Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not my brain child.

Chapter 13:

'Hermione, do you realize that your magical siginiture has changed? I can feel it and I know it seems weird but I can usually sense a wizard or witch's aura of magic when I am near them but, you, it's different.' Regarding her more closely, he continued 'It's like you are going through a change. You don't have the same magical signature you once had.....' he trailed off as his green eyes searched her wide, slightly misty brown ones.

'Harry!' exclaimed Hermione as she rose slightly, feeling stronger than the say before. 'I didin't know that you had this ability. How long have you known you could do this? What does it feel like? Is there a book in the library on this subject?' She started rambling off questions, desperately trying to divert the initial question. Harry, however, was a true Gryffindor when it came to stubborness and was not fooled by his friend's wayward attemps at distracting him.

Ron, however, was watching the exchange with his mouth slightly agape and not certain where this conversation would lead so he just decided to pop a Treacle in his mouth and wait for the invetiable answer...he knew better to just sit back during this exchange...

'I don't believe you.'

Harry eyed his exceptionally brilliant friend with a calculating gaze. Leaning forward slighty, he waitied for Hermione's answer as she shuffled a little in her cot, not accustomed to the unwavering scrutiny her friend was giving her. The piercing green stare was not unlike a familiar coal-eyed professor from the Saturday past. Giggling slighty at the similarity, she regarded Harry with a similiar stare hoping to pass it off as nothing more than a reaction to the variety of potion surging through her system.

'What ever do you mean, Harry?' Hermione spoke with leveled words, considering the precarious position she held as the sickly, exhausted and bed-ridden 7th year. She knew it was not a very good cover but she was not up to her usual articulate standard. Feeling tired, she waited for Harry to push further with his interregation. He would not dissapoint.

'Hermione, it is obvious now that you've been hiding how sick you have been and we feel like first-class prats for not paying more attention to you lately-'

'Yeah!' chimed in Ron between mouthfuls of chocolate.

Harry continued, looking over to his red-headed friend briefly before continuing. 'I've noticed a huge change in you. Your signature is changing, adapting but I am not certain what it means. It almost feels like wisps around you.' To prove his point, Harry lifted his hand and moved it around the space above Hermione's head as if he sense the wisps of magic moving.

'I know it seems weird, Hermione,' Harry continued as he replaced his hand back on Hermione's shoulder. 'but it used be a redish feeling....gah, I can't describe this but it FEELS like a color. Anyway, it has changed to a goldish hue...'

Glancing back to Ron, who was seemed to only be half-listening because he was reading one of the many chocolate frog cards now spread around his chair, Harry dropped his voice and whispered 'Its like the magic you used in our third year...is your change related to this?' He furrowed brow, not unlike Professor Snape, she mused briefly before sobering up and finally decided to answer the question truthfully. Why she kept thinking of her professor today, she'll have to re-examine later when she is back in her rooms, but she knew that if she was going to go through these changes the next few weeks, she will need to support of her two best friends.

Well, here goes, thought Hermione.

'Yes, Harry, it does have to do with the time-turner and Ron, before you start asking questions, let me explain everything...'

Hermione spent the next hour telling Ron about what happened during their third year with the help of Harry who explained the use of the time-turner, going back and saving Buckbeak, as well as Harry's Godfather, Sirius. It was a difficult conversation since Sirius's death was only a few months prior and it still deeply affected Harry. Pushing through the conversation, Hermione admitted that she used the time-turner much more than Harry was aware of, which promoted Ron to say.

'So, you're actually a year older than us? I can't believe you would actually spend twice as much time going to classes and studying! Then again, you our brill Hermione!' Ron gave a large smile and settled back into his chair waiting for Hermione to continue her story.

She explained that over the past few weeks, she wasn't feeling very well but thought it was due to over-studying and preparing for NEWTs while not taking proper care of herself (as she should have). Her draining magical power was taking a toll in her classes and she had to work extra hard just to keep up to her regular standard. She just didn't realize how bad it became...

She decided to not include all the details of her injuries from the classroom or the Hogsmeade adventure where Professor Snape had to go retrieve her. Best to keep Snape out of this as much as possible, she decided. They don't need to know everything about what happened to their professor but rather the details linking the time-turner's affect on its users and how it explains the recent changes in her appearance. It well help soften the sudden changes in their friend and how it will continue to play havok on her until the magical aging has taken complete effect.

'Blimey, Hermione!' Ron exclaimed 'How much will you age?'

'Pausing slightly to look down at her young hands, she replied 'About 10 years, Ron. By the time the aging process is complete, I should look and feel about thirty years old.' Ron gasped at the same time that Harry shot out of the chair.

'That, that thing should be illegal! How could it do this to you. Doesn't the Ministry know what this device does to people?' Harry shook with a fury that was rarely seen by his close friends but Hermione decided to try and calm him by rising up and placing two pale hands on his shoulder.

"Harry, it IS illegal. That's why the Ministry put it as a restricted item but I was allowed to use the time-turner in third year. I don't think even I realized the extent of my use until later on in the year. By then it was too late. I don't think the Ministry knows about its aging process because they only allow the Aurors use of it for a few days at a time and not enough to make a difference.' Shaking a little, Hermione sat back down, replacing her hands on her lap and watched Harry calm himself and sit back down as well.

'Hey mate, it isn't so bad, really. Hermione obviously is the one going through this and she is taking this more calmly the either of us.' Ron told Harry, smiling ruefully. 'Perhaps she can get us some firewhiskey at The Three Broomsticks when she finishes her aging.' At that comment, both Harry and Hermione grabbed a pillow from the pile on the cot and threw it at the redhead, both tinkling with laughter. Joining in, Ron smiled at the two and right then, Hermione knew that it was the right thing to tell them. She knew they weren't going to push the issue now but will have to come up with a good answer for the questions:

How do you know you are going to age and who told you it is all related to the time-turner?

A/N: More to follow. Will she let them know Snape''s involvement? Thanks for all of your comments!