Disclaimer: Definitely not Ours ;)

Chapter 22

Doubts

"But Acromantulas cannot cause death by senses, sir. There has to be contact!" Hermione was struggling to keep pace with Dumbledore, who had just arrived hours earlier, and was on his way to the Headmaster's office.

"Yes, I've consulted with Madam Pomfrey. She shares your analysis as well."

"Then, he will be pardoned, won't he sir?"

"It is not that easy, not that the Ministry's stuck their heads into this."

"But I can vouch for him! I was there; I saw the Acromantula jump out the window!"

"My dear girl… If the ministry were as thorough as you think they are, there would've been far greater empty cells at Azkaban."

"Sir, he's innocent." The firmness in Hermione's eyes made Dumbledore stop abruptly.

"Fear not, Ms. Sparks. I shall try my best." He patted on her shoulder and continued up the stairs. Nearly at the top of the stairs, he was greeted by Tom Riddle; apparently he'd been waiting there for a long time.

"Good morning, Professor."

Dumbledore gave him a piercing look.

"Is there something you wish to say, Tom?"

Riddle looked down, and opened his mouth to say something, then thought better and moved back.

"No, sir" He said nonchalantly.

"Very well" Dumbledore turned and continued up through the right staircase. Riddle turned his head at Hermione, smirked and walked towards the left staircase.

Hermione let out a sigh and wilted down to the foot of the stairs, where Harry was seated. She sat down next to him. Though he was sitting next to her, he seemed distant. So, she thought it was better to communicate telepathically.

Hey?

They're going to punish Hagrid, aren't they?

No, they're not. Dumbledore knows. He'll convince them.

Why couldn't I stop her from dying?

Hermione's face tensed. He's been like this for two days now. Sad, droopy, distant - ever since she'd found him in the washroom.

She had made an excuse of not wanting to get into anymore trouble to wriggle out of the sight of Tom Riddle from the hospital wing, and had bolted for the Ravenclaw common room. By the time she'd arrived, the storm was over and the casualties were on the floor. Myrtle lay on the side of the washroom motionless, and Harry was sitting right next to her, leaning on the wall, mourning the fallen Myrtle. She had never seen Harry so defeated, not even when Sirius had died. There was anger, there was resentment but this? Harry's eyes were hollow and an emotional reading made her realize he had sunken into depression.

Hermione was quick to read the situation; she had to get Harry away, before anyone came about. It was a Herculean task, Harry was impassive. She had to use her power of empathy on him, to send waves of calm and reassurance to his core that helped to make him responsive, but it unfortunately made his mourning vocal. He kept muttering 'Why? Why?' the whole way through. She was deathly tired by the time she'd dropped him off in the dungeons, in the Slytherin common rooms. She had disillusioned herself and accompanied him inside, praying to all Gods and more, in order to safely make it inside. Her journey back to the dorms was all a hazy blur, the only thing she vividly remembered was the softness of the bed that night.

The next day was no better, the whole school learned of the murder of Myrtle. Shocked and scared faces were all around during the morning hours. Everywhere she turned, people were mumbling. Nobody really mourned Myrtle; there was a general sense of fear, more than sorrow in the air. As the day progressed, the castle grew emptier; a few families had rushed in to take their children home, and most of the others chose to stay in the dorms rather than to venture out – safety in numbers, they must have thought. There was even talk of closing the school, since it was 'too dangerous' for the students now. Hermione had seen a few Aurors from the ministry making a beeline for the Headmaster's office. She had seen neither Riddle nor Harry.

Hermione wanted to search for Riddle, but a couple of attempts were futile. Although she was sure that the news of the school being closed due to the murder would keep him from unleashing the beast again, the real reason for her giving up was because of the absence of Harry by her side. It turned out that she was more worried about Harry than finding Riddle. She tried communicating with Harry many times. At times, there was nothing, just blank. It was not as if Harry had put his occlumency shield on – she'd have known if that was the case – but his mind was actually blank, nothing was going on. On a few other occasions, as soon as she concentrated, her mind was overcome with noises, a thousand words spoken at the same time, by the same voice. It hurt her head so bad that she had to close her occlumency shields right away. She had spent most of her day just sifting through the pages of her textbooks; yes, she studied when she was anxious and even had to chat with Harold and Septimus, to keep at the very least a semblance of everything being normal.

It was during breakfast next day that Hermione finally saw Harry again; he was at the Slytherin table and seemed to be eating well. But, it was only when she approached him that she saw he was only a ghost of himself. He was present physically, but seemed to be in multiple places psychologically. She had also learned from Septimus that Riddle had again framed Hagrid for Myrtle's murder, as the corridor to the Ravenclaw common room was running directly below the corridor from which Aragog jumped. He was able to construct a clever story with this fact as the lynchpin. So, when she heard that Dumbledore was returning after his journey – the breakfast table was the place where all sorts of news fluttered about – she grabbed Harry and rushed to see him.

Why has nothing changed? She was broken from her own recollections by this firm voice in her head. Harry was looking straight at her.

What was that?

Why has nothing changed, Mia? His thoughts had such a sharp tone and he was looking at her with such ferocity that she felt at any moment she would be incinerated by them.

They have changed, Harry. Look at where we are…

Not that. We were supposed to change how things were. We were supposed to be the change… Harry's sorrow was being slowly converted to rage and Hermione could feel it.

We are, Harry. We are here to stop Riddle. It will not be accomplished overnight; we are trying ta…

Trying? Harry cut in.

Yes, we are, Mia. But that's all. Despite all our efforts, Riddle's still managed to unleash the basilisk. Despite all your efforts, Aragog still ends up in the forbidden forest and despite all my efforts, Myrtle… He suddenly looked away and then looked down.

… Still ends up murdered. Hermione could find no suitable reply. She had to face the facts, and the fact was that Harry was right. They had caused not much of a change.

Maybe the timeline cannot be changed, Mia. Harry said in a resigned tone. Hermione could feel it. It was the same when she had looked in his mind earlier. Emotions were cycling through his mind, it was utter chaos. Sorrow – Anger – Regret – Contempt. All these she had sensed yesterday. Now, he was going through those motions again.

Maybe we were fools to try this. To go against nature. Maybe it would've been better to face Voldemort in our time. It would've been easier… Harry cracked up again. … Easier than battling the flow of time itself. His head slunk down.

Hermione thought of retaliating, but it was better to leave him be. Though, he did have a point. Were they fools to have tried this? Is the past really unchangeable? She had considered the possibility earlier on. Two years ago, when she and Harry had used the time-turner, they were able to change the past – in a way. But, it turned out that they were really only the causes of the events that had already occurred on the timeline. For instance, when Harry had cast a patronus by the lakeshore, the past Harry had seen it and assumed it to be his dad. But only when he'd travelled back did he realize that it was he himself, thus being a cause to an action that had already occurred. In such a case, it would imply that the past, in a sense, was really unchangeable.

It's called the Novikov self-consistency principle; she had shared her concerns with Severus. She went further to ask him if this really applied to this world, wouldn't it mean that the journey that they were to embark on really pointless? To that, Severus had smiled and said we're not using the time turner, are we?

Her thread of thoughts was suddenly splintered by steps approaching from the top. She turned round to see Dumbledore approaching. Both Harry and Hermione stood up. Hermione looked at him with hopeful eyes, while Harry was content on looking at the portraits on the wall. Dumbledore stopped in front of Hermione.

"I'm afraid all has not gone as well as I'd hoped."

"What's happened sir?"

"Hagrid has been expelled."

"But, sir…" Hermione burst out. Dumbledore raised him palm. Hermione cut-off her words in acknowledgement.

"However, all is not lost. The ministry has agreed not to imprison him."

Hermione was almost too afraid to ask, but she let out, "What'll happen to him then?"

"He'll be under the supervision of the school authorities. We've decided to appoint him as the Gamekeeper of Hogwarts."

Hermione sighed, just what I expected.

Harry let out a short, sarcastic laugh. Nothing… Has changed…

She stirred awake when the clock started gonging three. Blinking her eyes to clear the hazy vision she looked around. The common room was empty. Well, it is three in the morning, you moron! She sighed. Sometimes she hated her conscience. It behaved as if it had a life of its own. Arching her back to relieve the kinks, she slowly stood up. The fire had sizzled out, leaving burning embers behind. She walked towards the window that looked out into the Quidditch Pitch and flung it open with a wave of her hands. A cold, harsh draft blew in bringing with it the smell of fresh pine. She breathed in deeply and then, smiled wistfully. Christmas was near. Away from family, away from friends, away from all that warmth, so very far from her own world. For what? Harry had been ignoring her for the past few days. Not too obviously that her other friends had noticed, but enough so that she felt his absence keenly.

Hermione didn't blame him. She couldn't provide the answers he needed like she always did. He wanted to vent and was frustrated that he couldn't. He had to know she was trying and that's the mantra that kept her going. She had been scouring everything she could on time travel and changing the past. None had given the definitive answers she needed, yet. Finally she had turned to Salazar's journals hoping to find something of worth. Though only two remained, she still held out some hope.

Hermione decided to take a quick trip to the Lake side. The walk would clear her mind. Summoning the Marauder's Map they had created after their arrival in the past, she quickly found the way that could lead her out of the doors with none the wiser. Disillusioning herself, she opened the door. Fat Lady was startled awake and was looking ready to be furious. She smirked and hurriedly walked away. On reaching the entrance, she looked around and making sure no one was present, changed in to her animagus form. It was a joy to run on her four legs and it cleared her thoughts like nothing else. Being a fox, her mind was equipped to separate human emotions and rationally look at things. She started cataloguing everything that happened after their arrival.

Suddenly she yipped. Someone had caught her tail. Furious, she snarled and turned to give the culprit a well-deserved bite, but was waylaid when she realized the person looking down at her and grinning was Hagrid.

"Hiyya beauty, what ar' yer doin' out 'f tha forest? I didn' kno' ther wer foxes in ther'."

She looked at him curiously, wondering what he will do.

"Well. aren't yer cold in this weather? Yer shoul' be c somewher warm, not wanderin aroun'… Yer look small. Wher's yer mama, I wonder."

Hermione was startled when Hagrid brought his wand out of the holster. She had thought it was confiscated by the ministry, like in her timeline. Seeing her gaze at the wand with trepidation, or so he thought, he grinned and continued his monologue.

"Ah… a beauty ain't she? I was 'fraid 'f loosin' her, bu' Prof. Dumbledor' convinced them he'd take complete responsibility if anythin' bad happen'd from my part. Great man, Dumbledore." Hermione yipped happily.

"Now…now I ain't goin' to hurt yer, dearie. Yer'r too tame fo' the wild anyway. Here." He cast a mild warming charm on her, which made her purr like a cat. Hagrid laughed.

"Seems like yer like it, being here. I do too. The classes wer' difficult for me. Now, I get to have a home and still be in the castle."

After patting her a few more times, he released her. She ran circles around him, making him laugh and then ran away. It was already five by the time she reached the common room. She felt invigorated and hopeful; feelings that had been sorely missing. After taking a seat in the armchair that she had always favored, she decided to check on Harry. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply in. Someone had closed the window but the smell of pine trees still lingered. After a while, she felt prepared to face anything Harry's mind threw at her.

Harry?

She asked hesitantly.

Harry?

HARRY!

MIA? Whaaa….

Oops, were you sleeping?

Hermione had forgotten it was still very early in the morning.

Of course I wasn't.

Harry's inner voice was saccharinely sweet. Hermione winced.

Errr….Sorry?

Harry suddenly laughed. Not his usual bellow, but a laugh nonetheless. Hermione felt relieved.

Err? Really Mia? Err? From you?

Well!

Hermione was too happy to even act indignant. A few moments passed in blissful silence, not the oppressing ones of the earlier days but a peaceful one that reminded Hermione of the warmth even the mental presence of Harry can bring. She was startled from her musings when harry suddenly spoke.

I'm sorry Mia; I know I have been such an ass to you lately. It's just….

I know harry. You don't have to apologize to me.

Mia. Do you remember the book you gifted me last Christmas? A book by that muggle author?

Yes, Mitch Albom wasn't it?

Ya. I liked that book. In it, he says the greatest gift God can give you is to understand what happened in your life. To have it explained.

So?

Hermione couldn't see where he was going with this. It made her wary.

Well imagine it reversed. Imagine we know everything there's to know and yet can't do a darn thing about it. Well that's not a heaven, its hell. It's not a gift, it's a curse.

Harry, what are you saying? You are not making any sense!

Mia, do you really think we can't change the past?

Hermione knew the question was coming, yet she felt woefully unprepared. Suddenly remembering what had happened earlier, she decided to take the plunge.

I don't think we can change time utterly, Harry. How can something be changed utterly? To change utterly is to bring forth destruction. Remember Prof. Snape talking to us about Butterfly effect? Well, we are the butterflies harry. Think carefully. After our arrival, didn't you notice any change in the timeline?

Harry was silent, going over everything that had happened. Suddenly he remembered.

Hogsmeade!

Yes.

Hermione decided to show her memory of her earlier jaunt and subsequent meeting with Hagrid.

So, he is allowed to retain his wand this time around?

Yes and more Harry. He is happy doing this job. From the emotions I had discerned earlier, he was not particularly happy to be part of the student body.

But that doesn't mean Myrtle didn't die Hermione. Nothing changed as far as she is concerned.

We have to remember Harry, not everyone can be saved. Just our being here has changed things, remember when Tom had originally opened the chamber, four students had been petrified before the death of Myrtle, but now, it's just one.

Hermione, that's hardly a consolation. We are here to CHANGE the past; we HAVE to change the past. We can't just sit here thinking that with us just being here, the timeline has changed! We need to force the change, don't we?

Do you think all your efforts for saving Myrtle were in vain?

Yes. They were. She died. Nothing changed.

Is it? How did you meet Myrtle last time around, Harry?

That's a stupid question, Mia. We both know we met her ghost…oh!

Yes. This time around her spirit parted peacefully. Might be because she finally had what she most wanted – a friend.

Oh.

Harry, you did save Myrtle. It's the best change that we've accomplished here. And we CAN do more.

…

We'll just have to work harder towards achieving our goals here, Harry.

…

Harry?

I… Uh, guess you are right, Mia. The past is changing.

It's good to hear you finally saying that, heh!

So, what's next on our objective list then?

Hermione could grasp the immediate change in his tone. It was the warmest one she had heard all week from him.

Horcruxes.

Horcruxes?!

Both of them shuddered, those awful abominations. Dumbledore had shown them memories of his own and his acquaintances that gave them inkling into Riddle's past.

Riddle was supposed to make his first horcrux using the death of Myrtle.

The Diary!

Yes, Harry. But something's not right.

What?

I checked the register in the Library. No one had taken out those books Dumbledore had warned us about. It could mean that Riddle is not yet aware about their existence.

He could have easily read it without taking them out of the library.

No, he didn't. He couldn't. The wards are unbreachable. You have to write your name down to get access.

Oh. Does that mean we are uncertain of his progress at this point?

Unfortunately, yes.

Aha! Harry let out a bellow.

That's more like the Harry I know! Hermione grinned.

Uncertainty has its perks, Mia – Excitement! Not knowing what's gonna happen next, I haven't felt so since we came here.

This does nullify our advantage, you know… We could get into trouble.

Trouble? Hermione could feel the bubbliness in Harry's mind. There was definitely a pun coming her way.

I never go looking for trouble, Hermione! Both of them let out a laugh.

A/N: Hope you guys like it :)