Remembrance

By: Desiree Conway

Chapter Seven: Friends Left Ahead

"In Memory's golden casket, drop one pearl for me."

---Unknown

AN: OMG everyone I know it has been so long since I updated. So much has happened and my life is at a very chaotic place right now. But, you will be pleased to know that one of my (many) New Year's Resolutions was to finish this and Mikayla's Legacy. (Also Kero for any of you who have read that.) But one at a time right?) Anyways well I hope everyone enjoys this next installment and I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

---Romula

DEDICATION: To all the Eclipsos Armoury Gang. I love you and miss you guys…

Hermione had been missing for two days and Harry and Ron were panicking. Ginny and Lavender were worried too but spent most of the time being distracted from their own thoughts by their worry wart boyfriends.

Finally, the foursome got fed up with not knowing anything (it wasn't like any of the teachers were talking) and went to Dumbledore's office to demand answers. Which was how the current situation had started.

"What do you mean Hermione's gone back?" Ron demanded, worry making him forget the respectful tone he usually gave Dumbledore. Lavender surreptitiously kicked him. He just gave her a "What did I do?" look.

Dumbledore allowed himself an amused smile. "Ah Mr. Weasley, do you remember the Time Turner that she was wearing? I am sure she showed it to you." Dumbledore's eyes were definitely twinkling now. He had told Hermione not to show her device to anyone. He knew that anyone would not include Harry and Ron.

Both Harry and Ron flushed at the mention of the Time Turner. Ginny and Lavender gave them puzzled looks. "Yes Professor," said Harry reluctantly, "we knew about the Time Turner."

"Well then perhaps now you know what I mean when I say she's gone back."

It took a moment for the implications of Dumbledore's words to sink in.

"You mean," Ron said incredulously, "that Hermione's gone back in time?"

Harry, Ginny and Lavender looked from Ron to Dumbledore, hardly believing what they heard. Ron didn't sound like he believed it himself.

"Yes." Dumbledore said simply, just as Professor McGonagall raced into the room, Remus Lupin hot on her heels.

"Albus, did you tell them?" asked a panting McGonagall.

"Not yet Minerva. I thought that it would be good for you and Remus to be here when I did."

"Professor Lupin?" asked the four students in surprise. What could he possibly have to do with Hermione?

"What is going on here?" asked Lavender.

The three adults faced Hermione's closest friends with somber looks. While unnerving as it was to see such seriousness from Lupin and McGonagall, it was more so to see it from the usually smiling Dumbledore.

"Sit down please." said Dumbledore and immediately four chairs appeared from thin air. The foursome did as he said.

"As you have just found out, Ms. Granger has gone back in time. The Time Turners we have have been upgraded since the four of you were in your third year and can now go back years instead of days."

Lavender and Ginny who still didn't know the full story behind Hermione and Harry's Time Turner adventure in their third year looked confused.

"So, Hermione has gone back years in time?" Harry asked slowly, hoping that it wasn't true.

"Yes, Mr. Potter." said McGonagall.

"How do you know that?" said Ron, jumping up from his chair. "How do you know how far back she's gone?"

"Because," Lupin said quietly, "I knew her when I was young. She was, in every since of the word, a Marauder."

Silence.

Harry stood up shaking. "Hermione's gone back to when you were young? That means she knew my—"

"Yes Harry," said Lupin with a sad look in his eyes that Harry couldn't quite interpret, "she knew your parents. And Sirius. She even knew Professor Snape when he was a student here."

Silence.

The small group could hardly even begin to fathom what had just been said to them. Hermione with the Marauders. Hermione a student with Professor Snape. Hermione in the past period.

"If you know what happened," Harry said, "how come you waited two days to tell us? And only after we barged in here?" There was a slight accusatory tone to his voice.

McGonagall glared at him. "Mr. Potter do you really think it was the easiest thing in the world to say? Besides, we were never sure when Hermione would go back in time. Only that it would happen some time in her seventh year."

"But you knew it would happen!" Ron said angrily.

"And you know we still could not have told you," Dumbledore interrupted before Ron could get a stern lecture from McGonagall on his rudeness. "It would have altered the flow of time even worse. And things that should have happened, would not." He suddenly looked very sad, and McGonagall and Lupin bowed their heads.

"Do you know when she will come back?" Ginny asked.

Harry felt a rush of pride and love. That was his Ginny. Always the practical one.

No one thought it was possible, but the three adults looked even more somber than they had before.

"We don't." replied McGonagall.

"And she may not want too." Lupin murmured.

The friends looked sharply up at him.

"What are you talking about Professor?" Lavender asked. "Why wouldn't she?"

Lupin looked up sharply, his eyes were wide when he realized he had spoken out loud. " Because she will have become acclimated to her life in the past. It may traumatize her."

"But don't you know when she came back? Surely she does because otherwise we would never have met her when we did." Ginny again.

"I'm sorry. I can't answer your questions." Lupin said gruffly. He looked up at the other teachers. "None of us can." Dumbledore and McGonagall looked down, not meeting anyone's gaze.

"Why?" Harry demanded. "Why can't you tell us anything?"

Only silence greeted him.

"I can't be here right now," said Lupin. He hastily excused himself and walked out. The other two adults still looked very sad.

"I think you four should leave," said McGonagall.

"But we want to know what is going to happen to Hermione," said Lavender pleadingly.

"Ms. Brown please. We already said we do not know what will happen to her."

Lavender looked like she wanted to say more but Ginny quickly stood up. "Come on guys. We won't be able to help Hermione like this."

Dumbledore and McGonagall looked slightly suspicious but did not comment on Ginny's sudden compliance. The girl was usually one of the most outspoken in all of Hogwarts. Besides, even the miracle children of Hogwarts could not bring Hermione back any sooner than she was ment to be. If she was ment to be.

TBC

Okay everyone….Chapter 7 is el complete-o lol. I am so glad that this story is getting back on track. I really am. I have know idea how its going to be done and it seems to be taking shape all on its own…but anyways one thing I can DEFINITELY guarantee is that it will NOT be predictable. Also Chapter 8 is ALMOST done. That's when Lily and Hermione talk about Harry.

---Romula