AN: Trigger warnings to many things are present in this story. Don't like, don't read. No, I will not list all of the Trigger Warnings, go to AO3 if you want them all, so stop asking. DON'T LIKE, DON'T READ!
I don't own Harry Potter.
All spelling mistakes are my own. There are my own Original Characters in this at times.
Main Relationships: (Hermione/Bellatrix) (Hermione/Narcissa) (Hermione/Andromeda) (Draco/Ginny) (Harry/Lucius) (Ron/Rodolphus) (Pansy/Tonks)(Others to be added)
Summary: Hermione survived her fifth year at Hogwarts, and the torture that Umbridge unleashed on her. As Dumbledore and Voldemort's truce comes together, everyone begins to prepare for the war they all know is coming. Umbridge is still at large, and Hermione has learned who the 'Boss' is, but at a price.
Being in 1927 London isn't all it's cracked up to be. Hermione needs to find a way home, back to her mates, back to her family. Being forced to team up with a group of people that are at odds with one another, can Hermione manage to get home without changing the future too drastically? Not everything, or everyone, are as they seem. As Hermione races to find the two women that had arrived years before her, she must bring this group together in order for them all to survive, while trying not to destroy the future.
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The smell of garbage had Hermione's eyes snapping open the moment she returned to awareness. She groaned as she shifted, her body aching and exhausted. She frowned as she pushed herself to her feet, finding oneself in a pile of garbage wasn't the easiest thing to wake up too. The sounds of voices echoed down the alleyway from the street nearby, people moving down the sidewalks at quickened paces. The dark sky above threatening to unleash itself on any of the unfortunate souls that couldn't find shelter in time. The smell of fresh rain filled the air but there was also a hint of fresh smoke, exhaust that hadn't had enough time to build up yet.
Hermione stood at the entrance to the alley, noticing the frowns of disproval and stares that passersby gave her, looking at her head to toe before picking up their paces to hurry away. Heart beating frantically, she too noticed how differently that everyone was dressed, nothing resembling the usual muggle wear she was accustomed to. She hurried down the street, recognizing the older part of London that she was in, knowing the Ministry and Kings Cross Station were nearby, but in different directions. She didn't want to go to the Ministry, but it was the closest and she was beginning to get nervous as more and more people were taking note of her fashion choice.
She slipped into the muggle entrance of the building, her eyes widening at the pristine white marble that laid before her. It was nothing like she knew it to be and wondered exactly what she had gotten herself into. A cough nearby caught her attention and she gasped as she recognized the disguise used by Gellert Grindelwald when he infiltrated the Ministry. She tried not to stare but the curious side of her couldn't help it.
She was already pushing things by just being here, but she had no other choice. Of course, that didn't stop her sudden realization from hitting her at the most inopportune moment. She snatched the Daily Prophet from a random wizard's hands, ignoring his protest, and stared at the date in the upper left corner of the newspaper. Her blood ran cold, her hands began shaking and her mind felt as if it were going to explode.
A hand gripped her arm, and she was jerked face to face with Grindelwald. He eyed her curiously for a moment before whispering, "How did you know?"
Hermione couldn't breathe as she glanced back down at the paper in her hands, the date staring back at her even as shouts began to echo around them. She knew she was being pulled from the building, but she couldn't stop the date from pulsing through her mind, as if she was shouting it herself.
London 1927….
"Focus!" Gellert Grindelwald's voice broke through her inner fear.
She spotted the Ministry members running towards them and she reluctantly followed Grindelwald through the building and out a back door. Grindelwald kept a hold of her arm, disapparating them the moment they were outside the Ministry wards. She thought she hated apparating before, she was wrong.
Landing on soft grass she struggled not to vomit as Grindelwald stares at her. It was uncomfortable but it wasn't like anything she had experienced before. She couldn't help but let her mind rush through what information she had read about him and his crusade. Although seeing the man in person wasn't as terrifying as she thought it would be. His short platinum blonde hair and matching mustache making him seem more intimidating than what he actually was, or maybe it was his icy blue eyes that was the intimidation factor.
He frowned down at her, "Who are you?"
She grimaced, "Can't answer that."
Grindelwald cocked his head at the girl, curious about her clothing choices, "Why not?"
She knew she had already changed the future, considering Grindelwald was supposed to steal sensitive material that day but she had stopped him. How much damage had she done? Was it contained to only Grindelwald, or had she affected the entire wizarding world in the process?
Grindelwald studied the worried look on the younger girl's face, the way she almost seemed more nervous about telling him anything than him himself. "You're clothing is not normal." He clasped his hands behind his back, beginning to pace, "I'm going out on a limb and saying that you somehow traveled through time."
She gaped at him for a moment before she sighed, collapsing on her back in the soft grass, "Fine. I've already messed something up anyway. You speaking to me changed everything."
Grindelwald nodded, "True. I'm going to say that I succeeded in what I was doing in your time but now that has changed."
She frowned up at him, blocking the sun with her hand, "Okay wiseass, where can I get a time turner?"
Grindelwald frowned, "How do you know about those? They are highly secret, or at least the Ministry wants to keep it that way?"
Hermione shook her head, "Look I just need to find a way home. My mates…" her voice broke slightly but she swallowed and pushed through, "They're waiting for me, and they'll be worried."
Grindelwald smiled suddenly, "You have a mate?"
"Three," she muttered, her heart aching at the thought of them finding her missing.
Grindelwald's eyes widened, a dark gleam coming to his eyes, "Three? You must be powerful."
She glared up at him, sitting up, "Yes and no. I turned Dumbledore down and I'm turning you down. I need to get home, to my time." She frowned at the ground, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Grindelwald sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He really didn't need the distraction, but the girl was right. She had already disrupted the timeline. Not to mention she was going to need a lot of help to find a way home. Time travel wasn't exactly known in this day, but he knew someone who might know. After deliberating for a few moments, he grimaced, muttering, "Icanhelpyou."
Hermione frowned as she pushed herself to her feet, "What was that?"
He sighed heavily, shoulders dropping as if it pained him to repeat it, "I can help you. I mean I don't know anything about disruptions or time travel, but I know someone who might. I'm just not sure where they're at, at the moment."
Hermione eyed him curiously, "What do you want?"
He chuckled, a smirk pulling at his lips, his sharp cheekbones more pronounced than before, "Can't a guy offer help to a lady in need?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, "A gentleman, yes. You, no."
He gasped in fake shock, putting a hand over his heart, "You wound me with your assumption."
She raised an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms over her chest, "You'll get over it."
He glared at her slightly, dropping the playful demeanor, "Okay fine. Since you so rudely turned me down when I haven't even asked anything yet," he clasped his hands behind his back again, "If you help me escape any Auror's, bounty hunters, or Ministry personnel while we find this person then I will gladly help you get home."
She shrugged, "At this point I don't mind giving it to the Ministry, but I won't kill anyone if I can avoid it."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Killed many have you?"
She shook her head, "Not as many as you and they were trying to hurt my family."
He smiled at her, nodding his head once, "As noble reason as any."
She shrugged, "Maybe. Where do we start?"
He snorted, "With getting you new clothes, so you can blend in more."
Hermione groaned before taking his outstretched arm, "I hate shopping."
He chuckled, "That's a first from any woman I've ever met." She rolled her eyes as he apparated them deeper into London.
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Hermione smirked at Gellert as she raised an eyebrow at him, "Do I fit in now?"
Grindelwald snorted, "Not everyone can wear dragonhide pants, but you pull it off well." He smirked at her, "Didn't figure you for an animal killer."
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Don't push me Gellert."
He glared at her, his voice dropping low, "Don't call me that."
She couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up, a slight cackle entering the sound, "I don't think you are in any position to demand things."
Grindelwald grimaced, his upper lip curling in disgust as Hermione buttoned the deep emerald, green silky shirt up, "Can we please get out of here. That Shoppe keeper has been eyeing us since we entered."
Hermione turned to look at the man behind the counter and smiled, "Archie won't hurt us. He's a friend, well, in my time he is." She moved towards the counter holding her hand out to Grindelwald, "Pay the man Gellert."
Grindelwald growled at her as he pulled a leather pouch out of his jacket, "So pushy."
Hermione snorted, rolling her eyes as she turned to Archie. He looked even younger than he did in her time, and she could see the colour in his cheeks. She gasped slightly, realizing that he was still human. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the young man in front of her, knowing what his future was going to become. At the same time, she couldn't help but be happy that he would become a vampire because she got to befriend him.
As Grindelwald paid Archie, Hermione slipped out into Knockturn Alley, looking around at the familiar surroundings. There were more shoppes than what she had grown up knowing and she couldn't help but move towards a few of them. A large window displayed ancient artifacts that were more of a grey area than the Dark Arts she was used too. Shrunken heads hung in the window surrounded by dancing firelight, the mouths stitched shut with eyes wide and bloodshot.
"You lost Miss?" A low voice said behind her.
She spun to face the man, her eyes widening slightly as she came face to face with Caractacus Burke. She swallowed thickly as she shook her head, "No sir. I was," she jerked her thumb over her shoulder at the window behind her, "looking around."
Caractacus Burke's long black hair was tied neatly behind his head, his eyes narrowing in on her curiously. His thin face and pointed chin reminded her of Borgin but there was the obvious difference in their temperaments. Borgin was a scared, weasel of a man where Caractacus held himself high, a confidence oozed from him that was almost intoxicating. Though his bulky body, the obvious muscle hidden behind the clothing he adorned, was intimidating.
He cocked his head at her, his grey eyes scrutinizing her, "You're a little young to be in this neck of the woods, aren't you?"
She crossed her arms over her chest, adopting her best Narcissa glare, complete with raised eyebrow, "You're a little old to be asking a young woman her age, aren't you?"
A smile spread across the man's face, his grey eyes twinkling delightedly, "You're a feisty one. Caractacus Burke. What's your name girl?"
"None of your business," Grindelwald approached angrily, his eyes narrowed on Burke.
Burke rolled his eyes, "It's not like you own everyone Grindelwald. Let the girl speak for herself."
Hermione chuckled, "I like him."
"Why am I not surprised," Grindelwald sighed. "Don't you think you've done enough damage for one century?"
She rolled her eyes at him, "Fine. Let's get out of here. The sooner I can get home the better."
Burke frowned, "Wait you came from the future? You're the second person I've come across that claims that."
Grindelwald eyed Burke carefully, not fully trusting the man, "What did that person look like?"
Burke shrugged, "Woman with red hair, freckles, cute nose-"
Hermione grimaced, "For the love of all that is Merlin, please do not continue that sentence."
Burke laughed, causing a few heads to turn in his direction, "All I know is that she appeared at the shoppe. I hurried her out before Borgin," his lip curled in disgust as he practically spit the name, "returned from lunch."
Hermione frowned, the idea that Burke had disappeared years before and no one knew where he had gone entering her mind. Everyone had assumed that Borgin had killed him in order to take complete control of the store, gaining one hundred percent of the profits. Now she was beginning to think there was more to it. She frowned as she struggled to remember what year Burke had disappeared.
Grindelwald shook his head, "Do you know where she is?"
Burke frowned, "Not at the moment. She and her friend come and go but don't talk much to anyone. They claim it's too dangerous."
Hermione frowned, "Friend? How long have they been here?"
Burke turned his attention back to Hermione, a small smile crossing his lips, "Almost seventeen years now. As for the friend, she's of a different breed if you get my meaning," He ginned at Grindelwald. "Long platinum blonde hair, bright emerald green eyes, on the taller side."
Hermione's breathing hitched, her chest tightening as the image of Pandora crossed her mind, "Did they give you names?"
Burke shook his head, "Said it could ruin the future if they did."
Hermione frowned, her mind swirling with possibilities. If this was her mother, and Marlene McKinnon, then she could find out what happened all those years ago. On the other hand, if it was them, that meant they had been stuck here for years and hadn't found a way back home, which didn't bode well for her chances at getting home.
Grindelwald frowned at her, "What is it?"
Hermione shook her head, "I'm Hermione." She looked at both of them, "I need your help locating those two women. They could be the only chance I have to get home. However, that also means you two will have to disappear."
Grindelwald sighed, "I figured as much." He looked around at the people passing them by, "Well I can't say I'll miss this place."
Burke grimaced, "At least you won't be leaving your business in the hands of a-"
"Burke! Have you gotten it yet?" Borgin's thin frame sprinted towards them, his long greasy hair draped around his face as usual.
Hermione grimaced, "He hasn't changed much, except his age." She shook her body, "Ugh!"
Burke laughed, "Don't get me started. I'll take care of this and meet you two at the White Wyvern." He spun on his heel and made his way towards a young Borgin.
Grindelwald shook his head as they turned towards the street, "I must say, you are taking this extremely well. Most people in your position wouldn't be so calm about all this."
She shrugged, "I miss my family and I'll do what I have to, to get back to them."
A shout brought their attention towards the path leading to Diagon Alley, "Gellert Grindelwald, DO NOT MOVE!"
Grindelwald groaned, "I swear these Ministry pests never learn."
Hermione frowned as she squinted at the woman rushing towards them, "Isn't that Leta Lestrange?"
Grindelwald nodded, "The most annoying pain in my ass the Ministry has. The woman is young, brash, never learns a lesson the first time. Not to mention I'm positive she's got a thing for the ladies," he smirked wickedly at her, wiggling his eyebrows.
She shook her head at him, "I'm happily taken by three women thank you very much."
His eyes widened, "You have three female mates?" a slight blush rushed up his face.
Hermione laughed, "If I recall correctly, you preferred the men category."
Grindelwald's eyes widened, "How did you…" he shook his head, "Never mind. I don't want to know."
She smirked at him as Burke approached, "We need to go. Auror's are approaching from the east."
Hermione groaned, "Merlin, please don't say-"
Grindelwald smiled widely, "Auror's approaching from the west."
Hermione dropped her head, "I'm going to kill you both before the day is done." The two men erupted into laughter as Leta Lestrange raised her wand at them.
"Gellert Grindelwald by order of the Minister of Magic-"
Grindelwald spun to her, his wand aimed at her, "No thanks." A silent jinx exploded from his wand and Leta threw herself to the ground.
Hermione gripped Grindelwald's wand arm, "Stop. We don't have time for this."
Burke raised his wand behind them, "Tell them that."
Hermione frowned as she took in the group coming for them from behind. She shook her head, "I swear no one takes the time to talk anymore." She rushed to Leta and gripped the woman's arm as Grindelwald snatched the woman's wand from her, "I'm sorry. I'll explain later." She spun Leta around and placed her wand tip against the woman's throat as Grindelwald and Burke covered her back.
A larger man with dark skin shook his head, "It ends now Grindelwald."
Hermione gripped Leta tighter, "Arrogant much. We'll be leaving here or Lestrange won't make it."
The man frowned, "Who are you?"
Hermione smirked darkly at him, "Your worst nightmare." She sent a silent incendiary charm at him, setting his robes on fire. Everyone lowered their wands and Hermione jerked Leta with her, forcing the woman to move. Lowering her voice so only her group could hear she said, "Once we get to Diagon Alley, apparate us out."
Grindelwald nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder as Burke clasped her other one. As they neared Diagon Alley a shout came from behind and a blast of red light exploded the corner of a building close to their right. Hermione growled angrily, "Of course. Do it now. Sorry Ms. Lestrange." She held the woman tight against her as the pull behind her navel began, a cooling sensations rolling down her spine, and Knockturn Alley disappeared.
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Hermione's feet touched soft grass, but her body was exhausted. She let go of Leta Lestrange as she collapsed to the ground, her body shaking slightly as the curse she had been hit with slowly worked its way through her body. Burke gripped her arm, jerking her to her feet as Grindelwald muttered in Latin, his wand waving in front of her. The mind numbing cold slowly began to recede from her body, flowing up her arms and down her torso into her legs before it disappeared altogether.
She took a deep breath before speaking, "Thank you but what the hell was that?"
Burke glared at a scared Lestrange, "Freezing curse. They tried to freeze us so we couldn't apparate."
Hermione cocked her head, "Never would have thought of that."
Grindelwald shook his head, "Lousy bunch of –"
Leta Lestrange shook her head, "Can someone explain what the hell is going on? Since when do you work with a teenager Grindelwald?"
All three of them eyed the woman carefully. While Hermione knew Leta was killed in one of Grindelwald's rally's originally, that course of action was now no longer an option. She tired to focus on the future, on what could have or may have changed now that she had practically stopped Grindelwald's reign of terror. Leta had been killed so technically there wasn't much that could change. The biggest worry was Grindelwald's disappearance. Would someone take his place? Would Dumbledore become the mighty wizard that everyone claimed he was if he wasn't the one responsible for capturing Grindelwald?
She rubbed her temples, "I think we need to sit and discuss a few things. Lestrange is right, we need to explain some things and maybe figure out a way to make this work. To keep certain things from changing so drastically in the future."
Leta frowned, "Future?"
Burke began to circle Leta, "But can she be trusted? I mean she was just trying to kill us all."
Hermione could see the fear on Leta's face as Burke circled her. Something inside of her refused to let harm come to this woman, a feeling that this woman was important to her own future coursing through her mind. She nodded at Burke, "Once I can explain things, I think she'll be trustworthy."
Grindelwald sighed, "Fine. It's getting late and we need a camp."
Hermione looked around the wooded area they were standing in. Her mind replaying her encounter in the woods near the Lovegood home. The knowledge that Molly Weasley was the woman behind everything pained her, more than she thought it would. It wasn't as if she had known Molly that well, but she had felt guilty for killing the woman's husband. Not so much anymore, the more she thought about it. She shook her head and refocused on the problem at hand.
Hermione motioned to Lestrange, "Ms. Lestrange and I will gather firewood. You two play nice and build a shelter."
Grindelwald snorted, "I always play nice with others." Hermione cocked an eyebrow at him, causing him to grimace, "Most of the time." Hermione rolled her eyes as Burke laughed.
Hermione and Lestrange moved deeper into the woods and Burke and Grindelwald began to argue about the best approach. Leta frowned at the young woman, "How did you get caught up with the likes of those two?"
Hermione sighed as she picked up a few sticks, "Its long and complicated and you probably won't believe me."
Leta smirked at the girl, "Try me."
Hermione sighed and launched into an abbreviated version of events, not wanting to give too much of the future away. They made their way back to the campsite as she continued speaking, explaining more about what had led her into the hands of Grindelwald. Once she was done, the fire was going, and a simple shelter was sitting behind them.
She shook her head as her heart tightened with pain, "My mates are going to lose it when they find out I'm missing."
Leta took Hermione's hand gently, "We'll find a way to get you back."
Grindelwald nodded, "If we can find a way for me to face Dumbledore, and then disappear, it could prevent the future from changing too much."
Burke rubbed his chin lightly, "We could set it up, then all of us could disappear. Obviously Lestrange isn't going to die at that rally now."
Hermione felt Leta stiffen beside her and quickly nodded, "What if everyone came with me?" she frowned as she thought about it, "The disappearances would explain so much and Burke was already missing in my time."
Leta frowned, "What about our families?"
Burke and Grindelwald shrugged, Grindelwald speaking for them both, "We don't have family."
Hermione looked up at Leta, "From what I understand, you were disowned by your family for working with Newt Scamander."
Leta nodded, "That's true but…" She sighed heavily, "My mate is still alive."
Hermione's eyes widened at the same time Grindelwald and Burke's did, "You have a mate too?"
Leta nodded, a small smile crossing her features, "Minerva is entering her first year of teaching at Hogwarts."
Hermione jumped to her feet, her body beginning to shake. She shook her head as she began to pace back and forth. Her grandmother and Leta were mates? How… When… Why… She couldn't think, couldn't form a single coherent thought. Was it possible that Leta was Pandora's other mother? Was it the fact that soulmates were able to have children because they became one when they completed the mate bond? Should she tell Leta about who she is? About whom Pandora is? Would it put the woman in more danger, knowing that Hermione was her granddaughter?
Grindelwald's hands clasped her shoulders tightly, "Slow down Hermione. What's got you so spooked?"
She shook her head, her throat so tight with emotion that she couldn't speak. She could only stare at him through watery eyes, not able to explain what had come over her.
As if sensing Hermione's turmoil he rubbed her arms gently, "Breath. We don't have to talk anymore tonight. Let's just try to get some sleep and we'll deal with it in the morning." Hermione nodded, knowing she wouldn't be able to focus for the rest of the night.