To my dear reviewers:
Sammy Baggins: Yeah, he just has to know everything!!! lol ÜÜÜ
saxistwriterchick: Sure, go ahead!!! ÜÜÜÜÜ
lark277: thank you!!! ÜÜÜ
Chapter 6: The Truth and Nothing But
Professor Dumbledore surveyed Hermione with interest, who seemed to be very shocked. (Who wouldn't?! Ü)
"Professor Dumbledore? But how -"
"I am a Seer," he said, which explained everything. "I saw that you would come here, and how you came here. Soon, I had another vision, of a letter from you to your friend with your name on it, Hermione Granger. Unfortunately, I cannot bring you back to your time. Only those in your time will be able to. I expect you'll be going home in six months."
"SIX MONTHS?!" (lol ÜÜÜ)
"Miss Granger, even you must know how difficult it is to study time-travel. They will be able to bring you back after the six months, which is really quite remarkable. Time-travel can take ages to understand and perfect, but they decided to speed things up for you," Dumbledore explained.
"Okay."
"In the meantime, you will be having your own room, since you arrived at such notice," he chuckled. "What is your House in your time, Miss Granger?"
"Gryffindor, sir."
"If in your time you were a Gryffindor, then you shall also be a Gryffindor in this time. Right now, since you have no belongings, I will provide you with the needed textbooks and standard equipment from Diagon Alley. You will have to buy your robes though, since we do not know your size. You shall buy these at Gladrags Wizardwear in Hogsmeade. I will provide the money for you," Dumbledore said, handing Hermione the money. Hermione took the money bag and pocketed it.
Dumbledore continued, "I suggest you go with either the Head Boy or Girl. I will talk to either of them later."
"Thank you very much, Professor."
"I will give you your schedule now," and he did. Funnily enough, it was exactly like their schedule in her time. (Take note, she's now taking NEWT classes, so if you guys notice in future chapters that she's having classes with different Houses (i.e., in Herbology, she's supposed to be with the Hufflepuffs, not Ravenclaws)... ÜÜÜ)
"Do you have any questions?"
"Um, Professor, why did the photo disappear?" she asked, pulling out the blank photo paper.
"Ah... that is because the picture hasn't been taken yet in this time. I know, you might be wondering why you weren't transported to the time when the picture was taken... that is because time wants you to continue your real timeline, even though you're stuck in another. Let's say the day before you fell into the time hole was a Monday. The day you fell in was a Tuesday. When you arrived here, it was Tuesday evening, also the beginning of the school year. This, of course, is only based on my deductions, but I think my hypothesis may be right."
"That's... weird." (isn't it??? ÜÜÜ)
"As they say, Miss Granger; time moves in mysterious ways."
"Um, Professor? Could you please keep it for me? Just in case the picture's taken. I don't want it lying about; people might ask me awkward questions."
"Of course, Miss Granger. Incidentally, what name did you give Misters Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew?"
"Emma Felton, sir." (hahahahaha ÜÜÜ)
"I see. Very good. You are not supposed to tell anyone that you are from the future... well, I think your new friends deserve to know the truth, don't you think? And just so you aren't that homesick."
"Thank you, Professor."
"I'll have Minerva summon James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily and you tonight."
"Professor, could we leave out Peter for a while?"
"Why, Miss Granger?"
"I don't feel like trusting him yet, Professor. On the night James and Sirius helped me, Peter said to just leave me where I was. I don't feel like sharing parts of my life to someone who so obviously doesn't care about it."
"Surely Mr. Pettigrew was only joking?"
"No, Professor. He was in a hurry about something..." (I wonder what... or who, for that matter Ü)
"I see. Well then, we'll summon the 3 boys, Lily and you."
"Okay."
"Hmm... why don't you have a late breakfast in the kitchens? Do you know where it is?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Splendid. I'll summon Minerva right away. Enjoy your breakfast, Miss Granger!"
Hermione grinned at the Headmaster, and left the office. On the way out, she saw Fawkes.
"Bye Fawkes." She sighed. Fawkes reminded her of Harry. He and Ron told her about the Chamber of Secrets incident, and since then, whenever she'd see Fawkes (which was rare), she'd start thinking about Harry. She made her way down to the kitchens and had a sumptuous breakfast. 'If Harry and Ron were here, they'd be loading their pockets with cakes and sweets now,' she thought. The thought made her want to laugh and cry. She missed the pair so much.
She was finishing her pumpkin juice when the kitchens door opened and Lily entered.
"Emma Felton?" Lily asked quite timidly. (Who wouldn't, after wrongfully accusing someone??? Ü hehe Ü)
"That's me," said Hermione, getting up from her seat.
"Look, I'm so sorry about what I said a while ago... I thought you were one of the girls whom they snog all day long, like... Jean Beckinsale, for one," she said. (More on Jean Beckinsale later Ü)
"Yeah, I get what you mean," Hermione said, smiling.
"Come on, let's get your robes."
"But don't you have classes?"
"Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall excused me from class today to give you a tour and to get you settled," Lily said, smiling.
"Okay."
--
Soon they were walking down High Street in Hogsmeade. "Okay, Gladrags first, then I'll give you a tour around here... or would you like the tour around Hogwarts first?"
"Um, I think Hogwarts first."
"Okay, but let's drop by the Three Broomsticks first before leaving; I've got a craving for butterbeer," Lily suggested.
"That sounds great," Hermione said, grinning. They got her standard robes and uniform set (and some pajamas) after an hour. Soon they sat down in the Three Broomsticks, with a butterbeer each.
"So... how was Beauxbatons?"
"Fine... I missed England though... I was born here, but my parents wanted me to go to Beauxbatons; my parents studied there, you see. After the 6th year, I've had enough. Sure, France is beautiful and all, but I really wanted to go to Hogwarts in the first place, so... here I am." Inside Hermione was laughing. 'Great, Draco's already rubbed off on you; you lie like a pro now!'
Lily nodded in understanding. "Wow... hey, did the guys really accompany you cause Potter was Head Boy?"
"No..." Hermione said, stalling for time to think. She took a sip of her butterbeer.
"Huh? Then why?" Lily asked wonderingly.
"Um... Tuesday night, the Knight Bus dropped me off. Before going in, I decided to sit by the lake for a while. Once I had reached the lake though, I suddenly felt like wading in. Unfortunately, the giant squid thought I was food. It attacked me."
"What?! I'm so sorry -"
"Don't be. You weren't the one who attacked me," Hermione smiled. She continued with her story. "I had managed to escape and reach the castle doors; James, Sirius and Peter found me there. They brought me to the hospital wing, and since they visited me this morning, I asked them to accompany me to Professor Dumbledore's office."
"Oh... okay..." They sat in silence for a while, drinking their butterbeer. Hermione suddenly thought of asking Lily a funny question. (funny for me Ü)
"Lily?"
"Hm?"
"I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead," Lily said, drinking her butterbeer.
"Have you got a thing for James? Cause when you got mad at us, it was like you were jealous," Hermione teased.
Lily choked. After she had recovered, she sputtered, "WHAT?! NO!!! If you must know, James Potter has been upsetting me ever since I was eleven! Why do you think I'd have a crush on him?!"
"Well, he seems nice..." Hermione said innocently, fishing for information. She drank her butterbeer.
'Is this girl crazy, or what?!' "Nice?! He picks on innocent people! He hexes people just for the fun of it!" Lily said hotly.
"What?! But he's Head Boy! He shouldn't be doing that!" Hermione said, horrified. 'So what Snape's been telling Harry all along was true...'
"Well, that's James Potter to you," Lily said.
"Lily, you have to make him stop!"
Lily spat out a bit of the butterbeer she was drinking. "Excuse me, but me?! Why me?" Lily squeaked.
"You're Head Girl!" 'If I was Head Girl, I would try stopping him,' Hermione thought bitterly.
"I'll try..."
"Good."
They finished their butterbeers, then Lily got up. "Hey, Hogwarts is a pretty big castle, and it'll take me the whole afternoon to show you around it. I trust you're familiar with the lake already?"
"Pretty much," Hermione said sourly, making Lily laugh. Hermione got up and they walked to the castle.
"What House are you in?"
"I got Sorted into Gryffindor."
"Great! Hmm, let's drop your stuff off first before heading down to eat. It's almost lunch, you know." They walked to Gryffindor Tower (with Hermione trailing behind Lily so she wouldn't wonder why Hermione knew the way) and to the Fat Lady on the 7th floor.
"Fairy lights!"
'Hmm, so the Fat Lady just repeats the passwords, huh?'
They went in. "Okay, this is our common room. The boys' dormitories are on the left side and the girls' dormitories on the right." They climbed up to the 7th year girls' dorm rooms. The first room belonged to Lily and the other 7th years; the second to Hermione. They went in there.
"Wow," Lily breathed. "You're so lucky. I mean, I love my roomies and all, but sometimes I like being alone."
"Me too; I'm an only child," Hermione setting down the bags. "So you're an only child too?" 'I know you aren't, but I'm keeping up appearances...'
"No," Lily said quietly. "I've got an older sister who thinks I'm a freak because of the magic I can do. She thinks I'm abnormal, like I have... leprosy, or something. If you know what leprosy is."
"I do," Hermione said.
"I'm Muggleborn, you see. My parents were, and are, happy for me, and accepting, but Petunia simply thinks I'm abnormal. You'd think it's bad enough that you're being called the term the Slytherins say -" Hermione nodded. She'd been called that name too often. "Then when you go home, your own sister hates you because of the same thing. Because you can do magic." Lily was near tears already. Hermione's heart went out to her. 'It's a good thing I have understanding parents... a wonderful family... oh how I miss them right now.' she thought.
"Lily, she's the freak! She should be happy for you! And about those Slytherins... I know what they say is terrible -"
"How do you?"
"Um... because of what you said a while ago. If they use that term, then they're really vile," Hermione said. 'Whew, close shave!' "Anyway, they're the filth; calling you horrible names and all that... but look at you! You're not like them!"
"I guess," Lily said, finally smiling. "I don't mind them anymore now though. And Petunia's just gotten married to a Muggle over the summer. Before their wedding, she had to tell him what I am, and let's just say he didn't take to me too kindly after that. He hates anything out of the ordinary, you see... I'm glad they've gotten married; I don't have to see and put up with her next summer," she said, grinning. "Oh Emma, what time is it?"
"I don't know; my watch stopped... maybe because of its prolonged exposure to water."
"I'm guessing it's lunchtime now cause I can hear all the activity in the common room," Lily said. They walked out of the room. They went to the Great Hall and were about to eat when Lily suddenly groaned. "Oh, here comes the bane of my existence." Hermione looked up from her plate to see Sirius, James, Remus and Peter walk over to them, grinning.
In the present...
It was a Friday, 3 days after Hermione disappeared. This created a change in the students. They stopped fooling around, and they became quite subdued. Starting on Wednesday, they visited only one department a day; on Wednesday they went to the Department of Magical Transport; on Thursday, the Department of International Magical Cooperation; and today the 7th years were due at the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
When they had arrived, Harry muttered to Ron, "I bet if Hermione were here, she'd be talking to the Head about house-elves and spew."
Ron snickered. "It's called S.P.E.W, Harry! The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare!" he said, mimicking Hermione. The pair sniggered, then fell silent again. The Ministry of Magic was doing all it could to retrieve Hermione, but they couldn't pull everyone away from their normal jobs like before because of some important events coming up.
"Missing Granger now huh, Potty, Weasel?" drawled an unpleasant voice to Harry and Ron's ears. Ron and Harry turned to face Draco.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, clenching his fists, gripping his wand. Ron was cracking his knuckles menacingly.
"The same thing you want; to get Hermione back." Draco said simply. Harry and Ron stopped, looking surprised. Whatever answer they were expecting, it wasn't that. "I'm actually thinking of offering my help in researching time- travel. Would you like to join?"
"Why do you care about Hermione?!"
"She - I -" Draco stammered. "Bloody hell," he muttered. He continued. "Lately we've become friends."
"If you had become friends, then why hadn't we heard of it, Malfoy?" Harry asked calmly. He was waiting for Draco to slip and tell them his real reason. Ron, fortunately, understood what Harry was doing and calmed down.
"We became friends the night before she fell into the Abyss. As I've said before, we've become friends. And right now, I don't want to lose her. She's the first person who's become a real friend to me. The Slytherins aren't really friends; they're... alliances. She means a lot to me."
At this, Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows. "Really... then why do I get the feeling that I shouldn't believe you?"
"I don't know Weasley, maybe because I've enraged you two more often than you would've liked?" Draco asked sarcastically. He saw the pair frown and their eyebrows furrow. 'Uh-oh... I shouldn't have been sarcastic...' "But please... would I make the offer to help if I wasn't interested in Hermione in the first place?"
"Well, that makes sense... but what if you were planning to make a fool out of her?"
"Then maybe I shouldn't have gone to a whole lot of trouble just to talk to her."
"..."
"If we want to bring her back, we'll have to be civil to each other," Draco continued. At this, Ron snorted.
"Us?! Be civil to each other? Malfoy, have you gone mad?"
"Look Weasel, if we keep on bickering like this, we'd never get anything done and get to help Hermione. Do you want to be civil or not?"
Harry was mulling over the proposition for a while. "I agree, Malfoy. Ron?"
"Harry, you're AGREEING with Malfoy, of all people?!"
"Ron, we need all the help we can get. And if Malfoy here's not as sincere as he sounded a while ago, we can just beat the hell out of him when we find out he's got an ulterior motive."
"Harry, You-Know-Who's on the rise. If word gets to him that Hermione -"
"My father and the Dark Lord care nothing about Hermione! And I'm not a Death Eater and will not be!" Draco said furiously, showing them his bare forearms. (He was wearing a T-shirt... oi, I just noticed... the rule about Muggle clothes applied during weekends, holidays and the educational trip!!! Just thought I'd clarify that... lol Ü)
"I agree, Malfoy," Harry repeated. "Ron, are you going to help?"
Ron had no choice but to agree. "Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "Truce," Draco offered, holding out his hand. The two reluctantly shook it, but agreed on the truce. The lecture had started a long time ago, but the three were able to follow the lecture cause their Dictation Quills were writing everything the lecturer said. When the tour was over, they immediately went back to the Atrium and made for the Office of the Minister.
In the past...
James sat on Lily's right side cause Hermione was sitting on her left side. Sirius sat across from James, Peter across Lily, and Remus across Hermione.
"Hello, Evans," James said cheerfully, getting himself some food.
Hermione asked, "Aren't you guys going to call Lily by her first name? It sounds nicer..."
Sirius said, "For you, Miss Felton. Hey Evans, you don't think Emma over here's a bimbo now?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Sorry! It'll just take a bit of getting used to... so... Lily?"
Lily turned red. "Yes, I said sorry and now I'm going to give her a tour of Hogwarts. Let's go, Emma!" she said, setting down her fork and knife.
"Huh?" Hermione said, halfway through her steak.
"That's great, Lily," Remus said smiling.
"Hey! Don't steal Emma from us! We haven't even gotten to know her well, like you have," Sirius yelped.
Lily sighed. "Fine," she grumbled and went back to her mashed potatoes. 'I was this close to escaping them! Hmp!'
"So Emma, how were you attacked by the giant squid?"
"James, she might be traumatized by the incident -"
"No, I'm not, Remus," Hermione replied, smiling. They all listened as Hermione told them how she was attacked and how she escaped.
"Wow... then we came?" James asked.
"Yep," Hermione answered.
"And one of us actually thought of leaving her where she was," Sirius growled.
"What?! Who?" Lily exclaimed. "I can't believe anyone could be so heartless!"
"You better; it was Peter," Remus said, and the 4 (James, Sirius, Remus and Lily) glared at Peter. (Hah!!! That's what you get for being a heartless prick!!! Ü lol Ü)
"I - uh - I'm sorry?" Peter squeaked. (Sounds like a line from Legally Blonde... Ü one of my fave movies Ü)
Hermione said coolly, "I don't think I'm in the mood to accept your apology right now. You actually suggested letting me die out there. Do you think I could forgive you immediately, like you just borrowed my quill without asking?"
Peter looked ashamed, and just continued eating. (At least he had the decency to look ashamed! Ü) The four turned their attention back to Hermione. The Marauders (well, except Peter for some reason Ü hehe Ü) asked the questions Lily asked in the Three Broomsticks, and Hermione answered them the same way she did Lily's questions. Soon James asked, "So, did you leave any boyfriends behind?"
Hermione, concentrating on cutting a piece of her steak, said, "Yeah, two of them."
Her audience was shocked. (hahahahaha ÜÜÜ)
Sirius yelped, "You're a two-timer?!"
Hermione looked up. "No!"
"Then what did you just say about 2 boyfriends?!" Lily asked, bewildered.
"Oh!" Hermione laughed, much to their surprise. "I meant two boy -" she emphasized the space, "- friends! Boy - friends! Get it?"
"Oh!" James and Remus said.
"I left my 2 best friends, who are boys, at Beauxbatons," Hermione said quietly. "And I'm missing them so much right now."
The Marauders didn't like to see people sad, so James quickly said, "But it'll be all right. I mean, you guys can owl each other, and right now, you've got us!" referring to the Marauders and Lily.
"Thanks guys," Hermione said with a small smile. Soon, lunch was over.
"Classes again!" James moaned.
"Honestly James, that's the whole point of going to school; going to classes," Hermione admonished mildly.
"See you later, Emma, Lily," the guys chorused.
"Bye guys!" Emma and Lily said, waving. They walked out of the Great Hall and started their tour.
In the present...
Professor Dumbledore studied the 3 boys closely. "Are you sure you want to help in the research? You still have to finish your educational trip, and submit the 10 feet long essays the day after we go back to Hogwarts."
"We're sure Professor. Hermione means a lot to us and we want to help any way we can," Harry said, speaking for the three of them. Arthur wasn't around; he was working with the Head of the Department of Mysteries.
"Okay," Dumbledore said. "There are some books here at the Ministry about time-travel, and I need you three to read them thoroughly and understand them. You will then tell me about what you have read. I arrange for when you may start reading the books. Now may I suggest you rest now? There is a lot of work in store for you tomorrow."
The boys stood up. "Thank you, Professor," they said.
"Oh, Mr. Malfoy, a word?" Draco nodded and Harry and Ron left the office.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you mind telling me why you want to bring Miss Granger back?"
"No I don't, Professor. Um... 'Stupid, Malfoy's don't stutter or stall!' I want to bring Hermione back because we became friends just recently. I get along with her better than with the Slytherins. It's like we've known each other since we were kids, and I don't want to lose her."
Dumbledore nodded. "I see. Is there any other reason?" he inquired, studying Draco. For some reason, Draco turned a bit red. (Hmmm... Ü)
"That's all, Professor," he said quickly.
Dumbledore just smiled at him, his eyes with that omnipresent twinkle. "Very well, Mr. Malfoy. I will just tell you right now that she is safe. She has talked to the past me already, and she is with James Potter and his friends, so we needn't worry."
Draco nodded, still quite red. (Hmmm... Ü)
"For now, I suggest you pick a temporary Head Girl to take Miss Granger's place," Dumbledore suggested. "I trust that you will inform me when you have chosen someone?"
"Okay, Professor. Thank you," Draco said and exited the room. As soon as Draco had left the room, Dumbledore broke out into a full smile.
In the past... (I'm so tired now... this is a long chapter...)
Lily and Hermione had finished the tour already. They headed back to the Great Hall to eat dinner. They were chatting about Muggle TV shows when the Marauders arrived.
"Hi," Remus said, sliding into a seat across from them. They started to get some food when five owls swooped in, which was very unusual, since owl post only came in the mornings. Hermione, Lily, James, Remus and Sirius all received the same note:
You are to meet Professor Dumbledore in his office after dinner tonight. Professor McGonagall
Sirius said, "Oi, Dumbledore wants to see us." (Isn't that obvious, Sirius??? rolls eyes)
"Us? Not only me?"
"Yes, us Prongs," Sirius said, exasperated.
"What'd he want to see all of us for?" Remus asked.
"I dunno, I think it's about the prank we pulled last weekend, just the 3 of us, cause Peter didn't get a summons."
"But why'd he summon Emma and Lily?" James asked.
"Um... cause I'm the new girl here and he wanted me to be properly acquainted with the Head Boy and Girl here?" Hermione guessed.
"Maybe..." James said thoughtfully.
"Lily? Why are you so quiet?" Remus asked.
"I'm so tired... I knew Hogwarts was big, but now I know just how big," Lily moaned.
"Hmm... Lily, would you like a massage?" James offered, with a gleam in his eye. (tsk tsk tsk... lol Ü)
"No thanks, Potter," Lily said curtly, making James frown in sadness. (hahaha ÜÜÜ) "Hey Emma, could we rest by the lake until dinner's finished?" Seeing the looks on the 4 peoples' faces, Lily hurriedly said, "We won't be that near the lake! Just by the beech tree."
"Okay," Hermione said. The two girls got up and left the boys, who were now discussing ways to humiliate Snape.
--
A few minutes later, Hermione and Lily were now sprawled out under the tree. "Lily? Why don't you call James by his first name? It sounds nicer..."
"That's what you said earlier... yawn"
"I know... but just to show that the Head Boy and Girl are now mature and getting along... you can do that, right? It's just a name..."
"Yeah, whatever..."
"I feel like sleeping now... yawn"
"Yeah, me too..." (I'm getting sleepy too... yawn ÜÜÜ)
The two were quiet for a while. Soon, they had drifted off to sleep.
--
Hermione was walking around the lake when she saw someone running up to her. It was Draco.
"Draco!" Hermione said. She ran to him.
"Draco? It is Lysander, my dear Hermia. Have you forgotten?"
Hermione was surprised, but laughed and said, "I'm sorry, dear Lysander."
Suddenly, Helena and Demetrius (in the form of Pansy and an unfamiliar guy) came and fairies surrounded the four of them. The fairies threw powder onto them, but Hermione wasn't hit. Soon, she noticed Draco going away with Pansy, and the unfamiliar guy with her. She didn't like the guy so she yelled, "DRACO!"
--
Hermione suddenly opened her eyes and sat up. "Emma, are you okay?" Remus asked, peering at her.
"I - I'm - fine," Hermione gasped. She felt like she had run a marathon. 'Jeez, I think Draco and I should stop with the Midsummer Night's Dream name-calling!' she thought.
"Are you sure?" Lily asked. Hermione nodded and stood up. She, Lily, Remus, James and Sirius were walking to Dumbledore's office when Sirius casually asked, "Emma, who's Draco?"
"Huh? Oh, Draco."
"One of your best friends?" Lily asked.
"No," Hermione said quickly. (Still a bit touchy about him because of the dream Ü lol Ü) "Oh, we're here. Licorice Wand." She went on up to the office. The remaining four shared a look, then followed her. They (the five of them) entered the office together.
"Please sit down," Dumbledore said, conjuring 5 squashy armchairs out of nowhere. Hermione immediately sat in hers, feeling like she was going to sink in it, which was kind of nice. (Wish my computer chair's like that... it's hard and my bum aches ÜÜÜ lol Ü) "Miss Granger," Dumbledore addressed Hermione, "are you ready to tell them?"
Hermione nodded. "'Miss Granger'? Tell us what, Emma?" Sirius asked, confused. The rest just nodded their heads. Hermione took a deep breath. "Look guys, whatever I'm gonna say shouldn't leave this room, promise?"
"Promise," Lily said, speaking for all of them.
"And you won't tell anyone else? You guys are the only ones I trust," Hermione said, looking at them all. (Sorry if it's a teeny bit redundant, but she needed to make sure Ü) They murmured their assent.
"Okay," Hermione finally said. "I didn't really come from Beauxbatons."
"What -" James started to say, but Remus elbowed him.
"My parent's didn't study at Beauxbatons. I've been to France, but only once during the holidays." After taking a deep breath, she said, "My name is Hermione Granger and I'm from the year 2004."
Silence. Then...
"What the hell did you just say?!" James yelped.
"Um, could you explain how you got here?" Lily asked, very surprised. (Well that certainly was a surprise, no??? ÜÜÜ)
"Okay... hmm... I'm currently a 7th year at Hogwarts."
"House?" Sirius interrupted.
"Gryffindor. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore decided to have us students go on an educational trip. The 7th years went to the Ministry of Magic. On our first day at the Ministry, we visited the Department of Mysteries, and I fell into the Abyss of Time, basically, a time hole, which was just recently discovered in the Time Room."
"But how did you fall? I mean, you should've known to steer clear of the hole, right?" Lily asked.
"I did, and our tour guide said that the guardrails around the hole wouldn't budge, no matter how flimsy they looked and no matter what we did. But for some reason, I fell in. I was knocked into the hole by a classmate. I woke up on the lake's shore, and the giant squid thought I was food and attacked me." For some reason, Hermione didn't want to tell them about the picture. If she did, the conversation might lead to Sirius' death and all that was going to happen.
"Um - Professor, what do we do now?" James asked Dumbledore.
"Well, she will be staying here for a while until her friends from her time find a way to get her back. In the meantime, she will stay at Gryffindor Tower, and have classes with you, sinceyou are all 7th years. You will still call her Emma Felton, just like today. You must not tell anypne else about what she has just said."
"We can't tell Peter?" Sirius asked, looking at Hermione.
"I don't trust him to know about parts of my life cause he didn't really care about my life in the first place," Hermione said.
"Okay," the four replied, trusting Hermione's judgment. Professor Dumbledore asked Hermione, "Miss Granger, were you appointed Head Girl in your time?"
Hermione said, "Yes, Professor."
"Well then, I suppose your Head Boy will have to find a replacement in the meantime."
'That's okay, as long as it isn't Parkinson,' Hermione thought.
"Oh, and I have to forbid you all from asking Miss Granger questions about the future. You might disrupt it. Okay, it's time for you to go to your common room. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Professor," Hermione said, and they all filed out. As soon as they were out, Lily said, "So this means... I gave you a tour of Hogwarts... when you know Hogwarts already?!"
"Hey, I didn't tell you to give me the tour! Dumbledore did!" Hermione said defensively. (lol Ü so Lily got tired showing Hermione around Hogwarts when she knew it already Ü hahahahaha Ü)
They were walking to Gryffindor Tower when Remus cut the silence. "Oh, and Emma," Remus said, "we were kind of wondering..."
"Hm?"
"Just who is this Draco? You seemed like avoiding talking about him a while ago," Lily teased.
Hermione turned around and saw the four giving her puppy dog eyes. She sighed. "Draco's my friend. That's all."
"Just a friend?" James snorted.
"Yeah, just a friend," Hermione said. "Fairy lights." They entered the common room.
"So, what do you feel like doing tonight?" Lily asked.
"Write a letter," Hermione said.
"Okay. Night guys," Lily called out, but the guys were too engrossed in Quidditch tactics to say 'good night'. Lily joined Hermione in her room, flopping onto the bed and watching as Hermione got out parchment, and quill and a bottle of ink. "Emma? Not to be rude or anything, but... how are you going to contact your friends?"
"I've just thought of a way. What if I ask an owl to deliver my letters after a decade or so? I know that's possible cause my best friend's owl's just turned 22 (Errol Ü lol Ü). So I can ask a school owl, cause they just stay here, to deliver my letters after 20 years. It's 1984, right?"
"Yeah. I guess it's worth a shot," Lily agreed. Lily stood up and groaned. "I really need some sleep." She stretched. "And ow - a massage."
"Well, why did you turn down James's offer?" Hermione asked. Lily didn't answer her.
"Night, Emma."
"Night, Lily." Lily padded out of her room. Hermione shut the door, and started writing letters: one for Harry, one for Ron, one for Draco and one for Professor Dumbledore. It took her until past midnight, about 2 am to finish. She yawned. 'I'll get up early to mail these so they won't see the names,' Hermione thought before falling asleep.
--
My longest chapter so far!!! ÜÜÜ I know the owl idea is crappy, and that was intentional. Oi, after this chapter I'm not sure if I could update almost everyday like before... like I said, I'm going to college... you might be wondering... well in my country, going to college in June at 16 is fairly normal. Well maybe I can still update... after my subjects, I'm going to go type first before doing my homework... Ü hehe Ü It's what I usually do before doing homework... relaxing Ü this, you see, is a form of relaxation for me... and something fun to do!!! Ü Who would want to do homework when you can do this instead??? lol ÜÜÜ
Ü rochena Ü
Sammy Baggins: Yeah, he just has to know everything!!! lol ÜÜÜ
saxistwriterchick: Sure, go ahead!!! ÜÜÜÜÜ
lark277: thank you!!! ÜÜÜ
Chapter 6: The Truth and Nothing But
Professor Dumbledore surveyed Hermione with interest, who seemed to be very shocked. (Who wouldn't?! Ü)
"Professor Dumbledore? But how -"
"I am a Seer," he said, which explained everything. "I saw that you would come here, and how you came here. Soon, I had another vision, of a letter from you to your friend with your name on it, Hermione Granger. Unfortunately, I cannot bring you back to your time. Only those in your time will be able to. I expect you'll be going home in six months."
"SIX MONTHS?!" (lol ÜÜÜ)
"Miss Granger, even you must know how difficult it is to study time-travel. They will be able to bring you back after the six months, which is really quite remarkable. Time-travel can take ages to understand and perfect, but they decided to speed things up for you," Dumbledore explained.
"Okay."
"In the meantime, you will be having your own room, since you arrived at such notice," he chuckled. "What is your House in your time, Miss Granger?"
"Gryffindor, sir."
"If in your time you were a Gryffindor, then you shall also be a Gryffindor in this time. Right now, since you have no belongings, I will provide you with the needed textbooks and standard equipment from Diagon Alley. You will have to buy your robes though, since we do not know your size. You shall buy these at Gladrags Wizardwear in Hogsmeade. I will provide the money for you," Dumbledore said, handing Hermione the money. Hermione took the money bag and pocketed it.
Dumbledore continued, "I suggest you go with either the Head Boy or Girl. I will talk to either of them later."
"Thank you very much, Professor."
"I will give you your schedule now," and he did. Funnily enough, it was exactly like their schedule in her time. (Take note, she's now taking NEWT classes, so if you guys notice in future chapters that she's having classes with different Houses (i.e., in Herbology, she's supposed to be with the Hufflepuffs, not Ravenclaws)... ÜÜÜ)
"Do you have any questions?"
"Um, Professor, why did the photo disappear?" she asked, pulling out the blank photo paper.
"Ah... that is because the picture hasn't been taken yet in this time. I know, you might be wondering why you weren't transported to the time when the picture was taken... that is because time wants you to continue your real timeline, even though you're stuck in another. Let's say the day before you fell into the time hole was a Monday. The day you fell in was a Tuesday. When you arrived here, it was Tuesday evening, also the beginning of the school year. This, of course, is only based on my deductions, but I think my hypothesis may be right."
"That's... weird." (isn't it??? ÜÜÜ)
"As they say, Miss Granger; time moves in mysterious ways."
"Um, Professor? Could you please keep it for me? Just in case the picture's taken. I don't want it lying about; people might ask me awkward questions."
"Of course, Miss Granger. Incidentally, what name did you give Misters Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew?"
"Emma Felton, sir." (hahahahaha ÜÜÜ)
"I see. Very good. You are not supposed to tell anyone that you are from the future... well, I think your new friends deserve to know the truth, don't you think? And just so you aren't that homesick."
"Thank you, Professor."
"I'll have Minerva summon James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily and you tonight."
"Professor, could we leave out Peter for a while?"
"Why, Miss Granger?"
"I don't feel like trusting him yet, Professor. On the night James and Sirius helped me, Peter said to just leave me where I was. I don't feel like sharing parts of my life to someone who so obviously doesn't care about it."
"Surely Mr. Pettigrew was only joking?"
"No, Professor. He was in a hurry about something..." (I wonder what... or who, for that matter Ü)
"I see. Well then, we'll summon the 3 boys, Lily and you."
"Okay."
"Hmm... why don't you have a late breakfast in the kitchens? Do you know where it is?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Splendid. I'll summon Minerva right away. Enjoy your breakfast, Miss Granger!"
Hermione grinned at the Headmaster, and left the office. On the way out, she saw Fawkes.
"Bye Fawkes." She sighed. Fawkes reminded her of Harry. He and Ron told her about the Chamber of Secrets incident, and since then, whenever she'd see Fawkes (which was rare), she'd start thinking about Harry. She made her way down to the kitchens and had a sumptuous breakfast. 'If Harry and Ron were here, they'd be loading their pockets with cakes and sweets now,' she thought. The thought made her want to laugh and cry. She missed the pair so much.
She was finishing her pumpkin juice when the kitchens door opened and Lily entered.
"Emma Felton?" Lily asked quite timidly. (Who wouldn't, after wrongfully accusing someone??? Ü hehe Ü)
"That's me," said Hermione, getting up from her seat.
"Look, I'm so sorry about what I said a while ago... I thought you were one of the girls whom they snog all day long, like... Jean Beckinsale, for one," she said. (More on Jean Beckinsale later Ü)
"Yeah, I get what you mean," Hermione said, smiling.
"Come on, let's get your robes."
"But don't you have classes?"
"Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall excused me from class today to give you a tour and to get you settled," Lily said, smiling.
"Okay."
--
Soon they were walking down High Street in Hogsmeade. "Okay, Gladrags first, then I'll give you a tour around here... or would you like the tour around Hogwarts first?"
"Um, I think Hogwarts first."
"Okay, but let's drop by the Three Broomsticks first before leaving; I've got a craving for butterbeer," Lily suggested.
"That sounds great," Hermione said, grinning. They got her standard robes and uniform set (and some pajamas) after an hour. Soon they sat down in the Three Broomsticks, with a butterbeer each.
"So... how was Beauxbatons?"
"Fine... I missed England though... I was born here, but my parents wanted me to go to Beauxbatons; my parents studied there, you see. After the 6th year, I've had enough. Sure, France is beautiful and all, but I really wanted to go to Hogwarts in the first place, so... here I am." Inside Hermione was laughing. 'Great, Draco's already rubbed off on you; you lie like a pro now!'
Lily nodded in understanding. "Wow... hey, did the guys really accompany you cause Potter was Head Boy?"
"No..." Hermione said, stalling for time to think. She took a sip of her butterbeer.
"Huh? Then why?" Lily asked wonderingly.
"Um... Tuesday night, the Knight Bus dropped me off. Before going in, I decided to sit by the lake for a while. Once I had reached the lake though, I suddenly felt like wading in. Unfortunately, the giant squid thought I was food. It attacked me."
"What?! I'm so sorry -"
"Don't be. You weren't the one who attacked me," Hermione smiled. She continued with her story. "I had managed to escape and reach the castle doors; James, Sirius and Peter found me there. They brought me to the hospital wing, and since they visited me this morning, I asked them to accompany me to Professor Dumbledore's office."
"Oh... okay..." They sat in silence for a while, drinking their butterbeer. Hermione suddenly thought of asking Lily a funny question. (funny for me Ü)
"Lily?"
"Hm?"
"I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead," Lily said, drinking her butterbeer.
"Have you got a thing for James? Cause when you got mad at us, it was like you were jealous," Hermione teased.
Lily choked. After she had recovered, she sputtered, "WHAT?! NO!!! If you must know, James Potter has been upsetting me ever since I was eleven! Why do you think I'd have a crush on him?!"
"Well, he seems nice..." Hermione said innocently, fishing for information. She drank her butterbeer.
'Is this girl crazy, or what?!' "Nice?! He picks on innocent people! He hexes people just for the fun of it!" Lily said hotly.
"What?! But he's Head Boy! He shouldn't be doing that!" Hermione said, horrified. 'So what Snape's been telling Harry all along was true...'
"Well, that's James Potter to you," Lily said.
"Lily, you have to make him stop!"
Lily spat out a bit of the butterbeer she was drinking. "Excuse me, but me?! Why me?" Lily squeaked.
"You're Head Girl!" 'If I was Head Girl, I would try stopping him,' Hermione thought bitterly.
"I'll try..."
"Good."
They finished their butterbeers, then Lily got up. "Hey, Hogwarts is a pretty big castle, and it'll take me the whole afternoon to show you around it. I trust you're familiar with the lake already?"
"Pretty much," Hermione said sourly, making Lily laugh. Hermione got up and they walked to the castle.
"What House are you in?"
"I got Sorted into Gryffindor."
"Great! Hmm, let's drop your stuff off first before heading down to eat. It's almost lunch, you know." They walked to Gryffindor Tower (with Hermione trailing behind Lily so she wouldn't wonder why Hermione knew the way) and to the Fat Lady on the 7th floor.
"Fairy lights!"
'Hmm, so the Fat Lady just repeats the passwords, huh?'
They went in. "Okay, this is our common room. The boys' dormitories are on the left side and the girls' dormitories on the right." They climbed up to the 7th year girls' dorm rooms. The first room belonged to Lily and the other 7th years; the second to Hermione. They went in there.
"Wow," Lily breathed. "You're so lucky. I mean, I love my roomies and all, but sometimes I like being alone."
"Me too; I'm an only child," Hermione setting down the bags. "So you're an only child too?" 'I know you aren't, but I'm keeping up appearances...'
"No," Lily said quietly. "I've got an older sister who thinks I'm a freak because of the magic I can do. She thinks I'm abnormal, like I have... leprosy, or something. If you know what leprosy is."
"I do," Hermione said.
"I'm Muggleborn, you see. My parents were, and are, happy for me, and accepting, but Petunia simply thinks I'm abnormal. You'd think it's bad enough that you're being called the term the Slytherins say -" Hermione nodded. She'd been called that name too often. "Then when you go home, your own sister hates you because of the same thing. Because you can do magic." Lily was near tears already. Hermione's heart went out to her. 'It's a good thing I have understanding parents... a wonderful family... oh how I miss them right now.' she thought.
"Lily, she's the freak! She should be happy for you! And about those Slytherins... I know what they say is terrible -"
"How do you?"
"Um... because of what you said a while ago. If they use that term, then they're really vile," Hermione said. 'Whew, close shave!' "Anyway, they're the filth; calling you horrible names and all that... but look at you! You're not like them!"
"I guess," Lily said, finally smiling. "I don't mind them anymore now though. And Petunia's just gotten married to a Muggle over the summer. Before their wedding, she had to tell him what I am, and let's just say he didn't take to me too kindly after that. He hates anything out of the ordinary, you see... I'm glad they've gotten married; I don't have to see and put up with her next summer," she said, grinning. "Oh Emma, what time is it?"
"I don't know; my watch stopped... maybe because of its prolonged exposure to water."
"I'm guessing it's lunchtime now cause I can hear all the activity in the common room," Lily said. They walked out of the room. They went to the Great Hall and were about to eat when Lily suddenly groaned. "Oh, here comes the bane of my existence." Hermione looked up from her plate to see Sirius, James, Remus and Peter walk over to them, grinning.
In the present...
It was a Friday, 3 days after Hermione disappeared. This created a change in the students. They stopped fooling around, and they became quite subdued. Starting on Wednesday, they visited only one department a day; on Wednesday they went to the Department of Magical Transport; on Thursday, the Department of International Magical Cooperation; and today the 7th years were due at the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
When they had arrived, Harry muttered to Ron, "I bet if Hermione were here, she'd be talking to the Head about house-elves and spew."
Ron snickered. "It's called S.P.E.W, Harry! The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare!" he said, mimicking Hermione. The pair sniggered, then fell silent again. The Ministry of Magic was doing all it could to retrieve Hermione, but they couldn't pull everyone away from their normal jobs like before because of some important events coming up.
"Missing Granger now huh, Potty, Weasel?" drawled an unpleasant voice to Harry and Ron's ears. Ron and Harry turned to face Draco.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, clenching his fists, gripping his wand. Ron was cracking his knuckles menacingly.
"The same thing you want; to get Hermione back." Draco said simply. Harry and Ron stopped, looking surprised. Whatever answer they were expecting, it wasn't that. "I'm actually thinking of offering my help in researching time- travel. Would you like to join?"
"Why do you care about Hermione?!"
"She - I -" Draco stammered. "Bloody hell," he muttered. He continued. "Lately we've become friends."
"If you had become friends, then why hadn't we heard of it, Malfoy?" Harry asked calmly. He was waiting for Draco to slip and tell them his real reason. Ron, fortunately, understood what Harry was doing and calmed down.
"We became friends the night before she fell into the Abyss. As I've said before, we've become friends. And right now, I don't want to lose her. She's the first person who's become a real friend to me. The Slytherins aren't really friends; they're... alliances. She means a lot to me."
At this, Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows. "Really... then why do I get the feeling that I shouldn't believe you?"
"I don't know Weasley, maybe because I've enraged you two more often than you would've liked?" Draco asked sarcastically. He saw the pair frown and their eyebrows furrow. 'Uh-oh... I shouldn't have been sarcastic...' "But please... would I make the offer to help if I wasn't interested in Hermione in the first place?"
"Well, that makes sense... but what if you were planning to make a fool out of her?"
"Then maybe I shouldn't have gone to a whole lot of trouble just to talk to her."
"..."
"If we want to bring her back, we'll have to be civil to each other," Draco continued. At this, Ron snorted.
"Us?! Be civil to each other? Malfoy, have you gone mad?"
"Look Weasel, if we keep on bickering like this, we'd never get anything done and get to help Hermione. Do you want to be civil or not?"
Harry was mulling over the proposition for a while. "I agree, Malfoy. Ron?"
"Harry, you're AGREEING with Malfoy, of all people?!"
"Ron, we need all the help we can get. And if Malfoy here's not as sincere as he sounded a while ago, we can just beat the hell out of him when we find out he's got an ulterior motive."
"Harry, You-Know-Who's on the rise. If word gets to him that Hermione -"
"My father and the Dark Lord care nothing about Hermione! And I'm not a Death Eater and will not be!" Draco said furiously, showing them his bare forearms. (He was wearing a T-shirt... oi, I just noticed... the rule about Muggle clothes applied during weekends, holidays and the educational trip!!! Just thought I'd clarify that... lol Ü)
"I agree, Malfoy," Harry repeated. "Ron, are you going to help?"
Ron had no choice but to agree. "Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "Truce," Draco offered, holding out his hand. The two reluctantly shook it, but agreed on the truce. The lecture had started a long time ago, but the three were able to follow the lecture cause their Dictation Quills were writing everything the lecturer said. When the tour was over, they immediately went back to the Atrium and made for the Office of the Minister.
In the past...
James sat on Lily's right side cause Hermione was sitting on her left side. Sirius sat across from James, Peter across Lily, and Remus across Hermione.
"Hello, Evans," James said cheerfully, getting himself some food.
Hermione asked, "Aren't you guys going to call Lily by her first name? It sounds nicer..."
Sirius said, "For you, Miss Felton. Hey Evans, you don't think Emma over here's a bimbo now?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Sorry! It'll just take a bit of getting used to... so... Lily?"
Lily turned red. "Yes, I said sorry and now I'm going to give her a tour of Hogwarts. Let's go, Emma!" she said, setting down her fork and knife.
"Huh?" Hermione said, halfway through her steak.
"That's great, Lily," Remus said smiling.
"Hey! Don't steal Emma from us! We haven't even gotten to know her well, like you have," Sirius yelped.
Lily sighed. "Fine," she grumbled and went back to her mashed potatoes. 'I was this close to escaping them! Hmp!'
"So Emma, how were you attacked by the giant squid?"
"James, she might be traumatized by the incident -"
"No, I'm not, Remus," Hermione replied, smiling. They all listened as Hermione told them how she was attacked and how she escaped.
"Wow... then we came?" James asked.
"Yep," Hermione answered.
"And one of us actually thought of leaving her where she was," Sirius growled.
"What?! Who?" Lily exclaimed. "I can't believe anyone could be so heartless!"
"You better; it was Peter," Remus said, and the 4 (James, Sirius, Remus and Lily) glared at Peter. (Hah!!! That's what you get for being a heartless prick!!! Ü lol Ü)
"I - uh - I'm sorry?" Peter squeaked. (Sounds like a line from Legally Blonde... Ü one of my fave movies Ü)
Hermione said coolly, "I don't think I'm in the mood to accept your apology right now. You actually suggested letting me die out there. Do you think I could forgive you immediately, like you just borrowed my quill without asking?"
Peter looked ashamed, and just continued eating. (At least he had the decency to look ashamed! Ü) The four turned their attention back to Hermione. The Marauders (well, except Peter for some reason Ü hehe Ü) asked the questions Lily asked in the Three Broomsticks, and Hermione answered them the same way she did Lily's questions. Soon James asked, "So, did you leave any boyfriends behind?"
Hermione, concentrating on cutting a piece of her steak, said, "Yeah, two of them."
Her audience was shocked. (hahahahaha ÜÜÜ)
Sirius yelped, "You're a two-timer?!"
Hermione looked up. "No!"
"Then what did you just say about 2 boyfriends?!" Lily asked, bewildered.
"Oh!" Hermione laughed, much to their surprise. "I meant two boy -" she emphasized the space, "- friends! Boy - friends! Get it?"
"Oh!" James and Remus said.
"I left my 2 best friends, who are boys, at Beauxbatons," Hermione said quietly. "And I'm missing them so much right now."
The Marauders didn't like to see people sad, so James quickly said, "But it'll be all right. I mean, you guys can owl each other, and right now, you've got us!" referring to the Marauders and Lily.
"Thanks guys," Hermione said with a small smile. Soon, lunch was over.
"Classes again!" James moaned.
"Honestly James, that's the whole point of going to school; going to classes," Hermione admonished mildly.
"See you later, Emma, Lily," the guys chorused.
"Bye guys!" Emma and Lily said, waving. They walked out of the Great Hall and started their tour.
In the present...
Professor Dumbledore studied the 3 boys closely. "Are you sure you want to help in the research? You still have to finish your educational trip, and submit the 10 feet long essays the day after we go back to Hogwarts."
"We're sure Professor. Hermione means a lot to us and we want to help any way we can," Harry said, speaking for the three of them. Arthur wasn't around; he was working with the Head of the Department of Mysteries.
"Okay," Dumbledore said. "There are some books here at the Ministry about time-travel, and I need you three to read them thoroughly and understand them. You will then tell me about what you have read. I arrange for when you may start reading the books. Now may I suggest you rest now? There is a lot of work in store for you tomorrow."
The boys stood up. "Thank you, Professor," they said.
"Oh, Mr. Malfoy, a word?" Draco nodded and Harry and Ron left the office.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you mind telling me why you want to bring Miss Granger back?"
"No I don't, Professor. Um... 'Stupid, Malfoy's don't stutter or stall!' I want to bring Hermione back because we became friends just recently. I get along with her better than with the Slytherins. It's like we've known each other since we were kids, and I don't want to lose her."
Dumbledore nodded. "I see. Is there any other reason?" he inquired, studying Draco. For some reason, Draco turned a bit red. (Hmmm... Ü)
"That's all, Professor," he said quickly.
Dumbledore just smiled at him, his eyes with that omnipresent twinkle. "Very well, Mr. Malfoy. I will just tell you right now that she is safe. She has talked to the past me already, and she is with James Potter and his friends, so we needn't worry."
Draco nodded, still quite red. (Hmmm... Ü)
"For now, I suggest you pick a temporary Head Girl to take Miss Granger's place," Dumbledore suggested. "I trust that you will inform me when you have chosen someone?"
"Okay, Professor. Thank you," Draco said and exited the room. As soon as Draco had left the room, Dumbledore broke out into a full smile.
In the past... (I'm so tired now... this is a long chapter...)
Lily and Hermione had finished the tour already. They headed back to the Great Hall to eat dinner. They were chatting about Muggle TV shows when the Marauders arrived.
"Hi," Remus said, sliding into a seat across from them. They started to get some food when five owls swooped in, which was very unusual, since owl post only came in the mornings. Hermione, Lily, James, Remus and Sirius all received the same note:
You are to meet Professor Dumbledore in his office after dinner tonight. Professor McGonagall
Sirius said, "Oi, Dumbledore wants to see us." (Isn't that obvious, Sirius??? rolls eyes)
"Us? Not only me?"
"Yes, us Prongs," Sirius said, exasperated.
"What'd he want to see all of us for?" Remus asked.
"I dunno, I think it's about the prank we pulled last weekend, just the 3 of us, cause Peter didn't get a summons."
"But why'd he summon Emma and Lily?" James asked.
"Um... cause I'm the new girl here and he wanted me to be properly acquainted with the Head Boy and Girl here?" Hermione guessed.
"Maybe..." James said thoughtfully.
"Lily? Why are you so quiet?" Remus asked.
"I'm so tired... I knew Hogwarts was big, but now I know just how big," Lily moaned.
"Hmm... Lily, would you like a massage?" James offered, with a gleam in his eye. (tsk tsk tsk... lol Ü)
"No thanks, Potter," Lily said curtly, making James frown in sadness. (hahaha ÜÜÜ) "Hey Emma, could we rest by the lake until dinner's finished?" Seeing the looks on the 4 peoples' faces, Lily hurriedly said, "We won't be that near the lake! Just by the beech tree."
"Okay," Hermione said. The two girls got up and left the boys, who were now discussing ways to humiliate Snape.
--
A few minutes later, Hermione and Lily were now sprawled out under the tree. "Lily? Why don't you call James by his first name? It sounds nicer..."
"That's what you said earlier... yawn"
"I know... but just to show that the Head Boy and Girl are now mature and getting along... you can do that, right? It's just a name..."
"Yeah, whatever..."
"I feel like sleeping now... yawn"
"Yeah, me too..." (I'm getting sleepy too... yawn ÜÜÜ)
The two were quiet for a while. Soon, they had drifted off to sleep.
--
Hermione was walking around the lake when she saw someone running up to her. It was Draco.
"Draco!" Hermione said. She ran to him.
"Draco? It is Lysander, my dear Hermia. Have you forgotten?"
Hermione was surprised, but laughed and said, "I'm sorry, dear Lysander."
Suddenly, Helena and Demetrius (in the form of Pansy and an unfamiliar guy) came and fairies surrounded the four of them. The fairies threw powder onto them, but Hermione wasn't hit. Soon, she noticed Draco going away with Pansy, and the unfamiliar guy with her. She didn't like the guy so she yelled, "DRACO!"
--
Hermione suddenly opened her eyes and sat up. "Emma, are you okay?" Remus asked, peering at her.
"I - I'm - fine," Hermione gasped. She felt like she had run a marathon. 'Jeez, I think Draco and I should stop with the Midsummer Night's Dream name-calling!' she thought.
"Are you sure?" Lily asked. Hermione nodded and stood up. She, Lily, Remus, James and Sirius were walking to Dumbledore's office when Sirius casually asked, "Emma, who's Draco?"
"Huh? Oh, Draco."
"One of your best friends?" Lily asked.
"No," Hermione said quickly. (Still a bit touchy about him because of the dream Ü lol Ü) "Oh, we're here. Licorice Wand." She went on up to the office. The remaining four shared a look, then followed her. They (the five of them) entered the office together.
"Please sit down," Dumbledore said, conjuring 5 squashy armchairs out of nowhere. Hermione immediately sat in hers, feeling like she was going to sink in it, which was kind of nice. (Wish my computer chair's like that... it's hard and my bum aches ÜÜÜ lol Ü) "Miss Granger," Dumbledore addressed Hermione, "are you ready to tell them?"
Hermione nodded. "'Miss Granger'? Tell us what, Emma?" Sirius asked, confused. The rest just nodded their heads. Hermione took a deep breath. "Look guys, whatever I'm gonna say shouldn't leave this room, promise?"
"Promise," Lily said, speaking for all of them.
"And you won't tell anyone else? You guys are the only ones I trust," Hermione said, looking at them all. (Sorry if it's a teeny bit redundant, but she needed to make sure Ü) They murmured their assent.
"Okay," Hermione finally said. "I didn't really come from Beauxbatons."
"What -" James started to say, but Remus elbowed him.
"My parent's didn't study at Beauxbatons. I've been to France, but only once during the holidays." After taking a deep breath, she said, "My name is Hermione Granger and I'm from the year 2004."
Silence. Then...
"What the hell did you just say?!" James yelped.
"Um, could you explain how you got here?" Lily asked, very surprised. (Well that certainly was a surprise, no??? ÜÜÜ)
"Okay... hmm... I'm currently a 7th year at Hogwarts."
"House?" Sirius interrupted.
"Gryffindor. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore decided to have us students go on an educational trip. The 7th years went to the Ministry of Magic. On our first day at the Ministry, we visited the Department of Mysteries, and I fell into the Abyss of Time, basically, a time hole, which was just recently discovered in the Time Room."
"But how did you fall? I mean, you should've known to steer clear of the hole, right?" Lily asked.
"I did, and our tour guide said that the guardrails around the hole wouldn't budge, no matter how flimsy they looked and no matter what we did. But for some reason, I fell in. I was knocked into the hole by a classmate. I woke up on the lake's shore, and the giant squid thought I was food and attacked me." For some reason, Hermione didn't want to tell them about the picture. If she did, the conversation might lead to Sirius' death and all that was going to happen.
"Um - Professor, what do we do now?" James asked Dumbledore.
"Well, she will be staying here for a while until her friends from her time find a way to get her back. In the meantime, she will stay at Gryffindor Tower, and have classes with you, sinceyou are all 7th years. You will still call her Emma Felton, just like today. You must not tell anypne else about what she has just said."
"We can't tell Peter?" Sirius asked, looking at Hermione.
"I don't trust him to know about parts of my life cause he didn't really care about my life in the first place," Hermione said.
"Okay," the four replied, trusting Hermione's judgment. Professor Dumbledore asked Hermione, "Miss Granger, were you appointed Head Girl in your time?"
Hermione said, "Yes, Professor."
"Well then, I suppose your Head Boy will have to find a replacement in the meantime."
'That's okay, as long as it isn't Parkinson,' Hermione thought.
"Oh, and I have to forbid you all from asking Miss Granger questions about the future. You might disrupt it. Okay, it's time for you to go to your common room. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Professor," Hermione said, and they all filed out. As soon as they were out, Lily said, "So this means... I gave you a tour of Hogwarts... when you know Hogwarts already?!"
"Hey, I didn't tell you to give me the tour! Dumbledore did!" Hermione said defensively. (lol Ü so Lily got tired showing Hermione around Hogwarts when she knew it already Ü hahahahaha Ü)
They were walking to Gryffindor Tower when Remus cut the silence. "Oh, and Emma," Remus said, "we were kind of wondering..."
"Hm?"
"Just who is this Draco? You seemed like avoiding talking about him a while ago," Lily teased.
Hermione turned around and saw the four giving her puppy dog eyes. She sighed. "Draco's my friend. That's all."
"Just a friend?" James snorted.
"Yeah, just a friend," Hermione said. "Fairy lights." They entered the common room.
"So, what do you feel like doing tonight?" Lily asked.
"Write a letter," Hermione said.
"Okay. Night guys," Lily called out, but the guys were too engrossed in Quidditch tactics to say 'good night'. Lily joined Hermione in her room, flopping onto the bed and watching as Hermione got out parchment, and quill and a bottle of ink. "Emma? Not to be rude or anything, but... how are you going to contact your friends?"
"I've just thought of a way. What if I ask an owl to deliver my letters after a decade or so? I know that's possible cause my best friend's owl's just turned 22 (Errol Ü lol Ü). So I can ask a school owl, cause they just stay here, to deliver my letters after 20 years. It's 1984, right?"
"Yeah. I guess it's worth a shot," Lily agreed. Lily stood up and groaned. "I really need some sleep." She stretched. "And ow - a massage."
"Well, why did you turn down James's offer?" Hermione asked. Lily didn't answer her.
"Night, Emma."
"Night, Lily." Lily padded out of her room. Hermione shut the door, and started writing letters: one for Harry, one for Ron, one for Draco and one for Professor Dumbledore. It took her until past midnight, about 2 am to finish. She yawned. 'I'll get up early to mail these so they won't see the names,' Hermione thought before falling asleep.
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My longest chapter so far!!! ÜÜÜ I know the owl idea is crappy, and that was intentional. Oi, after this chapter I'm not sure if I could update almost everyday like before... like I said, I'm going to college... you might be wondering... well in my country, going to college in June at 16 is fairly normal. Well maybe I can still update... after my subjects, I'm going to go type first before doing my homework... Ü hehe Ü It's what I usually do before doing homework... relaxing Ü this, you see, is a form of relaxation for me... and something fun to do!!! Ü Who would want to do homework when you can do this instead??? lol ÜÜÜ
Ü rochena Ü