Chapter 7: Timeturners
Four Years Later
Dumbledore's Army had been renewed in the face of Voldemort's return and Umbridge's absence. Their group had expanded to include most of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Slytherins were notably missing from the ranks. Because of their size they had been group by year and past experience. The original members went around as teachers and moderators helping those who were new to the club.
The older groups had progressed beyond learning the hexes and curses to practicing blocking them. Today they were working on blocking and deflecting multiple spells from multiple sources at once, and finding it difficult to master. Hermione had been grouped off with Neville Longbottom, Susan Bones, and Padma Patil. It was Hermione's turn to block.
Turning to her group mates, as a bruised Neville got up from the floor where the Stunning spell had left him, she said, "Okay on three cast your spells, but nothing that will put me in the Hospital Wing okay. Ready. One ...two...three."
"Revolucio!"
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
"Engorgio!"
Despite knowing that it was coming Hermione was not able to react quickly enough. The shield spell was only half formed on her lips when she was struck by the three spells. Or rather her timeturner was hit.
In an unusual occurrence all three spells hit at the exact same place and time. She watched in slow motion horror as the chain lifted up in front of her and the small hourglass began to spin backward uncontrollably.
One moment she was staring at the confused faces of Neville, Susan and Padma, the next she was frozen in the sickening swirls of colors and noise that accompanied time travel. After what seemed an eternity, the ground solidified beneath her feet. The colors slowed and the noise abated. As her vision cleared it resolved into the familiar sight of the gargoyle guard of Dumbledore's office. She only had time to register this sight and hear a voice calling before she collapsed into the darkness of unconsciousness.
Neville, Susan, and Padma stared in confusion as the small hourglass levitated in front of Hermione. The hexes were meant to affect the person not what they were wearing. The confusion changed to surprised horror when the Head Girl suddenly disappeared.
With a quick look at each other, they turned and ran to where Harry and Ron were teaching a group of first years the Stunning Spell. Seeing their faces, Harry directed his pupils to continue practicing, then stepped aside to talk to his year mates. Looking at Neville, he asked, "What's wrong? Why do you look like you just saw Snape walk in?"
Uttering a weak laugh and suppressing his urge to shudder at the Potion Master's name Neville said, "Hermione is gone." Seeing Harry and Ron's bewildered looks he elaborated, "We were practicing the blocking and it was her turn. We cast our spells but they hit something on her necklace instead of her. It levitated and started spinning and then 'poof' she disappeared. Like she was never there."
"What! Harry we have to do something," came Ron's frantic response to this news.
While he did look worried, Harry knew what had probably happened. Only he knew that she had been using a timeturner again to do extra studying for the N.E.W.T.s. Ron had never even been told about the one from third year. Harry paused, thinking before saying, "I have a hunch, but I think we should talk to Dumbledore first. All of you come with to help explain." He looked around for a moment as if searching for something before yelling, "Oy! Seamus, Luna, come here a sec."
The two of them left their groups and trotted over to him. "We need to see Dumbledore about something. I need you two to take charge until I get back. Make sure the first years don't kill each other. Watch out for Michael Croft and Melissa Hardy. They've been trying to hex each other all night. If we don't get back by ten to curfew send everyone out," he directed them. Giving him a nod or assent they returned to their groups. Without further ado, Harry turned and led the group out of the Room of Requirement.
Her eyes shot open to the familiar sight of Hogwarts' Hospital Wing. She was confused. What had happened that she was in the Hospital Wing? She didn't remember being injured. She thought back. The last thing I remember is the DA meeting. The spells hit my timeturner, her thoughts stopped abruptly as she realized what that meant. She had gone back in time. But she hadn't been in control. How far back had she gone? It was only an hourly timeturner, but she didn't know how it might have reacted to magic spells.
Hearing footsteps she turned her head to see Madame Pomfrey enter from the storeroom. She noticed that the mediwitch looked different and it puzzled her. Her hair was a chestnut brown with only a little grey instead of the reverse. There were fewer lines around her eyes and mouth. It was still the same crisp bun hairstyle and clear blue eyes though.
The witch under consideration approached the bed and said, "So you are awake."
"Yes. Madame Pomfrey what happened to me? I don't remember many details," Hermione replied.
The mediwitch frowned and staring intently said, "I do not know how you know my name, because I have never seen you before. But as for what happened that is yet to be explained. You see all we know is that you appeared out of thin air in front of the headmaster's office and proceeded to pass out. That was about two hours ago."
Hermione opened her mouth to ask what the date was, but was cut off by Madame Pomfrey, "I was told not to ask or answer any questions until Headmaster Dumbledore talks to you. I'll tell him you're awake." Having that said, she walked into her office to floo Albus.
The Headmaster, in bright magenta and teal wizard's robes, entered the ward five minutes later. He sat on a chair provided for him and greeted her cordially. Despite the unknown person sitting in front of him, he was hospitable as ever. He still had the mischievous twinkle in his eye. Smiling slightly he said, "Good afternoon. I am Professor Dumbledore. I'm afraid I wasn't able to get your name earlier. You seemed to have trouble staying awake."
She blushed slightly in embarrassment, but responded by saying, "My name is Hermione Granger. I am sorry I passed out. I haven't fainted since Harry snuck me a Fainting Fancy over Christmas break last year. May I ask, what year is it?"
Dumbledore externally did not show signs of confusion, but internally his mind was roiling of the possibilities. After a few seconds he said, "The current date is November 14, 1978. Now if I may ask. What year should it be and if it is wrong how did you get to now?"
For a moment she just looked stunned. "Twenty years. I just left the year 1997. I came via timeturner although it didn't seem to work properly. It was only supposed to go back hours not years. I know students are not normally allowed them but I had made a deal with my teachers that I would only use it to get in extra study time for my N.E.W.T.s. I swore on my position as Head Girl that I would not abuse the privilege, besides I had past experience when I used one in my third year. Not that I am trying to brag or anything," she said flushing pink at her rambling.
"That explains the means but not how. It would have taken for ever to turn back as far as you have gone. Do you have any idea what may have caused the malfunction?" the Headmaster asked.
She thought about it, and then nodding, said, "I was at a practice session of the self defense club. We were practicing blocking multiple spells aimed at us. I was to block, but did not react in time. I was hit with three spells. Levitation, Enlargement and Spinning spells. Only instead of hitting me they hit the timeturner, which was under my shirt. It levitated and started to spin uncontrollably. I have no idea what the enlargement did to it thought." She looked at the Headmaster as he processed this information.
He looked thoughtful. "That does explain it. As for the Enlargement charm, I believe combined with the Spinning spell, instead of enlarging the timeturner, it increased the time spell. Each turn was a day or month instead of hours. But that kind of thing is not permanent. Are you still wearing it?" Dumbledore said.
Hermione obediently reached under her shirt and pulled out the hourglass. She stared at it, dumbfounded. The silvery sand was melted into a blob that rattled against the formed glass of the timeturner. It was now useless. Dumbledore took it from her numb fingers and hummed in sympathy. "It seems, my dear, you are stuck with us for the time being. No pun intended. Until I can work out a safe way to send you back to your own time, I suggest you join the other students in classes. For the sake of anyone you might meet here but know in the future I suggest you use and alias, but make it something you would respond to naturally," he said.
Hermione was on the verge of tears. She was going to be stuck here. She wouldn't see Harry or Ron. There would be no more DA meetings. There were no more parents. They would still be teenagers. They haven't even met yet, she thought dismally. I am not even born yet. Coming out of her thoughts she noticed Dumbledore was waiting for a name. She took another moment to collect herself before saying, "Elizabeth. Elizabeth Gordon."
"Acid Pop," said Harry. The gargoyle moved out of the way obediently and the group moved up the stairs. Coming to a sudden halt outside the door Harry opened it a crack and announced their presence, "Professor Dumbledore, it's urgent. Hermione is missing."
The Headmaster looked up from the parchment he was reading and said, "So it has happened already. Come in. What happened at the DA meeting?"
Wondering about that first comment and not surprised in the least that the mysterious wizard new already, Harry said, "I have an idea but the actual details you'll have to get from them. They saw it happen."
His friends were shooting him perplexed looks when he said he knew what happened, but turned to Neville when Dumbledore addressed them, "Tell me what happened every detail could mean life or death for your friend."
"Professor, what should I tell everyone about how I came here? Should I lie, or something?" Hermione inquired. He sighed and responded, "You will have to lie to some extent. You can not reveal the future for it may change events here and that would be disastrous. But for the sake of your own sanity and any friends you make in this time try to be as honest as possible. May I suggest a guise as a transfer student in a British colony? Say the Falklands. There is a small wizarding community and a school in Argentina that is run by the British ministry. What does your father do?"
Hermione squared her chin stubbornly, before explaining, "Well actually I am muggleborn. Both of my parents are dentists, which are like mediwizards for teeth but in the non magic form." Forming an idea she warmed to the subject, "We could say that my parents moved to broaden there business Britain. That it was a last minute decision; therefore I have to start in the middle of term." She paused and looked at Dumbledore for approval of this plan.
He nodded and indicating her robes said, "You are obviously a Gryffindor. But you seemed to be a bit Ravenclaw as well." She smiled at this compliment and he continued, "I'm afraid though, the Head Girl position no longer applies. I do not think the current Head Girl would be happy at being pushed out by a new comer. I will announce you at dinner tonight if you feel up to join the rest of the students. You will join you new housemates then. Professor McGonagall, the deputy Headmistress, will come by soon to talk about your schedule and supplies. Until then, get some rest and brace yourself for a barrage of questions you no doubt will be asked over your meal. It is not often we have an exchange or transfer student real or fictional. Until tonight then. Good day, Miss Granger ... or rather Miss Gordon." With that, the Headmaster left the younger witch to her thoughts.
"So, it has finally happened," Dumbledore said. "I have been expecting this for sometime. I was just unsure of precisely when."
"What! You've been waiting for Hermione to disappear!" exclaimed Ron. He looke at Harry for reassurance that this was just a big joke, and that Hermione would come out of the next room or something, but Harry looked confused and was staring at his professor for an explanation.
Harry frowned and said, "But she went back in time. It could only have been a few hours. How could you possibly know that she would be going back? It only just happened and she should have been back by now. Shouldn't she?"
Dumbledore gazed at the remainder of the Golden Trio and seeing their need for an explanation, began his story, "She did not disappear, Mr. Weasley. Harry is correct. She was sent back in time. She was using a timeturner to get in extra hours of study for her N.E.W.T.s. But she did not only go back a few hours like she should have. The spells changed the time spells so that instead of hours she was sent back many years. To 1978 in fact. I had been Headmaster for only five years at the time. She appeared in front of my office sometime in November. She was there until a week before the N.E.W.T.s in that time. It took us that long to find a way to send her back safely as her timeturner was ruined when she got to the other end. If all went well she will be back in one piece by no later than Valentines Day, which gives us four weeks. Until then we will have to wait."
They all stood stunned into silence for long moments. Susan's brow furrowed in worry. "But won't it be noticed that she is gone. She would never willing miss classes that long with out a good reason. What do we tell our friends?" she asked, the prefect instinct kicking in.
Dumbledore smiled slightly and said, "We tell them what they will believe. She was injured doing an independent study for Defense Against the Dark Arts and due to the 'injury' will be studying in private quarters until she is recovered. For the sake of her safety when she returns, I would suggest that this stays in this room. Don't even talk between yourselves where you might be overheard. There are many children of past students who would just love to have the opportunity to use this knowledge to their advantage. This is not to be told to anyone." He looked at each of them in turn as they nodded in assent. "Good. Now I would suggest you return to your dorms as it is ten minutes to curfew. And don't stay up to late. She will be fine. I promise you she's alive," he said with a hint of laughter, as they filed out the door.
Dumbledore, wearing azure blue robes with white shooting stars that moved through the weave, stood and called for everyone's attention. They quieted in anticipation. He rarely made announcements once term had started. Plus, they had to wait to eat, as the food had not appeared yet. Smiling down on the students in front of him, his voice reaching the far corners of the hall, he announced, "Thank you for your patience. You will be able to start your meat in just a moment, but I have an announcement. I am glad to introduce a new student. Stand up Miss Gordon. Her name is Elizabeth Gordon. She has just transferred from St. Andrews in the Falkland Islands. She is in seventh year and has been sorted. She will be joining Gryffindor. Please make her feel welcome. Now tuck in."
As the Headmaster returned to his seat, a blushing 'Elizabeth' made her way to the wildly cheering Gryffindor table and seeing a red haired girl waving her over, sat down in the vacated space. There were five boys sitting around the table, and for some reason, they all looked familiar. The girl stuck out her hand and smiling prettily said, "Hi. My name is Lily Evans. And these idiots sitting around us are from left to right: Frank Longbottom, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and James Potter."
Hermione gave a start at this last name. Turning she stared into her best friends face that wasn't really his. He smiled as she blushed once she realized what she was doing. "Do I have something in my teeth," he asked with laughter in his eyes.
Her blush deepened as she replied, "No. It's just that you look just like my best friend back home, but with different eyes. Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. You just took me by surprise." She smiled at this boy who look so much like his future son. She made a mental not to tell Harry when she got back. She turned back to face the rest of the group. Seeing the curious looks and knowing what they wanted she said, "Go ahead. I know you want to ask. Ask anything. I won't guarantee an answer though, if you know what I mean."
They all grinned at her and Sirius was the first to ask, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Lily rolled her eyes as Hermione responded, "No. Though I wish I had."
"Why did you move in the middle of the year?" asked Remus.
Hermione focused on him and smiling at this younger version of her professor said, "My parents are doing research that required them to move and they didn't want to leave me behind. It was a last minute decision."
Frank asked, "Who are your parents and what are they researching?"
"They're muggles actually. They are the equivalent of a mediwitch and a mediwizards for muggles. They specialize in the human mouth. They are researching a new way of whitening teeth. They refuse to let me use magic on mine, but I did manage to straighten them when they weren't looking."
They all laughed at that. Remus spoke again, "What did you study at St. Andrew's?" Deigned as the 'smart one', he was always interested in others focus of study. He noticed the way her face lit up at his question and thought suddenly, She is the prettiest thing I have seen in a while.
Hermione felt a surge of elation that always accompanied the thought of learning and books. She positively beamed at the chestnut haired boy across the table, saying, "As much as I could. I am scheduled here to take Advanced Potions, Advanced Charms, Advanced Arithmancy, Advanced Ancient Runes, Advanced Astronomy, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Advanced HErbology, and Advanced Care of Magical Creatures. I planned to become a researcher of potions or charms though."
Everyone by Remus and Frank looked aghast that she would be taking the many classes in their N.E.W.T.s year. "Are you crazy? A schedule like that will kill you. Besides there would be no time for quidditch," Sirius said vehemently.
She shook her head in disagreement, "I had it worse in my third year. I was trying totake all those plus Muggle Studies and Divination. I was using a timeturner to get to all my classes. My friends thought I was going crazy because I kept falling asleep at meals or disappearing when they weren't looking. But I dropped Divination as being completely stupid and useless and well Muggle Studies was ...well... rather redundant, despite the fact that I got 321 percent on the exam." Seeing their slight awe, she told them, "I have always been known for my study habits. Nothing stands in my way when it come to learning something new. I learned my lesson about taking on too much though. I never want to go through that hell again, if I can help it. That hate almost put me in Ravenclaw. It was practically fighting itself."
Lily finally spoke again, "Well, I for one am glad you are in Gryffindor. I have been dying for a decent roommate. Since Alice became Head Girl, I've been stuck with that pompous prick, Margaret Wichentree. She is such a snob." Leaning over to Hermione, she whispered, "and a slut too." They both made a face and giggled at this.
As if on cue all the boys chorused, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," they chorused back. This only made them laugh harder.
Looking around at all the smiling faces, Hermione felt that she could survive this. But not until she ate something as her stomach reminded her. She was starving and said so, "I'm starving. Let's eat." With that they turned their attention to the heaping mounds of steaming food in front of them.
"...and this is our room. Oh good, Margaret's not here. Probably snogging somewhere with her current boyfriend," said Lily as the two witches entered the dorm room. Hermione sighed at the décor. It was just the same as the future. She had escaped this when she had become Head Girl. There was only so much red and gold a girl can take in a lifetime. Her private rooms had been decorated silvery grays and dark forest green with burgundy accents. She would never tell her friends that she actually liked and preferred Slytherin colors though. They would admit her to the psychiatric ward at St. Mungo's in a second if she ever revealed that.
"It's great. Which bed is mine?" she asked.
Lily pointed to the bed to the right of the door, "That one. It's new. It wasn't here this morning." Pointing to the one to the left of Hermione's she continued, "That one is mine. We can talk to each other all night. I missed having a reliable roommate."
The redheaded girl paused, frowning at the thought of her wayward and departed roommates. Sighing resignedly she said, "We should get some sleep. We have potions have Potions first thing tomorrow and we need all the rest we can get to deal with the Slytherins." Hermione nodded in agreement and they readied themselves for bed.
As they climbed into bed, Lily whispered, "Welcome to Hogwarts, Elizabeth."
A/N: Sorry it took so long. School finals got in the way. Ch. 8 coming soon I promise. Thanks so much for your reviews. I am so glad everyone likes my story. They next few chapters are going to be devoted to Hermione in 1978. Harry and Ron won't be making an appearance for a while, but Severus most definitely will be.
"Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."
"Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git."
"Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor."
"Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wish his hair, the slimeball."
"What do you expect me to do, walk around with a placard saying, 'I belong to Severus Snape-approach at your own risk.'" –Some Scars Never Fade by Wendynat.
5 days to Prisoner of Azkaban! Yeah!!!
Four Years Later
Dumbledore's Army had been renewed in the face of Voldemort's return and Umbridge's absence. Their group had expanded to include most of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Slytherins were notably missing from the ranks. Because of their size they had been group by year and past experience. The original members went around as teachers and moderators helping those who were new to the club.
The older groups had progressed beyond learning the hexes and curses to practicing blocking them. Today they were working on blocking and deflecting multiple spells from multiple sources at once, and finding it difficult to master. Hermione had been grouped off with Neville Longbottom, Susan Bones, and Padma Patil. It was Hermione's turn to block.
Turning to her group mates, as a bruised Neville got up from the floor where the Stunning spell had left him, she said, "Okay on three cast your spells, but nothing that will put me in the Hospital Wing okay. Ready. One ...two...three."
"Revolucio!"
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
"Engorgio!"
Despite knowing that it was coming Hermione was not able to react quickly enough. The shield spell was only half formed on her lips when she was struck by the three spells. Or rather her timeturner was hit.
In an unusual occurrence all three spells hit at the exact same place and time. She watched in slow motion horror as the chain lifted up in front of her and the small hourglass began to spin backward uncontrollably.
One moment she was staring at the confused faces of Neville, Susan and Padma, the next she was frozen in the sickening swirls of colors and noise that accompanied time travel. After what seemed an eternity, the ground solidified beneath her feet. The colors slowed and the noise abated. As her vision cleared it resolved into the familiar sight of the gargoyle guard of Dumbledore's office. She only had time to register this sight and hear a voice calling before she collapsed into the darkness of unconsciousness.
Neville, Susan, and Padma stared in confusion as the small hourglass levitated in front of Hermione. The hexes were meant to affect the person not what they were wearing. The confusion changed to surprised horror when the Head Girl suddenly disappeared.
With a quick look at each other, they turned and ran to where Harry and Ron were teaching a group of first years the Stunning Spell. Seeing their faces, Harry directed his pupils to continue practicing, then stepped aside to talk to his year mates. Looking at Neville, he asked, "What's wrong? Why do you look like you just saw Snape walk in?"
Uttering a weak laugh and suppressing his urge to shudder at the Potion Master's name Neville said, "Hermione is gone." Seeing Harry and Ron's bewildered looks he elaborated, "We were practicing the blocking and it was her turn. We cast our spells but they hit something on her necklace instead of her. It levitated and started spinning and then 'poof' she disappeared. Like she was never there."
"What! Harry we have to do something," came Ron's frantic response to this news.
While he did look worried, Harry knew what had probably happened. Only he knew that she had been using a timeturner again to do extra studying for the N.E.W.T.s. Ron had never even been told about the one from third year. Harry paused, thinking before saying, "I have a hunch, but I think we should talk to Dumbledore first. All of you come with to help explain." He looked around for a moment as if searching for something before yelling, "Oy! Seamus, Luna, come here a sec."
The two of them left their groups and trotted over to him. "We need to see Dumbledore about something. I need you two to take charge until I get back. Make sure the first years don't kill each other. Watch out for Michael Croft and Melissa Hardy. They've been trying to hex each other all night. If we don't get back by ten to curfew send everyone out," he directed them. Giving him a nod or assent they returned to their groups. Without further ado, Harry turned and led the group out of the Room of Requirement.
Her eyes shot open to the familiar sight of Hogwarts' Hospital Wing. She was confused. What had happened that she was in the Hospital Wing? She didn't remember being injured. She thought back. The last thing I remember is the DA meeting. The spells hit my timeturner, her thoughts stopped abruptly as she realized what that meant. She had gone back in time. But she hadn't been in control. How far back had she gone? It was only an hourly timeturner, but she didn't know how it might have reacted to magic spells.
Hearing footsteps she turned her head to see Madame Pomfrey enter from the storeroom. She noticed that the mediwitch looked different and it puzzled her. Her hair was a chestnut brown with only a little grey instead of the reverse. There were fewer lines around her eyes and mouth. It was still the same crisp bun hairstyle and clear blue eyes though.
The witch under consideration approached the bed and said, "So you are awake."
"Yes. Madame Pomfrey what happened to me? I don't remember many details," Hermione replied.
The mediwitch frowned and staring intently said, "I do not know how you know my name, because I have never seen you before. But as for what happened that is yet to be explained. You see all we know is that you appeared out of thin air in front of the headmaster's office and proceeded to pass out. That was about two hours ago."
Hermione opened her mouth to ask what the date was, but was cut off by Madame Pomfrey, "I was told not to ask or answer any questions until Headmaster Dumbledore talks to you. I'll tell him you're awake." Having that said, she walked into her office to floo Albus.
The Headmaster, in bright magenta and teal wizard's robes, entered the ward five minutes later. He sat on a chair provided for him and greeted her cordially. Despite the unknown person sitting in front of him, he was hospitable as ever. He still had the mischievous twinkle in his eye. Smiling slightly he said, "Good afternoon. I am Professor Dumbledore. I'm afraid I wasn't able to get your name earlier. You seemed to have trouble staying awake."
She blushed slightly in embarrassment, but responded by saying, "My name is Hermione Granger. I am sorry I passed out. I haven't fainted since Harry snuck me a Fainting Fancy over Christmas break last year. May I ask, what year is it?"
Dumbledore externally did not show signs of confusion, but internally his mind was roiling of the possibilities. After a few seconds he said, "The current date is November 14, 1978. Now if I may ask. What year should it be and if it is wrong how did you get to now?"
For a moment she just looked stunned. "Twenty years. I just left the year 1997. I came via timeturner although it didn't seem to work properly. It was only supposed to go back hours not years. I know students are not normally allowed them but I had made a deal with my teachers that I would only use it to get in extra study time for my N.E.W.T.s. I swore on my position as Head Girl that I would not abuse the privilege, besides I had past experience when I used one in my third year. Not that I am trying to brag or anything," she said flushing pink at her rambling.
"That explains the means but not how. It would have taken for ever to turn back as far as you have gone. Do you have any idea what may have caused the malfunction?" the Headmaster asked.
She thought about it, and then nodding, said, "I was at a practice session of the self defense club. We were practicing blocking multiple spells aimed at us. I was to block, but did not react in time. I was hit with three spells. Levitation, Enlargement and Spinning spells. Only instead of hitting me they hit the timeturner, which was under my shirt. It levitated and started to spin uncontrollably. I have no idea what the enlargement did to it thought." She looked at the Headmaster as he processed this information.
He looked thoughtful. "That does explain it. As for the Enlargement charm, I believe combined with the Spinning spell, instead of enlarging the timeturner, it increased the time spell. Each turn was a day or month instead of hours. But that kind of thing is not permanent. Are you still wearing it?" Dumbledore said.
Hermione obediently reached under her shirt and pulled out the hourglass. She stared at it, dumbfounded. The silvery sand was melted into a blob that rattled against the formed glass of the timeturner. It was now useless. Dumbledore took it from her numb fingers and hummed in sympathy. "It seems, my dear, you are stuck with us for the time being. No pun intended. Until I can work out a safe way to send you back to your own time, I suggest you join the other students in classes. For the sake of anyone you might meet here but know in the future I suggest you use and alias, but make it something you would respond to naturally," he said.
Hermione was on the verge of tears. She was going to be stuck here. She wouldn't see Harry or Ron. There would be no more DA meetings. There were no more parents. They would still be teenagers. They haven't even met yet, she thought dismally. I am not even born yet. Coming out of her thoughts she noticed Dumbledore was waiting for a name. She took another moment to collect herself before saying, "Elizabeth. Elizabeth Gordon."
"Acid Pop," said Harry. The gargoyle moved out of the way obediently and the group moved up the stairs. Coming to a sudden halt outside the door Harry opened it a crack and announced their presence, "Professor Dumbledore, it's urgent. Hermione is missing."
The Headmaster looked up from the parchment he was reading and said, "So it has happened already. Come in. What happened at the DA meeting?"
Wondering about that first comment and not surprised in the least that the mysterious wizard new already, Harry said, "I have an idea but the actual details you'll have to get from them. They saw it happen."
His friends were shooting him perplexed looks when he said he knew what happened, but turned to Neville when Dumbledore addressed them, "Tell me what happened every detail could mean life or death for your friend."
"Professor, what should I tell everyone about how I came here? Should I lie, or something?" Hermione inquired. He sighed and responded, "You will have to lie to some extent. You can not reveal the future for it may change events here and that would be disastrous. But for the sake of your own sanity and any friends you make in this time try to be as honest as possible. May I suggest a guise as a transfer student in a British colony? Say the Falklands. There is a small wizarding community and a school in Argentina that is run by the British ministry. What does your father do?"
Hermione squared her chin stubbornly, before explaining, "Well actually I am muggleborn. Both of my parents are dentists, which are like mediwizards for teeth but in the non magic form." Forming an idea she warmed to the subject, "We could say that my parents moved to broaden there business Britain. That it was a last minute decision; therefore I have to start in the middle of term." She paused and looked at Dumbledore for approval of this plan.
He nodded and indicating her robes said, "You are obviously a Gryffindor. But you seemed to be a bit Ravenclaw as well." She smiled at this compliment and he continued, "I'm afraid though, the Head Girl position no longer applies. I do not think the current Head Girl would be happy at being pushed out by a new comer. I will announce you at dinner tonight if you feel up to join the rest of the students. You will join you new housemates then. Professor McGonagall, the deputy Headmistress, will come by soon to talk about your schedule and supplies. Until then, get some rest and brace yourself for a barrage of questions you no doubt will be asked over your meal. It is not often we have an exchange or transfer student real or fictional. Until tonight then. Good day, Miss Granger ... or rather Miss Gordon." With that, the Headmaster left the younger witch to her thoughts.
"So, it has finally happened," Dumbledore said. "I have been expecting this for sometime. I was just unsure of precisely when."
"What! You've been waiting for Hermione to disappear!" exclaimed Ron. He looke at Harry for reassurance that this was just a big joke, and that Hermione would come out of the next room or something, but Harry looked confused and was staring at his professor for an explanation.
Harry frowned and said, "But she went back in time. It could only have been a few hours. How could you possibly know that she would be going back? It only just happened and she should have been back by now. Shouldn't she?"
Dumbledore gazed at the remainder of the Golden Trio and seeing their need for an explanation, began his story, "She did not disappear, Mr. Weasley. Harry is correct. She was sent back in time. She was using a timeturner to get in extra hours of study for her N.E.W.T.s. But she did not only go back a few hours like she should have. The spells changed the time spells so that instead of hours she was sent back many years. To 1978 in fact. I had been Headmaster for only five years at the time. She appeared in front of my office sometime in November. She was there until a week before the N.E.W.T.s in that time. It took us that long to find a way to send her back safely as her timeturner was ruined when she got to the other end. If all went well she will be back in one piece by no later than Valentines Day, which gives us four weeks. Until then we will have to wait."
They all stood stunned into silence for long moments. Susan's brow furrowed in worry. "But won't it be noticed that she is gone. She would never willing miss classes that long with out a good reason. What do we tell our friends?" she asked, the prefect instinct kicking in.
Dumbledore smiled slightly and said, "We tell them what they will believe. She was injured doing an independent study for Defense Against the Dark Arts and due to the 'injury' will be studying in private quarters until she is recovered. For the sake of her safety when she returns, I would suggest that this stays in this room. Don't even talk between yourselves where you might be overheard. There are many children of past students who would just love to have the opportunity to use this knowledge to their advantage. This is not to be told to anyone." He looked at each of them in turn as they nodded in assent. "Good. Now I would suggest you return to your dorms as it is ten minutes to curfew. And don't stay up to late. She will be fine. I promise you she's alive," he said with a hint of laughter, as they filed out the door.
Dumbledore, wearing azure blue robes with white shooting stars that moved through the weave, stood and called for everyone's attention. They quieted in anticipation. He rarely made announcements once term had started. Plus, they had to wait to eat, as the food had not appeared yet. Smiling down on the students in front of him, his voice reaching the far corners of the hall, he announced, "Thank you for your patience. You will be able to start your meat in just a moment, but I have an announcement. I am glad to introduce a new student. Stand up Miss Gordon. Her name is Elizabeth Gordon. She has just transferred from St. Andrews in the Falkland Islands. She is in seventh year and has been sorted. She will be joining Gryffindor. Please make her feel welcome. Now tuck in."
As the Headmaster returned to his seat, a blushing 'Elizabeth' made her way to the wildly cheering Gryffindor table and seeing a red haired girl waving her over, sat down in the vacated space. There were five boys sitting around the table, and for some reason, they all looked familiar. The girl stuck out her hand and smiling prettily said, "Hi. My name is Lily Evans. And these idiots sitting around us are from left to right: Frank Longbottom, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and James Potter."
Hermione gave a start at this last name. Turning she stared into her best friends face that wasn't really his. He smiled as she blushed once she realized what she was doing. "Do I have something in my teeth," he asked with laughter in his eyes.
Her blush deepened as she replied, "No. It's just that you look just like my best friend back home, but with different eyes. Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. You just took me by surprise." She smiled at this boy who look so much like his future son. She made a mental not to tell Harry when she got back. She turned back to face the rest of the group. Seeing the curious looks and knowing what they wanted she said, "Go ahead. I know you want to ask. Ask anything. I won't guarantee an answer though, if you know what I mean."
They all grinned at her and Sirius was the first to ask, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Lily rolled her eyes as Hermione responded, "No. Though I wish I had."
"Why did you move in the middle of the year?" asked Remus.
Hermione focused on him and smiling at this younger version of her professor said, "My parents are doing research that required them to move and they didn't want to leave me behind. It was a last minute decision."
Frank asked, "Who are your parents and what are they researching?"
"They're muggles actually. They are the equivalent of a mediwitch and a mediwizards for muggles. They specialize in the human mouth. They are researching a new way of whitening teeth. They refuse to let me use magic on mine, but I did manage to straighten them when they weren't looking."
They all laughed at that. Remus spoke again, "What did you study at St. Andrew's?" Deigned as the 'smart one', he was always interested in others focus of study. He noticed the way her face lit up at his question and thought suddenly, She is the prettiest thing I have seen in a while.
Hermione felt a surge of elation that always accompanied the thought of learning and books. She positively beamed at the chestnut haired boy across the table, saying, "As much as I could. I am scheduled here to take Advanced Potions, Advanced Charms, Advanced Arithmancy, Advanced Ancient Runes, Advanced Astronomy, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Advanced HErbology, and Advanced Care of Magical Creatures. I planned to become a researcher of potions or charms though."
Everyone by Remus and Frank looked aghast that she would be taking the many classes in their N.E.W.T.s year. "Are you crazy? A schedule like that will kill you. Besides there would be no time for quidditch," Sirius said vehemently.
She shook her head in disagreement, "I had it worse in my third year. I was trying totake all those plus Muggle Studies and Divination. I was using a timeturner to get to all my classes. My friends thought I was going crazy because I kept falling asleep at meals or disappearing when they weren't looking. But I dropped Divination as being completely stupid and useless and well Muggle Studies was ...well... rather redundant, despite the fact that I got 321 percent on the exam." Seeing their slight awe, she told them, "I have always been known for my study habits. Nothing stands in my way when it come to learning something new. I learned my lesson about taking on too much though. I never want to go through that hell again, if I can help it. That hate almost put me in Ravenclaw. It was practically fighting itself."
Lily finally spoke again, "Well, I for one am glad you are in Gryffindor. I have been dying for a decent roommate. Since Alice became Head Girl, I've been stuck with that pompous prick, Margaret Wichentree. She is such a snob." Leaning over to Hermione, she whispered, "and a slut too." They both made a face and giggled at this.
As if on cue all the boys chorused, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," they chorused back. This only made them laugh harder.
Looking around at all the smiling faces, Hermione felt that she could survive this. But not until she ate something as her stomach reminded her. She was starving and said so, "I'm starving. Let's eat." With that they turned their attention to the heaping mounds of steaming food in front of them.
"...and this is our room. Oh good, Margaret's not here. Probably snogging somewhere with her current boyfriend," said Lily as the two witches entered the dorm room. Hermione sighed at the décor. It was just the same as the future. She had escaped this when she had become Head Girl. There was only so much red and gold a girl can take in a lifetime. Her private rooms had been decorated silvery grays and dark forest green with burgundy accents. She would never tell her friends that she actually liked and preferred Slytherin colors though. They would admit her to the psychiatric ward at St. Mungo's in a second if she ever revealed that.
"It's great. Which bed is mine?" she asked.
Lily pointed to the bed to the right of the door, "That one. It's new. It wasn't here this morning." Pointing to the one to the left of Hermione's she continued, "That one is mine. We can talk to each other all night. I missed having a reliable roommate."
The redheaded girl paused, frowning at the thought of her wayward and departed roommates. Sighing resignedly she said, "We should get some sleep. We have potions have Potions first thing tomorrow and we need all the rest we can get to deal with the Slytherins." Hermione nodded in agreement and they readied themselves for bed.
As they climbed into bed, Lily whispered, "Welcome to Hogwarts, Elizabeth."
A/N: Sorry it took so long. School finals got in the way. Ch. 8 coming soon I promise. Thanks so much for your reviews. I am so glad everyone likes my story. They next few chapters are going to be devoted to Hermione in 1978. Harry and Ron won't be making an appearance for a while, but Severus most definitely will be.
"Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."
"Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git."
"Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor."
"Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wish his hair, the slimeball."
"What do you expect me to do, walk around with a placard saying, 'I belong to Severus Snape-approach at your own risk.'" –Some Scars Never Fade by Wendynat.
5 days to Prisoner of Azkaban! Yeah!!!
