Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Author's Note: Thank you for the positive reviews! I hope you will not be disappointed with this chapter.

All is well with me, here in the Philippines. We're under community quarantine. Prayers for all of you!

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Chapter 4:

September 19, 1976

She shook her head with a smile when she remembered the shocked face of Aberforth Dumbledore when she informed her that she was the late Emma-Rose Granger's great-granddaughter from the future and that he fathered Emma-Rose's only child, Percival Aberforth Granger. She told him where to find the Grangers. Hermione thought it wouldn't be easy, but once she told the Grangers the truth - about her time travel - they accepted her and the old wizard. Sadly, her great-granny passed away in 1975. She was eighty-five years old. But her grandfather, Percival, now 57 years old, was doing his best to get to know his father. They were making up for the lost time.

Now, it was silly to think that her father - twenty-four-year-old William Granger - was now known to many as Hermione's older brother. Ginny, on the other hand, couldn't just go to Hogwarts as 'Ginevra Weasley', because that would be too suspicious as to why Arthur Weasley suddenly had a younger sister. Of course, Great-uncle Albus engineered the facade: Ginny was William's and Hermione's half-sister. She was 'a Granger', and that her mother, who was a Weasley, died after her birth. But now, in Wizarding Britain, they have adopted the surname 'Dumbledore'.

She had a different life now, but she still had her family, including Jeanette Puckle, her biological mother. Ginny was finally her sister. All was well.

But still, she missed her friends... and Fred.

She sighed. She wouldn't meet them until 1980. But still, she felt happy, knowing that she could change things; that she could save them from death, from the wrath of Voldemort. She and Ginny could help Albus Dumbledore and the Order destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes as earlier as possible and killing Harry. There will still be a prophecy because that was how Voldemort started the First Wizarding War. Had there been no prophecy about an infant with the ability to vanquish the Dark Lord, Voldemort would not expose himself. He might've started a war, but probably not in the year 1980.

Now, her and Ginny's tasks were to provide answers to the Order's questions and if necessary, provide them memories from the future. And they have to study like normal teenagers. No more risking of lives and secret defense groups. Lastly, they have to befriend Slytherins (and Peter Pettigrew) who, in their time, became Death Eaters, and influence them as much as possible.

Which reminded her of Severus Snape again. She could see his kindness, brilliance, and innocence. He was so different from the professor she met. Hermione decided that she would want him to stay as he was now: calm, sincere, friendly. Professor Snape saved her life more than twice already. She could never return to the future - her past, but she could make things better for him at this time. As a friend, of course. Then, her heart swelled again when she remembered how he held her hand earlier; how he complimented her.

Letting the tears from her eyes fall because of her confused feelings, she grabbed her bag and reached for her album. It was one of the things she prepared before leaving 1996. It had photos of her parents, Harry, Ron, Dumbledore's Army, and Fred. Her favourite was a photo of her and Fred the night of the Yule Ball. They did not go together because Viktor asked her first and she thought Fred wanted to ask Angelina, but they danced together. In the photo, Fred was about to kiss her cheek, but George arrived and broke them apart. They were all laughing. She smiled at the memory. She never had the chance to be his girlfriend. But perhaps, that was for the best.

Then, something soft and orange jumped on her lap. She looked down and petted the feline. "Hello, Crooks."

Her loyal pet purred and rested its head on her hand. Before leaving home, Crookshanks was delivered to her along with her things from the Gryffindor Tower.

"I miss them, Crooks. Do you miss them?" she asked him tenderly. "I know you don't like Fred, but do you miss him?"

The cat mewled.

"Hermione," came a voice. She didn't need to look up to know that it was James Potter who was standing behind her. She quickly closed the album shut and held Crookshanks to her chest.

Had he seen the photo? Never mind. She looked up and forced a smile. "Hello, Mr. Potter." She stood up and the shy-looking boy helped her on her feet. "Thank you."

"You can call me 'James', you know."

She smiled and gave a curt nod. "James."

The wizard in front of her blushed furiously, like Harry whenever he would see Cho in their fourth year. Shit. The last thing I want is to be courted by James Potter.

"Professor Dumbledore is looking for you," he told her kindly.

"Right. Thank you," she replied in a friendly manner.

He smiled and moved to make way for her. She walked away with Crookshanks without looking back.

"Uncle?" Hermione asked upon seeing the headmaster at the entrance of the castle, waiting for her with Ginny by his side.

"Ah, Hermione! Happy birthday, my dear," he greeted with the usual twinkle in his eyes.

"Thank you," she replied with a smile.

"We're going to Hog's Head Inn for lunch. Abe asked me to bring you and Ginny," he informed her. "He said, he wants to give your presents personally."

She beamed and she could not hide the happiness in her heart. "Really? I'm going to celebrate my birthday in Hog's Head again?"

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Hermione (with Crookshanks), Ginny, and great-uncle Albus arrived just in time for lunch at Hog's Head Inn.

"Pops?" Hermione called as soon as she stepped out of the fireplace and placed her pet on the floor gently.

"Mione?" came a now familiar voice, followed by footsteps on the stairs.

"Nana!" she called happily and ran to the stairs to meet her grandmother (now her mother), Emilia Granger. They shared an embrace on the stairs. As a child, she was very fond of her grandma. She spoiled her as she was her only granddaughter.

"Ginny!" the old woman opened her arms for Hermione's sister. In just a matter of two months, Ginny became fond of everyone in her family and for that, Hermione was glad. The Weasleys were her second family in her time. Now, she wanted to pay back what Ginny's family had done for her. Sure, she would go to the Weasleys - to Molly and Arthur, and the children. It was weird, according to Ginny, to be older than Bill, Charlie, and Percy, and to take care of them.

"Good afternoon, Emilia," her great-uncle greeted politely.

"Thank you for letting Hermione and Ginny come over, Uncle Al. The lunch is ready. Come on, you two." Emilia led them upstairs.

The table was ready for ten people and Hermione looked around the room. Her grandfather, Aberforth, was speaking to his son, Percival. Her grandma Emilia approached a young woman with red hair.

"Mum!" called Ginny happily.

"Mrs. Weasley?" she asked, confused and looked around. She saw a couple of redheads in the hallway. Almost-six-year-old Bill and three-year-old Charlie were playing with a toy broomstick.

"Bill! Charlie!" Ginny called.

"Gin-gin!" exclaimed Charlie happily and the boy ran towards the witch.

Ginny picked up little Charlie. "Look! We have a bwoom!"

"Gin-gin! Mr. Granger gave this to us!" said Bill who showed Ginny the toy broomstick in his hand.

"Mr. Granger? You mean, William?" asked Ginny. The two boys nodded. "Oh, that's nice! Did you thank him, boys? It's Hermione's birthday. Why don't you greet her?"

The two boys went to Hermione and peppered her with kisses and they even sang for her. She was so happy and entertained.

"Mione!"

She turned around, only to be lifted off the floor and spun around.

"Dad," she whispered to her twenty-something biological father, laughing.

When he placed her on the ground, he pinched her nose. "Happy birthday, shortcake!"

She scowled at his endearment. When they first met, Hermione showed him some pictures of her childhood and some memories with the help of Uncle Al's Pensieve. One of the things William remembered was his nickname for her - in the future.

William laughed. "Now, don't be like that, Hermione. You're becoming like Jeanette."

"How is she?" she asked.

"She's always busy with her masters, you know. No time for me. What a nerd," William said with a roll of his eyes rather jokingly.

"Careful. That's my mum you're talking about," she warned which made the adults in the room laugh.

"See, she loves me more!"

They turned around and saw a very young Jeanette 'Jean' Puckle, with a baby in her arms. Hermione's heart warmed at the sight of her beloved mum. She had brown hair and fair skin color like Hermione, but her eyes were blue and hooded. Their body posture and shape were almost the same, too.

Hi, Mummy!" she smiled. Ginny took Baby Percy from Jean and the two ladies hugged each other. "Happy birthday, sweetheart," Jean whispered to her.

"Thanks, Mum. I love you so much!" she replied rather emotionally.

"I love you, too. Believe me. It's like 'love at first sight'."

The two ladies pulled away from each other because William went to their side. "Do I really have to marry this prat?" Jean asked Hermione. "You're here. We have you already and we can't have two Hermiones."

Hermione laughed, knowing her mother was kidding. "Unfortunately, you have to. Otherwise, I would be really, really sad."

"See? She loves me more." William told Jean and winked at Hermione.

Hermione was pulled by Mrs. Weasley, Grandpa Abe, and Grandpa Percy. They all greeted her. Soon, they ate lunch happily, even though when her cake was served, three boys started wailing. Bill and Charlie wanted to blow the cake while Percy was hungry. Still, Hermione was happy. She might be at another time, but she was still with her family.