Hermione walked the familiar pathway of stone steps towards Dumbledore's office. She had just finished her last OWL and had asked to speak with him. He readily agreed as the Transfiguration OWL was the previous day and had no classes following. She reached the heavy wooden door and knocked before opening it. She briefly thought of when she had done the same just 9 short months ago and how drastically she and her world had changed since then.

Dumbledore, again, was sitting at his desk at the front of the classroom, Tea waiting beside him. She smiled to herself as she walked up and sat down in the chair- opposite him. Wordlessly he picked up the teapot and looked to her in question. When she nodded he pours two cups and handed her one. She added some sugar and milk from the decorative tray and sipped.

A few moments passed, each taking comfort in the warm tea before the inevitable conversation. Dumbledore made small talk, "How have your exams been my dear?"

Hermione, always eager to talk about classes beamed, "Oh I actually believe I did very well sir. My first go around I was so nervous I nearly made myself sick but this time I felt a lot more confident."

Dumbledore smiled," I shouldn't be telling you this but from what I hear the examiners are very impressed with you." His usual mischievous sparkle appearing in his blue eyes.

Hermione smiled again. This was good news for her. She continued, "Sir I wanted to ask what was going to happen when the school year was over next week?"

Dumbledore set his tea down on his desk and tenting his fingers in thought, "Well the school and the world around us for that matter believe you are my ward and I stay here during the summer months so naturally it is assumed you will as well."

Hermione's eyes widened at the possibilities. Having the schools wealth of knowledge unhindered by school work or keeping up appearances would be amazing.

"Will I be staying in my dorm or the private rooms again, sir?" She asked.

Dumbledore smiled, "I do believe you can choose either, Dippet returns to his home during the summer, leaving the castles care in the handful of teachers that choose to stay. As deputy headmaster, I would permit you either."

Hermione nodded as she took in all the information, but she couldn't get her mind off the glee of having all this free time. This was defiantly a highlight of time travel.

Dumbledore looked over his glasses, "I do however ask that you do not relay this bit of information to Mr. Riddle. He has petitioned for the same and has been denied by Dippet."

Hermione knew this from her journal, every year he would ask to stay, hating the muggle world and every year Dippet would tell him that it wasn't possible. She nodded in understanding.

Hermione drew in a deep breath, "Professor that is something else I would like to talk to you about as well. There have been some developments or lack of and I can't really talk about them to anyone else."

Dumbledore set his tea down once again and nodded, sensing the importance of the conversation he cast a silencing spell around the room, making it impossible for ears of either human or ghost to listen in.

Hermione took a deep breath, "According to your future self, this year something very big happened in Tom's life that changed who he was. The first part- the catalyst for this change- happened. He found out about his parents. But eh second part, the part that really started he on his path hasn't and with only a week left I'm worried that it won't. On one hand it would indicate that I have, in some small way, done what I needed to do in changing the path but on the other hand I fear that it has changed to the point where my notes won't be of any help and I'll be truly lost at what to do next."

Dumbledore looked to be thought so Hermione caught her breath. It felt good to let out her worries.

Dumbledore looked over his glasses, "Hermione, do you know why I have left you alone in regards to your mission of saving the wizarding world?"

Hermione shook her head no,it, in fact, had been part of her anxiety, not having Dumbledore tell her what was right or wrong.

He continued, "The letter, I wrote myself held very little information besides what I needed to believe your story. But it did say two things, one was to trust you and what you do. It's why I didn't worry when you became close to Tom, nor when you subsequently became distant with him. My future self knew you could do this and, coming from me, is saying a lot." He ended with a smile.

Hermione looked confused, "But sir, I wasn't even supposed to come back. How could the letter say that?"

Dumbledore smiled, although a little sadly, "Well I am afraid that may be my fault. Time is fluid. You came back because of a plan I set in motion because you came back, do you see? I knew it was you who came here because I sent you here before."

Hermione's eyes widened, "That's why the journal and sand were left together. It created the link and it was already tuned into my magical signature. Time turners are set to a witch or wizard by magical signature."

Dumbledore nodded, "I am sorry that it had to be this way but it has worked thus far and I have no doubts that you will accomplish your end."

Hermione wiped a stray tear that was threatening to fall, the stress and logistics of everything was getting to her, "but sir I don't even know what my end is now? I was sent here because I was already here. Shouldn't that logically mean that I already failed?"

Dumbledore sighed, "Hermione, no one knows what will or won't happen but I will tell you this, My future self and me now, have a great deal of trust in you and your heart. I trust that you will do what is needed for everyone to live as they should. "

Hermione smiled. Dumbledore's faith in her renewed her vigor. She put her empty cup down and walked to the door after thanking Dumbledore and ensuring him that she would try.

The door closed and Dumbledore sat back in his chair, fingers rubbing the bridge of his nose. He reached into the side drawer and pulled out the letter he had received when Hermione came into this very classroom nine months ago. He read it over again and paused at the last line. Yes, He did tell himself to trust Hermione but he couldn't tell her what her true mission was. He placed the letter down on his desk as he poured himself another cup of tea. The letters seemed to glow neon from the page, tormenting him,

"Hermione must never know that in the end, her true mission will be to let herself love him as truly as her heart will love. In this time Tom never knows love but love is the key to everything."

A/N: Hello there! This is a rather short one but I do hope it answers some questions and concerns that I've been seeing in the reviews! I also want to address why my character Hermione is the way she is. There is a reason that Hermione has been somewhat naive and unsure about what she is doing- she's a 15 year old girl with hormones in a confusing time! She is so smart and has such a daunting task that she sometimes forgets that she is indeed a regular teenager too! There are going to be times where she's shy, brash, confused or emotional. I'm trying to portray real people in a fictional world. I do hope that and this chapter kind of offers some insight to where I'm writing from! Please review! Thank you.