Hermione was sitting in her Office, surrounded by various books and scrolls, each one containing information on Time Travel. It has been four years since she joined the Department of Mysteries and began her study of Time in the Time Room and while she was successful in various aspects of her research, she had been searching for a solution to travel to a specific time for nearly a year now. She could feel the solution was in one of her books, but she could not quite grasp it yet. She took out the notes of the Wizard who had been one of the first to work on Time Turners, Pallando Sarpuck. He worked for the Department of Mysteries after one of his experiments with time had caught the attention of the Ministry and his notes were dated from 1942 in which he explained some of his process for creating a Time Turner. Hermione was frustrated, because there were so many missing pieces in his research that she could not quite connect all his notes the way she wanted to. She felt that she might find the key in the missing notes, but there was nothing that she could do about it. The wizard had passed away in the first war against Voldemort so there was no way to ask him in person.

With a sigh and a wave of her wand Hermione put all her research away and warded the cupboard against intruders. She knew she was the only Unspeakable working in the Time Room, but her research was sensitive and should not be falling into the wrong hands. Not even her Head of Department had seen her research, only the results. She put the Medallion with the White Wolf around her neck and left her office. No one knew that it was a Time Turner and Hermione felt more at ease knowing where it was at every moment, because as of now hers was the only Time Turner in Britain – at least to her and the Ministries knowledge.

She was making her way to the Burrow for dinner, after Molly had sent her a howler, spouting about how they never see her anymore and she probably is not looking after herself. Hermione had dug herself into that hole after not answering the previous three letters, because she simply did not have the time. Going to the Burrow was always a difficult affair, because of how loud it could be. Hermione was grateful, that the joy had returned to the Burrow after the death of Fred and she was delighted to see George laughing and smiling again, but she was so deep into her work, that all the noise made it hard for her to keep focused. She was surprised when Molly had first invited her back since Ron and her had split up after three weeks of very awkward dating. Sure, she and Ron were still best friends, but Molly had always seen her as his future wife and when she learnt of their split she was devastated. Three weeks after the split Molly had sent her an owl, telling her to be there for Sunday lunch and when the two witches shared a heartfelt hug everything else fell into place.

Tonight, while hoping it would be a little less hectic than usually, she was glad for the distraction. Stepping out of the fireplace she was almost knocked back by Teddy and Vic, who were running around the living room.

"Watch out, you two", Bill Weasley laughs, watching the two friends chasing each other.

"Sorry, Aunt Hermione", they laughed as they passed by a second time.

"Long day?", he asks her. Hermione was happy to see Bill. While they never really had much to do with each other before the war, he was the calm presence that grounded her during the Weasley Family Gatherings or as they called it in private conversation: The WFGs.

"Yes, though almost every day is a long day", she says with a small smile and takes the seat next to him on the couch.

"You seem like a witch that is stuck on a problem", he comments, noting that she was still wearing her work robes.

"Aren't I always", she laughs dryly.

"Touché!"

"What's the matter? It's been a while since we last spoke!"

Hermione admired Bill. Even though she could tell him little to nothing about her work he always tried to work with whatever she could tell him and gave the best advice. While she loved spending time with Harry, Ron and Ginny, Bill seemed to understand her best. He never urged her to tell him any details of her work and he never pressured her to share her thoughts if she did not want to. Hermione found herself looking forward to his company most. He does not attend every Weasley gathering, but he was there often enough, and he always made sure to talk to her. Hermione was sure it was also due to the fact that they had shown up at his doorstep after the incident at Malfoy Manner all those years ago and he worried she might bury herself in work and forget to live in the real world. While he worried the same as the rest of the family, his worry was not as telling as the others. He never told her what to do, he merely talked to her.

"I'm just frustrated with my work. I have not been able to find the solution to my problem and it has been bugging me for months. Every time I felt that I'm getting closer I'm right where I started". Bill has heard this for months now and he had tried to help her the best he could, but it was getting harder without knowing any details, Hermione knew this.

"You know, I thought about it since we last spoke and while it might sound mundane, why don't you deliberately go back to where you started. Maybe you will find your answers there. If everything you have researched has led you back to where you started, maybe that is where you are supposed to look", he said after a moment of silence.

Hermione pondered his words. Why would it be any good to go back to where she -. Hermione sat up straighter. Of course! To create a Time Turner, you can use any magical artefact, but the artefact itself is not what allows you to travel through time. You must place the Hour-Reversal-Charm upon it. The spell alone is too unstable to function without causing harm, so Sarpuck tried enclosing it into a magical artifact to stabilize the spell. The Hour-Reversal-Charm only allows you to travel back a couple of hours, originally said to be five hours, but Hermione had pushed her mind and magic to make it up to ten. If she were to alter the spell or perhaps invent a new spell, she might be able to travel to a specific time of her choosing. She had studied the spell, before placing it on her medallion but never thought about altering it. How could she have been so stupid. Her solution was right in front of her the entire time. If only she had her notes with her, she -.

"Slow down, Hermione", Bill laughs seeing the look on her face. He had seen it too many times over the last couple of years and he knew that if he didn't bring her back to earth, she might just burst from over-thinking.

"You're brilliant, Bill. Absolutely and utterly brilliant. I could kiss you right now", she says, jumping up from the couch as Fleur walks in, laughing at Hermione's words.

"I would hope only platonically", she laughs and throwing a glance at Bill, who was equally amused.

"Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't mind either", he jokes, sending a wink to his wife.

"You watch yourself, Mr. Weasley. Hello Hermione, I see my lovely husband has managed to unriddle one of your problems!"

"He has and I must excuse myself, I need to go back to the office and start immediately! This could be ground-breaking. But there is so much research to be done and I would have to look up so many ideas", Hermione rambles on.

"None of that now, Hermione. Dinner is ready and you will eat, or I will come to the Department myself and drag you out of there if I must", Molly sternly says from the doorway, looking at the frazzled witch. Hermione shuts her mouth quickly and a blush spreads across her cheeks.

"Yes, Mrs Weasley", she mumbles, fiddling with her hands. She had not even taken the time to say hello to everyone and was already thinking about leaving again.

"Now, what did I tell you!"

"Yes, Molly!"

"Better! Now off you go to the kitchen. Sit down – the three of you – you can continue your conversation over dinner if you must", she orders the three of them and if Hermione didn't feel chastised herself, she would have laughed at the way Bill and Fleur made their way to the kitchen with her, looking like they've been caught doing something much worse.

Dinner was relatively quiet that evening. Not all the Weasleys were present. Ron and George were out in Diagon Alley with their girlfriends and Ginny had a late-night practise with the Holyhead Harpies. Harry was there, sitting next to Hermione and listening in on her conversation with Bill and Fleur. All in all, Hermione had a fantastic evening and thanked Molly profusely before she left. She even had time to play with Teddy and Vic before it was time for them to go to bed. More relaxed than when she got there, Hermione went home instead of going back to the Ministry – as Harry reminded her time and time again, they do not pay her enough for all the extra hours she spends there. Instead, she made herself comfortable on her bed, reading a book about the creation of spells, her mind running wild with different ideas.

It took Hermione six more weeks to come up with plausible solution to alter the spell. She studied the creation of new spells and soon found that while the words you chose for your spell were a great place to start, one must envision what they wish to do. Hermione thought it must be similar to the Apparition. So, she researched and learnt everything there is to creating spells and the chosen words.

After successfully travelling back one week, she tried it in combination with apparition. Her first few attempts left her splintered on her arms and once on her cheek and Hermione was sure, by now, she had more scars from her work at the Time Room than from the war. But it never stopped her. Adding more runes to her medallion to ensure the stability of the spell she successfully transported herself back two weeks in time and into the safety of her own apartment.

It was Tuesday when she went to see her Head of Department and presented her results. To say he was overjoyed was an understatement. He asked her to make sure to file all her information and work process into the Time Room and Hermione agreed, adding even more security to the Time Room and the Cupboard than before. She knew that the information on how to create such a powerful tool, would be a weapon in the wrong hands.

"What direction are you going with your research now?", he asked her.

"I would like to find out if it would be possible to travel back to the future", she says.

"Travels to the future in general or just back to the time that you came from?

"I think travelling to the future from the present is very far out of reach and very dangerous. With the past, we have some information on where and when to go and what happened during that time, but the future? We could very well be materialising inside a wall or a person. It is – as of now – too unsure to even think about. But I though about a sort of fail-safe. If things do not go as planned in the past it would be good to have the ability to come back to where you started from", she explains.

"I agree, as of this moment it is not something we should seek to accomplish – maybe in the future one day. I am very happy with your work Miss Granger. You have my permission to proceed as you see fit. Please inform me of any development", he smiles, and Hermione knows she is dismissed.

When Hermione was back at her office she goes through her notes and research material, placing it in the correct order, before filling it. A scribbled note at the bottom of one of the parchments from Sarpuck lets her halt. It was very faint and looked like it might have faded over time, but holding it against the light, Hermione was able to read the words Going back?

Her heart beat increased tenfold. Sarpuck himself was researching the idea of going back to the departure point in time! Hermione was speechless. That was the first time she had read anything on that matter from Sarpuck's notes. He never mentioned it, not even in passing and that Hermione saw this scribble at all was sheer luck. Even though Hermione had read his notes over ten times already, she pulled all his research back out and went over it, word for word, but to her disappointment she could not find any other clues on whether he proceeded with that type of research or not. As much as she had hoped for more hints on that specific branch of Time Travel, she knew that she would probably not find much more in his notes and maybe he did not even mean the same going back as she did – just maybe he wanted to go back to a specific point in the past or maybe it was from the early stages of his research. She puts them away, pulling out her books on the matter and started reading – again – in hopes of getting some ideas. Not all her books were specifically on Time Travel, some were Arithmancy books, Ancient Runes and even some about the basic knowledge and understanding of magic. Hermione knew that if she wanted to find answers, she needed to create those answers herself.

"I'm a little lost, Miss Granger. This is not something that I had expected you to request", he said his face matching his words.

"I'm sure it wasn't, but Sir, there is only so much I can achieve here. Either the work was lost or was never finished and the only way for me to solve or maybe even get closer to the solution is to go back to the source. Just imagine what two people who have studied time could achieve together!", she explains, trying to stay collected. The truth was, she was not collected at all. She was restless and frustrated and at the end of her wits.

"Yes, I understand Miss Granger, but going back to 1942 to meet with a wizard who might not be able to help you? You wouldn't be able to return back unless you manage to solve this puzzle!"

"I know, Sir. Trust me – I have thought about this time and time again over the last couple of weeks. Sarpuck was a brilliant wizard, and he knew more about time than any of the people who worked in the Time Room after him – me included. If I could go back to 1942 and speak with him personally, I am certain that we could make it work", she argues her point, hoping that he would agree with her eventually.

"I don't feel comfortable sending you back in time, with no certain way back! How would I explain that a war heroin – the Hermione Granger – just disappeared? If you would not be able to come back, I would have to declare you killed in active duty, while none of your family or friends would know the real reason you did not come home from work that day! Not to imagine the immense disturbance of the timeline. You do not know what you may cause for the actual present!", he was frustrated, Hermione could tell.

"My family and friends would understand. They know the work I do is dangerous. Everyone knows that being an Unspeakable is dangerous. Merlin, I know that it is dangerous. I would not have come before you if I were not aware of the risks I am taking! I have researched it thoroughly and while I am confident that between me and Mr. Sarpuck we will be able to come up with the solution, I have also made a plan in case we won't", Hermione explains, pulling out a parchment.

"Of course, you have", he huffs, taking the parchment from her hands. Hermione knew that he was not mad at her. She liked to believe that he cared for her and only wanted what was best for her.

"You want to put yourself on ice?"

"Yes, Sir. Metaphorically speaking, of course. It is my understanding that if I were not able to come back using the time turner, we would be able to freeze my body using a stasis and cooling charm. I would create a chamber, right inside the Time Room. If everything goes according to plan, you could take me off the charms two weeks after I have left, that allows for a little variance, should I be able to come back on my own terms", she says, showing him her calculations.

"You have thought this through, haven't you?", he sighs, putting a hand over his head.

"Yes, Sir. I have."

"To sum it up: You want to travel back to 1942, find Mr. Sarpuck and work with him to travel back here using your Time Turner. If things do not go as planned, you will be putting yourself on ice for over 60 years and continue here where you left off?"

"Exactly, Sir."

"Alright, Miss Granger. I will think about it and let you know at the end of the week", he says, dismissing her from his office.

Hermione had spent her weekend preparing for her upcoming journey. Her Head of Department had granted her request to travel back to 1942 on Friday and Hermione had been busy packing her bags. She had purchased dress robes as well as muggle clothing that were typically worn during that time and while Hermione hoped that everything went according to plan, she wanted to be sure to have her beaded bag for emergencies. In 1942 the second world war was still raging, and Hermione wanted to be able to blend in and not stand out. Dinner at the Burrow was a loud affair that Sunday evening, but to Bills surprise Hermione spent every second of it engaged with whomever wanted to talk to her.

"I take it you were able to solve your problem?", he asks her when she went over to bid him good night.

"What makes you think that?", she smiles at him.

"Your mind was actually present this evening, which hasn't happened a lot during the last couple of years", he points out, leaning against the doorframe.

"Yes, you are quite correct in your assumption, Mr. Weasley", she says.

"I can tell that you try to create a memory and while I do not know what you are working on, I hope you will be careful and that we will see you next Sunday", he says, pulling her in for a tight hug.

"I promise you, I will be careful", she laughs, trying to hide her anxiousness. Hermione had hugged everyone goodbye that evening, earning her confused looks from her family and friends, but she wanted to be able to remember what it felt like to hug them, in case she was not able to make it back in time. It was no surprise that her dreams that night were plagued with nightmares about her upcoming journey.

Eventually Hermione gave up on sleep, got dressed and went over her checklist one final time before heading to the Ministry.

"Good Morning, Miss Granger", her Head of Department greets her. He was already waiting for her in her office. He insisted on being present when she activated her Time Turner. They were silent while Hermione prepared everything.

"In case something goes very wrong, here is my testament as well as letters to my friends and family. I hope it won't come to it, but – you know", she explains, handing him a pile of envelopes.

"I better be seeing you tomorrow, young Lady", he says sternly, giving her shoulder one last squeeze.

"I'll try my best!", she smiles at him, taking a deep breath she takes out her Time Turner, flicking the White Wolf in the middle of the medallion and repeating the Time and Place of her destination in her head while also envisioning her destination.

11 pm 1st of May 1942, Diagon Alley. 11 pm 1st of May 1942, Diagon Alley. 11 pm 1st of May 1942, Diagon Alley.

Before long, Hermione's world started spinning. First slowly, speeding up rapidly and before she could change her mind, she felt like being squeezed through a tube and the world around her went black.