A/N: I'd planned to have this published last night but I had such a bad night on Wednesday that I couldn't even contemplate the idea of writing! So instead I have stayed up until 1 am finishing this for you all! I can no longer see properly as my contacts are starting to glue my eyes together so I do apologise if there are any mistakes as I haven't proof read it!
I just want to say welcome to all the new followers and thank you for the reviews! Every single one has asked about Draco, all I will say is that he isn't going to make an appearance for a little while, I know exactly how and when he is going to appear but I'm not giving away any hints! I'm also not saying what pairing this will be, I'm going to leave you all in suspense!
I hope you all enjoy this chapter and as always, reviews are beautiful and they make me happy
Still confined to the hospital wing by Madame Pomfrey, Hermione was visited every day by Dumbledore, if only for a brief while. He brought her some books to read from the library to keep her from going completely insane whilst she spent the majority of her time alone. But the days when he had a little more time to sit with her, they discussed current events, Hermione learnt that Voldemort was gaining power, but a lot of people still didn't really know who he was, and he certainly wasn't known as You-Know-Who yet. Whilst Dumbledore shared this information, Hermione chose not to share any more than she had already. She couldn't help but remember how much information he had kept from Harry and how he had planned to send Harry to his death with minimal information. She had learnt the hard way that the world renowned wizard couldn't be trusted with all of the information; he had a tendency to make plans and not share them. This time would be different though, this time Hermione had all the information and she would be making all the plans, she was after all the brightest witch of her age. Dumbledore was suspicious of course and he used every tactic at his disposal to gather the information he wanted, but Hermione was a lot more skilled at occlumency than Harry had been and Dumbledore was left in the dark.
On her fifth day in the hospital wing Madame Pomfrey deemed Hermione well enough to be allowed out for a walk around the grounds, with supervision. Dumbledore came to meet her after to breakfast, with strict instructions to bring her straight back if she began to tire. The two walked in companionable silence until they reached the Great Lake when Hermione finally asked the question that had been on the tip of her tongue for the whole walk, "have you managed to find any information on the spells that sent me back sir?"
"I'm afraid not, I have some theories but I can't find anything to back them up. I must admit, for quite possibly the first time, I am at a complete loss. It should not be physically possible to send someone back in time nearly thirty years, let alone de-age them at the same time. I'm sorry, at this time I don't know what else to say." To his credit, Dumbledore did look sorry that he was unable to provide Hermione with any information, but she wasn't sure whether that was actually because he couldn't help her or whether it was just because he was upset that he couldn't figure it out.
"I would still be interested to hear your theories sir."
"Of course, I believe there are two options as to what happened to you. The first is that both spells were necessary to send you back; one alone would not have worked. In a way, the two spells would perhaps be better described as two halves of a singular spell. The fact that you have appeared in this time line as an 11 year old, I would suggest is due to the fact that the people you need to save, the people you need to be with, are also that age and so this way you are able to come in direct contact with them and are better able to help."
Hermione pondered this for a few minutes, it made sense, but it also had flaws. "I can understand and appreciate this theory, but I feel there are too many flaws. I don't believe Professor McGonagall or Professor Lupin would have put all their faith in a spell that required them to be so close to each other for it to work. What if one of them had died, or they were separated? Then the spell wouldn't have worked and we would have well and truly lost. They could have quite easily had another backup plan, but this was the backup plan in case we lost Harry, I believe it would have been too complicated for them to have another backup plan in case the backup plan failed. I just don't believe they would have put all their faith in something that relied so heavily on chance."
This time it was Dumbledore's turn to ponder. "Yes, I can see how that would be quite a flaw. Would it be completely unreasonable to believe that they would choose a flawed plan as their last hope?"
Worrying her lip between her teeth, Hermione considered this before shrugging her shoulders, "I guess, what's your other theory?"
"That they are two completely separate spells, one to send you back and one to de-age you. That way if only one were able to get to you they would still be able to send you back. The second spell would help your mission by making you the same age as the people you needed to save, but it was not necessary to send you back, you could have done what you needed to at your original age."
Hermione nodded, "that one makes more sense as a contingency plan, but I guess we have no way of knowing, do we?"
"Not unless one of us can find the spell I'm afraid."
Hermione nodded sadly, she knew it was unlikely that there would be a spell to send her back, and quite honestly, with Harry, Ron and her parents gone, she didn't particularly want to. She did, however, want to know what spells had sent her here, not knowing something and knowing that she would never be able to research it properly was a truly saddening thing for Hermione. "Do either of your theories explain why I'm 11 but with all the same scars I had at 18?" She asked, her mood severely deflated as she pulled her left sleeve further down over her hand.
"I'm afraid I can't explain that either, it would depend on how and why you were turned back in an 11 year old. I'm assuming you don't want anyone to know?"
Hermione shook her head, "I know the glamour charm though and I'll just have to use that. I was simply hoping you might have some explanation that could come up with a more long term plan to hide them."
"No, I'm sorry dear."
Hermione shrugged, it wasn't a big deal, not really, she could live with using a glamour.
"We've been out here for quite a while," Dumbledore remarked after a few minutes of silence.
Unsure of where he was going with that statement, Hermione replied, "yes sir, but I'm not ready to go back quite yet."
"Oh that's quite alright Miss Granger, I wasn't suggesting we do go back. I was simply making the observation. You aren't finding yourself at all tired?"
"No sir."
"Ah, that's very good. Poppy told me yesterday that if you were able to withstand being out here for a decent length of time without getting too tired, she would consider releasing you tomorrow. I would say that you've more than passed the test, wouldn't you agree?"
"I supposed sir, but I'm not sure I'm ready to face the Potter's just yet."
"That's understandable, however, I'm not sure it will ever be something that you're ready for, better to get it out of the way I say."
"I don't actually have a say in this do I? If Madame Pomfrey says she's happy for me to go then I'll be going, won't I?"
"Of course not, but I do suggest that you meet Dorea Potter tomorrow if Poppy gives you the all clear, and then if you feel comfortable, you may leave with her."
"I guess that will be ok," agreed Hermione, although the thought of meeting the Potter's of this timeline was a truly terrifying one.
"Now you may not be feeling tired but Poppy will be most upset if I keep you out here any longer so I'm afraid we must head back."
Nodding her head in ascent, Hermione turned back towards the castle and the two of them made their way back. Once they reached the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey checked Hermione over and declared her fit to leave the next day.
When Hermione woke up the next day her belly full of butterflies, she was far too nervous about meeting the Potters to even consider eating her breakfast. As she got showered and ready for the day all she could think of was whether or not she was ready to live with Harry's father and grandparents. As much as she tried to list the pros and cons of going there that day, she knew she couldn't decide now, she knew it would be an instinctual thing, a gut feeling of whether or not she was ready.
When Dorea Potter entered the hospital wing Hermione was struck by her grace, beauty and obvious power. She remembered being told that Dorea was a Black by birth, a distant cousin of Sirius' parents, and she looked it. She had the same facial structure and imposing stature of Sirius and his cousins and she emulated an aura of pure power and dominance that only came from years of high society and pureblood arrogance. However, unlike most of her family she didn't have the signature cold calculating sneer; instead her face exuded warmth and affection. She headed towards Hermione with her arms outstretched and pulled the girl in to a bone crushing hug, unsure of how to react; Hermione just awkwardly patted the older woman on the back. Grabbing her by the shoulders, Dorea held Hermione at arm's length and looked her up and down before nodding in satisfaction. "Now dear, how are you feeling? Dumbledore said you were doing better and that you'd be well enough to come back to the manor with me but that you might still be suffering from some symptoms; is that correct?"
"I'm still a little weak but I'm a lot better than I was, I'm sure I'll be fine ma'am."
Dorea pressed her hand to her chest in an overly dramatic gesture, "oh good heavens don't ever call me ma'am again! You can call me Dorea for now, until you're comfortable enough to call me mum."
"Mum?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Well of course, you are going to be my daughter after all."
At that Hermione's brow furrowed even further, it would be logical for her to masquerade as the Potter's daughter, but she really hadn't thought about it, she wasn't sure if she could pretend to be James Potter's sister. "I'm sorry, Dumbledore didn't mention that and I must admit that the thought never crossed my mind."
"Of course it didn't, you've been a little preoccupied, but it really is the only thing that makes sense," Dorea reasoned.
"Well yes, but wouldn't people be suspicious if you suddenly gained a daughter?"
"Oh no, we've kept pretty much to ourselves over the years, people knew we had a child but no specifics, it will be quite simple to pull off. Now, we will have to take a trip to Diagon Alley, from what I've been told you have been wearing very simple robes made by the house elves here. We're going to need to get you a whole new wardrobe, plus jewellery, beauty products, books and all your school supplies, anything else?"
Hermione stared wide eyed as Dorea casually listed off all the things she wanted to pick up for her, she couldn't believe how generous she was being when they had met barely five minutes ago. "I really don't need that much stuff; honestly, you don't have to feel like you need to buy me all these things!"
Dorea grabbed her hand and pulled her down so that they were sat next to each other on the bed. "Now darling don't be silly. I have always wanted a daughter to dote on and now fate has brought me one, I couldn't be happier and I can't wait to take you out and spoil you completely!"
"Well only if you're sure, I wouldn't want to put you out at all. I mean, won't it be weird for James, surely he'll find it odd that he'll suddenly have a sister?"
"Oh not at all! He's been delighted ever since I told him, he's always been a little lonely, Charlus and I tried but we never managed to have another child and James always wanted someone else to play with and keep him company and now he'll have you dear." Hermione looked up in to Dorea's beaming smile and couldn't help but remember what it was like for her to grow up without any siblings and she suddenly found herself excited to have a brother. Dorea watched as Hermione's face slowly lit up and she knew the young girl would be a fantastic addition to the family. "Are you ready to go dear?" Hermione nodded and the two stood up and headed to the headmasters office to floo to Potter Manor.
As soon as Hermione stepped out of the fire place she was tackled and lifted off her feet and twirled in a big circle. By the time she was placed back on her feet she was extremely dizzy and disorientated, looking up at the person who had attacked her she was caught completely off guard. Everyone had said that Harry looked like James, but she wasn't expecting for him to have essentially been a clone of his father, save for his eyes. Standing in the middle of the living room of what was now her home in 1971, Hermione found herself looking at an exact replica of her best friend when she first met him, maybe not quite as skinny and with hazel eyes, but they were the only differences. She was at a loss of what to do, unable to collect her thoughts, too stunned by what was happening. She could see James' lips moving, aware that he was speaking, but she had absolutely no idea what he was saying. She shook her head and focussed extremely hard on the boy in front of her, who was most definitely not Harry, and managed to catch the last of what he had been talking about. "So I'll show you your room now and where my room is so you can find me, and then we could go look outside, or maybe the library or the music room or we could go down to the kitchens. We can do whatever you want to do sis', ok?" Hermione managed a nod in return and James grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room to go and explore. As they got to the doorway her brain kicked back in and she realised what he had called her, she looked back at Dorea and the two beamed at each other before Hermione was completely pulled out of the room by her new brother.
