Changes Can Be Made

Disclaimer: I do not own J.K. Rowling's amazing HARRY POTTER! I have no awesomeness like that…

A/N: TADA! CHAPTER 9! :D More to come ;)

Chapter 9: Mission Future is a GO

Hermione found a trunk in front of her bed facing the door. When she curiously peeked in she found a few toiletries: a loofa, lavender body wash (her favourite… how did he know?), rose scented shampoo and conditioner (also her favourite) along with a soft, pure white towel and unscented butter milk body lotion. She smiled happily at how thorough Dumbledore was taking care of her. He was truly a remarkable man and her father figure in 1977. Hermione retrieved her uniform, shoes, towel, toiletries, a bandage, books and bag before she headed out of her room to the girls bathroom. She would have used the Prefect baths but she was no longer a Prefect in 1977. As she made her was to the bathroom she passed a few windows that all displayed the beautiful sunrise. Hermione was an early bird, she didn't know the exact time but she could only guess it was between 5:30 and 6:00. She stopped at one of the windows and gazed out into the sky. The sky was painted lovely shades of orange and blue. It was pretty. Almost pretty enough for her to forget her nightmare.

She reached the bathroom in no time and showered thoroughly. She removed any evidence of sweat and tears from her body with her lavender body wash. She washed her hair gently with her favourite rose and immediately felt relaxed. Good thing too, today was bound to be a very long one.

When she was done, she moisturised herself with her butter milk lotion. It made her skin feel irresistibly soft and kept the scent of lavender on her. She sighed contentedly with herself and continued her morning ritual. When she was fully dressed she consulted the nearest mirror to see if she was ready for today. She looked better today. Her hair still was bushy but it was neater and smelt of roses. She let her loose curls fall today again. She smiled peacefully. She looked basically like yesterday minus the robe. She let her eyes roam herself just in case there was a flaw she missed; and she was right. The 'mudblood' was bluntly visible on her left arm. She grimaced at the wound and grabbed the bandage she brought. She wrapped it tightly so there was no chance of it falling off. Once it was covered she smiled triumphantly. She grabbed her bag, towel and PJ's and headed for the bathroom's exit.

She dropped off her towel and PJ's in her room before leaving the Gryffindor dorms for breakfast. It was around 6:30 or 7:00 when she headed for the headmaster's office. The corridors were quiet and mostly empty except for the occasional early rising student. She reached the eagle statue and stared up at it trying to remember the password. She fought hard with her memory to remember the password he told her to use.

"Arid pips?"

No movement.

"Milk Pops"

No movement

"Acid pits?"

Nothing…

"Acid Pops!" she yelled remembering the password clearly this time.

And finally, the gargoyle allowed her entrance.

'YES!' she thought proudly.

She stood in front of the office door debating if it was too early for Dumbledore or just to go ahead and knock.

'Damn! I should have thought of this before I got here!' she thought angrily to herself.

"Miss Grace, would you like to come in and see me or are you okay with thinking outside my door?" called a gentle elderly voice.

Hermione blushed completely embarrassed to be found out without even knocking. She opened the door quietly and gave a bashful smile.

"Good morning Professor, I hope I'm not too early…" she greeted trailing off at the early part for she knew quite well that she was undoubtedly early.

Dumbledore smiled warmly at her, "No worries dear child, now, what is it you would like to talk to me about?"

"Oh, right… I just came to pick up my timetable professor…"

"Not a problem, Miss Grace." He shuffled some paper on his desk, "Ah! Here it is! For you Miss Grace," he said as he passed her the parchment, "You may come to me if you are… unhappy with the classes."

"Thank-you Professor," she replied politely before stowing it away in her bag and heading for the door.

She walked through the slightly busier corridors heading for the great hall. She was starving! She avoided all the various looks she was receiving and prayed to Merlin that she wouldn't get stopped by anyone.

Thankfully her prayers were answered when she finally made it to the great hall not once been spoken to. She was glad to know she wasn't the only early riser in Gryffindor as Lily Evans sat quietly sipping at coffee. She sighed happily and strolled over to her.

"May I sit here?" she asked politely. Lily turned around slowly and smiled happily at her fellow Gryffindor.

"Of course Hermione! You don't even need to ask!" she said cheerfully.

Hermione was relieved by the warm welcome Lily had given her.

"So you're an early bird too Lily."

Lily giggled before answering, "I guess you could say that. I only get up early for breakfast so I don't have to spend it with James constantly annoying me."

Hermione laughed. "No wonder! He sure has a thing for you," Hermione said mischievously.

Lily rolled her eyes, "I guess he does…"

"You guess?"

"Well, he has liked me for a few years now but…"

"But what?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I don't know… he's just…"

"Just…"

"Immature!" Lily yelled, "He never thinks of consequences, always messes around and never even takes things seriously!"

"Even a relationship?" Hermione asked slyly.

"YES! Even a relationship!" She yelled, then gasped and blushed furiously.

Hermione chuckled as she munched on a piece of toast, "Gotcha" she sang.

Lily said nothing, just sat there and stared at her egg blushing.

"Very Slytherin of you," said a mischievous voice.

Hermione whipped around to see Severus Snape greet her with a smile. She blushed as much as Lily, "Who are you?" she asked feigning ignorance once again.

"You'll soon found out Miss Hermione Grace," he whispered so only she could hear and left abruptly. Hermione sat stunned not sure what to think of what just happened until Lily brought her out of her thoughts.

"That was Severus Snape, my ex-best friend… He hates muggle-borns so you should beware of him," she warned. Hermione said nothing but nodded in understanding.

Hermione shook her head to get it back to normal and smiled cunningly towards Lily, "So if James took things more seriously you would give him a chance?"

"Maybe…" Lily grumbled. "Anyway, did you get a timetable yet? If not I can take you to see Professor Dumbledore."

"No, I've already seen him and yeah, here's my timetable!" Hermione shared cheerfully.

"Let's see then… advanced potions first up with… Professor Slughorn! So you've got potions with me, Remus and Severus… then! DADA – which is Defense Against the Dark Arts – with Professor Merrythought… so again with me, Sirius and James… History of Magic with me, James, Remus and Peter… hmmm… oh! Study of ancient runes with Professor Babbling… I've got that too! With Remus and Severus… Arithmancy and your teacher is… Professor Vector! So, you've got it with me and Peter. Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall! WITH ME AGAIN! Oh and Sirius and lastly, advanced charms! I've got that and so does James…"

'Classes with the marauders and 2 classes each with Severus and Peter… Commence mission future!'

"Well! All in all, you and I will be best of friends by the looks of it!" Lily happily pointed out.

Hermione smiled in response and squeezed Lily in a tight, warm hug. Hermione had tears in her eyes as she let Lily go. Lily stared blankly into Hermione's eyes.

"Are you ok Hermione?"

"I'm fine," she sniffled, "I'm just so happy to have a friend like you, Lily…"

Lily smiled delightedly, "you're too sweet Hermione… by the way, what happened to your arm?"

Hermione followed Lily's line of sight to her left arm where her bandaged was.

"Oh, it's just a few scratches from a fall out of bed this morning…" Hermione said not too confidently. At first, Lily nodded in understanding.

Lily finished the last bit of coffee she had in her mug as Hermione finished the last of her toast.

"Wanna get to potions early, eh early bird?"

Hermione looked up to Lily whose face was glowed brighter than the sun. Hermione giggled at the question and nodded her response, "Sure thing, early avoider."

'Time to save the future, starting with Severus…'