Author's Note: Yes, I know… Another update. Hooray! The muse is fussy and wanted to play with another chapter before it would let me work on anything else. Hopefully, it's been calmed for the time being so I can get my other fest piece finished before my holiday. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one!

Thank you to starrnobella for alpha reading and GaeilgeRua for beta reading. I appreciate your help! Much love, xxDustNight

Disclaimer: All non-original characters, plot points, and information belongs to J.K. Rowling. The story plot and dialogue belongs to me. I do not write for profit.

Current & Future Trigger Warnings: Infidelity, Character Death, PTSD, Depression, Sexual Tension, Sexual Content, Mildly Dubious Consent, Language


Partners in Time
Pairing: Hermione/Theo and Hermione/Draco
Rated: M
Time Jump #10: August 28, 1985
Song Recommendations: "Time Travellers" by Riverside and "Secret" by Angel Snow


Time Jump #10: August 28, 1985

"Diagon Alley…"

"Yes, Draco," Hermione muttered, tucking the Time-Turner into her robes after removing it from around their necks. "We're very clearly in Diagon Alley."

Swallowing, Hermione took a minute to glance around the crowded street as her ex-husband muttered incoherently to himself yet again about how they were going to get caught one of these days. It was always the same thing; they would travel to a new point in time, and Draco would complain about something in order to annoy Hermione. She was certain he did it on purpose at this point, but she couldn't be sure. Either way, he would quiet down after a minute, usually when she pulled out her journal to take note of their location.

Right on schedule as she pulled the journal from her pocket, Draco asked, "Why are there so many bloody people here today?"

"No idea," she muttered in response, using a Muggle pen to scribble down their location. "Try and grab a discarded paper from the bin over there." Lifting her gaze, she used the pen to indicate the bin she was referring to. "See what the date is."

Rolling his eyes, Draco did as he was told without argument. He'd learned that Hermione could be quite temperamental while they were time jumping and he didn't want to start an argument so early in the day. Finding a discarded Prophet on the top of the trash inside the bin, Draco was glad he didn't have to actually dig around. Malfoys did not dig through the rubbish. Pursing his lips, he unfolded the paper and nearly groaned at what he saw.

"Granger," he said while walking back over to where she was jotting down notes. He had no idea what she could be writing about as they had just arrived, but whatever. When she finally looked up from her task, he continued speaking. "It's August 28th. That's why there are so many people here right now."

Smiling, Hermione took the paper from Draco. "Only a few days out before students return to Hogwarts. Everyone is here buying supplies and preparing for the year." Her eyes skimmed the paper looking for the year and found it quickly in the upper right-hand corner. "Hmm, 1985. Why would Theo come here at only five years of age?"

"How should I know?" Draco scoffed, taking back the paper to toss in the bin once more. "I was only five myself in '85."

"Honestly, Draco," Hermione said with exasperation. Hurrying to scribble down the year in her notebook, she returned it to her pocket and gave the difficult wizard her full attention. "We've been through this; Theo, our Theo, could be anywhere. He was lost in time when the chain broke so now we just have to figure out where he would end up or hide."

"I understand the concept, Granger," Draco growled, glancing about as more witches, wizards, and their children wandered past. Grabbing her by the upper arm, he hastily pulled them into a dark alleyway. She glared at him but said nothing about the way he handled her. He wasn't rough. Lowering his voice, he hissed, "This is your tenth time doing this, the ninth looking for Theo. Don't you think that it's starting to get out of hand?"

"Out of hand?" Hermione said, slightly startled by his outburst. "I don't see how doing my very best to find my lost partner is getting out of hand. I'm so tired of this argument, Draco. Please, just trust me on this. Some version of Theo is here which means that his timeline link could have brought him back to this time when the chain broke."

"This is pure theory! There's no actual proof that any of your bullshit theories could even be legitimate," he said, dropping his hold on Hermione's arm to run his fingers through his hair.

"That's because this has never happened before! We're running on trial and error here, and I don't know what else to tell you." Hermione stood there glaring at her ex-husband with her hands on her hips and trying not the let the ache in her heart reach her eyes. She was sick and tired of crying over this ordeal, especially when in Draco's presence.

Knowing that Hermione was getting emotional, Draco sucked in a deep breath to calm himself. When he felt like he wouldn't snap and storm off, he opened his mouth to apologize. Maybe. Only, he never got the chance because there was a shout from a woman that caused both of them to look toward the opening of the alleyway.

"Stop! Theodore! Come back!"

Before their eyes, a little boy with a mess of dark hair came running toward them. He was almost to them when the shouting started up again, obviously by his mother.

"Please! Stop my son!"

Without thinking of the consequences, Draco reached out as the boy darted by and grabbed him around the waist. Beside him, Hermione cringed, the thought of interfering with the past at the forefront of her mind. It was done, though. Draco had successfully stopped the boy and was holding his struggling form tightly against his broad chest as the mother hurried to join them. Unsure of who this woman was, Hermione took half a step behind Draco, so she was slightly out of sight.

"Oh!" exclaimed the woman as she reached them. "Thank you so much for stopping my son. He knows better than to run off like that."

Clearing his throat and still holding the boy to his chest, Draco said, "It's not a problem. You're just lucky my seeker reflexes haven't diminished over the years."

Hermione bit her lip, wanting to smack Draco for revealing information about his life. This was bad. So bad. Unfortunately, the situation was about to go from bad to worse. She just didn't know it yet…

"I am quite thankful," the woman said. "It's not wise for young ones to go wandering down into Knockturn Alley, even now." She shivered despite the heat of the day and reached out for her son. The boy was shuffled from Draco's arms to hers, and then he promptly hid his face in his mother's neck, embarrassed.

Frowning, Draco turned and finally examined the alley he and Hermione had appeared in. Sure enough, they were standing at the mouth of Knockturn Alley. Suddenly worried, he glanced at Hermione, who had gone rather pale at this realization. He reached back and wrapped his hand around her wrist in reassurance. It may be after the fall of the Dark Lord, but it was still a bit unsafe for Muggle-borns to lurk near places such as Knockturn Alley.

"I can understand that," Draco said to cover the awkward silence that started settle between them. "We just stepped into the shade for a moment to cool off before continuing on our way. Business at Gringotts to attend to," he lied deftly, slightly annoyed that he was now making up cover stories to random strangers from the past.

The woman smiled and rubbed her hand through her son's dark hair. "I don't want to keep you, but truly, thank you for stopping Theodore. He likes to explore, and I'm sure he's looking forward to the punishment he'll receive later."

She knew she shouldn't, but Hermione faltered at the name and leaned around Draco to have a better look at the child. "I'm sorry, but did you say his name is Theodore?"

"Yes," the woman said kindly, nudging her son so he would look over at the strangers. "This is Theo, and I'm Ada. Say hello, Theo, and thank them for saving you from an even worse punishment."

"Mummmmm," the little boy whined, now trying to get down from her arms.

"Fine, fine," she muttered, setting him down on his feet and giving him a playful smack on the bottom. "Now run back to your father and don't let me find you wandering down here again. No dessert for a week!"

The little boy muttered something under his breath and then took off again, this time back into the sunshine of Diagon Alley. While Ada watched the boy go, Hermione and Draco shared a pointed glance. Hermione didn't know, but Draco was well aware of who Ada was and what fate awaited her. Trying to step back again, he was stopped when Ada sighed heavily and crossed her arms.

"I really am sorry for that," she told them. "He's usually more well-mannered."

"It's not a problem," Draco said and then nudged Hermione, who perked up. "We ought to be going though. I'm glad we could help."

"You have a great-" Ada stopped short as Hermione made to walk past. Gasping, she grabbed Hermione's arm and held on tightly. "Oh my!"

Panicking, Hermione looked to Draco for help. She was relieved when Ada released her arm, so she took a large step back, grabbing hold of Draco's for comfort. She had no idea who this woman was, but she obviously recognized Hermione. This was not good. This was why you didn't meddle with time.

"I've startled you," Ada whispered, looking especially regretful. "I didn't mean to do that. I have so much more to thank you for."

"Ma'am," Draco began carefully, holding up a hand to slow her down. "If you could explain to us how you know my partner here, that would be very helpful so that she doesn't panic."

"Of course I can. She saved my life," Ada gushed, a smile forming on her lips. "If it weren't for this witch here, I would have died, and Theodore never would have been born."

"Shit," Draco muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.

Confusion began to cloud Ada's face as she looked from Draco to Hermione and then back again. "I take it that neither of you has any idea what I am talking about."

Deciding this was her fault, Hermione grabbed some of her Gryffindor courage and spoke up. "I'm so sorry, Ada. I've never seen you before in my life… At least, not yet." Cringing, she added, "Or not until now…"

"You're time travelling." A quiet settled over the three as the truth was accepted. Neither Hermione nor Draco tried to deny her statement, so Ada nodded and carried on. "I suppose this is how we meet… How our story begins."

"What the hell are you talking about," Draco growled, a bit of his temper leaking through. He ignored Hermione's pointed look, instead focusing his glare on Ada.

"I'm Ada Nott, but you don't seem too surprised at that. I'm guessing you at least have some idea of who I am." She said this to Draco, who swallowed and nodded solemnly.

"You're Theo Nott's mother," he said simply, ignoring the way Hermione pressed her hand into his lower back. "I remember you from when I was a child and Theo always talked kindly of you."

"The timeline…" Hermione hissed, obviously catching on to what Draco was alluding to.

"Don't worry, dear," Ada replied, crossing her arms. "I'm not surprised to find I don't live a long life. After all, you were the one to save me the night I gave birth to my son."

"I saved you?" Hermione asked in a hushed voice. When Ada nodded, she added, "How?"

Ada chuckled and then checked the area, her sapphire eyes making sure no one was listening to their conversation. "Somehow you knew I was dying and came to me when I was in labor. You gave me an antidote and cured me. Now, I have no idea how I came to be infected with Dragon Pox, but you did. I suspect that you'll find out eventually on your own."

"This is a bloody mess," Draco mumbled, rubbing his face with his hand. "We're definitely going to fuck up the timeline if we keep on talking."

"I don't think any harm will come from it," Ada quipped. "After all, now you know what you have to do, and that's all. It's not like I'd ask for details pertaining to my death."

"He can't tell you that," Hermione said, terrified this conversation was even happening, let alone the thought of Draco giving away secrets that could change their futures.

"I know that," Theo's mother responded with a sigh. "I fear our time is probably coming to an end for now. However, I need to know one thing before we go our separate ways."

"What's that?" Draco asked although he had a feeling he already knew the answer.

"How is Theo? In your time, I mean. Is he alright?" When Draco and Hermione gave each other that nervous look again, Ada settled her palm against her heart. "Oh no…"

Hermione cut her off before she could get upset. "We don't know, Ada. He's lost in time, and that's why we're here. We're looking for him, but so far we just keep encountering his past and future versions."

"Damn it, Granger," Draco said, tipping his head back and sighing heavily. "You can't just tell his mother what's happened in the future!"

"I'm not going to tell a five-year-old what's going to happen to him in the future, Draco." At his startled look, she smirked. "Yes, I know who you are. Now that I'm looking at you more carefully, I can see the Malfoy family resemblance. You take after your father but the softness of your mother is there, as well."

Draco stood there reeling, his thoughts going a million miles a minute through his brain. "You can't breathe a word of this to anyone, let alone your son. It could change the entire future."

"Yes, if this information gets into the wrong hands…" Hermione clasped her hands together, fear making her heart race. She looked at Draco, who was giving nothing away right now and felt her stomach clench.

"I promise," Ada said softly. "You have my word. Is there anything I can do? To help you search for my son?"

"Honestly," Hermione began, biting her lower lip briefly. "I have no idea if there's anything you could do at all. Just, keep an eye on him as he grows up. Love him and make sure he knows it."

"I can do that," Ada said, tears forming in her eyes. Daringly, she came forward and wrapped Hermione in a quick embrace. "Thank you for saving my life. I promise to keep your secret if you promise to find my son."

Swallowing back tears, Hermione nodded, her chin brushing against Ada's shoulder. "I promise. Draco and I will find him if it's the last thing we do." Over Ada's shoulder, Hermione spotted Draco, his face grave. He looked down and away and so Hermione extracted herself from Ada's embrace and backed up. "We have to go. Our time here is short."

"Be safe." Glancing at Draco, Ada said, "I will watch out for you too, you know. I know of things that are planned for the future, and I will do my best to ensure your safety as well."

"I wish you wouldn't do anything that affects the future, Ada," Draco mumbled, walking forward and waiting impatiently as Hermione dug in her robes for the Time-Turner. As Hermione placed it around their necks, he wasn't surprised to see Ada smile.

"It's nothing different than I wouldn't do anyway," she told them. "I've always looked out for you and little Blaise, as well. You two be safe… Until we meet again." She gave them a little wave as the ticking started, signaling that their time here was over.

Hermione managed a tight-lipped smile and a wave, but Draco merely nodded. As Ada and Diagon Alley faded away, neither spoke a word to one another. For once as they traveled back to the present, they feared finding Theo more than ever before. Hermione wanted to know what happened to Ada and why she was forced to save her life so Theo could be born, and Draco pondered on whether or not there was more to Ada's mysterious death all those years ago...