March 1945

There were only a few months of school left. Perched on the corner of a weathered windowsill in her dorm, Hermione let her gaze wander over the chatting students on the ground below. The Gryffindor tower was situated on the far east side of the castle grounds, much to Abraxas' chagrin, but even he had to admit, that the old structure offered the best view onto the rolling hills surrounding the ancient castle.

She watched as one student nearly tripped over their slightly too-long robes, feeling a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. They're so young. It was easy to forget that she'd been as tiny as the fumbling first-years down below not too long ago.

"There you are! Ready?" Minny's cheerful voice pulled Hermione from her wandering thoughts.

"Been for a while. What took you so long?" She followed her bustling friend through the painting of the fat lady and fell into step beside her.

"Me? Which one of us decided to suddenly vanish into thin air after I left for a second?" Both girls made their way down the evermoving stairs, careful not to miss a step.

"I told you I was going to wait by the old alcove," Hermione said.

"As if." Minny shot back with narrowed eyes.

"Anyways! Is Charlus joining us?" She hadn't seen her other friend in ages. Since he was with Dorea most of the time and she was busy with trying to keep Tom in line, there weren't many opportunities for them to just hang out anymore.

Minny rolled her eyes, "What do you think? He and his Slytherin beau have become inseparable in the past weeks. Must be 'cause we're leaving soon."

The two sat down at their house table in the great hall. Hermione reached for a clementine and began to absentmindedly peel the orange fruit.

"I guess that's normal. Still a little annoying that he's leaving the rest of us hanging." She murmured, amber eyes searching the hall for their friend.

"Exactly!" Minny exclaimed while preparing her own breakfast.

The two quickly finished their meals. Their first lesson of the day was Arithmancy which Hermione looked forward to. Their current topic was challenging enough even for her and nothing was more satisfying than solving a seemingly impossible calculation…


The day went by in a flash and as the sun began to paint the sky crimson, she found herself sharing a table in the courtyard with Abraxas and Dolohov. After their classes, the trio had decided to review their current potion assignment since Slughorn liked to see his favourite pupils work together.

"Maybe we should ask Tom about this, I'm not sure this is what old Slughorn wants to read," Abraxas said.

Hermione regarded her friend with an incredulous stare. "Are you questioning my intelligence right now, Malfoy?"

"What? No, no of course not. It's just-"

Visibly struggling for an answer, Dolohov took pity on the stuttering young man. "Despite his background, Riddle is still wickedly gifted, not even you can deny that, Lestrange."

Hermione knew he was right, but that didn't stop her from frowning. Her answer was more than sufficient. She- they didn't need Tom Riddle's help. She felt goosebumps running down her spine at the thought of the older boy. After her rather pathetic breakdown in the library three months ago, she was constantly struggling to stay true to her original goals.

On that dreadful night, her traitorous heart had decided, that she didn't want to be everyone's saviour anymore. The one who'd make the world a better place. How could she ever think that this unfathomably ambitious goal of saving Tom Riddle was ever achievable? Some people were just born rotten.

"What he said! Why do you find it so difficult to acknowledge his brilliance?" Abraxas rudely interrupted her inner monologue.

"I'm not! My answer is probably just as right as his." Why couldn't they at least let her have this?

"Alright, alright, we won't ask. Happy?" Seemingly fed up with the whole discussion, Abraxas relented.

Hermione smirked, "very."

Both boys regarded her with a dead-pan look. Just as she was about to turn her focus back on the next paragraph, Hermione remembered what Dolohov had said.

"Can I ask you two something?"

Dolohov cocked his head, "Sure."

Fumbling with her quill, Hermione leaned forward, "You said that Tom is gifted despite his heritage-" She turned to look at Abraxas, "I remember a time where you weren't very impressed with him, what changed your mind?"

A tense silence followed her question.

"Well, he is the heir of Slytherin." Abraxas began, "his muggle-blood pales in comparison to the ancient magic he's inherited."

Hermione furrowed her brows. Was this truly enough to make even the staunchest pureblood overlook his filthy blood?

"But you knew he could speak to snakes for a long time; it didn't stop you from looking down on him." She argued.

"That was before he was officially named the next Lord Slytherin. Even the Blacks aren't mad enough to pass on the opportunity to add a true descendant of one of the founders to their family tree." Abraxas explained, his pale eyes finding her own.

Why hadn't Tom officially claimed his titles in her previous time? Hermione wondered before it hit her. Because he didn't know he could. Originally there hadn't been anyone who explained the finer details of how the magical world worked to Tom. Blended by his own ego, Voldemort was never aware he had a claim and none of his followers knew of his true origins. The few who did know of his ability to speak parseltongue probably didn't even consider the ludicrous idea that the disgraced Gaunt family had procreated after Merope and Morfin.

"So because the ministry gave him a fancy ring and a few seats in the Gamot his blood suddenly doesn't matter anymore?" She still found it hard to believe.

"Essentially," Abraxas answered.

Hermione had been hunted, even tortured by a former Black because of her parentage! The thought that Tom was allowed to pass as one of them despite his Muggle father felt like a slap in the face.

"This is ridiculous." She muttered under her breath, but apparently loud enough for Dolohov to hear.

"We're all hypocrites Lestrange." He swiped some escaped strands of dark hair from his forehead. "You're lucky that you supported him from day one, he'll become a powerful ally in the future."

It was infuriating how everything Tom Riddle desired was somehow handed to him on a silver platter. He was perfect in every sense of the word. Brilliant, attractive and now seemingly above judgement. It boggled her mind how the slight boy she'd met at the orphanage all those years ago had turned into this paragon of magical prowess. Never in her life would she have thought it possible for a half-blood, no matter how talented, to be accepted by the ancient and most noble house of Black.

"He'll go far. We're just following along the ride to reap the fruits of his labour." Abraxas chuckled at her stunned expression.

"You're... You're such a Slytherin!" She sputtered.

"Oh, you just realised that now?" He scurried away from her as she lifted her hand, aiming for his upper arm.

"This is so wrong," Hermione exclaimed, the three of them bickering for a while longer before returning their attention back to their forgotten potion assignment…


May 1945

As the final days of her schooling drew closer, Hermione found herself contemplating her time after Hogwarts. She'd continue managing the Lestrange finances under Rodolphus' guidance but other than that, there wasn't much she could do. She might've been named next head of house, but until her father abdicated, she wasn't allowed to attend any gatherings or vote for that matter. It was ridiculous.

"I've just handed in my application for the teaching exam at the ministry. If all works out, I can start at Hogwarts in two years." Minny spoke excitedly from her seat on the cosy sofa next to Hermione.

"That's amazing Minny! Imagine you teaching my own children someday." Charlus had finally managed to detach himself from his beloved long enough to spend an entire evening with Minerva and Hermione back in their common room. It felt nice to have him back.

"Merlin, I don't know if I want to."

"Hey!"

Hermione watched the bickering pair fondly. It felt surreal that soon, they'd part ways. Which brought her back to the dreaded question of how she'd spent her days until Tom rose to power. She doubted that her father would let her pursue a career of her own. There weren't many options for women in these days and a witch of her pedigree getting a normal job was practically social suicide.

"So, besides having a bunch of mini-mes with yours truly, what do you want to do?" Minny asked the young Potter.

"Since Dorea will be here for one more year, I'll use the time to travel around the isles. Maybe stay with my cousins for a bit. They collect and sell rare magical artefacts."

Clearly interested, Minny smiled. "That sounds mighty interesting, you wouldn't mind if I visited you from time to time, would you?"

The two of them laughed, agreeing to see each other regularly.

"What about you Mione, any great future schemes we should know about?" Charlus addressed her, startling Hermione a little.

"I'll spend most of my time with father and official Lestrange business, there won't be much time for other things." She lied, not wanting her friends to know how insecure she felt.

"Sounds dreadfully dull. Make sure to visit me often, I'll entertain you." Charlus winked, and Hermione felt her heart clench.

Maybe she could actually do just that. Travel the world. She had thought about it before but feared that the Lestranges wouldn't let her out of her sight. Maybe if she had a good enough reason, they'd let her go.

"I will. Can't have you two forget about me after we leave this place." It was supposed to be a joke, but Hermione felt dread rising up her chest at the thought of losing her few precious friends outside of the toxic circles of pureblood supremacists she had to surround herself with.

"I would never! You're stuck with me for life! Maybe I'll even make you two the godparents of my children." Charlus' eyes sparkled delightfully.

"Will you stop it with your imaginary children already. I feel sorry for Dorea." Minny teased the flustered boy.

"You're just jealous." His comment earned him a pillow in the face. Hermione closed her eyes for a second to dispel the lingering dread in her body before joining in with her friend's laughter. She'd worry about her future another time…


June 1945

"This is it guys, our final time leaving this train." Charlus took Dorea by her hand and helped her stand. The train came to a screeching halt just as he finished his sentence, white steam blocking their view from the windows.

"This feels so weird," Minny mumbled while putting her coat on. Except for Dorea, none of them were wearing their uniforms. They weren't required anymore.

Nodding in silent agreement Hermione pressed her lips together as she fumbled with the white frills on her airy robes that looked so different from anything she'd ever worn in the future. She felt like a proper lady. The only time she'd felt truly elegant in her original time had been during the yule ball. It was the first time she'd worn a long gown. Now the thought of wearing her comfortable jeans felt utterly foreign. Her forehead creased as she tried to recount the feeling of denim on her legs.

"Everyone ready?" Charlus asked from his position at the entrance of their compartment, and Hermione nodded.

"Let's go." Taking one final look back at the worn seats of the train she closed her eyes and deeply inhaled the familiar smell of her childhood.

An overwhelming wave of nostalgia hit her. Hermione Granger had never finished school. A frown marred her youthful face as she processed this realisation. From now on everything would be new. She'd never lived past this moment in her life and it was just as exciting as it was terrifying.

"Hermione you coming?" Minny's warm hand found her own and she allowed her friend to pull her after her off the train.

Charlus rubbed his neck in an attempt to dispel the sudden awkwardness. None of them knew how to say goodbye without the certainty that they'd see each other again in a few months. "Well, I guess we'll be off then. Don't forget to write!" He finally said, giving them one last smile before vanishing into the busy crowd with Dorea next to him.

Minerva sighed, "there he goes. I should leave as well; my parents are probably already waiting outside the station."

Biting her lips Hermione somehow managed to force a watery smile on her face. "Tell them I said hi."

Pulling her into a quick hug, Minerva nodded into her neck before letting go of her again. "Will do. Now I really need to go."

Hermione swallowed hard but allowed her friend to leave her arms. "Bye Minny." Her attempt to sound cheerful failed miserably.

"See you soon Mione." Minny regarded her with a final smile before turning around and making her way towards the exit.

Sighing, Hermione turned to look for her own relatives, doubting anyone would be waiting for her. It stung surprisingly bad, usually, at least Winny would pick her up, but her dear elf was gone and now she was pathetically hoping to see the faces of the people who were responsible for her death. She was despicable.

Just as she was about to make her way towards the public floo gate, two strong arms grabbed her from behind and twirled the startled girl through the air.

"Wha-" Painfully familiar curls were suddenly obscuring her vision as she was pulled into a broad chest.

"Sorry I'm late love, there are a lot of people here." Hermione let out a chocked laugh as she recognised Evan's deep voice next to her ear.

"What are you even doing here?" Pulling away from him, she drank in his handsome features, nearly losing herself in his viridian eyes. The butterflies that had been absent for nearly a year returned in full force.

"I'm so happy to see you, Evan, thanks for picking me up!" The young man spoke in a high-pitched voice, earning himself a light swat on the shoulder.

"I'm so happy to see you, Evan, thanks for picking me up," Hermione repeated dramatically, cheeks stinging from her broad smile.

Evan leaned down to pick up her small suitcase before holding out his arm. She eagerly took it, warm affection for the wizard welling up inside her chest.

"That's what I wanted to hear. Now, don't worry I asked your father if I may pick you up and steal you for a few days." Evan spoke, his eyes scanning the platform for something.

"You did? Why?" Hermione tugged at his sleeve. "Are you even listening to me?"

Evan rewarded her with a cheeky smile that made her feel all kinds of happy. Those dimples. Merlin. I missed that boy.

"We're celebrating your graduation." He finally seemed to have found what he was looking for and pulled her towards a sign that read "International Portkey Station".

Growing increasingly suspicious of her giddy companion, Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Evan, where are we going?"

He chuckled, "Venice of course!" And before Hermione could protest, he put her hand in his, a small button between them. The world around them turned into an array of swirling colours.


Here we go. School is over! Stuff's getting serious from now on. With Tom starting his apprenticeship at the ministry, Hermione finally has some much-needed self-reflection time. Thanks for all the lovely reviews xoxo