam Pince, I was wondering if you could help me. All the Sixth Year Arithmancy books are taken and…'

'Yes, some were lent yesterday and the day before and Mr. Severus over there has two of them.'

'Oh…he does…?' she asked pained. 'Are there anymore?'

'I'm afraid not. You can share with Mr. Snape,' she said in a clipped voice and turned to her office.

It's good to know some people never change. If I was Hermione Granger she'd treat me a bit different, I bet.

Hermione sucked in a big breath and turned towards her teacher's table. She had to admit, this was somewhat exciting.

'Hi, there.'

'Yes?' he asked not looking up.

'Remember me?'

'Cross. What do you want?'

'Well I wanted to thank you for the book…'

'Don't mention it. Anything else?'

'Well, it seems that you have the last books on Arithmancy left.'

He raised his eyes and stared at her bored.

'Really?'

'Yes. I was wondering if we could share.'

'No.'

'Please.'

'I don't like sharing, not when I'm working.'

'But I really don't want to fail this test. I promise I'll be very quiet,' she tried.

'Huh. Fine, but if I hear a word…'

'Don't worry, I appreciate silence as well.'

She sat down serenely and pulled her notebook and notes. Lucky for her, Eliza's class hadn't advanced any further than she had and she could cope with the work perfectly fine.

She started scribbling furiously as she flipped page after page silently.

She lowered her head in the page and didn't look up at all.

Severus finished his work earlier but loitered there, amused and somewhat curious about the girl hunched over her notes, with her hair covering her face. The look of concentration on her face was hilarious.

While she was writing, Hermione was thinking about her predicament. She didn't know how to go back. She'd have to do some research about time-turners as soon as possible.

But it felt nice to work there with Severus Snape, even for a day.