AN: Here is the first official chapter, the next one will from the point of view of Remus.
Disclaimer: I own only my thoughts.
Chapter 1
Hermione's head pounded and for a moment she forget everything that had happened. The ground beneath her was cold and hard and her body ached all over. Slowly, she rolled over onto her side, keeping her eyes shut, not wanting to see the carnage that had happened while she was out. Something seemed off though. There were no sounds around her, no signs at all of a war going on. It was silent. What could this mean? Was the war over? Surely she hadn't been out for that long. Nothing was making any sense.
Nervously, she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was still in the Hogwarts Courtyard, only, it was far from how she'd last seen it. Gone were the ruined walls, gone were the dead, and gone was any trace that a war had ever taken place here. The confusion that was racing through Hermione's head grew; it looked as it had before, back when all she had to worry about were her classes. What was stranger though, was that there was no one to be seen.
Perhaps it was a dream... Or maybe she was dead and this was what the afterlife was like. No, that couldn't be it. This all felt far too real, and if she were dead she wouldn't be be feeling this much pain.
With hesitance, Hermione began to get up. Each sound she made echoed through the Courtyard, giving the place a very eerie feel to it. Glancing around, she noticed that while it did all look like the Hogwarts she knew, there was something different about it, as if it were somehow slightly less ancient. Dusting herself off, she wondered what she should do now. She could try exploring the familiar castle, but there was a good chance the rest of the school could be as it was here; deserted.
Hermione was saved from the decision of what to do when suddenly someone exited the castle in a hurried manner. Instinctively, Hermione's hand closed around her wand, pulling it out so it would be ready for use by her side. Whoever it was though, they didn't seem like a threat. The girl that excited looked about the same age as Hermione, she wore a Gryffindor scarf around her neck and Gryffindor robes. She had light olive toned skin, curly brown hair, and dark brown eyes. Hermione had never seen her before in her life, which was odd since they were seemingly in the same house.
The girl stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of Hermione. For a moment, she just stared at her, a confused but intrigued look upon her face. Hermione stared back at the girl, uncomfortable with the eyes on her. The look on the girl's face then melted away to one of concern and she stepped closer to where Hermione stood.
"Are you alright? You look hurt, and confused. What's wrong." The words seemed to speed out of her mouth like a bee zooming from one flower to the next. Hermione wasn't positive she'd even caught all of what she said. The girl's were scanning Hermione for any serious injuries now.
Hermione just stared at her blankly, more confused than ever. The only words she could muster were, "Who are you?"
Arching a brow at Hermione's reaction and the fact that she had dismissed her questions, the stranger took a moment to wonder what could have possibly happened to Hermione. "I'm Mary. Mary Macdonald. Now, if you don't mind me asking, who are you? I've never seen you before and you look like you've been in the middle of a war or something. Also, what's with the clothes, I've never seen anyone wear anything like that, not even in the muggle world." Again, the words came out of her mouth at a rapid pace. This girl certainly had a lot of energy.
Hermione was a bit taken aback by Mary's comments and questions. She glanced down at the simple jeans and slightly fitted sleeve shirt she was wearing and wondered what could be out of the ordinary about them. Glancing back up, she noted how the girl had been dead on about the war though, granted, she probably did not think Hermione had actually been in one. This was all just too strange
Suddenly, a memory from the war came rushing back to her. It was of Bellatrix, and the spell, the one that had hit the- The Time Turner! Hermione's hand shot up to where it hung from her neck, only to find that it was now broken and disfigured. It couldn't be…
"What year is it?" Hermione asked with extreme urgency.
"Wow, you really don't like answering questions do you?" Mary said with an uncomfortable chuckle. "Uhm, it's 1976." She was clearly confused to how the stranger in front of her could have forgotten the year. "September 10th to be precise."
Eyes wide, Hermione was freaking out. 1976! How could that be possible? She'd never heard of someone getting sent that far back in time, especially not with such a small powered time turner. Oh goodness. This was a disaster. She had to get back, but how? Dumbledore! Of course! He was still headmaster in this time, maybe he would have some sort of idea on how to get her home.
Upon realizing that the girl was still waiting for a response, her large eyes peering curiously at Hermione. "Oh, sorry. I just, I was a bit confused." She told Mary, trying to keep a calm demeanor. "I'm-" Perhaps giving her whole real name might not be the wisest plan, it could have some effect on her future. "My name is Hermione Green. I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore now, but uhm, it was nice to meet you. Thank you."
"Woah, I can't just let you go by yourself, especially not in the state you're in. I'll show you the way." Mary said, her face quickly shifting to a reassuring smile.
"Oh no, you really don't have to do that. I don't want to take you away from whatever it was you were going to do before finding me." Hermione recalled that the had seemed to be in a rush when she had first seen her.
Mary just gave her another smile, "I insist. Come on." With that, she began leading the way to the Headmasters office, which Hermione knew by heart anyways. "Besides, I was just heading over to the owlery to send something while everyone else was finishing up supper. I can send it afterwards."
As they walked through the castle, Hermione couldn't help but smile a little at the memories that came back to her. Her classes, spending time with Harry and Ron… Ron. At the thought of him tears welled up in her eyes. He was gone now in her time, and so might Harry. Everything was gone in the future.
Mary seemed to notice Hermione's distress because she asked, "Are you alright, Hermione?" Once again, this girl held concern for someone she barely knew. Hermione could tell she was very compassionate, and friendly too.
"Yes, of course." Hermione replied, putting on a fake smile. Luckily, before Mary could ask anything more they were interrupted by a swarm of students walking through the corridors. Supper must be over. As they walked up to the Headmaster's office, every passing eye was on the girl with strange clothing who was covered in cuts and dirt. Hermione fiddled with her sleeves nervously, but she kept her head held high the entire way there.
Finally they reached the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office and Mary spoke the password, "Lemon Drops." The statue sprang to life, revealing a staircase. The two girls began the climb and soon that were at the door, where Mary knocked softly. A familiar voice from inside said, "Come in."
When the door swung open, Hermione caught sight of the Headmaster that was no longer alive in her present. She smiled; he may have looked a bit younger, but he was still Dumbledore.
"Miss Macdonald." Dumbledore said, nodding his head to the brunette. "And who might this be?" The signature twinkle in his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Hermione with curiosity.
"I'm Hermione Green, and I was wishing to talk to you sir." Hermione said.
"Very well," He said softly. "Miss Macdonald thank you for showing our guest the way, but I have a feeling the matters she wishes to discuss should be kept between the two of us.
Mary gave a nod before turning to Hermione and smiling. "It was nice to meet you, Hermione." After Hermione sent her a smile back, Mary turned and left the way that they had come.
Hermione turned back to Dumbledore, "I'm afraid I've got a rather large problem."
Dumbledore gestured for her to sit down in the chair across from him and said, "Please Miss Green, elaborate."
She first showed him the Time Turner, then proceeded to delve into the tale of how they had been at war with Voldemort here at Hogwarts. She told him where she was from and that her name was really Hermione Granger. He listened silently as she told him about Harry, and how he needed to defeat Voldemort. Then finally, she told him of how she had been dueling with a death eater and how their spell had hit the time turner.
"I know it all must seems impossible, but I'm telling the truth, I promise you that," She finished.
"I know you are Hermione, and I believe every word of it." Dumbledore said, the expression on his face was grave after hearing of the war. "It would be best though, if you refrained from telling me much more of the future. It can be dangerous to know what lies ahead. Unfortunately, at the moment I do not foresee an immediate solution to the problem of getting you back home, but I assure you that I will do everything in my power to help you. For the time being though, you can pick up your schooling here in this time. It will be an adjustment, but I think It would be the best thing to do at this point."
Hermione took in a deep breath to calm herself; it was all a lot to comprehend. She didn't know what would happen if she could not return home. She couldn't just live in the past, she would be at risk of changing her past, or her future. It was all so complicated to think about. "Alright." She sighed, "I was in Gryffindor, and I suppose I would be in my seventh year."
"Very well. I will have a bed and some things for you arranged in the Gryffindor seventh year girls dorm. There are already five of them, Mary being one of them, but with a bit of tweaking, the room shall accommodate six." He said softly to her, it was nice to have his familiar face before her in the midst of all this madness. "Why don't you go up to your dorm now and get settled. The password is 'Dormiens.' Everything shall be set up by the time you get there, including a set of clothing, new books, and everything else you will require for your schooling. Your class schedule will be given to you tomorrow morning at breakfast"
"Yes Professor." Hermione nodded as she got up to leave. "Thank you for your help."
"Oh, and Miss Granger.." Dumbledore said.
"Yes?" Hermione asked, turning around to look at him once more.
"It would be best if you continued to go by the name 'Green'. Come and see me tomorrow evening after supper so that we can discuss things further. Goodnight, Miss Green."
Hermione simply nodded again with a meek smile before leaving the office. Her head was still swamped with the events of the day, and as she thought of it all, she managed to find her way to the portrait hole without even thinking of where she was going. Taking a deep breath, she uttered the password Dumbledore had given her and stepped inside as the Portrait swung open.