Hey guys! I'm so happy everyone's been supportive enough to leave a review on my first fanfic ever! Your encouragement makes me wanna keep on updating :) Speaking of which, I'll try to post a short chapter everyday, so don't always expect much to happen in one chapter. One chapter from me is probably equivalent to 1/3 from another writer, and I also like short chapters as a way of switching between POVS (Theodore N. and Hermione G.).

A big shootout to

Smithback

(1st reviewer!),

FMppl

, and

SephCurrentDaughterofPoseido n

for your reviews. Thanks a million!

So without further ado, Chapter 3. It's basically just an intro to Chapter 4, which will be from Theodore's POV and much, much more interesting, I promise! It will also explain why Nott is suddenly a little nicer to her.

Hermione tried to stifle a yawn as the lecturer, who had come from Bulgaria and was supposed a great expert on the mechanics of time-turners, droned on in a mostly monotone voice, hissing only when he felt his listeners weren't paying sufficient attention. She had brought a notebook, which now lay open in front of her, conspicuously black. She discreetly glanced around the room. The two Unspeakables who she guessed had just graduated were listening in rapt attention, while Cho and most of her other colleagues politely feigned interest. They nodded from time to time.

12:00. When's lunch? I'm starving…she thought. This man was almost as bad as Binns, except he was much more self-important and only rehashing what they had learned in 6th year.

And Nott – he was making no effort at all to hide his boredom. How characteristic, she thought. Old habits die hard.

During their Hogwarts days, he had likewise made no effort to hide his disdain of her, and muggle-borns and Gryffindors in general. Once, she had had to sit next to do an assignment with him in Potions class. She recalled that unlike his typical apathetic, blank face, he had looked rather worn and haggard, far too weary for his age.

"This will ruin the Polyjuice. What's the matter with you?"

Up until then he had avoided looking at her.

"Granger…fuck off."

She had been taken aback, offended and a little hurt. Nott had even seemed a little surprised by himself for saying this. He silently turned back to his work.

Then she slapped him, hard.

He stared at her, mouth agape. Then the bell rang and Hermione walked out.

"Wait, I'm sorry!" he had called out. But she had already left.

"And this concludes my talk on time-turners today…I hope you have all taken away something valuable to your work…" said the speaker.

Hermione snapped out of her memories and, upon hearing the lecture was at long last over, cheered up. Work had finished early and she would hopefully have time to go with he mother to pick Rose up from her muggle half-day preschool, get some quality time with her daughter, and cook a nice dinner for her husband Ron. If Ron would be home on time. Hermione loved her husband and was proud of his being an Auror, but it took so much time from their family. She hoped he wouldn't miss the lasagna she was making tonight. It was an old family recipe.

First, though, she had to eat lunch because her stomach was rumbling. The Department of Mysteries was situated so far from everywhere else…Where could she find a small, casual restaurant?

"Granger. You were uncharacteristically absent-minded today. Though I'll be the first to admit that old bloke was a bore" Nott said with a smirk.

Hermione felt a rush of sympathy for the old speaker. It never felt good to be on the receiving end of someone's judgment, especially from a man like Nott.

"Actually, I though what he had to say was – "

"Quite informative for a somewhat slow 6th year in Hogwarts"

"I have to go now. Do you have anything else to say?" snapped Hermione.

"No. Actually, yes. The sound of your stomach rumbling was the only thing I could hear other than the professor's voice."

She looked defiantly at him. Hermione had learned to prepare herself for anything anyone could say to her, whether well-intended or mean-spirited.

"There's only one diner around here within walking distance. If you absolutely have to go I'll show you the way."

Nott walked out of the office and she followed him.