Somehow the Doctor managed to convince the determined Hermione to wait until after her normal sleep cycle before they exited the Vortex to return to Earth. After all, he knew that she would have to be as well rested as possible to deal with whatever they found there...even if they found nothing at all. Initially, though, Hermione had wanted to argue the point and leave immediately. However, she was just too tired...both emotionally and physically...to put up much of a resistance in the long run. Consequently, to the Doctor's great relief, she finally gave in and acquiesced to his request…even though she made her reluctance clear.
His relief was short-lived, however, because once Hermione had awakened and silently partaken of the light breakfast that the TARDIS had set out for her companions, she declared herself to be as ready as she would ever be for the journey. After all, she had already repacked her little bag with all of the supplies she had been able to replenish with the help of the sentient ship. Plus, in a stroke of genius, the witch had shrunk it down again and hid all of it in a secret pocket that she had transfigured into her clothing...just in case. The Doctor's very convenient transdimensional pockets had given her that particular idea.
Hermione had to admit that it was a useful one, too – especially since she did not know exactly what she was in for once they actually reached their destination. Therefore, she just did not know what she would need...or when she would need it. Everything that had happened to her during the last year, though…first being on the run during the Horcrux hunt with the boys and then her crazy adventures through Time and Space with the Doctor...had definitely reaffirmed to her the importance of always being prepared...no matter what. At least, her well-stocked magical bag helped her to feel better about that part of her situation.
Unfortunately, she knew that nothing could make her feel better about the rest of it.
Meanwhile...for his part...the Doctor realized that, probably for the first time ever, he truly hated the idea of visiting Earth – even though it had always been a favorite spot of his in the past. Nevertheless, at the same time, he knew that Hermione would not be persuaded otherwise. He even had to admit that he completely understood her need to know for certain what had happened to her.
In fact, I know that I would be the same way if I hadn't been there in the end for...
The Doctor shook off that dark thought before it could suck him into another depressive episode...which he knew would simply not be helpful for anyone. After all, this particular situation was not about him. It was all about Hermione and what was best for her. Therefore, he simply held his counsel until she asked for it...if she decided to do so. Instead, he just showed her that he supported her...and her quest for the truth...by leading her to the TARDIS console and requesting specific directions as to where and when she needed to go.
"Time and pla...?" he started to ask before a thought struck him halfway through his inquiry.
It had finally occurred to him that Hermione might decide that she wanted to go back to the battle that brought her to him in the first place in order to try and change the admittedly terrible events that had happened there. The Doctor knew, however, that such an attempt would be a supremely bad idea. After all, events in a time traveler's (which Hermione had definitely become) personal timeline almost always became Fixed Points...which meant that they could not be tampered with...not without severe consequences, at any rate.
She may have been a powerful witch, but the Doctor did not believe that Hermione could deal with the Reapers...and the attempted hijacking of a huge Fixed Point that had affected so many lives would surely summon the ravenous paradox creatures who would not stop until the entire branch of the newly created timeline had been devoured...with both Hermione and him in it, as well. In fact, he knew that there was a distinct possibility that not even he could defeat the all-consuming beings himself...not without the help of his fellow Time Lords. Unfortunately, he knew all too well that such assistance was now an impossibility. Therefore, his honest fear of the looming danger to their...as well as the rest of the Universe's...continued existence prompted a heartfelt warning.
"Hermione," he spoke with gentle concern, "you know that we just can't…"
"Relax, Doctor." Hermione quietly set those particular fears to rest before he had even finished the warning, however – especially since it was clear to her what bothered him so much. "As much as I would love to go back and save everyone - especially H...Harry..."
At the thought of her lost friends and the brother of her heart, emotion choked Hermione and the rest of the words refused to come for a moment until she was able to regain control of herself.
"We just can't change something of such scale, though," she replied when she was finally capable of doing so. "I do know the rules better than that. After all, I learned a long time ago that terrible things happen to wizards who meddle with time. Therefore, I'd never ask such a thing of you…or the TARDIS...no matter how much I might personally want to change everything that happened to them all that day."
She paused for a moment to meet his eyes with her own that gleamed with unshed tears. "It wouldn't be right," she added hoarsely. "They're gone...and you two are here. You're much too important to ever risk in such a way. Nevertheless, I can't lie and say that I wouldn't be so very tempted to try it anyway if I was alone and had nothing to lose. However, that's just one more reason that I'm so glad that you're here with me." Her hand automatically reached out for the comfort of his at that moment and, without hesitation, he took the small appendage and held it between both of his own larger ones.
In fact, the Doctor's hearts thumped with pride and affection…and so much more…for the woman in front of him. The fact that she would think about him first…and do what was she knew was the right thing for the timeline…even though it went against her own ardent wishes and desires…made him feel so proud that he thought he might actually burst from the feeling. The TARDIS hummed, as well...both in agreement with her decision and appreciation for the sentiment...as she sent pulses of comfort and affection out to them both.
For Hermione, the evidence of the obvious regard of her traveling companions…her friends…warmed her shattered soul a bit. In fact, at that moment, a large part of her wanted to forget the whole plan to go to Earth and tell the Doctor to take them to a secluded tropical paradise, instead, where they could all stay safe…and together. However, she knew in her heart that her half-formed plan to run away from her past would never work. The constant uncertainty of notknowing what really happened would always nag at her…and the resulting feelings of guilt would probably slowly drive her mad in the process.
She knew that the Doctor deserved better than that – especially after everything he had been through himself. He had remained strong despite his personal pain, though, so she vowed that she would do the same. Therefore, she pushed her own selfish personal desires aside and gathered all of her Gryffindor courage close to herself once again as she spoke in reference back to his previously interrupted question of time and place.
"I have an idea about that," she informed the Doctor as a hint of her old confidence returned.
After all, she knew that she had devised a good plan to find out the truth...whatever that may turn out to be. In fact, she had decided that they should head for a time right after the initial fall of Voldemort. As a result, Hermione knew that she would be familiar with the necessary places, events, and main characters involved and...hopefully...be able to steer clear of them all.
Otherwise, she knew that the temptation to purposely change the course of the beginning of that part of the war might prove to be too great for her to resist. That did not even take into consideration any accidental changes that she might make if she was in the midst of things. Therefore, it would be best for everyone if she stayed in the shadows and on the sidelines during that particular time period.
She would also not have to fear discovery or worry that she would be recognized since, at that time…if they were indeed in the right universe...Hermione Granger would be just an anonymous precocious toddler who was safe and sound with her dentist parents in the muggle world. Consequently, Hermione was sure her knowledge of that part of the timeline should work in her favor – especially if she made sure to stay away from her younger self, as well...no matter how much she suddenly found that she wanted a glimpse of the parents whose memories of her she had erased in their future before she sent them to Australia for their own safety.
Hermione was able to temporarily push past the thoughts of yet another one of her losses at the knowledge that if it turned out to not be the case, however...and they were currently located in a different universe than the one she had always called home...then none of it would matter anyways. No time or place they visited, nor anyone they encountered there, would be able to affect her past at that point. In fact, she would just have to somehow move forward with the knowledge that she no longer really had a past at all in the current setting.
Hermione would not allow herself to consider which option she actually preferred out of the two, however. After all, they were both so devastating in their own ways...and she knew that life in the future would be a struggle for her...in one way or the other...in either reality.
Nevertheless, the strong warm hands that held her own let her know that she would not be alone...no matter how it all turned out. The Doctor may not want a romantic relationship with her, but even just friendship and companionship with him...and the TARDIS...had become to mean more...to be worth more...than anything to her! That knowledge gave her the courage and strength to continue, despite her fear and uncertainty. Therefore, when the TARDIS materialized in London in the year and location that Hermione had requested, the witch was able to step out into the city bravely as she continued to hold onto one of those same strong hands and revel in the comfort and support that it...and its owner...freely offered to her.
…
"It's just down the street, so we'll head for the Leaky Cauldron," Hermione stated as calmly as she could while her fleeting bravery slowly gave way to the fear of the unknown that roiled in her stomach as she surveyed the familiar scene of London's West End before her.
"I don't know if you will be able to see it or not, though," she continued. "After all you're not a wizard...but you're not exactly a human, either..." A ghost of her old smile, however, actually pushed past the fear and made an appearance when she added, "and you claim to have superior senses...so I don't know how that will all factor in."
The slightly cheerful look faded again, however, as she returned to the serious topic at hand. "At any rate, if the pub is there, then we will know that we are indeed in the same place I started...just in a different time. I won't interfere, though. I will just confirm what I need to know and then I..." Hermione paused when the hand that held her own gave it a squeeze at her particular choice of pronoun usage.
"We," she corrected when she felt the comforting contact that let her know she was not in the unenviable situation by herself. "We can then figure out what to do next." She thought for a moment. "If the Leaky is not there, though, then I guess that same plan will still stand, as well."
"I'm there for you either way" the Doctor agreed which such sincerity that Hermione was able to give him a small tight smile of gratitude and appreciation as they finally set off down the street…still hand-in-hand.
…
A short walk later found Hermione and the Doctor standing on a busy stretch right in front of a book shop and record store. The couple garnered some strange looks, however... mainly because the woman blocked foot traffic as she stood stock still in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at the spot between the two businesses in front of them. The man, meanwhile, just looked between the woman and the buildings and back again.
"Hermione?" the Doctor ventured quietly. He could not see or feel anything there, but he was not sure exactly what that meant. After all, he was not a wizard...as Hermione had pointed out earlier.
However, his companion did not answer immediately. Instead, she pulled away from him in order to walk up and gingerly touch the invisible seam that separated one shop from the other. Then, to the Doctor's surprise, she suddenly pounded on the brick there violently with her fist – enough to make the tender flesh there tear and bleed. Then, a half-choked sound emerged from her throat as she, without a word, instantly turned and ran back in the direction in which they had left the TARDIS.
With his long gait, the Doctor soon caught up with her, but...even as he caught her now-injured hand again with his own...Hermione continued to remain silent and focused until she had reached the console room. Even then, she only uttered one direction for a location in the heart of London. The TARDIS recognized that her friend was obviously upset and, consequently, took no offense from her brevity. In fact, the ship tried to make the requested transition as smooth and quick as possible for the human since it was obviously important to her. Once they materialized, however, Hermione was out of the door again, before the Doctor could say or do anything...other than to follow her, of course.
He caught up with the witch right as she jerked open the door to a telephone box. It was only when he saw her dial the numbers 62442 (which he realized translated out to the word M-A-G-I-C on the corresponding letter pad) that he realized she was trying to locate another important magical place in her universe. Her air of desperation, though, told the Doctor everything he needed to know about the actual truth of the situation.
He knew that he had to let her do whatever she needed to do to confirm the truth for herself, however. Therefore, he was prepared when she dropped the handset with a sob when nothing but a dial tone emerged, and left it hanging there by its cord as she again ran back to the TARDIS. The Doctor still did not say anything, though. He simply gently grabbed her still-scratched and bleeding hand to offer his support as he ran by her side.
Next, Hermione frantically asked the TARDIS to take them to a particular location in the Scottish Highlands. Once there, she stared at the cold hills above the small and sleepy, but otherwise completely normal and non-magical village...and noted that nothing but some real ruins resided up there. No majestic castle was to be seen and no magic was present to be felt.
It was at that moment that acceptance finally came to Hermione and she fell to her knees as the force of the resulting sobs overtook her petite frame. The Doctor, who understood exactly what she was feeling, just picked her up and held her close to his chest and double heartbeat as he gently carried her back to the comfort and warmth of the TARDIS. There he took her to her room, treated her injured hand, and let her know that she was not alone as he just held her until her completely understandable tears had subsided…and a natural healing sleep had taken their place.