Heat. Heat surrounded her as she ran through the cave. She had to get away from the flames. She kept running from the inferno until she reached a drop. The fire raged behind her. There was no other way to turn.
"Come on Hermione! Get down here!"
She could see Harry and Ron over the edge of the cliff. She looked behind her, weighing her options uncertainly. She had to jump, it was the only way. She closed her eyes and stepped over the edge. She opened her eyes as the air rushed past her. She panicked as Harry and Ron disappeared. The ledge they had been standing on was gone too. She was falling through the air. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for impact.
She opened her eyes. She closed them again instantly, blinded by the sudden light. She could feel bedding tucked very tightly around her. She groaned softly as she tried to roll over. She opened her eyes again, slowly this time.
The long, winding room was lined with many beds; each with sheets folded neatly on top and a cabinet beside it. The room was very clean and very neat. The strange smells wafted through the room.
Hermione began to realise that she was in the hospital wing. That must've meant that the battle was over. But where was everyone else?
She could hear murmured voices outside.
"Thank you Tom, I believe it's probably time for you to go to bed." The voice came from a man.
"Thank you, sir."
The man spoke again, "What do you make of the situation Dumbledore?"
Hermione frowned. Dumbledore was dead.
"I'm not quite sure headmaster. I'm as puzzled as you are. I've never seen the girl before. However, I'm sure she'll be able to tell us everything when she wakes up."
Hermione squeaked. Did that mean that she was dead too?
The other man coughed, "Well yes, you're probably right. Speaking of which, Dilys, when do you expect the girl to wake up?"
A woman's voice spoke this time, "I'd say a couple of hours. She's not in a very good condition at all. She had cut and bruises and bits of glass stuck in her skin. I wouldn't be surprised if she has a concussion as well."
The large oak doors swung open and the three people walked into the long room; a woman in a nurse's uniform and two men in long robes. The shorter man spoke as the walked. "This is all perplexing to be sure. I trust you'll notify me when she wakes up Dilys."
The black haired woman peered in Hermione's direction. "I don't think there's any need for that professor. She's awake already." The woman hurried to Hermione's side and helped her to sit up. "Evening miss, I'm Madame Vera. How are you feeling?"
That was a harder question than Hermione would have originally thought. She told Madame Vera that she had a headache and the nurse swiftly bustled off to her office to prepare a potion, leaving Hermione with the two men.
The short man stepped forward and shook Hermione's hand. "Good Evening my dear. I'm Armando Dippet and this," he gestured to his companion, "is Albus Dumbledore."
Hermione choked at these words. Dippet gave her a concerned look. "Are you unwell?"
"I'm fine thank you. Do you mind telling me what day it is?"
Dippet faltered. It was Dumbledore who answered, he'd been looking at something on Hermione's bedside table with interest, "It's the 1st of September 1945."
Hermione felt herself go white. "Are you quite sure you're well, miss. True, you look very ill."
"I'm fine thank you sir."
Dippet regarded Hermione, "Well if you're sure. Do you mind answering a few questions?"
"Not at all."
"What's your name?"
"Hermione-" She paused. If it really was 1945 then she probably shouldn't reveal herself. It could alter the future. Hermione shuddered internally as she remembered the warnings that Professor McGonagall had given her. "Jean. Hermione Jean." Jean wouldn't be too hard to remember. It was her middle name so there was little chance of her forgetting it.
"How old are you?"
"I'm seventeen, sir."
"And, er, do you know how you came to be here tonight?"
Hermione thought hard. All she could remember was that one second she was in the great hall fighting for her life, and the next she was in the hospital wing. "I don't know sir."
This time Dumbledore spoke, "Do you remember anything before tonight Miss Jean?"
"No I don't."
"Are you sure?" Dippet asked earnestly. At that point Madame Vera bustled into the room carrying a steaming potion.
"Perhaps we should wait until the morning Armando." Dumbledore suggested as Madame Vera fussed over Hermione. "Allow Miss Jean to gather her thoughts."