The next few days flew by. Hermione adjusted to her life with no magic. She visited her old friends, who were still convinced that she was at a boarding school in Ireland. She wrote letters to Harry and Ron, who were trying to make plans on how to get there. They were coming out for a visit in a few weeks.

Since Hermione's parents were both dentists, they were both away from the house during the day. Annie went to day care on some days, so Hermione could have a life, but some days Hermione got to babysit. Those were fun days for both of them.

One Friday morning, Hermione awoke to the tapping of an owl on her window. She knew it must be important, since it was only 4:30 am. She reluctantly opened her eyes and slowly climbed out of bed to get the owl inside. Once she had a handle on the bird, she took the note off its leg. The owl flew away in a hurry while Hermione unfolded the note.

Hermione -

We have to come to your house today. Ron threw a gnome through the kitchen window for the third time and Mrs. Weasley is getting fed up. She said we need to take a vacation from her home. We will be there around 10, ok? Leave your fireplace open, we are travelling by floo.

-Harry and Ron

Hermione was wide awake now. She headed to her bathroom to take a cold shower, and dressed in a purple t shirt with blue cutoff capris. She pulled her wild mane into a rather bushy ponytail, then climbed down the stairs to surprise her parents with breakfast. Hermione doubted they would mind her friends visiting, but a nice breakfast in bed couldn't hurt, right?

She fixed french toast with bacon and orange juice. Hermione noticed that they had redone the kitchen since she had been gone at Hogwarts, but was able to find her way around after a few minutes. She searched the cabinets for a couple of trays. She found her favorite - blue surrounded by daisies. After she arranged the food, she went up to surprise them in their bedroom.

"Mom, Dad . . . are you awake yet?" Hermione tried to be gentle waking them up, after all, it was only 5:30. She didn't need to worry, because they were up and dressed already. Her mom was trying to pull on some pantyhose while her dad was searching for a tie. Hermione stood in the doorway, waiting for an answer.

Her parents finally noticed her standing there after about 5 minutes.

"Honey, we have to go in early today. It is our annual picnic this afternoon so all of our work has to be finished before noon. Can you watch Annie for us until we come home tonight?"

Hermione agreed right away. This way, her parents would be gone before her friends showed up. Within a half hour, Hermione was closing the door behind her parents as they rushed to work. She walked over to the sofa to relax for awhile, but as soon as she sat down, she heard crying coming from upstairs.

She ran up the stairs into Annie's room, panicked. What was wrong with her? When she saw Annie, her worry melted. Annie sat there, with her brown curls spilled over her head. She looked up at Hermione and garbled. Hermione giggled and picked her up. She carried her down the stairs and sat her in her high chair for breakfast.

Annie was even more of a mess after breakfast. She had soggy Cheerios stuck to her face and milk crusted in her hair. Apple juice trailed out of her mouth. Hermione sighed, then carried her to the tub for a quick bath. After the bath, Annie smelled and looked as sweet as ever. She was dressed in a pink ruffly dress that Hermione found in her dresser. Annie had a pink headband on, attempting to hold back her short curls. The two girls snuggled on the couch for awhile, slowly drifting into a sweet sleep.

"Harry, look, they're asleep!" Ron's voice awoke Hermione.

"Not anymore!" she grumbled to them. Annie started fussing from being woke up from her nap. The two boys looked at each other, then at Annie, then at Hermione.

"Erm . . . Hermione, have you always had a sister?" they asked her simultaneously.

"No, you idiots!" She was a bit crabby from being up so early that morning. "My parents adopted her last year. Isn't she sweet? Her name is Annie."

Hermione noticed the trunks poking out of the fireplace, and offered to help carry them to the guest room. After the task was done, they all sat down for some lunch. It was a gourmet meal of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Of course, the boys wanted to hear all about Annie, so Hermione retold the story. After that, Ron picked up Annie and they all headed up to the guest room to unpack.

"Hermione, we forgot to tell you. We found this in our train compartment after you had already left."

Ron handed Hermione a necklace with an hourglass on it. It was her time turner! She was still using it sometimes to retake her classes. Dumboldore felt that she could really benefit if she had the time to fix her mistakes, or to view them from the outside.

"Thanks, Ron. I wondered where it had gone." Hermione took it and layed it on the bed.

Hermione held Annie and watched as Ron and Harry unpacked their clothes. Finally, they finished and all four of them collapsed on the bed. Ron and Harry started tickling the girls. Through the laughter, nobody noticed that Annie had gotten a hold on the necklace.

"Annie, no!" Hermione, Ron, and Harry all looked over to see Annie start spinning the hourglass. The three of them reached for it, but only Hermione was able to get a hold on it. Harry was able to grab Annie, but it was too late to save Hermione. Her world started spinning. After a few minutes, she felt herself land on a rocky surface. Feeling too much pain to bear, she closed her eyes and drifted into a dream.

AN:

Finally, something happens in the story! Sorry, it took me awhile to get started but the story will go somewhere now.

Also, I am pretty obviously not British, so if I use American slang or put in the wrong term for something, my apologies.

Another thing - PLEASE REVIEW! I have gotten almost 50 hits on this story, but not a solitary review! I don't care whether it is to say you hate the story, or that you like it, or that I misspelled a word, just let me know what you think! Please oh please, just review!

-Meg