CHAPTER 6: Revelations
December 20, 1998
(Hermione's past)
Hermione's parents insisted she invite all her new friends for lunch at their home. After that night at the pub when she met Theo, Draco, Pansy, and Daphne, Hermione got an owl from Pansy, inviting her for lunch in a high-end restaurant in Muggle London. Mostly, they talked about fashion and, well, Ronan.
If Hermione hadn't been friends with Theo for the past three months, she would never agree to sit with Pansy Parkinson even in an establishment in Muggle London. But her lost friendship with Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and her newfound friendship with Theo somewhat changed her view of people, especially Slytherins. And she could not forget what Theo said about his best friends. Even if he grew old, he was sure his best friends would still be there for him. They were his family.
After their lunch, Hermione and Pansy even went to different clothing stores because the latter needed inspiration for her designs. But she didn't come home empty-handed. Pansy insisted on buying clothes for her; clothes that were almost un-Hermione-ish, but she could try.
Her mother was pleased to hear that she had female friends and she was acting more like a normal teenager. They did not talk about Harry, Ron, or Ginny.
An hour before lunch, Theo, Draco, Pansy, and Daphne were already standing outside the Granger residence with little Teddy. Draco asked her via owl the previous day if he could bring Teddy since his aunt had something else to do that day. She agreed, of course, feeling excited to see Tonks and Remus's son.
Hermione was frozen for a moment when she saw Draco Malfoy, in a handsome button-up shirt and tailored trousers, holding a boy with the same blond hair and grey eyes. She remembered Remus saying that Teddy was a Metamorphmagus just like his mother. And now, Draco and Teddy looked like father and son. Hermione suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach, secretly adoring her former classmate who allowed Teddy to toy with his hair.
"Teddy! May I hold him?" she asked as she approached Draco and Teddy.
"Hey, kiddo," Draco whispered to Teddy and shifted him in his arms, so the baby was facing Hermione. "Hermione," he whispered to Teddy.
Teddy smiled and his hair colour changed from blonde to brown. His Patrician nose turned to a button nose just like hers. She giggled and reached for him. Teddy smiled broadly when she carried him, then turned to their friends.
Hermione noted that Theo and Daphne were trying their best to act normally and not to look so excited about Muggle things and devices. But Hermione caught Theo eyeing and running a hand on her father's car.
"You won't be needing that, Theo," Daphne said with a roll of her eyes. "Apparating is way faster."
Hermione and Pansy exchanged looks and chuckled. "Take it from someone who works at Magical Transportation," Hermione said.
"Who says I want it for travelling?" Theo grinned at his girlfriend. "Maybe driving can be my new hobby."
"Yeah, right, because you have all the time in the world," Draco sneered.
"Your father might go crazy if he knew you're spending the family fortune on Muggle things," giggled Pansy.
"And financially supporting your best friends who left their wealthy families," winked Daphne.
Hermione frowned at that and gave Theo a questioning look.
"Oh, Theo didn't tell you?" asked Pansy. "He purchased our flat, supported Daphne when she was just starting her job, supports me and Draco financially to follow our dreams."
"Yeah, we all left our families, Hermione. It was just… too much," said Daphne seriously. "My mum and sister communicate with me, but I told them I wanted to be on my own. And Pansy's mum kicked her out of the house and refused to talk to her."
"'Cause I'm no longer her perfect pure-blood princess," Pansy winked.
"And Blaise?" she asked.
"Just moral support. The bloke's mummy has money, and I don't think there's a family drama," replied Theo.
They entered the house and Hermione, still carrying Teddy and she didn't mind he played with her hair, led them to the sitting room where her father was waiting, reading a newspaper. Crookshanks was by her father's feet and instantly rose and made a sound of approval when he saw her and Teddy. Dr Granger beamed when he saw Teddy and offered to carry the boy because it had been a while since he held a baby.
"Oh, Crookshanks loves him, already, Princess, look!" her father said with glee.
Her mum came from the kitchen, and she introduced the four Slytherins to her parents. Her mum and dad welcomed them, and they were cordial. But of course, Teddy became the centre of the three (four, including Crookshanks) Grangers' attention.
During lunch, Mrs Granger and Pansy mostly talked about Muggle music and fashion, and Daphne listened contentedly, making comments about Pansy's taste in music from time to time. Dr Granger asked Theo and Draco if they knew any Muggle sports and the two wizards, to Hermione's surprise, have tried playing baseball and cricket! Hermione felt relieved when her dad did not try to intimidate Draco anymore and did not mention her letters when she was younger.
There was no mention of Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the war. It was just like any normal lunch with family and new friends. Especially Draco, she thought. She didn't want him to look even more uncomfortable.
"Thanks for a lovely lunch, Mrs Granger," Pansy said politely, yet happily when they walked them out.
"Yes, Mrs Granger, thank you for inviting us," Daphne seconded. "And thanks, too, Dr Granger."
"Oh, our pleasure. It has been years since we had Hermione's friends at home," her mother said in an equal cordial manner. "Feel free to visit us anytime and bring little Teddy!"
"Yeah, bring Teddy again," Hermione said, looking at Draco and Teddy with a smile.
Theo and Draco bid their goodbyes and murmured thanks to her parents. "Princess, why don't you walk with them to the Apparition point?" her father said in an encouraging tone, giving her a sweet smile.
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Let me just grab my coat." She restrained from running to the house to get her coat. She just wanted to be with them a little longer.
Who are we kidding, Granger? Her mind screamed. You just want to be with Malfoy a little longer.
Well, what's wrong with that? She debated with herself.
Hermione returned outside, dressed in her winter coat and boots, and approached Draco. "Can I hold him again?"
Draco looked delighted. "Of course." He handed Teddy to her.
"Lovely," Pansy commented from behind her and clapped her hands. "I think he loves you, Hermione."
"Oh, I'm certain he loves Hermione," commented Theo, followed by Daphne's giggle.
Hermione was about to give her friends a questioning look, but Teddy pulled her hair again. Draco, now walking beside her, chuckled. "He's fond of your hair," he murmured, gently removing Teddy's fingers in her curls.
"Oh, Merlin," she groaned. "I have to keep my hair in a bun when Teddy's around."
"You don't have to," Draco smiled. "You look better when your curls are – "
"Flying in every direction?" she snorted but gave him a teasing look.
Draco looked at her with… fondness? Was that the right word to describe it? He ran a hand on her curls. "I like it. Your curls, I mean."
"He certainly loves her," Hermione heard Daphne say.
"Who?" she turned behind her shoulder.
"Oh, no one," Daphne said casually. "Just some random witch Pansy and I know from school."
Before she could ask more, Draco placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to get her attention. "Hey, Hermione, is that the one with the basketball court?" Draco pointed in the direction of Nightingale Recreation Ground.
"Yeah. Ever played basketball?" she asked.
Draco grinned. "' Course," he replied confidently. "Theo, Blaise, and I have tried every Muggle ball game."
Suddenly, in her mind, an image of Draco Malfoy flashed. He was wearing a pair of green jerseys, his forehead was sweaty, hair covering his forehead, and he was shooting a basketball.
Oh, gods, this has to stop .
.
January 9, 1999
(Hermione's past)
Hermione agreed to meet Theo, Draco, Blaise, Daphne, and Pansy at the Three Broomsticks that day. Together, they would visit their old professor's grave. It was his birth anniversary and her Slytherin friends thought of visiting the man who protected them and took care of them for six years. It wasn't her first time meeting Blaise formally. They had already hung out during the holidays when the Italian wizard went back to Britain to spend the holidays with his best friends.
But Hermione, despite waking up late, was twenty minutes early. She went to the loo to fix her hair and put on some make-up, so she wouldn't get a telling-off from Pansy. Ever since they became friends, Pansy did her best to make her improve her appearance. She encouraged her to always wear make-up and nice clothes (nothing revealing, Hermione agreed). She thought it was the perfect time to learn how to dress up and put on make-up by herself. Soon, she would leave Hogwarts and pursue a career. She should look like a proper lady, a young professional.
She was on her way back to her and Theo's usual table when she saw Ron and Romilda Vane looking cosy at the table nearest to the loo. Her heart ached, not because Ron was snogging Romilda, but because she missed her best friend. She missed Ron and Harry and she really wanted to be with them again, but if they didn't want her in their lives anymore, what could she do? Someone else wanted to be her friend.
She didn't feel like she was ready to face Ron, so she had cast the Disillusionment Charm on herself and quietly moved towards the door. She could just send a Patronus to Theo and tell him she went ahead to the graveyard.
But then, as she approached the door, she found her new friends already at the table.
Maybe I'll just join them and if Ron saw me, then whatever will be will be? She wondered.
She stood behind Draco, ready to remove the charms on herself, and fighting the urge to place a hand on his back casually – like how Theo would do sometimes - when she caught what they were talking about.
"Hermione and Weasley shared just one kiss," Theo insisted. "They were never together, and she doesn't have feelings for him. Weasley felt like she had broken up with her while still grieving for his brother. Weasley thought she was inconsiderate."
"I don't really think Weasley suits her. Hermione deserves someone better," quipped Pansy.
"Of course, she does," Daphne agreed, eyeing Draco intently.
"Stop looking at me like that, Daphne. She won't be interested in me," said Draco sternly.
Theo, who was direct across from Draco, leant forward with a goofy smile on his face. "Oh, I think she will be so interested to know that you've fancied her since our third year and don't even deny it! You saw her during the Yule Ball and ignored Pansy," he laughed.
Pansy laughed as well. "And, oh, don't forget, Theo. I found a girl's handkerchief in his Potions book, and it smelt like Hermione's hair."
"Come to think of it," Blaise said. "I don't think Draco bullied Granger when we were first years. He just started calling her names in our second year because Flint told him he was being soft for Potter's Muggle-born friend. I think you already liked her as early as our first year, mate."
Draco huffed. "So, what if I've been harbouring feelings for her since we were eleven?"
Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Eleven years old? First-year? Oh, my goodness!
Since that day she saw Draco months ago with Theo, she could not help herself but feel excited and at the same time, nervous around him. And every time they were together, she would feel the butterflies in her stomach. She did her best to keep it to herself – her silly crush – because she didn't want their newfound friendship to suffer. She didn't want to lose Theo and by extension, Daph and Pans. So, every time they would meet, Hermione always sat beside Pansy. When they were walking, she would be beside Pansy, holding her arm just to keep her hands busy and refrain from reaching out to Draco. Thankfully, Pansy was fond of her now.
She told herself, she could be contented just having Draco around and maybe, the silly crush would not last.
But now, she was hearing them talk about Draco's feelings for her.
"So what?" Pansy raised an eyebrow. "Draco, she deserves to know that she did something good – that you didn't turn out to be the man your father hoped because she was your conscience. She was the reason why you refused to be an active Death Eater, why you followed Snape's orders to let the Death Eaters in the castle because it had to be that way, according to Dumbledore. She deserves to know that someone out there loves –"
"Don't. Finish. That sentence, Pansy," said Draco dangerously.
Pansy fell leant back on her chair and pressed her lips together.
Hermione was utterly speechless. Draco Malfoy had feelings for her, her mind told her again.
Draco Malfoy, their schoolyard bully.
Draco Malfoy - a boy from the most prejudiced pure-blood family.
Hermione found herself walking away, not minding if the pub customers frowned when the door opened and closed and no one was there. She went somewhere peaceful and quiet to think.
She needed even just a moment for her mind to absorb what she had just learned.
And she needed time to answer her question: Could she return Draco Malfoy's feelings, or was it really just a silly crush?
.
December 3, 1991
(The present)
Hermione didn't know what to do anymore. She had no idea if Harry and Ron had already discovered Fluffy, the three-headed dog. In her previous life, they had discovered it because Draco challenged Harry and Ron to a midnight duel, and they were arguing in the corridors – the three of them. Mr Filch almost caught them and they ran and ran until they reached the forbidden corridor.
But now, she had no idea. She didn't get much sleep for two nights now. She felt like she had to do something before Saturday, the day the students were scheduled to board Hogwarts Express and go home.
By the time her roommates were already preparing for their classes, Hermione was still in bed. She felt really dizzy, everything was spinning, so she closed her eyes. She didn't know if asking her roommates' help was the best thing to do, or just relax and let the dizziness pass.
But thankfully, she heard someone draw her bed curtains. "Hermione?" It was Susan Bones. "Hermione, are you sick?"
Hermione felt Susan sit on the edge of her bed and placed a hand on her forehead.
"Justin's already waiting for you downstairs, Hermione," came Leanne's voice. "What happened?"
"Dizzy," she rumbled, eyes still closed. "Really dizzy. Help."
She heard her roommates talking, panicking, and asking for help. She felt someone, a male, carry her in his arms until she was deposited on another bed, and she heard Madam Pomfrey's voice. A vial of something liquid was gently pushed into her mouth while someone was supporting her back, and then she lay flat on the bed again.
.
As soon as Draco arrived home, he knew something was wrong. There were some changes in the wards, and Hermione couldn't possibly change something without telling him. She did not mention anything this morning.
When he stepped towards the house, Tenny, their house-elf popped in front of him, her tennis balls-like eyes widened in fear.
"Master, master, it's Missy Hermy! Quick!" she said urgently walking inside the house. Draco walked briskly, following Tenny. "Tenny cannot goes to Master's work… Tenny cannot find Mr Theo, Mr Blaise, Missy Pansy, or Missy Daphne! The bad wizard came! Bad wizard raid Master's house!"
Draco found his wife in the parlour, very angry, holding one of Theo's time-turners, pointing his wand at Harry Potter. Before Draco could say anything, Harry Potter was disarming his wife. Knowing that the spell would somewhat hit the time-turner, Draco rushed to his wife but failed to shield her from Potter's spell because he was facing Hermione's left. He heard something explode and Potter screaming Hermione's name, sounding regretful. Then, his body hit the carpeted floor of their parlour.
Draco woke up, panting and perspiring. He sat on his bed and looked around.
Four-posted bed. Green and silver curtains.
He was in a Slytherin dormitory. He raised his arms. They were small, lean, and pale. His left arm was clear and smooth. No Dark Mark.
He reached for his wand beside his pillow and cast a spell to know today's date.
1991.
He was eleven years old, and he had already met his wife.
She must have arrived back in time months before him for she was in Hufflepuff.
.
Draco kept on scanning the Hufflepuff table for a curly-haired witch with a Slytherin scrunchie. He saw Finch-Fletchley enter the Great Hall and sat beside MacMillan. They started talking in hushed tones. The other Muggle-born usually sat beside Hermione.
Where is she?
He wondered and he was starting to worry. He wanted to see her as soon as possible and tell her that he remembered and that she wasn't alone in this timeline.
He was relieved when he saw Theo walk in and sat beside him. "She's not here. Maybe something happened to her," he whispered to his best mate.
"She's in the hospital wing, Draco," Theo whispered. "On my way here, I saw a seventh-year Hufflepuff carrying Hermione to the hospital wing. Her hair was unmistakable."
Draco's heart clenched. What happened to her? He rose to his feet, gathered his bag and left the Great Hall. Theo followed behind. The two of them walked in silence, and when they reached the hospital wing, Theo stopped him.
"Let me do it," he whispered. He walked ahead of him and went to the matron's desk.
"Yes, dears?" the old witch greeted them.
"Good morning, Madam Pomfrey. I am Hermione Granger's study partner and I heard what happened to her. May I see her, please?"
The old witch's kind face softened even more, and she offered them a small smile. "She's asleep, though. But yes, you may see her. Fifth bed to the right."
Theo muttered his thanks and Draco nodded politely to the matron before following his best friend.
And they found Hermione, still in her ivory pyjamas. Her lower body was covered with a comforter. Her curls were spread on the pillow, forming like a halo.
Draco's heart felt like it was going to melt when he saw her. He went to her side and took her hand, entwining their fingers. He ignored Theo's confused look.
"Love, I'm here, I'm here. I'm sorry, it took me months," he chanted like a prayer to her ear as his other hand went to smooth her curls. "But I'm here now and I will take care of you again. Like before. I will protect you, watch over you and continue loving you."
But Hermione must have been dosed with a sleeping potion because, despite his touches and whispers, she remained asleep.
Theo placed a hand on his shoulder, telling him that they should leave for their classes.
Draco nodded and leant one last time to press a kiss on Hermione's temple.
Theo patted Hermione's arm. "Get well soon, Hermione."
.
Hermione was released from the hospital wing in the afternoon, just before dinnertime. She put on her usual cotton shirt and denim trousers, and plain black cloak. Professor Sprout was there when Madam Pomfrey released her, but the two old witches said she should just rest and wait for their departure for the Christmas holidays. She wanted to argue, but Professor Sprout said she already talked to all of her professors, and they all agreed that she deserved a break. After all, she was the top student and she always studied in advance. If Hermione were a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, she would've felt insulted. But she was no longer that girl. She was still hardworking and studious, but her Hufflepuff side was telling her that they were right. She needed a break.
She needed help.
When she knew that she still had twenty minutes before dinner, Hermione found herself knocking on Professor Snape's office.
"Enter," she heard him say rather formally on the other side of the room.
Hermione turned the knob and entered the office, and suddenly she was surrounded by shelves of jars containing animal eyes, tails, and even intestines. Potions ingredients, of course; they all were.
"Miss Granger," he greeted. "I heard you're not allowed to go back to classes."
She stood in front of his desk, and he remained seated behind his desk. "It was not because of studying too much, Professor," she admitted. "You said… I can come to you if I need help."
Professor Snape nodded solemnly, and truth be told, she rather liked this man compared to the professor she had in her past life. Maybe because she wasn't a Gryffindor and wasn't breaking rules with Harry.
She looked her professor in the eyes. "I don't want to show you. I'd rather tell you, Professor." She could not show him her memories of that day she was with Harry and Ron playing chess; of her and Harry reading the riddles attached to different potions, and of Harry telling her and Ron that Voldemort lived in Quirrell's body.
"All right, Miss Granger. Tell me while we're having tea." Professor Snape rose to his feet and moved to the tea area in his office.
Two minutes later, they sat in their respective armchairs, facing each other, drinking tea.
Hermione took a sip of her tea before she began. "Professor Quirrell is not himself, Professor Snape."
Professor Snape narrowed his eyes, but nodded, giving her the signal to continue. "Voldemort possessed his body."
She noticed her professor frown and flinch when she said Voldemort's name casually.
"If you would remove his turban, you'd see a two-faced man, and they are after the Philosopher's Stone so that Voldemort may have a corporeal body."
"They are after the Stone," he repeated.
She nodded. "And the only way to stop them is… Harry Potter. His touch will burn both Quirrell and Voldemort. Quirrell will eventually die, but Voldemort's soul will abandon his body and wander until someone helps him get a corporeal form again."
He looked confused for a while. Hermione wondered if the other Professor Snape also reacted like this whenever he learned something new, maybe from Dumbledore or the Death Eaters. But he collected himself. "Miss Granger, the only wizard who could stop all of these is the headmaster. Why are you telling me instead of him?"
Hermione shook her head. "I'm afraid, Professor. I really don't want to be involved, but I want to live in a Voldemort-free world one day with my family, friends… and him," she choked.
"Draco," he whispered. "I saw the future. You were together. You will be together."
"I hope that will happen, but I do not wish to visit your grave as early as 1998, Professor."
She saw a hint of gratitude on his face. It took him a minute to speak again. "Can things be changed, though? Do you know how Prophecies work?" he asked. "Your parents are Muggles. It must be hard for you to handle these things, Miss Granger."
"My parents have no idea, Professor," she admitted. "I know how Prophecies work, and I assure you, Professor, I'm not like Professor Trelawney or her grandmother, Cassandra."
"Professor Trelawney had never left her tower since summer, Miss Granger," he muttered, almost looking stunned.
"I haven't seen her yet Professor. But I know about the Prophecy you discovered eleven years ago," she said, already feeling exhausted.
Professor Snape's eyes widened a bit. "You can also see the past."
"I have some… knowledge of the past, Professor. I'm not a Seer, Professor, like Professor Trelawney," she told him again. "I know the future, about the past, even though I haven't witnessed them, even though they didn't happen yet. But my… knowledge of the future can change based on the decisions I make. For example, I saw myself in Gryffindor with Potter and Weasley, but I chose to be in Hufflepuff. My life would be very complicated had I let the Hat put me in Gryffindor. I don't want that to happen. We can prevent your untimely death, Professor. But please don't let the headmaster know. My priority is keeping my family and Draco safe."
And she felt tears in her cheeks. She wiped them with the back of her hands. She looked down, trying to hide her face from the Potions Master.
"Let me help you, Miss Granger. Just tell me what should be done to prevent Quirrell from getting the Stone."
She shook her head. "He will not get it, Professor, even if he went to where it's hidden. But Harry… He will find it. We should let Quirrell use him to find the Stone. Harry touches the Stone, then touches Quirrell, eventually burning him and by extension, Voldemort."
.
Professor Snape asked her to meet him again tomorrow after afternoon classes and before dinnertime to learn some more about Quirrell, Voldemort, and the Philosopher's Stone. As Hermione made her way to the Great Hall, she caught sight of two heads leaving the Slytherin common room; one was dark-haired, and the other was blond. She walked briskly to catch up with them, but halfway, the two wizards heard her footsteps and turned their heads. They were both shocked when they saw her but beamed.
"Hey, Hermione!" greeted Theo.
Draco sighed in relief and looked at the ceiling. "Thank Salazar you're fine!"
"Hey, you!" She smiled at them and when she reached them, Draco and Theo wrapped their arms around her shoulders and waist. They led her to a classroom and Theo warded the door. Hermione wasn't prepared when Draco suddenly hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad you're all right, Hermione," he said rather emotionally.
She chuckled and returned his hug. "Were you worried?"
"Of course, he was," grinned Theo, leaning on the door, holding his wand.
She raised an eyebrow. "And you were not? How disappointing."
Draco held her arm and guided her to a chair. He sat beside her but didn't let go of her arm. "We heard your housemates; they said you studied too much, and you're not allowed to attend the classes."
She sighed. "Tell me about it."
"So, what were you doing in the dungeons?" asked Theo. "Looking for us?" he teased.
"No?!" she said and rolled her eyes. "I came to see Professor Snape and just asked about missed homework," she lied.
Draco turned to her with knitted brows. "Don't tell me you immediately went straight to him when you were released from the hospital wing?"
"That's right. Why?" she questioned him.
"You got sick because of too much studying and as soon as you were as right as rain, you worried about your studied again?!" Draco exclaimed. "Salazar, Granger, don't you know how to rest?"
"Course, I do, that's why I'm free until the end of the term," she grinned.
"Are you going home, by the way?" asked Draco.
"Yeah. What am I going to do here in the castle, study?"
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. Well, yeah, I like to study but I want to see my parents. Which reminds me… I don't have Christmas presents for them yet," she pouted.
"Well, you can worry about that later. Let's go to dinner, I'm starving," Theo said.
Draco nodded to Theo but didn't move from his chair. "You go ahead, mate. I'll help Hermione think of presents for her parents and we can just go down to the kitchen."
"Help her think? All right. See you later, alligator," Theo laughed and waved at them before leaving the room.
As soon as Theo was out, Draco drew his wand and cast non-verbal charms on the door, much to Hermione's surprise. She smiled and was about to ask a question when he pulled her into a tight hug, her face buried in the crook of his neck.
"Love, it's me."