Title: Anachronistic
Authors: Muse Calliope
Category: Angst/Drama
Rated: PG-13
Summary: Due to tragic circumstances, Hermione decides to go back to the past. She knows it's dangerous but now she's extremely desperate. She knows there are some serious repercussions but they can't be as bad as things are now…
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
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"My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do the faces rest,
Where can we find two better hemispheres
Without sharp North, without declining West?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally"
- The Good Morrow, John Donne
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Chapter Three: Calamity In Potions
Hermione briskly walked through the corridors that led to the dungeons. She stopped mid-stride when she heard strange sounds coming from the end of the corridor, just around the corner. Following the sound to its source, she was determined to find out what it was. Spending six years with Harry and Ron had taught her not to run away from problems in her path or to ignore her curiosity. Poking her head around the corner, she noticed a couple in what appeared to be a major snogging session.
Though she attempted to be as subtle and quiet as she could, her footsteps were apparently heard. The boy, who had his arms wrapped around a bubbly Hufflepuff that giggled a lot, looked rather irritated. "Can I help you?" he snapped at her. The question, though not really a question, did not require an answer evidently, as the boy returned his attention to the blonde and seemed to forget about Hermione.
Flushing slightly, Hermione apologized. "Er… Sorry, I didn't know. I'll… leave." She finished, feeling rather ridiculous, and turned the other way, quickly walking off and feeling rather embarrassed. Oh dear Merlin, did I just… Still, she registered the fact that the boy looked strangely familiar, as if she had seen him before. He reminds me of someone, but who is that?
He had dark hair, and light blue eyes. She had to admit to herself, but only to herself, that he was extremely handsome. However, that was not very helpful. All she knew about him was that he was very attractive and very rude, which meant that he was one in thousands.She decided not to linger on that question, since there were so many other, more important questions to be answered.
Hermione walked into the classroom a bit tardy but rather early for her "first" day at a "new school", attracting some attention. She immediately walked toward the teacher's desk, waiting to be seated. The man looked up from his newspaper lazily. While earlier she was very eager to meet a different Potions teacher, she was more disappointed now. In fact, if it was possible at all, he looked even worse than Snape. His dark brown hair reached just below his chin and blocked his eyes, which Hermione eventually found to be a dull grey. His chin, while strong and with a slight cleft, was pointed up in the air, while his equally strong jaw clenched. He had a disdainful look on face, adding to his arrogant appearance.
"So you are Hermione Granger, I presume. Another Gryffindor?" It wasn't much of a question, or maybe it was rhetorical, but either way Hermione did not answer, choosing to merely nod. The Potions professor's gaze then left Hermione and turned to the door as it slowly creaked open. A sneer flitted across the professor's face, before it settled into what appeared to be a silent snarl.
Bemused, Hermione turned around and saw the younger version of Harry's father, and the mysterious boy that she had seen snogging that Hufflepuff just about two minutes ago.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, would you like to explain to me why you are late?" the professor questioned mockingly.
"Well, you see Professor, James and I were helping Professor McGonagall with her books," the handsome boy answered cheekily, while giving James a sly look.
So that's who it was: Sirius Black, albeit much younger than before. Hermione berated herself for not seeing it earlier before settling down to take a good look at both Gryffindors.
James, as expected looked like Harry's twin; or rather it was the other way around: Harry looked like James' twin. But as she looked closer, Hermione noticed subtle differences. James looked far younger than Harry did at his age, despite the fact that Harry was much smaller. The elder Potter's face seemed perpetually set in an arrogant yet happy mold, while Harry's was always overshadowed by worry and stress. James' eyes were still innocent in some way, while Harry's had lost that vibrant quality a long time ago. It saddened Hermione to think this was how Harry could have been: untroubled, confident, and carefree.
Moving her gaze from James, Hermione took in Sirius' stance. It was relaxed but held that bit of arrogance that Hermione mentally related to Malfoy. Shrugging it off as a result of being raised as a pureblooded Black (as if there was any other kind), she focused on his face. It was youthful and clean-shaven, unlike the shaggy mess she normally saw. His hair was cut shorter than she had ever seen it and was very clean, not to mention it looked soft to the touch.
But the thing that caught her attention was his eyes. Bright, unmuted by betrayal, tragedy, and years in Azkaban, they shone with far more life than she had ever seen in those deep gray orbs. It was almost a shock to see Sirius so open and animated.
Then before she knew it a thought came to her: wow, he's gorgeous (1). Hermione, equally shocked at her sudden admission, mentally kicked her self. This is Harry's godfather. How can I think this way?
The younger Sirius, looking around the room for support from his classmates, caught her stare, which was at the time focused on him. He gave her one of his most charming smirks (2), and moved to sit down. Hermione flushed again slightly. Embarrassed for the second time in the same morning and by the same person, she turned back to the professor.
"Mr. Black, I am more likely to believe that flobberworms will burn down the school than that you and Mr. Potter would help a teacher." The potion master emphasized the word 'you' in particular before continuing, "That will be 10 points off Gryffindor, and detention for both of you."
Turned his back quickly before either Gryffindor could reply, he addressed Hermione once more. "As I was saying before those two interrupted, I am Hogwarts' resident Potions expert, Professor Letenzi (3). This is a very difficult and demanding class, one which you shall manage to pass if you pull yourself out of whatever dream world or self-inflicted psychological torture you put yourself through to pay attention. Though you are a Gryffindor and may deem school to be beneath you, I assure you it is the other way around. I expect utmost respect and obedience. There is no need to follow your housemates whenever they decide to go tramping around 'outside of the box', expecting praise," he finished while casting dirty looks at James and Sirius.
"Miss Granger, you may sit in the corner, next to Pettigrew. If I hear you talking or doing anything you are not suppose to, then you would be joining these boys in detention. Do I make my self clear?"
"Yes sir," Hermione mumbled. So much for a better, nicer Potion Master, she groused.At least now she knew where Snape got it from. Dejectedly, she walked towards the back of the room amidst the sounds of Slytherins still snickering over Letenzi's "welcome" speech.
Great now I get to work with the rat, she thought bitterly, but as usual, her Gryffindor optimism pushed through. Maybe Peter was not evil yet. Maybe she could still save him and keep him from the dark side. She sighed at what a huge task she had undertaken with changing the past and walked towards her desk. Setting her things on the floor, she lowered herself onto the chair next to the cauldron. Her partner turned to her and smiled in a friendly if slightly nervous way.
"Hello, my name is Peter, Peter Pettigrew, but you can call me Pete if you prefer," the boy said cheerfully. "Since you are new here, I don't know how good you are at Potions. I'm really bad at it. Maybe you can help me."
Was this the same Peter Pettigrew that betrayed Harry's parents? He seemed too sweet and innocent for anything like that. Maybe Hermione could befriend with him, and prevent him from turning evil easily. Mustering up her happiest smile, which was very difficult considering how bad of a day she had been having, she replied. "Hi, my name is Hermione. And I'm good at Potions so I'm pretty sure I could help you."
Before Peter could answer, Professor Letenzi started speaking. "Today, we will be working on how to brew Polyjuice Potion. You all should remember from back in 3rd year when you studied it theoretically. Can anyone tell me what it is? Do any of you remember?"
Hermione couldn't believe how easy this question was. She did studies on the Polyjuice Potion back in her second year. She could not believe that only a few people knew the answer. But then she remembered that Polyjuice was part of the sixth year curriculum and she had only learned about it in her own extra studies when she, Harry and Ron were convinced that Malfoy was the heir of- She quickly cut off her train of thought, not wanting to stir up anymore memories and start tearing during the middle of Potions.
"Mr. Snape?"
"The Polyjuice Potion can change a person's appearance for an hour to whomever they wish." Hermione's mouth almost dropped. Her Potion master was there in the same class, acting the same way she used to.
"Correct. Five points to Slytherin. Now, can anyone tell me what the process is in making the potion?"
The classroom suddenly became quiet; all hands went down. Surprised, Hermione looked over to the Slytherin side of the room. Noticing the smug look plastered on most of their faces, she assumed they were letting Letenzi go after a Gryffindor with such a difficult question.
Deciding she might as well start winning over her housemates now, Hermione took a quick, deep breath and raised her hand. Professor Letenzi looked at Hermione with annoyed look, assuming she would begin to complain about the difficulty of the course at any moment. "Yes Miss Granger?" he grounded out.
All heads turned to the new girl, who flushed slightly, before lowering her hands and wiping her palms on her skirt underneath the table. Hermione tried to ignore the stares and answered, sounding like a talking textbook. "The recipe for Polyjuice potion is very complicated. You need Lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed, knotgrass, powdered horn of a bicorn, shredded skin of a boomslang, and a bit of whomever you want to change into. It takes about a month to finish, because the fluxweed has got to be picked at the full moon and the lacewings have to stew for twenty-one days." After Hermione finished her little speech, she noticed many of the Gryffindors, as well as Snape and some other people she did not recognize, starring at her in amazement.
The Potions professor looked almost disappointed with such a perfect answer, giving Hermione a reluctant nod. "Yes, Miss Granger. Now everyone, get started on the Potion with your partner. The full set of instructions is on the board."
"Wow, Hermione, you didn't tell me you that good. I mean even old Snivellus couldn't answer that one." Peter was starring at her with wide eyes.
"Oh… it was nothing." Awkwardly Hermione turned back the potion with a dramatic sigh. They worked in silence, with Hermione chopping, slicing and skinning, and with Peter adding the ingredients to cauldron.
The classroom was usually calm to Hermione. Letenzi just sat at his desk and read the paper, never bothering to check up on his students. Normally Snape would have been breathing down the necks of the Gryffindors by now or someone would have exploded a cauldron.
As if in tune with Hermione's thought, Peter dropped in a bit of boomslang skin that had not been shredded yet. Noticing the bubbling mass that looked like it was about to explode, Hermione grabbed Peter's hand and dragged him under the table for cover. Surprising everyone except for the pair in hiding, a relatively small explosion rocked the room, splattering potions ingredients all over the walls and unsuspecting students.
Just like what Neville used to do, she thought.
Letenzi rushed over, quickly taking points off Gryffindor, and thoroughly scolding Peter. The Slytherins were laughing, and the Gryffindors were trying to remain clam and unembarrassed while they defended their housemate.
Nothing changes – the Gryffindors will always be Gryffindors, and the Slytherins will always act like Slytherins. The Potion professor will always favor his own house, and there will always be a boy that gets picked on just because Potions isn't his specialty. Lost in her own thoughts, she did not notice that Letenzi had begun talking to her. Nothing changes. It's the same situation, just different people. Letenzi is Snape, the Potion master who always yells and never encourages anyone. Peter is Neville, a boy who is just as intelligent as the others, only having a different area of expertise. And Ron and Harry aren't here to joke it all away… Tears were threatening to come cascading down her face once again.
"Granger, I am talking to you! Did you help blow up the cauldron, or is it just this idiot boy's doing?"
Idiot boy. That's what Snape used to call Neville, she thought despondently. The buzzing around her was getting too loud. The classroom seemed ready to burst with all the nervous tension. The pressure inside her heart was increasing causing her heart rate to increase, her jaw to snap shut tightly and her hands to ball up into fists. She could feel her control slipping. If she did not do anything, her temper would explode far worse than any potion could. It was just like yesterday when she walked into the Common room.
She missed everyone back home. She did not want to stay in this era; it was worse than home. She wanted to go home, to see Harry and Ron and her parents, to see Hogwarts in all its glory before Voldemort attacked.
In a last attempt for control, she bit down on her lip, trying to focus on the pain instead of Letenzi's rising voice. A part of her mind seemed to sigh in defeat as it realized there was nothing else to be done except prepare to pick up the pieces.
"Shut up! You shouldn't be calling him an idiot boy. You… you have no right what so ever to do that!"
Silence reigned in the classroom. Even the Potions professor seemed too shocked to make a move. Only Hermione did anything. Tears made their way from her eyes, like water pouring out of a broken dam. Her breathing was erratic and heavy, leading to the need to take many breaths successively to get the necessary amounts of oxygen.
Students were murmuring and whispering amongst themselves about her now, but all she noticed was the way everything in the room was spinning. Pushing her way forward, she ran out of the room, hoping to escape the memories, and her troubles. She ran aimlessly down the corridor, up a flight of stairs, and into the nearest girls' lavatory. Setting herself down on the floor in the corner, she hugged her knees while sobs racked her body.
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Meanwhile, back in the dungeons…
The sudden departure of a student from his class without permission seemed to jolt Letenzi out of his stupor. He quickly turned around and headed towards the door. Sticking his head out of it, he began yelling as loudly as he could.
"Granger, get back here! I'm still talking to you! Did you help blow up the cauldron, or is it just this idiot boy's doing!?" Finding all his attempts to scare Granger back to be futile, he turned his attention back to the remaining students. "Well, what are you all gaping at? Clean up this mess and get out. Class dismissed! And fifteen points from Gryffindor!"
Not wishing to bring Letenzi's wrath upon them, the Gryffindors began to pack up as quickly as they could. Most were thankful that they were let out of Potions a half hour early while others gossiped about the new girl. The Marauders stayed behind to help Peter clean up his mess before any detentions were handed out but the girls left, walking at a leisurely pace to their next class.
"What is wrong with her, Lily? She was all fine a minute ago, and then it was like she was in a trance or something before completely freaking out," Charlotte whispered.
"Yeah, I know. I wonder if she's alright. I think I should check up on her."
"Are you mental?" Charlotte hissed. "Remember, you tried to comfort her before, but what happened? She just yelled at you!"
"I agree with Lily. I think Hermione has some problems, and she needs friends to help her but she doesn't have any here so we have to be there for her," Amelia added, spewing advice from her latest novel, The Lone Wizard.
Lily did not even wait long enough to hear to Amelia's whole sentence. She ran out of the dungeon, following Hermione, leaving a babbling Amelia and a sighing Charlotte.
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Meanwhile, back in the girls' toilet…
Lily slowly pushed the door open, after listening intently at the door. Upon entering, she saw Hermione crying helplessly on the bathroom floor. Luckily, the house elves keep this place squeaky clean, she thought remembering the school toilets she had seen before she came to Hogwarts. She sat down on the floor next to Hermione, while putting one hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Hermione looked up to se a red haired girl smiling at her kindly. She was very pretty, and the hair was reminiscent of a certain female Weasley. When she looked closer, she noticed more differences and thought: No, Ginny's hair is brighter and she has more freckles. But this girl also looks strangely familiar like Sirius did, and those eyes…Oh.
"Are you alright?" The girl asked timidly, probably scared she would blow up, Hermione guessed.
She wanted to say yes and move on, but no words came out. She looked at the girl helplessly, trying to stop crying.
"No, no, of course you are not all right. How silly of me. My name is Lily Evans. I know we didn't start out on the right foot but you can tell me anything. I promise I won't say a word to anyone."
Hermione gave her one of her rare smiles. Harry's mum really was as nice as everyone said. But what did she mean by starting off on the wrong foot?
Then it hit her. Lily was the girl that tried to comfort her yesterday and this morning. And all Hermione had done was hurt her feelings! Making up her mind, she decided to be as nice as she could to Lily. Not only was it the only way to make up for her horrible behavior earlier but it was the easiest way to change the past. With James Potter being such a git, Hermione was rather reluctant to be friends with him and she had a suspicion he did not like her much either.
"I'm sorry, but it's rather personal." There was an awkward silence. "And I'm sorry for being really, extremely, terribly rude to you earlier."
"Oh, it is quite all right. I forgive you. It must be hard having to start over at a new school. If you ever want to talk about anything, I'm always here."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." They smiled at each other for a few more moments while Hermione dried her eyes before jumping at the sound of the loud ring. "Ah, that would be the bell. Let's go to Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall is a lot nicer than Letenzi. Come on, I'll introduce you to my other friends, Charlotte and Amelia. They're really nice…" Lily stood up and helped what she hoped to be her new friend off the ground.
Hermione rubbed her eyes and followed Lily out of the bathroom, hoping this was the start of a really great friendship. Resolutely, she decided it was time to stop grieving and focus on what she came here to do.With that thought in mind, Hermione took a deep breath, readying herself to face the rest of the Gryffindors, who undoubtedly had a lot of questions for her.
End Chapter Three. To be continued.
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Authors' Notes:
(1) Charlotte's favorite line when talking about Sirius Black.
(2) Oh no, Charlotte has fainted… Drat those devilishly charming smirks!
(3) This character is a reincarnation based upon the closest real life version of Severus Snape we know of: Charlotte's Spanish teacher. He really is a slimeball and a pervy, insane one too!
Finally, hugs and kisses to harryp/charmedfreak, Summery-ice, Hallie Walker, and JellyBellys!