A/N: I can hardly believe I am half way through this story. I know time-travel fanfics seem to be over used, but they are fun to write. Anyways happy reading.
Over the next few weeks Rose watched as Hermione helped create the DA, find a place to practice, and Harry fall in love with Cho Chang. Although she wanted to interfere and help Severus had made it clear that no matter what unless it dealt directly with the Horcruxes she was not to interfere. It was hard for her at times because of the knowledge she possessed. The hardest part was not hexing the toad into oblivion. Umbridge made her life a living hell. She may have been a Black, but no one accepted her as such. It was one particular night that Severus was speaking with her about the next target when the toad came in. The moment she saw the two of them together the toad started spouting how it was improper for a Professor and student to be alone together so late at night. Since that night, she had been watching Rose like a hawk.
One morning after Rose had grabbed a roll from the table a letter was handed to her from Fred himself. "Professor McGonagall asked me to deliver this to you." Smiling she thanked him and opened the letter. It was not from McGonagall, but Severus. He told her tonight Sirius would be collecting the cup and that she was to assist him. At noon when most of the students were in the great hall she went to the room of requirement. Once inside she saw Severus there, but the most amazing part was McGonagall was also there. "Professor McGonagall what are you doing here?" asked Rose. "I asked her to escort you. I can't come because you aren't the only one that Umbridge has been watching. Dumbledore has given both of you permission to apparate outside the school and return to the school the same way."
Severus looked like he wanted to say something else but decided to leave. McGonagall and Rose apparated to a dark alley before stepping into the busy streets of Diagon alley. Making their way to Gringotts they ran into a man that made McGonagall stop in her tracks. Before them was a man with messy short black hair and blue eyes. The only thing missing was a pair of glasses and he could have been James Potter. "Honestly Sirius don't scare Professor McGonagall like that," laughed Rose. "Sorry, but I can't really go out as myself." By this time, McGonagall had recovered and was leading the two inside. Walking up to a goblin she explained that Miss Black needed to get some money from her vault and her guardian was here to bring the key.
The goblin looked all three of them over before nodding. It was luck that the Lestrange vault was next to the Black vault. The three of them sped through the tunnels of Gringotts until they reached the Black vaults. When the goblin wasn't looking, Rose knocked him out. Professor McGonagall helped carry the goblin over towards the vault. As they approached Rose was expecting to see a dragon but saw nothing. "He must have put it here when he took over next year," she murmured. Sirius looked at her but said nothing. Between the three of them they opened the vault. Lighting up the vault she felt the same sensation she had the last time she was in here. "Whatever you do try to avoid touching anything. They have a multiplier spell on almost everything in here." Rose thought she heard him mutter something about his cousin being crazy.
Between the two of them they carefully maneuvered their way toward the back of the vault. As they got closer Rose could finally see the cup. It was just as she remembered it. The problem was it was at the top of a pile of gold and knowing what happened last time, the moment she touched any of it, it would multiply. "What's wrong Rose?" asked Sirius. "Do you trust me?" Sirius nodded, and she went jumping up towards the cup the moment she touched the gold it started to multiply and burn her body. Cursing she pushed forward towards the goblet of Hufflepuff. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sirius starting to move towards her. "STOP! Sirius, I mean it I don't want you to come near here. One is already enough to set it off like crazy." Rose reached the cup and grabbed it and ran down the mountain of gold. With a quick wave of her wand she created a replica of the cup. Quickly the three and the goblin removed themselves from the vault.
Once outside Rose collapsed onto the ground the burns from the gold getting to her. "Hermione!" shouted Sirius. Sirius held her up as he pulled her robe away to reveal red welts on her visible skin. He didn't know the damage it had done to what he couldn't see, and it worried him. Her breathing was labored as it was. "Excuse me Mr. Black, but did you just say Hermione?" asked McGonagall. "I'll explain later but right now we need to get her out of here and somewhere safe." Professor McGonagall nodded and helped Sirius carry her back into the cart. Once she was situated they woke up the goblin and convinced him they got the galleons they needed.
Once outside Gringotts they apparated back to Grimwald Place. Sirius made sure Hermione was tucked away before flooing for Severus. "Minerva, would you like a cup of tea? It may be some time before Snape gets here and I certainly can't let you go alone back to Hogwarts. There would be to many questions." "Indeed, Mr. Black, but would you mind telling me why you called her Hermione. The last time I checked Miss Granger was a fifth year not a seventh year." Just then green flames came through the fireplace along with Severus. "That Minerva is true, but it is also true that the seventh year before you was and is the very same Miss Granger," Said Severus.
McGonagall looked so confused that Sirius started to laugh, but Severus proceeded to explain that the Hermione from the future came to the past to change the toll of the war and that she has the knowledge of every decision and its consequence. "So, in short I must protect what is most precious to us all. Hermione here has put her life on the line multiple times and lost the person she loves most in the world which is why she is here." "The poor child. Why must she carry this burden by herself though?" asked McGonagall. "Because that is the way she is. She feels that everything that happens she must burden herself. She rarely allows others to get hurt if she can help it. I'm sure you saw that first hand today." McGonagall nodded as Severus went to check on her upstairs.
He knocked and entered to see her sleeping soundly. Sitting on the edge of the bed he moved her hair and touched the side if her face. He wanted to tell her not to put herself in any unnecessary danger earlier and now he wished he had. He felt a hand on his wrist and looked into the emerald green eyes. "I see you found trouble." She grinned and nodded. "Yeah it just seems to follow me around." Shaking his head, he had to help her strip down to nearly nothing, so he could heal her. The only things she was wearing was her bra and panties. "He had a boil salve that he gently started to apply on her arms, legs, and stomach. Before she knew it, he was finished, and she was already feeling better. "Miss Granger…" She stopped what she was doing and looked at his back as he spoke. "I must assume that scar on the forearm that says Mud blood is from the war." "Yes" she said. "Very Well then I hope you succeed so you never have to feel that pain that I am sure you did when that was done." With that he left, and she sat on the edge of the bed holding her shirt to her chest. Severus was such a mysterious man to her. He never cared for her before, but now he seemed to have a fatherly approach to her and she didn't mind one bit. In fact, she welcomed it in a world where she was alone in the past.
Severus returned to the two adults in the kitchen. "She should be fine just a good night's rest tonight." "Thank you, Severus." He nodded and disapparated. He would never admit it, but he constantly worried about her. With four Horcruxes down that left three to go. She had divulged to him once what they all were, but his main concern was what would happen to her when this was all over.