That Day

Snape placed the last golden piece of the time turner in place. He watched as the little grains of sand inside the glass suddenly began to levitate and glow purplish in color. He smiled and would have jumped for joy if he was capable. He placed the device on the gold chain and then put it around his neck.

Now was the time.

He took one last look around his blasted and destroyed home. He grabbed the device and started spinning it the required number of times. Soon he would be with his master and returned to his full glory. After the last turn he started to feel an odd sensation as if he was slowing down for no reason. He looked around him and literally saw the years pass by his eyes.

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Hermione's head snapped up as the time turner suddenly glowed. She looked at the blonde across from her and narrowed her eyes at a distant thought, "It's happening."

Luna's face blanched with the realization of what Hermione said and wordlessly nodded. She watched as her friend took the golden device from around her neck and began to quickly spin it.

"Good luck," Luna said before watching Hermione fade from time.

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Hermione watched as her past literally whizzed in front of her. She only was able to catch snapshots of events as they whirled past. Her 25th birthday party, McGonagall and her in Diagon Alley, her standing in front of 12 Grimmauld Place her first day living there, and watching Harry being placed in his room for the first time at St. Mungo's. The last image of Harry getting hit by Voldemort's spell flashed in her eyes and then time stopped.

She closed her eyes to regain her equilibrium and heard the loud ringing of a bell to her right. She opened her eyes and found herself standing in the middle of a side street in Hogsmeade. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice her sudden appearance except for an older man standing just outside the backdoor of the Hog's Head. She saw Aberforth Dumbledore's shocked expression. She took one step forward and stopped as she realized that he would have no idea who she was or what she might be doing here.

She tried her best to give him a smile before quickly exiting the side street and making her way towards the center of town. She knew she had come back to the right time, but when for sure? She looked around for a clock or paper. She saw the small office of The Daily Prophet and rushed over. She looked into the window at the paper hanging there and breathed a sigh of relief and at the same time as tensing. It was That Day.

A loud train whistle sounded in the distance and she looked towards the train station. She walked a short distance to the corner and peaked around. Hogwarts students were milling around the train, dropping off luggage, and getting onboard. Based on what she saw, Hermione knew the train was minutes away from pulling away from the station. Her eyes suddenly widened and she pulled herself back out of sight.

She carefully looked back around the corner and saw a bushy brown-haired girl smiling and pointing students in various directions. She watched the younger version of herself for a few moments before letting out a soft laugh. She instantly saw what Harry, Ron and others had told her for years. She really was a bit bossy back then.

The train whistle sounded again and broke her from her thoughts. She looked up towards the castle and knew she was moments away from the explosion that would signal to her younger self there was a problem. Hermione took one last glance at the young Hermione before racing towards the castle. She knew the battle was already started and she needed to get there. She growled in frustration as she couldn't apparate. McGonagall at that time had extended and strengthened the wards around the castle making it now virtually impossible to get anywhere near the castle except on foot.

She thanked the Heavens for her physical training as she ran up the inclined path. She suddenly felt a little sensation pass over her like a wave as she sprinted past an outcropping of stone resembling an old mini turret. She had passed through the wards. She was within the magical boundary. She looked up and immediately broke left, heading up the side path towards the castle's main entrance. She didn't know where Snape would be, but she knew that she had to start somewhere. As the main doorway appeared in front of her, she flicked her wrist and her wand flew out of her wrist holster into her hand.

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Snape opened his eyes and his eyes focused on the first thing his eyes saw. The looming presence of the North Tower of Hogwarts. He sneered at the sight of the large stone structure and quickly turned and headed towards the side grounds entrance. He needed to skirt the edge of the battle, and even more important… not be seen.

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Hermione never stopped as she bounded up the stone steps two at a time as the tower exploded to her left. She knew that her younger self was seeing the Dark Mark above the castle and was now racing towards it at full speed. She now had only minutes to find Snape and stop him. Her mind went back to her conversation with Aberforth and McGonagall barely a week ago when Madam Bones handed her the last working time turner.

"This will glow as a signal when something happens in the timeline," Amelia Bones said as she carefully handed the device to Hermione, "You never experienced it before because when you used it last time, you were the only one authorized to use one."

Hermione nodded and took the device. She stared for a moment at the golden device with purplish-colored sand in the center. She quickly put the device on around her neck.

"Now it should protect you from any changes in the timeline," Amelia said, "But there's no guarantee for how long."

McGonagall stepped forward, her face tense with stress, "Now my dear, you must act quickly when you sense something. Don't wait. Don't come to me to tell me. Just go."

"Yes Headmistress," Hermione nodded.

"And one last thing," came Aberforth's voice. She turned and saw a sad expression on his face. She knew instantly what he was going to say, "Do not in any way tamper with the timeline. You are only there to stop the older Snape. Nothing more."

"But," she started.

He cut her off sharply, "Nothing more!"

She closed her mouth quickly, protest dying in her throat.

His face softened in sympathy at her face, "I'm sorry Hermione. You cannot save him," his voice softened, "He cannot be saved. You must let the natural order of events happen as they have. Otherwise you risk everything unravelling, which could cause events to happen that did not happen before and irrevocably destroy the timeline."

She felt her eyes begin to sting with tears. He regarded her face and unshed tears, "I'm sorry my dear."

She nodded once curtly. She would have to watch him be taken away from her again, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

She raced past the Great Hall and heard the sounds of spells being cast to her right. Knowing she had to try and remain out of sight, she quickly turned left and raced down a side corridor. She stumbled as another explosion rocked the castle and the corridor exploded behind her. She dove into an alcove as debris rained down around her and she coughed in the choking dust. She waved her hands in front of her to try and clear the air and stood up. She looked down the passageway the way she came and saw the archway destroyed. She looked right and saw the other end was filled with spells being sent between combatants. She coughed once more and knew she needed to do something. She was running out of time.

She gripped her wand and raced towards the battle. Her mind raced to remember who was at the end of the passageway. She thought it might be either Dean or Mr. Weasley. She slid to a stop at the end and cautiously peaked around left and right to see. She was right, Dean and couple of remaining teachers were fighting a couple of Death Eaters to her left. She took a deep breath and quickly stepped out from behind the archway.

"Confringo!" she shouted.

The Death Eaters never saw the powerful spell as it impacted against the wall behind them. The wall exploded, violently shredding their bodies with stone shrapnel. Hermione watched as bits and pieces of them and their blood was splattered along the walls and floor. A brief silence descended on the corridor and she quickly looked back towards the Hogwarts defenders. Their faces full of shock at what they witnessed.

"Get to the main entrance quickly! There's more Death Eaters!"

Dean, still looking at the blood draining from a dead Death Eater, only nodded. He then took a quick look at her and his face twisted in confusion.

"Go! Now!" she shouted again at them, not wanting him to put two and two together and ask if she was who he thought she was.

He and the others immediately took off and rounded the corner. Hermione looked around and sprinted down another side corridor heading towards Hagrid's. By now her younger self must be running up the path and the castle's entrance coming into her sight. Her younger self would then run into Dean as she entered the castle, effectively maintaining her younger self's timeline. She shook those thoughts from her mind and raced past another corridor junction. She knew that this part of the castle would be clear as all the fighting would be grouped by the Great Hall and the grounds.

She burst out of the castle and stopped at the top of the steps. She looked around and seeing Hagrid's house ablaze, she raced towards it. She knew that she needed to get there as fast as she could. Racing past the gargoyles guarding the entrance, she turned and headed down the path. As she got closer she could smell the wood burning from the fire and hear the loud roaring of the flames.

Suddenly a flash of movement to her right caught her eye. She looked and she immediately dived to the ground as a red flash of light past inches from her head. She hit the ground hard, but had enough presence of mind to twist around and brought her wand around.

"Stupify!"

She watched as her opponent dived behind a tree and her spell passed harmless by him. Another flash of movement to her left and she noticed another person diving between rocks and pumpkins in Hagrid's garden. Her heart fell into her shoes at the recognition of the young man rushing towards her.

It was Neville.

She unknowingly was shaking her head at the approach of her friend. Knowing that his death was moments away. A flash of white light over her head brought her attention back to the man who will kill him.

The younger Snape.

She sent off several spells that sent the younger Snape retreating further into the woods. Neville continued after him, either unaware of Hermione's presence or thinking he could help her.

She quickly scrambled to her feet. She raced after the younger Snape as he retreated deeper into the woods with Neville right behind. Hermione paused quickly at the forest edge and looked back up the castle entrance. She gasped as saw a brown-haired blur erupt from the entrance way heading her way. She was running out of time.

She quickly raced after Neville knowing that these two would lead her to the older Snape, who undoubtedly was lying in wait for her younger self. But she needed to find him first.

A tree to her left exploded from a spell and her thoughts focused on what was happening. She recognized the area immediately. Hermione turned to her right and dodged between the trees trying to get around the two. She knew her battle with the younger Snape would take place about thirty meters in front of her. She came to a halt behind a tree and started scanning the surrounding woods. Where would he be, she wondered as she looked was scanning the undergrowth.

She brought her breathing under control while she looked. She could hear the sounds of Snape and Neville battling to her left, the faint sounds of another battle happening deeper in the woods.

Her heart stopped. Harry was fighting Voldemort already.

She closed her eyes and forced herself not to rush to his aid. She had to find the older Snape. She had to focus on him.

A loud snap behind her turned her around and she felt an impact of something hard against the right side of her shoulder and head. She was immediately launched backwards and fell hard against the ground. Her head felt like it had been hit by the Hogwarts Express. She rolled to her knees and shook her head an instantly regretted the motion. Stars appeared in her vision, her head erupted in pain, and a horrible wave of nausea rolled through her.

"Well, well, well. Miss. Granger," came the deep baritone voice, "I see you managed to once again appear where you are not wanted. However, I am impressed with your determination."

She made a Herculean effort to bring her pain and nausea under control before she looked up at the man in front of her. His hair might have been longer and greyer, but it was still greasy and clung to his face. She gave him a dark look.

He regarded her with an almost dismissive air as he dropped the tree limb he had used to hit her.

"But once again barreling into the breach without a thought," his tone then turned mocking, "For the brightest witch of your age, you are remarkably stupid when it comes to common sense."

Hermione didn't speak. She felt a warm flow of her blood run down her cheek and start dripping from her jaw, but she made no move to wipe it away. She slowly leaned back, getting more of a hold of her pain with every second. She gripped her wand tightly in her right hand, amazed she still held it.

Suddenly a strangled cry to her right sounded and then silence. She closed her eyes in at the realization of what had happened.

"Ahh!" Snape exclaimed almost merrily, "It sounds like that idiot Longbottom's finally met his inevitable end," he sneered at her again, "Ohhh… I'm sorry. Were you hoping to save him?"

She felt a tear fall from her eye. She was now trembling with rage at the man.

"You fucking bastard," she hissed.

He held up a finger, "Uh, uh, uh," he admonished in an almost parental tone, "I cannot abide rudeness."

Her right hand twitched and his face filled with anger, "I don't think so! Expelliarmus!" he shouted with a lighting quick flick of his wand.

Her wand was suddenly ripped from her grip and he caught it. He stared at it for a few moments, as if contemplating its existence. He finally stopped his examination and looked at her, "I don't think you'll need this."

He then slowly, almost taunting her, snapped her wand in half with a loud crack.

"You bloody arsehole!" she shouted at him as he tossed away the pieces and she went to stand.

"Crucio!"

With a flick of his wand she dropped heavily to her knees doubled-over in pain. Her nerves were on fire. Burning in agony. She screamed in pain and rage. She looked at him through the curse and her eyes practically blazed with fire.

He released her and sneered at her. A loud bang off in the short distance got both of their attention. Hermione quickly realized that her younger self was battling the younger Snape.

"You'll lose again," she panted heavily through the pain, "My younger self will kick your arse and then she and Mr. Weasley will defeat you. And Harry will still beat Voldemort."

He chuckled at her, "You're fond of making large boasts, Miss. Granger," he waved his hand at her and his voice lowered to a dangerous tone, "No matter. I'm the one who will help my lord defeat that arrogant child. Not my younger self."

"You did all of this just to make sure Voldemort won?" she asked and then closed her eyes to fight another wave of nausea, "This had nothing to do with Harry or me?"

"Of course not you silly girl!" he spat at her, "You thought this was about you and your precious Potter?" he laughed manically, "No stupid girl, this was always about returning the dark lord to power and helping him rule the world. It had nothing to do with what happened all those years ago. Although, killing Potter will be very satisfying for me. I can finally end the Potter line once and for all."

Hermione wasn't sure what to do next, but she realized that he was going to kill her soon. She slowed her breathing and tried to center her mind as she had been taught. Her eyes never left his as he continued to speak.

He ignored what she was doing and continued to speak, "And unlike last time, I will not be taken in by a stupid trick," he raised his wand and pointed it at her heart, "And I can assure you Miss. Granger… you have failed."

She closed her eyes anticipating the spell she knew he was going to cast. For a brief moment, time almost seemed to stop. Then…

"Avada Kedavra!"

She raised her hand in a fraction of a second, "Praeseum!"

Her blue shield flashed into existence and immediately formed around her. Her eyes were still closed as his killing curse blasted into it. She waited to feel the nothingness of death, but was surprised when that nothingness did not occur. She opened her eyes and saw his shocked expression as his spell continued to impact against her magical shield.

Snape couldn't believe his eyes. Not only was she performing wandless magic, but the killing curse... the one curse that could not be defended against… was being stopped by her magic.

His rage flared inside him and he started to pour his anger into his curse. The brightness of the killing curse increased with the added power and Hermione felt her shield starting to weaken. She brought up her other hand and directed more of her magical energy into her shield. Then she saw his rage filled face as he directed more and more magical energy into his curse. She was starting to be physically pushed back by the force of the spells and she didn't know how long she could keep her shield up against death.

"You've lost, Granger!" he shouted over the power of the spells. His wand was practically vibrating with the power flowing from it, "My master and I will rule this world and your precious Potter's lifeless corpse will be publicly hung out for everyone to see as a warning to others who might have ideas to overthrow my master!"

Then something inside her snapped. Something deep within her soul. Her anger poured forth like the rush of a river breaking through a dam. She stood and her shield suddenly flared from the blueish color to a brilliant hot white. She could feel her anger combine with her magical energy and giving her what felt like unlimited magical strength. Hermione's eyes locked on his as she let out a primal scream of rage.

His eyes widened in horror at her scream as it seemed to vibrate the ground and the trees in the forest. He felt her power through the soles of his shoes. Suddenly, she pushed her arms forward hard, causing the brilliant white shield to explode violently outward. She closed her eyes to the blinding light.

Then she heard a deafening rush of wind, a dull heavy thud, and then total silence.

She slowly became aware of her surroundings again and discovered she was panting heavily from the excursion of the spell and her anger. She opened her eyes and saw a smoking heap of clothing several feet away from her. She staggered up to it, stopped a few feet away and looked down.

The older Snape lay unmoving on the ground in front of her. Twisted, burned and broken. His eyes still open with the shock and horror of his last moments. She stepped forward, reached down and ripped the now destroyed time turner from his neck and put it in her pocket. She gave his body one last look before turning away from him. Her hearing then recognized the sounds of another magical battle and as fast as she could, she walked unsteadily towards the sounds of it.

She wasn't even aware that she had started to cry as she approached the clearing. She could see the flashes of the spells between the trees. She felt her heart starting to break as she came into view of the battle. She watched as the man she loved once again was battling for his and everyone's lives and she knew she could not help him or stop what was about to occur. She dropped to her knees tired, crying and angry.

She had come to her crossroad in time. She looked back into the woods and saw the lifeless form of Neville. She leaned heavily against the tree next to her and started to cry harder at the losses she felt again. She thought she had put this behind her, but her past was literally reliving itself. And like what was happening around her, she unable to stop it. So many deaths… so many friends lost.

She wiped her tears from her eyes and saw her younger self and Mr. Weasley at the edge of the clearing across from her. She looked at Harry and Voldemort and knew that in less than a minute from now she would lose him again forever. She pulled her time turner from inside her shirt and grasped it with trembling fingers. But she couldn't will herself to start twisting the device yet to return her to her time. She just kept looking at her younger self, who was helplessly and unknowingly, watching the boy she loved about to become nothing more than an empty shell.

The clearing flared with dazzling light as the two wands connected magically in the priori incantatem. Mere breaths were left now. Hermione looked at Harry and saw him give her younger self the look that was burned in her memory. The look of love and sadness.

She heard her younger self cry out in anguish and then Mr. Weasley reached out, grabbed her and held her tight. The older Hermione closed her eyes waiting to hear the last spells cast.

In that moment she made her choice. She began turning the time turner to return her to her time. When she twisted the last twist, she felt the beginnings of the device's power start to take hold of her. She opened her eyes and looked at her younger self for the last time and with a smile whispered to her, "For you…"

She looked at the duelers just as the two battling wizards turned to cast their last spells she raised her hand, "Praeseum Proiectura!"

Then she was gone.