The next morning saw the trio hustling from the Gryffindor tower to the great hall eager to get on with their day. It took immense control on both Harry's and Hermione's part to be jovial with Ron as well as Ginny when she appeared.
"Hey guys! What are the plans for Hogsmeade today?" Ginny asked between bites.
"Not sure there really is a plan. It's more of a let's go and just relax and have fun kind of day." Harry responded. Hermione's head bobbed in agreement. They all focused on Ron. After several minutes of silence, he finally paused in his food shoveling to acknowledge the others.
"Uh...I'm down with whatever you three decided but I do request lunch at some point." The others rolled their eyes at him.
The group quickly finished up breakfast with Ron grabbing a few "snacks" for later and made their way to Hogsmeade.
After several hours, Hermione nudged Harry. With a slight indication of her head towards the bookstore, Harry understood the plan. "Hey guys! Let's head to the bookstore." She intoned. This was met with groans.
"The bookstore?"
"Okay well how about I meet you guys at Zonko's in about an hour then?" Both Ron and Ginny's heads bobbed.
"Actually I'm gonna go with Hermione. I want to check out their selection on mind arts. See if I can get some control over these visions." Harry explained. The red headed pair shrugged and headed in the other direction. With a small smile, Hermione pulled Harry to the bookstore. "Mia, I thought that was just a ploy to get away from the dynamic duo there."
"It was but it's also part of the plan. We need an excuse for later. Come on." Opening the door she pushed him inside. "Hello Dana!" She called to the clerk.
"Good afternoon Mia. You're order is in."
"Great! Can you hold it while we" a small cough, "or at least I peruse the shelves?" At Dana's agreement, Hermione walked to the back section of the store. Harry followed while scanning the shelf beside him.
"Here Harry hold these please." She thrust several books into his hands. He glanced down and noticed several wizarding etiquette and custom books. This was then followed by several potion books.
Before he could question her, a familiar voice rang out from behind them. "Is there something in this bookstore you actually haven't read Miss Granger?" Harry's head whipped around to stare at the potions master.
"Sev!" With a small cry, Hermione spun around and threw her arms around Severus. Harry's eyes widened at the site of the greasy bat of the dungeons voluntarily hugging the "know-it-all."
"I think you've broken Potter, my dear."
Mia giggled. "Harry. Harry. HARRY!" She snapped her fingers in his face bringing him back to attention.
"That was a little too weird. I know what you told me but it's going to take a bit for me to adjust. Sorry."
Releasing the professor, Mia stepped back. "Harry's agreed to go to Gringotts, Sev."
"Great," was the sarcastic response. "Detention Mr. Potter and Miss Granger. Tonight after dinner with me. Twenty five points each from Gryffindor for cheek!" With a swirl of his robes, he stormed out of the bookstore. Mia quickly grabbed Harry and winked at him to calm him down.
Leaning in closely she whispered in his ear, "We needed a cover to get away from Ron and Ginny. This is perfect and gives all three of us an excuse." Pulling back she spoke "Okay Harry I guess lets go. Professor Snape ruined my trip." She pulled him to the counter where she paid for her order and the additional books.
With twin groans of agony the couple then headed off to Zonko's to finish the act.
Harry and Hermione struggled to get through the day nonchalantly. Both tempers simmering just below the surface as Ron and Ginny prattled on. Finally, the couple was able to evade the red headed duo at the end of dinner claiming detention with Snape in the dungeons.
The closer to Snape's domain they walked, the more agitated Harry became. Taking Harry by surprise, Hermione shoved him against the cold, hard stone wall in the shadows. The wall's unforgiving nature was a huge contrast to the soft feminine curves pressed against him.
"Harry you need to settle down. Sev is not going to hurt you. He actually might just surprise you." With a quick brush of her lips upon his, she stepped back and proceeded to pull him the few remaining steps to their destination.
Hermione softly knocked on the classroom door. After being granted entry, she pushed the door open and the pair slipped inside.
"Close the door please, Potter." A silky voice commanded.
Having obeyed, Harry followed Hermione through a door in the rear of the classroom. "About ready to go Sev?"
"Just about. Wearing school uniforms?" He snarked.
"Oops!" Mia reached into her bag and pulled several articles of clothing out. Handing a few to Harry, she took the remaining pieces and disappeared through another door. Harry stared at her retreating back dumbfounded.
"Going to change?"
Casting a quick glance towards the professor, Harry was relieved to see him engrossed in the brewing of a potion. With a quick flick of his wrist, Harry spelled the new clothing onto his body leaving the others folded neatly on a nearby chair.
Finishing up the potion, Severus approached Harry accessing his attire. "Here let me adjust that."
Waving his wand just slightly, Severus gave the black pants and blue shirt a more tailored fitted look to compliment Harry's lithe frame. Scanning Harry's appearance with a critical eye, he then summoned the boy's school robes. With a bit of transfiguration, the robe quickly became a floor length black leather duster. He held it out to Harry.
"Thank you sir." An awkward silence fell as the pair waited for Hermione to arrive.
"Okay guys. I'm ready." She exclaimed as she sauntered back into the lab. She had exchanged her school uniform for a pair of black dragonhide pants and boots, white lace shirt, and a snug black button up vest. Reaching the men, she withdrew the gold time turner from beneath her blouse.
"Six times Sev?"
He nodded his head in agreement. Grabbing Harry's arm, Hermione pressed her body against Severus' while pulling Harry flush to her. Looping the chain around all of their heads, she then proceeded to turn the contraption the required six revolutions and the trio was enveloped in darkness.
"What time is?"
"Approximately six in the morning. Follow me." Severus led the two over to a portrait of Salazar Slytherin. "Aconite." The portrait opened. "We can use my floo to get to the bank."
"What about your past self Sev?"
"I've already left this morning for the Forbidden Forest to gather fresh potion ingrediants. Now let us go." Reaching the floo, Hermione went first followed by Harry and then Severus.