The characters in this story still do not belong to me, no
matter how pitifully I beg. They remain the property of J.K
Rowling, Bloomsbury, Scholastic, and Warner Brothers. My
deepest appreciation goes out to everyone who has reviewed so
far.
I apologize for taking so long to post this chapter. My only excuse is that I had to take some time to analyze where this story was ultimately headed.
Lovestruckbyanelf- yes this will eventually be a Severus/Hermione fic, but I have not yet decided how romantically involved they will get. I have no plans to put sexually explicit material in the main body of the fic. If I decide that on-screen sex is called for I will post it as a separate chapter so anyone who does not wish to read it can still enjoy the story.
((((((((((((((( 1977 (((((((((((((((
Morning dawned bright and early the next morning. Hermione awoke slightly disoriented, very surprised to be in a bed not her own. She recalled last night's events with a sense of dread. Just how was she supposed to get back to her own time? It was then that she noticed a large bright red bird sitting on the bedside table. "Why, hello Fawkes." The phoenix trilled at her and bent down to pick up a piece of parchment, dropping it onto her lap before flying through the window.
Dear Miss Granger,
I hope this morning finds you well. Please join me for breakfast in my office. We need to discuss how best to handle your situation, and I for one find things easier to sort out on a full stomach. You should find that the guest quarters contain everything you might require.
Albus Dumbledore
He was as good as his word. The room contained all the necessary toiletries, and she had already selected a very fetching set of blue robes before retiring last night. They fitted themselves to her quite nicely when she put them on, and she noticed with a smile that the color changed just slightly to suite her coloring. 'Leave it to Professor Dumbledore to think of everything.' She entered the office to find him sitting at a small table with a large English breakfast spread out before him. Rising, he pulled out her chair for her and helped he be seated before sitting back down. "Please tuck in Miss Granger. I hope you will find everything to your liking." He then began to fill his plate as well. They engaged in idle chitchat through the course of the meal, but all too soon it was time to discuss more serious matters.
"Headmaster, do you have any ideas on how to return me to my rightful time?"
"Not yet my dear, although I can assure you that I will not rest easy until we have rectified the situation. Until then I imagine you will want to continue with your coursework, so I imagine our best course of action would be to enroll you into the school. Luckily as Headmaster I can create a file for you and not have anyone question your lack of a transcript. Since we cannot make it common knowledge that you are from the future we will have to create an identity for you."
It took quite a bit of concentration on Hermione's part to keep herself from panicking. She wasn't good at lying, and it seemed her existence here was going to be a deception. Unfortunately she didn't have much in the way of choice. "Am I going to have to take an assumed name as well?"
"I'm of two minds in the matter. On one hand it would be beneficial in the future for people to know what happened to you; however, that knowledge might cause negative repercussions as well. I would suggest that we give you a different identity for now and selectively tell people the truth only if necessary. For now my knowledge should be sufficient, as I will add these memories to my pensieve for future reference."
"Sir, I'm afraid that I find all of this overwhelming. I don't know if I'm going to be able to keep up this pretense. What if I fail and alter the future?"
"Miss Granger, I'm going to be blunt and tell you that your mere presence here will alter the future. Our job is to keep that influence to a minimum. No one really understands time travel and it's repercussions. We will simply have to do our best."
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
After much discussion it was determined that Hermione would now be Miss Persephone Gardner. She was a transfer student from the Salem Witches' Academy in Massachusetts, America. Her mother was an American squib who had married a British muggle. She had been raised in England until her parents' death, when she had gone to live with her American grandmother, who was a witch. Persephone had been granted her wish to transfer to Hogwarts after she turned eighteen and had legally become an adult. Dumbledore cast a charm on Hermione that gave her a slight American accent. This charm would wear off gradually, giving the appearance of her native British accent returning. The Headmaster felt that this cover story would explain why nobody had ever heard of her family, and placing her schooling in America would hopefully prevent inquiries about her past teachers and classmates. She was to make her debut tonight at dinner when she would be (re) sorted. Since today was a Saturday she would have all day Sunday to get settled before having to start her classes.
Hermione ardently hoped to be placed in either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. She was far to aware of the fates which awaited many of the Gryffindors in her new year and felt that avoiding them as much as possible would be the best policy. Slytherin she dismissed out of hand as a possibility. Seventh years were allowed to work part time in Hogsmead and Dumbledore had set her up with a position working at the bookstore six hours a weekend. This would allow her to earn some pocket change, as she had no parents to provide her with an allowance. The kind professor had also provided her with the requisite uniforms and supplies. She had promised to pay him for these as soon as possible, but he would hear nothing of it. "You did not choose to visit the past Miss Gran.Gardener. Fate seems to have brought you here and I'm afraid you have no choice but to accept my assistance. It pleases me to help you in any way I can." Hermione retreated into the guest quarters to spend the hours before dinner reading her new set books.
All too soon it was time to brave the Great Hall and all of her new schoolmates. Hermione truly hated being on display, and being sorted alone in front of the entire school was just about as visible as possible. Her first sorting had not been bad because all the first years were being sorted as well. Being announced as Head Girl had been uncomfortable but mercifully quick. When she entered the Great Hall Professor McGonagall, who looked significantly younger than the mentor Hermione knew from her proper time, was waiting with a stool and the Sorting Hat. Dumbledore stood and announced, "I am happy to introduce a new seventh-year student, Miss Persephone Gardener. She has just now transferred from Salem Witches' Academy in America, and undoubtedly she will be an asset to our fine school." There was a short round of applause as Hermione made her way up to the stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall plopped the hat upon Hermione's head and began mentally chanting "not Gryffindor, nor Gryffindor". The hat seemed to muse for a while before stating "You certainly are intelligent enough for Ravenclaw, loyal and hard-working enough for Hufflepuff, and cunning enough for Slytherin; however, your most prominent asset is courage. Despite your objections I have to say GRYFFINDOR." When the Gryffindor table broke into loud applause she realized that the last word had been spoken, no shouted, aloud and that she had been irrevocably placed into the House she had wanted to avoid as much as possible. Trying to appear pleased she stepped down and went to take her place at the Gryffindor table. Her new housemates immediately surrounded her and began introducing themselves, and she schooled her face into a neutral expression as she met Lily Evans and James Potter.
I apologize for taking so long to post this chapter. My only excuse is that I had to take some time to analyze where this story was ultimately headed.
Lovestruckbyanelf- yes this will eventually be a Severus/Hermione fic, but I have not yet decided how romantically involved they will get. I have no plans to put sexually explicit material in the main body of the fic. If I decide that on-screen sex is called for I will post it as a separate chapter so anyone who does not wish to read it can still enjoy the story.
((((((((((((((( 1977 (((((((((((((((
Morning dawned bright and early the next morning. Hermione awoke slightly disoriented, very surprised to be in a bed not her own. She recalled last night's events with a sense of dread. Just how was she supposed to get back to her own time? It was then that she noticed a large bright red bird sitting on the bedside table. "Why, hello Fawkes." The phoenix trilled at her and bent down to pick up a piece of parchment, dropping it onto her lap before flying through the window.
Dear Miss Granger,
I hope this morning finds you well. Please join me for breakfast in my office. We need to discuss how best to handle your situation, and I for one find things easier to sort out on a full stomach. You should find that the guest quarters contain everything you might require.
Albus Dumbledore
He was as good as his word. The room contained all the necessary toiletries, and she had already selected a very fetching set of blue robes before retiring last night. They fitted themselves to her quite nicely when she put them on, and she noticed with a smile that the color changed just slightly to suite her coloring. 'Leave it to Professor Dumbledore to think of everything.' She entered the office to find him sitting at a small table with a large English breakfast spread out before him. Rising, he pulled out her chair for her and helped he be seated before sitting back down. "Please tuck in Miss Granger. I hope you will find everything to your liking." He then began to fill his plate as well. They engaged in idle chitchat through the course of the meal, but all too soon it was time to discuss more serious matters.
"Headmaster, do you have any ideas on how to return me to my rightful time?"
"Not yet my dear, although I can assure you that I will not rest easy until we have rectified the situation. Until then I imagine you will want to continue with your coursework, so I imagine our best course of action would be to enroll you into the school. Luckily as Headmaster I can create a file for you and not have anyone question your lack of a transcript. Since we cannot make it common knowledge that you are from the future we will have to create an identity for you."
It took quite a bit of concentration on Hermione's part to keep herself from panicking. She wasn't good at lying, and it seemed her existence here was going to be a deception. Unfortunately she didn't have much in the way of choice. "Am I going to have to take an assumed name as well?"
"I'm of two minds in the matter. On one hand it would be beneficial in the future for people to know what happened to you; however, that knowledge might cause negative repercussions as well. I would suggest that we give you a different identity for now and selectively tell people the truth only if necessary. For now my knowledge should be sufficient, as I will add these memories to my pensieve for future reference."
"Sir, I'm afraid that I find all of this overwhelming. I don't know if I'm going to be able to keep up this pretense. What if I fail and alter the future?"
"Miss Granger, I'm going to be blunt and tell you that your mere presence here will alter the future. Our job is to keep that influence to a minimum. No one really understands time travel and it's repercussions. We will simply have to do our best."
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
After much discussion it was determined that Hermione would now be Miss Persephone Gardner. She was a transfer student from the Salem Witches' Academy in Massachusetts, America. Her mother was an American squib who had married a British muggle. She had been raised in England until her parents' death, when she had gone to live with her American grandmother, who was a witch. Persephone had been granted her wish to transfer to Hogwarts after she turned eighteen and had legally become an adult. Dumbledore cast a charm on Hermione that gave her a slight American accent. This charm would wear off gradually, giving the appearance of her native British accent returning. The Headmaster felt that this cover story would explain why nobody had ever heard of her family, and placing her schooling in America would hopefully prevent inquiries about her past teachers and classmates. She was to make her debut tonight at dinner when she would be (re) sorted. Since today was a Saturday she would have all day Sunday to get settled before having to start her classes.
Hermione ardently hoped to be placed in either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. She was far to aware of the fates which awaited many of the Gryffindors in her new year and felt that avoiding them as much as possible would be the best policy. Slytherin she dismissed out of hand as a possibility. Seventh years were allowed to work part time in Hogsmead and Dumbledore had set her up with a position working at the bookstore six hours a weekend. This would allow her to earn some pocket change, as she had no parents to provide her with an allowance. The kind professor had also provided her with the requisite uniforms and supplies. She had promised to pay him for these as soon as possible, but he would hear nothing of it. "You did not choose to visit the past Miss Gran.Gardener. Fate seems to have brought you here and I'm afraid you have no choice but to accept my assistance. It pleases me to help you in any way I can." Hermione retreated into the guest quarters to spend the hours before dinner reading her new set books.
All too soon it was time to brave the Great Hall and all of her new schoolmates. Hermione truly hated being on display, and being sorted alone in front of the entire school was just about as visible as possible. Her first sorting had not been bad because all the first years were being sorted as well. Being announced as Head Girl had been uncomfortable but mercifully quick. When she entered the Great Hall Professor McGonagall, who looked significantly younger than the mentor Hermione knew from her proper time, was waiting with a stool and the Sorting Hat. Dumbledore stood and announced, "I am happy to introduce a new seventh-year student, Miss Persephone Gardener. She has just now transferred from Salem Witches' Academy in America, and undoubtedly she will be an asset to our fine school." There was a short round of applause as Hermione made her way up to the stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall plopped the hat upon Hermione's head and began mentally chanting "not Gryffindor, nor Gryffindor". The hat seemed to muse for a while before stating "You certainly are intelligent enough for Ravenclaw, loyal and hard-working enough for Hufflepuff, and cunning enough for Slytherin; however, your most prominent asset is courage. Despite your objections I have to say GRYFFINDOR." When the Gryffindor table broke into loud applause she realized that the last word had been spoken, no shouted, aloud and that she had been irrevocably placed into the House she had wanted to avoid as much as possible. Trying to appear pleased she stepped down and went to take her place at the Gryffindor table. Her new housemates immediately surrounded her and began introducing themselves, and she schooled her face into a neutral expression as she met Lily Evans and James Potter.