Title: Flashback

Summary: 20-something year old Hermione finds herself suddenly back at Hogwarts, able to relive her 7th year. Everything that she remembers happening that year is seen in a new, more mature perspective. How will making different choices affect her life after the experience is over?

Rating: PG-13 – for sexual themes and language

Disclaimer: I don't take credit for anything, except maybe the plot.

Author's Note: Wee hee! Another chapter! I don't know why, but this story just seems to be writing itself. I love this plot so much and it's the kind of thing I think about all the time you know? If I could go back in time and change the way I dealed with stuff.. it would just be very cool. Anyway. I hope you like this chapter! I know I do. First true appearance of Draco, and that's enough to make any chapter super spectacular. Now go READ (and then REVIEW!)

Chapter 3 – PMS And Nicotine

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"'Mione, wake up!" It was Ginny's voice. Here came the moment of truth. She slightly opened one eye, afraid of what she might see. However, all she saw through her lashes was red hair and that didn't help. She opened both eyes all the way and groaned. It was the younger Ginny.

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Why was it that one amazing night's sleep in a comfortable bed, had to be completely ruined by something as trivial as being awakened by your best friend.. at the ripe age of seventeen? God just didn't seem to be favoring her this morning.

So, it wasn't a dream after all. It was true. She was stuck back in Hogwarts without a clue as to how it had happened and what she could do about it. The young girl had now gripped Hermione's shoulders with such ferocity that her hands could have scooped out a handful of her flesh. 'Nice image,' Hermione thought. She immediately sat up with a huff and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm awake! Get off!" The young girl seemed hurt by Hermione's small temper flare and backed away slightly.

"I'm sorry, Herm. I know you've been having a rough time with everything that happened last night, but lighten up! And anyway, Harry sent me. Says you're going to be late for Potions if you don't get up now," and she walked out the door.

Hermione groaned. Not only was she stuck with several younger versions of her best friends, but she had to go to classes too!

Quickly pulling on her robe over her pajamas, she pocketed the wand lying on her nightstand, put the book bag that was sitting against her bed over her shoulders, and left the dormitory.

No matter how much she told herself that she didn't care about being late or making good marks in a class that she had already taken before, the bookworm in her brain scorned those thoughts and she found herself running down to the dungeons to avoid being late. She entered the classroom gasping for breath, and took a seat in between Harry and Ron moments before Snape entered the room.

"I trust that there will be no sudden outbursts in my classroom today. I highly suggest you show me more respect than Professor Flitwick was shown yesterday," he said looking pointedly at Hermione. Hermione looked back at him, perplexed, and glanced at Ron and Harry. Ron was staring at his desk, making no attempt to catch her eye and Harry was looking straight-forward, practically through the board at the front of the classroom.

Most Slytherins were snickering and Malfoy was turned around in his seat, smirking. Rolling her eyes, she put her elbow on top of her desk and decided to catch a few more minutes of sleep since she had been awakened so abruptly.

They were going to be brewing a batch of Pepper-Up Potion since Madame Pomfrey was running low, and Professor Snape didn't have the time or patience to make so much potion in such a short period of time. For this, Hermione was paired with Neville Longbottom who she remembered from her time at Hogwarts was her partner in Potions class many times.

She hadn't heard much about him since she graduated, only that he worked for the Ministry and had married. It certainly was strange to be seeing these people again, just how she remembered them and acting as if they saw her everyday. Which, she reminded herself, they did.

Another question about this.. "experience".. popped into her head. Was this really the past? Was she changing the future with every different thing she said and did? Or was it a dream-like dimension that wouldn't affect the future? Already this morning she had figured that this time-traveling had something to do with her necklace, but since she had never gotten the chance to investigate it, she didn't know what type of time-traveling this was.

It could have been a real Time-Turner (much stronger, obviously) and she could be changing her future right at this moment, as she was stirring the potion counter-clockwise and ignoring Longbottom's shaky voice as he told her how horrible Snape was. Maybe she should be doing something else.

Maybe by the way she was reacting to this situation, she was changing her entire life. What would her eighteen year-old self do? She didn't know. Probably calm him down and whisper encouragements to him as she allowed him to get some hands-on experience with the potion brewing. But knowing Neville's uncanny ability to ruin anything he touches, she decided to do it herself.

But another voice in her head popped up and reminded her that she may be stuck re-living her life forever. If she didn't figure out how to get back to her real life, she would have to go through everything again. So, what did it matter if she "changed" the future? It would be the future that she makes herself, would it not? So why not do as she pleased? If she was going to be here forever, it might as well go the way that she wanted it to go. She might as well make decisions that would please her now, rather than guessing what eighteen year-old Hermione would have done.

So, with that thought in her mind, she politely asked Snape if he would allow her to use the restroom. When he shook his head and told her to get back to work (in the most menacing tone he could have used, mind you), she decided it was time to spring into action.

"Erm.. Professor, please. It's a female problem.." she lied through her teeth. Oh yes, she was daring.

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She walked aimlessly through the halls of the dungeons, lost in thought, when she suddenly could smell the unmistakable scent of cigarette smoke. Seeing a small mist of smoke escape from underneath a door to an empty classroom on her right, she realized that she hadn't had a cigarette in a day or two and was in desperate need of some nicotine. Yet another habit she had caught onto.

Turning the handle, she cracked the door open and peered around the dark classroom, "Hello?"

A figure in black robes, obviously a student, stood near an open window looking out onto the grounds. "Why aren't you in class, Granger?"

"Malfoy?" she asked surprised, "When did you leave the classroom?" She truthfully had not seen him leave.

"Awhile ago. If you value your life at all, you won't tell anyone about this," he said in a bored tone.

"Actually I came in here to ask if I could bum one off of you. Do you mind?"

"Mudblood, know-it-all Granger asking for a smoke? I didn't think I'd ever live to see the day!" Even through the insults, he handed one to her and lit it for her.

After taking her first puff and blowing it out in a steady stream of smoke she said, "Don't you think you're a bit young to be smoking?"

"One could say the same about yourself." This was entirely too strange. The Malfoy she remembered was not so mellow. Did the way she act at school bring out the worst in him, or did she just never notice that he had become the perfect picture of calm during their seventh year?

"Technically, yes."

"What does that mean?" he asked her.

"Nothing. It's a complicated situation. But, really. You should try to quit now before it gets out of hand," she said reflecting on her own life. Sadly enough, she shouldn't even be addicted to cigarettes considering she was currently in a non-smoking body. She hadn't picked up smoking until just a year or two ago. But that scent.. and.. well, she just needed to have a smoke.

"Granger, don't even try preaching to me. You're nothing but a Gryffindor bitch with dirty blood," he said in a voice dripping with venom. A long time ago his comment would have hurt her, or pushed her to the end of her rope, but she was over that. She wasn't like that anymore. She was an accomplished young woman, living out a life any girl would dream of, and enjoying every second of it. That kind of stuff just didn't get to her anymore.

"Alright. Well, I suggest you grow up, Malfoy." she said very calmly. And with that last comment, she put out her cigarette, and left Malfoy alone with his own.

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Thanks to my lovely reviewers!

Melanie – thanks, I'm glad you like it. I hope that its not going too slow for you anymore. If it is, tell me what I could do to make it better! And I know reviews don't make the author, but it feels nice to get them.. The Simon Cowell of FanFiction.Net – Ginny was just joking around. She's getting married to Harry and thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it so much!.. fredand georgeweasley aregods – thanks for your input, glad you appreciate Ginny's comment!.. some1 - *blushes profusely* im so glad that you like it!! Eep! Your review was a great review to read.. sierradogbaby – well, I hope that this chapter quenched your thirst a little bit. Im so happy that you like it!.. tokyobabe2040 – ok ok ok ok ok ok ok!!.. b0ing – thanks! And I will!.. Rebecca – thank you very much! Im glad you think it has a good plot.

Hmm.. that looks like all of em. Thanks, guys.. and keep the reviews comin'!!! Tell me if you like this chapter and what else you would like to see!!