Memories are links in a golden chain that bind us until we meet again.

Jacqueline Winspear


October 25th, 1970

Of course, they should have been expecting it. The birth announcement went to the Ministry without a hitch. They should be all set to receive the Hogwarts' letters today. Still, the wait during breakfast filled Hermione and Elisabeth with anxiety. What if they did not appear on the Book of Admittance as they had hoped? What if they couldn't go back to Hogwarts? How would they proceed to win the war then? Even when Adelia assured Hermione that it would be fine, she couldn't stop worrying. Elisabeth, ever the calm-headed, was also nervous. Hermione couldn't believe how relieved she was the moment the owl flew in with two Hogwarts letters. She and Elisabeth shared a look of relief.

They spent the night baking a tray full of treacle tart as a celebration for Elisabeth's birthday. It upset Zinky and Dot as they said it was supposed to be their job to bake for the family. However, after Elisabeth sweetly stated that it was her way to celebrate her birthday, they reluctantly agreed to let their little Mistresses did their things. As the family shared treacle tarts and cuppas in front of the fire afterward, Hermione felt content. She knew that this normalcy would not last long. As soon as they came to Hogwarts, it began.


February 1st, Diagon Alley

Even after Apparating everywhere in the country, she still couldn't relish this traveling method. Since Hermione opened her eyes, she couldn't stop herself from gasping. The last time she saw Diagon Alley, instead of the bustling atmosphere she currently witnessed, it was gloomy and empty. Hermione allowed herself the time to immerse herself in the merry surroundings. Looking to the side, she could tell that Elisabeth thought the same with her joyous face.

"Let's visit Madam Malkin first, shall we?" Adelia said excitedly from behind.

"Oh, no..." Hermione nervously said when she saw whose family has occupied the shop first.

"What is wrong, dear?" Adelia asked worriedly.

Elisabeth's eyes widen in understanding as she looked in the shop. She looked to Hermione, concern evident in her eyes.

"I am fine, just a little shock." Took a few calming breaths, Hermione gave a reassuring smile to both of them.

Hermione knew how terrible Walburga Black's portrait was, given her more than two years of experience in Grimmauld Place. It has nothing compared to the real person, however. When they all got in the shop, they could hear a scream that oh so familiar with Hermione echoed out.

"SIRIUS BLACK! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER THIS INSTANT. NO SON OF MINE BEHAVE LIKE SUCH, DO YOU HEAR ME? DON'T PUT THIS HOUSE TO SHAME! Get yourself together before coming out, you hear me? Come Regulus." Walburga then pulled Regulus outside with her nose up in the air, even though the boy looked longingly back to his older brother. Said boy of the rant has his head down, perhaps in shame, or might be because of his younger brother. A younger Madam Malkin clicked her tongue in disappointment but kept quiet and gave a gentle smile to Sirius.

"Sorry about that." She apologetically said when she noticed them. "Now, what do we have here?"

As Adelia went on to order their robe, the two stood on the stool next to Sirius. Immediately, the charm measure tape went to work.

Seeing Sirius sad, something painfully tugged in her heart. Hermione couldn't hold back from saying.

"It is okay to be different from your family, you know."

"And it is okay to be sorted in a different House than them too. Hermione here will surely be the first Gryffindor in the family." Elisabeth chimed in softly. Sirius was too shocked to reply. Before he could say anything, however, Madam Malkins already came back with his robes. He turned around just in time to wave at them as he was usher out of the shop.


The smell of freshly printed books had always appealed to Elisabeth most strangely. Maybe it was because the smell of paper and ink put together helped calmed her down. The Flourish and Blotts bookstore was full of kids and parents, in and out, preparing for the upcoming school year. Leaving her grandmére to get their school books, she and Hermione went to pursue other titles. They were currently trying to improve the Wolfsbane potion, but Hermione didn't remember the whole ingredients list.

It seemed that Fate was not on their side that day, however. They did not just meet young Sirius, but now also the young Severus Snape and Lily Potter, standing together in front of a big potion book. Elisabeth has heard all about Professor Snape, of course. He truly has a terrible childhood and school days. Professor Snape has never been as nasty toward Ravenclaw. She sometimes caught him signing whenever he dealt with Luna, though. Held down the chuckle that threatened to come, Elisabeth tugged Hermione's hand to go the other direction before they got caught. They were not that lucky when they became the attention of a pair of bright green eyes.

"Hi, I am Lily Evans. Are you two first year too?" She cheery asked.

"Uh...hi. I am Elisabeth Derwent, and this is my twin, Hermione. We are going to first-year too. Nice to meet you." Besides her, Hermione gave an awkward wave, still too shocked to say anything.

"That is awesome! Here is my friend, Severus. He is the same year with us as well." Lily nudged him by her elbow gently. Though chest puffed in pride, the boy only gave them a curt nod. "Well, nice to meet you two. See you on the train!" She said excitedly before pulling the boy out of the shop.

"That is very interesting, isn't it?" Elisabeth said hesitantly. "Hey, are you okay, Hermione?"

"Her eyes were just like...Harry." She quietly answered.

"Oh, I am so very sorry, Hermione. I promise that we will not disappoint him this time, yeah?"

"Thank you...Ellie." Hermione said jokingly, her mood improving.

"Of course, 'Mione. Now, let me see what they have here." Elisabeth replied with a small smile tugged at her lips.


"Our last stop of the day. Shall we go in?" Adelia asked. Her voice lost the excitement due to the tiredness.

Ollivanders shop still looks the same, albeit a bit newer compare to twenty-eight years to the future. As always, there were stacks of cases on every shelf, dust gathered thickly on each one. They decided to get another wand for themselves, because after all, two was always better than one.

"Ah, what do we have here? Come in, come in. I think I have just the wand for you two." Ollivander declared. He looked just the same as Hermione remembered. Slightly creepy if she has to be honest, he never blinked, and his voice was as airy as always. He has a brilliant air to him, though.

"Hermione, you first, honey." Hermione nodded hesitantly and stepped ahead. Similar to Madam Malkin's shop, his measurement tape went to work instantly.

Ollivander came back to the desk with several ones and handed one to Hermione.

"12¼" inches long, made from Ash with Unicorn hair core. Come on, give it a flick." Several cases flew out of the shelf. "No, not that one. Here, try this one. 10¼" inches, Cypress with Unicorn hair core." Ollivander's water vase blew up with a flick. Hermione tentatively gave back the wand.

As Ollivanders became excited with each failed one, as terrified everyone was with it.

"Perhaps..." Ollivanders said, seemingly curious. "11" inches, made from Holly with Phoenix feather." At his word, Hermione's eyes widen, the word no chanting in her head repeatedly.

Just as Hermione took the wand, warmth filled her body. Ollivander looked very interested. His eyes twinkled madly, just like Dumbledore if it was possible. With a flick, gold dust swirled around her body, brought back the same warmness she just felt.

"Interesting, very interesting. We shall expect great thing from you, Hermione Derwent." Ollivander said curiously.

Her brain was still trying to catch up with how many things had changed. She said the only thing that came to her mind.

"How did you know my last name, sir?"

"Your hair, of course. The Derwent has always stood out for their unique hair."

"Oh." That was all she was able to say at this moment.

"Elisabeth, your turn. Let's not be late for dinner, shall we?" Adelia spoke up firmly, warning evident in her voice.

"You two are twins?" Ollivander asked. At Elisabeth's nod, his eyes became probably more twinkle.


Dinner that night was a quiet affair for the Derwent family. Everyone lost to their thought. It all surrounded two new wands they acquired that afternoon, though. Elisabeth ended up with a 10¾" inches long, vine wood, with dragon heartstring as the core. It was Hermione's wand. Given the relationship between Harry and Hermione before, this could be either very good or very bad. Finally, as dinner came to an end, Joseph began.

"From what you have told me, the wand you now own have the core that belongs to Dumbledore's phoenix. He will pay extra attention to you once you arrive at school. I will recommend you two to lay low. It will not be in our best interest to catch his attention now. Dumbledore is a brilliant but meddlesome man."

"Yes, that is what we planned to do as well. There will be a point when Dumbledore knows of us, but not too soon, though. I don't trust him not to interfere." Sat beside Hermione, Elisabeth nodded solemnly.

"Now, tomorrow we shall begin to erase the Trace on you two new wands. We can't allow the Ministry to try to expel you two now, can't we?" Light chuckles aroused around the table.

"Now, on a lighter note, I have successfully fired Augustus Rookwood today."


Author note: We almost make it to Hogwarts. Please be patient with me :) Happy (late) Boxing Day, by the way!