Tempus Magia

Part One

Chapter 9: SPEW

Hermione Granger made a grave error during the final battle that resulted in Remus's death. Working as an unspeakable she spends two years working on a spell using powder from time turners to go back to Remus's greatest hour of need. What if Remus's greatest time of need wasn't in *this* war?

Ron yanked at his hair. It was officially past five in the morning on Monday and they were no closer to finding a way to save Remus without drastically changing the timeline. If Hermione could not save her mate, she would be worse when she got back.

If she got back.

He was drawn from his internal battle when he heard a clattering from next to his elbow. The poor elf. Hermione would have kittens if she met the small thing. Lucius had continued his abuse of house elves after Harry freed Dobby. His newest slave was a sweet little female elf named, Tinky.

Growing up in a wizarding home Ron had always thought house elves to be a luxury. He had never considered just how barbaric it was to bind another beings magic and enslave them until Hermione had started her bloody SPEW campaign. While she generally just terrified the house elves at Hogwarts, she did have a point.

Tinky and Dobby were the prime examples of abusive wizards who should not be allowed anywhere near house elves.

"Weasley, don't you have Quidditch practice today?"

"I was planning on owling in sick."

Narcissa clucked her tongue. "I think it's important that we each maintain our appointments and do absolutely nothing out of the ordinary."

Ginny nodded in agreement. "This way if anything does happen we can claim ignorance and the Aurors won't have erratic behavior to trap us with."

Ron looked at Draco and they both shuddered. "You two are scary enough alone, together I don't really think the wizarding world can handle both of you teamed up."

"I second what Weaselbee said but I'm stating it more eloquently," Draco said from underneath a mountain of books. "Tinky have you got any more coffee?"

"Yes, master. Tinky brought more tea… coffee! Tinky brought more coffee. Tinky also came to tell Mistress that Ma… Master Lucius was in search of his wand so Tinky returned his wand from Mistresses pocket."

The room fell into silence and then all at once everyone was hurling questions at the terrified and overwhelmed elf.

"Where is Lucius now?"

"Did father realize it was missing?"

"Thank Merlin, we returned your sister to her home. Tinky, does your master suspect anything?"

"How the bloody hell did she do that? Do you think we can use her for the final plan?" Ron finally asked.

Tinky looked overwhelmed her head swiveling from person to person. Ron smiled gently. "Tinky why don't you answer one question at a time starting from your mistress and master?"

Tinky nodded mutely.

"Tinky?" Narcissa prodded.

Tinky covered her eyes and began to cry. "Tinky is a bad elf! Tinky should be punished! Tinky hears her Mistress plan for her Master and she puts sleeping draught in Master's tea! Mistress needed more time to find the Mistress's sister's spell!"

"What spell?" Ginny asked.

Tinky snapped her fingers and a mottled dark grey cloth bound book appeared in her hands. She winced as if the book itself pained her to hold it and given the darkness that suddenly befell the room, Ron believed it to be.

"The spell of the Living Dead, Mistress," she whispered.

"Inferi?" The blood had drained from Ginny's face and turned it so white that each freckle stood out like a herd of dragons in a tea shop.

Tinky nodded. "That is one of the spells, miss. This book is old and very bad. It belonged to the Dark Lord. Master Lucius is keeping it for him in a secret room in Master Lucius's study. Master Lucius tells Tinky to clean the room. Tinky is scared of the room. Tinky hears death in the papers."

The room fell silent.

"Merlin," Ron breathed. "The room alone would probably put away Lucius for years."

Ron genuinely wanted the wizard put away. His parent's had raised him to always respect witches. The idea of someone hurting them to the point they couldn't conceive… well, it made Ron want to hunt the bastard down.

He had never thought he would pity Malfoy but at the moment he watched his nemesis's eyes fill with fear and concern for his mother Ron knew that he had to help him. What if Ginny had never met Harry? What if it was Ginny being hurt?

"Yes, Master Weaselbee," Draco chuckled at the elf. "Some of the books calling to Tinky but she doesn't listen. They are dangerous books. Tinky… Tinky…" Tinky looked down at her feet in shame.

"Spit it out Tinky, we're all tired and need to get on with our days," Narcissa ordered.

Tinky's eyes overflowed with tears. "Tinky likes to read! Tinky sneaks into the library like a bad elf after her works and reads all of the wonderful books in the library! She hears Mistress talk about spells she needs and she puts the books on the pile but Mistress Pottyhead doesn't see it!"

Draco didn't even bother trying to hide his laugh, neither did Ginny. Narcissa looked mildly amused and the poor elf, who thought she was going to be beheaded was befuddled at their reactions.

"Tinky, you can call me Ginny." Tinky gaped at Ginny. "Also, I think I speak for your mistress when I say it's not a sin to like reading."

Narcissa nodded. "Yes, Tinky. I think a good elf such as yourself should be allowed special reading privileges. I will need to approve the books first. Many of the library books are cursed against elves."

Tinky stared at her mistress in shock. "Tink… read… books?"

"Yes, Tinky." Draco chirped up. "But we may need a favor from you and we need you not to tell the Aurors."

Tinky's eyes turned to steel. "Tinky knows what Master Draco wants. Tinky will move all of Mistress Hermione's secret studies to Master Lucius secret room. When the Aurors come, Master Lucius will go away. Master Lucius is a bad wizard. Master Lucius hurt Mistress Narcissa."

Ginny smiled fondly at the elf. "And if the Aurors question you?"

Tinky looked up innocently. "Tinky is a good elf. Tinky listens to Master Lucius and cleans his study. Tinky not know that he is bad."

Ginny smiled and turned to Narcissa, "I think I'm in love with your elf."

Narcissa's lips quirked up in a smile. "Dear me, first my son and now my elf. Will you be making a move on me soon?"

At a little after six in the morning, Hermione stumbled into her office and grumbled as she filled out paperwork. Saul had bought everyone coffee and Hermione wasn't sure even the three espressos she drank were going to keep her awake at this point. God, that was the longest waste of time in her entire life. Also, she hated teenagers.

Over fifty ministry employees were dragged out of their beds in the middle of the night on a weekend because two teenagers dressed up as Death Eaters to prank their brother. The elaborate prank included a fake time turner and werewolf claws. While Harry was slightly amused at their commitment to the prank, Saul thought it was hilarious. Not that you could tell from either of their stern expressions.

As soon as the teens' parents showed up in the Aurors office, Saul left the room and burst out laughing in the hall. Harry joined him minutes later. Due to Harry and Saul's pleading with not just the Head Auror but the boy's parents, the youngsters were let off with a warning and a stern speech from the Harry Potter.

The taller of the two blushed furiously every time she spoke to him and Hermione thought it odd that she was the subject of a teenage boy's crush. Harry thought, this too, was hilarious.

As if speaking of the bespeckled chosen one would make him randomly appear, it did. "Hey, Mione."

Hermione continued writing without looking up. Saul said she could go home after she wrote her report and wouldn't be required to come back in until Tuesday afternoon. The Project was almost complete and she wanted to sleep for several hours and then get back to work.

"Harry, I'm knackered. I'm trying to finish up this report so I can get home and get some sleep." Harry yawned as if proving her point that they all needed to sleep.

"Yeah, I know. Me too. I Flooed home but Ginny wasn't there," he said nervously as he put her mail on the desk.

Hermione paused her quill. "Did you Floo the Burrow? You know Ginny moves in with Molly when she's alone."

Harry ran his hands through his hair, looking sheepish. "Yeah, I probably should have thought of that. I actually came to talk to you about Molly. Can I sit?"

Hermione sighed and properly set her quill down. "What did I do?"

"It's not what you did. More like, what you didn't do."

Hermione summoned tea and pulled out what remained of the cookies in her drawer. "So, what didn't I do?"

Harry squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. "Hermione, you know that Molly and Arthur consider you like one of their children right? If something ever happened to you or me, they would react the same way as if something happened to Ginny or Ron."

Hermione straightened her back in fear. What did he know?

"What are you talking about Harry?"

"You've missed the Weasley Sunday brunch for the seventh time, consecutively. Molly was sobbing throughout the entire meal. Arthur barely spoke and Ron thinks it's his fault. No matter what Ginny said at Andromeda's she still thinks you're avoiding her and that she did something wrong.

"I know we… talked a bit about why you and Ron broke up. But… It's not fair to punish Ron's family for the two of your relationship not working out. I know you don't feel uncomfortable around them because of the breakup. It's not like you."

Hermione hung her head, willing her tears to dissipate. She hated being the reason for other people's sadness. The world didn't need any more tears. It was why she invested her Order of Merlin money interest-free in Weasley Wizard Wheezes.

"I'm so sorry, Harry. Honestly, you know how I get when I start reading or take on a project-" Hermione snapped her jaw shut. "I'm sorry. I've been a bit of a recluse. It's easier than dealing with the fact that my parents are dead because of me and I ruined my relationship because I'm letting my life fall apart."

Harry walked around the desk and buried her into one of his 'Harry hugs.' Hermione snuggled into his warm and comforting, if not slightly sweaty embrace.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I really am. I'll be better. I promise."

"Make plans with Ginny?"

"I will," Hermione promised, releasing Harry from the hug. "And I'll Floo call Molly when I get home and apologize. Honestly, Narcissa Malfoy allowed the Ministry to have copies of her books that we had here and Unspeakable Croaker said I could make personal copies for myself. I've been so fascinated with them, I kind of forgot about the people around me. Sheesh, even Bertie noticed."

Harry smiled kindly, "Yeah, I think she fancies you."

"I fancy the pants off her pies." Hermione shook her head in exasperation. "What? She bakes like the devil!"

"Yeah, well she keeps trying to set us up."

Harry smiled his emerald eyes brightly lit behind his round glasses. Hermione had asked him once why he didn't get more… fashionable glasses. Harry had shrugged and simply said he didn't need it. She loved Harry's simplicity.

She loved that he was simple in his way of life and she envied him for his happiness. If anyone deserved peace, love, and happiness it was him.

Harry yawned again, breaking their amused silence. "I'm going to finish my paperwork and find my wife. Maybe get some shut-eye, if you know what I mean."

"Eew! Gross! Harry go be gross elsewhere!" Harry chuckled before darting out of the door as Hermione threw a spare roll of parchment at him.

Finishing her report quickly, she stuck her mail in her pocket and hurried home through the main Floo just as the morning rush started.

When she got home she opened the Floo and popped into the Burrow. Molly was standing in front of the cooker, sauteing onions and sausages.

"Mrs. Weasley?"

Molly whipped around her eyes bright, "Hermione?"

Hermione smiled sheepishly. "Sorry I've missed Sunday brunches. I had a work project and I... kind of got… sidetracked…"

Mrs. Weasley dropped her spatula and hurried over to her wrapping her in a hug. "Oh, Hermione we were so worried! Arthur said you were probably just so worried but then you didn't come to three more family brunches and we thought… well, it doesn't matter. Oh, you're far too skinny. Have you been eating? Obviously not! Sit, sit! I've got a spot of breakfast on. Charlie's here visiting and Arthur's running late to work again. Do you still have coffee with two sugars?"

Hermione nodded gratefully.

"How's work, Hermione dear?"

"Wonderful. I love how challenging it is. At Hogwarts, I was always running around studying new things to challenge myself. I feel like I'm always challenged at the department. I couldn't be happier."

Molly was attentive and motherly as she hovered over Hermione clucking over her apparent weight loss and tuttering that she ought to take better care of herself, "Honestly, Hermione! I have a half a mind to move you into the Burrow so I can fatten you up!"

Hermione chuckled as she tucked into eggs, sausages, and some toast just as Arthur came down the stairs. "Well, bless merlin! Hermione Granger as I live and breathe!"

"Good morning, Mister Weasley."

"Arthur, she's been working on important projects! She even came to say good morning!" Mrs. Weasley beamed. Hermione smiled, grateful that even though she was dead on her feet, she had made the trip.

"Hey Mum," came a shout from the stairs. "Do you know where my sweater is? Ron borrowed it to go Ginny's and he's not in his room."

Charlie came thundering down the stairs. His sweater that was missing was apparently the only article of upper body wear that he owned because he was in fact shirtless. Hermione blushed and squeaked training her eyes on her food.

"Charles Weasley, you put on a shirt right now! We have company!"

"Oh, hey Hermione! How you've been?"

Hermione smiled weakly grateful for the eggs that were in her mouth. Did his abs ever end? Were they even natural?

Charlie charmed a sleeveless sweater that covered his chest but not his bulging arms. Hermione swallowed her coffee with great difficulty. She needed to go home and get laid… sleep… sleep she needed to sleep!

Hermione finished off her plate quickly and thanked Molly and Arthur for the meal. Molly beamed as she said goodbye at the Floo and Hermione couldn't help but the swell of happiness in her chest for being the source someone else's smile that morning. It was a good feeling.

Stumbling through her house, her belly full she slipped under her scribbled a letter to Ginny asking to meet for dinner and fell asleep in her clothes on the couch. The Project could wait until later.