A Tick In Time
Chapter 3 – Conversations with the Dead
A/N: Hey guys hope you like the story. Just a little break before more drama. R&R please and thank you
The professors had flooed back to Hogwarts to check on things and everyone was in the kitchen making lunch except Hermione who stood by the bay window looking out over the beautiful scenery of the village. She had in her hand a photograph she was going to show everyone of Harry, Ron, and herself right after the Quidditch match. She had watched Lily and the marauders and it made her ache for her own boys so much. She missed them and no matter what she may have said to them when she left she hoped to god that they would get their friendship in the new timeline. Just then Lily came up behind Hermione and tapped her shoulder,
"Hey, lunch is ready if you're hungry. Mya what's wrong?" Lily just realised the girl had tears in her eyes.
"This," Hermione handed Lily the photo. Lily looked and immediately recognized her son who was a carbon copy of James especially with his Quidditch robes on with a red-haired boy on the left and girl with curly hair on the right.
"So this is you three?" Lily smiled a little.
"Yes. Right after the Quidditch match I was telling you about. I was going to show after the professors left but I needed a moment. I just miss them so much." Fresh tears came down Hermione's cheeks and she gave Lily a watery smile, "Seeing you with James, Sirius, and Remus really reminds of all the times I was like that with them. I just hope our friendship survives this."
"Why wouldn't it?" Lily frowned, thinking that something could destroy the wonderful friendship.
Hermione flicked away her tears, "Professor McGonagall could only assure us that no deaths or serious negative consequences will come of this however things like our friendship are up in the air. What is meant to happen will happen. If I succeed, I won't even remember this excursion. You, the marauders, and the professors will be the only ones who know and you can't do much for that."
"We can make sure you're at least acquainted with one another." Lily said confidently. Like hell she was going to let true friends like these get torn apart for the war.
"I guess…" said Hermione quietly. For the first time letting her fears come out. She didn't want to lose what she had with Harry and Ron.
"Look Hermione," Lily tilted the girl's face to meet her square in the eye, "You need to have faith that your friendship and your love. Things will work out only if you believe they will." Hermione nodded and hugged Lily. Lily wrapped her arms gently around the young girl who was prepared to give up her world as she knew it for the safety and happiness of others. She vividly recalled being in similar position with Professor McGonagall when she had to go on mission without James. McGonagall had held her and said, 'Even the strongest of us need to lean on something sometime because it helps to strengthen our wills.'
"What's going on in here?" Remus walked into the room as the two women broke apart.
"Nothing Remus, just a little heart to heart," Lily beamed and held the picture for the werewolf to see, "look what Mya showed me."
"Is this you guys?" Remus looked happily at the portrait. "Mya you were adorable," he teased.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Anything in particular you needed Remus?"
"Actually I came looking for you and Lily, James and Sirius are too busy stuffing their faces."
It was Lily's turn to roll her eyes, "Typical. Come on Mya before there is no food left and believe me it's happened before."
"Um Lily, I was hoping to freshen up a little before I eat. Do you mind if I use your bathroom?"
"Of course. In fact where are you staying?"
Hermione hadn't thought of that. "Oh. Well I guess I haven't really given it much thought…I could-"
"Stay with us." Lily finished her sentence with a look that said 'you dare not argue'.
Hermione had to try, "I don't want to impose on you."
"It's fine Mya. It would make more sense for you to stay considering what you have to do. The less people that know you're here the better no?"
Hermione sighed defeated, "You're right; I'll go grab my stuff." She snatched up her beaded bag and at the questioning stares from Lily and Remus she winked and added, "Undetectable Extension Charm."
"Nice," they said together.
Lily showed Hermione to the staircase. "The guest bedroom is the last door on your left hand side. Right across from the nursery. It has a bathroom attached and a dresser you can put your things in. Take your time and get comfortable; I'll save you a plate from the feeding frenzy." Lily left with smile and a gentle pat on the shoulder. Hermione made her way to the room and stopped in front of the nursery. Trying not to think about who was going to be here in just a few short months she took a couple tentative steps in and looked around. The nursery was a beautiful cross between muggle and wizard. There was an old-fashioned jack-in-the-box on a shelf on a shelf next to a set of live toy soldiers. The mobile was quidditch themed with Snitchs yet there was a star night light plugged into the wall. Hermione left the room as quietly as she had come.
Feeling refreshed from her shower and having a change of clothes on her back, Hermione came down the stairs to see everyone cooing over the picture from the Quidditch.
"Looks like Mya was right, Harry was midget just like his dad." Sirius was saying.
"OI! You've cracked enough jokes about my genetics at my expense; you don't need to start on my son as well."
"I still can't get over it," said Remus, "He looks EXACTLY like James except for the eyes, he has -"
"Lily's eyes." Hermione finished as she strolled into the living room. "You have no idea how often Harry has heard that. Hagrid was the first and it hasn't stopped and he's 17 in my world."
"He isn't tired of yet?" Lily asked.
"Tired hearing about his parents and how he is like them? Never. Tired of hearing the same comment over and over again? Gods yes."
"The professors should be back in half an hour. Just enough time for a little Q&A with our little time traveller." Sirius leant forward with a mischievous look on his face.
"Depends on what you want to know," Hermione warily responded.
"So earlier you mentioned this Ginny girl…perhaps you would oblige in being a little more enlightening?" James asked lightly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You'll get to find out everything in time but Ginny is Ron's younger sister and before you ask yes she is a redhead."
Sirius whistled, "His best mate's sister, gutsy move there."
"She is a redhead," said James as if that closed the issue. He was drinking some lemonade when he heard Lily call out,
"James darling I'm thinking of going bleach blonde like Malfoy's and -"
"WHAT!" He spat out his drink and hiccoughed only to see his wife and best friends dying of laughter. "Lily you know I love you no matter what your hair colour but please don't give me a heart attack like that."
"Awww sweetie," Lily got up to sit on James's chair arm and dropped a kiss on his head. "The heart attack will come if I actually do it." James stared horror struck at Lily as the whole room tried to stifle their chuckles.
"Ok I've got a question," said Remus.
"What is it?" asked Hermione still in a buoyant mood.
"I'm not sure I want to know but I have to ask anyway. How bad is the second war?"
The happiness ebbed from Hermione. The question has sharply reminded her of her purpose here. "Terrible. In many ways worse than now. The only thing we had on our side was an early warning but then the ministry wasn't cooperating with us which only helped the dark side. In short it was nightmare that many of us would not be sorry at all to forget."
Everyone turned solemn at the news. Lily said quietly, "At least we can avoid it. It doesn't need to happen or happen that way otherwise you wouldn't be here right?"
"Yes. I cannot guarantee a stop to the second war but we can help better the circumstances if nothing else."
"Well that's something," murmured Sirius. Just then the fire blazed green and the Professors stepped out. Everyone roused themselves to listen to the story and Remus got his quill and parchment. They were ready to begin again.