Hermione woke to hearing loud voices arguing with each other. Her eyes were still shut and she could feel a soft mattress beneath her. It didn't feel like her usual bed and she wondered where she was. Over time the sleepy feeling vanished and her mind became sharp once more. Her latest memories came flooding back and Hermione refused to believe it. It had to be a dream, some sort of a nightmare. She couldn't have gone back in time to Voldemort's school days. All the books had said it was only possible to go back in time a few hours with a time turner. It was impossible to go back so further in time and according to the books no such objects were known to exist that could send you back so further. But what if such an object did exist and no one knew about it. What if Ron's locket was one of those secret objects? She did recall seeing it glow before she found herself back in the past. She immediately touched her neck hoping that she would still feel it beneath her fingers. It wasn't there, all she felt was her own skin. No it couldn't be, there had to be some other explanation. The chain could have broken of and her locket had dropped onto the battle field while she was fighting. Yes that was probably what really happened to her locket.

The smell of disinfectant and healing potions met her nostrils and there was only one place that smelt just like that, the hospital wing. She must have become seriously injured during the battle and they had placed her here in one of the hospital wing beds. While she had been unconscious she must have had a bad dream about being back in time and the locket was just lost. That sounded like a reasonable sane explanation to her and she felt relieved. But her relief was short lived as a very familiar voice sounded close to her ears. It couldn't be. For Merlin's sake the man was dead, unless the whole back in time thing was true.

Hermione snapped her eyes open and stared at the source of the voice. Not so far away from her bed stood Albus Dumbledore looking much younger. His beard and hair was much shorter and coloured instead of the usual grey. The half moon spectacles were missing and his face looked less wrinkly. A short older looking man was glaring at Dumbledore and speaking to him with a raised voice. It was obvious the man was trying to appear intimidating but he looked comical instead. Young Slughorn and Tom Riddle stood behind Dumbledore watching the scene with expressions of slight amusement.

"I know your behind this Albus" the man suddenly shouted pointing his finger accusingly at Dumbledore. "You somehow tampered with the protection barriers and dumped this girl on the grounds."

"Now Armando let us not jump to wild conclusions" Dumbledore said calmly.

"Wild conclusions" he shrieked. "Only a Wizard of your power could achieve such a thing Albus"

"Even if it were possible why would I do such a thing?"

"Don't act so innocent" Armando Dippet said with spit flying out from the corner of his mouth. "You want me to look unfit for the job so you can replace me as headmaster" Slughorn rolled his eyes and Dumbledore looked at him briefly giving him a slight smile when Dippet wasn't looking. Tom Riddle suddenly looked concerned as he watched their exchange but his expressionless mask was immediately back in place in the blink of an eye.

"Armando I assure you I would never try to replace you using illegal methods"

"You would say that wouldn't you" Dippet said taking a step forward.

"Innocent until proven guilty" Dumbledore said smiling down at him. Dippet clenched and unclenched his fists several times before walking up to Slughorn.

"Well Horace, how convenient that out of all the other Hogwarts staff that could have found her, you had to be the one"

"I was coming back late from Celestina's party when I found the girl being attacked by hyenas."

"So you weren't involved in some plot to overthrow me"

"Of course not" Slughorn said crossing his arms.

"Your friendship with Albus isn't a secret you know"

"Being friends with your colleague isn't against the Hogwarts staff rule"

"Doing things behind the headmasters back is" he hissed.

"There is no plot to over throw you, the girls appearance is much of a mystery to us as it is to you" Dippet glared at Slughorn for a while before noticing Tom.

"What were you doing out so late boy" he said sharply.

"I was patrolling sir" he said coldly staring at Dippet unblinking.

"Of course, your head boy" he mumbled breaking away from Tom's gaze and momentarily closed his eyes. "So you met the patrnous Slughorn sent out with the help message and rescued them both"

"Yes sir"

"You didn't by any chance see Albus Dumbledore lurking in the shadows"

"No sir" Dippet looked unconvinced.

"Now Tom there is no need to be afraid of Albus" Dippet said with a more softer voice. Tom's face remained blank but his pale cheeks immediately reddened. "You can tell me what you really saw and I will personally make sure no harm comes to you" he gently placed a hand on Tom's shoulder and the boy immediately tensed.

"That was the truth" Tom said sounding very uncomfortable. He eyed Dippet's hand on his shoulder with great distaste and moved away slowly without being to obvious. "Headmaster if I found professor Dumbledore doing anything illegal you would be the first to know" he let so much hatred show in his voice that even Dippet looked slightly taken aback. Tom and Dumbledore made brief eye contact and Slughorn looked concerned. "It's late sir and I have an early morning class. May I be excused?" he said using his normal voice. Dippet's expression instantly became relaxed and he appeared tired.

"Of course Tom" he said rubbing his temples. "You are excused"

Hermione dug her nails into the mattress as she watched the scene in front of her. Her eyes caught a mini stand up calendar on the bedside table. She turned to take a closer look and the year 1944 clearly stood out in bold. There was no denying it now, she really was back in time. The office door close to her bed suddenly opened and a plump woman stepped out. She took one look at Hermione and looked overjoyed.

"Headmaster she's awake" the woman shouted making all eyes turn to her. Dippet, Dumbledore and Slughorn quickly made there way towards her. Tom was about to leave but changed his mind at the last minute and trailed behind the three adults. Dippet suddenly stopped and turned around raising up both his arms to halt the group.

"I will question the girl first" he said holding Dumbledore's gaze.

"As you wish Armando" Dumbledore replied back.

"Madam Whittaker the girl's condition"

"She is stable headmaster, you may question her" Madam Whittaker said pulling her up slightly and placing more pillows on her back.

"Can you understand me" Dippet asked and Hermione automatically nodded. "How did you manage to enter Hogwarts" She didn't know what to say. The truth was she had never really left Hogwarts and the protection spells didn't stop her from appearing at the same place at a different time. A part of her wanted to tell the truth but she knew they couldn't know she was from the future. Besides its not like anyone would really believe her and she had no intention of being sent of to St Mungo's mentally insane department. She decided to make up something suitable to satisfy their questions. "Well answer me girl, how did you get here" Her mind couldn't think of any stories to make up and she said the first thing that came into her mind.

"I don't know" Her voice came out low and cracking. She realised her throat was really dry and she reached for the glass of water on the stand. Dippet glared at her as she gulped down the water noisily. She noticed Dumbledore and Tom looking at her strangely. The glass nearly dropped out of her hands as she realised something important. Merlin, how could she have forgotten? Dumbledore was a legilimens and from the way Tom was looking at her she figured even at this age, he was one too. Of course they knew straight away she was lying. The only persons being fooled her was Dippet and Slughorn.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Dippet burst out. She felt herself starting to panic as she realised she only knew basic Occulumency. No matter how weak she was at shielding her mind she thought it best to at least attempt and so she focused on clearing her mind.

"I just remember getting knocked out and then waking up here" she said trying to tell as much as truth as possible without giving away anything that would expose her. At least that way they would know she wasn't lying and maybe it would make them less suspicious.

"That's supposed to be impossible the protection barriers don't just let random people appear" Dippet buried his face in his hands. "What will the parents think about the safety when this gets out" he mumbled into his hands. "What am I going to do, what am I going to do" He looked up from his hands. "How old are you"

"Sixteen but I turn seventeen on September the 19th" she replied easily and unconsciously touched her neck but the familiar oval shape did not meet her fingers. She noticed out of the corner of her eyes that Dumbledore was staring at her actions intently while Tom looked bored. That gave her one piece of vital information. Dumbledore was more skilled at legilemency while Tom Riddle wasn't yet developed and she had just enough power to block him out of her mind. She quickly scratched her neck and avoided looking at Dumbledore directly.

"Your parents" Dippet started.

"My parents" Hermione whispered sadly. "Their dead" she said tearfully and she started to cry softly. She wasn't acting, the emotions and the tears. It was all real. All the memories of her parents and her childhood came flooding back to her. She hadn't really had a chance to grieve them properly as fighting Voldemort and his death eaters had taken over all her time.

"Don't cry my child" Slughorn said patting her head gently and handed her a tissue.

"How" Dippet asked.

"A dark wizard killed them" she said looking at Tom in the eye. "He killed everyone, all my family and friends. I have no one" He stared back at her unblinking and she looked away as tears began to form in her eyes. She started to cry loudly into her hands as another fresh wave of emotions overtook her. She thought about the way her parents, Harry and Ron had been murdered. She would never be able to see them again and she would probably never be able to return back to her time. She truly was alone in this entire world with no one to call her own.

"That explains your injuries from extremely advanced dark magick" Madam Whittaker suddenly said. "It must have been a miracle for you to escape" Hermione didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the statement but yes it had been a miracle.

"Was it Grindelwald?" Dippet said and Dumbledore's expression turned grave.

"No" she said without thinking and immediately regretted it. Grindelwald was the dark wizard of their time and would have been perfect for her cover story. Now she would have to think of something else.

"Did the auror's catch him, does he have a name" Dippet continued.

"No the auror's didn't and he has no name. Our town people always referred to him as you know who" She suddenly looked up at Tom. His face was absolutely expressionless and he stared back at her unmoving. Of course she knew the dark wizards name and the wizard himself was right in front of her. She wanted to get up and strangle him for all the deaths and suffering he had caused. She broke away from his gaze and tried to calm herself down before she did something rash.

"Where are you from?"

"America" she knew that by saying she was from America she wouldn't have to display an ability to speak any foreign languages. "I know my accent isn't American, you see I was originally born in Britain. My parent's home schooled me before deciding to move to America." The story she had thought up in the last few minutes was perfect. "and then everything was destroyed by you know who" she started to cry again and buried her face in her hands.

"What's your name?"

"Hermione granger" she said in a muffled voice without thinking and she immediately felt stupid for saying her real name out aloud.

"Granger" Dippet repeated. "What was your first name, something mio I think" She felt relieved to find they hadn't heard her first name properly.

"Can you repeat your first name" she looked up and this time Dumbledore handed her a fresh tissue and she blew her nose on it. All she had to do was think of a first name that had the word mio or at least sounded similar to it. After wiping her eyes and blowing her nose several times a name finally came to her.

"Maya" she said uncertainly at first. "My name is Maya Granger" she said firmly keeping her mind blank as possible. No one seemed to suspect anything odd expect Dumbledore who was looking at her with a puzzled expression. She felt her insides squirm. How was she supposed to block a great wizard like Albus Dumbledore when she hardly knew any Occulumency? Well there was nothing she could do about it, he would know every time she lied. She knew that eye contact was essential for legilimency and she quickly looked down. Hermione knew that it would make him more suspicious but she thought it was better if he didn't find out what else she was lying about.

"Granger" Dippet repeated. "Are your Muggleborn" She felt angry at the question. Why did everyone have to judge you by your blood status? She couldn't say both her parents were muggles, her story would appear false. Muggles couldn't home school their children in magic or apparate them to different countries. "I'm Half blood she forced out"

"Judging by your surname I guess the muggle is your father"

"Correct sir"

"A pity, but one can't choose their parents" She felt like shouting at Dippet but it wasn't the best time to lecture him on Blood prejudices when she was an unwanted guest at his school. He looked at his finger nails in deep thought as if he was considering something and then he looked up at her.

"Well Maya I have no idea how you managed to get past the protection barriers. But you somehow managed to appear at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry in Scotland." Hermione tried to act shocked and surprised but she was seconds late at reacting. Tom raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms while Dumbledore scratched his head. She wasn't the kind of person that acted to be something else in front of other people and she was finding it difficult. She knew that Tom had to have been a superb actor to have charmed and fooled so many people. He could probably see through her rubbish acting skills right now and the thought that he might discover her secret scared her. But he wouldn't be able to prove she was acting, he had no evidence and that made her relax a little.

"Armando I may have a theory to explain Miss Grangers mysterious appearance"

"Do enlighten us Albus"

"Miss Granger can you apparate" Being intelligent Hermione guessed Dumbledore's theory. She knew how to apparate but for the sake of his theory she had to pretend otherwise.

"No" she said avoiding his eyes.

"When you were facing danger did you have a strong desire to be somewhere else?"

"Yes"

"Did you have a particular destination in mind?"

"No really, just to be somewhere safe"

"Ah" Dumbledore said clapping his hands. "Wanting to be somewhere safe may have caused her to automatically aparate to a random location that appeared safe. The protection wards no doubt helped to make Hogwarts stand out as a safe place above all others"

"That's all very well Albus but it still doesn't explain how she got past the wards to apparate here in the first place" Dippet said waving his hands.

"That part still continues to puzzle me but I shall look into it" Dumbledore said.

"Maya I have been doing some thinking and I am willing to offer you a place at Hogwarts. All of your books, class material, uniform and a small monthly allowance will be provided to you from my private funding. But I ask only one thing in return, that you do not repeat to anyone about the way you arrived at Hogwarts." She had no money, no home and no education. She was stuck in the past and the best thing to do was move on and start living in the 1940's like it was the present time. Dippet was afraid of being kicked out and she had nothing to lose, in the end they all benefited.

"I agree" she said making Dippet smile at her cheerfully.

"I think you should be in seventh year, does that sound right Horace"

"Sounds right to me" Slughorn replied.

"Then we would have to sort you into one of our four houses. Your house will be like your family and you will live, eat and spend most of your time in their company.

A sorting hat is used for that. Also you will have to sit all the sixth year exams so we can determine the level of class you should be placed in for your seventh year"

"That's fine sir" she said nodding her head.

"We will introduce you to the whole school as a transfer student. It's a good thing you arrived at the first week of the year" he pointed at the plump woman. "Madam Whittaker here tells me you should be fully recovered in 2 or 3 days. Hopefully everything will be sorted in time for you to start by the beginning of next week. So you won't be too far behind" Dippet turned to face the others in the room. "Now I want all my staff to keep tonight's event strictly confidential and anyone found leaking anything will find their position at risk" That was Dippet's nice way of saying your fired if you tell anyone about her mysterious appearance. Dippet suddenly noticed Tom and looked alarmed for a second.

"Tom did you not intend to leave earlier" Dippet questioned.

"Forgive me sir, I was curious" he said carefully making his expression look apologetic.

"If you want to remain head boy for the rest of the year I suggest you don't say a word"

"Of course Sir, I would never go against your wishes"

"I believe a reward is in order since I hear from Slughorn that you were quite the hero"

"It was nothing Sir, I was merely doing my duty"

"You should have seen him Albus, such impressive spell work" Slughorn boasted.

"Now Horace don't you think your over doing it with the compliments" Dumbledore said.

"Albus your just jealous that such a talented student isn't in your house" Slughorn said defensively. Hermione watched Tom's mouth move upwards to form a slight half smile but in the blink of an eye it vanished.

"No one doubts his talents" Dippet said. "Tom, I will arrange for you to receive it sometime this week."

"Thank you headmaster"

"Maya I would like to properly introduce you to a charming young man" Dippet gestured Tom to come more closer to Hermione's bed. "This is Tom Riddle, he is the head boy of Slytherin house" With an uncomfortable expression, Tom slowly held out a hand towards her and she stared at it in horror. The hand of lord Voldemort that had murdered thousands of innocents was floating right in front of her.

"Now my child it won't hurt to shake his hand, I assure you my Tom is a right gentleman" Slughorn's voice boomed through the room snapping her out of her thoughts. Hermione forced herself to shake his hand and quickly withdrew as if he was contaminated with disease. No one noticed anything odd expect Tom and Hermione knew because although he was smiling at her his eyes looked annoyed.

"A pleasure to meet you Maya" he said with a slight sarcastic tone that only Hermione picked up on.

"Now that you know each other I'll ask Tom to give you a tour of the castle later" Dippet said. Hermione stared at Tom with pure hatred. Here was the man that had killed her parents and her best friends. She should have been chopping his head off but instead she was being forced to act civil with him. His face was now expressionless but his eyes were staring at her with interest and concern.

"Well now that everything's worked out for the best, let us all get some well deserved rest" Dippet said holding the door open for everyone to leave.

"Get well soon" Slughorn said walking towards the door.

"Goodnight professor and I hope your arm gets better" she replied back.

"Don't you worry my child, I'm a fast healer" Slughorn patted the bandage slightly.

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents and I wish you all the best in the future" Dumbledore said looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"Thank you professor" she said hurriedly lowering her gaze. Soon everyone was standing near the door ready to leave expect Tom. He was still rooted at the same spot staring at her continuously.

"Tom" Dippet called out and he immediately walked away without saying a word. Everyone started to leave the room. "Good night Maya" Dippet said walking out last and snapped the door shut.

"You too headmaster" she called out. Hermione lay down exhausted and took in a couple of deep breaths. She was still trying to get her head around waking up in the past. She was convinced Ron's locket was the cause of it all and suddenly she found herself angry at him. But her anger immediately vanished as she realised she would have been dead without it. Bellatrix's spell would of definitely hit her if the locket hadn't protected her. Thinking about Ron brought fresh tears back to her eyes. Harry was dead, he had lost and Voldemort had won in the end. Hermione suddenly paused her train of thought and wiped away her tears. She was in the past and none of that had happened yet. Did that mean she had a chance to change things? As she recalled the warmth of her mothers hug and the way her father used to take her out shopping she knew she had to have her revenge no matter what.

But meddling with time was supposed to be dangerous. To hell with the consequences she thought clenching her fists. Too many people close to her had died and Ron's death had been the final straw. Her heart had turned to ice and she had killed a death eater then without a second thought. Hermione had killed once and she knew she could kill again. Harry's parents would still be alive and he wouldn't have the burden of destroying Voldemort on his shoulders. Ron, the Weasly family and her parents wouldn't die at the hands of death eaters. In fact there would be no death eaters if there was no Voldemort. She would be saving thousands of lives by taking one life. She would be doing it for the greater good. Ron's locket had given her a second chance to save the world from Voldemort. She couldn't let Ron's death be meaningless, she couldn't just throw away the opportunity fate had given her. All she had to do was murder Tom Riddle and she promised herself she would. No matter what, she would find a way to kill him.

"Your one lucky girl" Madam Whittaker suddenly said making her jump. "In all my years I have never seen Mr Riddle look at a girl before. I think he has taken quite a liking to you" She knew the real reason Tom had been staring at her. He was trying to use legilimency on her and her lie had obviously made him further interested. "What do you think of him?" she said uncorking a potion vial.

"He's nice" Hermione forced out.

"Just nice, come one girl it's just you and me" she said pouring a thick red liquid onto a large spoon. She felt like she was back in her dorm being questioned by parvati and lavender. Her eyes started to slightly water. In all her years she had never thought she would ever miss being questioned by the gossip girls of Hogwarts. She looked up to find Madam Whittaker waiting for her to respond.

"Well he's, he's---" Hermione didn't know what to say. His an evil, mass murdering dark lord she wanted to shout out but that would make her look crazy. "Err--he's"

"Gorgeous" Madam Whittaker finished and held up the spoon to her lips. She swallowed down the sour potion and scrunched up her eyes. "Bitter I know but it'll get you up and running in no time" She poured some water from a jug and held the glass up. Hermione sat up and washed down the bitter taste from her mouth.

"Now lie back down" the plump woman pulled the covers right up to her chin.

"Sleep tight and don't forget to dream about seducing a certain Mr Riddle" she said grinning at her suggestively. Hermione forced herself to shyly smile back. The woman blew out the candles and crept back into her office. Yes, Tom Riddle was certainly going to be occupying her thoughts tonight. But seduction wasn't the topic she had in mind. She closed her eyes and smiled as she began to plot his death.

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