"A pillar I am of pride

Scarcely can speak for my thinking"

Dinner & Diatribes-Hozier

Hogwarts Infirmary, July 1976

"Now Ms. Granger, I know the taste isn't remarkable but you could at least attempt to control your distaste in it," Madam Pomfrey scolded.

Hermione forced out an apologetic smile towards the older witch and looked about the infirmary. Apart from the seasonal flowers that sat in vases along the bedsides, nothing seemed to be different from the infirmary she remembered. The cobblestones were still clean as could be and the air still smelled sterile with a faint hint of peppermint. Thanking Merlin for the familiarity, she felt the slight ache in her bones as the potion began to take effect. It had officially been a week since she was thrown 20 years into the past. Dumbledore had contacted Professor Slughorn to brew the deaging potion, and with careful precision, it was brewed to perfection. Slughorn seemed to not have aged any since his time in 1976, as he was still the same portly man she had grown to know.

"Dear, you'll want to lie back. The potion is going to be a bit painful, and there's a slight possibility you might pass out. Best to be precautious," advised Dumbledore.

Hermione laid back on the soft cot to allow her eyes to drift about the room. She was just done counting how many stones made up the arch to her left when the aching became increasingly more intense. The pain was nothing like what she felt at Malfoy Manor, but not something she would have expected. Hermione wasn't sure how long she laid there, staring at the ceiling, but when her vision cleared, she noticed it was no longer daylight.

Swinging her legs over the side of the cot, she was surprised at how much shorter her legs were. She knew she had hit a growth spurt while on the run, the constant mending of her clothes told her that much. Standing up she noticed she had to be at least two inches shorter than before. She also never factored in her newfound lycanthropy. Would she hit another growth spurt after her first transformation? Would she bulk up or still look scrawny from her time on the run?

Looking at herself in the mirror, Hermione decided that she wouldn't mind bulking up a bit. She had always been a bit on the curvy side and almost a year on the run had stolen any muscle mass she had built up. Nuts and berries were hardly the most protein-packed food out there and she knew she looked starved. A week in the castle with constant meals had helped her face look less hollow, and her washed out complexion had turned rosy. Truthfully, she was happy to resemble herself from two years ago. It made the past easier to bear. Maybe if she looked at herself long enough, it would mean it never really happened. So focused on looking at herself, she didn't hear Dumbledore enter and was startled to see his twinkling eyes staring back at her.

"It is always strange when seeing ourselves in a way that we no longer exist as," Dumbledore mused with a knowing smile.

Bracing herself for the statement that was lingering on the tip of her tongue, she subconsciously traced the word etched into her skin.

Mudblood.

The same word that had been her future will now also be her past. Hermione had left a future that hardly tolerated muggle-born witches and wizards only to be tossed into an even more unforgiving past. The silver letters were a vast contrast to the natural tan of her skin. She could wear a mask all she wished ; however, Bellatrix was sure to leave the permanent reminder of her place in wizarding society.

"If you wish, I can have Poppy come and help place the glamours now. The Longbottoms will be here soon and I believe there are some secrets that you wish to keep with yourself for the time being," he hesitated, "And I assure you that you should harbor no fear of them ever using such vulgar language around you. They are a family of upstanding witches and wizards who will do you no harm."

Hermione sent him a quick nod and turned towards him. She watched as he lightly knocked on the matron's office door. Gesturing her towards the lone cot, she settled back in. Truthfully, she believed that besides glamouring her scars, the only thing needed would be to slightly darken her hair. She sat quietly as the healer surveyed the myriad of scars adorning her left arm. A warm tingle rippled up her arm as she watched Madam Pomfrey slowly wave her wand inches above her appendage. Hermione stared down at her now blemish free arm and noticed a slight shimmer to it.

"Until the glamour has had enough time to take, you will notice the shimmering effect. I can have Horace brew a long lasting, blemish-removing potion but it will take a bit. A standard glamouring spell should last the day but you will feel the same tingle when it starts to wear off. I would suggest wearing a long-sleeve until you have a partially accurate time-frame to work with," Madam Pomfrey explained as she set about darkening Hermione's curls.

A sharp knock came from the infirmary doors and Hermione felt a lump immediately form in her throat. She knew who it was and she knew she was going to meet the man that Neville had never properly known. Hermione was about to meet a man whom had been tortured by the same madwoman who had given her the scar. Hermione Granger was about to meet Frank Longbottom, her brother.

Watching as the double doors creaked open, Hermione held her breath. She was greeted with the familiar face of Augusta Longbottom and had to contain a grin at her choice of hat. It seemed that she still had a fondness for her infamous vulture hat, as it sat upon her head staring down on all who dared speak to her. Behind Lady Longbottom stood the spitting image of Neville. Hermione had never realized how much he resembled his father, and quickly felt the ache in her heart at never seeing her dear friend again.

"Come in, come in! Thank you for appearing with such short notice. Augusta, lovely as always! Frank, good to see you boy!," Dumbledore greeted as he quickly ushered the two newcomers towards the cot.

Hermione quickly stood up, trying to discreetly wipe her sweating palms on her skirt. She had never been one to get nervous, but it's not everyday that someone gets a brand-new family. She watched as the Longbottoms started towards her as she plastered what was hopefully a charming smile on her face.

"Hello Albus. Hello Poppy. Now I believe you have my daughter?" Augusta spoke, sending Hermione a warm smile.

"Yes, yes. This is Hermione, we spoke about everything earlier this week. She's a bright girl, shouldn't cause too much trouble," Dumbledore chuckled.

Augusta approached Hermione and softly grabbed both of her forearms. The action reminded her of when her mother would do the same, to get 'a good look at her'.

"Hermione, dear. You're quite lovely, a bit on the smaller size but Mimsy will get that taken care of! I do hope you're a fan of soup, love. She's been on quite a kick here lately. Doesn't seem to understand that July in England is quite warm," Augusta chatted happily as she continued to survey Hermione.

"I'm sorry but if you don't mind me asking, who is Mimsy?" Hermione questioned.

"Oh silly me! She's our darling house-elf and I'd bet my vault that she's going to be quite taken with you! Mimsy was always quite put out that Waynon fell ill before we could try for another child," Lady Longbottom explained.

Hermione nodded along, absorbing all the information offered to her. This Augusta Longbottom seemed far more inclined to chat with her fellow witches and wizards than the sharp-tongued woman in 1998. Her eyes fell to the lanky boy peeking just over his mothers shoulder. Seeming to realize he had been caught staring, he made his way closer to the group.

"Frank! Come meet your sister! She has been through quite a lot and shouldn't have to introduce herself to a pureblood heir!" Augusta lectured. There was the fiery woman that Hermione once knew.

Flustered by his mother reprimanding him, Frank shuffled his feet towards Hermione. She noted the flush of his face as he extended his hand to her. While taking his hand, Hermione sent him a reassuring smile, which seemed to help. She felt the tension leave his hand and watched as a genuine smile graced his face.

"'Ello Hermione, it's a treat to meet you," Frank greeted as he dropped her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine! I can't thank you both enough. I truly have no idea what I would have done," Hermione rambled.

She was startled when a feminine arm wrapped around her side and was surprised to see Augusta smiling down at her.

"Hermione, dearie. You have nothing to thank us for, it is a privilege to have you. Now let us make this the last of your shows of gratitude. We have to get you prepared for our interview with the Daily Prophet!" Augusta replied, squeezing her arm in a show of support.

The mention of the Prophet brought a sour taste to Hermione's mouth. She had her fair share of bad press from Rita Skeeter in 1998 and wasn't sure she could stomach even more of it now. Quickly doing the math in her head, she concluded that Skeeter would still be quite a young reporter and wouldn't have near enough prestige to make front-page news. Hermione silently hoped she wouldn't run into her but knew she could always trap Skeeter in another jar.

"We're doing an interview with the Prophet?" Hermione inquired.

"Of course we are! We want to get ahead of all the speculation about how the long-lost Longbottom heiress returned! I know you've had a bit of a rough go of life lately, so if we release this before we are all spotted together, then no one will have time to stir up rumors," Augusta explained, sending Hermione a sympathetic smile.

"That makes sense. I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to myself. What would we be revealing to them?" Hermione asked, feeling slightly unnerved at the prospect of sharing her past.

"Oh it's quite genius really! Albus and I have been working on a backstory for you, it's bulletproof if I may say so myself. Plus we've already had quite a bit of paperwork forged, such as your birth certificate, school transcripts, and your Gringotts vault. So anyone trying to dig up anything on you will find nothing except for the adored daughter you are," Augusta smirked.

Staring at the older witch, Hermione felt, for the first time since arriving in 1976, that things were going to be just fine.

Bienvenue Hermione Longbottom!

Please join us all at the Daily Prophet in welcoming Hermione Fey Longbottom as she re-enters British High Society! The Pureblood Heiress has spent the last 16 years attending the best French boarding schools that money can buy. She will be attending Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this fall as a sixth year student. Hermione has previously attended Beauxbatons Academy of Magic where she excelled in her studies. The Longbottoms are pleased to welcome back their darling daughter. After much debate, they determined it was time for her to be presented to High Society as she will be turning 16 on September 19, 1976. When asked why they kept Hermione out of the spotlight, Lady Longbottom had much to say, "Well living in a world where the male heir is deemed the most important, we wanted to keep our precious girl to ourselves. She has always had a wild spirit and we wanted her to be able to nurture it as much as possible. British High Society is a lovely thing, but the pressure to be perfect can be a bit much. Waynon wanted her to grow and cultivate her talents, so we sent her to attend symposiums led by our great friend Édouard Delaporte. Here she learned to paint as well as sculpt before she was enrolled at Beauxbatons. As a young child she had large bouts of accidental magic. Working consistently with her hands helped regulate the use of her magic." Longbottom Heir, Frank Longbottom, also added, "It's so very exciting to have my sister back in England with us. In the past we've been able to spend holidays together, but it will be nice to see her more frequently. I can't wait to show her Hogwarts and I hope she's sorted into Gryffindor with me!"

We are so honored to have been the newspaper to break this trusted news to the wizarding world. On behalf of the Daily Prophet, Welcome Hermione Fey Longbottom!