Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Thank you everyone who has reviewed.

Time of the Essence

Chapter 2

Hermione was sitting with her parents in the living room, talking about the past. The Grangers did not want to think about their little girl going off to war, not finishing her education, so they instead thought of happier times.

Sitting there, Hermione was hoping they could have more times like this. Sadly she knew that possibility was not good. She was going to stand by Harry till the end.

Hermione's father just finished the story of her first time at the zoo when the clock struck midnight. They had been up all night, and it was time for Hermione to say her goodbyes. She sent her parents an apologetic look. "It is time for me to go, Harry and Ron will be waiting up."

Mrs. Granger and her husband stood up. "You don't have to go you know Sweetie, you can stay here where it is safe." Mr. Granger stated hopefully.

"I am really sorry Dad, but Harry and Ron need me, I can't abandon them now."Tears now glistening in all of their eyes. "I have to go now."

Hermione stepped forward and gave her parents both long hugs. As she was stepping back , she heard a howl outside. Hermione tensed immediately. She knew that howl. A werewolf. She grabbed her wand knowing it would do hardly any good. Her parents shared frightened looks behind her. They could hear the werewolf running now closer to the house.

'How did Voldemort know I would be here?' was the thought going through Hermione's mind as Fenrir Greyback broke through the door letting the warm summer air in. The grey wolf looked around, spotting his prey. Hermione stood in front of her parents, taking the werewolf's blow to the chest. Falling down on her side she heard the scream of her mother, then a 'thump' as Mrs. Granger fell to the ground. Hermione stood up as quickly as possible, ignoring the pain across her chest, pointed her wand at the werewolf, "stupefy!"

The bolt of red light missed the wolf by a mere inch as it pounced on her father, quickly ripping out his throat, killing him painfully. Hermione came out of the shock of just seeing her father die when she heard her mother let out a shrill scream. Looking around, Hermione was just able to see Greyback jump before she was on the ground under him.

He bit down on her shoulder, sending waves of unimaginable pain through her. Hermione's vision became blurry, as she felt the werewolf fly off of her. She could just make out the outlines of Harry and Ron running towards he. They knelt down beside her, trying not to look at the blood splattered room or the mangled bodies of their best friend's parents. "Hermione, it's going to be okay." Ron said trying to help Hermione stay conscious. Harry, turned away yelling for someone to get help. It was then that Hermione realized the Order was there. They had been able to scare Fenrir Greyback away, but they were too late. Hermione had been bitten and her parents were dead.

Hermione came out of her memories when she saw the moon come out from behind a bunch of clouds. The transformation began more painfully then usual. She did not have Harry or Ron there for her. As Hermione felt her jaw break and change into a wolf's skull she tried to keep her thoughts away from the pain. She could still remember the first transformation she had with Harry and Ron.

As it was, her third transformation was going to be on her seventeenth birthday. When she arrived at the Shrieking Shack, she had not expected to see Ron and Harry sitting on a red couch with a piece ripped out of it talking.

"What are you two doing here?!?" she asked panicked, she was going to transform soon.

"We came to keep you company." Ron replied as if he had no care in the world. Hermione was looking on the verge of hyperventilating when Harry stood up and explained, "Hermione, we became animagus, Lupin did not have to spend the full moons alone, and you won't either. Ron and I have been practicing for months."

"It was actually quite easy. I thought it would be hard, since Harry's Dad and Sirius took years to learn. We believe it took them longer since they had to teach Peter. Any ways, Happy Birthday Mione." Ron continued.

"Hermione what's wrong?" Hermione's boys stared at her as she began to cry, worried they had done something wrong. She ran up to them giving them huge hugs. "I can't believe you two did this for me."she sobbed, stepping back, trying to get a grip on herself.

"Mione, we would do anything for you, by now you should know that," Harry said, wiping a tear running down her cheek. "Now we should change, the moons soon up."he concluded ,as Harry noticed Hermione beginning to shake.

She nodded and stepped back as Ron turned into a large lion with a bright red mane and Harry changed into a black panther with his emerald green eyes sparkling.

At that moment looking at her friends she was content. Being a werewolf wouldn't be that bad as long as she had her best friends with her.

But now she was alone with the painful trembles going down her spine as it grew and lengthened, her bones breaking, changing shape. Minutes later the pain receded with fur covering her body. The transformation was complete and she was exhausted. Hermione's exhaustion made it easier for the wolf to take control. Hermione hardly took notice as her body was scratched and bruised as the wolf demolished everything in sight. For the time being she just wanted to not think as the wolf tore a piece out of the red couch that was unfortunate to be in reaching distance of her claws.

Hermione woke up to the birds singing outside the Shrieking Shack. Opening her eyes, she decided God was crazy when he created the Sun. After a few attempts, Hermione finally managed to stand up, feeling a cool breeze on her beaten body. She hated full moons alone. Hermione had experience only a few alone. She always had at least Ron or Harry, and when they were occupied she had Remus. Here she was all alone.

Hermione limped over to the corner in the next room where she hid her wand and a bag of clothes. Healing as many wounds as she could, she got dressed to go to her first day of work. She had been lucky enough to get a job at a small book store, Seabrook Books in muggle London. The old Lady who owned it, Mrs. Seabrook, took a instant liking to Hermione, which she was thankful for. Mrs. Seabrook had no employees, and now that her daughter had a son, she needed to spend time at home. This left Hermione a job, working every weekday and getting paid very well.

Hermione apparated to an empty alley across the street from Seabrook Books. Walking across the street as best she could, she opened the door and walked in. Mrs. Seabrook, after hearing the bell, walked out with a big smile of recognition. "Hello Dear, how are you today?"

"Hello, I am fine thank you, how are you?" Hermione asked, smiling politely. "I am marvelous. I am so glad you came along. No one liked the long hours. You're a God sent. Now, you will be alright won't you? Because if so, I must be off."

"Oh I will be fine thank you. Have a nice day with your Grandson."

"Thank you Dearie, I will be back to close the store tonight. Bye now."and with that said, Mrs. Seabrook left Hermione.

After six hours and only four customers, Hermione was wondering how this store could have stayed open since 1953 and still be in business in 1997. 'It won't change one bit in twenty years' she thought bitterly remembering her previous visit to Seabrook Books.

Hermione and her parents were walking to a pub that was to lead to Diagon Alley. As they were following the directions the letter gave them, Mrs. Granger saw a book store she wanted to go into. Mrs. Granger thought it looked interesting. Hermione and her father did not. That was saying something. Hermione Granger, insufferable know-it-all not finding a book store interesting. (Gasp!) They instead just walked around, talking in excited whispers about her new school while Mrs. Granger looked around. Hermione's father was almost as excited about Hogwarts as Hermione was. Although the Grangers had found it a shock that their daughter was a witch, they were very intrigued.

While they waited for Mrs. Granger by the door, Mr. Granger turned to Hermione with a concerned expression, "Hermione...". Hermione was bitting her lip, a habit of her's when she is nervous.

"Yes Daddy?"

"If you don't want to go, you don't have to you know." He said, watching her expressions carefully.

"I know that." Hermione said, not knowing what brought this on.

"And you know, if you ever want to come home, you can. Your mother and I would completely understand." He continued, still looking concerned.

"I know Daddy, I will be fine. Don't worry so much." She replied, hoping she will fit in better at Hogwarts then her old muggle school.

"I just wanted you to know, no matter what decisions you make in your life, your Mom and I will always stand by you."

Mr. Granger gave his daughter a small smile before looking to his wife, who was finally finished looking around. Grabbing his daughter's hand they walked off to a pub named The Leakey Cauldron .

A few days later, Hermione came back to from a quiet nap, when she heard the bell jingle over the door. A handsome couple walked into the store with a teenage boy. The boy looked familiar. Hermione looked over at the man, sandy blonde hair, dark brown eyes and laugh lines around the eyes. Hermione was able to see a wand sticking out of his pocket. A wizard. Standing by him was a short women with dark brown hair, blue eyes. The couple gave off a sense of happiness and kindness. The teenager was very good looking with his father's hair and amber eyes. Amber eyes. Remus.

"Hello, can I help you with something?" Hermione asked, trying to keep her excitement at seeing a familiar face.

"Good Afternoon, we were just looking thank you." said Mr. Lupin, smiling kindly at her.

"If you need any help, just ask."She replied, not knowing what else to say. She wanted to tell them she knew who they were, or what they were. Instead, Hermione watched them browse the bookshelves.

Half an hour later, the Lupins walked up, Mrs. Lupin carrying three cooking books. Hermione quickly punched the numbers in. Mr. Lupin gave the muggle money over. Smiling she wished them a good day and watched as the first person she saw who she 'knew' walked out the door with a wave.

Thank you for reading. Please Review