Explanations

A splitting headache was what she woke up to. Groaning she tried to focus upon the ceiling but was startled to see that it wasn't stairs that she was assuming to be looking up at, but one Potions Professor.

His customary scowl graced his face as he began to interrogate her, "Who the hell are you?"

She looked at him in a daze, What the bloody hell is he talking about? "Excuse me sir?"

"You bloody well know what I'm talking about. Don't play coy with me. Last time I checked, Madame, you were not a faculty member of Hogwarts nor a student as I gather your age. Therefore, I ask you again politely before I employ other means...who...are...you?"

She began to stutter something when Madame Pompfrey bustled in along with Headmistress Minerva McGonagall hot on her heels. They both took in the scene of Severus hovering next to the woman and immediately intervened.

"And what pray tell are you doing Severus?" asked McGonagall

He spun around at his full height and inclined his head, "Just inquiring as to whom our guest is Headmistress."

"Yes," she sighed, "and I gather you were none to gentle as well. If you don't mind I would like to talk to the lady alone."

"Headmistress, I really must stress that we do not KNOW this woman and -"

"Yes yes yes," she interrupted, "dangerous. But seeming as how we have faced the Dark Lord ourselves I think I can handle a woman. If you really must, you can wait outside. Besides, Madame Pompfrey still needs to take a few more tests."

Severus bowed his head in acquiescence. "Of course. If you need me I will be right outside."

They all waited until the doors closed firmly behind him before Minerva sat on her bed as Pompfrey administered more tests. "So my dear, how did you manage to get into Hogwarts without me knowing?"

Hermione looked at her as if she were crazy. What is going ON here? "What are you all BABBLING about? I'm Hermione Granger! Look at me! Have you all gone mad?!"

Pompfrey dropped her wand in mid-flick as Minerva straightened up in shock. Then both ladies looked at her even more closely. Madame Pompfrey spoke, "That WOULD explain why she was wearing a Gryffindor uniform Minerva."

"Yes, the resemblance is uncanny." She reached out and touched her supposed favorite pupils' hair. "Much smoother now," she mused. "Tell me, what is the password to your rooms?"

"Macbeth. But you already know that Headmistress."

"Yes, but only one other would know as well. Perhaps you should explain to us what happened as to how you ended up here."

"Well, I was studying as always because ever since our leave I was behind in my studies. I was just catching up in the library and when I was finished I left to go to my rooms. My bag must have snagged on one of the stairs because my notes fell out and I went to reach for it when the stairs moved. Next thing I knew there was nothing underneath me. I reached out and managed to grab hold of a stair, unfortunately, my grip was not so good when it startled me and I fell." She stopped and looked at both ladies in question, "Why is everyone treating me as if they don't know me?"

Madame Pompfrey handed Hermione a mirror from the nightstand while saying, "Perhaps you should take a look for yourself."

She quickly looked and gasped, "What...I can't..." but then it dawned on her, "Headmistress, I don't know how but perhaps it had something to do with my time turner."

"You're time turner?"

"Yes! The one you let me have to get in extra study time. I used it last night to get some extra time in."

"Yes, it moves time forwards and backwards but how could it age you physically so many years?"

"When I was falling I remember holding it, I was scared. I thought maybe..."

Pompfrey came to the conclusion, "She must have fallen onto it. But how it could age her body is a mystery. I've never heard of such a case ever."

"Neither have I. This is certainly very curious. If what you say is true Hermione then we have no choice but to find some way to keep this under wraps...as they say."

Pompfrey interrupted, "But how?"

Minerva sat in thought when it dawned on her, The brightest witch of their age...she could sit her NEWTS tonight and still pass. And there was a need for an Arithmancy Professor, she mused. But how to explain the disappearance of her...she smiled then spoke, "I have a wonderful idea."

"Well?"

"Hermione, how well do you think you would do if you sat your NEWTS today?"

"Well, I'm certain I would pass."

"Good!" She clasped her hands together and stood. "Here is my plan. You sit your NEWTS and then become the new Professor of Arithmancy."

Both women cried out in shock, "WHAT!"

Hermione interrupted, "Surely you MUST be kidding me! TEACH? How could I remain undercover so to speak when I'll be teaching my own classmates! O.K., sure I'm really great in Arithmancy but TEACHING!"

"Of course! Think of how many people you've already fooled! Even Professor Snape did not know who you were!"

Pompfrey interrupted, "But how are we to explain this to him?"

"We will just say that I had already hired you by post and have never seen you in person. Thus the point of us not knowing who you were."

"What about her clothes?"

"Oh yes," she worried her lip a moment. "We could say that you were sent the wrong letter as to the dress code of Professors. A mistake I of course made in my haste to hire you." She then smiled at her brilliant plan.

"Then it's settled!" Stated the Medi-Witch. "You were hired by post and Minerva mistakenly sent you the wrong letter as to the dress code of Professors. Brilliant!"

"Yes, indeed it is." agreed Minerva. "So, I'll give you one week to plan your syllabus and settle into your new rooms and classroom as the new Arithmancy Professor." she began to walk towards the exit.

"But Headmistress," began Hermione, "What about Professor Snape?"

"Have no worry my dear. You let me take care of him."

But as Headmistress McGonagall left, all Hermione Granger could think was, How am I going to outsmart a spy?

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