A/N: A warning that this very much includes Hermione and Tom riddle romance, if you are repulsed by the idea, leave now. Otherwise - Enjoy! (: This is my first fanfic ever in the history of forever so sorry if some bits may be poorly written, grammar errors etc etc
Well that's all for now I guess, so just satisfy your hungry eyes and read awayy

If you knew that hope and despair were paths to the same destination, which would you choose?

"Now, do you completely understand the task at hand, Miss Granger?"

Hermione Granger looked into Dumbledore's knowing, blue eyes and after swallowing the nervous lump beginning to form in her throat, replied, "Yes, Professor." The Headmaster nodded slowly and excused her from the broken down and disturbingly empty classroom. Hermione turned and shakily reached for the door knob.

While walking down the corridors aimlessly she couldn't help but regret accepting Dumbledore's request. Though, she hardly thought it fit the simple title of a request, it being such a dangerous favor. But in the end Hermione realized she had hardly had a choice of refusing, her world was being held together by one feeble string and even that was so close to being snipped in half, resulting in Hermione's life crumbling all together. This is my last hope. She thought wiping the tears that had begun to form in her eyes, this is everybody's last hope, and it's all up to me.

Hogwarts was near to deserted, a week had past after the War, Harry was dead and Voldermort's reign hadn't even hit its full capacity yet. Hermione was not the person she once was. She had seen Harry be defeated before her eyes on the Battle field, and as soon as his limp body hit the floor, hope was gone. Everybody that had been fighting on Harry's side was confused, at a loss of words, and actions. And just in that short two minutes of confusion Hermione witnessed Ginny, George, Lupin, Tonks, Neville, Seamus and so many others be struck by the horrid green light and collapse onto the ground. Hermione knew how lucky she was to be alive, yet believed she was ten times luckier than what she knew.

Even Dumbledore didn't have an idea why Voldermort hadn't searched through Hogwarts for any survivors, or at least disposed of the school at once. It was a mystery to both him and Hermione. But as strange as it was, it was true, and so Hogwarts became a safe home for the painfully few survivors, the Room of Requirement becoming their new home.

As Hermione walked around the empty school the thoughts about how dangerous her set mission was slowly left her and other worrying ones took their place. She wrapped her arms around herself in comfort as these new problems dawned on her, what am I going to say to Ron? He won't understand, he'll get so mad, Argh why does he have to be so difficult? And how will I be able to tell- She stopped walking abruptly and her eyes widened at what she had just realized, "Draco" she breathed, not realizing her thoughts were being whispered aloud, "How in Merlin's name will I tell Draco?" She frantically started walking back the way she came, if possible, even more worried than before.

She didn't know why, even though facing Draco meant telling him of her mission, she needed to see him, to be around him because he was her comfort.

So she reached the Room of Requirements and whispered "I need the place where Draco is hiding." When she entered she wasn't surprised to see it had brought her to the same place they were gathered yesterday; a room full disorganized items, a room which Draco knew full well, as he had told Hermione that this was the room he used to fix the vanishing cabinet when he was planning Dumbledore's death, thankfully in the end he failed his mission and Dumbledore was left standing as the only light in all their lives.

Again, the worrying thoughts raced through her mind as she picked up on hushed voices. How on earth is Draco going to let me go all the way back to 1944? Hermione asked herself in distress, but the answer came to her only seconds after He has no choice. Nobody does. I have to do it.

Dumbledore had a master plan in his mind, and in his mind, only Hermione was strong and clever enough to do it. The plan was simple to explain and understand but to actually perform it, even the thought of trying at it could cause a person to black out. His master plan was, Hermione had to go back in time to the year 1944, and change Tom Marvolo Riddle into a good person. What was the he risk of the mission? There was a chance that Hermione could get stuck in the past forever, or in being so close to the young Dark lord, she could well be killed. And she was about to explain this to Ron and Draco.

Hermione grimaced and walked towards the quiet voices in the messy room. Thankfully, she saw Ron and Fred sitting opposite each other. She was hoping she could save Draco for last, knowing it would be the hardest talk with him. Ron was slouched on a broken bookshelf and Fred sat cross-legged on the dusty wood floor, both had faint smiles on their faces, both of their smiles didn't touch their eyes. Hermione cleared her throat nervously and the two boys shot up at lightning speed in reaction. Ron's wide eyes settled back when he saw her and he shook his head while Fred held his chest in over-exaggerated fright, and even in such grim times Hermione couldn't hold back the grin forming on her lips.

"Bloody hell, Hermione," Ron exclaimed, "Don't sneak up like that on us again!" Fred nodded in agreement and then leaned against the wall behind him,

"Ron told me Dumbledore had something important to tell you, did he finally find the toy at the bottom of his Every Flavor Beans box?" Though it was a joke, it only had half of its usual heart and Hermione knew that Fred's tone in asking the question was serious, Ever since George had died Fred lost a part of himself, he wasn't the same person either.

"Yeah Mione, What was up? Find out any useful information?" Ron asked eagerly. Hermione looked down at her feet and then back at the two Weasleys with a skeptical eye. She started explaining everything Dumbledore had said to her and she watched both their expressions, (mainly Ron's) carefully. Ron's face was gradually become redder and redder with each word Hermione said and Fred didn't let emotion show, but his eye brows creased slightly as she spoke. When she finished she knew the explosion that was about to erupt so she took a step back to prepare for it.

"THAT PSYCHO OLD LOONY WANTS YOU TO WHAT?" Ron's voice boomed unpleasantly around the room and that mixed with his tomato coloured face made Hermione cringe back even further.

"Ronald, I dare say you heard what he wants me to do." Hermione said, put off by his reaction, even though she didn't expect any better of him.

"AND YOU-"

"Yes!" Hermione cut him off irritably, "I'm doing it, what choice do I have?" she heard her voice rise incredulously.

"Hermione" Fred started after a frustrated breath, "Do you realize how dangerous this could be for you?"

Hermione was about to reply to Fred when a fourth voice joined the conversation.

"Merlin, what is all the yelling about?" Hermione's nervous eyes followed to the direction of the very familiar voice. They widened when they landed on the handsome face of Draco Malfoy.

He looked annoyed at Ron and then at Fred and when he noticed Hermione his expression softened and lifted instantly.

"Granger, when did you get here?" He asked looking directly into her eyes, then he added before she could answer him, "I was sleeping till beet root face had the decency to wake me up." He sneered playfully at Ron and then scrunched up his face in confusion, "What did cause you such a rage, Weasley?"

Ron looked at Hermione expectantly but she shook her head, refraining him from telling Draco, I have to tell him. Hermione thought to herself.

"Draco?" she said pulling his attention back to her, he waited for her to continue. "I need to tell you something." Ron scoffed and Hermione glared at him till he muffled a sorry and looked at the ground. "Actually I was hoping to talk to you alone." She emphasized the word and Fred caught on instantly, dragging a complaining Ron out of the room in haste. Hermione let out a nervous breath when she turned back to Draco.

Immediately after the door shut behind Fred and Ron he rushed up to Hermione and took her hands in his. Hermione tried to hide her smile, Draco never showed his affection in public but in private he was the perfect boyfriend a girl could ask for.

"I know something's wrong." He stated gently, trying to catch Hermione's eye. She finally looked up at him,

"Dumbledore has a plan." His smoldering silver eyes looked deep into hers as he nodded, prompting her to go on. She looked down at their entwined hands and started to explain nervously. She didn't look at him at all but his hands' grip tightened somewhere through her explanation and she only looked up at him finally when she ended her talk with

"And I agree with Dumbledore 100 percent."

For a few seconds his expression was unreadable, they just stared into each others eyes for what seemed like centuries till he let go of her hands and turned away from her. He didn't move though he just stood with his back to her. Hermione bit her bottom lip anxiously and reached out for him. "Draco…" She whispered, frightened almost as she placed her hand on his shoulder. As soon as her hand touched his shoulder he turned sharply, causing Hermione to fall back with a gasp. His strong arms caught her by the shoulders and he looked at her with a pained expression.

"Why are you doing this to me, Hermione?" he almost yelled. Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes at the harshness in his voice. "HOW can you put me through this?" He asked her with anger. "You expect me to sit here while there's a chance you'll be taken away from me forever?"

Hermione shrugged of his hands, her own anger boiling up. "You're acting exactly like Ron would!" She yelled throwing up her hands. "I thought you would understand, the importance of this mission, what I could do, I could save so many lives Draco, I- I could save Harry!" She didn't even bother stopping there angry tears flowing down her cheek.

"To be honest, I would rather another lost his life, rather than you going back in time." Hermione took a sharp intake of breath and looked at him in disbelief. "You would let someone else DIE if it meant keeping me here?" He took steps closer to her till they were mere inches apart.

"You don't understand, do you?" He whispered, gently wiping her tears with his thumb and then caressing her cheek. "Look at me Hermione." Draco demanded quietly, she sniffled back a sob and then looked up and melted as always into his beautiful silver orbs. "I can't risk your life. I cannot live without you, even if your death," he struggled to choke the word out "isn't certain, I can't even stand for the possibility of it." She smiled at him and wished she could do what he said, wished that she could just stay here with him, in his arms but she knew better than that. She couldn't be selfish. Not now. Now, the wizarding world, or what was left of it, was depending on Hermione alone and she was ready to face the risk at stake.

That night somehow, she got through to Draco, he still was really, very angry about the whole thing but she convinced him she would come back to him. The next day was the day Hermione left, the day for good-byes, Hermione thought grimly to herself before forcing herself to go to sleep.

The next morning Hermione literally had to force herself to wake up. She was extra tired from all the yelling and crying from the previous night. Great She thought bitterly what a state to be in when I have to travel 60 years back in time. Hermione was used to time travelling by a few hours, due to the time turner she had been given in third year, but sixty years was really something else. Hermione brushed the dust off her clothes from sleeping on the floor and jumped at the sound of Dumbledore's voice behind her.

"Miss Granger."

"Professor" She addressed him with a nod and then noticed the item in his hand, she gasped. It was her bag! It was the bag Hermione was sure she lost on the Battlefield in the middle of the War. The one she used altitudoaugendo on to enlarge the depth of it. "S-sir?" she stammered in confusion.

"Ah," Dumbledore said following her gaze to the small purse in his hand. "You're probably wandering how this came into my possesion?" Hermione nodded feebly. "It's simple really, I merely came accross it after the battle, and thought it would be better to keep it incase it had important items inside, I'm sure this doesn't bother you miss Granger?"

"Of course not Sir." Hermione replied almost straight away.

"Very well then." Dumbledore said with a smile before handing her the little bag in his hand. Hermione took it and averted her gaze back to Dumbledore, questioning the meaning of him giving her the bag.

"You will find i havent removed the depth spell from your bag Miss Granger, and inside it i have all the books you might need, money, clothes of that time period and so on and so forth, everything you may need, just to take some stress off your shoulders." He added with an inclination of his head.

Hermione smiled down at the bag in her hands and then with gratitude towards her former proffesor, "Thank you sir!" she said sincerely as she could.

Dumbledore chuckled, "It should be me thanking you Miss Granger! Not many would accept such a request when given, i don't know how to express the gratitude i feel for the risk you are about to take." Dumbledore knowingly smiled and Hermione returned it with another grateful one.

"Sir?" Hermione asked playing nervously with the string of her bag. "H-how long?" Dumbeldore's cheerful expression dimmed suddenly and he sighed before answering, "I believe farewells should take place right now, and then as soon as you're ready, the faster the better."

Hermione breathed deeply, "Well then i better start, Where's Everyone? D-Draco?" She managed to ask without breaking down and crying alltogether. "They're waiting for us." Dumbledore said soflty raising his hand to the direction Hermione should walk. She nodded solemnly and walked slow, even steps till she saw the five people she would have to say good-bye to. They were standing in a line. Almost as if planned the goodbyes. The five of them consisted of Luna, Dean, Fred, Ron and ironically last in line Draco.

She coudln't even look Draco in the eye without sobbing her eyes out so she kept her eyes on Luna as she walked forward, aware of Dumbledore's still presence behind her. Luna's eyes as always, seemed far off and dazed as if permantly unfocused but her mouth was in an unhappy line. Hermione smiled warmly at her friend and hugged her.

"Bye, Luna." She whispered. Luna smiled back half heartidly as Hermione moved on to Dean who was trying to hide how upset he was. Hemrione embraced him warmly and then looked onto Fred who had a side ways smile on his face, but his eyes showed his worry.

"I'll be right Fred." Hermione choked out and realised suddenly she was crying. Fred wrapped his arms around Hermione and gave her a squeeze which she returned and then she gulped and raised her eyes to look at Ron.

He was looking down at the floor, trying to hide the tears forming in his eyes. Hermione reached for his chin and pulled so that his eyes met her. "Don't go." He whispered.

"Oh Ron." Hermione sobbed as she attacked him with a bear hug and when she let go she kissed him on the cheek.

She was fully crying now, not even bothering to hide the emotion she was feeling and it didn't help when she turned to Draco. He was looking at her with the saddest eyes she had ever experienced and it broke her into even more tears. She sobbed infront of him and he shakily took her face into his pale hands and she tenderly placed her hand over one of his and looked into his eyes.

"Come back to me." He said, his own tears starting to come about. "Do you understand Hermione? You come back to me." She nodded with a sad smile and let him pull her lips to hers. He kissed her softly, and broke away after a few moments and stared at her with so much emotion Hermione felt a blush creeping up to her tear-stained cheeks.

"Miss Granger."

Dumbledore's gentle voice made Hermione turn from her five friends and and to Dumbledore. "It's time." He said soflty.

Hermione wiped her eyes and nodded firmly. "How are we going to get the time turner to go back so far?" Hermione asked him touching the gold chained clock aroung her neck with curiosity.

"I will have to perform quite a powerful spell." Dumbledore said affirmatively. Hermione took an inward breath and stepped toward Dumbledore. "Goodluck Miss Granger, Merlin knows you'll need it." He said to her before taking out his wand. "Have you gotten all you need?" He asked suddenly, his eyebrows arching. Hermione thought about this. She had her bag of everything essential, she had her wand pocketed, her time turner around her neck. "Yes sir. Everything I need, I have."

Dumbledore nodded seriously and then took her time turner into his hand, pulling Hermione in slighlty by her neck. "Now i know this spell will definetly work in taking you there but I'm not 100 percent positive it will bring you back, as you know. So you must make sure you know this spell, it is your only way for returning, if you return that is." He added grimly, and a snarl came from behind them. Hermione recognised it as the dissaprovement from Draco but she dared not turn, she couldn't look at them again, it was too painful.

Hermione held her breath as Dumbledore turned the clock and then raised his wand to it. "Tempus Macto" He exclaimed and Hermione felt as if someone had pulled her and now she was falling. She knew this as the feeling of time travel, the colours fast moving around her, her body jerking from side to side. Then all too suddenly it all came to a sharp halt. It took a few minutes for Hermione to force her eyes open. She blinked once, twice and on the third time they stayed open and she was lying on the floor.

"Are you alright Young Lady?"

Please, please pleeeaseeee review and tell me what you think, I'm a bit unsure about it (:

xx