Nothing in the world of Harry Potter belongs to me. I'm just playing in the great J.K. Rowling's sand box. Thank you.
Also, a heads up, just a couple quick changes in chapter one, such as the name Hermione used (Hermione McGonagall original - if you don't want to go back).
Chapter 2 – Memories in the Great Hall
September 2, 1991
On the first day of term, Professor McGonagall sits down to breakfast well before many of the students are even up and about. Beside her, sat the great Albus Dumbledore, presiding over his kingdom. With the sudden reveal the previous evening, she couldn't help but start to feel more and more like a pawn, ruled by his growing sense of paranoia. Even though Voldemort had been gone for many years, Dumbledore still expects him to return to power. Despite her long friendship with the man, she isn't sure if she can forgive him his secrecy, plotting, and manipulating this time.
Just as she is about to speak to the man, Minerva's attention is pulled to the entryway of the Great Hall. A familiar figure with bushy brown hair appears in the doorway and Minerva McGonagall's mind is drawn back to a different time.
The Great Hall – September 1, 1971
"Who is she Albus?" Professor McGonagall whispers urgently as one of her newest Gryffindor enters the great hall.
"I'm not quite sure," Dumbledore admits jovially. "It is quite the intriguing mystery though isn't it? Her name was not on the list of new students yesterday morning, but had showed up before dinner!"
Minerva had just been named the head of Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmistress two years prior, following the death of Professor Binns, whose ghost still taught History of Magic, but was fine leaving the other tasks to the living.
"I know that! I saw the list myself. Would you be serious for a moment," Minerva insists. "We need to speak to her, as soon as possible."
"Yes, yes. I am aware," Albus says. "At least let the girl have some breakfast. We can summon her to my office after."
That seems to settle the witch down a bit, as she returns to her breakfast, though she only picks at it. Her eyes often raise to the Gryffindor table, checking to see if their mystery student is finished yet.
In all her years as a student, and then a teacher, she had never heard of students magically appearing out of this air. This was a magical world, but some things were still outside of the realm of possibility for Merlin's sake! People don't just appear out of nowhere.
Once the young Miss Granger finished her meal, she pulls a large book from her bag. Giving Dumbledore a stern look, McGonagall pushes away from the table. In her usual, no-nonsense manner, she approaches the girl.
"Miss Granger," she addresses her, since her approach had not distracted the girl from the book in front of her. When the child looks up, McGonagall continues, "would you please follow me? The Headmaster and I would like to speak with you."
With that, she turns on heel to exit the great hall, leaving a scared and concerned Hermione Granger to follow in her wake. They quickly approach the gargoyle, Hermione practically running to keep up with her head of house.
"Marshmallow," the Professor announces to the stone creature, rolling her eyes at the continued absurdity of the Headmaster's passwords.
Hermione's eyes widen as the gargoyle jumps aside, revealing a staircase leading up. McGonagall gestures for the girl to step onto the stairs before following after her. As the stairs start moving, Hermione jumped slightly, grasping her Professor's arm to steady herself. Blushing wildly, she quietly apologizes, though Minerva assures her that it is fine.
Soon, they reach the top of the stairs, the Headmaster's door open and waiting for them. Hermione timidly enters the room, her eyes widening at all the shiny silver devices whizzing and whirling away on the shelf. Next her eyes are drawn to walls of magical texts, the subtle hum of magic radiating off of them, calling to her. She doesn't even notice the Headmaster's presence until he speaks.
"Have a seat my dear," he offers gently, gesturing to the two padded guest chairs in front of his desk. Once she complies, he offers, "lemon drop?"
Hermione politely declines, not having much of a sweet tooth due to her parent's profession.
"So, my dear, you must be wondering why we have called you here," Dumbledore says. "It seems that we have had a mix up in our new student list."
"No sir," Hermione exclaims instantly, fear coursing through ever part of her, "please, I promise that I will work really hard to be worthy of acceptance here. I know my parents aren't magical, but I will ..."
They can't take this away, she thinks wildly, this is the first time the world has made sense to me. The first time I feel like I fit.
"Easy Miss Granger," he offers. "We aren't reconsidering your place here. You are indeed a witch and worthy of your place here, no matter your parentage."
Professor McGonagall glares at the Headmaster before stepping in.
"Dear, we are just curious because you showed up on our lists so suddenly. Did you receive a letter?" McGonagall asks.
"Yes, of course," Hermione asserts, promptly digging into her bookbag and pulling out the neatly folded parchment, offering it to her professor.
The older witch unfolds the letter and finds the familiar words of every letter sent out to new students. She sees her signature across the bottom. However, she pauses as her eyes fall upon the date printed in her familiar handwriting, and gasps as the answer to her question dawns on her. She is unable to form the words needed, so she simply passes the letter to Dumbledore.
The old wizard adjusts his half-moon glasses on his nose and quickly scans the letter, finding the same discrepancy that his colleague had found.
Written in McGonagall's neat handwriting, the letter reads, Term begins 1 September, 1991.
"Well my dear, we seem to have found the problem. Could you please explain how you happen to have traveled through time?" Dumbledore asks her rather plainly.
"Traveled through time?" Hermione asks, shocked at the implications. Her voice breaks as she answers, "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean sir."
However, her mind is racing. If she had indeed traveled through time, then, when was she? How exactly did she time travel without knowing or noticing? And how was she going to get back?
"Easy Miss Granger," the Headmaster repeats, having picked up on the thoughts racing through her head, fear plainly written across her face. "We will figure it out."
"Now can you explain what you did yesterday?" Minerva asks kindly, "I know magic is fairly new to you, but did anything seem off?"
"Not that I could tell," Hermione groans in frustration. "My parents dropped me off at King's Cross. They had an emergent dental surgery to get too and we'd been to the station many times, so they figured I would be fine on my own."
She pauses briefly, but both professors nod for her to continue.
"I went through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, just like the letter I received instructed me. I stumbled a bit going through, but kept my footing. On the train, I sat with two other first years, Lily and Severus. We were all happy to read the entire way here. Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Hmmm, very odd indeed," Albus muses.
"Sir," Hermione inquires quietly, "if it isn't 1991, then what year is it?"
"It is September of 1971," the Headmaster answers gently.
The girl falls back against the chair in shock. McGonagall kneels by her side, gently grasping her hand and making soothing sounds.
"It's going to be alright Miss Granger," she assures the child.
"But how do I get home?"
"I'm afraid child, that it won't be possible. Since we do not know how you got here, we cannot know how to send you back," Dumbledore answers sadly, knowing it is not the answer she is looking for.
Hermione instantly began sobbing, the fear and the tears she had been holding back so far breaking free.
"But what ... about ... my home? And ... my parents?" She sobs.
Professor McGonagall pulls the girl into her arms, rocking her gently as she cries, in an attempt to help soothe her, but knowing that nothing she can do will help this hurt.
Dumbledore answers the questions that hung in the air as best he could without upsetting her anymore.
"For now, you will stay at Hogwarts. In the meantime, we will work to find a magical family to take you in."
The girl cries even harder, the grief so overwhelming.
"I'll take her," Minerva announces suddenly.
Both student and professor look at her like she'd just sprouted a second head.
"What?" McGonagall asks, before going on to defend herself against Dumbledore's questioning look, "She needs a home and I have one. I have no children or other obligations besides the school. Besides, she unfortunately cannot keep her name. If something were to happen to alter the timeline again it could be dangerous."
Turning her gaze towards the girl in her arms, she tries to explain, "I know this is all new and scary. I know that you barely know me, but I would happy to share my life, my home, and my name with you if you'll have it."
She waits patiently for a response. It is a bold and sudden move. She probably should have considered taking in an eleven-year-old girl at least a little longer before offering, but as she watches the child grieve for the loss of her whole life, there is no other option in her mind.
Hermione peers up, wide eyed and surprised that this woman would offer her so much without a second thought. While the loss of her family and everything she has even known is crushing, it is a relief to have the chance at a new one, just waiting for her to say yes.
"I would like that very much Professor McGonagall," Hermione answers, her voice small and still choked with tears.
"In private, it is Minerva, my dear," the older witch replies. "Now, let us get you down to the hospital wing. You are in no shapes to start classes just yet and any more questions can wait."
The last was directed at Professor Dumbledore, as Minerva stands, her arms still wrapped around the girl, and walks out of the Headmaster's office.
Snapping back to the present, tears on the brim of her eyes, Minerva watches as her girl enters the hall. Beside her is Harry Potter of all people, chatting and laughing with the young girl. It seemed that naturally, she is falling right into line with Albus' plans, but at least for now she seems happy. The old witch knows that it won't last for long though.
Leaning over to her dining companion, she asks Albus, "Let me tell her that her parents are gone. Even if she doesn't know me, I know her and I know what she needs."
"That is acceptable," the Headmaster responds, "But she will be staying with Molly Weasley. I will not change my mind on that."
There is a harshness to his tone that she had rarely heard, but Minerva just nods in response as they both watch the Gryffindor table, noticing that one Ronald Weasley has joined the other two first years. The three eat their breakfast while discussing their mutual excitement for the upcoming year. For now, all is well.
Hermione wasn't having any luck getting back to sleep after she had woken early. The entire previous day had been like a dream, arriving at Hogwarts, being sorted, eating all that glorious food, and getting to know some of the other students. She just can't contain her excitement, so she gets up and gets dressed for the day, in her new uniform. Stepping up to the mirror, she proudly admires the red and gold Gryffindor patch that had appeared on her vest during the night. Taking the stairs two at a time she descends from the girls dormitory.
The common room is still fairly quiet this early in the morning, even on a weekday, but there are a few people scattered around. Two older students sit at a table against the far wall, parchment in books spread out before them, obviously getting a jump of some of their classmates. On the couch by the fire, another first year she recognizes sits silently. Having read about him briefly in one of the texts her parents had purchased for her during their trip to Diagon Alley, she is hesitant to approach the Boy Who Lived, but then reasons that he is just around person.
"Can't sleep?" she asks, as she approaches the couch.
Startled out of his thoughts he looks at her briefly, taking in the halo of hair surrounding her, recognizing her after a moment from the sorting ceremony. Pushing his glasses up, he rubs the sleep out of his eyes before he finally responds.
"Yeah, tired, but also kind of wired. I just can't get back to sleep. It's all so new and interesting," he tells her. Pausing for a moment, muttering somewhat bitterly, the revelations of the last few days still a sore spot. "Though I guess I'm supposed to know everything as the Boy Who Lived."
"Not really," Hermione assures him. "I grew up with muggles too. You can't really know what you don't know until you know it."
Harry looks up at her quizzically, trying to puzzle out what she meant.
She takes mercy on him and tries again, "It just means you have more to learn. But that's the fun part isn't it? Magic is this new world we fit in to now, even if we didn't fit before. At least it is for me."
"No, I understand," Harry says, smiling widely at her. "I'm excited to get started. Flying, turning people into toads!"
Hermione makes a face at that last comment, but she supposes that they all have their bullies and ways to deal with them. Instead of saying anything against it, she offers, "would you like to head down to breakfast? I'm sure they're serving already."
The dark haired boy, who had never really had any friends, smiles and agrees, following Hermione's lead as they descend from Gryffindor Tower. The hallways are eerily empty, but bright as the morning sun shines in. They stop a few times as the stairs shift on them, making their way down. After a few dead ends and wrong turns, they find the great hall again. It's slightly more lively in the hall than anywhere else they'd been that morning, groups of older Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs devouring textbooks and food respectively. A few sleepy Slytherins doze at the far table and a shock of red hair belonging to one Percy Weasley adorns the Gryffindor table.
The duo take a seat on the bench next to the end, discussing the various subjects they are interested in. While Hermione has read each of her required texts, and some recreational reading, several times over, Harry has barely begun to skim the pages. The Dursleys had been diligent about keeping his new possessions locked away for most of the time that he has had them, but he managed to sneak a few peeks. He had been planning on looking at little closer once he was on the train, but getting to know Ron had been a lot more interesting. However, Hermione helpfully filled him in on the basics of several of the courses, sparking his enthusiasm for learning about defending dark magic and transfiguring things. He kept it to himself that potions and herbology sounded rather boring, so as not to affect her interest. Harry repeated what Ron had told him about flying with excitement, though she cringed at the thought.
It wasn't long before Ron had joined them at the table, piling his plate high with food and adding his own thoughts to the conversation. He told them what it was like to grow up in a wizarding household and all the things he'd seen or tried. The three conversed freely and easily as students filled the hall. The excitement sky rocketed for Hermione when their head of house, Professor McGonagall came by and dropped off their schedules. Ron moaned and groaned about having double potions first thing, especially since it was with Slytherin House. Harry, himself wasn't all that enthusiastic about another run in with Malfoy, which he explained to Hermione. She was about to respond when at the high table, Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat loudly.
"Welcome students, to another year at Hogwarts. While we normally have start of term announcements at the opening feast, I did not want to sour the mood. I unfortunately do have some sad news to share. Our beloved Ancient Runes teacher, Professor Snape, is no longer with us. She passed away over the summer. The position is to be filled by Professor Babbling," Dumbledore announced, pausing to introduce the instructor.
The students applaud sporadically. The younger students are mostly unaffected, though any deaths were sad, but many of the older students are devastated to hear of the loss of a favorite professor. Still, many others whisper about Professor Snape, and wonder how he will react to the loss of his wife, wondering if he will be even worse than usual in the classroom. The dark Professor glares down at the student body, definitely looking worse than he usually does and quite angry.
"The loss of a great professor effects us all, so please, if you need to, speak to your head of house, or Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing," Dumbledore offers. "Now, we also are welcoming a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Quirrell."
After pausing for more scattered applause, Dumbledore adds, "And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."*
With that said, Dumbledore sat back down, digging into his scrambled eggs, and ignoring the incredulous stares of the student body. Around him, the staff groans and roll their eyes at his dramatic statement, even though they know the reasoning. Hermione, Ron, and Harry share quizzical looks for a moment before it passes and the dinning hall returns to normal. Students finish their breakfast and depart for their first class of the day. With additional groaning, Hermione drags Harry and Ron with her down to the dungeons for her first potions class.
Fairly short and mostly flash back, but we will have a lot of that. We will hang out a little longer in the first year than some of the other early years, but Hermione has a whole other life for us to explore.
* for quotes from the book or movies - this one specifically from Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. You can't have dire warnings without drama queen Dumbledore.