~Best and Worst of Times~
Summary: Before the start of the Seventh year term, Hermione is at home. When a Death-eater attacks. Sending her back in time. There she meets the love of her life.
Hogwarts
The HHospital
Wing
Gazing around the familiar hospital room, Hermione feels a little bit out of place. Everything is new, overly bright and shinny. Dropping her eyes down to her cloths, Hermione shakes her head. Damn! What happened to my ripped blue jean shorts?
"We're almost done dear," says Madam Pomfrey. She taps Hermione several times with her wand, before muttering to herself. "Your magical reflexes are fine." She looks over a piece of parchment, and then nods her head. "You ought to fine to perform and learn magic, just don't over do it."
Madam Pomfrey hands her the parchment. The lines were bleary. I can't read a thing! "Just what I suspected. It's alright, it just means that you need reading glasses."
"Oh, ok," replies a confused Hermione. "Thanks for that update." Watching Madam Pomfrey smile brightly at her. Boy you don't get much praise do you? Getting out of the bed, Hermione strolls over to the window. Observing several boys flying away on broomsticks. Some things never change.
Feeling a hand touch her shoulder gently. Turning her head, Hermione sees Madam Pomfrey standing behind her. "Here," she says handing over a comb. "I figure you might want to do something with your hair."
Taking the comb, Hermione softly says, "Thanks again." Think you're somewhere in the past, not suppose to know where things are. Gnawing on her lower lip, Hermione asks, "Do you have a bathroom around here?" Madam Pomfrey points it out for her.
The HHospital
Wing
Bathroom
Walking over to the room, Hermione opens the door. Stepping inside, she closes the door, locking it. Leaning against the door, Hermione sighs heavily. What the hell am I doing here? When is here? Pushing off the door, Hermione looks in the mirror.
Looking at her reflection, Hermione notices several things. My eyes are still violet and my hair is still straight. Those charms should have worn off by now! Turning on the faucet, she puts her hands under the water. Taking several deep breaths in between splashing water on her face.
Ok I'm Hermione Granger. Everyone else thinks I'm someone names Melody St. James. Someone else is wearing my perfect badge. I know the name Lily Evans but from where? Turning off the faucet, she uses the towel to pat down her face.
Hearing Professor McGonagal and somebody else bellow loudly. Merlin, I've never heard her go at anyone like that. Wonder what they're talking about? Hermione decides to investigate.
Hallways of Hogwarts
Second Floor
Entering the hallway their voices got louder. Merlin that's some screaming match. Approaching an office, Hermione stops just outside. Found them.
"She belongs in Slytherin," screams a man whose voice she didn't recognize.
"She belongs were ever the hat places her," shouts Professor McGonagal. "Not were you would like her to be."
"He father's last wish was that she be placed in Slytherin," the man retaliates.
"Her father is dead," snaps Professor McGonagal. "How could you know what he wanted?"
"He wrote to me," the man shouts. "He wanted his daughter Melody in my house!"
They're talking about me! Knocking on the door, Hermione gasps as it opens unexpectantly causing her to jump back a bit. "Excuse me Professor McGonagal," says Hermione taking a breath. "I was wondering what time is dinner?"
"Miss St. James dinner is at 7 P.M," replies Professor McGonagal.
"Hello, I'm Professor Sinclair. Head of Slytherin, I teach potions," says Professor Sinclair. The man standing before Hermione looks like a dried up prune, overly oily blonde hair. What is it with Heads of Slytherin with oily hair? And I thought Snape was bad
"I was just saying to Professor McGonagal, that your father's last wish was for you to be in Slytherin," says Professor Sinclair.
"Yes, I heard you," replies Hermione. "You said he wrote you."
"Yes, he did," agrees Professor Sinclair smiling confidently.
"Would you mind if I have a look at his letters Professor," asks Hermione watching the man squirm under her simple request. Yeah right, hey is that my…. dirty rotten Slytherin. Smiling sweetly, Hermione adds, "Oh, and when your done with my grade book, can I have that back also."
Perceiving Professor McGonagal eyes flare a bit before she croaks out, "Grade book."
"Yes," says Hermione pointing to the open book on the desk. "The one on the desk."
Swiftly making her exit from her fuming professor, Hermione starts back down the hall. All I need to find out now is just where in time I am. Seeing two boys walking towards her, Hermione observes them from under her lashes.
One boy had short black hair, the other had light blonde hair, and both of them were staring at her with interest. That's definitely a Malfoy! And someone else just keep walking.
"Excuse me, Miss," purrs Malfoy as he heads directly towards Hermione. "I don't believe we've met. My name is Lucius Malfoy and this is Severus Snape. Who would you be?"
"I'm…ah" thinking hard to remember the name that Dumbledore called her, Hermione blanks out. Damn it! What was that name again.
"I think we have startled her with our extraordinary good looks," comments Lucius as he moves around Hermione is a semi-circle.
"There you are Miss St. James," calls Madam Pomfrey striding towards them. You do have a habit of disappearing on me. Come along. You'll meet the students soon enough. After you're sorted."
Being dragged Madam Pomfrey; Hermione doesn't look back. . Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape, oh my god. I'm in the Marauder's Time!
The boys watch her walk away from them.
"Well, Lucius," purrs Severus. "It looks like there is a new student."
"Appears that way," says Lucius. "What are the chances she's sorted into our house?"
"As good as any of the houses," answers Severus.
Hogwarts
The HHospital
Wing
Gazing at the magic clock on the wall, Hermione sees that
it's close to seven. Time to face
the inquisition. Swallowing hard,
Hermione gets up from the bed. Running
a hand over the cloths, the she conjured up.
At least I look good.
Glancing down to do one last inspection, Hermione finds her cloths in order. A short black shirt that which ends six inches before her knees, complemented by a pale pink sweater. A long deep forest green wrap and gloves make her look very southern French. In other words she looked American.
After Madam Pomfrey had giving her a pair of glasses, Hermione Transfigures the rims into cat glasses. Making the rims thin, black thus enhancing the color of her eyes. If I have to wear glasses at least they'll be cool ones.
Fast and steady footsteps approach the wing, must be Professor McGonagal. Hermione braces herself for her professor to give her a once over. When the doors open Professor McGonagal indeed gave her a once over. Before giving an encouraging smile. Passed yet another test.
"Come along Miss St. James," orders Professor McGonagal as she turns. "I'm taking you to the Dinning Hall. Once there you with be sorted into a house. Seeing how you might not know there are four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw."
The Dinning Hall
Dinner Time
Arriving at the dinning hall, Hermione felt the urge to retch. I can do this. All I'm going to do is sit on a stool, put an old hat on my head. Get sorted and join that house. There's nothing to worry about. The doors slowly swung open, revealing that every student was present.
Great, just what I need a packed house. Glancing around the hall, Hermione easily spots the two girls from the bathroom talking to a group of boys. They then point to her. Great.
Glancing over to the Slytherin table, Hermione notices that all the boys and some of the girls were watching her with hawk eye intensity. Please don't let me be sorted into that house. Sweeping her view over the Gryffindor table, Hermione watches a group of boys sit down. Ah the famous Marauders and friends.
Looking over at the Slytherin table, she noticed that all the boys were watching her walk to the head table. Glancing over to the Gryffindor table she watches a rowdy group sit down. Ah the famous Marauders and friends. Walking slowly behind Professor McGonagal, Hermione could feel almost every eye on her. This must be what Harry felt like.
At the Head Table, Dumbledore stands up. Clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. Dumbledore announces, "Students and Staff. I would like your attention. Tonight, a new student from Towers School of Witchcraft will be sorted. She is in her seventh year; her name is Melody St. James." Waving his wand a stool and the faded old sorting hat appears out of thin air.
Striding up to the stool, Hermione picks up the hat. Smirking Hermione says loud enough for the Head table along with the heads of all the tables to hear. "Bite me and I'll bite ya back."
Sitting down on the stool, Hermione places the hat on her head. Then the hat whispers in her ears, "Ah, Miss St. James or should I say Granger how nice to see you. I don't know how you wound up here, but don't worry I find that time always fixes it's self. I suggest that your go by the name Melody St. James in this time. Now the question is where to put you."
The silent hall waits, and waits. This was the longest any student sat on the stool. The hat finally laughs then shouts, "Gryffindor!"
The Dinning Hall
Gryffindor table
Standing up, Hermione places the hat back on the stool, and then walks towards the table that has exploded with applause. Softly smiling at the rowdy bunch, she notices Lily Evans waving to get her attention. Good, someone wants me to sit by them.
"Come sit next to me," Lily gushes moving to give room.
"Thank you," whispers Melody as she sat down. Feeling a hand on her shoulder Melody quickly turns and spotting a boy who looked so much like her best friend that she almost laughed.
"Hi," says the boy. "My name is James Potter," pointing to himself. "This is Peter Pettigrew," looking where James was pointing, she saw a boy who looked like a cross between Neville Longbottom and Collin Flannery (not a good looking boy).
"This is Remus Lupin," pointing to a sandy blonde haired boy with merry brown eyes. "And this goof ball is Sirius Black." Looking at the boy James was pointing to Melody struggles not to gasp. There sat a black haired, deep blue eye boy who was in good health.
"Like she cares," drawled a brown haired girl who was walking by. "I'm my name in Pen Brown, I'm in Slytherin. I heard what you did in the bathroom, what year did you learn that?"
How dare she come to my table and start trouble like this. Glaring at the girl, Melody states coldly, "Third year. When did you learn it?" Causing a bust of laughter from James and Sirius, earning her a frown from the Slytherin.
"We learned it last year," says Pen.
"So you're a fourth year student," says Melody now Lily and Remus joined in the laughter.
"No," snaps Pen. "I'm in seventh year." The girl huffs before stalking away.
"Oh my god, that was so funny," laughs Lily. "Melody you want me to show you around."
"Sure," responding confused Melody asks, "What was so funny?"
"That Pen, a Slytherin could even learn," snickers Remus.
Until Later