Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Quidditch Practice, 1979

To Hermione's great disgust, she found herself walking with Peter Pettigrew to Griffindor Quidditch practice. (I have to at least pretend to be nice) "Nice day, isn't it?" she said, her voice a little cold.

"Perfect for Quidditch," answered Peter with a grin.

Hermione suppressed a shudder. (I'm talking about the weather with this disgusting little rat. Ummm, what else to talk about?) "What's your favorite animal?"

"Mice," he responded.

(Figures) "I love otters." Hermione spotted Remus and Resda walking hand in hand towards the nearest bench. (It might be able to fit three on that) she decided. She lengthened her stride and sat down beside Remus before Peter could object. Shrugging his shoulders, Peter sat down on another bench close to them.

"Hello," Hermione greeted Remus brightly. She was sitting awfully close to Remus, and had to admit to herself that she rather enjoyed it. Resda eyed her suspiciously. "So, James is keeper, and Sirius is seeker?" questioned Hermione.

"That's right, how did you know that?" asked Remus with a frown.

Hermione's eyes widened. (I really have to be more careful!) "I heard them talking about it," she explained lamely.

Remus stared at her for a moment, puzzled. He couldn't remember such a conversation to have taken place. (Oh well) he thought. (Maybe it happened when I wasn't around) He chuckled a bit. "Yes, they're quite proud of being on the team."

Hermione sighed with relief. He'd bought it. She noticed his gaze lingering overly long on her, and she could feel herself beginning to blush.

"Look, it's starting," pointed out Resda.

Sure enough, six team members on brooms shot into the sky. Sirius pulled crazy stunts as he looked for the Snitch. (That's just like him, after what I've heard about him) mused Hermione. James busily swatted the Quaffle away from the goal posts, his hair going wild.

Just then, Lily hurried up. "Did I miss anything?" she inquired.

"No, they've just started," assured Resda.

The fivesome watched in silence for a few minutes. Hermione found herself stealing glances at Remus. When he caught her, she looked away guiltily. Really, she shouldn't be having a crush on him. She probably was going to head back (or forward) to her own time soon. She liked Harry, didn't she? She couldn't like Remus. (Besides, he already has a girlfriend) she thought jealously. Suddenly she stood, her mind made up. She would go to Dumbledore, and hopefully he would have found out by now how to send her back to the future. She couldn't afford to be here any longer. "I've just thought of something I have to do. Nice being with you guys," she said. She smiled at them, thinking it would probably be the last time.

"Bye," they called after her as she walked away. She soon stood in front of Dumbledore's office, trying to figure out the password. (I wonder if it's candy, just like it will be in the future) "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Sugar Quill." Suddenly Hermione thought about this morning. "Whipped cream." The gargoyles snapped back, and she rushed up the stairs.

Dumbledore sat at his desk, and looked up as she entered his office. "Ah, Katie, I've been expecting you."

"Dumbledore, have you found a way to send me back to my own time?" Hermione asked almost pleadingly.

"I've looked through every file I have. Here, let me try one spell." He raised his wand.

Hermione stared at him expectantly, her hopes rising. She could go home at last!

"I've tried this on Peeves, and it was successful. It's the only way to send you to your proper time. Hopefully this will work." He paused, taking in a breath. (It probably won't, she needs to have fully accepted her predicament before this can work. If I tell her that, though, she'll never accept her predicament. She'll be constantly thinking about getting back to her own time. Peeves loved it here, that's why he went back right away.) "Expecto oportet tempus," said Dumbledore, a beam of whirling light flashing around Hermione. For a split second, Hermione thought it worked. Her heart soared. After a few more moments, however, the light disappeared. She was still stuck in 1979. She stared at Dumbledore, waiting for an explanation.

Dumbledore sighed. "There's nothing more I can do for you, Hermione," he admitted. It was true; it was all up to her now. The moment she fully accepting being here, she'd zip back to her own time. (Judging by the crestfallen look on her face, it could be awhile)

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. Panic filled her. She thought of all her friends, Ron, and especially Harry, waiting for her in vain in her own time. Her heart clenched. She didn't belong here! How could this have happened! How could Peeves get to go back, and not her! "Thank you for trying, Dumbledore," she whimpered, before running out of his office.

(I think I'll head for the Shrieking Shack. Nobody's likely to go there right now) she decided. She quickly dodged the branches of the Whomping Willow, and was able to press the knot before another branch crushed her. She descended into the tunnel, wiping away tears. Soon her foosteps were echoing through the empty house. She sat down on a couch, with was covered with bite and claw marks, probably made by Moony. "What am I going to do now?" she sobbed. Tears fell freely down her face as she picked at the frayed edges of the couch's fabric. "I might never get to see Harry, or Ron, or anyone else again. It's horrible to be trapped in a time I don't belong in."

She was so caught up in her misery that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps. The door creaked loudly, and Hermione hastily wiped away her tears and looked up. There stood Remus, with a priceless look of shock on his face. When Quidditch practice ended, Resda had decided to do some homework. Remus had already finished his, so he'd decided to come to the Shrieking Shack for some solitude. He strode up to her, his eyes wide with amazement, worry, and even a bit of anger. "How did you get in here? How did you know about the Shrieking Shack!" he demanded. "Who told you?"

"For your information, nobody told me about it, I found it by myself," she snapped. She felt rather furious at the world right now. Taking her anger out felt mighty good.

Remus sat down next to her, frowning, the doubt clear in his eyes. "Who told you? Tell me."

"Nobody told me! I meant what I said!" she hissed.

"So you just walked up, pressed the knot on the Whomping Willow, and decided to take a stroll through the tunnel?" mused Remus doubtfully.

Hermione thought fast. "I learned about this kind of tree in Elshire. I knew it usually protects places like this and I got curious."

Remus softened. She seemed to be telling the truth, and was obviously extremely upset about something. "What's wrong, Katie?"

This knocked her speechless. How in the world was she going to answer that? She turned away. "Nothing," she said quite lamely.

"You can trust me, Katie. I know that's a bit much to ask, since we just met," he noticed her look sharply at him, "but I won't tell anyone, if you don't want me to, I promise." He hesitantly reached for her hand, surprised when she didn't object. He gave it a squeeze.

"I trust you, Remus," she told him. "It's just, Dumbledore told me I couldn't tell anyone. It would put me, and alot of people at great risk."

Now they were looking into each other's eyes intently, both finding nothing to say. Remus reluctantly looked away. He needed to be faithful to his own girlfriend. He was quite lucky to have her, he couldn't afford to have a relationship with someone else.

Hermione began to feel awkward, resuming to pick away at the frayed couch with her fingers. She gave an uneasy laugh. "This place is really torn up, isn't it?" She looked at Remus intently, wishing he would come to trust her with his secret.

"Yes, yes it is," Remus said, a nervous edge to his voice.

"I wonder what happened," she said. She saw him give her a calculating look. (Is he going to tell me?)

Remus sighed. "Who knows."

Disappointed, Hermione decided not to push the matter. She felt rather hurt that he hadn't told her. (But he did just meet me yesterday, I can hardly expect him to trust me with such a big secret) She shifted, feeling indecisive about what to do next. (I know! I can go to the Room of Requirement. I really would like to be by myself right now) "I have some homework to do," she said, standing up and walking out of the Shack. "Goodbye, Remus."

"Goodbye, Katie."

Quidditch Practice, 1997

Harry aimlessly flew the sky above the Quidditch field, looking for the Snitch. However, this proved to be quite difficult, especially since his thoughts mainly dwelled on Hermione. He felt terribly worried about her, he hadn't seen her since yesterday, and he'd looked everywhere. He sighed, feeling like quitting for the day. (I'll just catch the Snitch once, and call it good) he decided.

Meanwhile, Lupin sat in his office, his head in his hands. It had been a long day so far. In addition to the full moon approaching, he got periodic altered memories with Hermione in them. This caused him to lose his place frequently when he was trying to teach, frustrating him considerably. The vivid, happy memories of the Marauders and Lily filled him with sadness as he remembered the way things used to be. He was so caught up in this thoughts that he didn't notice Dumbledore open his office door.

"Hello, Remus, I need to talk with you," Dumbledore said.

Remus gave a start. "Yes, of course, Dumbledore."

"Peeves has returned. I was able to get out of him where Hermione is," he continued solemnly.

"Where is she?" Remus asked anxiously.

"It seems that Peeves intended to play a harmless prank on her and played with her necklace, not realizing it was a Time Turner. They both got catapulted eighteen years in the past. My former self was able to send Peeves back, however, I was unable to do the same for Hermione. She needs to accept the fact of where she is, and she hasn't yet. I believe you can fill in the rest of the blanks," said Dumbledore keenly.

"Yes, Dumbledore," he said, coloring slightly. "Last I remember, she was leaving the Shrieking Shack. I think she was upset that you couldn't send her back. Then she tried to get me to tell her that I'm a werewolf. After that, she left, for some reason," said Remus evasively. He thought he probably knew why, but it wasn't something he'd like to discuss with Dumbledore.

"I know a few students who'd like to know this news. Meanwhile, I shall head back to my office, to see if my former self has written anything new in my journal." Dumbledore left quickly.

Remus stared after him. So it was all true. Hermione really was in his past. He could still remember his past without her, and yet he'd gotten the altered memories of her in addition to what he already had. He stood up, deciding he should tell Harry what he'd found out without delay.

Harry triumphantly closed his fist around the Snitch. Finally! It had taken him a half hour, much longer than usual, but he'd done it. He returned the Snitch to its case and began heading to Griffindor Tower when he bumped into Lupin.

"Harry, I have something important to tell you," said Lupin. "Let's go to the Room of Requirement."

"Sure thing," said Harry. "Is it about Hermione?"

"Yes, it is. I'll tell you all about it when we get there."


Replies to Reviewers:

Werecat: Thanks for your review, I appreciate hearing from you! You know, I did think about doing that, but I was afraid everything would get too complicated, and I wanted Hermione to return to her own time with things mostly intact. (The story is already finished)Like if Hermione warned Harry's parents about Peter, then the prophecy wouldn't be fulfilled, and Voldemort wouldn't be defeated, Sirius would die sooner (Since Voldemort would kill him in an attempt to get to the Potters). Voldemort wouldn't have been vanquished all those years, instead he would grow in power, wreaking more havoc.And things along that line. I can see what you mean though, something like that would be fun. :) She could do some good, like tell the Ministry about who will become Death Eaters and stuff. Now that I've thought about it, I could see how that would work. If Voldemort didn't have any followers, there wouldn't be much he could do. Thanks for your review!

Preview of next chapter: Hermione's eyes got even bigger. (I must try to save this situation.) "Why did you call me Hermione? I'm Katie."

James took out a bare bit of parchment. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good," he said lazily. He pointed to the Room of Requirement on the Map, and her real name was clearly printed next to his.