Lend Me Your Hand
By E.L. Clemons
"Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all, but lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall. Lend me your eyes, I can change what you see; but your soul you must keep totally free." -Awake My Soul, Mumford & Sons
Chapter 1: It Happened at King's Cross
King's Cross Station, Fall 1994
Hermione had an atrocious headache. It'd been growing steadily worse as the morning dragged onward. She'd spent most of the summer battling insomnia and the difficulty sleeping had only been added to once she'd joined the Weasleys for the last few weeks of her summer. She loved the Weasleys, bless them all, but she was most definitely not used to the noise, even after knowing them five years.
The platform was just as busy as ever, with crowds of students, friends, parents, and guardians gathered around to see their loved ones off for the new term. Hermione smiled, even with Voldemort back, she was glad to see this one thing hadn't changed. Her heart tugged uncomfortably as she unconsciously searched the platform for a familiar head of sandy brown. Tears pulled at the corner of her eyes. She wouldn't see him.
She was jolted from her musing as Ron's raucous voice asked, "—Mione'll help me study, won't you?"
"Of course, Ronald," she replied automatically, not really paying attention to the conversation around her. Unknown to her, Harry had narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously due to her uncharacteristic response.
"What, Mione," he teased gently, prodding her in the side, "No quips about how it's our O.W.L.s and it's the 'most important test of our lives?'"
They continued down a small flight of stairs and further up the platform. Her head felt so heavy. Perhaps she was coming down with a cold? Perhaps she could close her eyes for a bit on the train. She idly wondered if she ought to get some pepper-up from Madame Pomfrey before the feast to help her make it through the rest of the night. She tightened her grip on the strap of her book bag. "Just make it to the compartment, Granger." She thought to herself.
Someone roughly pushed their way past her, jostling her shoulder. Her book bag fell. They laughed, cackling. She cringed, what an awful sound, how anyone could find it attractive, Hermione would never know.
"Looks like you added a few pounds…have a nice holiday, Mudblood?" asked Pansy Parkinson in a sickeningly sweet, and utterly fake tone of voice. She leaned forward, and hissed, "Hope you enjoyed it. It's likely to be your last."
A lump formed in her throat unexpectedly. Hermione, who was usually full of decent retorts for Pansy and her ilk, couldn't seem to find her voice.
"Or yours Parkinson…if you keep skipping meals," snapped Ginny, coming up behind her. "You'll just slip down the drain the next time you attempt to bathe in that nauseating scent you call perfume." Thank Merlin for Ginerva Weasley's perfect timing! Hermione heard Harry attempt to disguise his guffaws with a fake cough. Hermione bit back a smile, throwing her bag back over her shoulder.
"Thanks, Gin," she muttered as she tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. Pansy stalked off with her friends, glaring daggers at them as they went.
"Bitch…" Ginny mumbled under her breath. Ginny knelt down and picked up a book that had fallen from her bag. She frowned, "Invitation to Psychology?" she read with a confused look. "What is psychology?" Hermione nearly dropped her bag all over again.
She cleared her throat at the unexpected question, suddenly rather thankful for the Weasley lack of understanding of most things muggle. "Erm…It's a muggle science of the brain and…umm mind health?" She tried to explain in terms that Ginny could follow.
"Sounds interesting actually," Ginny replied with a shrug. She passed the book back to Hermione without a second thought and Hermione sighed in relief.
"Come on, let's get on the train before all the good compartments are gone." She pulled at both Harry and Hermione's arms attempting to drag them toward the Hogwarts Express.
Harry went rigid next to Hermione just as a strange sensation rolled up the length of her spine, filling the pit of her stomach with dread. She turned toward her best friend, "Harry?"
BANG! Shrieks of panic and surprise erupted along the platform. Within seconds the platform was in complete pandemonium. Flashes of violet and green light shot out of several wands, though in the chaos no one could tell where they'd come from or who sent them. A chunk of stone went flying off of the barrier, hurtling toward the scarlet steam engine. Parent's tucked small children under their arms. Several Aurors whipped out their wands. There was shouting and running, people pushing and shoving past them. Unknown to her, one chunk of brick was sailing through the air right towards her.
"Hermione MOVE!" Harry yelled at her. He was no longer beside her, having been pulled away from her in the chaos. Harry passed Ginny off to George, who'd come to their aid, and seemingly leapt through the crowd towards her. Hermione barely registered what happened before Harry slammed into her and they both went hurtling toward the concrete ground.
Her world started spinning around her. Colors blurred together as everything around them disappeared at warp speed. Her eyes widened and she tugged loose a familiar gold chain from underneath her blouse. Her Time-Turner was spinning and twisting madly, glowing red.
"Harry," she whispered, now beginning to panic properly. Green eyes met brown.
"What!" he roared, immediately recognizing the trinket.
"I—" she didn't have time to finish, Harry's face was growing blurrier by the second. He grabbed her wrist, "NO!"
"Like hell are you disappearing on your own to Merlin knows when!"
Everything went dark around them.
oOoOo
Kings Cross Station, Fall 1941
"FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!" roared the crowd of unruly students,
"Edmund! Don't—" called Lucy's voice after him. He ignored her, intently focused on getting to his brother. There was no way that he was going to let Peter fight those bullies on his own. They'd beat him to a pulp, they already had.
He caught a glimpse of Peter who was roughly thrown against the wall. He was too close to the edge of the platform. They had Peter cornered. Onto the rails or against the wall. One boy held Peter against the wall, while another boy went to swing his fist. Peter ducked the fist just as Edmund leapt on top of the boy trying to hold him. Unfortunately, Edmund went sailing into the wall as Peter rolled away to avoid the next punch.
Peter certainly hadn't lost his fighting technique. Neither of them had, really. The Professor made sure they kept up with their training over the summer. "Never know when you might go back," he would say. Edmund took a fist straight to his gut in Peter's place and immediately snapped out of his musings. He crumpled at the sudden impact.
Edmund clutched at his stomach, trying to take in gulps of air, seemingly none of it entered his starving lungs. He lost awareness of what was happening at this point. There was a loud BANG. He felt the impact of stone against the back of his head and someone slamming into him from the side. The crowd of students screamed; a whistle blew. Then a shout for help. Peter yelling for someone to get off of him. His vision swam for a second, colors and sounds buzzing around his head. And suddenly he was in the middle of a blood-soaked field, clutching weakly at the grass beneath his fingertips, pain shooting all up from his stomach into his chest, crushing the oxygen out of him with every shallow breath. He was dying…
"ED!" Edmund felt a warm hand grip his shoulder and shake him gently. "Edmund, it's alright!" He opened his eyes. Concerned light blues met his dark brown eyes. Peter. The spasms in his chest halted. "Just breathe with me Ed." He did as he was told. In and out; in and out until he calmed. He regained awareness of his surroundings. His head was pounding.
"My head," he mumbled. The crowd of students parted. The police were breaking up the fight. Lucy gazed down at him in concern. Susan's face came into view as well.
"What was it this time?" asked Susan gently as Lucy probed the back of his head for any sign of injury.
"It was Beruna, wasn't it?" asked Peter quietly, "You haven't frozen like that for years." Edmund nodded weakly, as Peter helped him to his feet. They shuffled over to the bench all of their stuff was sitting by. Peter turned away from him toward a tall boy in a school uniform, though it looked very different than theirs. He had dark and messy hair, bright green eyes, and a nasty lightning bolt scar across half his forehead. Peter held out his hand for the boy to shake.
"You have my thanks," Peter said a touch too regally. Susan rolled her eyes at his words, but was smiling softly. "What's your name?"
"Harry." He took Peter's hand and they shook once. "I hate bullies. It wasn't a problem." Edmund frowned, unsure of what had occurred once he hit the ground. Lucy guided him on to the bench.
"I'm fine Lu," he said, weakly attempting to shrug her hand off of his shoulder.
"Is your friend alright?" Peter asked Harry, gesturing to a girl sitting on Lucy's other side. Edmund hadn't noticed her before. She was in a uniform similar to Harry's. Black with red and gold. He started at the red lion crest. She was very pretty. She had shoulder length chestnut-brown curly hair and creamy light skin with rosy cheeks, like Susan's, but had a smattering of freckles across her nose. Her eyes were colored like whisky with tints of warm honey-gold in them. She was just a few inches taller than Lucy, but looked closer to his and Susan's age, as did her friend.
"She's a bit scraped up and had a hard landing, but fine, I think. Mione?" asked Harry. She nodded, rubbing her shoulder subconsciously.
"Hard landing?" inquired Peter.
"The crowd was a bit rough," she mumbled in answer.
"What did the police show up for?" asked Edmund suddenly, remembering the loud bang.
"A car back-fired in the street," said Susan, "but everyone is still jumpy due to the raids."
"Raids?" asked Harry with a frown. Edmund eyed him suspiciously at the question.
"The air raids," replied Edmund, finding his voice after a second. "We were able to visit home a week before school. Supposedly the worst of it is over now, but most kids are still being shipped out in case the Germans get nasty again." He watched for Harry's reaction, which was to turn to the girl on the other side of Lucy, who had paled considerably.
"Hermione?" Harry was at her side in seconds, whispering rapidly under his breath. "Please don't freak out, I need you to stay calm."
"It's the bloody Second World War, Harry," she hissed at him. "We can't have gone that far …we may not be able to get home!"
Peter looked concerned at the comment but Susan remained strangely calm even as Hermione's tone of voice grew more nervous. Edmund nudged Lucy, and whispered under his breath, "Did you check her head too?"
"Oh, I didn't think to. I was rather worried about you Ed," Lucy said.
"Well go on then," gestured Edmund.
"Are you sure you're okay Ed? You still look a bit pale."
"I'm fine Lu, remember what Aslan said…" he whispered this quietly to her, "There are others that need your attention." Lucy's eyes widened at the comment, she immediately turned to help calm Hermione and check her over for injuries as well. She turned back to Edmund suddenly.
"No need to shove, Ed," snapped Lucy impatiently.
"I didn't." He frowned, feeling a sharp tug on his arm. He turned, thinking perhaps it was Peter. He jumped up as a second tug pulled on him, "Pete, you can let go. I said I'm—"
"—I'm not touching you!" Peter said sharply. "Ow. Susan!"
"What is that?"
"It feels like magic!" said Lucy excitedly. "Oh Peter, do you think—"
"Hermione! What are you doing—"
"It's not me, Harry!"
Edmund's eyes widened in shock as the whole platform began to shake, a strong wind barreled through the station. Tiles began ripping off of the platform walls and ceiling. The lights banged into the ceiling of the platform, breaking off chunks of brick. He dodged a recruitment poster peeling off the wall behind him. Colors began to blur.
He barely made out Peter's voice calling out to them all, "Catch hands everyone! Stay together!" A train rolled past them at high speed, whistling as it went. Edmund couldn't help but stare. The railway station was rapidly disappearing and in its place was a sight he would never be able to forget.
The air storm that sucked them away from the platform quieted into a gentle breeze, whispering to him like an old friend. Everything stilled. The scent hit him first. It was sweet, like the ripest summer fruit, smooth and floral, fresh, crisp, and clear. He could taste salt on his lips. He took a deep breath in contentment and couldn't help but grin widely as well. It felt like coming home.
They were tucked just inside of a small grotto that opened up to the most beautiful beach Edmund had ever seen. The sun was burning so brightly in the sky that it lit up the sand, making it gleam almost gold, but a deep rich tawny gold that reminded him of Aslan. He held a hand up to shield his eyes from the brightness of the sun. He caught Lucy throwing an impish grin at Susan, who smiled in return and bolted off toward the water. Lucy sprinted behind her shucking off layers of her uniform as she went, shrieking in delight as Susan splashed her with the, likely freezing, sea water. Peter was running after them as well, intent on joining in their celebration.
"Bet you aren't as fast as me Ed!" Peter called as he ran. He bolted after Peter completely forgetting in the moment that he'd nearly been beaten to a pulp earlier, and he also completely forgot that his family had unwittingly brought two strangers along with them.
oOoOo
Hermione stood rooted to the ground in shock, watching the Pevensie family play in the water. Part of her…the illogical, stressed out part of her, really wanted to join them. But she couldn't get herself to move. Harry wasn't much better off than her.
"Please tell me that you have an explanation for this Hermione," he said. She shook her head no, feeling a bit numb. He rounded on her. "What the hell just happened?" he asked suddenly, "I thought you turned that bloody time-turner in after our third year was over!"
"I was going to, but Dumbledore told me to hang on to it. He said I may need it again!" she protested weakly. Some of the fight left him, and he quieted. He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it up badly.
"Bloody Hell…" he muttered. "What are we gonna do?" His voice notched in volume, "It's 1941 and now we are in the middle of nowhere! What if we get taken as POWs or we're in enemy territory? What about the Weasley's? Do you think Ron and Ginny are alright?" Harry continued to ramble anxiously, but most of it went on unheard by Hermione. "We're going to be in so much trouble when we miss the train…Great! Just another reason for them to try to expel me…"
"Harry!" she nearly screeched, he jumped. "Stop it! I don't know, alright? Contrary to popular belief I don't know everything!" She started pacing, marking a path in the wet sand as she went. "What possessed you to get involved in that fight Harry?" she asked, "We might not even be here, where ever that is, if you hadn't."
He stiffened at her question. "So, this is my fault?" he snapped, "What was I supposed to do, let the guy get beaten within an inch of his life?"
Hermione paled slightly at his comment. For being the brightest witch of her age, sometimes she forgot the obvious. Of course, Harry would jump into the fray to defend someone. He wouldn't be Harry Potter if he hadn't. "No, of course not, I would have done the same." She deflated considerably.
He sighed and Hermione took a deep breath. "I just…I worry about you. You can be terribly reckless at times."
Harry snorted a little, she could tell by his uneasy smirk that he was somewhat focusing on their easy banter to keep himself from panicking about where the hell they were. "You worry about me? 'Mione, you can be just as reckless as I am. Taking twice as many classes as the rest of us and nearly landing yourself in St. Mungo's for a week due to exhaustion, riding a hippogriff, using a bloody mirror to avoid the Basilisk and getting petrified."
"I-," she swallowed her retort and blushed, knowing he was right.
"Need me to continue?" Harry teased. She rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help the ridiculous smile creeping onto her face. "I rest my case." Harry finished suddenly looking serious.
"Look Hermione," he began again, "You know I can't stand bullies, we've all been on the other side of it far too much for me to not do anything. But I'll admit it was a bit stupid, given the circumstances."
"Well, I'm glad you are alright, even if you did jump into a fist fight for a stranger."
"I couldn't exactly use magic, could I?"
"I hadn't thought of that," replied Hermione.
"You are a Muggleborn!" said Harry with a laugh. "How could you not think of it?"
She decided to not dignify his comment with a response. "Do you think we should tell them?" she asked, turning her attention back to the situation at hand.
"No," said Harry resolutely. "At least, not yet."
"Why not?" asked Hermione. "Lucy said that it felt like magic that pulled us here. I don't think they'd have a tough time believing us about Hogwarts. And we may well be stuck with them if we can't get back to our own time. They are the only ones we know in this version of the world," reasoned Hermione.
Harry was quiet for a minute. "I think we can trust them, but let's just hold off for a bit until we know more about what is going on."
"I'm impressed Harry," smirked Hermione. He was using his brain for once. She didn't mean to think it, but it was often this way between them when Ron wasn't around. Harry was smarter than he led others to believe. She only wished he'd try harder at school, and maybe defend her once and awhile against Ronald's ridiculous accusations that popped up from time to time.
Harry shrugged, "I don't know where we are…but this place there's something so refreshing about it." Hermione followed his gaze to the sandy white beach and the azure waves crashing upon them. "I feel more at ease than ever…even at Hogwarts." She was sure her jaw dropped at his comment. He shook his head, "Maybe it's because I'm not being hunted down by a maniac in this timeline… but it's like I've had a bad head cold all my life and it's suddenly gone. I can think clearer."
Now she was curious. Harry didn't make comments like that. "What do you mean by that?" she questioned. He pulled his gaze away from watching the Pevensies, and looked her in the eye.
"Dunno really. It's just, I feel lighter, freer."
"Interesting." She pressed her mouth into a firm line, filing that bit of information away to think about later.
"We ought to join them." Said Harry with a strange glint in his eye. She glared at him suspiciously.
"I'm not getting wet. These are the only clothes I have—" Before she could say another word Harry scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder, running full speed at the water.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! You put me down at once!" she screamed, pounding his back with her fists. He just dumped her in the water instead.
Her mouth hung open, stunned from the cold of the sea and oh, he was wearing that stupid grin! She narrowed her eyes at him and pulled him down into the water with her. She stood up with as much dignity as possible and brushed off her damp skirt as if it had never happened, resolutely marching towards the shore.
"Oh, come on!" Harry called after her, sitting up in the water. "No need to be such a swotty bookworm." She stopped, turned on her heel, and tackled him into the water, head under and all. They both came up spluttering. He was grinning like an idiot, as he smoothed his wet hair away from his forehead. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him so care free.
"I'm not a swot," she said, fighting back a smile. Harry smirked and tugged on a stray curl, she swatted his hand away from her hair, finally laughing with him.
"I know," he replied. "Are we good then?"
"Yes, of course." She stood up and offered Harry a hand up.
"See you two finally joined in," said Peter from a few feet away. Hermione smiled at him. She was completely soaked through, nothing a discreet drying charm wouldn't cure of course.
"Ed? Ed!" called Susan. He'd stopped splashing with the rest of them. Edmund was a way off from them, he held up a hand to shield his eyes from the sun. He was staring up at the cliffside. Hermione followed his gaze. Blinking rapidly at the brightness.
"Where do you suppose we are?" he called to his siblings.
Peter laughed as if it was the most ridiculous question possible. "Well, where d'you think?"
Edmund frowned at Peter, "It's just…I don't remember any ruins in Narnia." He pointed his brother toward the cliffside. They all fell silent. Lucy and Susan waded their way towards the rest of them, also looking the direction Edmund pointed.
"Narnia?" asked Harry.
"What's that?" Hermione added, completing her best friend's question. The Pevensies all turned to stare at them. They shot odd looks at one another, as if they'd only just realized that they'd unintentionally brought guests along.