Her Knights

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 2

The next day, she heard 'Granger' in a hissing manner. As she was trying to stay asleep. "Your father wants you up, Granger."

It was when she realized it was her old potions professor calling her. Causing her to jump out of bed. She glanced around and saw that she wasn't in the Gryffindor tower. Realising that yesterday was no dream.

She gave him a glare, "What does he want?"

"For you meet him in the dining room," he growled out.

Hermione groaned, "I wish I had my wand. I can only imagine how my hair is."

With a flick of his wrist, he pointed his wand towards her hair. Causing it to bring itself into brush itself out. Before managing itself into a bun. He then licked his wand towards her clothes and became a dark green dress with black lace edgings.

"Hey," she cried out. Before her shoes found their way to her feet. Becoming black in color. She gave a growl, "What's going on?"

"He wants to send you...today." She felt her eyes pop open before she grabbed her bag. "I see Draco gave you his father's memories." Severus walked over to her and handed his own, which had onyx stoppers with silver 'SS' looking snakes on top. "Give these to my younger self."

Hermione gave a nod before following him out the door. It only had taken twenty minutes but found themselves in the dark dining room. It was where she saw Voldemort sitting at the head. She had noticed that two seats were open near him, while the rest were filled by his Death Eaters.

Once the two sat down, Voldemort glanced around. "Leave us," he ordered to the masses. When dining room was cleared leaving the three alone. Before all of them had left, he called out to one of them. "Antonin, could you please give Hermione the cure to your purple flame curse." Everyone could hear it was a demand, not a request.

The Russian Death Eater made his way towards Hermione. He spoke a Russian enchantment before waving his wand at her. She was used to slight bits of burning pain from her burning scares that he had given her. But right after Antonin had finished his wand movements. The scares became cooled before it stopped. She pulled up her the top of her dress to one side, where she knew to be where the scare was and saw it...gone.

"You may leave, now Antonin." Once the Death Eater had left. Voldemort had fished out his own veils to give to Hermione. They had 'LV' on them. "Get these to me," he then gave her a letter. "As well as that, before you say one word!"

Hermione gave a nod. She had placed everything in her leather bag. It was just simple if she didn't talk. She did well to not act up. She did not want to be at the end of his wand.

Voldemort had also brought out a silver time-turner with emerald green sand. It just screamed Slytherin. "Pull back the sands of time, about five full turns."

Hermione glanced up, with a shocked look in her eyes. "I thought you wanted me to leave from your room?"

"I did," he stated calmly. "But plans changed."

"What about my wand?"

"Severus," he glanced at the dark brooding wizard.

"It was lost on our route here," he answered.

"Oh well, you'll get a new one. As well as a new wardrobe." The snake man gave her a slight smile. "Good luck on your journey to the past, daughter."

"Thank you." She had gotten to her feet and stood away from the table. She made sure that the backpack was tight against her before grabbing the time-turner. With each turn that she had made, she felt her shoulders becoming heavy. Knowing that the future has waited for her.

Once the fifth turn had clicked, she knew her fate was no longer here's to control. She took a deep breath. Hoping for whoever was in control. That they would be on her side. Hermione allowed the spiller to spill. Taking her far back in time and away from what she knew.

xXx

He was standing in the dining room leaning against the fireplace. Watching the Dark Lord pacing room. He was told to be there, stating that the Dark Lord had reserved a message from off future self. Erik was told to be there when a person would show up. So far, he's not liking the wait.

"Don't worry Erik, she'll be here," the Dark Lord spoke brightly. Then he mumbled, "She is traveling twenty years into the past."

Twenty years, Erik wanted to scream. But knew from others that screaming at the madman. Who would be his father-in-law, may cause problems to his health. After a few moments of waiting, it was when he felt an energy surge. He glanced around, before seeing an outline of someone standing a few feet from him.

"It's about bloody time," he whispered softly. He pushed himself away from the fireplace. When the person became whole. The first thought that came to his head was, 'Thank Merlin, she doesn't look like her father…'

She started to sway on her feet. Causing Erik to rush towards her and helped her into a chair. 'Her body molded perfectly against mine.' He saw her Cupid bow lips that he couldn't keep his eyes off.

As he looked at her face and saw how soft it was sculpted. Seeing that Heaven had taken its time making her. He could see, even while her locks of hair was restricted in a bun. That they were wild, uncontrollable curls. Like holding wildfire under your fingertips.

Hermione was aware that as soon as she landed in the seventies. That, someone, had helped into a seat. Someone who was firm and muscular. She also felt that he was a few inches taller than her. Making her feel comfortable, regardless who he happened to be.

Once she had found her breath and energy, Hermione had opened her eyes. Before her, she saw a well-dressed man in his thirties. Wavy dark hair, green eyes, and a charming smile. He could only be one person, "Hello father."

She then pulled her backpack from behind her and fished out the objects the needed. She then closed her bag up again, before facing the man that had helped her. The man she saw, nearly took her breath away.

He had wavy maroon hair, dark purple eyes that were full of focus. He was on the soft side of sharp arastactic features, from his cheeks and chin. Sharp looking broad shoulders, muscle arms, narrow hips, and strong looking legs.

He wore a white button-down dress shirt, black vest with silver edgings and buttons. Black form fitted trousers that hugged his hips to ankles. Maroon dragonhide boots that came up just below the knees, from what she could see from the outline of his pants. On top that, he wore a purple velvet looking jacket. The whole look made Hermione believe that he was an American cowboy from the wild western times. Along with a high roller outlaw edge.

'Dang, the professor didn't say that his cousin was good looking.' Hermione closed her eyes. As she tried to rein in her hormones. 'I've never had this problem before.'

"Like what you see," the man she believed to be Erik, purred. Even his deep baritone was sinful to listen to. Her eyes popped open to see him leaning back with a smirk. She shivered after seeing that he knew that he was confident in his looks.

"Oh, will the two of you knock it off," the dark-haired man groaned at them. "You two can stop your flirting, at least until we get things done." He glanced up from his letter, showing off his own smirk. "I really don't have to be a mindreader to know what's going on…"

The statement had caused Hermione to shiver. She knew that Erik was flirting with her, by the way, he was acting towards her. But she had no idea that she was flirting back. Since she had never done anything close to that, before. It made her uncomfortable. Just knowing her father knew what was going on before she even realized it herself.

Erik chuckled darkly, as he glanced towards the other man in the room. "So, what are the plans if I shall ask, my lord?"

"For starters," the dark-haired man glared towards the outdated cowboy. "We're going to have to set up an appointment with the headmaster," he stated with a slight twinge of distaste. "Hermione has to attend her last year at Hogwarts."

Erik gave the human looking Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted us…?"

"You'll marry, don't sweat about it." The man in power huffed softly. "I'll even make it to where you'll join her at the school. As her secret guard…" His voice trailed off, for Erik to understand his meaning. "You might be the best accessory that any woman...could ever ask for."

Hermione had an idea of what he was talking about it. Even if she didn't, it really sounded creepy. It enough to know what Erik would do, in order for him to be around her. He would have to turn into his snake form and somehow stay close to her.

She shivered, "He's not becoming a necklace!"

"No sweetheart," Erik purred. "My form is way too large for that. I may have to wrap myself around you a few times…" His words alone applied some...lengthy imagination. Something that she could not even put her finger on it.

"Come, children," stated Voldemort. He had used children loosely from the sound of his voice. He had gotten to his feet, leading them out of the dining room. Erik had helped Hermione to her feet and followed right after.

When they reached to the outer hallway, they were met with one of the people of the house. Where Hermione saw a younger looking Lucius Malfoy and who she could imagine to be...his father.

"Hello, my lord," stated the elder Malfoy as he nodded. He glanced up to see Hermione behind his lord. "I see...that you've found...your daughter."

"Yes," Voldemort stated with a slight smirk. "Don't think about it Abraxas, she's already promised to Erik Prince, here." He then pointed towards Erik, who was right at her side.

The elder Malfoy laughed, "I wasn't thinking about it, my lord." His eyes lit up in what one would describe as mischief. "I was just thinking of...other possibilities of the future…"

Hermione glared at them, but before she could say anything. It was Erik that said, "I am not planning my...possible future children's future's right now, Mr. Malfoy." It was that moment that Hermione cared for Erik a bit more, just by that statement alone.

"And why pray tell, won't you look to the future?"

"Simple physics," Erik stated with a gleam in his eyes. "Lucius and I may both end up with sons. Now, where would it be wise to make plans now. When we all know that the future isn't set in stone…"

Lucius had spoken for the first time at that moment. "Yes, wise words to live by," he purred out from his pale lips. Even at a young age, he was a snake of perfection. "I for one, may not make my children get into marriage proposals. Before they themselves had found the one they love."

"Love," cried out Abraxas, who sounded soundless for the idea of love in marriage. "Your mother and I had found love, after some years of marriage. You'll find that you will one day, love Narcissa Black as well."

Hermione shivered, seeing first hand what purebloods had to go through. They weren't allowed to find love for themselves. Instead of worry about...maybe sleeping with a close cousin. 'I just hope I'm not that closely related to the Prince family.'

The man in power chuckled at the debate that was going on. He then glanced towards Hermione with a smirk on his lips. "What do you think, daughter? What kind of future would you paint for...our world if it was up to you?"

"Love," stated Hermione with a slight edge to her voice. She really hated to be on the same page as Lucius Malfoy. After so many years of having said man, to cause so many problems for her and her friends. "People should have a right to chose to who they want to spend the rest of their lives with. We no longer live in the Dark Ages, where we're trying to set up allegiances with one another."

"Likewise," stated the teenage Malfoy, as he gave a slight nod. "Granted, we would educate our children of which we are related to and how closely we are related to them as well. It would prevent...some unnecessary health issues down the road…"

"Glad to see one of my daughter's chosen knights is on the same page as her," stated Voldemort with a dark look in his eyes.

"Knight," asked both Malfoy men at once. Abraxas had gone on to ask, "For what purpose, Tom?"

The dark-haired man hissed at the man for what Hermione believe to state his birth name. "Hermione is going to Hogwarts for her last year. I'm going to need some trusted students to keep an eye on her." Voldemort then turned to Lucius with a raised eyebrow. "I need you to send letters out for..those that you've befriended and could be trusted. I would like to have them over...around dinner time."

Lucius bowed down, "As you wish, my lord."

Hermione had already had the book and vials in her hand, as she was making her way closer to him. She walked closer to him and managed to place them in his jacket pocket, in a blink of an eye. "Make sure that they are...trusted." She gave him a look, seeing understanding in his eyes. That she had passed something to him.

"Understood," he bowed to her, "...my lady."

Erik chuckled, "I don't think so." Just as Hermione stepped away from Lucius. "She would...simply be a princess, not a lady. Since she would be marrying into the Prince family and all…"

"Princess Hermione," purred out her father. She didn't know how she should feel about that. It made her feel a bit uneasy. "I like the sound of that...she may end up being the queen of our world. If our cards are played...just right that is."

Hermione moved away from Lucius and stood next to Erik. Not really wanting to get caught by any...maleness/mindless battle of some kind. She hated feeling like she was being played for some kind of game that she didn't know rules of. Except to try to keep herself alive enough to keep many others from dying.

"Shouldn't be going," stated Hermione in her best, I'm bored tone. If she was going to be on her feet for much longer, she might as well get as much done as possible.

"Quite right," stated Voldemort with his own sound of boredom as well. He turned towards the nearest fireplace, where Erik and Hermione had followed. He leaned into it and called out. After a few moments of what looked like he was talking to someone. He pulled out and faced them, "Come, we're going to Hogwarts Headmasters office." From there he leads the way into the floo network.

After a few minutes of passage of time. All three of them had found themselves in the massive office. The only place that she knew to Albus Dumbledore's office, while he was the headmaster of the school. Hermione turned where she knew to be where his desk to be and found the very man glaring at the dark-haired man.

"What can I do for you, Tom," grilled out the sounding voice of Dumbledore. His voice alone made her feel like she had done something wrong.

"We're here to get my daughter set up for school, Albus." Voldemort had managed to sound like he was innocent. "You wouldn't want to deprive a child of her education, now would you?"

Dumbledore gave the other powerful man a glare. "I had reason to believe that your daughter...was lost."

Hermione made herself to walk slowly towards the desk. Seeing that the headmaster hadn't moved his eyes away from Voldemort just yet. But knowing that she had to prove herself to the man in question. Hoping against hope that he would see into her mind and see for himself about the life that she had. The life that Harry might still have if she wasn't able to change the future.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," she called out softly. She had managed to sound respectful of the man. When she was at the edge of his desk. "Please...sir."

At that moment Albus Dumbledore turned towards her and rushed at her brain like a runaway train. 'Well, that was unexpected…'

Hermione had seen flashes of her past, rushing at her like bits of moving screen. Showing her best friend being sorting in Hogwarts. "Potter, Harry," from Professor McGonagall's voice. Flashed forward to Professor Lupin teaching in Defense of the Dark Arts class. Then flash forward again. Seeing Sirius Black celebrating Christmas with Harry at his Black estate in London. Along with Severus Snape in potions class stating that fame wasn't everything. 'Harry was my best friend, headmaster. All I want is a better future...for everyone.'

Dumbledore pulled himself out of Hermione's head. Giving her a strange look. It was the kind of look that she knew well enough. The look that he had given Harry more times than she could count. But she never had seen it aimed at her. "Interesting," he stated calmly.

The headmaster turned his focus to the other powerful man in the room. "What are your demands, Tom?"

Voldemort found himself a chair before Dumbledore and sat down. He waved for Hermione to sit next to him, while Erik stood behind her, with crossed arms. "I want my daughter to be enrolled into Hogwarts," stated Voldemort again.

"I heard," stated Dumbledore. "But I was thinking there was much more than you want than just that."

"Yes," Voldemort took a moment to collect his thoughts. "I want Hermione to not go by her birth name…"

"I have to put a name down, Tom. You of all people should know that."

"Yes, but I was thinking to go under her possible married name." Dumbledore was about to speak but Voldemort had gone on. "Under the Act of 1956 paragraph six, section eight. A witch could be in school under her married name, for her protection."

"Yes, as long as that said witch was married before July 31st. When last minute adjustments are due." He glanced at Voldemort for a moment, his eyes showing his harshness. "What else do you have planned?"

"Since Hermione will be married, long before July 31st. Her husband could come to the school, to live in a suite with her." He leaned back in his chair, enjoying the fact that he was ruffling Dumbledore's feathers.

"Who is her possible husband," asked the headmaster with heat in his eyes.

"Me," answered Erik. He leaned over one side of Hermione's shoulders, to allow the headmaster to see him better.

"Erik Prince," stated the headmaster with wonder in his eyes.

"That's not all," stated Hermione's father.

"Of course not," spoke Dumbledore with a sigh. "When is it easy when dealing with you, Tom. So what else do I need to know?"

"Erik will be going to the school with Hermione, as a cobra." The headmaster was about to say something when Voldemort raised his hand. "It's not negotiable. He needs to do this, in order to detect if someone would try to poison my daughter! I will provide a house elf for them to call if they...find something that would harm them."

Dumbledore started writing things down after finding a quill, ink, and paper. Seeing that he didn't want to forget anything that he was hearing. "Anything else?"

"Yes, I'll be appointing some students to act as her...knights as she goes to school. They will be under my orders to watch out for her. I wouldn't want to come to the school and start killing students because they think they could kill her to get to me."

"I would like to appoint some of my own...students to watch out for her as well. Some brave Gryffindors that will be in her year group." He glanced towards Hermione, giving her a knowing look. Letting her know that he had indeed seen who she had known. Before he faced Voldemort. "They will also be her...trusted knights."

"Fine," the dark-haired man waved his hand. "I guess the more eyes I can get on my daughter, the better." He took a deep breath. "I would like to have her sorted now, before the feast. I wouldn't want to have her embarrassed for her being the only seventh year coming into Hogwarts."

Dumbledore grumbled but compiled as he had gotten up. He then grabbed the sorting hat and placed it upon Hermione's head.

'I see that you've already been sorted into Hogwarts, Miss Granger. But no bother, it looks like you had no choice but...to come here. Now where to put you?'

'Not Slytherin,' thought Hermione with all of her might.

'Not Slytherin...you were the mighty and brave Gryffindor. But I'm afraid that you can't go back there. So where to put you...where to put you?' The hat had stopped talking for a moment. Seemed like it was going into a much deeper thought than one would have imagined for such a hat. 'I think I know where to put you...good luck child. For Hogwarts believes in you…'

"RAVENCLAW," the hat cried out.

Erik gave a smirk before giving Hermione a peck on her cheek. "I knew that you would be apart of my house," his purr causing deep dark thoughts to run into her mind. Nothing but dirty thoughts were running through her head.

Dumbledore sighed before taking the hat from her. Waving his wand to move the hat back to his corner of the office. "Alright," stated the Headmaster. "I'm going to need Erik," as he nodded towards the man behind Hermione. "...to go to the Hospital Wing to get some of his...venume. Just in case he bites someone."

"Agreed," stated Voldemort. He wouldn't want his own people to get bitten by accident.

"I also need for Hermione to stay and be tested for her O.W.L.s, just to be fair," stated the headmaster knowingly. "Plus, I need her to know the Gryffindors that might end up being her knights. It's only fair that they get to know...one another. And to also her elected classes for the coming year. By the time July 31st comes around, all I need is a replied owl of her respected name."

Hermione felt Erik become a bit stiff from where he was leaning over her. She could tell that he wasn't going to like waiting around. Just so they could hummer the headmaster for whatever he had planned. She didn't blame him, but she needed to do this. In order for Dumbledore to trust her to come to Hogwarts.

"Daughter," Voldemort called to her. She knew what he was asking. He wanted to know what she thought of everything. He had just gotten her back, from the separation of time. He didn't want to just leave her...not when he didn't trust the man in charge of the school.

"It'll be fine, father." She gave a brave smile. "After all my testings, I could get my list of books and supplies. Then I could go shopping tomorrow…"

Voldemort groaned, "Just like a normal woman. Wanting to find an excuse to go out and shop." He gave a small nod. "Alright," he turned towards Erik with a raised eyebrow. "You're staying here to keep her safe…"

Erik gave a small nod, "Understood, sir." He then glanced at the headmaster. "I would like to meet...these students that you've planned to watch my future wife."

Hermione's father had gotten to his feet and made his way to the fireplace. "I'll see you two at dinner…" When he had gotten a nod from the two. He left the headmaster's office behind.

Erik turned to Hermione with a warm smile. "I'll be right back, sweetheart." Then he turned and left the office as well. Making his way towards the Hospital Wing.

Once the two men had left, the headmaster fell back into his seat with a deep sigh leaving his lips. Just as he rubbed his hands over his face. "What great troubles will befall Hogwarts this year," he asked out loud.

"Hopefully, headmaster. Not as much as it could be," stated Hermione, as kindly as she could muster.

As soon as he moved his hands away from his face. He gave her a harsh look. "What were your grades?"

"I had all 'O's in every class, except for Divination, which I dropped out. And for Defense of Dark Arts, I had gotten an 'E', sir." She gave a worried look, hoping that he would believe her.

The man sighed, as he let out a small laugh. "Not everyone could be bright at everything, even the likes of me had made poor choices in life as well." He shook his head. "No matter, time to get the Gryffindors together." He cast his wand, casting off four whimsical figures of phoenixes out of his window.

"Now tell me, Hermione. What were those images of the men that I know as students, today? How come you know of them?"

"I'm from 1998, sir." Her eyes showing no lies. "I didn't know he was my father...not until the near end of my sixth year, sir."

"What did you believe?"

"That I was a muggleborn, leaving in the muggle world with a couple of dentists, sir." In all honesty, a part of her still believed that. Because it was the main part of her better life. She had two loving people that thought her to use her brain. That there was more than one outcome when dealing with life.

It was one of the reasons why she hated seeing Harry growing up like he had done. She saw no real reason for him to live with his hateful aunt and uncle. She had another goal in mind, she was going to make sure that Harry grew up with many loved ones. She wasn't going to see a repeat of him going up like he had done. 'No one deserved that kind of life…'