"Excuse me?" These were the only words Hermione could muster.
"You will be hiding in the past." Professor McGonagall repeated. "In 1976 to be exact."
Hermione was confused. "I didn't even know that was possible. To go back that far."
"It's not, really. Well, it's not supposed to be anyway. However, for the past couple of months, Alastor and I have been researching time turning spells, because since you two have been gone, Voldemort's attacks have nearly tripled. He has become obsessed with finding you two. We knew that he would never quit looking for the two of you, so we looked for alternative ways of hiding you. That is when we decided that if we could find a spell to send you two back in time, we could ensure once and for all that Voldemort would never be able to find you."
"I—I don't even know what to say." Hermione, who was beginning to feel very nauseous, turned away from Professor McGonagall and Harry, and sat down in the seat closest to her.
For the first time since hearing what Professor McGonagall had told them, Harry spoke. "How exactly can you be so sure that Voldemort will not find us? You said it yourself, he'll never stop looking."
"He will never stop looking, but you two will not be anywhere he can find you, and that is what is important."
Harry was still not convinced that simply placing them in another time period would prevent Voldemort from discovering where they were. Perhaps they would be safe until Voldemort found out where they were hiding, but then what would stop him from coming to them? With that thought, he asked Professor McGonagall that very question. "If Voldemort discovers where we are, though, what would stop him from coming to us?"
"The ability to get to you." She answered. "Alastor and I have been searching day and night for the past two months, which is the reason we have not been in contact with you these past couple of months. We have constantly been researching and working on spell after spell. Nevertheless, there is no known spell to send anyone back that far." She was cut off by Hermione, who seemed to have momentarily regained her health.
"I thought you said…" Hermione stopped talking as Professor McGonagall held up her hand, indicating that she needed to be quiet for a moment and let her Professor finish.
"There is, still, no known spell to send anyone back that far. So, consequently, we had to create one ourselves."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other with the same sullen look they had when Professor McGonagall had told them that they would never be safe. As if reading both of their minds, she answered their unspoken questions, feeling insulted. "The spell will work. You'll just have to trust me."
Feeling slightly in the wrong for showing signs of doubt, Hermione looked up at her Professor. "Professor, it's not that we don't trust you. It's just that—well, you are actually serious about this—this going back in time."
"Hermione—Harry." She said, looking each of them in the eyes as she said their names. "It is the only way. Alastor and I are the only ones who know the incantation to this spell. Voldemort will not be able to torture the incantation from anyone else, because we are the only two who know it. And that is said in the situation that Voldemort actually knows where you two are. He could search for many more months to come before even acknowledging the chance that you two are in another time period. By then, we could have him brought down. The plan is faultless. And the Voldemort in the past won't even know who you are yet. Therefore, he won't hunt you the way he is now. If the end of the war is nearing, if Voldemort discovers where you two are, or if anything significant in general takes place and we need either of you, Alastor or I will be able to come get either one of you and bring you back." She looked at each of them with pleading eyes. She really did feel this was their only option, but knew that Harry and Hermione would, most likely, find any reason to think otherwise.
Harry sat down next to Hermione. They were both equally astounded. Harry still did not understand, fully, the reason the Order would not just let him fight; however, he was too weak at the moment to argue with Professor McGonagall over their decision. He began to think of all the advantages living in the past could possibly bring. I could live my life and not have to worry about the threat of Voldemort haunting me day and night…no one would know who 'Harry Potter' is and the history that comes with the name…Dumbledore would still be alive…
Hermione was sitting, quietly, beside Harry. She had so many questions running through her head. She had answered many of her questions, herself; however, there were still some questions that needed answering, such as, what were they to tell anyone who questioned their past? Could they tell anyone the truth? What about Professor Dumbledore? They couldn't hide something like this from him. Hermione did not know the Professor Dumbledore from the past, but she assumed that if he were anything like the way she remembered him; neither she nor Harry would be able to hide this secret from him. What would they tell him? Would he question their sanity? If they had to hide the fact that they were from the future, how would they? They would not have any record of their existence, since, theoretically, they didn't exist yet. Hermione voiced these questions to Professor McGonagall, who had an answer to all of them.
"Alastor and I have already made these preparations, dear. We have gathered both of your school records from here at Hogwarts and I have written a letter to Professor Dumbledore that explains your situation. You are to give it to him immediately when you arrive. Do you understand? No one else must find the letter, for if they read it, there may be dangerous consequences for the both of you, understand? You will need to give him your records, as well, so he knows you two were students here and where you two are in your studies. As for your histories—Alastor and I are sending you back to the first day of classes, since the two of you were never able to attend school for your final year. Although Professor Dumbledore will know the truth of the matter, you two will need to act as if you are brother and sister. You can choose which of your surnames to use. You have both been attending the Institute of Magic in England since first year; however, you have decided to attend Hogwarts for your seventh year since Hogwarts has far more superior classes to prepare for your NEWT's." Professor McGonagall watched as Harry and Hermione looked at each other with the same look they had given each other all night. The two seemed to be conversing through their thoughts. She wondered if she should say something else to end this awkward silence, but thought it better if she just stayed quiet. Finally, Harry ended the silence.
"When would we leave?"
"Tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yes, tonight, as soon as Alastor returns. I will need to go get your school records and the letter to Professor Dumbledore. You two should go to your old dormitories. When you left we put all your old things there. You should go and pack up your things. I'll meet the two of you here as soon as you are finished." With that said, Professor McGonagall left the Great Hall with a very heavy heart.
Harry looked at Hermione and noticed a tear falling from one of her eyes. He gently wiped it away, then placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head. He stared into her eyes and slightly smiled. "We should go pack."
"Harry—it's just all so unbelievable. Not an hour ago you were worried about whether or not we'd ever see Professor McGonagall again, and I was wondering about…" She paused, not wanting to tell Harry she was contemplating joining Voldemort.
"About what?" He asked.
"Nothing. Don't worry about it, we have to go pack." She stood up and Harry got up after her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her for a moment. He could feel her tears on his shoulder and decided that letting her go was the last thing he wanted to do, therefore he held onto her as they walked out of the Great Hall all the way up to their former dormitories.
"Gingersnaps."
The portrait swung open to reveal the Gryffindor common room. There was an unknown feeling. Almost like the feeling of—abandonment. The room, which was usually so warm and homely, just felt cold and unwelcoming. Harry released Hermione. "I'll meet you back here in a minute. It shouldn't take me very long."
"Alright. I'll see you in a minute, then." She said very discouragingly.
Once Harry was finished packing he went down the stairs. Hermione was already down there. She was curled up in front of the unlit fireplace. He slowly walked up to her, then sat down beside her.
"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice full of concern.
"Define okay. Voldemort is controlling the war, he wants us dead, nearly everyone we have grown to love is dead, and Professor McGonagall wants us to go to the past. No, Harry, I am not okay."
"You know, Hermione, it may not be that bad. I mean, Dumbledore will be there, the war will be nearly non-existant, and things will go back to—almost the way they used to be."
"I know", she said, "It's just frightening."
"Maybe, but when has that stopped us?" He smiled at her only to see her smile back. "We better get down to the Great Hall before McGonagall gets too worried."
Harry stood up and helped Hermione to her feet. They gathered up their things and left the common room. As they entered the Great Hall, they saw both Professor McGonagall and Alastor Moody, who ended their conversation and stood up, upon seeing the two enter the hall. Alastor Moody walked up to the pair and pulled them into a hug.
"Harry. Hermione. It's been a long time. It's good to see you."
"You, too, sir." Said Harry, as the hug ended.
"Are you two packed?" Asked Professor McGonagall as she walked up to the three of them.
"Yes." Replied Hermione.
"Here are your school records." Professor McGonagall said as she handing both Harry and Hermione their records. "And here is the letter for Professor Dumbledore." She said, handing the letter marked 'Private' to Hermione. "And here is some money." She said as she handed a bag of money to Harry.
"Professor, I can't take your mon…" Harry was interrupted by Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, you can. I am not offering it to you. I am giving it to you two."
"Well, thank you." Said Harry, putting the bag in his trunk.
"Are you ready?" Asked Professor McGonagall. Harry and Hermione looked up to see the two older Order members watching them expectantly.
"Yes."
Professor McGonagall sighed in relief. "This is a two part spell. I will begin and Alastor will end. You must be completely still and quiet during the process. Any noise or movement could cause the spell to be disrupted, thus sending you elsewhere, and we do not need that trouble. You two should arrive in Professor Dumbledore's office. Remember—give him the letter, Hermione, and your school records, both of you. Once Professor Dumbledore reads the letter, he will give you more information on the time in which you will be living and certain rules that must not be broken." She looked at Harry and Hermione with a, now, broken heart. These two had been like children to her. She did not want to send them away, but she knew, also, that this was the only way. She, once again, walked up to them and embraced them. She cried silently, still holding them. She did not want to let them go.
After a while, Alastor Moody walked up to her, touching her on the back. "Minerva, you have to let them go." Professor McGonagall pulled back from her two favorite students, wiping her eyes. "Ready?" Harry and Hermione nodded their heads. "Okay." Then Professor McGonagall began the incantation.
Harry and Hermione watched as Professor McGonagall walked around them in a circle, confidently performing the spell. They both stood completely still and remained completely silent. They both began to feel very nauseous and faint. They watched as Alastor Moody stepped up and began performing the second part of the spell. All of a sudden, scenes they could not make out, were spiraling around them. Their eyelids became very heavy and before either of them knew it, they were gone.