Tempora Mutantur
Disclaimer: do not own, plz don't sue me.
A/N:thanks to bumblebee115, puresilver, raina, Huntress, MandaPandaAR, witch-cat-magicfor your reviews!it really means alot to me that you took the time to give me feedback, so I dedicate this chapter to you all, who gave me the motivation to write! enjoy the chapter! it's quite a long one.
To witch-cat-magic: yes, you're right. it is an actthat Tom is pulling. Tom Riddle is a popular boy in his time and I doubt he would have that status by being rude to everyone or acting in typical high Slytherin fashion. Essentially, everything he does is an act, whether it's to the student body, who he has around his finger, the teachers, or even his 'loyal followers' and 'friends'. Tom is a true Slytherin. He uses everything and everyone around him to suit his needs.
To puresilver: thx so much for your offer, which i will take you up on! my friend was supposed to beta for me, but she's just told me last week she's too busy with work. so, i will send all future chapters to you to beta, if you don't mind!
Chapter 4: Acceptance and Refusal
Hermione awoke to the dewy scent of morning, the soft breeze trailing the sunlight onto her bed covers, filling her with warmth and comfort.
Despite all events of the previous night, she had fallen asleep almost the moment her head hit the pillows.
The Hospital Wing nurse, Madam Longbourn, had healed all her bruises and cuts and given her a set of school robes to replace her ragged, burnt, old ones.
Hermione had almost been secretly glad for the duel between Riddle and herself. It had given her an excuse as to why there were so many wounds on her body. In truth, all Riddle had managed to do was burn her robes and give her a few minor cuts. The majority of the lesions Madam Brody had healed had been sustained from the battle with the Death Eaters before her return in time.
The young nurse had looked at the wounds while shaking her head in a disapproving manner, muttering "oh, that Tom" under her breath, although the affectionate twinkle in her eye gave her away on her real feelings about Tom Riddle.
Hermione had angrily glowered about this behaviour from a school nurse, no less, until said nurse had given her something to eat and promptly sent her to bed with a cheerful smile and a parting.
"I'm sure Tom will be here tomorrow to apologize for what he did. You must have really startled him or I don't know why he would have reacted so violently. Really, darling, he's a sweetheart, Prefect and top of his class, you know. But, I'm sure you'll find that out for yourself tomorrow. He gets along with everyone, that Tom, even when he's in Slytherin…such a sweet boy…"
Needless to say, that comment did nothing to improve Hermione's mood or her impression of Tom Riddle.
Did that boy have everyone wrapped around his finger?
Why couldn't they see that he was just an evil git bent on destroying the world?
Mentally wincing, Hermione realized how insanely preposterous that comment would sound if she were to tell everyone of Tom's true disposition.
So, you know Tom Riddle, that brilliant, brave, Prefect boy? Well, he's an evil wizard who wants to destroy the world.
No, alerting the world of Tom Riddle's rise as the most evil Dark Wizard of their time would only have her end up at St Mungo's facilities for the insane. She'd have to think of another way to stop him, even if killing him seemed like the best option so far. And that had proven to be pretty near impossible after their duel.
Hermione sighed, closing her eyes and seeking the comfort of her warm bed for a few more moments before facing a new day.
As usual, the memories pushed to invade her thoughts once again, as they always did in any moment of relaxation.
Ginny's anguished screams as Harry fell, running to his side and then turning to Lord Voldemort with eyes blazing and wand at the ready. Voldemort's mocking sneer, right before he-
The door to the Hospital Wing opened, admitting Albus Dumbledore to walk gaily into the spacious room, his blue eyes twinkling and a smile on his lips as he said,
"Ah, good morning, Ms.Gran- er- Cacher."
Dumbledore had been the one to give her a cover-up name. It had been a practical move, to avoid complications in the fabric of time, and Hermione was grateful for the future Headmaster's forethought.
His presence soothed away the worry and pain of grief and burden, weights Hermione had carried alone on her shoulders until now. Dumbledore's presence was a haven from reality, a reminder of a time long gone in her past and his future.
After his death, nothing had been right.
Reality, as Hermione recalled, had come crashing down upon their doors. Albus had been a symbol of hope to the Order, the only one He ever feared, and with that title had come the reliance of thousands of souls upon a single power. When that power was extinguished, those souls had nowhere to go, were lost to the inexorable reaches of the darkness.
That was how it had been. Suddenly everyone in the war was lost and confused. It had been Dumbledore who planned the battle strategies, Dumbledore who negotiated the alliances, Dumbledore who overturned odds of losing battles, Dumbledore who rescued them from the clutches of He-Who-Must–Not–Be-Named…
With the foundation gone, the house could only fall.
"How did you sleep last night?"
"Very well, Professor. Thank-you for all the help you've given me, sir."
Hermione had thought she would never feel the comfort of hope and assurance again after his death; she had never realized how much she relied upon him, how much they all did, until he was suddenly gone from her life. Having the future Headmaster suddenly back in her presence, solid, and infinitely real had been one of the greatest joys of her life, though she little expressed it outwardly.
It was as if the rug that had been swept from under her feet had unexpectedly had been placed back again, but as Hermione looked up admiringly at the greatest sorcerer of her time, she saw that something was troubling him.
"Professor, is there something the matter?"
"Yes, I'm afraid there is. Hermione, from my impression of you last night, I believe that we are familiarly acquainted in your time, so I will speak frankly. While I do not presume to know the future, I do know my intentions are to remain in this school in years to come, and as you've revealed to me that you are a student at Hogwarts in your time, I find it impossible how anyone, especially my future self, would allow you to back travel in time in an attempt to change it."
"Professor, I-"
Dumbledore held up a hand for silence.
"Now, I do not understand the circumstances of which you come, but I will offer you this warning and advice. Go back as soon as you may. Time is not something to be meddled with and it is not something which can be changed. Your very presence here may offset an intricate balance, and once that scale is tipped, it cannot be undone."
Blue eyes peered upon her sagely, and Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her bed. How could he say that when everything was gone, when the future as they knew it was dead? Surely, they could appeal to time this once to set everything right…
"Hermione," Dumbledore pronounced her name in grave tones, "I know what you are thinking, but nothing, nothing, is worth the risk of coming back here in an attempt to change what has already come to pass. However bleak the future may be, I tell you, it is not worth the risk. It will not do to run away while one still has the chance to fight. By seeking refuge in this era, you are not escaping the future, you are merely avoiding it, and at a great cost. I am sorry, but you must go back by whatever means you came. I will not aid you in whatever you have come here to do."
The room was silent now, Dumbledore awaiting her decision as Hermione looked down at her hands, avoiding his gaze. Some time along the vast quietness which stretched, she realized that the birds had stopped singing, and the morning sun was no longer shining and warm.
Reality, she realized, was crashing down upon her door once more.
It was she that broke the silence. "I have no way to go back. The Time Turner broke in my duel with Riddle."
"The Time- Turner? Ah, I'm afraid it does not yet exist in our time." Dumbledore sighed, one hand massaging the bridge of his nose where his glasses perched, as he said, "This will complicate things, but not by much. I will contact our Ministry and see what they can do for you. In the meantime, you and I shall spend our spare time researching into any spells or charms which might do the trick. I shall assign a task as an independent study in Transfiguration, and you will research this for me, Hermione."
Hermione nodded, her mind reeling. She was really going back. Dumbledore refused to help her and now she had to return to…she shuddered at the thought of the future.
But there was nothing to be done. Hermione knew herself that this "mission" of hers was doomed from the beginning. How could she possibly have thought to kill Riddle? Dumbledore was right; she must not tear the fabric of time, and killing Riddle would certainly do just that. She now saw the effects of prolonged hunger, depravation of sleep, and stress had on the mind. How could she think coming back here would help anything? Hadn't she been taught in her third- year that it was strictly forbidden for obvious reasons? Hadn't she read up on the consequences of attempting to change time? She had known about the countless instances where people erased their past selves, destroyed their own future, destroyed a town or city by revealing too much… And yet, she had come back here, cherishing the hope of saving Ron, and Harry and everyone else. Stupid…stupid…stupid….
Dumbledore seemed to see the battle within her mind, comforting her by patting her shoulder lightly and offering her a small smile.
"I'm truly sorry, Hermione, if I could anything I would, but it's simply too dangerous…Now, here are your school robes, you seemed to have burned your own robes last night, so I took the liberty of buying new ones. You textbooks are on the nightstand there, as is your schedule. There is also a money pouch containing two hundred galleons for any expenses you may need. Of course, you might want to keep that a secret. Hogwarts has its own fund for student expenses, but given the nature of your stay I decided to take your expenses upon myself. You will need expensive textbooks and ingredients for your 'assignment'."
Hermione nodded silently, grateful to the future Headmaster for his care, but still caught up in her own thoughts. Then, something struck her.
"Sir, which House am I to be in? Am I going to be re-Sorted?"
"Why, yes, Headmaster Dippet thought it would be a rather good way to introduce you to the students during breakfast this morning." Dumbledore looked down at his watch. "Speaking of which, I believe I have taken too much of your time. Breakfast is in half an hour. Take your time to get ready."
And with that, he stood and slowly strode towards the door, stopping as he opened it to peer back once more towards her, "oh, and Miss Granger," her alibi name was omitted, "Good Luck."
By the time of her arrival, the Great Hall was already buzzing with the sound of students. She looked around, unsure of where to seat herself. As her eyes drifted to the Slytherin table, she spotted Tom Riddle sitting beside a tall, bleach -blonde boy and a skinny brunette boy, both of whom seemed to be arguing with another member of the house. Whatever it was they were squabbling about, it seemed Riddle was enjoying himself, turning around as he stretched his limbs and suddenly caught her eyes.
The events of the night before instantly replayed in Hermione's mind, how she had insulted him.
"But I'd like it if we could be friends."
Hermione scoffed.
"Right, and why would the great Tom Riddle want to be friends with a common Mudblood? Goodnight Tom."
Thinking back, it probably hadn't been a good idea to ridicule what would become an evil Dark Wizard and it certainly had not been a good idea to slam the door in his face, but it didn't seem Tom took offence to that incident of the night before, as he imperceptibly raised his glass to her and nodded, his lips formed the trade- mark smirk.
Hermione was shocked to see that he wasn't angry with her or fuming. She had expected to make an enemy of him, so it would make her job easier to kill him, not that she was going to do that now…
Hermione almost smiled back at him before she remembered who he was and abruptly turned and avoided further eye contact.
What was she doing?
It was all a ploy, just like last night when he had wanted to "befriend" her.
Didn't she know the future Voldemort enough not to underestimate his past self? He was simply toying with her, just as he did with everyone else in this school. She couldn't fall for it! She knew better!
There was a ringing chime of glass as Dippet called the students to order. Every pair of eyes turned to look at the Headmaster, every pair except one, which chose to gaze upon the new student.
Hermione could feel the heat on her back from the gaze of a certain boy with forest- green eyes. Why the hell was he staring at her? And why the hell did she care?
She forced herself to listen to Dippet's monotonous speech on her arrival, feeling more eyes on her now as curiosity bloomed within each student.
"-and so, it will be each of you responsibility to welcome Miss Cacher to Hogwarts and make her stay here a valuable experience. Now, without further ado, we will begin the Sorting. Miss Cacher, if you please."
Hermione did not respond. Unused to being called "Miss Cacher" and wandering in the depth of her own reverie, she was unaware that Dippet's long drone had finally ended.
"Miss Cacher?"
Still no response.
Someone snickered and there was light chuckling all through the Great Hall before she realized how foolish she looked and went to take a seat on the stool being offered to her.
One pair of forest- green eyes narrowed suspiciously.
The old Sorting Hat, looking not so old in this era, was brought out and placed promptly on her head. It spoke immediately.
"Ah, what is this, a time- traveler at Hogwarts? Well, well, it seems we will meet again in the future, no? But I see you've changed since I lastplaced you in Gryffindor, my dear."
Hermione caught her breath. Changed? How?
The hat read her thoughts and replied,
"Well, you've become protean, adapting and changing to suit your environment…there is still vast amounts of courage in you, I see…that overwhelming thirst for knowledge is still present…and the pure heart… still there… buried, perhaps, by layers of misgivings, but existent nonetheless…what to do, what to do…you would do well in any House really, my dear…though I think you already know which one I would suggest…yes…you're right, I haven't mentioned it because I know your feelings about Slytherin House, but you would do well there, Miss Granger, very well."
Hermione unconsciously sucked in her breath. Her? In Slytherin?
"Yes. I'm afraid war at such a tender age has changed you. Your former beliefs of nobility and honour, ideals and utopias, good triumphing over evil, would have placed you in Gryffindor. But these beliefs have been replaced by something else…you know of what I speak. It is the cause and effect of why you are here, after all. Slytherin House would shelter your new beliefs; it would provide you with the power you require for what is inevitably coming, it would help you survive in the future. True, you are Muggleborn, which Slytherin himself would object to, but that would be nothing in comparison to your potential, which they would all soon realize over time. Your thirst for knowledge, your desire to prove yourself as a Muggleborn equal to any Pureblood could all be achieved there…your brilliant mind would be put much more to use, and with your abilities, you could have power at the tips of your fingers, my dear girl, if you choose it…"
Hermione really wasn't listening to the hat anymore. All she could think was "not, Slytherin, please not Slytherin…not Slytherin, anything but Slytherin…" The hat heard her pleas.
"Are you sure? There is one other in Slytherin House, whom you've already met, who could help you greatly, in more ways than one. You would meet your match there, meet the challenge you've so desperately wanted in school in your own time...no? Very well, if you have your heart set on it, but be warned that things this time around will not be like the last. You have changed, my dear, and many members of your House will not…share your views. One last piece of advice, Miss Granger: use the past to know the present."
Hermione barely heard the Sorting Hat's last comment before it yelled, "Gryffindor!" for all to hear.
She took off the hat and placed it on the stool before walking slowly to her table, thoughts preoccupied on what the hat had said and how close she had just been to being Sorted Slytherin.
The Great Hall was quiet. Unlike her first Sorting, no one was clapping now, and she snapped out of her reverie to look upon Gryffindors before her. They studied her with curiosity. The new student had taken a long time to be Sorted, longer than any of them had ever taken. She seemed like a mystery, appearingoutof nowhere during the middle of the term, no ties, no connections, and now this. The students of Gryffindor House were baffled.
Eventually, however, the clapping started, curiosity replaced by a proper sense of politeness as Gryffindor table cheered loudly for their new arrival and welcomed her into their midst. There was a time for questions later.
Across the Hall, at the other end, a pair of forest green eyes was still fixed intently upon the new student, a hundred questions buzzing within the mind of the owner of those remarkable eyes.
That had not been an ordinary Sorting, he concluded. This girl, whoever she was, was anything but ordinary, and whatever secrets she held, he would soon find out.
Because, Tom Riddle told himself, he loved to solve mysteries.
A/N: well, what did you think? plz review and tell me. i have to say, your reviews really motivate me to write.
To be honest, i was scared no one would like this fic, b/c the beginning starts off so much like the other tr/hg fics i've read, which really wasn't my intention but somehow ended up like this anyways.
I started with no real concrete idea of where i was heading, and got stuck in the pretext of the pairing, which is really contricting for the plot, since you need the time-turner, the alibi, blahblahblah, before really getting to the plot.
So, let me just say that i am sooo glad i am FINALLY, after 4 chapters, done all the preliminary settings and can now focus on the REAL plot. yah!
thx for reading and plz remember to review!
-love selenoliber
