HEy guys! I just want to start by saying i am SO sorry it took me significantly longer than usual to get this chapter posted, this semester at school really kicked my bootay, but im finally done for the summer so ill be posting like normal again!
And oh my thank you so so much to everyone that has commented on this story! Reading them since I posted my last chapter was honestly so overwhelming, I had 10 reviews since then which is the most ive ever gotten after a post so thank you so much I absolutely adore reading them so thank you!
Also in response to one of the comments regarding Lucius and narcissa being the wrong age in this fic, thank you for bringing up a really good point in your comment! I am trying to keep this story as close to the books as possible (besides the whole you know, sending Hermione back in time thing lol) however there are some small things I decided to change for this fics sake, one of them being the ages of Narcissa and Lucius, I know that they are both a few years older than the marauders in the books, but for this story to progress how I want it to I really need them to be at hogwarts the same time as hermione. There will be a few other smaller things you may notice I've changed or will change (for example Franks age/house) but anything I deliberately change like that does have a purpose in this fic, although I am trying to keep those changes to a minimum!
Thank you all so much for sticking with this story and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
That Sunday Hermione spent the majority of the day in the library, she lost track of time and began her walk to the Gryffindor tower just as curfew hit.
Hermione treaded quietly down the empty corridor, only slightly worried that someone would catch her out of bed when she heard a slow drawl behind her.
"Quite the impressive show the other day in Defense, Miss Granger." The deep voice caught her off guard, "I do wonder where you learned such skill?"
Hermione stood frozen in her spot as heavy footsteps moved from a secluded corner to stand in front of her.
"You seem rather experienced." The voice continued as she met the cold, hard eyes of Lucius Malfoy.
"Well, you know," Hermione began, attempting to sound casual, "I transferred from Durmstrang, they have a heavy focus on dueling and defense."
Malfoy chuckled, "I figured you would say that, but I think you and I both know that level of skill is not easily acquired without outside influence."
As he spoke Hermione felt a light prodding at the forefront of her mind, one that she knew accompanied legilimency. Immediately shutting him out, her eyes snapped to meet his and any form of restraint she was previously able to muster disappeared.
"Come on now, Lucius," she sneered, his name rolling off her tongue, "Surely your mother taught you it's not polite to prod at others' minds."
"I find it rather interesting," he said, stepping closer to her, "That occlumency is not covered in the Durmstrang curriculum. I can't help but wonder where you learned it?"
"You overestimate me." Hermione realized this has gone too far way too fast.
"You don't believe your own words." Malfoy said, eyes roaming her body, "I know someone that will treat you right."
Hermione didn't think it was possible for anyone to be more revolting than the Lucius Malfoy she knew in her time. Yet here he was, proof that there could always be worse.
"I don't believe your words either." Hermione replied, holding her ground.
"I'm sure you know that power is well sought after in these times. That's why you came here, isn't it?" He asked, eyes narrowing in on her own. Hermione didn't feel the prodding of legilimency again, however, a strong feeling of unease rose in her chest.
"No. It's not." Hermione said simply, refusing to give Malfoy anything more to work with.
He smirked.
"I don't believe you. And again, I know you don't believe that either." Giving her one last glance before walking away he said, "I'm excited to see how you will use this power of yours."
And with that he rounded the corner and was gone.
It took everything Hermione had not to scream or cry or hit something. Young Lucius Malfoy was somehow even more infuriating and sleazy than Draco Malfoy. She was so annoyed and frustrated and tired. Living in this time was already difficult enough, the last thing she needed was another Malfoy cornering her in the corridors.
Hermione closed her eyes as she ran her hands through her hair. She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself before continuing her walk to the Gryffindor tower.
As cocky as Malfoy was, Hermione did feel a bit of relief in the fact that he didn't actually know anything about her.
Sure, he knows that she's strong, and yeah, he knows that something might be a little off. But that's no more than Lily or the marauders. He knows nothing of substance, and he never will.
Besides, Hermione knew that in twenty years he would be locked away in Azkaban for the rest of his life. It was unrelated, yes, but it was a comforting thought.
The click of her footsteps rang through the halls and as she rounded the corner a purple cloaked figure appeared in her line of sight.
"Ah, Miss Granger, I hoped I might find you here." A gentle voice filled Hermione's ears.
"Professor Dumbledore?" She said surprised, "What are you doing here?"
"I decided to go for a stroll. I rarely know where my feet plan on taking me before I get there." He let out a small chuckle. "Can I have a word?"
"Of course, Professor," Hermione replied, a mix of excitement and concern filling her chest. "Is everything alright?"
"Oh yes, of course," He said calmly, "I was hoping to discuss some of my research with you."
Hermione thought she heard something shuffle nearby, but averting her she was met only with empty space.
"Absolutely, Professor Dumbledore," She said. Unable to shake the feeling of unease that remained from her conversation with Malfoy, her eyes continued to search the corridor until she caught a faint shimmer under the light of a torch.
Hermione stared at the spot, assuming her mind was playing tricks on her until she saw it a second time.
Fuck. The invisibility cloak.
"Perhaps though, Professor, we should discuss this matter somewhere more private." Hermione suggested turning back to Dumbledore, unnerved by the unexpected presence.
"Excellent idea." The headmaster replied, the usual twinkle held in his eyes, "Let's chat in my office."
As the pair began walking Hermione spared one last glance in the area she knew the boys to be before turning down the corridor.
Remus was lounging on his bed flipping through a book while Peter sat staring aimlessly at some parchment when their dormitory door burst open and slammed against the wall.
Looking towards the offending sound Remus saw his two best friends fly into the room before slamming the door shut again.
"What the fuck." James yelled.
"I told you," Sirius began pacing around the room, "Something weird is going on, somethings not right."
"I'm starting to think you're right, Pads, what the hell just happened?" James said, running his hands through his hair in frustration as he flopped back on his bed.
"Are you two alright?" Remus asked, closing his book and setting it next to him on the bed.
"Something is off about Granger, Remus, if we didn't know it before we sure do now." Sirius said, still pacing.
"What happened?" Peter asked.
James briefly explained the conversation they overheard between Hermione and Malfoy before saying, "It was weird, even though Malfoy was trying to intimidate her she didn't seem scared of him, even though she was alone in the corridor, if anything she just seemed annoyed"
"But it's not just that, Prongs," Sirius remarked, "Did you see her face when they talked, the way she was looking at him? She knows him, but it didn't sound like he knew anything about her."
"Wait wait wait, can we just take a step back? She's an occlumens?" Remus asked, mind reeling with questions. "That is extremely advanced magic."
"Malfoy said it's not on Durmstrang curriculum," James mentioned as he stared down at the ground, "So she made a conscious effort to learn somehow."
"It's because she has something to hide!" Sirius said frustrated.
Remus wondered what someone their age would try so hard to hide and who she was hiding it from.
"Maybe she just learned to prepare for the war?" Peter commented unsurely.
"I don't think so, Pete," Remus said softly, drawing the attention of the other three boys. "I'm kind of thinking there might be something weird going on with her too."
At the curious looks from his friends he continued, "The other day in Defense, when she was dueling, she was more than just good. When you really looked at the way she dueled, there's no way she doesn't have real experience."
"But that's not all," Sirius continued, "As she was walking back up to the tower Dumbles was already there looking for her, and they're doing some kind of research together."
Remus was already shocked, and then James said, "There were moments it seemed like she could see the invisibility cloak."
"What do you mean?" Peter asked, clearly confused.
"After Dumbledore mentioned the research she stared straight at Sirius and I and then suggested they have the conversation somewhere more private." James explained, "And then before she went to walk away she looked right back at us again. It's like she knew we were there."
Remus sat there in shock, not quite believing what he was hearing. This girl was able to see through the invisibility cloak? The same cloak that was created to hide its user from death? There was just no way.
"Well," Remus said, breaking the silence, "Let's just hope for your sake that she doesn't know it was you two. I don't know what's going on but I think it's safe to say she's not someone you want to have against you."
"I stumbled across an interesting book the other day." Dumbledore began once Hermione had taken a seat in his office.
He pulled a tall, thin book from a shelf and placed it on the desk in front of her.
As Hermione looked at the cover and gently flipped through the old pages she spared a glance at the headmaster.
"But sir, this is a children's book." She said looking down at the colorful cartoons that filled the pages.
With twinkling eyes Dumbledore said, "That's right. Which is why I ask you don't take the information in this book too lightly or too seriously."
Hermione looked at him once again with confusion etched on her face.
"You see," Dumbledore continued, "The plot of that book is remarkably similar to your situation. It is worth a read."
"But Professor," Hermione couldn't help but ask, "If this is based on another time traveler's experience, why is it written for kids?"
"I am inclined to believe it was written in this manner due to the controversy regarding time travel." He explained, "It is likely the only way this story was allowed to be published."
Hermione quickly flipped through the pages of the book as Dumbledore continued, "The story is that of a young girl who gets into an accident, very similar to yours, and travels over 50 years into the past. She stayed there for six years, until a second accident moved her over 50 years into the future. After her second trip through time, she discovers it is still the same time line, six years after her original departure."
"Time continued to move on without her." Hermione said dazed, thinking that every day she spent here is another day she's missing out on with Harry and Ron.
"Despite your presence in this time, I must implore you not to dwell on what may be happening in the future. You did say, your friends were not attending school with you this year, correct?" Dumbledore prodded, grounding Hermione.
At her nod, he went on, "I know it must be difficult, but it seems that for now there is nothing you can do until another piece of information presents itself. Besides, you do not need to miss out on living just because you're not living in your time."
Hermione met his eyes once more.
"I noticed you're rather avoidant of your peers, Hermione."
Looking back down at the book in her hands she replied, "It's just so hard. Knowing that there are so many things I can't change."
"Of course, it's going to be hard" He continued, "But when you leave, their memory will continue to live on in you."
Hermione walked through the corridors, careful to avoid being seen for what felt like the tenth time that night.
She dipped behind a statue as shadows played on the wall in front of her. Once they were gone she continued.
Hermione supposed Dumbledore was right, as usual.
The situation really was very tragic. Everyone she was surrounded with was so young and carefree. There was so much they hadn't yet experienced. So much they would never get to.
Dumbledore was right. Given how little time these kids had left, Hermione should help them enjoy it.
Besides, she would eventually go home and have to tell Harry she met his parents. He would probably be disappointed if she had the opportunity to know them but didn't take it.
So, Hermione approached the common room with a new goal in mind. Make friends.
The portrait swung forward and as she stepped through the space she quickly noticed the four boys placed around the fire. Taking a deep breath and swallowing her nerves, Hermione thought there was no better time than the present.