Chapter 3 Uh Oh
Together they sped through darkness at a dizzying pace. Hermione had her arms around Harry, holding on for dear life. Then suddenly without warning: WHAM! They hit a hard, stone ground. Hermione, lying on top of Harry, groaned as she propped herself up on her elbows. "Harry" she whispered glancing around. "Where are we?"
Harry tried to sit up. "Hermione." he gasped. "Could you get off me please? I can't breathe." Hermione blushed and rolled off of him. Then Harry sat up shaking his head.
"Sorry." She apologized. "Hermione." Harry paused. "I think-I think we're at Hogwarts!" Hermione and Harry looked around them. It was definitely Hogwarts but it looked different. They heard a bell and an uproar of muffled voices.
"Quick, Harry! We musn't be seen!" Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him into a nook. They watched as a mob of students shuffled by. "I don't recognize anyone." Hermione grumbled.
"I do." Harry said and his voice broke. His eyes were glued to a couple coming hand in hand down the corridor. Hermione looked over to where Harry's gaze lay and gasped.
"Harry! It's your Mum and Dad!" James Potter was unmistakable because of his likeness to Harry and they could only assume the redhead was Lily. "Oh Harry." whispered Hermione.
Harry felt a lump form in his throat as he watched them disappear around a corner. "What are we gonna do?" asked Harry quietly. "We'll HAVE to go and see Dumbledore."
Hermione answered. "Didn't you tell me that we couldn't be seen?" asked Harry, now confused. "How else do you think we're going to get back home? If anybody could figure it out he could!"
"I guess you're right," Harry sighed. "Come on." Being extremely careful not to catch the eye of anyone, Harry and Hermione followed the muffled voices and found that they were moving towards the Great Hall.
"Must be lunch time," said Hermione with a frown. They got down on their stomachs and slid along the ground so they could peer in and see what was going on. Sure enough the students sat down at the tables assigned for their house and from their position on the ground, Harry could make out the gold china.
"Shh." Whispered Hermione as they started to worm closer to the doorway. They remained quiet as the group in the Great Hall began eating and the wonderful smell of food filled Harry's noise and he realized he hadn't eaten breakfast and was starving!
"Can't we grab something?" he whispered to Hermione. "I'm really hungry."
"Quit thinking about your stomach, Harry! We have more important things to do." Hermione snapped in response. Then she frowned. "Oh no."
"What is it?" Harry asked. "Where is Professor Dumbledore's office? I've never been there!"
"I know where it is," said Harry. "I've been there twice." "How come?" asked Hermione as she followed him.
"Long story." Harry replied quickly as he led her down the hallway and up a small flight of stairs. Harry stopped at a large oak door. "He opened it with a password last time but I doubt it's the same one. Maybe it's like the portrait hole of Gryffindor Tower.the word changes every week!"
Hermione groaned inwardly and stomped her foot on the ground. "Oh no! Now what are we going to do?"
"Well before it was Lemondrop but…" Harry jumped backwards as the door to the office swung open. "Huh! That was easy!" Hermione smirked. They both entered the room and unfortunately found it empty.
"I wonder where Dumbledore is." said Hermione looking around. She personally had never been inside the headmaster's office and wasn't sure whether or not it looked the same.
"He's obviously at lunch." Harry replied. "Let's just wait for him to get back." So they did. About an hour passed and they were nearly falling asleep when they heard voices outside the door and immediately felt their nerves jump as the familiar voice of Professor Dumbledore said "Lemondrop!"
The door opened and the old wizard entered not looking much different to Harry except that he was a hint younger. "How did you two get in here?" Dumbledore asked frowning at Harry and Hermione.
"Er." Harry paused. "That may take some explaining," Hermione broke in. "I'm Hermione Granger.um.one of your students. And this."
"I'm Neville Longbottom," Harry lied.
"My students?"
"This time-turner I made." Hermione pulled it out of her pocket and set it on Dumbledore's desk. "We used it without meaning to and somehow we would up here. We wanted to ask you if you know how we could get back home."
Professor Dumbledore continued to stare at them making Harry feel a little uncomfortable. "You look an awful lot like James Potter, Neville. Though I don't know how you could."
"Um." Harry laughed nervously as he licked his dry lips and felt Hermione put a strong hand on his shouler.
"First of all, Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore began looking at Hermione seriously. "Let me see that time-turner." He picked it up from his desk and examined it. "I understand why it went haywire. This chain," he began, "is not solid gold. It is white gold."
"I knew that," Hermione protested. "I didn't think it would work without the proper incantation." KNOCK KNOCK "Password, Mr. Potter!" Harry's heart leapt into his throat. "Lemondrop!" The door swung open and Harry saw the 17-year-old version of his father step in watching the door close behind him. "Is there a problem, James?"
"It's Reumus. He's beginning to strain." 'Professor Lupin!' thought Harry. "Excuse me for a bit, you two. Come, we must get him to that chamber by the whomping willow before he hurts someone." James dashed out first followed by Dumbledore. When they were both gone, Harry broke down, falling to the floor.
"Oh Harry." Hermione knelt down beside his trembling figure and pulled him close to her, letting him cry on her soulder. "I saw my Dad," he choked. "I can't believe I saw him."
He looked up at Hermione, blushing a little. "Sorry." He apologized noticing the wet spot on her shirt.
She smiled. "Don't worry about it, Harry. I know you miss your parents."
Hermione led Harry to the cushioned chair in the corner and helped him to sit down, holding his hands. "Take deep breaths, Harry." She comforted. Harry closed his eyes and breathed in slowly and then exhaled.
Dumbledore returned to the office about a half-hour later. "I apologize. One of our students fell ill and had to be taken care of."
He looked at Harry. "All right, Neville?"
"Yes sir." said Harry wiping his eyes.
"Now. About this chain issue."
"Yes. As I was saying." Hermione began, "I didn't think that the time- turner would work without the right chain but obviously I wasn't correct with my assumption."
"Hmm." Professor Dumbledore looked at the object he held in his hands. "Well. For now, I will inform James Potter who is the headboy of Gryffindor to let him know that the two of you will spend your time there."
Harry looked at Hermione who put her hand against her forehead. "Sure." said Harry, swallowing hard. "Follow me then." Harry and Hermione got up and followed Professor Dumbledore out into the hallway.