Chapter 2

She had meant them to leave her alone really. She wasn't planning on spending her entire day following them around Hogsmeade looking at Quidditch displays and browsing for sweets at Zonko's. So she'd used a technique that always seemed to work. She went into a store that held absolutely no interest for them, like the quill shop and spent as much time there as it took for them to get utterly bored and decide to leave her to it and go off on their own.

It's not that Hermione didn't enjoy the company of her two best friends, she really did, but sometimes a girl just needed time by herself. Once Harry and Ron had left her, ensuring she'd know where to find them, ("We'll be at Zonko's", Ron had shouted way too loudly from the doorway of the quiet little shop), she sent a further twenty minutes stocking up on more parchment and refilling her ink supplies.

She stepped out of the shop and peered down the street. Good, they've gone she thought. Now maybe she could start reading the book she'd purchased earlier on the art of Animagi while she waited for them in the Three Broomsticks.

She started rummaging in her packages while she walked, she couldn't wait to get started on her new book, when she walk straight into someone standing in the middle of the pavement. "Good grief, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there"

The girl who stood before her looked to be not much older than Hermione herself, yet she did not recognise her from Hogwarts. She was wearing a tight fitting jeans and a blue and white striped shirt. She was taller than Hermione, lean and thinner as well, with sleek black hair that curled slightly and big black eyes. She had a pale complexion, which seemed almost unnaturally pale at that moment. She wasn't traditionally pretty but there was something rather striking about her. What took Hermione most by surprise was the look of utter fear on her face. "Are you alri...?"

Hermione didn't get to finish as the girl before her started shaking her head viciously from side to side and spoke; "No, no, no, no, no, no...What...? How...?" the girl seemed at a loose for further words as she stared at Hermione.

Hermione was so confused by the girl's reaction she was tempted to turn her head to see if there wasn't a Death Eater standing behind her or something equally as frightening. She didn't know what she could have done to cause the girl to act this way.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she felt the need to clarify, "and you are?" The girl in front of her staggered a bit as if she were going to faint but answered nonetheless; "Sabina..."

Hermione reached out and grabbed Sabina's forearm to steady her and said in a worried voice; "Are you ill Sabina? Where do you live? I think you need to see a mediwitch. There's one just up there at our school," she pointed in the direction of the Hogwarts. "It's not far from here, where are your parents?"

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out and so Hermione started leading her towards the school. Sabina seemed too confused or too dumbfounded to speak and followed without resistance.

Hermione kept looking to her side, where the strange girl walked beside her, not bothering to ask any more questions. Sabina didn't seem in a state to answer them anyway.

As they reached the gates of Hogwarts, Hermione said; "We're almost there, I'll take you straight up to the infirmary."

Finally Sabina seemed to find her voice and responded; "No, I think I need to see the Headmistress."

"Headmistress? We don't have a headmistress at Hogwarts, we have a Headmaster. Professor Dumbledore. I could take you to him if you'd like."

"Yes...yes. Please." Sabina did not speak again as Hermione lead the way into the castle.

They didn't meet anyone on their way, as most of the students and teachers were still in Hogsmeade and the rest were probably in their common rooms. Hermione and Sabina walked silently through the corridors until they reached the stone gargoyles guarding the Headmaster's office and Hermione spoke the password.

The moved up the spiral staircase and Hermione knocked when they reached wooden door. "Enter," came the voice of the Headmaster, and Hermione stepped inside, followed, a little reluctantly she noted, by Sabina.

"Ah, Miss Granger, I thought you'd still be at Hogsmeade. Our Head Girl must be there to supervise as well."

"I was there Professor, but I've brought someone to see you."

Hermione looked over at the girl behind her, but seeing that Sabina didn't seem able to speak once again, she continued, "I bumped into to her in High Street, but she doesn't seem well Professor. She seemed frightened and panicked. I wanted to take her to the infirmary but she insisted on seeing you instead."

Dumbledore examined to girl over his half-moon spectacles thoughtfully, "Are you quite well, Miss...?"

Sabina didn't answer; she just simple stared at Dumbledore, tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"She says her name is Sabina," Hermione provided, her concern clearly heard in voice.

"Miss Granger, I think I can take it from here. Why don't you try and enjoy what's left of your day, perhaps go back to Hogsmeade. I'm sure Harry and Ron are waiting for you. I'll call for you if I need your further assistance."

Hermione didn't really want to go, her curiosity about the girl made her itch to find out what was going on. But she knew better than to argue with the Headmaster.

"Yes Professor. But I don't think I'll go back to Hogsmeade, if you don't mind. Ernie's there to supervise and they've only two hours left. I'll be in the library if you need me."

Dumbledore nodded his head and both he and Sabina watched as Hermione walked out of the office and closed the door behind her.

The Headmaster turned his attention back to the girl in front of him, who he noticed was still watching the closed door with a mixture of longing and confusion.

"Sabina is it?" he started. "Please have a seat. How can I be of assistance?"

Sabina walked towards the chair Dumbledore had indicated, sat down and promptly put her head in her hands.

"I don't know if you can help me professor. I don't understand how this could have happened" Her voice was muffled as she spoke.

"Let us start at the beginning shall where," said Dumbledore gentle, "Tell me, where are you from?"

Sabina looked up, the wet trail of her tears shined on her face. She looked straight into the Headmasters eyes and said as steadily as she could; "The twenty-first century, sir. 2015, to be exact."

Sabina was sure, from what she'd been told, that the sight before her was rare indeed. Albus Dumbledore stared at her, mouth almost agape with a shocked look in his eyes.

"Severus Snape?" he couldn't quite disguise the tremble in his voice. "Well, that certainly changes things. We were certain..."

He seemed to be speaking to himself until he looked up and saw the confusion in Sabina's face. He cleared his throat and quickly masked the expression he'd let slip when she had told him her name full name was Sabina Snape.

"So, tell me dear, how it is that you've managed to send yourself back in time? A time-turner perhaps?"

"No sir, I don't really know how I ended up here. One minute I'm in a cabinet in Borgin and Burkes and the next thing I know I'm here.

"Why were you in a cabinet? And in Borgin and Burkes of all places?' Dumbledore eyed her suspiciously, he wasn't yet sure what to make of her yet.

Sabina felt the change in his demeanour, but she was desperate for help and so she had to make him understand.

"Well sir, you see,"

She was interrupted when Dumbledore held up his hand and shook his head, a pensive look on his face. "I think, my dear, it would be best if you not tell me what happened. I know too much already."

"But sir, I need your help to get back. Please sir!"

"Yes, yes, I will try to help you but I must do so on blind faith. It's been my experience that sharing knowledge across time and space is not always a good idea. What little you have told me already changes quite a lot. Now, what to do? What to do?" He seemed to be talking to himself once again.

Sabina didn't know what to say. Dumbledore was a strange man indeed.

"Ah yes!" Sabina jumped as he abruptly stood from behind his desk and walked towards her.

"We'll simply send you back the way you came. Come dear, give me your hand."

"Sir?"

"We'll apparate there. Borgin and Burkes you said?"

"Yes sir, but...umm...well, I was in a bit of a dangerous situation when I climbed into the cabinet, if you send me back, will I reappear at the same moment?"

Now Dumbledore raised his eyebrow at her, his suspicions growing, "A dangerous situation?"

Sabina dropped her eyes from his, "Yes sir."

"I don't know what will happen. But I can not speculate without the necessary information. Let me examine this cabinet of yours and we can decide what to do from there, yes?'

'Yes sir.' She walked to Dumbledore's out stretched hand but stopped before taking it.

'Sir, I thought you can't apparate inside Hogwarts?'

'Well, being me has its privileges,' Dumbledore smiled indulgently.

Sabina couldn't help smiling back as she took the Headmasters hand and the felt the tug of apparition almost immediately. When she opened her eyes again they were standing just outside the door to Borgin and Burkes.

Dumbledore stepped up and opened the door, Sabina walking in behind him. She instantly recognised the old man once again standing behind the counter. She groaned inwardly, she'd forgotten about him

'Borgin.' Dumbledore greeted. Sabina noted his tone was significantly colder than it had been before.

'Dumbledore!' The old man almost shrieked more in surprise than in greeting and looked very anxious as he nervously swept his eyes around his shop as if looking to see if there was anything about that could get him in trouble.

'What can I do for you Dumbledore? It's been quite a while since you've visited my shop.'

'Yes well, since you haven't heeded my previous request to stock lemon drops, I'm afraid I have to do my shopping elsewhere.'

The old man gave a wan forced smile which abruptly faded as he spotted the girl standing behind Dumbledore.

'You!' he grimaced in anger as he stepped around his counter pointing a wrinkled stubby finger at Sabina.

Dumbledore turned to regard her once again with a suspicious look, 'You've met?'

'One of your students, Dumbledore? I should have known. Sneaking in here, stealing from me!'

'I didn't steal anything!' Sabina looked imploringly up at Dumbledore. 'Sir, the cabinet was at the back in the storeroom. When I tried to leave the store this man saw me.'

"Lair, you were up to something I know it...Wait, what cabinet?'

'I would like to see your storeroom Mr. Borgin. This young lady is in need of help and the answer might be in there.'

'You will not set a foot in that room. That's my private business, that is.' Borgin turned red with rage.

Dumbledore raised himself to his fullest height and seemed to become even more imposing in front of their very eyes. Borgin cringed and took a few steps back, looking fearful.

'Mr. Borgin, I have informed you that this young lady is in need of help. She has told you that she has not stolen from you and I happen to believe her. Due to an unfortunate incident she ended up in your storeroom this morning, neither she nor I fully explain it. If you will allow me into your storeroom now we might be able to come up with some answers. If not, I'll have to seek the assistance of the Ministry in the matter. I'm sure they'll be able to send a few Aurors right away.'

'Aurors?' Borgin looked wildly around his shop again. He cleared his throat and said, 'Now, now needn't bother the Ministry with this sort of thing when we're all quite capable of solving this problem ourselves.' He cleared his throat again, 'yes, let me show you the way.'

He gestured with his hand toward the heavy curtain that hung on the wall to the side of the counter allowing Dumbledore to precede him inside. Before Sabina could follow in after him, Borgin narrowed his eyes and threw her a baleful look.

Sabina pushed the curtain aside and entered the storeroom looking around immediately.

'Right my dear, point me to the cabinet.'

Sabina had already been looking for it though and noticed at once that it was not where it had previously been. She looked around frantically.

'Sabina?' Dumbledore's concern piqued at the girls frightened expression.

Sabina started moving about the room, moving boxes out of her way; she even started to open some of the bigger ones to look inside.

'Now see here,' Borgin voice was indignant as he spoke, 'you can't go around manhandling my merchandise like that. Dumbledore, what is all this about?'

'Just a moment Borgin. Sabina what's going on? Where is the cabinet?'

Sabina spun on her heels having now looked through every inch of the small storeroom. She turned tearful eyes on Dumbledore, which then hardened instantly as she looked towards Borgin. She moved menacingly towards him, wand raised.

'Where is it? What have you done with it?'

Borgin was so taken aback by the anguish in her voice that he faltered and looked up to Dumbledore in confusion.

'Mr Borgin, we are looking for the cabinet that was in this room this morning.'

'Cabinet what cabinet? I don't remember having any cabinet in here. There's one out in the shop proper, but I haven't moved it in years.'

'His lying!' Sabina cried, not able to hold back any longer.

Dumbledore stepped towards her and put a hand on her shoulder, speaking in a calming voice, 'Now dear, let us not jump to conclusions. Why don't you explain to us how the cabinet looked?'

Sabina tried to compose herself and took in a shuddering breath before she attempted to speak. She looked at Dumbledore instead of Borgin so as not to be tempted to hex him.

'It was about this height,' she held her hand above the floor at hip level, 'and it was made of a brown wood with patterns carved in it. There was a snake on the door, in a darker wood, with black shiny eyes...' she faltered a bit as she remembered the blinking eyes and what that had meant to her. 'And the handle was in the shape of a snake too.'

Dumbledore looked at Sabina thoughtfully. The description sent off warning bells and he could tell Sabina wasn't telling them the whole truth.

'I've never seen a cabinet like that before. Never. It does sound interesting though' Borgin's interest was piqued by the description as well and in his experience it sounded like exactly the kind of cabinet he would have in his shop.

Sabina finally looked at Borgin and even though she didn't want to admit it, she could tell he was not lying. She turned her eyes back to Dumbledore, not sure what to do now.

'I am sorry to have wasted your time Mr. Borgin. Obviously what we seek is not in your possession. Thank you for allowing us to look around.'

'Wait, you can't just leave like that without telling me what all this was about.' Borgin seethed.

'Oh, I'm afraid we can and we will. It's a very delicate matter you see and if you do not know about the cabinet you cannot help us. However, if you do come across anything resembling Sabina's description, do contact me and I may be inclined to tell you more. Good day, Mr. Borgin.'

Sabina didn't even bother to look back at the old man as she followed Dumbledore out of the storeroom and then out of the shop itself. She was too devastated. Once in the Knockturn Alley, she looked at Dumbledore with shiny eyes, 'What now sir?'

'Now we return to Hogwarts dear, we can discuss it further there.'

Dumbledore reached up and tentatively took her upper arm in his hand and disapparated.