A.N.: Anyone who can find the chronological (meaning time) mistake I made in Chapter Four gets a one-shot fic on the topic of their choice. If no one finds it in two weeks I'll tell you and fix it.
A Second A.N.: My comments on Bella's death are based on how I think she's going to die, either in the next book or the seventh.
Disclaimer: Do I have to::whines: Can't I pretend I own them?
Chapter Five: The Library
"Herm, I don't know what you expect to find in the library." Draco said uneasily as they approached the large wooden doors.
"Answers." Hermione replied, throwing the doors open. She stopped dead in her tracks and stopped breathing. Vaguely, she felt her mouth fall open.
The library was painted lemon yellow, gaily decorated with chains of pink roses and daisies. The carpet was a happy grass green. The shelves were all waist height, and held bright books. A group of second-year Ravenclaws was seated at the feet of a woman in a rocking chair, who was reading from a bright red book called "The Three Little Kneazles".
"And the second little kneazle said—"
"—not by the hairs on my chinny-chin-chin!" All the Ravenclaws yelled.
"So what are we looking for? Time turners, that's right" Draco said, going to a card catalogue. He pulled several cards as Hermione gaped.
Her library. Where was her library? And what was this evil place?
"OK, I'll get these books. You look like you need to sit down." Draco led her to a wooden chair at a wooden table, both of which were painted with dancing bunnies and flowers. He came back with the books several moments later. Hermione looked through the titles, her spirits dropping a little each time.
"Timmy and the Twisted Time Turner" by H.P. Munch
"How to tell time" by Yvonne Walters
"The Happy Little Elves Who Got Lost In Time." by Bellatrix Black.
"My Auntie Bella wrote that last one. It was the last one she wrote before they got her."
Hermione didn't feel a shred of pity. It only seemed fitting that Bellatrix Black die at the hands of Death Eaters—in all worlds.
"I wish she had lived." Draco said softly. "Then I wouldn't be stuck with Aunt Andy and Uncle Ted. And…Nymphadora."
Draco visibly shuddered. Hermione sighed. This was getting more convoluted by the minute.
"Who in this school would know about…anything?" Hermione asked, rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"Well, Snape and Hagrid are probably your best bet on time turners. But I know Snape has Defense classes all day, and Hagrid…is Hagrid. If he knows you need him, he'll find you."
As Draco checked his watch, Hermione tried to imagine Snape teaching DADA permanently. That lone week third year had been awful enough…
"But we don't have time right now anyway." Draco said. "I have Quidditch practice, and you have the pleasure of meeting Head Boy Potter in ten minutes in this very room. So I'll see you around."
Draco squeezed her hand, told her to cheer up, and left.
Hermione used her ten minutes to run scalding water over her hand.
No matter how nice he was here, he was still Draco Malfoy.
A Third A/N: I hope I eliminated all hope of a Herm/Draco there. Because this won't be one.