A/N: I am happy to say that I got a 1 rating in all the events I was in at district speech yesterday and am going to state! If that means anything to you. In other news, thank you to everyone that has followed and reviewed, I appreciate the concern over my health a lot. I have had a lot of medical problems in the past (epilepsy, etc.), so it wasn't anything too major, just a case of the flu that got really out of hand. I will also be taking down the little note I left, because it is no longer needed now that I am posting this. Enjoy the chapter!

EDITED A/N: I have not changed the author's notes from when this was first posted, but a lot of this chapter has been edited to better suit the story. If something seems different, it is.

Hermione closed her eyes and tried to ignore the searing pain in her arm where Bellatrix had just carved that filthy word.

"See? That wasn't so hard now was it? Now everyone can see you for exactly what you are," Bellatrix said with a hysterical giggle.

When Bellatrix finally removed the cursed blade from her arm, Hermione braced herself for another round of Cruciatus.

When it didn't come, Hermione managed to look past the pain for a moment only to see a bloodied tuft of red hair that indicated Ron was being dragged into the room.

Hermione heard Bellatrix yelling the same questions at Ron that she had Hermione. Hermione's eyes were screwed up with pain, so all she could do was pray that Ron was okay. She knew he didn't give her any answers when she heard a loud "Crucio!" accompanied by Ron's agonized screams.

Hermione managed to adjust her position on the floor just enough to see what was happening. Ron was lying in the middle of the floor, bruised and bloody, with Bellatrix shrieking above him.

After several more minutes of torture, Bellatrix lost it completely.

She screeched, "TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT THE SWORD!" as she plunged the sword deep into Ron's leg.

Hermione could only manage a strangled gasp of horror as the sword imbued with venom started to drain Ron of life. Amidst his pain Ron managed to lift his head and spit in Bellatrix's face.

Then several things happened at once; Bellatrix cried out in rage and shot a spell at Ron, Harry burst through the door and disarmed Draco, and Dobby dropped the chandelier on Narcissa.

Just as Hermione struggled to her feet, the curse began to take its effect on Ron.

The curse immediately started to liquefy all of Ron's organs causing him to bleed through his pores, and he sunk to the ground screaming in pain. Hermione screamed in horror just as Dobby grabbed her and….

Hermione woke with a start when she felt arms close on her shoulders. Without a word she had her wand out from under her pillow and pointed at the attacker's chest. By the time she opened her eyes she was standing with the attacker pinned on the bed.

"It's just me Hermione, no need to be frightened," came a familiar voice.

Hermione allowed herself to focus and saw that it was Dumbledore.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Dumbledore. You just scared me is all."

"Oh that's quite alright dear, it's my fault. I should have known better."

With that everything from the previous day came rushing back so fast that it almost made her dizzy. Breaking into Gringotts, the battle, everyone dying, time traveling. Hermione was still breathing hard from her dream, and everything threatened to overwhelm her.

Instead, she forced herself to calm down as she had many times in the past year. Dumbledore was starting to look at her with concern, but Hermione cut him off before he could say anything.

"How did you get past my wards?"

Dumbledore looked slightly taken aback, "Well, I have to admit it wasn't easy," he held up his wand, "this helped a bit. I would have liked to let you sleep longer, but there is much for you to do today in order to settle in."

Hermione nodded in understanding, "I like to get an early start anyway, I'm sure there is a lot to do. I'm just not used to anyone getting through my wards. The best way to wake me up without me attacking you is to just tap my foot, that's what H-harry used to do." She faltered near the end, tears welling up as she thought of Harry with a pang.

"I'll keep that in mind," Dumbledore said merrily, "Now I'll let you get ready for the day. The bathroom is across the hall; I've had a house elf bring up some clothes for you to wear until you get your own today. I'll be downstairs when you're ready."

Hermione nodded as Dumbledore left the room. She took another moment to calm herself before crossing the hall to the bathroom. Inside, she found a bathroom easily the size of her dormitory.

Hermione saw fresh clothes laying on the counter as well as fresh towels and soap for her shower. She purposely avoided looking in the mirror, scared of what she would find. Hermione eagerly picked up the toothbrush and toothpaste to brush her teeth. This was one basic luxury she had missed. Especially since her parents are dentists. 'Will be dentists.' Hermione corrected in her head.

When Hermione was finished, she finally gathered up enough courage to look up. She flinched when she saw the horrid girl looking back at her. She looked over her appearance as though she was looking at a stranger.

Hermione's hair was matted and covered with dirt and dried blood that may or may not have been her own. She could see black and purple bruises across her jaw, neck, and cheek. Somewhere along the way she acquired a black eye, and she could see the yellowing bruises from where Bellatrix slapped her in the Malfoy Manor. She had also dropped a lot of weight on run, and her ribs were showing giving her a slightly unhealthy look. Her clothes were threadbare and torn, and she could see the new scar on her shoulder through them.

But as Hermione looked a little closer, she could see some other changes from the past year. She had grown into her body a bit more, and she was no longer an awkward teenager. The war had aged her. She looked older, and her whole body radiated the confidence she didn't have when she was constantly carrying a minimum of five heavy books. Her hair now fell halfway down her back, so she would have to get it cut. She had also developed some curves that were previously nonexistent.

When Hermione finished her examination, she tore her eyes away from the mirror and picked up the brush. She spent five minutes attempting to brush out her hair, until she gave up and used her wand to untangle it. When Hermione was done, she stepped into the shower.

When Hermione initially stepped under the water, it stung all of her cuts. After a minute the stinging subsided and she began to relax. The water felt wonderful on her sore muscles, and she felt like some weight was lifted off her shoulders as the dirt and blood from the battle and past year went down the drain.

Hermione couldn't remember the last time that she had a long shower. Sure, she had bathed during her short time at Shell Cottage, but it was done hastily amidst their planning with Griphook. She reveled in the moment, and perhaps took a little bit longer than she should have.

When Hermione reluctantly left the warmth of the water, she felt like a prune. She quickly wrapped up in a towel and went to investigate the clothes left for her. They were typical 70's style with high-rise jeans and a simple top. She was surprised at how well they fit, and she decided to add woman's fashion to her mental list of Dumbledore's talents.

After Hermione dressed, she used a spell to dry her hair and brush it. It was not as frizzy as it had once been, and she thought she would like it a lot when she got it cut.

When Hermione finished, she looked at herself in the mirror one more time. She was just wondering if she could do anything to get rid of the bruises on her face when she noticed a small tube of medicine for bruises lying on the counter. Dumbledore really had thought of everything.

Hermione eagerly applied the cream to all visible skin, deciding to take care of any other bruises later. She watched with satisfaction as the bruises immediately began to fade and her eye went back to normal. All that was left were a few yellowing bruises in areas where they had been the worst. She decided to cast glamours on the rest and some of her more visible scars, not knowing who she might see today.

After Hermione deemed her appearance acceptable, she retrieved her beaded handbag from her room and walked down the steps to meet Dumbledore. When Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs, Dumbledore was sitting at his desk leaning over some papers. He looked around as he heard her enter and smiled.

"Ah, good morning Hermione. Come sit, there is much to do today." Dumbledore said, motioning his hand towards the chair across from him.

Hermione nodded and sat down across from him. Now that she was able to examine Dumbledore closely, she noticed that he did look a bit younger. His beard was not completely silver yet, and a bit of auburn was still lingering. The wrinkles on his face were not so prominent, and he was not as skinny as he had been in her time. His hand was no longer blackened, and his eyes did not have such a burdened look about them. In all, he looked healthier than he had been in her time.

Dumbledore either didn't notice or ignored her silence, and continued to speak in a business-like manner after she sat down.

"I made some papers last night, and went to the ministry early this morning. You are officially Hermione Dumbledore. Your parents are Stephen and Ariana Dumbledore, and your birthday is September 19th, 1960," Dumbledore held up a gold key and gave it to her, "this is your key to my Gringotts vault, I have already talked to a goblin so they will not question who you are."

Hermione opened her mouth to object and give the key back, "Professor I can't possibly take your…"

"You can and you will, I will hear nothing of it. I really have no need for all of that money, and I do not want you buying as little as possible because you think you are taking my money." Dumbledore interrupted.

Hermione's head dropped, she felt like a child being chastised,

"Yes Professor…"

Dumbledore smiled genuinely,

"Now, now, no need to call me 'Professor' anymore. If you are going to be my neice you must get used to calling me either Albus or Uncle."

Hermione smiled gently back, "Yes, Uncle."

Dumbledore positively beamed at the sentiment in her words before continuing.

"Good, now that that is settled, I would like to focus on what story you will tell people about where you came from."

Hermione nodded her head, indicating for him to go on.

"Due to the fact that your family has supposedly been in hiding since you were born, all of your teaching has been done by either your parents or private tutors. If anyone asks about your father you can choose whether to say he was muggle or not, but I urge you to keep anything you lie about simple. Try to stick as closely to the truth as possible. I have already spoken to and made Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel your Godparents. Your parents were accidentally killed by low-level death eaters that didn't know who you were, so Voldemort does not know of your existence. You can use this to explain why you were on the run, and that I found you and brought you here."

Hermione's eyes widened, Dumbledore really had put a lot of thought into this. After a beat of silence, she decided she better acknowledge that she understood,

"That doesn't sound too hard to remember, which I'm sure is the point. But I must ask, why did you make Nicholas and Perenelle my Godparents? I do know who they are, but I have never met them."

Dumbledore smiled, "I did not originally contact them with that intent. I had originally meant to only ask them their opinion on your…. special circumstances. I showed them your memories, and they agreed it looked as though you sent yourself here."

Hermione was shocked, if there was an explanation she expected to hear, it definitely wasn't that. In other circumstances she may have been angry that Dumbledore shared her memories without her permission, but she was glad at the possibility of more answers.

"But I don't understand, what does this have to do with you making them my Godparents?"

Dumbledore looked excited, but almost sad at the same time, if that was at all possible. He took a deep breath before answering,

"In all the theories considered, we have made the general consensus that your power was somehow involved in sending you here. We think that you may have a quite powerful gift that came out during a time of need and great stress. I would like them to work with you, help you find out the true extent of your magic."

Hermione could sense that he was still hiding something. "What exactly aren't you telling me?"

Dumbledore smiled at her sadly, and said as gently as he could,

"I'm afraid that, in all of the theories we have been able to come up with, there is no way for you to go back to your time. I believe that you were sent to this exact time for a reason. We will, of course, keep looking, but I think that you should try to build a life here."

Before it could even properly register in her brain, Hermione had large tears dripping down her face. Dumbledore walked around the desk and wrapped his arms around her in a hug and murmured comforting words to her as she thought of all the people she had lost. After a few minutes Hermione pulled back, slightly embarrassed at having broken down in front of the Headmaster.

Hermione pulled herself together, and did a quick scourgify to rid her face of tears before speaking,

"I'm sorry, I suppose that I am being slightly irrational. I really am not leaving much behind in the future. We were losing and all of my friends are dead anyway. Maybe I can even do some good here to make things better in the future."

Dumbledore smiled slightly and wiped a stray tear off of her cheek,

"You have nothing to be sorry about my dear, no matter what was happening in your own time, you still have experienced a great loss less than a day ago," then Dumbledore's face grew serious, "But I must warn you, you have to be careful. Just you being here has altered the timeline, but do not draw to much attention to yourself. If Voldemort ever found out your true origins, he would stop at nothing to hunt you down."

Hermione nodded, "I understand."

But Hermione couldn't stop herself from thinking that maybe, just maybe, she could prevent the future from ever happening and save her friends' lives in the process.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter I know I said she would meet Remus this chapter, but I ended up shoving more in between than I thought and before I knew I was up to eight pages so I decided to just post it now. Plus I really wanted to get a chapter out because I have homework I'm behind on from five different classes. I apologize for any errors, I was trying to edit as quickly as possible. Next chapter I'll get straight into her meeting Lily and the marauders. Thanks so much for all the support and see you next week!