September 1st, 1996

Hermione is 16

Snape is 36

Hermione was now on a three-way conference phone call with her parents.

And Remus Lupin was waiting impatiently besides her.

"I'm sorry, but I'll not go, mum, even if you send dental floss instead of Dayme's Doleful Handbook to Death Eaters for Christmas."

"Oh Hermione," Mrs. Granger sighed, "Really, I'm sure they won't allow you to stay with him during the school year. The girls' dormitories—

"That's not what this says!" Mr. Granger cut off his wife, shaking the creamy piece of parchment that had been sent to Hermione, informing her of her new accommodations, "and no daughter of mine will be LIVING with someone who works as a double agent, used to be a Death Eater, and…and…he's a man!"

"Exactly!" Hermione crowed, but now uncertain on what to latch on, "he's…a man?"

Mrs. Granger huffed, "You two are being silly. It's certainly no madness, and Hermione will just have to do what this Dumby-dore fellow thinks is safest."

Hermione didn't even bother to correct her mother, because to her horror, it was now three minutes to ten, and the Hogwarts Express would be leaving soon. Although she said she wouldn't go if she had to live with Snape, not even with the threat of Voldemort bursting into her bedchambers and throwing around killing curses would deter her from returning to Hogwarts for her fifth year.

"Mum, Dad, I have to go. The train'll be leaving soon."

Remus Lupin let out a relieved sigh.

"Bye. No I love you. I swear I love you. Tell Ms. Foddger that I said hi. Yes, I'll remember. And you too crocodile…yeah the Mace is in my bag Dad, but I don't know why—he's just a teacher. Yes, I promise."

Remus sucked in his breath again.

"I really should go now," Hermione whispered, glancing over at her impatient former professor, "I love you, and I'll send you an owl as soon as I get there. Bye."

Hermione turned off the phone and with a flick of her wand, it disappeared into thin air.

"What was that thing you were talking on anyway?" Remus asked, very much interested, "I didn't know Muggles had that sort of device to make do without magic."

"They have a lot of things to make do without magic, but that phone wasn't one of them, Professor."

"Pardon?" Remus blinked. They really had to go and he still needed to Obliviate the girl's memory….

"I conjured that using a complex spell I found in Madame Defarge's Book of Nastily Complex Spells. It allows you to conjure an object from any time and use it briefly before you are required to return it."

Remus suddenly felt very cold. He was sure—nay, positive that Fudge was talking about making that spell illegal.

"Hermione, that spell is as good as illegal. It…it is admirable that you are able to attempt such a feat—" Remus drew in a shaky breath; she was a very good witch…. "But I cannot allow you to perform that spell anymore."

"Oh!" Hermione's eyes widened, "I'm sorry I didn't know."

"But out of curiosity," Remus added, not wanting to hurt her feelings, "Where did that thing come from? What was it called?"

"Oh it's a cell phone apparently. I got it ten years from now." Hermione looked very proud of this, and secretly, Remus thought she perfectly had every right to be. Still, this was probably another thing he should try to Obliviate.

"All right, Hermione turn around for a second; the train's almost gone."

"Turn around?"

"Yes, Tonks has already gotten your things on the Express with Harry and Ron. I just need to do one thing…please turn around."

"Of course, Professor."

She turned around, and Remus felt horrible about what he was going to do, but Dumbledore had changed his mind about the living arrangements….

"Obliviate," he whispered, concealing his wand so that no one on the train would see what he was doing.

Hermione turned around to face Remus again, her eyes still sharp and alert.

"You didn't do anything."

The Express came to Remus's rescue, and it bellowed very loudly.

"Oh goodness! Bye Remus, and thank you for bringing me!" Hermione shouted as she ran away, now climbing aboard the Hogwarts Express. Remus could see Ron nearby, with his prefect's badge shining, helping her aboard.

"Well?"

Remus turned around, surprised. Tonks was there, with normal-looking hair for once and very round eyeglasses.

"We should leave quickly; somebody's bound to spot Padfoot soon."

"You're right," Tonks nodded, and the two started walking in the direction of the exits. Moments later, a large black dog came loping through the crowds and out the nearest exit.

"Good ole' Padfoot," Tonks smiled.

"Are you sure Miss Granger didn't tell the boys about the letter?"

"Positive. It's all spanking good, that is, if you obliviated that part of her memory."

"Yes, and something a little extra."

"Something extra?" Tonks frowned and looked at Remus accusingly.

"She performed a Retriever spell in the Tempus format right in front of me. I couldn't allow her to remember that spell; it's too dangerous."

Tonks was awed.

"A Retriever spell! And in Tempus format! Why…why that's brilliant! Oh, but um, yes I can see what you're saying…but still don't you think you should've just disciplined her instead of actually taking it from her memory?"

"No, Tonks. Any spell that is able to manipulate time is far too dangerous for all of humanity. She is not allowed to use it."

"Albus," Severus said coldly, "I have had enough of this. You must make up your mind."

"It is not me who is experiencing a temporary moment of indecisiveness. It is Cornelius Fudge." The old man settled into his cushiony chair, quite content.

"Yes, let us talk about this "temporary" moment of indecisiveness. What is that toad doing here?"

"I thought you would be pleased to see a former classmate of yours Severus."

"Albus you know me better than that."

"I was hoping at least one of the staff members would overcome their differences with Dolores Umbridge."

"Yes, she was in Slytherin when I went to school, but she was three years younger. And I despised her. Her incompetence in Potions was astounding, even when compared to Potter's."

Albus's eyes hardened and he sat up straighter.

"He is indeed incompetent isn't he? That is…unfortunate, especially when one considers the career path he is most likely to pursue."

"If Potter cannot meet the Potions requirements to become an Auror, that is not, how shall we say, my problem. He will either learn what I teach, or he will not pass the class, and that is my final word on the subject."

"Miss Granger's memory has been obliviated."

Snape tensed.

"Excuse me?" His expression contorted. A brief glimpse of concernment crossed his face, but it was immediately replaced by his usual scowl.

"Do not worry. Her memory is perfectly intact, she is the same person as she always was, with the exception of the memory that she was to live with you this school year."

"Has Fudge ordered this for all Muggle-borns?"

"No, I have ordered this for all Muggle-borns at Hogwarts. They are better off."

"Who are you to decide that but their parents?"

"Their parents have all consented."

"Good Merlin, if their parents have all consented…." Snape trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Will that be all, Severus?"

"Yes, Headmaster," Snape said shortly, before skulking out of the room, his robes whirling about behind him.

"Where is the exchange student?" Flitwick whispered.

"Irene Wolfe will join us next year."

And the Great Hall's chatter continued on even under the watchful eye of Dolores Umbridge, the uneasiness of Severus Snape that made him all the more aggressive and hostile with his students…and the students continued on, blissfully unaware that by the end of the year, total wizard war would be declared, and that sixth year would be a radically different one.

July 13th, 1997

Hermione is 16

Snape is 37

Miss Granger—

You know very well as I do that I cannot divulge any student's O.W.L. score. Even if I knew what they were, I wouldn't give them to you, Hermione. Have you heard of the old Muggle adage, 'patience is a virtue'?

Yours Sincerely,

R.J.L.

Hermione snorted. Her fellow wizards and witches alike often forgot that she had spent the first eleven years of her life being raised as a normal Muggle. She'd gotten an earful of that so-called adage from her mother and father alike, and to be reprimanded at age sixteen-almost-seventeen simply for wanting to know how she did on the wizard equivalent of a standardized test. Granted, it was a bit much of her to be asking anyone, let alone Remus, who was busily working on the Order trying to do his part while the second war hung over their heads, quietly and not so quietly raging on.

Her owl, Persephone, hooted and pecked her arm insistently. There was a second envelope resting on her cubicle, waiting to be opened. Hermione quickly checked her parents' progress through the tracking potion she had sprinkled over a map of London. Students may have been banned from all kinds of sorcery and brewing, but she was sure Dumbledore would understand if she "accidentally" spilled a few drops of Tracking Brew on a map that just happened to have a search codon for the elder Grangers.

Good, they were still at Dover. Her mother was doing research for her book, and a visit to Dover was necessary, since it was a setting that Dickens liked use; her book was called The Virgin and the Writer: Dicken's Lover. Hermione had a fleeting suspicion that she would rather brew a Polyjuice with cat hair nonstop for a month under the painfully watchful and critical eye of Professor Snape before reading the book. She never read Dickens, because there was no use for him in the world, but she was still aware enough of his importance to sympathize his reduction to a boy toy with his jugular bared to the demented minds of rabid fans

Satisfied that her parents wouldn't return for a few days at least, Hermione opened the last envelope.

Hermione—

Everything's going really well at Snuffle's. Harry's still dealing with the loss of Snuffle, but Moony, Bee, and Mum thinks he's handling it fairly well, all considering. Bill reckons that if we don't watch our step he might become angry, but Charlie suggested that you come over sometime soon. He says that maybe you being a girl and all, you could help him more in some ways. I dunno what he means by that, but I thought it would be nice if we could all see each other soon.

Ron

To be honest, Hermione wasn't surprised, but she liked the idea of seeing her two close friends so much sooner than expected. She would try to help Harry though, but for the first time, Hermione had been feeling grateful for her summer vacation. The O.W.L.s had taken a lot out of her even if she refused to admit it, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to go back to an environment saturated in magic, war, older wizards, schoolmates, and staff.

She immediately felt terribly selfish. Even Ron and his brothers all agreed that it would be a good idea not just for her, but for Harry and even Ron himself. She would just have to leave a note for her parents; spending so many months away from them had severed the strong bond that was once between them, and they now merely treated her as a live-in resident that didn't pay rent for a few months.

"Persephone," she said after scribbling a reply of consentment, "take this to Grimmauld please, and make sure Ron replies immediately."

The owl let out a determined hoot, and Hermione suspected that a little, flying machine of doom was now making its way towards Ron. Poor guy.

"Next order of business," Remus stated briskly, looking to Dumbledore, who nodded.

"Ron Weasley received a response from Miss Granger. A ride will be picking her up tomorrow—

"Midnight tomorrow," Tonks coughed.

Remus ignored Tonks and continued on:

"—and she will shortly join her friends. I know Harry is pleased about this—

"Pardon me," a cold voice interrupted shortly.

Remus, trying not to look particularly agitated, looked at Severus Snape.

"Yes, Severus?"

Snape glared at Remus, "Does this really have any relevance to the Order? Some of us have more pressing business, and it simply would not do if we spent all our free time dawdling about in the heart of the resistance." Snape, however, soon dropped his sarcastic manner once Dumbledore stood up from his seat.

"That will be enough. This meeting has gone on long enough, and I am sure everyone is tired and is in sore need of home-style cooking," his eyes twinkled at a beaming Molly Weasley.

"The meeting is adjourned then?" Mad-eye Moody growled suddenly, briefly startling every wizard and witch who was not exercising the principle of constant vigilance.

"The meeting is most certainly adjourned," Dumbledore nodded his confirmation, "And now I must have a word with my deputy Headmistress. She is quite busy, I believe, sending out the students' O.W.L. scores, and wished to speak with me shortly after this meeting. I am sorry I can not stay for dinner, Molly." Although his apology was heartfelt and not short at all, Dumbledore's expression resumed its now usual grave expression.

"It's no problem at all Albus," Molly dismissed him, but politely so.

"Very well. Good evening," he nodded and with no noise at all, he disappeared into thin air.

"Minerva," Dumbledore announced his presence.

The stern-looking witch turned from a stack of envelopes and pieces of parchment with her signature scrawled on each copy. Her expression was a relieved one:

"Albus, I'm glad you're here. Irene Wolfe has arrived a few months too early."

"What do you mean a few months too early?" Elli demanded.

Eterna flashed her eyes but serenely so. The goddess, as always, was dressed in a simple, brown tunic, cinched to reveal her tiny waist with a thin, metal ring. Gold coins hung from her earlobes; her shiny, straight black hair fell to her waist, and Elli had never seen a strand escape from its place. The goddess possessed a high forehead, pronounced cheekbones, and her eyes slanted into the traditional, exotic Asian look. She reeked of sorcery and various body parts were constantly changing shapes, sprouting all sorts of greenery, shimmering colors of the rainbow, and at one point, Elli could've sworn she'd seen her tongue transform into a serpent's, flicking in and out so fast that the gesture was nearly invisible.

"My shadow is not to blame." Eterna was already defensive and spoke with a strong Mandarin accent.

"I'm not blaming your shadow," Elli said smoothly.

"Minerva will tell your shadow."

"The question as to why Miss Wolfe has come so early still has not been answered, Minerva," Dumbledore sighed, rubbing his eyes. He suddenly looked old and tired.

"You do not look well Elli. Your energy is being used less efficiently by your shadow," Eterna pointed out.

"Please stop," Elli grinded her teeth, "Don't you think I already know that? The man is decaying; it is inevitable even for a wizard of his greatness but he still has at least fifty years."

"I know the question is not answered, Albus. The girl just appeared without notice, and her magic, while potent, is not nearly controlled. She is not ready to be placed with her peers."

"I have been thinking about this, Minerva—

"Headmaster I know what you're going to say. There's something inside of me, something to do with sorcery, and I have a strong sense that bringing in more foreign young wizards and witches will determine the best course of action. They undoubtedly will prove to be useful.

And besides," Minerva McGonagall added slyly, "Wouldn't Halcyon appreciate it if his daughter were to be closer at hand? Especially when he's doing such dangerous work..."

The twinkle instantly disappeared from Dumbledore's eyes.

"Quite to the contrary, Halcyon will not be pleased with this turn of events. Bringing his daughter in from Denmark will only...complicate things. His identity is heavily compromised as it is."

Minerva snorted, "More like despised is what it is. The man is thought to be some depraved, bestial anthropomorphic creature. Having Irene Wolfe attend is only going to expose her to the full brunt of the prejudices directed at Halcyon."

"This war is not going to be a long one, Minerva, not like the last one. This is a war that might last, at most, five years. It comes right down to Harry and Voldemort, and we both know Harry can not keep escaping Voldemort over and over again. There is no use to train exchange students from abroad."

"He's absolutely right, Eterna." Elli curled her lower lip although she dared not to further disrespect the powerful goddess who controlled much of the world's magic.

"Yes, but that is not the purpose of bringing Irene Wolfe here. Irene has a powerful shadow, who happens to be a very good friend of mine. She is the stronghold against the Chaos goddess, and already she is badly needed here," Eterna countered.

"I advise that you trust my judgment, Albus. I am sorry to disobey you so, but every fiber of my being is telling me that this girl needs to stay, and that the fact she has arrived earlier…well all the better." Minverva jammed the quill she had been holding during the entire conversation into an ink pot and quickly sealed the rest of the envelopes magically.

"The students' grades are complete. I will be down at the Owlery sending them out. Irene Wolfe is in the room next door, waiting for you. You should interview her."

Minerva, with a sudden likeness to Hogwart's favorite Potion's Master, swished her robes around Albus and left the room with giant, teetering stacks of envelope following her meekly.

"Have fun," Eterna grinned mischievously at Elli, "I know she and Macha will get along wonderfully."

"Oh shits," Elli thought.