Hi there again, everyone. Since I'll have to work tomorrow, I thought to upload early again, since I may won't have the time later.

I have to say, I really don't get the concept about the Review-notifications. Sometimes I get an email but I won't find them in the list,
others are only in the list without any further email-notification. Well, whatever! As long as I get all of your lovely reviews (which I will now start answering at the end of the chapters) I don't care! But please continue writing them, they're really helping me to improve and to learn what you think about the story so far
:) Well, without further words, I'll present the next chapter (this time a really nice and long one!) Hope you'll enjoy.


Chapter 3 – The Future in the Past

Years are passing, passing – falling through time

Nobody is watching, watching – I'm sleepy and blind

Watches are ticking hysterically – I'm bored and weak

Screaming and crying pathetically – I'm tired and sick

Infected Rain, hysterical watches.


When the storm of colours around Hermione started to fade, she had to blink a few times to get a straight look at her surroundings again. The differences of the office – since the Time-Turner, even in its advanced form, only moved in time, not in space, that she stood at the exact same place where she left off – were, at first sight, pretty subtle. Some shiny magical instruments less, also there was no cage for Fawkes, who would later leave Hogwarts at Dumbledore's burial. But what took her immediate attention weren't those small facts, but the man who sat in the chair in front of her, wearing a subtle look of surprise on his face. Yes, he looked younger and strains of brown were weaving through is hair and beard.
Yes, he has less wrinkles than in her time.
But it was the same half moon-glasses he used to wear. The same gentle look in his eyes, even if a little surprised (and justifiably so).

It was the same man.

„Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione said shakily, breathing heavily.

„That I am." he simply replied, nothing about his composure would let one guess that a random person just appeared in front of him in his office. „And who are you, if I may ask?"

She gulped and forced herself to calm down by taking deep breaths. So far so good. It looked like it worked and she went to the past. Well, she would have to decide later if this really was good or the biggest mistake ever. Stop it, Hermione, this isn't the time to panic. You made a plan. You practiced this speech for weeks.

„I…I am Hermione Granger." She started to explain nervously. She had decided she could just as well let the cat out of the bag, since there actually was no discreet way of explaining her situation.
Even if she knew that Dumbledore didn't know her in this time – it gave her the last confirmation that was both satisfying and terrifying at the same time – also it weirded her out to introduce herself to him after all this years they had actually known each other. „And… I am from the future, almost 30 years from now on, to be exactly. I was sent back with your help, precisely 29 years ago, at the 16th of June 1997."

„Excuse me?! This is utterly ridiculous!" Sounded a flabbergasted voice to the right of Hermione that didn't belong to the old wizard. Hermiones eyes grew wide and her head snapped to the right were a rather startled, but also much younger Professor McGonagall stood. A loud ‚thud!' sounded as she dropped the large book she had been holding until now.

That was unexpected. Professor Dumbledore never told her that there was someone with him in his office at the time when Hermione had come to the past. Well, she didn't exactly ask either. But DAMN, he could have told me that, Hermione thought bitterly and bit her lip in slight frustration, as she tried to adjust to this new situation and mused if it would make a difference and if her credibility would suffer from this. Professor McGonagall looked a lot more skeptical and hostile than Professor Dumbledore. In fact, she looked like she was on the verge of drawing her wand in sight of this unexpected intruder that Hermione certainly was. The young witch took a tentative step back, but suppressed the urge to grab her own wand. The rational part of her brain remembered her that it wasn't a good first step to start a fight in the headmaster's office.

Dumbledore's gaze moved from McGonagall to Hermione and back. He had the same slightly surprised look in his eyes, but still the so gentle smile Hermione had believed to never see again. Even in a potentially dangerous situation.

„Well, Miss Granger. I would love to believe you and I am eager to listen to the probably fascinating story you have to offer. But, before you start, I need to ask something. It is obvious that you are not a normal… guest to this school, but do you have any kind of proof to your story you could offer beforehand? If I indeed sent you, I hope my later self would not be as – forgive the expression –senile as to send you without any proof for his younger version to accept? Especially because my dear Minerva looks as about she is going to explode of all the things she has against a simple advancement of trust in this case. Right, Minerva?"

Professor McGonagall, who's mouth was wide open again, looked exactly like she wanted to voice all her concerns about the appearance of the young woman in front of her, deeming what the young witch said earlier as obviously not trustworthy, but slowly started to close her mouth again and had a look mixed out of concern and disbelieve in her eyes. „Well" she simply said, after a brief moment of consideration. „I assumed it to be impossible to just…appear in the headmaster's office. And therefore the possibilities aren't exactly many. Either way it is unbelievably dark magic-" Her gaze in Hermiones direction told her that she highly doubted this, but still couldn't shake the feeling that there was something very strange going on. She sighted. „Or your story is just unbelievable enough to actually be true. Very well, I am curious for your story, Miss Granger, enlighten us. But don't think I would agree to believe you before a 100%-proof of whatever you are going to tell us." With this, she actually drew her wand, but before Hermione could do as much as whimper, she flicked it and the book she dropped earlier flew back in her arms.

Dumbledore chuckled. „Demanding as ever Minerva. So, Miss Granger, about that proof…"

„Ah, yes!" Hermione said, since this was indeed a point the older version of the headmaster had persisted on. But luckily, this was the easier part, according to him. „You told me..or, rather will tell me, maybe?…That I should say the following to you." She cleared her throat for an explanation she actually had learned by heart. „If you insist on trying that green sprinkled Bertie Bott's bean you still have left in your drawer, be careful. It is way worse than the Brussels sprouts you are expecting." After this rather eccentric statement – which Hermione gave with a slightly blushed face, as it wasn't exactly a scientific proof – McGonagall's mouth was again wide agape, but didn't seem to have anything to say after this statement but looking utterly stunned. Dumbledore, however, stared at Hermione intensely, then, slowly, opened his drawer to get out a bag of Bertie Bott's every flavored beans. He opened it and popped the content into his left hand. It was a single, green-sprinkled bean. He first considered its looks carefully and then popped it into his mouth. First, he had an intense look of concentration on his face, which quickly turned stricken. „Ugh, that seemed to be true." He smiled gently at Hermione, after putting the now empty box back into his drawer. „It seems like you are telling the truth, Miss Granger. Very well. So, to set dear Minerva and me on a more equal level of information on this with you, would you mind to explain what's preying on your mind right now? Before you sturt, I just have to correct you on one thing, though. This isn't the 16th June of 1968, but almost 4 month later. It's the first of September, the new term starts today, actually."

At this statement, Hermione frowned at first, then opened her eyes wide in panic. She tried to calm herself by taking some deep breaths again and rationalise her situation. But this statement let some panic settle in her voice, trying to calm herself or not.

„Wait…what? But…that's impossible! I…I was sent on the middle of June!" All kind of horrible possibilities entered her mind. There had been a mistake in Dumbledores magic. So who could guarantee her, she could go back to her exact future again? Or go back to the future at all. There was no possibility to rationalise this, she started to shiver a little. „If…if it isn't the right time, maybe there was a mistake, maybe-"

„Please, Miss Granger!" Dumbledore said firmly, sensing her overflowing trepidation. „Please, calm down. Tell us your story first. Then we will decide were to go from there. Neko!" As soon as he spoke the last of the words, a loud ‚pop' sounded and a small House-elf stood in the middle of the office in front of them. It was obviously a female, very young elf. It was clad in the typical white uniform with the Hogwarts-emblem on it, she had a snub nose that looked almost human, together with a big pair of cat-like ears. She even had some kind of fur or hair on her ears and head, which Hermione had never seen on an elf. „Yes, headmaster, how can I be of service?" She said in the most high-pitched voice Hermione had ever heard from an elf.

„Ah, yes, thank you, Neko! Could you bring us three cups of your best hot cocoa? All of those with a good measure of Ogdens old Firewhiskey. I assume you are of age, Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded. „I think you could certainly need one of those right now."

Hermione nodded slowly again, albeit being completely sure she wanted to weaken her perception with alcohol. But in her current state, she didn't feel like denying either. „Yes, of course!" Neko squeaked and with another crack she vanished. Only one silence filled minute later, where Dumbledore looked at something presumably interesting at the ceiling, McGonagall's nostrils flaring and breathing heavily and Hermione nervously tipping from one foot to the other, Neko appeared again, holding a tray with three steaming cups on it. After taking the tray from Neko and thanking her, she disappeared again and Dumbledore handed Hermione and McGonagall each one of the cups. Hermione noted that it had a slightly reddish color. As she took one sip, she mainly tasted the cocoa, but it had a burning note to it, which was paradoxically soothing for her nerves. Quickly she took a second and a third sip, feeling a little better afterwords. While Dumbledore hadn't taken a sip yet, McGonagall seemed to have drowned half of the cup by one gulp. She closed her eyes for a moment, her forehead wrinkled in highest concentration. After a moment, it slowly ended and she opened her eyes, looking at Hermione again. This time, her gaze wasn't hostile, but still far from trusting.

„Well… Miss Granger. As much as I don't want to believe you, to be honest, and only think of you as an intruder… What you told us earlier seems to persuade Albus… and then I think I should also at least listen to you. So please… tell us your story."

Hermione gulped and started, trying to look as confident and convincing as possible. While trying not to tell too much about her current timeline, she carefully explained why she was sent here and how she prepared for it. She talked for about an hour, Dumbledore and McGonagall being careful and serious listeners. Hermione tried, in a weak attempt to protect some of the basic-rules of time-traveling – heck, she didn't even KNEW what she was changing or not – she told some of the background, but let out important facts like Voldemort, Dumbledores death and some other things she assumed were too dangerous to tell. The look at the faces of the older wizard and the strict witch told her, whenever she frowned at something she wanted to say, but couldn't say in the correct way, they had almost understanding looks on their faces, even Professor McGonagall, as if they could imagine how difficult this was for her. It gave her hope that they would believe her in the end, if she could get her point across. Even if she didn't know exactly why she was here, she was eager to find out. Now matter how much effort it needed. Occasionally, as her story sometimes went a little further as she needed to explain something more clearly, she threw facts in her story that verified her time-traveling story, like her knowledge of the death of the moaning myrtle, or that she knew of Professor McGonagall's Animagus-form. Those obviously were now secure proofs, as she could have gathered those informations at another point, but at least she could strengthen her argumentation a little. Dumbledore interrupted her only at one point, when she talked about the Time Turner, he asked her to show the item to her. He eyed it with utmost concentration for a short while, gently touching it with his fingertips while murmuring something Hermione didn't understand. He gave it back to her shortly after, without further explanation, „fascinating" being his only other acknowledgement.

„So, in the end" Hermione closed, slightly out of breath „I also have very few hints why I am here. Only that my former – oder later? – self seemed to think of it as absolutely necessary."

For quite some time, neither Professor Dumbledore nor Professor McGonagall said a word. It made Hermione pick up on her nervousness again which she almost lost during her speech. Was it good enough what she had to offer? All she could do now was hope and mentally cross her fingers. The gesture itself would have seemed rather unprofessional, she assumed, even if she pretty much felt like doing it.

„Well…" Dumbledore chuckled after a few seconds. „Pyramid-Energy? I don't want to sound smug, but this sound like a neat idea from me. Miss Granger… I think condolences and a recognition are in order here."

This was unexpected.

„W-what?" The brunette asked, rather confused.

„I can only imagine how terrifying it has to be, going in the past, not knowing what will expect you, or be expected of you, neither your friends nor family here with you. On the other side, my later self must think very highly of you to send you on a journey like that. And even if you – and obviously, me neither – know what your aim will be, I will do what I can to help you with it."

„So… so you believe me?" Dumbledore smiled warmly at her. „I have, at the moment, no reason not to. So I don't intend on making this harder on you with ill-founded distrust. This wouldn't seem fair to the brave young lady in front of me."

Before Hermione could reply anything, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.
„After some consideration…I can only agree with Albus. I won't lie, your story still sounds almost unimaginable..but there is also no reason to NOT believe you at this point, especially after you told us your story in detail." She sighed. „Welcome to Hogwarts, year 1968, Miss Granger. I think we have to work out a plan."

Relief washed over Hermione, she couldn't stop tears emerging at the corners of her eyes in sheer happiness for this simple fact. They believe me! I did it!

But even if she was relieved for the moment, the hardest part was yet to come. How would it go on from here? She wasn't able to plan that far ahead, as she couldn't know how Professor Dumbledore would react. Also, as she emerged in the past at a different date as expected, all fore-thinking she did nonetheless – she wouldn't be Hermione Granger if she wouldn't have thought of every possibility she could think of – would be useless anyway, as she hadn't expected this in any way. But, in fact, McGonagall seemed to have quite the suggestion for her.

„If you see it this way, your appearance…, well, not quite completely on time, has it's benefits. If I remember correctly, you said you just finished your sixth year at Hogwarts? For starters, would you like to make your final year in Hogwarts this one?"


A few hours later, Hermione entered the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

The thinks I get myself into, seriously. She mused with a deep sigh.

Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore and Hermione had discussed for almost three hours were they should go from this point and how to do it in the best way. Almost too much of a coincidence, Hermione had been sent back to the first of September, the beginning of the school–year in Hogwarts. So it seemed to be the best option to just declare her a new student who wanted to graduate from Hogwarts after being tutored in another school before. Hermione didn't mind, in fact, this was one thing she rather liked about her situation, if she was honest. She had no clue if it was possible for her to finish her school as she didn't plan to go back to Hogwarts in her timeline. And when Hermione Granger liked something, it was a complete graduation. Despite her situation she wouldn't allow herself to graduate less than perfect.

This led to the next problem, or rather a bunch of new problems. She new her name was kind of unique, so she had to change it for the time. She simply decided to use her second name, Jean, after her Grandmother, since she couldn't imagine adjusting to another name so suddenly. Another last name, then again, sounded easier. Luckily, this was one of the things she was prepared for, she knew the risk was too high somebody could recognise her later if she used her real name. So it didn't take long until she diced on a new surname as well.

Her new identity would be „Jean Gabor".

She considered it to be an actually silly origin. A few years ago, her father had explained to her that one of his Cousins, Clive Granger, had developed a method for economical price-determination. He did it with his colleague André Gabor, and so in the end it was called the Gabor-Granger-Method. Hermione doubted any of the Hogwarts-students – especially the pure-bloods – would ever know about this and Gabor didn't sound too far away from Granger to not get used to it. Perks of being a muggle-born, oh yes, they do exist. She thought to herself with a wry smile. She had toyed with the idea to change her blood-identity for this time as well, as she could imagine that the problems muggle-borns would encounter, couldn't be better than in her actual time, but tossed the idea aside. Even if she wasn't looking forward to the mocking that would eventually come, she refused to be part of the society which denied the worth of muggle-borns. She would rather stand strong and endure it but to deny her heritage.

The last thing she did, to secure again, nobody would recognise her later, was to alternate her looks. But only a little. Hermione still refused to use a lot of make-up or any fancy spells for the matter, so she simply went with putting her hair into a loose bun and putting on a pair of glasses with a rather thick, black frame. She hoped it would make her look different enough not to be recognised. She had seen Harry without his glasses a few times and was stunned every time how different he looked without them.

When she looked in the mirror, her first impression was, how utterly ridiculous this was. And how she was NOT impressed with her work. Why not call myself Hermione Kent? Neat disguise Hermione, really.
Her second thought was, that this actually didn't look too bad on her.

She argued with herself to alter her appearance more strongly, but every charm would need high concentration to maintain frequently, or would need to be re-casted often. If she once forgot this or something broke her charm, it would be difficult to explain. She would go with that simple solution, even if it wasn't optimal.

Albeit the biggest change was definitely her new uniform. Not in red-gold, but blue-bronze.
She decided to do her final year in Hogwarts as a Ravenclaw.

This was the most critical point she had to discuss with the headmaster. It was a suggestion Hermione made herself, despite she wasn't sure if it was actually possible. But as she voiced her concerns to Dumbledore, he slowly nodded. It was simply too dangerous. It was way more likely that she would meet someone from Gryffindor who would remember her in the past, even with her alternated name and looks. And even if no one of the students would recognise her, there were dozens of other problems. The portraits, for example. She couldn't avoid talking to the fat lady occasionally to get inside of the common room. And if the fat lady would recognise her in the future…well. She knew how much the woman in the picture liked to gossip. The risk was simply too high. A critical point, on which Professor McGonagall had insisted – for the formality it seemed – was for Hermione to put the sorting hat. It was, in the end, a ritual, and even if Hermione already had worn the hat in her time-period, she understood it to be a serious matter. They wanted to make sure Ravenclaw was the best – or second best?– choice she got. Slytherin was out of the question, more or less obviously, but Hufflepuff was another possibility. It was a strange feeling to put the hat on again. Albeit she had grown quite a bit since her first year, the hat was still way too big and fell over her head and on her shoulders immediately.

Well, well… she heard a squeaky whisper in her head. What do we have here? Aren't you a little to old to start your education in Hogwarts? Actually, Hermione didn't know if it was appropriate to tell the hat about her situation, but she decided to be as honest as possible.

„Uhm…" she started thinking. „Actually, I am from the future and you sorted me into Gryffindor when I started my first year here. But I can't go there at the moment and I need you to choose the second best house for me. Well, please?" She ended her crude thinking.

Then, some seconds of silence followed. Hermione slowly became anxious if the hat didn't want to believe her, but then. Well, I am just fascinated. As I see it now, I wouldn't have sent you to Gryffindor.

"What?!"

Well, it's true. I can see it is not the worst choice, but Ravenclaw is surely a better option for you. She heard a brief chuckle. But I doubt I did the wrong decision. I am looking forward to meet you in the future to determine how you convinced me to put you into Gryffindor.

Loudly, he said. „Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, whichever you like!"

They informed an also younger and slightly surpsrised Professor Flitwick, who also had been the head of the house Ravenclaw in this time, that a new student would join his house for the final year. As, so far as he heard the hat had suggested her for Ravenclaw, he was content and it wasn't a problem anymore, happily shaking Hermione's hand and welcoming her to Hogwarts. Afterwards, she was brought by Neko to her room where she could put her stuff out. Right now it was empty, since the other students would only arrive in about an hour.

After she put on her new uniform and altering her general looks, she looked in the mirror of the bathroom and breathed out loudly to calm her nerves.

So, Miss Gabor. Ready for this adventure?

And with this thoughts going through her head, she slowly went in the Great Hall, what almost completely looked like the one she had known before. It were only more faces she didn't recognise, but at least the floating candles, the enchanted ceiling and the occasionally ghost gave her a vague sense of familiarity.

As if naturally, Hermione first walked in direction of the Gryffindor-Table. In the last moment she realised this wasn't were she was supposed to sit this year. So she went further through the hall, to the Ravenclaw-Table. When she sat down somewhere in the middle between students she luckily had never seen before, she suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Well, she felt uncomfortable since she visited this timeline. That wasn't particularly new, so to say. But that suddenly increased tenfold. She was nervous, confused and so much more at the same time.
As a small child, Hermione remembered, she once lost her parents while they visited Westfield, one of London's biggest shopping malls. She was so overwhelmed by the situation and impressions around her that she didn't pay attention where she was going. Eventually she realised she had lost her parents, she was alone, which made her cry her heart out for almost 20 minutes, while a mall-worker made a call to find her parents. Her parents looked absolutely relieved to find her, they had searched for her everywhere and hugged her for a complete five minutes, but only a large ice-cream cone and a new picture-book could sooth Hermione somehow.
Now, when she saw all the people chatting happily, talking about their holidays and the hopefully amazing new school year, she felt as if there was a knot in her stomach.

She felt as lonely as she did as a child in that mall.

But this time, probably, nobody would get her some ice cream.

„Hey, I don't recognise you. Are you an exchange-student or something?" a friendly voice next to her spoke in her direction, which let Hermione snap out of her thoughts.

Hermione turned her head, to look at the girl who smiled at her and had risen her eyebrows in friendly questioning. She seemed to belong to the older students, at least year six, Hermione guessed. She had ash-blonde, straight hair, grey eyes and a friendly face. Hermione had heard her chatting with some other students a minute ago and was a little surprised that she suddenly shifted her attention to her. But regardless, she was thankful. She didn't recognise the girl from the future, so she assumed it was okay to talk to her. And well, it was nice to finally talk to someone.

„Ah, well, something like that. I…went to a smaller school in the south of England and just decided I wanted to graduate at this school. To…to get to know something new, you know?" Well, always good to start an acquaintanceship with a lie. But well, no other choice here.

„Aah, I understand! Probably would have done the same thing if I were you. So you are in your seventh year? I guess we're roommates then, since it's also my last year. Nice to meet'ya, I am Hailey Ashmore. And who might you be?"

„Jean Gabor. Nice to meet you." It was easier than she thought it would be.

„Tell me something about you, were are you from?"

So, Hermione slowly started. She told Hailey the general truth, that she was from London and also which part, but obviously altered the story to match this time. For example, her childhood home hadn't even been built yet for another 8 years, so she had to be careful with some of her information. Admittedly it wasn't very likely somebody would question her over facts like this. But Hermione had always been a perfectionist, regardless the matter.

Hailey continued to ask Hermione questions about herself. What are your hobbies, do you like Quidditch, which are your favorite subjects, was it difficult to attend Hogwarts as someone fron another school? While Hermione liked to talk to Hailey, she still was constantly on the edge, not wanting to accidentally throw something from the future in the conversation. Would be just perfect to botch it at the first evening.

Hailey obviously seemed to be in a chatty mood or rather was a chatty person in general. Not that Hermione minded all that much. Maybe she could throw one or two occasional questions about the school without being suspicious. But the next question stunned her.

„So, how come you were selected to go to Hufflepuff for your first and so to speak also last year? Did you also have to put the sorting hat on or could you just, like, choose?"

„Hermione made big eyes. „Hufflepuff? But..but I thought this was the Ravenclaw-Table?!"
Hailey frowned. „No, this is obviously the Hufflepuff-Table. Did you mistake this for Ravenclaw? Oh dear…"
Hermione was utterly confused. Did she really mess up that badly? Impossible! In panic, she snapped her head around to look for evidence. But all the others also wore blue-bronze-clothing and the banner at the top of the table was definitely the one of house Ravenclaw…

„Hahahaha, you should see your face." Hailey let out a hearty laugh and tapped on the brunettes shoulder in good humor. „Loosen up a little, would'ya? No need to be so nervous."

Hermione looked at her in utter confusion, then, when she finally realized she was pranked – Hailey still grinned cheekily – she smiled a little as relief washed over her. Then, she started to laugh. Oh damn, she became too paranoid and anxious. But the laughter actually helped her with her mood a little and let her relax a bit.

„Ha…yeah, okay, you got me. I'm sorry. I am pretty nervous, I guess."

„Well, not necessary, but understandable." Hailey smiled. „Then, just let me continue, maybe you will thaw up a little more…"
And then Hailey started. She was a friendly and funny girl who currently lived in Liverpool, when not attending Hogwarts. While the Great Hall slowly filled itself with students, a lot of people greeted her, even from the other houses. She seemed to be the kind of girl who seemed to get along with everyone. A talent Hermione never possessed and what would have made her slightly envious if she wouldn't be so grateful for it right now. She felt herself becoming more relaxed as Hailey talked, mostly focusing on her. And finally Hermione had an urge why she did it. Despite she talked a lot she seemed to be a pretty empathic person and had probably sensed Hermione's discomfort. So she almost forced her out of her shell with her way. Hermione started to like that girl. Isn't quite often I meet someone who talks more than me.

„..and my parents both work in a marketing-office, which I think is pretty boring, but they strangely seem to like it…" That got Hermione's attention.

„Wait, does that mean you are muggle-born?"

„Well, yeah." Hailey said, raising an eyebrow and stiffened a little. „Is that a problem?"
„Oh…no, absolutely not." Hermione let out a nervous laugh. „I just never had someone hear confessing this so easily. I am, too, you know? My parents are dentists."

„Oh, well." Hailey smiled again and relaxed somewhat. No wonder, this timeline obviously had also it's prejudging pure-bloods and Hermione gave Hailey the wrong idea with her reaction. „I don't like to think of it as something ‚to confess', you know? It's just how it is. Those are things you can't change, it's just who you are." Hailey looked like there was something else she wanted to say, but seemed to refrain from that in the last second. Instead, she said. „If anybody ever gave you a hard time because of something profan like that…pity them. I mean, what stuff you can make a problem of, right?" She narrowed her eyes a little. A lot of pure-bloods, indeed. Even if Hailey made it sound like that, she understood that it wasn't easy to just live with muggle-parents as a non-threatening fact.

Still, after this statement, Hermione smiled broadly, a warm feeling spreading through her stomach. Just now she realized she never had a real friend or even acquaintance she could talk to about the problems of being a muggle-born in a world full of pure- and half-bloods. Even with understanding friends, it hadn't been easy for her, most of the time. She knew she wasn't someone to complain as one of her best friends was Harry Potter, who simply outmatched her in mobbing-attempts of other students. But still, the insults and problems she had heard because of her blood-status weren't exactly childsplay either.

By that time, the students in the now full hall became a lot quieter, and when Hermione looked up to the professors – where she saw quite some faces she didn't recognise – Dumbledore stood up from his chair and reached out with his arms

„Welcome back, dear students, Professor and every other human and living creature who might is with us in this room right now. I am happy to see you back this year, as numerous as ever. Without a long speech, I wouldn't want to let our new students wait around any longer before they can sit down at their future house-table. Please." He sat down again, and, under the surveillance of Professor McGonagall, a bunch of shivering, scared kids came up to the front, waiting for their moment to put the hat on. Hermione didn't recognise any of them from the future, but when the first kids were called up to the hat, Hermione was truly thankful she got over with this a few hours before, she didn't fancy being out there with all those children.

When the last student was sorted into a house, Dumbledore stood up again.
„Only a few announcements before we can rightfully dig into the long awaited meal of the day." He smiled gently. „First, I want to point out to the first years – and also some of the older students – that the forbidden forest has it's name for a reason. I can't tell you what's worse, actually. Get caught by the numerous creatures within, or our caretaker Apollyon Pringle for the matter. The last thing would be the introduction of our new Teacher for Defense against the dark Arts, please, everyone, welcome Professor Johnathan Cranes." A young man next to Professor Flitwick stood up at those words, briefly lifting his hand for a greeting when the student body applauded at his introduction.

After Dumbledore finished his short speech, he sat down and looked full of expectation at his plate, where the empty porcelain changed almost immediately. All the tables ached now under the pressure of the tons of delicious food.
Hailey immediately started to fill her plate with almost everything she could get hold of. Hermione was a lot more reluctant, as she had more time now to observe her surroundings secretly.

„Hailey? Could you tell me a little about the Professors, please?" She had asked about all the teachers, even those she did knew from the future, since it would have looked strange to only ask for specific ones. But she was curious about the others she had never seen before. Also, she would like to know how the professors were viewed in this time. Maybe she could learn something new.

„Ah, yes, of course." Hailey managed to say with an awful lot of broccoli in her mouth. Let's start on the left side. At the end of the table, we have Professor Slughorn, the headteacher of Slytherin and the potions-teacher, be careful around him. He is someone with clear pronounced preferences for students. Even has something he calls the „Slug Club", where he and his favorite students have chats, dinner parties and so on…I really don't get that concept. Well, whatever. Next to him, there is Professor Vector. She's teaching Arithmancy, but I can't really tell you much about her, I never had that subject. Next to her is…" Hailey went on with her explanations. Hailey mostly described what subject they would teach and what her personal opinion of them was. „And on the right end of the table, that is the new guy Dumbledore had introduced, about him I know as much as you."

At that, Hailey frowned and put her fork down, which she had used to occasionally shovel some food in her mouth, while still managing to speak an impressive amount of words. „Actually, this is something everyone in Hogwarts finds odd. You know, there wasn't two years in a row while I attended that school and I had the same DADA-Teacher. There is some reason every year that the teacher can't stay the next one. Sometimes it's disease, sometimes family circumstances…The Professor from last year suddenly got dragon pox and had to go to St. Mungo's. Dragon pox, in this century! And there were also strange reasons for the Professors in the years before as well. I once asked Flitwick about this and he said this was actually going on for some years before I even entered the school. Pretty mysterious, right?"
Hermione nodded slowly, trying to make a confused-but-kind-of-intrigued face at that statement. Mysterious is one word for it, I guess.

Hailey obviously had finished her speech, clearly focussing on her food now, letting Hermione lost in thought. There were still things to observe for her curious mind. It didn't happen everyday that you could get a first-hand peek at the past, at all. She had made her detailed research, which included a list of all the people she knew or would encounter in the future and went to Hogwarts with at this time. It were more than Hermione expected and – even worse – most of them belonged to Slytherin and therefore to the dark side. She wasn't too scared about most of the people, as she wouldn't encounter most of them in classes or school, but she still was curious how they behaved around Hogwarts in their younger years. The Ravenclaw-Table was next to the Slytherin-Table at the end of the hall, so it was quite easy to observe the students inconspicuous.

The first one she saw was no other than Lucius Malfoy, easily recognizable through his platinum blond hair, but at this time merely a meager 14 or 15-year old boy with a smug grin his son should inherit decades later. He was speaking to two other Slytherins, both looking pretty much bulky and a little dense, they mostly nodded while shoveling tons of food into their mouths. Really, the resemblance was almost ridiculous.

A few places further sat another light-blond-headed person, always stealing glances in the direction of the young Lucius, turning bright red whenever she did so. Hermione almost didn't recognize Narcissa Malfoy, – or right now, Black – the little 13-year old girl looked so much more lively and fragile than the stern matron she would become in the future. Next to her sat, with a pitying smile, her sister Andromeda, patting her shoulder. She hadn't met Andromeda in the future yet, but couldn't imagine it to be anyone else. And, not exactly near them, but also not too far away, not even 15 meters away from Hermione actually, there sat the person she was scared the most of. When she realised she would be in the same graduation year as this person, she first let out a small whimper, debating a last time strongly if it really was a good idea to change to that timeline. Sitting lazily in her chair, only stirring in a bowl of soup and not seeming interested in participate in talking to anyone, pure boredom written on her face.

The young and at this time still unmarried Bellatrix Black.

Hermione actually needed a few seconds to recognise her as the lunatic death-eater she had met at the department of mysteries in her fifth year. It was mostly her big head of raven curls who gave her identity away, which was at that time not shine- and lifeless after the yearlong abuse in Azkaban, but had a strong shimmer to it, which seemed to be even intensified by the candle light of the Great Hall. Even if her expression didn't give away the semblance of a cheerful and carefree girl, she also didn't look haunting or too scary at that moment either. Actually, Hermione had to admit, she was somehow pretty. Since she sat so near to Hermione, even in the dim light of the candles it was possible to see her features quite clearly. Without rotten teeth, harpy-like fingernails or the general look of insanity her real beauty came to shine. Actually, she's gorgeous. Hermione thought fascinated at the fact how much a person could change over the years. I wonder of her future-self ever mourned after her looks. High cheekbones, framed by unique and strong facial features. Flawless, porcelain-like skin and ruby red lips, she looked a lot like a skillfully crafted doll.

Hermione didn't realise that she was staring at her for quite some time, fascinated by this paradox in front of her, trying to merge those two women she had seen into one. She snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed that Bellatrix was pulled out of her boredom and stared directly in her eyes, realising that she was watched. Hazelnut met charcoal. The icy-glance Bellatrix offered her was enough to let Hermione shut her gaze down with a deep blush at being caught, a cold shiver went through her spine as she quickly turned around to avoid the gaze. This was rather what Hermione expected from the future death-eater, even if it wasn't as scary as her later self in the ministry of magic had been. It was still enough to not let Hermione look around for a good measure of time, especially as she could still feel Bellatrix gaze on her. Thankfully, Hailey demanded her attention at that point. At this time, even if Hermione had barely eaten because of her agitation, the Dinner was replaced by tons of delicious sweets.

„Jean!" Hailey said gleefully, as she, without asking, shoveled what seemed to be a whole mountain of chocolate and strawberry ice-cream on her plate. Does she want to make sure I am eating enough? „Let me introduce our third roommate to you. This is Pandora, but almost everybody just calls her Dee. Dee, this is Jean, our new roommate. Looks like it will get less lonely for us this year!"

On the other side of the table, another girl smiled at Hermione. She had light blonde hair and blue eyes. At the first glance she looked a lot more like Narcissa than her actual sisters, but they had quite different facial features. As all the black sisters had high cheekbones and an all-in-all aristocratic look, Dee had more of a heart-shaped, friendly face. Which, at that point, was full of excitement.

„Nice to meet you, Jean." She said. „Good to have you on board, a Dorm room should inherit more than just two people in Hogwarts, I always told Hailey how nice it would be to get someone to join us…"
And then, they started to chat further. Hailey and Dee started to explain a lot more about the school to Hermione. Most of it, obviously, Hermione had known before, but some information, mostly regarding Ravenclaw, were rather interesting and useful for her. But mostly, she was happy to be welcomed so warmly by her new house- and roommates. She also got to know that Dee had a twin brother named Talos, who was sorted into Hufflepuff and would join them in some of their classes.

A while after that, Dumbledore told them it was time for bed. He wished them a successful year, hoping that „everybody would find what they were searching for". Most of the students waived it away as an empty phrase, but Hermione had the feeling, a light blue gaze would pierce her for the fraction of a second before he told them off to bed and wished them a good night.

Hermione almost started to order the first-years around and to lead them to their dorms – until she realised that she wasn't a Prefect neither in this year, nor in this house. Quite a bit mournfully she watched how Dee waved them goodbye for the moment to search for the younger students. Hailey just shook her head on this. „Man, I am sad for the Professors that they only had two options for the Prefect-job in our year, I guess it was difficult to tell who would be the worse candidate." She laughed. „But I guess Dee quite grew into her job. But the things she did in her fifth year, I tell you…" Happily chatting, they slowly started to go to their – yes, for THIS year it was also hers – Dorm to get some well earned sleep, even more in Hermione's case. She couldn't refrain from glancing back to Bellatrix a second time, who still sat at her place, sporting the same bored look again, thankfully not catching Hermione again looking at her. She obviously wasn't chosen to be a Prefect by the Professors. Instead, she saw a rather determined Andromeda ordering some younger students around. She chuckled. Was that the way she would scold Tonks in a few years?

They went the spiral staircase up to the common room, as they stood in front of the door again, together, with three or four other students, albeit chatting, glancing in Hermione's general direction, because they haven't seen her before. They stood in front of a large and beautifully crafted bronze eagle knocker. As an elf had Hermione apparted inside her bedroom, she hadn't seen it yet, but she knew due to „Hogwarts: A history" that this was the entrance to the Ravenclaw-Tower. You could enter if you could solve the riddle the knocker was asking you, as a metaphor for the main treats Ravenclaws should possess: Intelligence and wits.

„What comes down but never goes up?" The knocker asked in a high, croaky voice. It had a slight hostile edge in his voice Hermione couldn't place at the moment.

„Well, also a nice evening to you, Charlene." Hailey said in a caustic manner. „Also missed you a lot. And for your question, If I wouldn't know better, I would answer „my grades". The students behind her chuckled at this comment, but as she saw the not very amused face of the eagle – how it was even possible to recognise facial features in an eagle was actually beyond Hermione –, Hailey sighed. „…But since I know better, my answer would be „rain". Upon hearing that answer, the knockr opened the door for them, but as Hermione had passed by, she saw a small hint of disappointment in the eagles face.

„He always hopes that one day I won't have an answer and are forced to sleep outside for the night. But until now, it never worked." She smiled cheekily. „But really. No clue why he hates me that much."

Hermione frowned. „He?" Didn't you just call him „Charlene"?

„Well, in my first and second hear he tried to convince Dumbledore from kicking me out of the dorms for calling him like that. But still, I think it's rather cute and by now you would think he should have gotten used to it." She stated almost matter-of-factly.

Hermione had an inking why the eagle-knocker might disliked Hailey.

She also had to admit that the Ravenclaw Common room looked astonishing. She had been kind of curious, as she hadn't visited any other Common rooms than Gryffindor until now and felt a little like an intruder. Regardless, the midnight blue carpeting on the high ceiling, the comfortable atmosphere which was enhanced through a big fireplace and a lot of cozy, blue chairs were much to her liking.
They went up to their dorms – Hailey said goodnight left and right and introduced Hermione to some of the other students who greeted her friendly – and finally settled in. After about fifteen minutes, Dee joined them, but everybody was pretty much too exhausted to talk anymore. Soon everybody said goodnight and Hermione threw herself in the wonderfully soft sheets of her new four poster bed at the left end of the room. It was all in all very nice and cozy, they had a soft, light blue carped, a Bronze Chandelier hanging from the ceiling, now only producing a very dim light, as it was almost bedtime. Also her sheets and blanked had a soft blue-tone, so very differently from her old ones in Gryffindor.

So very different.

And this was the first time since the beginning of her journey, Hermione Granger allowed herself to cry. She put her not needed glasses next to her on her bedside cabinet when she felt her eyes get watery and made sure a last time the curtains on her bed were closed tight. She whispered, to be sure, a quick one-sided silencing charm, so that the others couldn't hear her anymore, but herself was still able to hear them, since it would be strange if she would never answer them. Then, the first tears started to run down her face. It didn't need long until she produced heavy sobs she couldn't suppress any longer. Despite the friendliness she was given from both of her new roommates and a not-so-bad start in whatever she had gotten herself into, she was scared. Scared and lonely. For e few minutes she sobbed in her pillow. She missed her family, her friends, almost everything from the time she belonged to. She felt out of place like never before.

„You're prolly sleepin' by now, guys…" A very drowsy sounding Hailey whispered from the other side of the room", but I am really looking forward to this. Let's make this a wonderful year."

„No, the Flobberworms want to eat all the Dragoneggs, but the music they play is so nice…!" Dee murmured from the bed in the middle, obviously already having a rather fascinating dream.

„That's the spirit…"

That made Hermione, despite everything she felt right now, chuckle between her tears. Hailey was right. She didn't knew what was ahead of her, but she still could try to make the best out of it.

„Yeah, I hope so, too." She whispered, more or less forgetting the silencing spell she casted, slowly drifting into sleep. The last, sluggish thought in her mind was, that she really wanted to know what that Bertie Bott's bean tasted like.


A/N: So, done again for today, what do you think? Let me know if you can spare a minute :)

Oh, on the note to that Gabor-Granger-method: That's really existing, you can google that shit :D

I also wanted to thank some of the guests, I hope you'll find yourself in here:

Guest: Thank you so much, I really appreciate your words! :) I hope I won't disappoint in the future chapters

Guest: Haha, yeah, I didn't draw the happiest picture for dear Bellatrix (on the other hand, neither did 90% of the Bellamione-community before me :D) We'll see how it goes…

avalynnelfe (silly me forgot to answer to your review for chapter one, I'm sorry for that): I like how far you're thinking, but I plan to make a really nice, long build up, so I'm afraid you have to wait a little until she returns to her own time ;) But I hope I can make worth the wait.

Darkshadow-lord: There you go, hope I didn't disappoint you? :)

Darksnow3: Whoa, where to start. I really really love how much you must've thought about the story, really flatters me :) With some of your suggestions you were almost spot on, as you see, for further interaction we'll have to see. To the point with Narcissa, for example: They've seen in real life in Hermione's sixth year for a couple of minutes…I don't think, even more with Hermione's ‚brilliant' disguise, that this encounter would be enough for her to remember Hermione in the future, even if (and I am not telling you at this point, IF ;) ) they'll have a lot interaction. If you consider that Rita Skeeter wrote articles about Hermione, a lot of people COULD know how she had looked when she was younger. But our Hermione will be smart enough to avoid the biggest problems…maybe. ;)