Here I am again friends :) It's lovely to see how well received my revisions to this story have been. Thank you to everyone who's reviewed and or added my story to favourites and/or alerts since I started posting again.
This chapter is almost entirely new, I hope you like it guys :)
III: Somewhere Back In Time
Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore was a man set in his ways. He had been a wizard all of his long life; and a teacher for most of that time. Since he had taken the over from Professor Dippet as Headmaster, Dumbledore had become accustomed to staying in his pyjamas late on the 1st September every year prior to the arrival of the students.
Albus was also used to seeing things that others in his acquaintance would consider odd- why only last month had a former student of his come for an interview for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post which had just been vacated looking as if he had gotten himself involved with magic of the foulest kind. However, when Professor McGonagall, his deputy headmistress' patronus flew in through his open study window with a message that a muggle motor car involved in a run in with the freshly planted whomping willow, to say he had been surprised was a gross understatement. With a flick of his wand Albus transfigured his nightwear into his standard daywear and disapparated from his study.
As John Granger stamped upon the accelerator pedal nothing happened save a fountain of mud and grass which rose from under the back wheels. The creak of the massive tree branch was terrifyingly audible as the bough was pulled back as in preparation to deliver another blow. The branch began to move forwards towards their all too fragile metal shelter.
And then the entire tree froze.
The driver's side door opened suddenly and a tall old man with crooked nose and silver beard poked his head inside.
"I recommend you leave your vehicle sir and madams." he said in an authoritative voice. "We don't have long before the willow awakens again and I think it would be easier on you if you are not in the car while our Charms professor moves it."
Hermione reacted first, scrambling from the backseat and running away from the tree as quickly as her short legs could carry her. Following their daughter's example, the two Drs Granger hurried out of the car. When they were clear of the danger zone the two dentists were astonished at the sight of their car rising off the lawn that it had appeared on before floating purposefully towards the edge of a large smooth, black lake.
"Oh my god." Elizabeth whimpered, burying her face in her husband's chest. "Oh my god."
"Oh my gosh!" Hermione's voice exclaimed awestruck, from a short distance away. "Mummy, daddy, I think we're at Hogwarts."
Albus apparated onto the lawn not ten feet away from the enchanted tree which had been planted for the benefit of human students and their brand new werewolf student alike. The three other heads of house were hurrying towards the scene, Minerva had apparently informed Filius Flitwick, Elphaba Westenra and Horace Slughorn of the situation.
"Oh Albus!" Minerva gasped when she saw him. "There are people in the car, and one appears to be a child!"
A child was in danger? Well, Albus would not stand for that! He immediately sprang into action.
"Elphaba!" he called to the head of Hufflepuff. "Stop the willow. I shall get the poor souls in the vehicle to , when they are clear of danger, move the car; Horace go and inform Poppy that we may be in need of her services."
It did not take long at all to save the occupants of the car. There were three of them, a man and woman in Muggle dress and a girl with bushy brown curls, dressed in a plain Hogwarts uniform. A first year, well, that offered at least part of an explanation as to how they had gotten into their former, perilous position.
"Oh my gosh!" the little girl gasped, awed as she stared up at the castle while her poor parents clung to each other, clearly shell-shocked. "Mummy, daddy, I think we're at Hogwarts!"
"Indeed you are." Albus smiled, attracting the attention of the young muggle born and her parents. "Well done, although I must say that you are several hours early and the method of your arrival is highly unorthodox."
"I'm sorry?" the father blinked.
"Oh forgive me," Albus offered. "I am Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of this school. Perhaps we might retire to my office, it is, I believe, a better setting for this conversation."
The two muggles seemed to be taking their being in a magical castle really rather well once over the initial surprise; although Albus supposed it could be the adrenaline, and that shock would likely set in before too long. The young witch didn't seem to know where to look first on their way through the school. She had a thirst for knowledge that he admired and he happily answered all of her questions about the castle.
When they arrived at his office, Albus glanced at the list of in coming first years and found the name Granger, Hermione Jean, had appeared in the appropriate place amongst the Gs.
"Well, Mr and Mrs Granger, Miss Granger, once again, welcome to Hogwarts." He smiled as he sat behind his desk, indicating for them to sit on the three chairs that the castle had provided. The two muggles sat immediately, their daughter however, remained standing, her gaze fixed upon the rather inconveniently placed list of first years.
"Excuse me professor, but I think your list is wrong."
"What makes you say that my dear?" Albus asked, as he and the child both ignored the shamed exclamation from the girl's mother.
"Because its 1991, your list says '71."
"Actually Miss Granger, it is indeed 1971," Albus countered, picking up that morning's copy of the Daily Prophet as proof. "Do sit down child, I think it's time I heard your account of how you arrived in the castle grounds."
1971?
To say that Hermione Granger was surprised to find herself standing with her parents inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, twenty whole years earlier than she was supposed to be there was the understatement of the twentieth century. One second the car had been sitting in London traffic and the next it was in danger of being pulverized by a magic tree in a Scottish castle.
"There was this flying car that landed right in front of us," she reported feeling, guilt rising in her belly as she realized that she was the reason that they were two decades out of their own time. "I- I panicked and then we were here."
Dumbledore listened with patient interest, when she finished, he wore an understanding smile. "Well, that clears things up somewhat, Mr and Mrs Granger, you should be proud of your daughter, given the shear strength of her accidental magical outbursts I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up as one of the most powerful witches of all time."
"Of course we're proud of her," Mr Granger declared. "But we have lives in our own time, you can't simply expect us to abandon them and settle here in a time that my wife and I have already lived through!"
"Well Mr Granger," Professor Dumbledore returned, levelly. "What else can I suggest? Until we can find out if we can send you back to your own time I see no alternative."
The three Grangers stared at him in silence.
"I see no reason for young Hermione here not to join the other first years in their studies." he smiled. "And I shall of course see to it that you are comfortable until we find a way to send you home."
Hermione beamed, ecstatic at not being left behind with regard to her education. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you,"
He waved her thanks away. "Not at all Miss Granger, now I can only assume that the set books are different in the 1990s than they are now, as you are probably aware we have a trust fund for Muggle Borns to purchase their supplies."
Hermione nodded.
"And Miss Granger, as you are going to be joining us, how would you like to go and familiarize yourself with the castle? I have a matter to discuss with your parents."
Hermione looked to her parents, uncertain. Her father nodded encouragingly, and the clever little time traveller hurried from the office to go and explore the school.
"The staff will help her if she loses her way." Dumbledore told the two muggles, figuring it might be best not to mention the ghosts. "Now, I believe you will be needing a place to stay."
~V~
And that's about it for now, do hope you enjoyed it.
Next up we're back with Lily and Hazel, I'll try and have it ready faster than I had this one up. In the mean time my friends, why not leave me a review on the way out?