Author Note: My first ever fanfiction! Please go easy on me. Thank you! I don't know how many chapters this will be yet, but definitely above 20. I am hoping to make this more unique than other time travel stories by adding an OC and more details behind the Unspeakable curtain. Please enjoy this first chapter! The second one should be up soon.
_What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly_
Richard Bach
May 2nd, 1998
As Hermione took a walk around the once magnificent Hogwarts castles, she thought back to when both Harry and Voldemort died, and instead of surrender, the Death Eaters have continued to fight; they even fought more viciously. She cursed herself for choosing the wrong time to faint. Hermione remembered being blown into a wall while dueling Rabastan Lestrange and woke up with the castle full of bodies. She had broken down several times when she recognized someone she loved laying lifelessly on the floor. She was sure she has no more tears left to cry. If the time turner was here, perhaps not everyone Hermione loved will now be dead; maybe Harry will still live and smile that comforting smile to her, and the Death Eaters might not rose and fought so viciously, turning the tides of the battle to the Dark. Hermione has returned the Time-Turner to Professor McGonagall at the end of the third year, which is such regret because she wished that she has one right now.
She tried to calm down her tear as she approached the Headmaster's office. She didn't know why she came here, she didn't even know the password, but there seemed to be an invisible thread that pulled her here. As she stood in front of the Gargoyles, she took a breath and started to guess all the passwords that Snape could have set.
"Slytherin"
Nothing happened.
"Death Eater"
Nothing moved.
"Order of Phoenix."
Nothing. Hermione recalled when Snape bugged Harry to retrieve his tears.
"...Dumbledore?"
The gargoyle suddenly moved aside, revealed to Hermione the staircase. The dots began to connect in her head as she thought back to Dumbledore's death. There has always been something aloof during that year: Dumbledore's blackened hand and Malfoy's haunted face. The conclusion she came up with surprised and scared her at the same time. She wished the trip to the Headmaster's office will shed some truth to her.
She has never come into the office before, what she knew of only based on what Harry has said, but it was evident that Snape hasn't changed much of it. All the portraits were here, all of Dumbledore's random trinkets were here, even his Pensieve and the old battered desk.
"Homenum Revelio." Because one could never be too careful.
Nothing came up. Good.
She could easily spot Dumbledore sleeping in his portrait, though it seemed to be an act.
"We lost." She spoke up.
As predicted, Dumbledore opened his eyes. His gazes held that solemn that she witnessed during the sixth year. She should have recognized it sooner.
"I hope it could have ended differently. I thought what I did was enough."
"Perhaps. We don't blame you, sir. I don't want to seem rude, but your death, everything isn't actually what it appears on the surface, yes?"
"Ah, yes, you have figured it out. Why don't you take a look at my Pensieve?"
Hermione nodded and approached the Pensieve reluctantly. She has never come into a Pensieve before, only have heard it through Harry and books. She took a deep breath and dived into the Pensieve.
She could recognize young Snape and the Marauders instantly. There also that young girl, the one with red hair that can rival Ginny's, and the brightest green eyes Hermione was familiar.
Lily. Childhood friend. Marauders. Bully. Full moon. Growth. Mudblood. Death Eaters. Love. Patronus. Harry. Sacrifice. Always!
Speechless. That what Hermione was like when coming out of the Pensieve.
"Can I fix it?" She asked the Headmaster.
"You don't question my action, Ms. Granger?"
"I don't agree with it, sir, but I won't question it."
"Perhaps Ms. Granger. Not with a normal Time-turner, no. There is a chance, however."
"Yes?"
"Perhaps you should continue your walk?"
"Sir?" Hermione frowned.
But Dumbledore drifted back to sleep, which Hermione knew he had dismissed her. Disappointed but not surprise, Hermione goes on her way. She made a mental note to come back here later, however.
Tears started to pool in her eyes again as she continued her trek. It was surprising how she even has tears to shed. Students and the Order people were everywhere. Their future was long gone.
A hum caught Hermione's ears as she made it to the seventh floor's corridor. Wand raised, battle instinct kicked in; Hermione slowly made her way to the source of the noise. What she found was a Ravenclaw's girl, humming to herself while surrounded by bodies of black cloak people.
"Who are you?
"Elisabeth Derwent. Hello, Hermione Granger." Her voice was soft but serious.
Hermione's forehead creased as she tried to recall the Ravenclaw girl. Elisabeth Derwent. Ravenclaw. Black hair with silver streaks. A sixth year. The same year with Luna!
"You are the quiet one who always read?"
The other girl chuckled.
"Not always, but yes. I found books a better company than humans, especially those girls in my year. Well, except Luna, of course. She is quite exceptional."
Hermione chuckled hesitantly. "Are you okay?"
"A bit exhausted when dealing with them, but I am better now."
"All of the one around you?"
"Oh, not all, of course, just three."
"That is impressive. You should have joined our Dumbledore Army. You would have been a fine member." Talked about the Dumbledore Army reminded her of their fifth year, of Sirius's death, and of everyone she now lost. But before Hermione could dwell on it, Elisabeth continued.
"I could, but I found out too late from Luna. I love your jinx work, by the way, very impressive."
"On Marietta, you mean? Thank you." Hermione found herself smiling a little. It was very Slytherin of her, she has to admit, but it was quite satisfying nonetheless. Marrietta Edgecomb has hurt not just Harry but everyone in the Army. Finding herself rest assured that it was Elisabeth Derwent and not Death Eater in disguise, Hermione walked up and sat next to the girl.
"Is anyone still around?" Elisabeth asked.
"No, only you, me, and the castle." Hermione smiled bitterly. "I have hoped you know that everything will be alright after today. I have my hope so high when Harry jumped out of Hagrid's arms." Hermione let her head lay against the wall. She sighed. "Then it all vanished when I woke up from being blown to the blasted wall. Is there any family you can return to?"
"No. Death Eaters murdered them all in my fourth year. I am the only one." Elisabeth said airily.
"Oh. I'm sorry." Hermione has to refrain from hugging the girl; they haven't known each other well yet.
"It is okay. I have come to terms with it." Even though she said so, it was easy to spot the sadness in her eyes.
"Do you know why they targeted them?"
"What do you know about the Derwent, Hermione? Can I call you so, Hermione?"
"Of course, you can." Hermione tilted her head to the side. "I only recalled Dilys Derwent as Headmistress of Hogwarts after 1741. I don't know much about pureblood families, except about the Malfoy, the Black, and the Potter."
"Ah, well, that is much more than what others might know. We Derwent are not that well-known is because most of us are Unspeakable." At Hermione gasped, Elisabeth chuckled slightly. "My great-great-great-grandmother is a unique one. Since most of us are Unspeakable, it requires our whole family to seclude ourselves from others' pureblood in Britain. That is why they might have heard of us but not know us. It seems that Voldemort has wanted to retrieve something in the Prophecy Room. He came threatened them, but they refused, so he got them all dead. I was probably spare as a last-minute resort, but it seems like he is not a patient man." Bitterness blended into her voice as she answered Hermione. "You have any family you can turn back to, Hermione?"
"If you count my parents who don't know they have a daughter, then it is a yes."
"What happened?" Saw the sincerity in her eyes, Hermione answered.
"I have to obliviate and send them away when we are on the run."
"That is a hard thing to do. I am sorry, Hermione."
"It is okay. I wish we can fix it all, though." Another sigh escaped her lips.
"What if I tell you we can?" Elisabeth said. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.
"A Time-turner?"
"Ah, you are familiar with it then?" At Hermione's nod, Elisabeth continued. "It is similar, but not really. It is called a Fate Turner. It has a better limitation than a normal Time-turner. It is a mix between the sand of time, Thestral hairs, and Phoenix's tears. There are only two of these in Britain and possibly the world. "
"Fate Turner?" Hermione gasped, surprised.
"It needs a better name, I know." Hermione chuckled a bit. "You can travel more than just five years, even pass your birthdate. There is no paradox too. A downside is you can't come back to your own time though, that is why it calls a Fate Turner. After all, you are changing everyone's lives because you are there. One of them is in my family's vault, and I am wearing the second one. The Head of the House or the Heir usually wears it, which is me, either way." Elisabeth says as she retrieved the Fate turner out from underneath her robe. It looked similar to a Time turner, but when you took a closer look, it was enormous, and the sand inside was crystal purple.
"It is magnificent!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yeah, it is. I was going to use it before you came."
Ah!
"I would answer that I will join you on your adventure then." Just the thought of being able to change everything for the better, she didn't hesitate.
"Seem like Fate has sent me a companion then. Let's go somewhere safe in the castle. We should prepare before we go back. We shouldn't go looking like how we are right now. Do you know any secret passage that leads to Hogsmeade?"
"There is a passage behind the mirror on the fourth floor. It leads to Zonko, I think."
The two girls walked down to an empty classroom with wands raise; one could never know what might happen. They settled in an old Charm classroom, and each started warding the door carefully. They began to treat each other wounds. Since time was an essence, they could only heal the outside wounds; those like broken ribs have to wait.
"Would 1970 be a good year? I am familiar with its history and fashion." Elisabeth asked as they settle on the new transfigure sofa.
"Yes. I think I know most of its events and people." Hermione answered, using the little time they have to rest as she laid her head on the sofa headrest.
"Good." Elisabeth then started to transfigure their clothes to robes of the 70s era. It took Hermione all her will to not fidget when Elisabeth pointed her wand at her. Hermione now wore a burgundy robe, and Elisabeth spotted a navy one. "Let's fix the mess that calls our hair, and we are perfect for the era." Elisabeth attempted to joke to lighten the situation. It was a success because it earned a small amused smile from Hermione.
After the girls have done preparing their appearance, they settled to discuss the outline plan. On Hermione's part, she revealed about the Horcruxes and their possible location during the 1970s, earning several gasps from Elisabeth. On Elisabeth's part, she discussed ways they could do to blend in the society and possibly take Voldemort down. Both settled to be De-age and join the Derwent family back then. Elisabeth was eccentric to have a sister.
"Or we can be twins and go to Hogwarts the same year. It will be better that way." Hermione said with a smile. She has always wanted siblings, and Harry has always been her brother in everything but blood. Elisabeth would now be her legit twin. The two might only meet, but if they go on this trip, she wouldn't mind gaining a sister.
"Yes, I agree. My grandmère has always wanted girls. She would love to have you as a part of the family. If you are ready, we should go. We can plan further once we got back."
Hermione took a deep breath, mentally sending goodbyes to everyone she loved. She sure will see them again, but it won't be the same. There will be no little Hermione Granger as part of the Golden Trio anymore. She shed a single tear, then nodded at Elisabeth. Also taking a deep breath herself, Elisabeth again retrieved the Fate Turner out. When the Fate Turner was around their neck, Elisabeth looked up to Hermione's eyes as confirmation and began spinning it twenty-eight times. The old Charms room in 1998 was empty once more.
