Chapter 3

"Miss." Hermione was woken by a very quiet whisper. "Miss, wake up. We have a question!"

Hermione slowly opened her eyes and was met by two small frames. She looked out at the redheaded children who, once they saw she was awake, started to grin uncontrollably. The oldest was missing a couple front teeth.

"Miss! Momma told us not to bother you, but we couldn't wait any longer!" Bill was practically vibrating with excitement. "Momma said you were running from the war and we wanted to know if you have ever met…" Bill looked around the room, "You Know Who?"

Hermione sat up and looked out at the boys. She lowered her head to their level and whispered loudly. "Well, no, I haven't. I have met plenty of his followers though. They are all very scary and not to be messed with." Their eyes became wide with wonder and a little fear as if she were telling them a ghost story.

At that moment, Mrs. Weasley walked in the room, "Boys! What did I say about leaving Miss Hermione alone?"

The boys quickly ran from the room. "I'm sorry dear, they don't get to be out of the house much due to the circumstances. We try to keep them occupied with chores and things but if there is something new to see, they are right in the way." Molly turned and watched the kids run out the kitchen door toward the back garden. "It's about lunch time if you're hungry. I made a shepherd's pie and it is still warm.

Molly looked back at Hermione with a small smile before leaving the room again. Hermione looked over and saw that her old clothes had been washed and repaired while she slept and were laid on a chair across the room. She stood up from the makeshift bed and changed clothes before heading to the kitchen. Hermione sat down at the table and helped herself to what was left of the shepherd's pie and what looked to be fresh lemonade. Molly was busy putting cleaning spells on the dishes in the sink.

"Arthur left early this morning on business but should be back soon. After that we will decide what to do with you," Molly said casually. This caught Hermione off guard and she paused eating. "You should know that we contacted Albus Dumbledore last night as a precaution. He does not seem to have a record of you, or any Hermione, at the school in the last 50 years. He would like to meet with you if that is possible."

Hermione should have known that the Weasleys were suspicious. After all, they didn't know her and they were in the middle of a war. You can't just show up at a member of the Order of the Phoenix and not be expected to be interrogated. I can't stay here forever and I need to figure out how to get home. Maybe Professor Dumbledore can help with that, she thought.

Hermione put down her fork and sighed. "I don't think I have much of a choice in the matter, but yeah, that's fine. When is he going to be here?"

Molly gave a short laugh. "He said early afternoon but knowing him it will be any minute. He seems to know the goings on of everywhere and, now that you're awake, I'm sure his arrival is imminent." Molly wiped her hands and sat at the table. "You should know I do not suspect you of being anything terrible, but not having any reason to trust you, we had to be precautious. Albus is a good man and will see to it that you are put on the right track."

Hermione gave her a small smile. "I've heard great things about Professor Dumbledore. I know he is fair and only has everyone's best interest in mind." Hermione also knew that Dumbledore would put the war effort in front of her best interests, but she was trying to stay positive.

"If nothing else he can get you enrolled in Hogwarts. You will be safe there if nothing else. I have some of Arthur and mine's old books if you are to be needing them." Molly stood up and went back to her chores. "Until he arrives, though, I am afraid I can't let you leave the house. He gave strict instructions for that."

"I understand." Hermione set herself back to eating. She was starting to get nervous that Dumbledore thought she was a spy herself. Not that she blamed him at all. "Are there any chores you need help with? I might as well make myself useful until he gets here."

Molly laughed again, "You are a guest here until proven otherwise. I can handle the chores in the house and Arthur will handle the outside clean-up of whatever those boys have messed with when he gets home. If you would like, I can get those school books for you now and you can go ahead and look through them."

Hermione's eyes lit up at that. She hadn't read a book in what seemed like ages. But before she could answer, the detection charms went off and Molly looked out the window over the sink. "That would be Albus."

Hermione sat up straighter and put her fork down. She didn't want a mouthful of food when she met the Headmaster. She had not seen Dumbledore alive since before he and Harry had gone off to hunt Horcruxes. Molly went out to meet him and walked him inside. Hermione noted he looked younger than her school days, his beard being half the size and his hair only mostly grey. Time was not kind to the man, it seemed. Stress and War will do that to you, I guess.

His eyes had the same twinkle about them as they always had, though, and he smiled at her while making sure to not break eye contact. "You must be Hermione. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school. I am glad to meet your acquaintance."

Hermione stood up. "Good afternoon Headmaster. Mrs. Weasley said that you would like to speak with me about my circumstances?"

"Yes,I am quite interested in the story about your parents and where you have been. Do you have time to spare me?" Hermione could tell that wasn't a question. His eyes, though they shone as friendly, were also giving a hard glare that dared her to say no. Hermione knew this was to warn her not to lie.

"Of course, Professor. Do you want to sit down?" She gestured to the empty chair across from her. "There is still some food left if you want it."

Dumbledore finally broke eye contact and went to sit down. Molly, who was uncomfortably standing near the doorway, spoke up. "I'm going to leave you both to it then. Let me know if you need anything. I will be outside rounding up my children." Molly quickly left through the kitchen door and Hermione immediately felt more nervous.

"Well, I think it is about time we started, is it not?" Dumbledore placed his hands on the table and linked his fingers together. "I will not waste time with small talk as I do not have much time to waste these days. So, where did you come from and how did you end up here?"

Hermione quickly thought through her story and decided that the truth was best. Dumbledore could tell if she were lying anyway. She just had to be careful to not give too much away from the future and only give out information as was needed.

"I… came from the year 1998. I accidentally time traveled to this year when I touched some standing stones in the middle of a forest…" Hermione looked up into Dumbledore's eyes. "I came to this house because I know the Weasley family in the future. I attend Hogwarts with their son. I thought I had only gone back a short time and came here to find out more information about when I was and try to try and get back to my time after. I truly don't mean any harm."

Dumbledore was quietly pondering her answers for what seemed like an eternity. "So what about the story of your parents? Were they in the forest with you?"

"No, the story I gave Molly was true. I put them in hiding."

"So in the year 1998, the war is still continuing?" Dumbledore asked, his face darker than Hermione had seen it since her fourth year after the maze.

"Yes, and No… I don't feel that I should give away much, professor. I don't want to create any time-related problems." Hermione hoped he wouldn't press the issue. She may have already said too much.

"I see." Dumbledore's face went back to his normal, twinkling self and he sat back. "Well, we will need to find a way to send you back to 1998 which may take some time. I will need to research standing stones and their magical background. There is some reading material in the Hogwarts' library, I am sure. Molly and Arthur have been very accommodating but, as you can see, their life is about to become busier with their impending little one. If you are ready, I will take you back to the school with me. We have a little over a month until the start of term. You can take that time to get settled and acquire some things. I can give you an allowance and send you with a chaperone to Diagon Alley if that is what you wish."

Hermione thought for a moment and nodded. She could also do her own research during the downtime and try to figure out a plan for when she does finally make her way back to Ron and Harry. "I think that's a great idea. Are we leaving now? I will need to say goodbye to everyone."

"Yes, I think that is best. I will give you 10 minutes while I do take advantage of some of this lovely shepherd's pie. Hogwarts' food is well done, but there is nothing like Molly Weasley's cooking to soothe one's soul."