Chapter 13
Hermione sat in shocked silence. While her body may have been still, Hermione's mind was racing. She was finally going to go home, but if this was what she really wanted why did she want to cry? She would get to be with her friends, family, and Crookshanks. How she missed her poor Crookshanks.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat to regain Hermione's attention. Dumbledore opened a drawer and pulled out a sparkling gold chain that was attached to her fixed time turner. He gently set it down on the desk in front of her. Hermione just sat there staring dumbly at it. Finally Hermione asked "How long do I have?"
"Not as much time as you would like, I'm sure. I'm sorry dear but you must be gone by the end of the month. As of yet no one knows the effect of prolonged time travel upon the mind and body."
"If you don't mind then, I would like to leave Friday afternoon."
"As you wish Ms. Grangié."
"What would you like me to do with my school things?"
"If you leave them in your dorm, I'm sure Ms. Evans wouldn't mind taking care of everything."
"Thank you, Professor, for everything."
"When you are ready Friday afternoon, you may use my office as your leaving point. Good night."
"Good night." Hermione replied as she stood and then exited the room. When Hermione stepped off the Gargoyle's steps she leant back against the wall and closed her eyes upon the tears that were threatening to fall.
Hermione steeled her resolve and started the slow walk back to Gryffindor tower. Upon entering the tower Hermione went straight to her rooms. She couldn't face her friends. She knew that if she did she would most likely dissolve into tears. After a quick word with the portrait guarding the entrance to her rooms, Hermione's privacy remained uninterrupted.
Hermione walked straight over to the large desk that commanded one corner of her common room. Pulling out several sheets of parchment, a quill, and an ink pot, Hermione started the first letter of many.
Dear Sirius,
I must admit that I will miss the endless fun that seems to follow you. No longer will I have a test subject to turn into a girl. Never have I seen someone look so good in a skirt. I wasn't going to say anything, for fear of increasing your big enough ego, but that was one of the best and most enjoyable duels that I have ever had the privilege to participate in. And trust me that is saying something. Hold onto your carefree lifestyle. There will come a time to be responsible, but for now embrace it. Don't break too many hearts.
Your Feline Friend,
Hermione
Hermione put down her quill and picked up the piece of parchment. She gently blew across the ink to speed the drying process. Hermione pulled out an envelope from a drawer. After putting the letter inside, she created a seal of wax and used a charmed piece of wood to set the outline of a rose into the rapidly hardening wax. Hermione addressed the envelope and then set it out of the way. She resolutely picked up her quill and dipped it in the ink.
Dear James,
With me gone, you'll have to help Lily keep Sirius' ego under control, although I think that you will not succeed with his until you succeed in keeping your own at a moderate size. Okay, okay, you're right. Sirius' ego isn't that bad. Maybe is should be he who is helping you? Poor James, being picked on by little old me. Live like every moment is your last. Love like you'll never love again. A word of advice, don't let Lily go. Hold onto her. Don't deny it, I know you love her. Anyone can see it in the way you look at her.
Cheers,
Hermione
Hermione repeated the same process of enclosing the letter in an envelope as she had with the previous letter. After taking a moment to stretch her arms, Hermione continued her writing.
Dear Lily,
As much as I hate leaving behind one of the only voices of reason that I have ever met it doesn't change the fact that I have to say goodbye. Life around James isn't as hard as it may seem. Don't let anything get in the way of your love for each other. Don't start protesting, I know it is true. Thanks for taking me under your wing, Take off some points from Slytherin for me won't you?
Friends forever,
Hermione
This time Hermione didn't even stop to put the letter in its envelope but moved straight on to writing her next letter.
Peter,
I know we weren't the best of friends during my visit here, but that doesn't change the fact that I'll still miss you. Friendship should be valued above all else. Don't ever forget that. And remember that mistakes can be righted.
Yours truly,
Hermione
Hermione shuddered as she re-read what she had written. She lied about liking Peter, but he would never be the wiser. Hopefully he would take what she had written to heart. The letter joined the other in the growing pile.
Dear Remus,
We both knew that this time would eventually come. Even so, it does not make this any easier. I love you Remus. I want you to always remember that. Don't let life push you around. You are not just n animal. You were put here for a reason. You are a man, a wizard, and you deserve to be treated like one. Don't let anyone ever tell you different. I hope that we can still be friends when I next see you, but I warn you, it will be very different from now. Enclosed is a white gold bracelet. Wear it with love.
Eternally yours,
Hermione
Hermione didn't have the heart to write more. That was the hardest letter she had ever written. Slowly Hermione put the rest of the letters into their envelopes and sealed them. That done, she tucked them into a side drawer.
Hermione rubbed her eyes and stretched before standing. Her back cracked from sitting slumped over the desk for so long. She grabbed a nearby candle and turned in for the night.
The next days classes seemed to fly by all too quickly in Hermione's opinion. Before she knew it, it was dusk. Hermione couldn't just leave with a written good bye so she decided to enjoy herself for her last night with Lily and the Marauders. Hermione spent the evening savoring every last moment with her friends. Hermione, Lily, and the Marauders stayed up late talking and playing various games. By the time they had turned in it was one o'clock in the morning.
The next morning dawned overcast and grey, mirroring Hermione's mood. After getting dressed she set out a fresh set of robes, school uniform, and her head girl badge on her bed.
Hermione grabbed her books and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Her morning classes seemed to drag by. She didn't even bother to take notes. She stared out the window instead.
Near the end of the lunch period Hermione gave Lily and the Marauders hugs. She grabbed her book bag and heaved it onto her shoulder. "I have to go back to Gryffindor tower. I forgot some of my books." Hermione lied.
"Don't be too long. Potions starts in fifteen minutes."
"Don't worry, I shouldn't take that long. I'll see you guys later. Have fun." Hermione replied over her shoulder as she walked away. She never looked back.
When Hermione reached the safety of her rooms the first tears dropped. She angrily swiped them away. There would be time for her to cry later. Hermione quickly changed into the things she had set out earlier that morning. She then boxed up all of her belongings and levitated them into one large pile. On top of the pile Hermione placed the envelope addressed to Lily.
Hermione retrieved the rest of the letters and left her rooms. Hermione went out into the main common room. She took a deep breath and then walked up the stairs to the seventh year boys' dormitory. Hermione placed the letters on the pillows of each boy's bed.
Hermione took one last look before leaving the Gryffindor common room. The portrait swung shut behind her and Hermione walked away, trying to shed Hermione Grangié in preparation for stepping back into Hermione Grangers life.
The hall was quiet as Hermione approached the stone gargoyle. As she stopped in front of it she realized that she didn't have the password she needed to be able to get into the Headmasters office. Suddenly the gargoyle moved out of her way, revealing the staircase behind.
When no one answered Hermione's knock she pushed open the door and scanned the room. On the desk was her time turner accompanied by a note. The Headmasters spidery writing scrawled over the page.
Hermione read the instructions and was grateful for the privacy the Headmaster provided her with. She looped the chain around her neck and closed her eyes as she started turning the time turner.
Just as the familiar feel of time travel started the door to the Headmasters office flung open revealing a panicking Remus Lupin. His eyes immediately took in the scene. Hermione whispered "I'm so sorry." The last thing Hermione heard was his furious cry of "NO!"
When Hermione's vision cleared of tears she noticed that she was still alone in the Headmasters office. Spying a copy of the Daily Profit on the desk she looked at the date. She was immediately relieved to see that she was back in her own time. It was no surprise that Dumbledore had accurately guessed the amount of turns she would need to take her back to the exact date of her departure.
The clock mounted on the wall told Hermione that supper was just about over signifying that her detention would commence within a couple of hours. Hermione hurried down to the dungeons and hid behind a statue. Long after the Slytherins had filed past Hermione watched as she came down the stair with her time turner in hand. She watched as she slipped and disappeared from sight.
Hermione removed herself from her hiding place and then went to her detention that she had missed weeks before. When Hermione returned to the Gryffindor common room that night she went over to the curtain. She stopped herself from pushing it back when she realized that her rooms were in the girls dormitory.
Hermione hung her head in defeat and moved towards the staircase. Harry and Ron looked up from their game of Wizards Chess.
"Long day 'Mione?"
"You've no idea, Harry."
Hermione turned in early that night. It took her a while to get used to the fact that she was finally back where she belonged. The week or so was hard for Hermione. She tried not to act to depressed and embraced her life.
The first Hogsmeade weekend rolled around and all of the students, from third year and up, were excited about the chance to get away from the school. Harry and Ron managed to talk Hermione into joining them for a day on the town.
Hermione couldn't help compare the current Hogsmeade with the one that the Marauders grew up with. The trio headed into the Three Broomsticks for lunch. As they sat eating lunch in their booth a familiar figure entered and headed towards their table.
"Professor Lupin? What's he doing here?" Hermione asked nervously.
"I hope you don't mind, but I invited him to lunch." Harry replied.
Hermione was staring at her food by the time Remus sat down at their table.
"Hello everybody. How's are you all doing?"
Harry and Ron replied with an earnest "Great" while Hermione's was full of false cheer, a fact that Remus seemed to pick up on. Lunch passed quickly and soon Harry and Ron were itching to go to the candy store, Honeydukes. Hermione passed up on the opportunity and opted, instead, to stay at the Three Broomsticks sipping her Butterbeer.
Harry and Ron left. To Hermione's acute discomfort Remus remained behind. Hermione didn't know how to breach the subject so she remained silent.
Eventually Remus cleared his throat. "I think it best that we talked Hermione. I assume you have already made your surprise trip?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, Hermione."
Hermione looked up, startled "Whatever for?"
"For everything. They were your friends too."
"Remus, can I ask a question?"
"Of course."
"Did you love me?"
Remus quietly replied "Very much so."
"Do you still?"
"Hermione, that was a long time to ago. I'm sorry, but I've moved on."
"Ok."
Remus reached out and grabbed her hand, holding her smaller in his two larger ones "You knew it would be different when you got back. It has been so long and now there is a big age difference. It would be unethical."
"Love knows no age."
"Listen to me Hermione, it can't work."
Hermione looked up and then brought her free hand to his. Quickly she pushed back his sleeve on one arm. Finding nothing she searched the other wrist. She looked at him with fresh tears in her eyes.
"I locked it away. I was too heartbroken to wear it."
Hermione stood up. "I have to go." She hurried out into the street and joined a group of students that were making their way back to the castle.
The next morning as the owl post was delivered. Hermione was brought out of her trance by a letter landing in front of her. She opened the envelope and took out the piece of parchment. A single word was written on the top of the page.
Sorry
She didn't need a signature to know who the letter was from. As she went to crumple up the envelope Hermione noticed that it was not yet emptied. Reaching inside she pulled out a white gold bracelet that, upon closer inspection, had the image of a rose engraved on one side and the words "eternally yours" on the engraved on the other.
Hermione held the bracelet to her chest and squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't let him go. Someday she would make him love her.
Finis
A/N: Sorry about the long period of time between updates. Cringe I feel really bad about that. I think I will leave the story here, but I might write a sequel in the form of a one shot later on. Keep an eye out for my upcoming work. Thanks to all my reviewers! Don't forget to Review. I would really like some feedback on the entire story. Constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thanks again.