Chapter Eight: More Problems

Leaving Sirius behind in the common room, Hermione ran through the corridors and out the castle. She began to walk on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, thoughts rushing through her mind.

She had a crush on James Potter—on Harry's dad! And it was quite possible that he returned her feelings. Hermione rapidly shook her head. This just couldn't be. If Lily and James didn't end up together, Harry would never be born! The notion was bad enough by itself, because Harry was a wonderful person, one of her best friends, and—despite current circumstances—still the love of her life. But even worse, who would stop Voldemort? Of all the people he had killed, only Harry survived. But what if Harry didn't exist? Would a silly crush cause darkness to reign in the future?

As she walked, Hermione sensed something following her. With a foreboding feeling, she looked into the dark woods, but couldn't see anything. Attributing it to her nerves and calling herself paranoid, she continued on. Suddenly, she heard a twig snap and stopped in her tracks, turning to the woods. There was definitely someone in there.

"Who's there?" she called, her voice shaky as her hand reached for her wand.

"Just me, Hera." James stepped out from behind a tree.

Even though he was the last person Hermione wanted to see, she was glad at his appearance, even though her feelings fought against her better judgment. "James! What were you doing in there?" she asked.

"Uh, just stretching my legs," he replied nervously. Hermione observed him, baffled. She had been in those woods before, and never wished to go back. It was dark and creepy, full of all sorts of creatures. No one in their right mind would ever...

She couldn't help as a smile of realization emerged on her face. No man in his right mind would ever go into the forest, but it would be nothing out of the ordinary for a stag.

James was observing her hesitantly, and finally stepped forward, asking, "Hera, are you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?"

Hermione's eyes widened. Why was James acting so nervous? And what was it about the way that he said her name that made her legs feel like they were going to collapse? "No...I can't," she replied. "I don't have a permission slip."

"It's okay," he assured, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I talked to Dumbledore already, he said that due to your circumstances it is alright for you to go."

Hermione blinked at him. James talked to Dumbledore about her? Maybe he really did fancy her if he went to all that trouble. But that wasn't a good thing. This relationship had to end at friendship.

James felt her shoulder tense under his hand and quickly withdrew its presence. He liked Hera a lot, and the last thing he wanted to be was forceful, like Sirius was to her, or like he himself had once been to Lily. That sure had not worked out the way he planned. "Well, I'll see you later," he said with a smile, disappearing back into the forest. Hermione stared after him, hearing hoofs sprinting away.

This was not a good situation, at all! She was now convinced that James shared her feelings, and she had to put an end to it—now! "I have to find my Time Turner!" she cry in distress, running towards the castle.

Hermione walked aimlessly down the identical halls, trying to find any sign of familiarity. There was none. All she knew for sure was the floor where she had arrived, the exact hallway was not easy to find, seeming how everything was made with the same cold stone bricks. "Why do the floors have to look the same!" she cried in desperation.

"The floors, perhaps, but certainly not the walls." Hermione turned to see a portrait of an old baroness speaking to her. While the lady wasn't all too attractive, she was elegantly dressed, and smiled with refinery.

"Hello, ma'am," Hermione said politely with a little curtsey. She figured that if she were respectful enough, she just might get some useful information out of the old biddy. And it worked.

"Aren't you the cutest, most well-mannered little thing!" crooned the baroness. "I remember seeing you for the first time, very clearly. You landed in that clearing right over there."

Hermione's gaze followed the woman's outstretched arm. "Thankyouverymuch," she said quickly, running to the spot. She dropped down to her knees, futilely searching the cracks between the stones. There no sign whatsoever of her trinket.

"Can we say deja vu?" Hermione groaned at the sound of Sirius's voice. He was posed just as when she had first seen him, leaning against the wall and admiring the view.

"Go away, Sirius," she muttered.

"Calm down, baby," he said. "I know just what you're looking for.

Hermione rolled her eyes, anticipating what he was going to say next. "No, Sirius, I'm not looking for some loving."

Sirius grinned slyly, "While that's not exactly a bad idea, I was thinking more along the lines of a pretty gold necklace with a mini hourglass attached." He was greatly amused by her reaction...it was an exhilarating feeling knowing that he could manipulate her emotions so.

"Give it to me," she demanded, springing to her feet.

"Mmmm, feisty, I like that in a woman." Hermione was not amused at his reply.

"Give. Me. My. Necklace." She said firmly, rushing Sirius and pinning him against the wall.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," Sirius grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist. He was just about to make another lewd comment when he saw the look in her eyes.

Good God, Sirius thought, she's about to cry.

"Hera," he began, not quite sure what to say. Apologizes were the one thing that Sirius Black could not handle. Well, that and crying women. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it meant so much to you."

Hermione took a couple steps back and looked at her feet. "It's my only connection to back home," she said softly. All of the sudden she was flooded with the realization of how much she missed her family, her friends, and the Hogwarts of her time. She had been so caught up in her friendship with Lily and her crush on James that she had forgotten all about her loved ones back home.

"Man, I'm sorry Hera," Sirius repeated, his voice taking on a new tone Hermione had never heard before. He looked into her eyes, his own sincerely apologetic, and smiled at her reassuringly. "Here." With that, he held out the Time Turner. Hermione reached over to take it when all of the sudden a bony white hand with long fingernails came out of nowhere and snatched it from Sirius's grip.