Within only a matter of minutes, Harry and Hermione found themselves standing outside Professor Dumbledore's office. Hermione glanced over at Harry who was staring at the door of Professor Dumbledore's office. Feeling her eyes on him, Harry turned to meet her eyes.

"Are you ready?" She asked hesitantly.

Harry nodded once and reached out to knock on the door.

After a few moments came a warm, familiar voice. "Come in."

Leaving their trunks behind, Harry opened the door for Hermione and they gradually made their way into Professor Dumbledore's office. As they walked in, they saw a slightly younger looking version of the man they had grown to love and deeply missed for so long, sitting behind a large desk.

"May I help you?" asked Professor Dumbledore peculiarly, looking at Harry and Hermione.

"Sir…" Hermione began, unable to find the words to say. Suddenly, she remembered the letter from Professor McGonagall in her hand. She handed to him. "Here."

Professor Dumbledore looked at Hermione before taking the letter from her hand. As soon as the letter was out of her hands, Hermione walked back towards Harry. Professor Dumbledore motioned towards the chairs that sat facing his desk. "You may have a seat." They both watched silently as Professor Dumbledore opened the letter and began reading it to himself.

Dearest Albus,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am unable to find the words to write you; therefore, I shall simply get to the truth. The two students standing before you are Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. I have sent them back to you from the year 1997.

Professor Dumbledore momentary stopped reading and looked up at Harry and Hermione, who were still sitting and nervously watching their old Headmaster.

In our time, Lord Voldemort is in complete control and has been continuously searching for Harry and Hermione. We, the Order of the Phoenix, have excruciating evidence that he will not stop searching for them until they are dead, which is the reason I have sent them to you. It is highly unlikely that Voldemort will discover the two are hiding in the past, since there are no known spells or devices able to send anyone back in time this far. Alastor Moody and I are the only two who know where Harry and Hermione are. If Voldemort should weaken or be brought down, we will come and take the two back home. Until then, I am asking you to please allow them to stay in your time. The two were never able to complete their seventh year, due to the uprising of Voldemort. If you could allow them to please begin seventh year classes, I would be very appreciative. I have sent with them their school records for you to know not only their progress at Hogwarts, but also as proof to you this is real.

Never taking his eyes off the letter, Professor Dumbledore asked Harry and Hermione for their school records. Harry and Hermione immediately stood up and handed them to him. Professor Dumbledore began looking through the records. He saw his signature on every passing year of classes attended by the two at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1991 to 1996 and knew in his heart this was true. Now truly convinced, he returned to the letter.

I have already given the two instructions of how to explain where they come from and who they are. Under no circumstances should the truth be revealed. For if it is, as you know, terrible consequences could ensue upon them. I have also included the incantation for the spell that sent them to you, should anything take place and you need to send them back. I thank you whole heartedly for your understanding, willingness to help, and concealment of this matter.

Minerva McGonagall

Professor Dumbledore briefly looked over the letter again before placing it in its original position. He looked at Harry and Hermione, who were beginning to get very nervous that he would not believe what was actually taking place. All of a sudden, Professor Dumbledore smiled at the two. "So I assume you two have had a nice long trip." His eyes twinkled as he tried to relax the two uneasy students. "So, Harry. Hermione. Minerva informs me that you two may be here awhile." Harry and Hermione nodded their heads; both fully relieved Professor Dumbledore did not throw them out of his office in belief that the letter given to him was false.

"It's what we've been told." Said Harry somewhat still angry at the Order, but beginning to find comfort in their plan, now that Professor Dumbledore was alive and in front of him.

"I must stress to you the importance of no one discovering who you are and where you came from." Professor Dumbledore stated sternly. "Minerva writes that she gave the two of you certain instructions of how to explain your sudden arrival here at Hogwarts and background information on yourselves. May I ask what these instructions are?"

"We have been attending the Institute of Magic in England since our first year" Hermione began "We have decided to attend Hogwarts for our seventh year because the classes here are better able to prepare us for our NEWT's.

"Very good. Please continue, Miss Granger." Said Professor Dumbledore with a smile, taking in all she was saying.

"We are to be brother and sister. She said we could choose whichever surname we pleased." Hermione stopped talking, while Professor Dumbledore began.

"Which have you chosen?" He asked interestingly.

"We haven't really talked about it much, honestly." Harry answered.

"Well" begin Professor Dumbledore, "Perhaps you should use Potter. Potter is more common than Granger and thus, would not stand out as much and would be less suspicious."

"Sir" began Hermione, "Are you sure tha…" She was interrupted by Professor Dumbledore.

"Miss Granger, I can assure you that Potter will be perfectly fine and is the better choice." He slightly smiled at Hermione before asking her and Harry another question.

"I see, from your school records, the classes you two originally planned to attend for your seventh year. Are these the classes you would like to continue taking?"

Harry and Hermione both nodded.

"Do you have books and supplies?"

"Yes." They replied. "They are in our trunks."

"Then I shall see to it that you are able to begin classes. I trust you know your classes and classrooms."

"Yes." They answered, nodding their heads.

"Good. I shall let the other Professor's know to expect two new students today. Also, which House's were you two in?"

"Gryffindor." They both replied, proudly.

"Good. Then I shall, also, see to it that you remain in Gryffindor and that your trunks be taken to your seventh year dormitories. Now, unless there are any other questions needing answering, I suggest the two of you head to breakfast, since classes begin in an hour." Professor Dumbledore stood up, walking towards the office door. Harry and Hermione stood, following him. Once they reached the door, Professor Dumbledore looked them in the eyes and smiled. "It will be nice to have you here."

Without thinking of how this Dumbledore did not know her like the Dumbledore of her time, Hermione leaned forward, with a tear threatening to fall from one of her eyes, and embraced Professor Dumbledore tightly. "I've missed you." She whispered more to herself than the other two standing with her.

"Hermione." Harry said softly, as he touched her back, causing her to release her hold on Professor Dumbledore.

"I'm sorry." Hermione said sheepishly, embarrassed at her sudden actions.

Professor Dumbledore just smiled at her and opened the door for her and Harry to leave. "I will check on you occasionally today, as I do with all new students." After talking with Professor Dumbledore, Harry and Hermione begin to feel something that had left them long ago—hope.

Harry and Hermione thanked their Headmaster and left for breakfast in the Great Hall, anxiously awaiting the first day of classes.