Chapter 2:
The house elves had been happy to be able to cater for a toddler for once and had spoiled Teddy with the options for his food. His hair had changed into a rainbow of colors from his joy. After breakfast, they had left through the floo to Ollivanders where Hermione had been paired with her original wand once again, but Harry's was different then either of them had imagined. Instead of the brother wand to Voldemort's he had ended up with another Holly wand, but this one with thestral heartstring, Hermione hadn't even known they made wands with that core. Even now Harry was shown to have a tie with death, even if it was in a more ambiguous way then his title of the Boy Who Lived.
"My friend in the department of Education can fit you in this afternoon if you're alright with that," Dumbledore said his eyes assessing Harry. Probably curious about his unusual wand core.
"The sooner I'm able to get qualifications to get a job the better, although it might be best if we stop by the animagus registration office first, I just achieved my first transformation last week. From my understanding you must register as soon as possible after you're able to achieve your second transformation." Harry gaped at her. Hermione hadn't told him that she had been working on becoming an animagus. It was something she had done to challenge her magic, but she hadn't wanted to share it with anyone until she succeeded.
"It's not often one is able to achieve it on their own."
"I've always been fairly quick at picking up magic. Although I'm helpless at flying and divination."
"And you, Mr. Evans, are you prepared to take the exams today? I know it's extremely short notice."
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Good, due to the practical parts of the exams it would be best if I kept young Teddy with me well you took your exams, if that is alright with you?"
Harry had an apprehensive look on his face, it wasn't that he didn't trust Dumbledore, but with everything going on Hermione couldn't blame him for not wanting Teddy out of his sight. Even if Harry knew it was best, so that they could get themselves settled in this time period.
"Are you fine with waiting in the Ministry, and if Teddy gets upset I don't care if it will hurt my marks bring him to me please."
"That's reasonable enough, although I'm sure I can find something to keep the young man busy. First however we should get the three of you some supplies. Wouldn't do if you only had the clothing on your back."
"Oh we couldn't, you've helped us out so much already."
"I insist, besides even if you start work right away it will be a while until your first pay. I couldn't in good conscience leave you as you are, especially for your nephew Ms. Evans. Besides cleaning charms only go to far."
Hermione had always known Dumbledore was a good man, but he had gone above and beyond her expectations. He might have made mistakes, especially with how he handled everything with Harry, but he was only human doing the best he could to protect as many people as he could.
"Thank you sir, we'll pay you back as soon as possible." Harry said his voice choked with emotion, although Hermione knew it was most likely because Harry still couldn't get used to the fact that Dumbledore was in front of him alive. After everything Harry was still Dumbledore's man through and through.
"Animagus registry, name and how long has it been since you achieved your first transformation?" A witch stated sounding bored. Hermione couldn't understand how someone could be so bored, but she guessed that the animagus registry office didn't really get much foot traffic. There weren't many who completed the transformation and there were those who had who hid their abilities instead of registering, since it gave them an advantage to hide it.
"Hermione Jean Evans, and roughly a week."
"Please shift so we can take down your characteristics."
Concentrating Hermione allowed the traits of her animal to rise up, until she practiced more it would take her a few moments to complete the transformation, which was another indicator that it hadn't been long since she had completed the transformation. Those who were well practiced couldn't slow down the speed of their transformation.
The bored look left the witch's face as she took in Hermione's form. Completely unexpectedly Hermione had found her form to be a white tiger. It wasn't even close to what she had thought her form might have been, but she figured that accidentally using cat hair in her Polyjuice in second year might have affected her form. It might not be good for stealth missions, but it was something that she could use to protect her loved ones, as long as they weren't in the muggle world.
It was a bit easier to tell Hermione's form was an animagus due to her poofy tail, which was her identifying characteristic. At least it was just her tail instead of her full form being fluffy, a fluffy white tiger would be an odd sight to see.
"Alright, you may shift back, please place a drop of blood onto the parchment and then your registration will be completed."
"A tiger isn't what I was expecting from you 'Mione. I thought you'd end up an otter like your Patronus."
"A Patronus isn't always an indicator to what your animagus form will be Harry, I doubt you'd end up a stag, it would surprise me if you ended up anything without wings. You're a natural in the air."
"Oh," he said that adorable slightly confused expression on his face. Transfiguration was never Harry's favorite subject, although he still kicked Hermione's arse 9 times out of 10 when they dueled. He had instincts for Defense that she'd never quite have, it was like Harry became a different person when he dueled. His entire body aware of every slight movement around him and he could cast a spell fit to win in the time it took her to decide what was the best counter. Hermione's mind was her greatest asset, but sometimes her overthinking slowed her down. Luckily not enough that it put her in danger, but enough that she'd never be on par with Harry when it came to dueling.
"Your animagus form is magnificent my dear."
"Thank you, Headmaster. Transfiguration has always been one of my favorite subjects."
"Well with your registration completed if you show of your form for your testing it should ensure you get bonus marks. You both will of course have to get your magic examined to make sure neither of you have been tested in the past. It's a completely different test retaking your NEWTs then taking them for the first time. Now shall I lead the way?"
"Thank you, Headmaster. Are you sure you'll have no problem watching Teddy for me? He can get cranky with people he doesn't know."
"I'm sure we'll do splendidly Mr. Evans."
"Harry please. I've never really been one for formality, Headmaster."
Albus peered at Harry over his half moon spectacles an odd look on his face, but one of fondness. Hermione wondered if he was seeing James or Charlus Potter on Harry's face, they hadn't changed any parts of their appearances not wanting to be caught out trying to hide themselves. It did mean that some people gave them a second look until they saw Harry's eyes. Yet neither of them tried to explain it away, it was better just to feign ignorance, after all they did say everyone in the world had at least one doppelganger.
"Well as I've never been your Headmaster do feel free to call me Albus, you as well Ms. Evans, or would you prefer to be called Hermione."
"Hermione is fine Albus," Merlin saying that felt odd, but any hesitation on their parts would seem odd. In Albus's eyes he had never taught them, so they shouldn't have any problem with using his name over his title.
"Good, good, well this is where I leave you both. Young Teddy and I shall be up in the cafeteria people watching, does he have any allergies I need to be aware of. I'm certain he'll be wanting a snack at some point well you two are tested."
"Not that we're aware of Albus. Although he won't eat yogurt, spits it out every time we've tried, he does enjoy applesauce or mashed banana's the most."
"Good to know. Well good luck to you Hermione, Harry."
"Thank you Albus. You be good Teddy, dada and Min will see you in a little while." Harry looked pained as he entered the room giving one last glance back at Teddy. Molly, Arthur, Andromeda, and Hermione herself were the only ones Harry had been truly comfortable leaving Teddy alone with for more then a few minutes at a time. He was a true worrywart but considering how some people had treated the little boy as a pariah because of his father being a werewolf, Hermione didn't blame him.
Going into another room then Harry she faced the group of wizards and witches who would decide if Hermione's knowledge would be enough for her to be able to get a decent job. Unlike the first time she took her NEWTs she wasn't worried at all. She did feel a little guilty that they wouldn't know she had tested in the past, but it was too dangerous to try and explain how she could have knowledge of the NEWT testing when they didn't have her magical signature on file.
"Good afternoon, I'm Hermione Evans here for my NEWT testing."
"Please cast a simple Lumos, so we can compare your magical signature to recent records please, have you ever completed your OWLs?" They asked after the test showed they had no record of her magic being recorded for NEWTs.
"No, I was homeschooled by my stepfather."
"Are you concerned at all that without your OWLs you will not be able to pass? If you fail testing you must wait another 6 months before you can reattempt, and you only have one other shot then today to pass."
"No, I'm confident in my abilities to pass."
"What subjects are you testing in?"
"Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, and Ancient Runes."
"That's a lot to attempt in one day, are you certain?"
"Yes. Will we go by subject, practicals, or written first?"
"With that many subjects we'll do your practical's first. If you fail any of your practical's you will not be able to take the written subject for that practical until you retest in 6 months. We will start with Charms."
After that it was really a whirlwind of her practical knowledge. The stone-faced examiners only reacting when she showed off her Patronus and Animagus form. Otherwise, she couldn't get a read on any of them, she wondered if they were all practiced in Occlumency. Legimancy might not be a widespread art, but it would make sense for the examiners to have some knowledge to make sure students couldn't cheat by spying the answers in the examiners mind.
Potions was a lot easier without having Snape breathing down her neck. They had given her a simple, but complex potion that only took half an hour to brew. Luckily not obscure enough that Hermione had never heard of it, since she wasn't given the recipe to brew with.
After that she breezed through her written portions. Hermione wasn't sure what she would do for work, but she hadn't wanted to limit her options. Especially since she didn't have any connections to get a better position. No her scores would decide what jobs she'd be accepted for, if they weren't exemplary she'd be passed over by someone with the connections even if their marks were slightly bellow hers.
It didn't surprise Hermione to find Harry waiting in the cafeteria with Albus and Teddy already. A teasing expression on her brother's face. "What did you take every course offered 'Mione?"
"No, you know how I hate divination, but I also saw no need in taking History or Astronomy. Sorry if you were waiting too long Albus, I should have made sure to mention that even with such short notice I was going to be doing so many tests."
Albus gave her a wide smile, "no problem at all Hermione, it's always nice to see someone love knowledge. Besides my friend who has agreed to take you both in until you can afford a place of your own is still at work. He should be finishing within the next half an hour or so if nothing comes up. We shall just wait for him here, no point leaving only just to come right on back."
"Alright, so what did you decide to take Harry?"
"Potions, DADA, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures. Figured might as well go the Auror track if I can get into the training program. DADA is what I'm best at after all. Not sure if I'd be good enough at anything else without it leeching the life from me, I'm worried about the danger of it because of Teddy, but not much else I can do. Have you decided what you want to do?"
"I know Aurors have paid training, but I'm not sure if healing does. I believe being a healer would be where my talents would be best used, but if it doesn't then I took enough subjects I'll be able to get something. You've always been the better dueler, plus I'm not interested in fighting long term. Besides if I don't join you as an Auror you can't make me do all your paperwork," she teased sticking her tongue out. Hermione knew if she wanted to that being an Auror wouldn't be difficult in the terms of her magical talent, but her mindset just wasn't suited for the life of an Auror. She had known that for a long time.
"Both are worthy careers and do not worry Hermione St. Mungo's does offer paid training. They burn out rate for Healers is faster than they can currently keep up with, what with the war, so as long as your scores are satisfactory you'll do fine. I can talk to Mafalda and ask her to expediate your scores, not many of the graduates from this last year had an interest in healing. Too many prefer to go into Auror training wanting to be on the forefront of the fighting."
That was a relief. Hermione knew Harry would probably end up in the thick of things again, actually they both definitely would since they were the only ones who knew about the Horcruxes. Unless if Regulus hadn't died yet, but she didn't know how they could get the younger Black to trust them. Hermione had never seen the date of his death on the tapestry, they'd been focused too much on other things since they found out he had turned on Voldemort, and even if he was still alive without knowing his date of death they couldn't know exactly when he might have had a change of heart.
If he was still alive, she'd do what she could to help him, but there was too many variables in his story. Too much they didn't know. If Hermione had any idea that there was a chance they would travel so far back, she would have questioned Kreacher more about Regulus, but she had believed the time turners were as far back as someone could go.
"Did you always want to go into teaching Albus?" Even though Hermione knew Albus's story he didn't know that. Besides she wanted to create a bond of trust between them. That couldn't happen without opening up to each other and having conversations about whatever came to mind.
The dark expression she had expected crossed Albus's at the question, most likely thinking of his sister and Grindelwald, all of the mistakes he had made as a young man, "no not always. It just seemed the best course of action as I got older. Imparting my knowledge of Transfiguration and Alchemy onto the next generation. I miss teaching steady classes, but being Headmaster is busy work. Especially with my most recent graduates. That class was quite the handful, although I will miss them, they brought color into the daily life at Hogwarts. Very talented students as well."
Hermione knew he was most likely talking about the Marauders. She wondered, not for the first time, what had led to Wormtail betraying the others. Everyone had spoken so fondly about the four boys, not understanding what had gone wrong. More then once Hermione had seen a sad look cross Sirius's face before it scrunched up in anger anytime Wormtail was brought up.
They spent the next hour just chatting, although nothing of importance. Harry was busy making silly shapes with his wand to entertain Teddy, who was clapping his hands and giggling at the magic. His hair flashing colors, which brought a lot of stares, but no one came forward to talk to them. Most likely because they didn't want to disturb Albus.
A familiar clunking sound had Hermione swivel around in her seat, catching her first glimpse of Mad-Eye since his death on the night of 7 Potters. His magical eye was already there, as was his peg leg, but his nose didn't seem to have been injured just yet. His face was less scarred than she remembered, but the paranoid expression was the same.
Hermione knew even before Albus stood up that Mad-Eye was the friend they had been waiting for. It made sense, he was the most distrusting person Hermione had ever known, if they were a danger to the order, he would be the one to find out. If they weren't Albus would join two new allies to the cause who would have reason to be indebted to him. Unfortunately, it also made things harder for Hermione and Harry. They couldn't risk anyone finding out the truth, but they'd have to be much more careful around Mad-Eye then they would anyone else.
"Alastor good to see you. Hermione, Harry, this is Alastor Moody a dear friend of mine, he's also an Auror Harry, so if your scores are good enough to get into the program, he could help you practice your dueling," oh that was just sadistic. Albus couldn't know that Harry was an extremely talented dueler, and most people their age wouldn't be even close to be able to fight Mad-Eye. "Alastor this is Harry, Teddy, and Hermione Evans."
"Any relation to Lily Evans?" He was not the person Hermione had expected to ask them that question first, actually Hermione didn't even know Mad-Eye would have met Lily yet.
"We've never met a Lily Evans," Harry answered dodging the question well still telling the truth.
"Wouldn't be surprised if you were, eyes are identical, seen enough of the girl in the last two years, my Auror Partner Charlus's son is quite obsessed with her. Anyway might as well get going, I'll warn you now as an Auror I have a security system, you'll have to keep a close eye on the boy to make sure he doesn't get himself hurt. I have a lot of enemies."
He wasn't as cold as Hermione expected, but she guessed a lot could change in over 20 years. Even with being younger and a bit softer, he was still familiar in a way. It was comforting and terrifying at the same time.
The look he was giving them made Hermione think he was waiting for them to protest against living somewhere with a security system that could be dangerous for Teddy, but Harry would do anything to keep Teddy safe. There would just be a lot for them to decide after their NEWT results came in. One being what they would do with Teddy when they were both working. The jobs they were both planning on applying for where demanding and not the strictest 9-5 type, they could be called in at anytime.
If they weren't new to this time Hermione was certain Harry would quip, they had a lot of enemies as well. Yet that was the good part about having come back, they had a clean slate, at the moment they didn't have any enemies to fight against. Not that that would last for long, however, considering that they'd end up in the thick of the war before long. Once they figured out exactly what they could do. Hermione was going to have to look for old Daily Prophets in her free time, get caught up on how far along the war had come at this point.
"In these times it's nice to know Teddy will be protected. Thank you for agreeing to take us in until we get on our feet Mr. Moody."
"None of that mister nonsense Evans, I'll use your last name since you plan to join the Aurors, I don't show favoritism. Your sister I'll call by her first name, unless if you're planning to join as well," when Hermione shook her head he continued, "good will make it easier that you won't react when I'm talking to your brother. Evans most people at work call me Moody or Mad-Eye. Hermione you may call me Alastor if you want, would be rude of me to call you by your first name and not give you the same courtesy. Teddy can call me Al, I know at his age my name will be hard to pronounce."
Hermione had to keep herself from gaping at Mad-Eye, she guessed she'd have to get used to calling him Alastor even in her head. With how paranoid he had been in the future she hadn't expected him to offer her the use of his first name. Hermione had always figured that was reserved for either his close friends or those he respected the most.
"If you have everything in hand Alastor I should be heading back to the school. Minerva and I are still working on reversing the effects of the Marauders farewell prank."
"We're good here Albus," Alastor said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Follow me. We won't be using the Floo. Evans you won't like me if you give up where I live when you start work."
"You seem confident my marks will be good enough for me to actually join the training program."
"You can be trained to get better if you don't succeed this time. Don't think I haven't noticed how alert you are to your surroundings. That's an instinct I can't train into you. Hermione has it too, but I can tell by her eyes she would burn out if she was an Auror for long term. Doesn't have the fortitude to fight long term, although it's clear she'll do anything to protect you or your son. What are your plans after your results Hermione?"
"I'll be going into Healing. I've had to patch Harry up more then once. I like teaching, but at this moment becoming a Healer is the best I can do for the war efforts. Harry's a better dueler then I am, I'm too intellectual that I overthink things, he reacts quickly and efficiently. In a fight against an unknown opponent, he'd be able to fight more effectively."
"Better you know that now. I'll give you training as well, even if you aren't becoming an auror, a healer who can defend her patients will be invaluable. I wouldn't put it past the Death Eaters to attack St. Mungo's. Sometimes we need a healer on a scene, if you can be an asset, it would be useful to be able to request a healer by name. My last go to retired. Doesn't have to speed or magical strength to keep up with the demand of healing any longer. I'm a paranoid bastard, you'll both get only one shot to keep my trust, you break it you'll be sorry."