So I have decided to continue this! Please enjoy!

Hell in a Handbasket

Chapter 2

Saturday morning came much too soon in Hermione's opinion, but she had arisen with an air of confidence about her. She had dressed, and even had breakfast and there was still no sign of Ginny's owl. The last time Hermione had been to visit the memorials of her friends and loved ones had been only weeks after they were put up.

Hermione visibly cringed at the memory, she hadn't lasted ten minutes. Hell ten minutes was a lifetime. She ended up running away. She just turned and ran from it all. Until that day, it hadn't seemed real. It was just too much to process at once, and the reality of it all hit her like a ton of bricks.

They were gone. Truly gone, never to return again. All of them. Too many of them.

The scratching at her window pulled her away from fast descending thoughts. The barn owl fluttered about, waiting to be granted access to the office. With of flick of her wrist the window swung open and the owl glided in.

It dropped the note on her desk and flew right back out. Hermione stared at the tiny bit of paper sitting on her immense desk. The cold winter air blew into the room bringing with it a flutter of snowflakes. She didn't seem to notice. As long as she didn't touch the paper her eyes had become transfixed on, she wouldn't have to move, and time, it seemed, would stand still for her.

The headmistress remembered her mission. 'Time never stands still, nor does it ever end...' She lifted her head, and stood up straight. After her less than pleasant trip today, she would get to work. She would once again bend time to her will, and hopefully, it would obey.

Hermione grabbed the note. "By the abandoned hut." she read. She crumpled the note within her palm, and when she opened her hand, there was nothing but air left.

After throwing on her cloak, she checked to make sure her most precious items were with her where they would be best protected, then she left into the white landscape. She had already informed the other professors of her short leave and she was certain they could hold things together for a few hours.

Dammit! Dammit, dammit, dammit! She had done it again. Hermione had crumbled to little pieces and had fallen to Ginny for support. This time she hadn't run, but a river of tears she had kept at bay for so long spilt fourth from her and only when she was spent was she able to stand long enough to leave.

Hermione stormed in through the hall of her school. She couldn't believe herself. Of course Ginny would never dare breathe a word of what had transpired that morning to anyone, it was still humiliating. She was supposed to be the strong one. She had to be there for people, not the other way around. If she could barely keep on her own to feet because of a few graves, she surely couldn't succeed in her mission. That was unacceptable!

Students practically threw themselves from their headmistress' path in fear of being trampled over. Portraits whispered amongst themselves as the furious woman continued on her uncharacteristic rampage to her private quarters.

For someone who was always so placid, she looked for all the world like she would kill someone.

'Tonight!' She decided, 'Everything is ready, and with enough luck it should work.' So wrapped up in her thoughts and rage she barely noticed the professor who stood directly in her path and she crashed unceremoniously into him.

She looked up slightly dazed but still as irritable as ever. "Ah! Dammit Malfoy, watch where you stand!"

The potions teacher raised a brow at her, "I thought it went, 'watch where you're going' and that it was generally stated by the party who was run into."

Hermione glared at him, "I really don't have the time for this Draco. I have important matters to attend to."

"Very well then, headmistress." He stepped around her and began walking away.

Hermione thought a minute. "Professor."

Draco stopped in his tracks and turned to face her, "Yes?"

"I may be out for a long while. I am leaving you in charge while I'm gone. I trust you can handle the responsibility?" He didn't respond. She let out an exasperated sigh and with a flick of her wrist produced a sheet of paper. "Take this, it is my official consent to you for overlooking the place while I'm gone."

"Accio parchment." The paper shot from her over to his hand. "Consider it done." And the dark professor left. During the war he had turned on Voldemort and helped prevent his rise to power. In short, he had become one of the good-guys. Funny how life is. From so much negativity, some good things do arise.

In her room, Hermione finished with her preparations. She had her time- turner, wand, and the new potion she had created. All that was left was for her to gather her courage to do what needed to be done.

'Terrible things happen to wizards who meddle with time Harry...'

The words she had spoken so many years ago echoed in her head. Well meddle with time she would. No matter the risk. She was almost ceertain it would mean death for her, but she was going back.

What would happen if she, her future self, were to die in the past? It would be a nasty shock for her friends here t find her remains when the clock ran out and she was restored to her correct time.

Then again, what would happen once she went back? How would things be now? There were so many questions, but she had considered them all before and going over them again right now wasn't going to help her in the least. She needed to concentrait, this was going to be the hardest mission she had been on yet. And -nobody- could find her out, if they did, it would be disastrous for sure....

That's it for now! Is it alright? Let me know please!

Love,

AngelicEmpress