Emma woke up in Ron's room the next morning, having slept surprising well. It was only after she had stretched that yesterday flooded back to and she remembered that she was stuck in a completely different world.
She dragged herself from bed and had a shower, then sat down and wondered what she was going to do. A black depression came over her as the enormity of the problem struck her. She had no money, nowhere to go and no friends. To all intents and purposes, she didn't exist.
Deciding that doing something was better than doing nothing she stood up, put on a dress and headed for the boy's room. They were already up and dressed and ready for breakfast. She couldn't face joining them, so they promised to bring her back something to eat.
They returned about half an hour later with some bacon sandwiches and Professor McGonagall.
'I think it will be best if you stayed here today. I will say you are unwell', she said. 'Weasley and Potter can stay with you for some company. I will assume they do not object to missing lessons.'
They didn't, so settled down to catch up on some homework instead. Emma sat and watched them, and tried to understand what they were doing.
Harry was working on a Potions essay. Emma was surprised that she recognised a lot of the ingredients. 'My mum grows some of these in her garden' she said.
'Most medicines come from plants' he told her. 'We just used them in slightly different ways, that's all. Of course, some of it's different. You won't be able to get dragon's spleen in your local butchers, but apart from that they're nothing special.'
Ron wasn't finding it so easy to work. 'Hermione normally prods me along a bit' he explained.
Emma laughed. 'You mean she writes it for you!'
Ron looked a little bemused. 'Where did you get that idea from? It's all my own work, and Merlin help me if I get it wrong. It's a bit of an incentive having her breathing down your neck, I can tell you.'
There was an interruption just before lunch when Dumbledore arrived and asked if he could speak to her privately.
'We are still trying to find out how you got here, Miss Watson, and how we can get you back.' He looked very grave. 'However, we must consider the possibility that you are stranded here. Have you given the matter any thought?'
'Not really' she said, running her hand through her hair in a distracted manner. 'I've got nowhere to go, and no money to get there.' Her face crumpled a little. 'I don't even know where the train station is' she didn't want to cry, but couldn't stop herself 'and I can't stay at Hogwarts, can I? There's no point.'
'Come, come, my dear' said Dumbledore, offering her a handkerchief. 'I will admit the situation is desperate, but you are not on your own. I agree with you that Hogwarts is probably not suitable, but there are other options.
I have spoken to the Minister for Magic this morning. The Ministry will be willing to help you, if it comes to that. They can provide documents and qualifications to enable you to work in the mubblul world, and will help you to find somewhere to live.'
'But I've got no money.'
'Hogwarts has funds available, and these will be offered until you can get yourself established. I do have contacts outside the magical world, and I will do everything I can to help you find work. I have friends as well, in London for example, who would be more than happy to keep in contact and make sure you are not in need. Miss Watson, we all know this must be a terrible time for you. We shall not desert you.'
'Thank you' she managed to say, through her tears.
'Of course, at some stage we will have to inform Mr and Mrs Granger of what has happened. I think, perhaps, they may wish to meet you. I cannot promise anything, nor can I force them, but I shall certainly suggest it.'
'I'd like that.'
'Very well' he said. 'Please remember, there is no rush. You may stay here for as long as you wish, although the children will probably be returning to the school soon. I, or Professor McGonagall, shall call in on you regularly to make sure you are comfortable and have anything you need. I will say again, you are not alone.'
Dumbledore's visit did a lot for her that day. She knew now that, if the worst came to the worst, she could survive. She would have to give some thought as to what she might want to do next. She started to face the future.
-o0o-
Hermione wasn't quite sure what she felt when she awoke. She'd gone to bed more than half expecting the worm hole to open up during the night and put everything back the way it should be. She got up and knocked on Rupert's door. He opened it still bleary eyed and a little tousled.
'Hi, can I come in?' He held the door open for her and she went to sit in the armchair. He flopped onto the bed.
'Look, Rupert, about last night…'
'I know, you got a bit confused.'
'No. No, I didn't, not about who you were. I think…maybe everything that happened yesterday got to me, and I just needed a bit of comforting. I'm sorry, though; it won't happen again.'
He came to sit on the arm of the chair. 'Don't beat yourself up over it. It just happened, I think. Look, everything's up in the air at the moment, so let's just take it one day at a time, yeah?' She nodded. 'Go back to your room, I'll grab a shower, then we'll go and find David.'
They found him talking to Jo Rowling. He looked at the girl cautiously. 'I'm still Hermione' she said with a shrug, 'nothing happened last night.'
'I'm sorry' he said, simply but sincerely. 'It must be tough on you. I don't have a clue what to do next.'
Hermione shrugged again. 'Could I come and watch some filming today? It'd be better than just hanging around here, worrying.'
'The only thing planned is the scene we were meant to shoot yesterday, with Dan, Rupert and Emma.' He saw her shoulders drop a little. 'Look, you're probably right; we're better off keeping ourselves busy. How do you fancy being you for the day?'
She looked up at him. 'Can I? I know I …can't replace her, but…it will be better than doing nothing.'
'OK. Go and put your uniforms on, I'll round up Dan.'
Hermione walked back to her room, with Rupert. If she was stuck here, maybe she had a way forward. 'Make the most of what you've got.'
-o0o-
Actually being with the real Hermione was an education for them all. She was like the books, only more so. Her ability to question was phenomenal. On the way in, reading the script, she pointed out numerous factual errors.
For a start off, she didn't like the seating positions. 'When we work, Harry's always on my right and Ron on the left. You've got them the wrong way round.'
David tried to explain that Harry had to be on her left, because that put him on the right hand side of the screen, which was where people naturally tended to look. 'Harry's the star, so that's where he goes.'
She also really didn't like some of her lines. 'She's just so…passive. Trust me; if they want to work with me, they work. If they ever dreamed of mucking around I'd hex them into the middle of next week.'
Like many newcomers to film, she couldn't understand why everything took so long. Dan tried to explain it to her.
'It isn't just a case of saying the lines. Before we can even start they have to get the lighting right, and the sound levels. Then the angles have to be worked out so we can all be seen. Every time they change a shot, it all has to be checked again. So does the make-up and our costumes. I'll tell you the worst bit though; it's when it all goes perfectly, but they find a problem afterwards. You'll get to know and hate the phrase "hair in the gate".'
She looked at him blankly.
'It's when you literally get a hair, or a piece of fibre, between the lens and the film. It comes out as a huge great crack, and ruins the shot totally. We've had a few of those.'
Within a couple of hours, they'd already had to take her off for a walk to calm her down; the unnecessary delays – as she saw them – were starting to frustrate her. 'Hey, this is an easy one' said Rupert. 'You should see how long it takes to do some of the crowd scenes.'
They got back to filming and tried another take.
'…then add the wormwood, stirring continuously.' Slap! 'Ow! What was that for?'
'It's valerian you prat, not wormwood!'
'CUT!'
David walked over to them, trying to smile. 'Hermione' he said, his voice very low, 'the line is "No, Ronald, its valerian, not wormwood." Then you roll your eyes and sigh.'
'I. Do. Not. Ever. Roll. My. Eyes.'
'Hermione does.'
'No. I. Don't.'
'Our Hermione does, and she doesn't hit people.'
'Your Hermione sounds a bit wet.'
David turned to Dan and Rupert, who was rubbing the back of his head. 'Ok, lads, take five. "Emma", I like to do a few close ups of you rolling your eyes and sighing; it's all good stock stuff we can cut in later.'
'You want me to roll my eyes and sigh?'
'Yes.'
'Huhh.'
'Not yet, the camera isn't running.'
'That was me.'
'Ok, go.'
'Ahhhrg.'
'Bit too much; I want a hint of frustration, not anger.'
'Uhhh'
'Good! Now, roll the eyes. No, that was a swivel, not a roll.'
'Ron'd be the one swivelling if he ever mixed up wormwood and valerian; it's second year stuff.'
'Please? Just a roll, with the sigh.'
Dan and Rupert stood at the coffee counter and breathed an enormous sigh themselves.
'She's a bit feisty, isn't she?' said Dan.
'You're lucky you weren't on the receiving end! She doesn't half pack a clout. Do you reckon she's always like that?'
'If she is I bet they don't have trouble revising.'
-o0o-
David Yates had two painkillers for dinner, and an early night. It was probably one of the worst days shooting he'd ever had, and he very much doubted they could use any of it. Hermione had this unfortunate tendency to think she was right all the time; and with no experience of acting found it hard to project herself into a role – even it the role was meant to be her.
Then there was the magic to cope with. She was meant to Accio a book at one stage. Of course, all she had to do was wave the wand, say the word and hold her hand out. The rest would be done by GCI in post-production. They only just realised in time that she seriously intended using her own wand. Admittedly, it would have been quite funny to see the looks on the crew's faces as a book flew through the air, but he didn't have a clue how they'd explain it.
That wand had the potential to cause huge amounts of problems. She wanted to deal with any lighting problems using Lumos, and didn't see why they needed microphones either.
'What's wrong with using Sonorous?' I know mubbuls don't use magic in my world either, but if you can, why not just do it?' she'd asked – well, demanded.
'Because' said David. 'Don't you have a Statute of Secrecy, or something?'
'Well, yes, but I use magic at home. It makes things so much easier.'
'That's different. Your parents know about you.'
She'd glowered at him; it was a look he was becoming very familiar with. If Emma didn't come back or they couldn't change Hermione, it wasn't only that scene that was in trouble, it was the whole film.
-o0o-
Hermione walked back to her room with Rupert after dinner, which they'd had in a private room again. Dan wasn't too happy with Hermione, either, and thought it safe to keep her out of the way for as long as possible.
'So, here we are' she said, outside her door.
'Yeah,'
'Rupert, you're right. I don't think we should…you know, like last night. One day at a time, yeah?'
'I think so.' She looked up at him. Was that hurt on her face? A suggestion of a tear? 'Look, it's not that I don't like you, or anything, but…let's take some time to get to know each other, and take it from there.'
She nodded, and gave a small, sad smile. 'You're right. Well, I'll see you in the morning. Good night.' She turned to go into her room, looking very small and vulnerable..
'Hermione?' She turned back, and found herself in his arms again. She couldn't help but smile. She did like him, honestly. Tomorrow she would learn how to be an actress. Let's face it, she was pretty good already.
-o0o-
Emma stretched. 'I think I'll turn in; I need to do some thinking.'
'About your future?' asked Dan.
'Yes. If you're going to school tomorrow I'll come with you. I should have a talk to Professor Dumbledore. I don't really want to stay here when you leave, so I might as well get something organised.'
'Where will you head for?'
'London, probably. He says he's got some friends there, and I'll need to go to the Ministry, anyway.'
'We'll come and see you, Emma, every holiday. We don't want to lose touch with you.'
'Thank you. You've been so kind to me, and I know you're missing Hermione.'
'Do you want to use my room again?' asked Ron.
'If you don't mind.'
'Of course not. I think I'll move into your room though. Harry snoring in his own bed is one thing, but when you're sharing…'
Emma smiled, despite herself.
'I'm sorry Ron. But thank you again. I can see why she likes you.' She sighed. 'It's touched so many of us, hasn't it? It's you I feel really sorry for.'
'Hey, don't mind me. I'll cope.' His eyes looked rather wet, though.