Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling, the idea of the time-travel mirror was borrowed from the TV-series 'Mirror Mirror' (Gibson Group/ Millennium Pictures co-production)
Mirror of Time
Chapter 4: To Dumbledore
When Hermione had left her room together with Lily, she already felt a bit better than she had since she had arrived in an empty Hogwarts. This may indeed be just what I need.
The girls swiftly walked through the castle, to the Room of Requirement, passed through the mirror, where Lily let Hermione go first, in case the other would suddenly change her mind. Arriving in the seventies, they walked as inconspicuously as possible and in total silence to Dumbledore's office.
Soon they had reached the stone gargoyle which guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office. As Head Girl, Lily knew the password and they ascended the stairs. Lily decided it would be best if she went in first and introduced Hermione to the Headmaster. Thus, Lily went in first, Hermione standing behind her.
"Miss Evans, what can I do for you?"
"Professor, there is someone I think you should meet. I met her this morning and she would like to follow some classes here at the school."
Dumbledore lifted his eyebrows and nodded to Hermione to come forth.
"My name is Hermione Granger, sir. I…I'm from the future."
Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up even higher and although he didn't say anything, Hermione could read the questioning look in his eyes perfectly, as if he had asked it out loud. How?
"I have the task of investigating the objects stored in the Room of Requirement and I found a mirror there, it was called the Mirror of Time. I didn't mean to use it, but accidentally I did and it brought me here."
"I see." Dumbledore put his hands together and rested them against his chin in his characteristic thinking manner. "If you come from the future, then why would you want to follow classes in this time?"
Hermione took a deep breath. I should have expected this question, but I can't tell him the whole reason. Telling Lily what happened, even that she herself is dead, wasn't especially hard, Hermione had never known Harry's mother. Telling someone you had known and trusted for six years about what would happen to him in twenty some years, something she had witnessed only a short while ago, was a lot more difficult.
I can't do this.
Suddenly, Hermione felt new tears prickle her eyes and she realised she hadn't been prepared at all to stand before Dumbledore again, after she had seen him dead and attended his funeral. But this is the past, nothing has happened yet, so I mustn't cry.
Lily had noticed Hermione was having a hard time, and she had come to stand next to the other girl, putting an arm around her in comfort. Hermione smiled gratefully at Lily and, taking another breath and steeling herself, turned back to the headmaster.
"In my time, the school has closed down this year. I can't tell you exactly what happened, but you must understand that my time is very dark, maybe even darker than this time."
Dumbledore had seen the emotional torment in the girl's eyes and realised she had gone trough a lot, he quickly decided to not question her any further about the future. It is not my place to know what will happen anyway.
"Very well, Miss Granger, but if you are in contact with people in this time, you will have to be very careful, I do believe you realise that. Other people shouldn't know about this."
Hermione nodded.
"And there might be another problem. If you follow classes here and you don't sleep in a dormitory, people will ask questions."
"Professor Dumbledore, I would like to sleep in my own time. I still have some work to do there, and it might happen I'll have to miss some classes."
Dumbledore nodded, watching Hermione carefully. "I was afraid so. May I ask you, who do you work for, in your time?"
Hermione cast a sideways glance to Lily, not sure the other girl should hear the answer, but she said it anyway. "The Order of the Phoenix."
For a moment, a look of surprise crossed the headmaster's face, but it quickly disappeared in his typical calm expression. "Very well, then it is important you can continue your work. We have to find an excuse why you don't sleep in the dormitories and why you arrived so suddenly."
It was Lily who spoke up now. "If I may, sir, we could tell the rest of the school her family was recently killed by Death Eaters. She was being home-schooled because her parents didn't want her to come here, because of the war. It was a terrible trauma for her, and she needs time and space for her own, besides, she has never shared a dormitory, thus why she has her own rooms."
Dumbledore smiled for the first time since they entered his office. "This is a very good back-ground story, Miss Evans, I think it should be enough for most of the school to leave miss Granger in peace." Lily smiled back, looking pleased with herself.
"Now, Miss Granger, I would like to know in which house you were sorted in your time, you can join classes with them, I will tell the school you were sorted in my office when you arrived here. Could you also inform me of the classes you would like to follow?"
"All right. I was in Gryffindor, sir, and I would like to follow the classes I followed last year, which were Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Potions."
"Good, I will take care of your schedule and you can join classes tomorrow."
"But how will I receive my schedule?"
It was Lily who answered instead of Dumbledore. "Since we will probably have all classes together, I'll wait for you near the Room of Requirement and we can go together, make the others believe I accompany you so you won't get lost. If professor Dumbledore gives me your schedule," she shot a glance at the headmaster to verify this, he nodded, "I'll give it to you then."
"Excellent." Dumbledore stood from his desk. "I believe this might work out just fine. But mind you, Miss Granger, be careful about what you say, and I do hope the students leave you be."
"I'll stand for her, Professor. If someone bothers her, they'll have me to answer to."
Dumbledore smiled. "Very good, Miss Evans, I knew I would be able to count on you." He waved his hand at them in a dismissing gesture. "Now, off you go. If there are any problems, don't hesitate to let me know."
Hermione and Lily left the headmaster's office and once outside Hermione heaved a sigh of relieve. "That actually went really well, thanks a lot Lily."
"No problem, Hermione. See you tomorrow." Lily waved and disappeared down the corridor, heading for Gryffindor Tower. Hermione smiled, returning to the Room of Requirement.
000
The next day, classes started for Hermione and she felt elated when she woke up.
She got herself ready for the day at record time and soon she was in the Room of Requirement, taking the portal to the past. Even though it was still early, Lily was already waiting for her new friend as Hermione stepped into the corridor.
"I thought you might come early. We can go to the classroom early, and I can tell you a few things about this time and the teachers and some of the students that are here, it might come in handy. I will also introduce you to my friends."
"All right."
They walked through corridors to their first class, which was Transfiguration. Hermione was grateful to have her first class with a teacher she knew. While walking, Lily started informing Hermione quietly.
"First we have transfiguration, professor McGonagall is strict, but at least she's fair."
Hermione smiled. "I know, I used to have her in my time too."
"Oh, all right. Who else did you have?"
"Flitwick, is Sprout here already?" Lily nodded, "And Slughorn."
"Really?" Lily raised an eyebrow. "He told me he would be retiring in a few years."
"He did, but Dumbledore convinced him to come back last year."
They had reached the classroom, McGonagall was already there, seemingly waiting for them, because she immediately called Hermione to her.
"Miss Granger, welcome here, or should I say, now." She threw Hermione a rare smile. "Professor Dumbledore told me where you come from, don't worry, I'm the only one of the staff who knows, because I'm Head of Gryffindor House and mostly because I'm a member of the Order too. From what I was told, you have gone through a lot and you will be very busy, if you should have any problems, with anything, don't hesitate to let me know. Otherwise, I expect from you the same effort in class as I expect from my other students."
Hermione nodded. "Of course, Professor, and thank you." McGonagall nodded and Hermione returned to Lily.
"Before class starts, I'll quickly inform you about some of our fellow students. First of all, watch out for Slytherins, but I take it you already know that." Hermione nodded.
"Second, watch out for the Marauders. They're Gryffindors and endless troublemakers. You should think they would have grown up by now, but I'm starting to doubt they ever will. Anyway, they are James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, I'll point them out to you. Remus is the most mature of them all and when the others aren't around, you could say I'm even friends with him. James is Head Boy and I still don't understand what Dumbledore was thinking. Sirius is the worst of them I think, and Peter is only trailing the others everywhere."
Hermione was doing her best not to laugh, it was quite funny, hearing Lily complaining about her future husband and his friends like this. Lily noticed the mirthful look on Hermione's face.
"What's so funny? Did you know them in your time?"
Hermione hesitated. How much should I tell Lily? "I know Remus Lupin, and I used to know Sirius." She smiled sadly. "I can't tell you more than that, Lily."
"Alright." But Lily had seen the sad look in the other girl's eyes, and she knew there was more to it than she let on, and whatever it was, it wasn't 'alright'.
The other students started to enter the classroom now. Two of them, a short brunette and a taller girl with dark skin approached Lily and Hermione.
"Hey girls," Lily greeted them, "Hermione, these are two good friends of mine, Mandy and Katherine, or shortly, Kathy. Girls, this is Hermione Granger, the new girl, Dumbledore asked me to show her around and make sure she doesn't get lost."
Hermione smiled at both girls. "Nice to meet you."
The girls smiled back and said their hello's and welcome's to Hermione and seated themselves right behind her and Lily afterwards. Hermione immediately liked Lily's friends. They are a lot nicer than Lavender and Parvati.
This didn't mean Hermione thought Lavender and Parvati were horrible girls, but after Ron dated Lavender last year, Hermione couldn't help disliking her, and Parvati, because she always associated with Lavender.
The next moment, four boys entered the classroom, and Lily informed her they were the Marauders, but she didn't really have to, because Hermione had no trouble recognizing them. The first thing she noticed, of course, was how much James looked like Harry. Or how much Harry looks like James, actually.
The next thing she realised, was how much the others had changed in her own time, the third thing she noticed was how handsome Sirius looked and how charming Remus' smile was. I could fall in love with that smile. Hermione quickly shook her head. What am I thinking, he's going to be my professor, besides, he belongs to Tonks, and I have Ron. Honestly!
McGonagall closed the door and started the lesson and Hermione soon forgot about the Marauders, at least for the time being.
000
Morning classes passed by quickly. Hermione greatly enjoyed herself, being able to sit in a classroom again, although she refrained from putting her hand in the air like she used to do, trying to avoid too much attention of her fellow students.
Between classes she chatted with Lily, and quickly found out she got along really well with Harry's mother. We could actually be great friends, it would be a nice change to have a girl friend, after always running around with Harry and Ron, they are great friends, but boys will be boys.
Lunchtime came quickly, and Lily asked Hermione to join her and her friends, Hermione gladly accepted the offer. During lunch, she didn't say much, but preferred listening to the conversations going on around her, enjoying the simple fact of seeing the Great Hall filled with students.
Near the end of lunch, a shadow suddenly fell upon her. Hermione turned and saw four boys standing behind her, the Marauders were watching her curiously. Hermione felt herself almost cringe, she wasn't sure she was ready to meet them already, especially Sirius, after all, it was only a bit more than a year ago since he had died.
Before anyone could say something, Lily spoke up. "What do you guys want?"
"Hold your hippogriffs, Evans, we're not here to bother you, all right." Before Sirius could continue, James elbowed him to shut him up and took over. "Hey Lily, I just thought, since I'm Head Boy, I should welcome our new student and that's the only reason I'm here."
The irritated look on Lily's face made place for a smile. "All right then. You're more considerate than I thought, James."
James looked offended for a moment, but quickly replaced it by a more neutral look and turned to Hermione.
"Hi, you must be the new girl. I'm James Potter, I'm Head Boy this year, if there is anything you might need, you can always ask me, or Lily, who is Head Girl, but I'm sure you already knew that." He chanced a look at Lily, who had crossed her arms and was looking a bit irritated again, James quickly turned back to Hermione, extending his hand. "Well then, welcome at Hogwarts and welcome to Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled, trying to stifle the giggles that tried to escape her. If he's trying to impress Lily, he's having a very hard time. Hermione took his hand and shook it, "Thank you, James, I'm Hermione Granger."
As they let go of each other's hands, James stepped aside and indicated the other Marauders. "I would also like to introduce you to my friends."
Of course, Sirius was the first to step forward. In one swift motion, he gave Hermione a slight bow, took her hand and gave a small kiss on the back of it and let it go again. "I'm Sirius Black, and it's always a pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady."
Now, Hermione couldn't stop herself from laughing out loud. "You're such a charmer," she managed to answer between gasps of breath and laughter, "I'm sure you say that to every girl you meet."
For a moment, Sirius looked surprised, obviously this wasn't the answer he was used to or had expected. Then he flashed her another charming grin. "Now why would I tell you that?"
At this moment, Remus stepped forward, shaking his head and slightly pushing Sirius out of the way.
"Forgive him, he can't help being completely insane." ("Hey!" came Sirius' indignant protest, Remus ignored him) "I'm Remus Lupin. If you ever need help with anything related with school, I'm more likely to be able to help you than my friends, since I actually pay attention in class, unlike my friends." ("Why should we pay attention when we can just as easily copy your notes," came Sirius muttered response.)
Remus rolled his eyes, Hermione smiled at him, "I'll remember that, thanks, and nice to meet you." Again. Very nice actually. I never knew how attractive and cute he was when he was younger. Hermione quickly cleared her head. I'm having impropriate thoughts about my former professor again.
Remus smiled at her one more time and stepped aside, allowing the last member of the group to step forwards, a chubby boy who didn't look at all like the man she had seen once at the end of her third year.
"Hi, I'm Peter Pettigrew," he said shyly, holding out his hand. For a moment, Hermione sat rooted to the spot. This is the man who betrayed Harry's parents and sold them out to Voldemort, she thought disgusted, and for a moment she wanted to just ignore him. But then she realised something. But he hasn't gone to the dark side yet, and I have no idea what brought him to do it, I have no real reason to judge him. Maybe he isn't all that bad now, I should at least give him a chance. With that thought in mind, she reached out and shook Peter's hand heartily, even managing to smile brightly at him. "Nice to meet you."
Before anything more could be said, lunchtime ended, and Lily dragged Hermione away from the Marauders and to their next class.
000
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A/N: Sorry for the long wait, as I've said on my profile, the new semester has started, and for the moment I don't have much time to write. But I promise I will try my best to update whenever I can.
Thank you everyone who reviewed.