No Time to Lose
Hermione stood inside the Headmistresses office, patiently waiting for McGonagall to finish talking to the board. Having no idea how bad this was going to be, Hermione had packed most of her stuff just in case. She knew for sure she would be sacked, and there would be no pulling strings or mentioning her Order of Merlin to save the day. She stood looking at the picture of the Order standing in front of Hogwarts for the umpteenth time. The door opened and Hermione was surprise to find Amelia Bones enter with the Headmistress.
"Professor Granger. Pleasure to see you again," came the warm and friendly greeting from the head of the D.M.L.E., "I'm sorry for the surprise visit, but I wanted to keep my visit here secret."
Hermione shook the older witch's hand and returned the warm greeting, "Please to see you Madam Bones."
Amelia waved away the formality, "Please, call me Amelia," she said with a smile, "After all you've done for the wizarding community, you do not need to stand on formality with me," she leaned in close, "Besides, being called 'Madam' makes me feel old."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at the older witch. She looked from Amelia to McGonagall, "Am I really in that much trouble that the Head of the D.M.L.E. was called in?"
McGonagall's mouth quirked upwards for a brief moment, "Not at all Professor," she said, "The board was of course shocked and upset by the incident, and I had to agree that your actions were a bit excessive. The fact that the family's dirty laundry was exposed quite publicly," her mouth quirked upward for a brief moment, "effectively ended their objections to any actions being taken against you. They face bigger problems right now than your actions against a boy who crossed the line. No, Madam Bones is here for an entirely different reason."
That reason hit Hermione like a freight train, "Snape," she almost whispered.
Amelia's eyebrows shot up, impressed with Hermione's deductive skills, "Very good Professor. Yes, I'm here because we think we figured out what Snape was looking for," she paused and looked at McGonagall before looking back at Hermione, "A time turner."
Hermione's eyes went wide with a sudden dread, "What?!" she almost shouted, "How'd that greasy-git get a hold of one? I thought they were destroyed years ago?"
Amelia shook her head, "Not all of them unfortunately. Publicly, yes, all were destroyed. Privately, there were a few that survived, but they were damaged."
McGonagall spoke up, "And as the last person to be instructed in their use and to actually use one, Madam Bones was hoping you might have insight as to how Snape could use it."
"I only have theoretical knowledge of their use," Amelia added quickly, "I have never used one, nor has anyone in my department."
Hermione looked at the Head Auror, "Madam, then as you know a time turner is useless unless you wish to go back in time," she looked around trying to find an explanation, "I would only guess that Snape wants to do just that."
Amelia Bones looked down at the floor, "We have thought of that reason, but we couldn't bring ourselves to believe it possible. Please confirm my understanding, Professor, time turners can allow a person to go back only a certain distance into the past."
Hermione nodded, "Yes, at most one day."
McGonagall let out a heavy sigh of relief, "Thank goodness."
Hermione saw Madam Bones shift uncomfortably in her place, "I assume from your expression and body language that I just said something wrong?"
"High marks again for your observation and deductive reasoning skills, Professor," Amelia said, "Yes, the one day time limit is not entirely true. Based on what I was just told."
"What?!" McGonagall exclaimed as stood up. She leaned with her hands on her desk, "I thought there was a restriction placed on those devices?"
Amelia shifted again in her spot, "There was, but when the room was damaged, the devices that survived lost that restriction. As such, they now have no restrictions as to how far back they can go."
"Oh Merlin," Hermione said, realizing the full implications as to what the auror was saying, "He could go back and change time. Change it so Voldemort wins."
McGonagall looked at Hermione, "And change time where even Harry dies as a baby before Voldemort can kill him."
Hermione felt sick for a moment. Her mind was racing with all the possibilities of how horrible this could turnout. Even imagining a world where Voldemort reigned as the supreme dark wizard sent a shiver to Hermione's core.
She looked at the two older witches, "We have to stop him."
"I'd love too," Amelia said, "But I'm not sure where, or now even when to start."
Hermione looked away, starting to pace and think out loud, "Well we're still here, so he hasn't gone back in time yet," she stopped pacing and looked at Amelia, "Which means he needs to repair the device he has."
"You're assuming he has one," Amelia said.
"I'm almost certain of it," Hermione replied, "Somehow Borgin got a hold of one for Snape and Snape killed him after retrieving it."
Amelia flashed a glance at McGonagall, "No one knew that was the line of investigation we were following. How do you know that?"
Hermione gave her a thin smile, "I know Snape. It's how he thinks."
McGonagall gave the head auror a wry smile and let her former pupil continue.
Hermione returned to her pacing and thinking out loud to herself, "But when would he go back to?" she looked at the Order picture, "When…," she whispered.
Then it hit her like the Hogwarts Express. Her eyes widened and her face went white.
"Miss. Granger?" McGonagall's voice filled with worry at Hermione's expression.
Hermione looked between the two witches, "He's going back to That Day."
"That Day?" Amelia asked, looking confused, "What's That Day?"
"It's what Miss. Granger calls the day of the final battle between Voldemort and Harry Potter."
Comprehension dawned on Amelia, "Ahhh… your book. I'm sorry, I forgot. Snape broke out of Azkaban, stole a time turner and killed a man, just to go back in time to a battle his master loses?"
"But he will make sure Voldemort wins," Hermione replied emphatically, "His past self almost was able to help Voldemort defeat Harry."
"But you stopped Snape," Amelia said and then added with certainly in her voice, "Sounds like there's not much more to say about that."
Hermione shook her head, "No, I barely stopped him and even then, only through a lucky trick."
Then her second epiphany hit her, even harder than the first. She quickly approached Amelia and stopped in front of her, "He's going back to stop me from stopping his younger self!" she said in an anxious declaration.
This statement had both older witches stunned into silence for several minutes. Hermione looked between the two and saw their minds comprehending what she concluded. Amelia looked at McGonagall with an expression of surprise, but McGonagall regained her voice first.
"Hermione, are you sure?"
Hermione looked at her and only nodded.
Amelia's brow furrowed in confusion, "But why not go back and warn Voldemort before he killed the Potters and tried to kill Harry Potter as an infant?"
Hermione's brain went into overdrive, "Because that wouldn't do anything," she started pacing again thinking, "Voldemort would still be worried about the prophecy. Even if the Potters moved from Godric's Hollow to another location, Voldemort would probably still find them and attack. He'd have to target Harry because of the prophecy Trelawny made all those years ago. He would have to die trying to kill Harry and Snape knows that, or would have figured that out. So, going back to That Day is Snape's only other, and best option."
McGonagall saw the conviction in Hermione's face and knew that what she said was the truth.
McGonagall nodded and slowly came around her desk, standing in front of Amelia and Hermione, "Amelia, I think this matter now takes on a whole new sense of urgency," her voice reflected that urgency, "I think you need to report straight back to the Minister and tell him Miss. Granger's thoughts about Snape and his plans. Please inform the Minister she has my full support and acknowledgment of her ideas."
Amelia agreed immediately and nodded, "At once," she said, turning to leave.
"Madam Bones," McGonagall called out and stopped the auror at the doorway, "If any of those time turner's still work, I think it would be wise to have one repaired as fast as possible," she looked at her former pupil, "For Miss. Granger."
Hermione wheeled around to McGonagall shocked, "Me? Why me?"
McGonagall leveled her gaze at the young witch, "Because my dear, you have used one before, you know Snape, fought him, and you remember That Day vividly. Therefore, you are the best choice for this. No auror alive, even Kingsley Shacklebolt, could do what needs to be done," she paused and with a softer voice said, "And you now have the power and the skill to face him and end this for all time."
"But… but, I'm not ready," Hermione stammered, shaking her head, "Not even close."
McGonagall smiled knowingly at her, "Oh Hermione. You are ready. I've seen your training sessions with Aberforth. I've watched you get yourself into shape. I've seen you fight," she placed a comforting hand on Hermione's arm, "You are ready, my child. You only have to believe in yourself."
McGonagall turned to the other woman, "Amelia, I believe time is not on our side. We will be here and ready when you return."
The Head of the D.M.L.E. nodded curtly and quickly left the office, leaving a very stunned and apprehensive Hermione behind.
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"A time turner?!" Aberforth exclaimed. He had been flooed to come to McGonagall's office moments after Madam Bones left. He had objected, claiming he was too busy with the dinner rush. But once he heard McGonagall's tone and swearing at him he knew he needed to come through, "How in Merlin's Beard did that slimy arse get ahold of a time turner?"
Hermione remained quiet, McGonagall wincing at his shouting, "Does it really matter, Aberforth? He has one and he will use it."
He harrumphed, "You're right Minerva, it doesn't really matter how he got one, but what does he plan to do with it?"
McGonagall blinked, "To go back in time of course, you blithering old fool" she replied as if to an obstinate child.
He picked up on the tone immediately, "That's not what I asked Minerva. I already figured that part out. What I'm asking is why is he using a time turner in the first place?"
"He's going back in time to stop me from stopping him on That Day," Hermione broke in heading off any further bickering between the older adults.
Aberforth shook his head in disbelief, "I always knew that man was an idiot, but this takes him to a new high in my low expectations of him. He could wipeout all of history, possibly even himself!"
"Why else would someone like him go back in time!" McGonagall replied before Hermione could.
The two older adults just stared at each other for a few moments while Hermione stood behind McGonagall and felt the uncomfortable tension in the room build.
"Ummm, well," Hermione cleared her throat, "We need you here to help me train faster. We don't know where Snape is or when he might decide to go back in time. Regardless, I need to be ready."
"You?" Aberforth asked, trying not to let his smile show, "Why you? Did Amelia run out of those fancy auror's she's been in charge of?"
McGonagall pursed her lips and shook her head, "No, you utter buffoon. Miss. Granger is the only choice for this task."
"I know that Minerva," he snapped at her, "I wanted to hear it from her," he pointed at Hermione.
Hermione came around McGonagall, "It's true. I'm the best and only choice to stop him," she held out her hand and started counting with her fingers, "First, I remember That Day and know where my battle with him was. Two, I've used a time turner before and understand its properties. Three, I know Snape and the way he acts and fights. Four, I can…."
Aberforth held up his hand for her to stop, "Yes, thank you Hermione. I know you can probably list one hundred reasons why you're going," he paused, "I just wanted to hear it in your voice," he gave her a slight smile.
Hermione looked briefly dumbfounded and then visibly relaxed in understanding, "So you'll help me train harder?"
"Of course," he instantly replied with a bit of surprise in his voice, "Why wouldn't I?"
"Just checking," came Hermione's equally quick reply.
McGonagall looked between the two of them, "So what's next then?"
Hermione looked at Aberforth and spoke her quick plan, "I think we need to do more practical magical practice to build up my energy and cut out a lot of the research."
Aberforth smiled in spite of the situation, "Which I'm sure your brain is crying out in rebellion at not doing research."
Hermione flashed a smile before a short laugh.
McGonagall, not feeling in the jocular mood, nodded curtly, "Excellent. Start now if you wish," she looked at Hermione, "You're authorized any time you need for your training Miss. Granger. I'll have someone cover your class for you."
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary Headmistress," Hermione started.
"Yes, please do Minerva," Aberforth quickly interjected, "She will be too tired and drained from our sessions, she will be unable to perform her teaching duties."
"I won't…," Hermione started again, but McGonagall interrupted.
"Excellent," she replied with a thin smile, "I'll ask Professor Nivestra to substitute."
Hermione's jaw dropped in shock. She had just been told she couldn't teach and that upset her. No, it seriously pissed her off to be told she couldn't do something.
"Headmistress…," was all she got out.
McGonagall held up her hand and her stern expression forced the rest of Hermione's objections to die in her throat, "Again, Miss. Granger you need to be focused on this as your first and only priority."
"She's right Hermione," Aberforth said from behind Hermione, "To do what needs to be done in such a short amount of time, you need to focus on this alone."
Hermione was outflanked. She sighed heavily and resignedly, "Fine," she replied, exaggerating the word, "Can we start tonight?"
Aberforth held out his hand to the door, "After you."
Hermione left with Aberforth, leaving a worried McGonagall standing in the middle of her office.
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Two days later an exhausted, sweaty and grumpy Hermione staggered to her room and collapsed on her bed with a groan. After two days of intensive training she was almost ready to pray that Snape would just go back and do something so she wouldn't have to keep going.
A knock on her door roused her from her mind ramblings.
"Go away!" she groaned into her pillow, "I've died and gone to Heaven!"
A soft chuckle was heard as the door opened, "You do look dead."
Luna entered her friend's room and chuckled again at the sight in front of her. Hermione faced down, arms flung out and her feet dangling off the bed.
"You know Dobby went through a lot of trouble to clean your sheets and make your bed and here you are sweating all over them."
Hermione groaned as she sat up, "I know, but he loves to clean and do things for me," Hermione winced as she sat on the edge of the bed, "But you're right, I'll thank him and apologize later."
Luna sat down next to her and gave her a brief one-armed hug, "You're doing great. I'm very proud of you."
Hermione gave her a small smile, "Thank you."
Luna regarded her friend's face and the dark smudges under her eyes, "You look tired beyond belief."
Again Hermione nodded, "I feel worse."
"Taking a lot out of you isn't it?"
Hermione sighed, "Yes, but Aberforth says I'm stronger than I was when I first used that shield spell months ago," she stopped and felt a wave of exhaustion sweep over her, "I don't know Luna. This would be so much easier if I knew I could do something to rescue Harry and the others when I go back."
Luna's face showed concern, "You know you can't. It would undo the timeline and possibly destroy the fabric of existence."
Hermione gave Luna a look of derision, "Oh it wouldn't. I've done some research…,"
"Of course you have," Luna muttered.
"…and there's almost no chance of that happening," Hermione finished ignoring Luna's mutterings.
"Almost?" Luna said with mild teasing.
"Almost," Hermione said, "I'd have to do so much damage that it would totally overwrite our timeline."
"Hmmm," Luna looked at her friends disbelieving, "How much is 'so much'?"
Hermione sighed heavily and looked blankly at the dresser in front of her, "Practically change every sequence of events."
Luna didn't respond, but considered her words for a moment, "But even one small change could lead to bigger changes further in time."
Hermione looked at Luna with mild disbelief at her friend's comment, "You've been speaking with Aberforth haven't you?"
Luna just nodded.
Hermione stood and started pacing, "I told him that saving even just a few, including Harry would not make that much of a difference," she spat her anger rising, "He disagreed and said almost exactly what you said."
Lune watched her friend pace in front of her and did not react in the slightest to her outburst, "But he's not wrong."
Hermione stopped, opened her mouth, inhaled a breath to speak and then shut it again, "I…, I…," she stammered.
Luna gave her a sad smile in understanding, "You have to let him go all over again. You can't save him, Hermione."
Hermione's face betrayed her immediate feelings, "I thought if anyone would understand it would be you," she breathed angrily, "I can't believe my best friend would sit there and tell me that I can't save someone I love," her voice broke, but she regained her composure, "From a fate worse than death."
Luna stood, her face remaining impassive, "As you said, I should know what's it's like to lose someone I love," her eyes now became hard as steel, "But do not for one moment ever think that I wish I could go back and change what had happened. That I would try and bring Ron and the others back. I miss them Hermione, more than I can even put to words, but I do not for one moment ever cheapen their memories by wallowing in constant grief and self-pity."
Hermione's eyes widened at Luna's sudden anger.
"But I also know what it's like to regain love again and to move on with what's happened," she raked Hermione with her eyes before whispering, "Well at least I have come to peace with it, not held onto the past, and I haven't had to have others pull me out of a depression so deep that I almost was sent to St. Mungo's for help."
Without another word Luna left. Hermione stood still, unable to move. She was dumbfounded and shocked at Luna's anger and comments. She dropped heavily onto the edge of her bed and closed her eyes in pain at her friends words.
