Hermione was woken up at what was, for her, a ridiculously early hour by the other girls. Of course they had to get ready for the day ahead, but she never realised just how much effort five young women had to put in to making it look as if they'd just woken up and thrown on the first thing that came to hand.

After showering, they rushed around putting on make-up and doing their hair, chattering all the while. It felt as if they never stopped talking; they certainly never appeared to listen to each other. It was much noisier than Hermione's dorm, but of course there were only two like them in there. These five had to talk louder just to make themselves heard.

Eventually, Hermione got to use the bathroom, and then there was the problem of what to wear. Rose came to her rescue, pointing to her chest of drawers.

'It's very simple; tops in the top, bottoms at the bottom, knickers and bras in the middle. Help yourself.

Hermione pulled out a couple of wisps of underwear; like the nightgown, they were not designed for warmth. She considered using a cleaning charm on her own things, but decided against it; these would have to do. The blouses weren't too bad, but when it came to the skirt – or was it a belt?

'Rose? Is this regulation length?'

Rose laughed. 'Of course not! The secret's to make them gradually shorter over the first couple of weeks, so the teachers don't notice. Then you've just got to remember to lengthen them again before you go home so your mum...doesn't…see…them. Aah. You won't tell her, will you?'

'No, I suppose not' said Hermione, smiling slightly. 'After all, I'm Jane, aren't I? But, can I have mine a bit longer?'

'OK, if you want, and thanks! You can borrow my make-up, if you want.' Hermione declined, that was a bit too much during the school day.

-o0o-

Ron had a much easier time of it, of course. The boys crawled out of bed, had a quick shower then threw on their clothes. Sometimes, they were even different to the ones they'd worn yesterday. Then it was time for breakfast; having not eaten for twelve hours, they were all starving.

Their conversation on the way down consisted mainly of Quidditch. Ron found that by talking about what he knew he sounded like an expert on ancient history and they were all impressed; especially when he listed the Chudley Cannons team that had gone the whole 1990 / 91 season without winning a match.

He saw Hermione as they crossed the Great Hall, and they waved to each other and stopped to say 'Good Morning'. Suddenly, she grabbed his arm.

'Ron! It's Harry! Look! He's come to rescue us!'

Sure enough, Harry Potter was walking towards them. Rose looked as well, and then laughed.

'Hey! Al! Come here, I'd like you to meet some people. Al, meet Jane and Roland and this' she said pointing at him 'is Albus Potter. He's my cousin. James and Lily should be around somewhere, his brother and sister – ah! There's James.' He was called over as well, and introductions made again.

Albus, or Al as everyone called him, was, indeed, his father in miniature, right down to his sticking out hair and green eyes; all that was missing was the scar. James still had a resemblance to Harry, but not quite so noticeable. He was older than the others, and looked at Hermione appreciatively.

'Nice to meet you. Very nice to meet you. I do hope you'll join us here next year.' He was only looking at Hermione whilst he spoke. 'If you have any questions, of course, don't hesitate to ask me, will you? Actually, I'll tell you what; if I give you my address you can write to me over the summer. Or we could meet up one day.'

Rose coughed – loudly. 'Down boy!'

'I'm just doing my duty as a Prefect, Rose.'

'Hmm' said Rose. 'Come on, Jane, let's eat.'

They walked towards the table, Hermione not noticing Ron staring after her, his ears going slightly pink. She was suddenly struck by a thought. 'How are they your cousins?'

'Uncle Harry's married to Aunt Ginny' said Rose, simply.

'Really! Oh, how wonderful, she's always fancied him! Oh no! I've just been chatted up by my nephew!' Both girls had a fit of the giggles.

During breakfast, Professor McGonagall searched them out and told Rose that she and Hugo had been excused lessons, as it was the last day of term anyway, so they could look after their guests. However, she would appreciate seeing them all after lunch in her office.

'Brilliant!' said Rose. 'A whole day bunking off!'

'I would have quite liked to have gone to a couple of classes' said Hermione. 'It would be fascinating to see if lessons have changed.' Rose put her head in her hands and sighed.

The four met up after breakfast and decided to go outside to plan their day. As they crossed the Entrance Hall, Hermione noticed a carving on the wall she didn't recognise.

'What's that, Rose?'

'The memorial.' She noticed Hermione's quizzical look. 'For all the people who died. Of course! You two won't have seen it. Come on.'

They crossed towards it and Hermione read the inscription.

In Memorium

This plaque is dedicated to those

Who gave their lives defending Hogwarts School

And fighting the forces of darkness.

Their names shall live for evermore

2nd May 1998

Below were around fifty names; Hermione gasped as she started to read them.

'Lavender? Colin Creevey?'

'You know them?'

'Lavender's in my year; we share a dorm. Colin's the year below us. They all died? What happened?'

'Somebody called Voldemort attacked the school; there was a big battle. It's what you and dad and Uncle Harry are most famous for.' She looked at Hermione and Ron, who were still transfixed by the plaque. 'You both got an Order of Merlin for it' she added.

'No!' said Ron, suddenly, pointing at a name towards the end of the list; "Weasley, Frederick" 'Oh no, not Fred! Please, not Fred!' He turned and ran out of the main entrance.

They found him sat by the lake, his face buried in his hands and his shoulders heaving. Hermione went to sit beside him, putting her arm around his shoulders. Rose and Hugo knelt in front of them.

'I'm sorry' said Rose. 'I forgot you wouldn't know about it. We still drink a toast to him, every Christmas and on his birthday. He isn't forgotten.' Rose and Hugo each took one of his hands in theirs, and they sat together in silence.

'What happened?' asked Ron eventually.

'I don't know, exactly' said Rose. 'Professor Binns doesn't cover the war until sixth year, and you two don't talk about it much. The three of you did something really brave, but I can't quite work out what it was. You destroyed some…horror crutches, or something. Oh, and you broke in to Gringotts Bank, as well, and escaped on a dragon. Then there was a huge battle here and Uncle Harry killed this Voldemort. They say even Gran Weasley killed someone, but Uncle Fred died as well. Mum and dad can probably tell you more.'

Ron and Hermione looked at her in amazement, thinking that she was making it all up, but she didn't look as if she was. Hugo had obviously heard the story before, and was nodding in agreement.

Hermione suddenly shivered. 'Let's go for a walk.'

They spent the morning walking the grounds and exploring the castle, their mood slowly lifting after their shock though Ron remained quiet and quite often, when he thought nobody was watching, he wiped his eyes. They found Hagrid's cabin in a derelict state, Rose explaining that he'd left shortly after she started Hogwarts to care for his brother. That came as a surprise to Ron and Hermione; as they'd never heard him mention any other family.

After lunch, they made their way to the Headmistress's office where they were updated on the situation.

'I have contacted your…oh, for heaven's sake, Mr and Mrs Weasley' she gave Hermione a hard stare ' who are, of course, more than willing to have you stay with them You will all travel on the Hogwarts express tomorrow and they will meet you at King's Cross.

Now, as for getting you back, that is proving slightly more difficult. All time turners were destroyed following an International Treaty some years ago. We in Britain, of course, complied fully – as usual. Obviously certain countries will have some secretly stored away, but any inquiries of that nature must be very delicately handled. I think it best if we let the Ministry deal with that side of things, so I will keep you informed of any progress.

If negotiations take too long, we will make arrangements for you to enter the school next term. Of course, we already know we will be successful at some stage, it is just a matter of time.' Nobody got the joke.

They were dismissed, but as they turned to leave McGonagall called Rose back.

'Miss Weasley, may I ask you to remind Miss Daisly not to forget to lengthen her school skirts before she returns home? Her mother sent me quite an abrupt letter on the subject at Easter. The rest of you will do well to remember it also.' She had a smile playing about her lips as she spoke.

Ron and Hugo headed back off in to the grounds when they left, but Rose and Hermione went back to Ravenclaw; they had to start getting ready for the leaving feast that evening. After lessons had finished for the day – and year - the rest of the girls joined them; the message about the skirts being passed on to Dazzer.

-o0o-

She looked at herself in the mirror before they went down to the feast. It was definitely not Hermione Granger looking back. She was wearing one of Rose's tops, and a skirt. She was half-tempted to ask Rose to lengthen it; feeling rather self-conscious showing so much of her legs, but decided to stick with being Jane.

She had let Rose put some make-up on her, but had refused the lipstick; she definitely didn't like the feel of it. Once again, though, she had put some nail varnish on. After careful consideration, and advice from the other girls, she finally chose a shimmering vivid red called "Volcano". Then they'd put something called "Sleek-n-shinee" on her hair, which took out all the bushiness and allowed them to style it for her. She was quite pleased with the overall effect, and felt much older than normal and…different.

She wondered if Ron would notice, then wondered why she was wondering about Ron. Then she smiled; he would one day, she knew that already.

It didn't have quite the impact on Ron she was hoping for. He looked at her, said 'Oh, you look…yeah' and went off to join Hugo and his friends. He'd met quite a few Weasley children by now, who were all convinced he must be related to them somewhere in his family tree.

'Yep, that's my dad' Rose whispered to her. 'Last of the true romantics. Never mind.'

However, James Potter did notice and was "in like a rat up a drainpipe", as the saying goes. Hermione was forced to fend him off single handed, as Rose was otherwise occupied with Scorpius by now; and the rest of the gang were either busy with their own boyfriends or so impressed that she'd "pulled" this quickly that they wouldn't dream of interrupting her. It wasn't as if she needed saving, after all. James was considered a real catch, being not only the eldest son of the famous Harry Potter, but also one of the best looking boys in the school. The fact that he was a Prefect, Quidditch Captain and Seeker simply added to his aura of perfection. Actually, she got some sour looks from quite a few of the girls scattered around the Hall.

Eventually the Headmistress called them to order and they took their places at their House tables for the final feast of the term. Hogwarts was a robustly old-fashioned institution and both Ron and Hermione were pleased to see that pies, stews and proper puddings still featured on the menu, along with more modern fare. For those who wanted them, there were even vegetarian options.

They sat with their new friends gossiping away the final evening of term, and then it was back up to the dorms to do all the packing that should have been done already in preparation for departure in the morning. Dazzer was reminded again to do her skirts.

Before dropping off to sleep they both lay thinking different thoughts.

Hermione was looking forward to meeting their adult versions, though slightly nervous about what they would find. Would they be nice people or grumpy adults with no time for their children? Rose didn't seem to get on that well with her mum, but whose fault was it? Hermione was starting to quite like her, despite her rather excitable approach to life and behaviour around her boyfriend. Did her parents know about him? Although he seemed full of life and fun he was, after all, Draco Malfoy's son and Rose was a half-blood.

And what about this war they would have to fight in? She wanted to know more about that, though it gave her a strange sensation in the bottom of her stomach. Did she really want to know her future?

Ron was starting to feel at home at this Hogwarts, despite learning that his brother had died. He still struggled to come to terms with it. Maybe, he thought, they could go back and warn Fred, so making sure he lived.

Then what about Hermione? He remembered the way she was dressed tonight, which he quite liked. He'd wanted to tell her, but thought she might get upset at him again. James Potter didn't seem to have any problems though, and she hadn't shouted at him. With a sigh he rolled on to his side. His final thought before drifting off to sleep was that girls were very complicated, and Quidditch was much easier to understand.