Chapter Three: Permission to Keep Looking
"What do you suppose Dumbledore is going to say when we show up with her?"
"He'll have to believe us, Peter. How else would he explain this girl, whom none of us know, who is wearing the Gryffindor colors, and a prefect badge?" It was Remus's voice.
"Knowing old Dumbledore, he already knows about her anyway." Definitely James.
Hermione opened her eyes, staring up at the three boys above her. She was honestly a bit surprised that Sirius wasn't with them, but a quick inspection of the room showed that he was merely standing on the other side of her couch. "Am I doomed to be awaken by you four every time I fall asleep?" she asked teasingly, straightening out her robes with a great deal of care. She suddenly felt a bit unclean, but none of the boys had changed either, so she supposed it would be all right this once.
"One of the pleasures of being part of our little group," Remus told her, half-seriously. He took the quilt up, folding it carefully before returning it to its position by the fireside. He returned to her side momentarily, placing one of his hands over hers in what Hermione assumed was a comforting gesture. "If you'd like, we can go talk to Professor Dumbledore now," he suggested.
Hermione nodded absently, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers. Last night, she had felt awkward around them, but in the first light of day, she could see that there was a naked honesty on the faces of three of the four boys. She couldn't bring herself to look at Peter properly, too afraid she would reveal the truth. Hermione knew enough about time-travel to know that it was best not to change things that would alter the future. Even being there was bad enough, and she had no way of knowing what kind of damage she had inadvertently caused.
"Come along then," James said impatiently. It was obvious to her that he had other places he would rather be, but she was thankful that he was wiling to help with the rest of them.
Hermione stood, following the boys out into the hallway and down the stairs. "Do you know where the Headmaster's Office is?" she inquired. It was not her intention to follow them on a wild goose chase for hours.
James turned to smirk at her, but continued walking on. He led them down the stairs in silence. It seemed, to Hermione, that the rest of the castle had yet to awaken. Even the people in the pictures, normally loud and fussy, were strangely silent.
After traveling down the staircase for a while, James finally stopped on the second floor and led them through a corridor. "I told you all those times I got sent here would come in handy one day, Moony, old boy," James said wryly, standing in front of a gargoyle statue with a smile.
"You've gotten us here, now what's the password, James?" Remus asked in a most exasperated voice.
"Fizzing Whizbees," James announced proudly, and to Hermione's surprise a staircase began to wind upwards. "Well, come on then. You're going to have to walk it if you don't get on quickly." The group piled onto the staircase, watching above them as they spiraled through the tower to the headmaster's office.
When they arrived at the top, James knocked on the door and watched in amazement as it opened. Hermione could tell that he honestly wasn't expecting Dumbledore to be there.
"Do come in," an old voice kindly called to them. They rounded a corner and Hermione came face to face with Albus Dumbledore. She was surprised to see that he hadn't seemed to age a day between now and when she knew him in the future.
"Headmaster," Remus began, looking at the group a bit nervously, "We found this girl outside the Gryffindor portrait this morning. She says her name is Hermione Granger, and we believe that..."
"She's from the future. Am I correct, Remus?" Hermione watched Dumbledore's face twist into a knowing smile. "Miss Granger, it's lovely to see you."
"You sound as if you were expecting me Headmaster."
"Indeed, I was. In fact, I knew you were coming before you arrived last night. No matter. I'm assuming that you wish to find a way home, do you not?"
Hermione nodded encouragingly, "Yes sir, that's exactly it. I was wondering if you could help me."
"I do not know of a way for you to get home at this time, Miss Granger. I do, however, give Remus permission to help you search out a means of return in the library during spare time. I will give you a note for the restricted section, if you deem it useful." He turned to Hermione, "However, until we find a method of returning you to your own time, you shall enroll in Hogwarts and continue your fifth year in this time. That way, you will not be behind when the time comes for you to return."
Hermione sighed. It was beginning to look hopeless, she thought. If Dumbledore couldn't think of a way to send her home, how would she and Lupin find one? "Thank you, sir."
"If that will be all, I have some very pressing matters to attend to in London. I wish you the best of luck, Miss Granger."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Hermione said dejectedly. She followed James and the others out of the room, not really seeing where it was she was wandering to. She glanced up and caught Remus staring at her. He seemed desperate for something to say that would help her, but she could tell by the clouds in his eyes, that he could think of no words to ease her suffering.
"When you get upstairs, talk to Lily Evans. She's about your size, and she's one of the nicest girls in the school. I'm sure she'll loan you some robes until we can get you to Hogsmeade next weekend. As for books, well, I suppose you can come along with me to my classes until you can get some of your own," Remus offered helpfully as he came over to walk beside her.
She smiled at him a little, though in her heart, she felt like she was dying. "Thanks for everything. I really do appreciate this."
He smiled lopsidedly. "I swear to you, I will help you find a way home."