Chapter 2

8 months. This would be around the time they brought Harry to the Burrow. Hermione knew she could gauge if she was correct by trying to apparate to the Burrow and see who was there and what was happening, but being careful not to come in contact with anyone. From there, who knows?

Hermione sat in the spot on the forest floor for what seemed like an eternity thinking through the plan until dusk started to fall. Once it became dark enough where she was sure it would be difficult for her to be seen, she focused and apparated away. If she was seen by a member of the Order, she decided she would just apparate back to the stone circle and regroup.

Once Hermione popped into place, she was suddenly met with an unfamiliar scene. The property in front of her was nowhere close to what her Burrow looked like. First of all, there were only a handful of protection charms in place which did not recognize Hermione as a welcome guest. She could faintly hear a detection charm ring out toward the home. Second, the Weasley house was much… shorter than she recalled. There seemed to be only a ground floor and 1 story up which looked to have been recently added on.

Hermione started to apparate away when a very young Mr. Weasley came out of the house smiling and waving. Not wanting to look suspicious, Hermione froze and slowly waved back.

"Hello!" Mr. Weasley shouted toward her while he quickly started her way. Hermione could only stand in place with a dumb smile plastered on her face.

Definitely not 8 months, she thought. When Mr. Weasley finally made it to her, he went to shake her hand.

" Hello, I'm so sorry, we were not expecting any visitors today! I'm Arthur Weasley. And who might you be?" Mr. Weasley looked at her with a kind, but confused expression on his face. Even though he seemed calm enough, she could tell that Arthur was mildly on edge. It was a look she remembered from her parents when she started to display her magic and she threw a tantrum- like they expected something to explode, but were trying to be optimistic that it couldn't be her causing the spectacle. She also noted his hand was on his wand under his sleeve.

Thinking fast, Hermione said the first thing that came to mind. "Hi, I'm so sorry to intrude. I was traveling with my parents and it was the first time they let me apparate by myself. I must not have concentrated correctly. I didn't mean to disturb you." Mr. Weasley perked up and put his wand away.

"It is no trouble at all!. Though it is strange you ended up here as we are well out of the way. Where were you headed?" Mr. Weasley started to lead Hermione toward the house and Hermione went along, again trying to not seem suspicious.

"We were going… to Diagon Alley. School starts soon and I need to pick up my things for the year…" Hermione tried to sound sure of herself but even as she stumbled Mr. Weasley did not seem to notice. He continued to lead her until he was pushing her through the kitchen door.

Inside was just as it was outside, familiar yet strange. Hermione looked around in awe until a small red-headed boy wandered up. At first Hermione thought she had come face-to-face with child-Ron until a very pregnant Mrs. Weasley came through a door in the back looking startled and Mr. Weasley picked up the boy. "Charlie, please do not bother the girl. She seems out of sorts right now and needs something to clear her head. Molly, dear! This girl says she got lost on her first solo apparation."

Mrs. Weasley came up to Hermione and looked her over. Seeing her thin frame and dirty clothes, the woman looked very worried about Hermione's overall health. It was then Hermione remembered she had to look horrible. She had just spent months camping and on the run. She had barely eaten anything other than basic food since they started out and she hadn't eaten all day today. Hermione suddenly felt dizzy and had to sit down.

"You poor dear! Let me get you some food! Arthur, can you put the boys to bed please? I need to get her cleaned up and get her a good meal!" Molly hurried Hermione to the dining table and as soon as she was seated, started to pile leftover boiled potatoes and baked chicken onto a plate. "After this, you are going straight upstairs and taking a needed bath! I don't want to hear it! I cannot believe your parents would let you wander around like this!"

After saying this, Molly quickly looked at Hermione. Hermione had made a quick grimace at the mention of her parents, one that Molly didn't miss. "Where are your parents, sweetheart," she said in a quiet tone.

Hermione was starting to place a timeframe around when she had landed. If that boy was Charlie Weasley, then Molly had to be pregnant now with Percy. If she was somewhere in July/August, then Percy would be born within the next month. That placed her in 1976, 5 years away from Harry meeting Voldemort and practically the middle of the snake's first reign of power. That being the case, and knowing her hostess well, Hermione decided not to lie.

"For their own good, I sent them away from here. I'm a muggle-born and felt they were not safe here right now. I sent them to Australia until the war is over and I can go and get them." Hermione looked down and didn't meet Molly's eyes.

"This war is affecting everyone. I don't blame you a bit for the drastic measures you took. I have family in hiding as well. You are lucky you landed here. We are one of few families who wouldn't turn you away right now out of fear or worse." Molly took Hermione's hand from where it rested on the table. "The war will end. I know it seems hopeless now, but there are a great many fighting the cause and I believe that evil will never prevail as long as there are people dedicated to the light."

Hermione looked up from where she was staring at the potatoes. There was a light in Molly's eyes, one she had not seen in a few years, but one that almost screamed hope, even if her facial expression looked grave. "I know," Hermione responded quietly.

"You look exhausted, dear. Eat up and then come find me in the next room. I will look for some clothes that will fit you and start running your bath. Then we can find you somewhere to sleep."

Once Molly left the room, Hermione attacked her food. She knew it was just potatoes and chicken but she felt as if she were feasting like a king. Unfortunately, her body was not used to such a large portion and she was only able to eat half before she felt like vomiting. It was at this time that Molly came back into the room.

"What was your name again, dear?" Molly was smiling again.

"Hermione." Hermione decided it was best to just use her real name for now. Even in the future, the Weasleys were not ones to be put off by these sorts of things. When they met 12 year old Hermione, they would just be glad that future Hermione would look to them for a safe haven.

Molly did not ask for a last name. She just beckoned Hermione in to the next room where she had transfigured the sofa into a twin-sized bed and had laid some pajamas on the pillow.

"The bathroom is down the hall through that small door there. The water does not get hot on its own, but you can manage with a simple heating spell. I will make sure my boys don't disturb you in the morning. You have met Charlie, the oldest is named Bill. Whenever you wake in the morning, just come back to the kitchen and I will make sure you get a full breakfast."

Molly left the room and Hermione sat on the side of the bed for a moment. 1976. She was in 1976 and sleeping in the Burrow. She didn't know where she would go next or how she would get back to her own time, but she figured that was a problem for tomorrow.

Hermione got up, went to the bathroom, heated her water, and took a long bath. She was happy to be fully clean after weeks of simple cleaning spells. They worked, but nothing felt as good as an actual bath or shower. After she was finished, she vanished the water, put on the fresh pajamas, and went back to the sofa-bed.

Hermione laid down, got comfortable, and had a good, long cry before finally falling asleep.