ps: Hope who-ever is reading this is enjoying it– not to long to go now 😊

The rest of the day was taken up by educating Wicksley on Sirius. This mainly consisted of going over and over his name, his history, and his deep and abiding love for James, Lily and his Godson Harry, and how frustrated he felt in being kept locked up, how he was dying for a chance to get out of the house and to join the fight against Voldemort.

Snape had come in very handy during Wicksleys "education," he knew a lot about Sirius's early life at Hogwarts, and he never tried to make Wicksley feel guilty for any of the things Sirius had done, as a matter of fact, he'd seemed to enjoy Hermione's discomfort when she found out about James and Sirius bullying him.

It soon became apparent the Snape was determined to make this idea of hers work because they were well past the point of her changing her mind. They had their hostage, and now they were going to make him as perfect as possible for the swap, and for Snape, this seemed to include giving Wicksley as much of Sirius's life as possible. He'd told Hermione that having implanted memories would make the suggestion that he was Sirius Black much easier for Wicksley's mind to accept, because now, instead of being a malicious bully that no-one liked, he would be a handsome, much-loved hero.

Hermione wasn't sure whether or not the explanation was entirely true, she had got the distinct impression that Snape loved to "show" Hermione that Sirius had been a bit of a twat at school.

Just as they had settled Wicksley down on the couch for the night and were getting ready for bed themselves, Hermione suddenly came to the rather shocking realisation that she was condemning this man to death tomorrow, and all to prove to not only herself, but to all who thought they knew her, that not only was she brilliant, but she was unpredictable, exciting, rebellious, a woman to be reckoned with – as well as the outside chance her and Sirius might "get it on". As she looked at Wicksley tears sprang to her eyes; what the hell was she doing? By what right did she do this?

Snape, who had been watching her closely all day knew exactly when the full import of what they were doing hit her. He'd expected it to be earlier in the day and was surprised she'd held out this long, he wasn't sure whether this was because she was so focused on the task at hand, or whether she was just a raging idiot, he was leaning towards the raging idiot scenario.

He sighed loudly, "it's a decent trade."

Hermione swung around to stare at him, "what?"

"Granger, it's obvious you're only now realising what you have done, you're trading one life for another, and you're probably wondering who gave you that right. This is something you bloody well should have come to terms with before you began this quest of yours."

At Hermione's anguished look he continued on, this time choosing each word more thoughtfully as he spoke.

"Look Granger, being responsible for someone's death isn't easy, do you think Dumbledore didn't know the danger he had me face every time I joined Lord Voldemort? Of course, he knew, but it had to be done, and it was a risk I was willing to take. Wicksley here was willing to take that exact same risk, except for the other side. He has been selling out the Ministry of Magic and Pious Thickness every chance he gets, and that's probably nothing compared to the abuse he's heaped on his own family."

Hermione frowned in confusion, "his family?"

Snape nodded, "yes, I observed them for a short time this morning as I waited for him to come outside to go to work. I noted his wife's black eye and bruised cheek, and how their two young children cowered silently at the table as he yelled at the woman for not cooking his eggs exactly as he wanted them. I saw the fear in all their eyes," and remembered exactly what it felt like to feel so helpless, he thought bitterly. "So, as I said, it's a good trade. I may not like Black, the man is an arrogant fool, but even he wouldn't beat a woman and children. Perhaps now, with him finally gone, they'll be able to have a decent life and not have to live in fear."

Hermione look from Snape over to Wicksley then back again.

"Thank you, Severus, you don't know how much it means to me to hear that. I've never really allowed myself to think about this part of the plan, I'm sorry for my doubts, and you're right, Sirius would never beat woman and children."

She smiled tiredly and nodded to him.

"I'll see you in the morning then."

Snape nodded curtly, unable to keep a slight sneer from his lips at her foolishness, then he too went to his room.

She slept late the following morning, after a restless night she didn't wake until after eight, when she finally got dressed and stumbled out of her room, she found Snape had already made breakfast, and he and Wicksley were eating together.

"Granger," he said nodding in greeting as she sidled up to the fresh pot of tea.

"Sirius and I are going back to Grimmauld Place today, I think we've helped you on your adventure quite enough, it's time to get back to work."

Hermione blinked in confusion until she realised that Snape had finished with Wicksley "education" and was now testing him to see how the lessons took.

"Sorry Hermione, but Snapes right," said Wicksley giving Snape a nasty look.

"Dumbledore will be annoyed I've managed to escape the house for the morning as it is," he looked around glumly. "Not that I've actually been able to do anything except give you some advice, I haven't even been able to go out for some fresh air, in case I'm seen."

Hermione recovered quickly, "that's fine Sirius, you've been an enormous help, I know being cooped up inside is driving you batty and you want to be out helping fight Voldemort and protecting Harry, but it'll happen, I just know it will."

Wicksley smiled, "at least I didn't have to age up for the morning like you, great disguise by the way."

Hermione smiled, "thanks, it was Professor Snapes idea, he said no-one would recognise me like this."

Wicksley grunted and cast Snape another nasty look before saying, "Well, I suppose he has to be right some time."

Hermione looked at Snape who was watching her, a thin satisfied smile curving his lips, he even had the dislike between the two programmed into Wicksley/Sirius.

"Sirius, you'd better go and have a shower, it's in my room," she said briskly.

After Wicksley had left Hermione turned to Snape, "all your lessons seemed to have paid off, how confidant are you?"

Snape rubbed a long thin finger across his lips, a thoughtful expression on his face, "I've never combined the Imperious curse with the Obliviate curse before, it could have gone horrible wrong, as it is I think his mind is somewhat . . . broken. I don't think he'd ever be quite normal again after this, that was a lot of force magic I used on him. Having said that, I think it's worked far better than I imagined, to be sure I've been using Legilimency on him this morning, to make sure he's not trying to fool me, I was pleased to know he isn't. He is totally immersed as Black."

Hermione closed her eyes and nodded, "Then now it's only a matter of waiting until it's time."

Snape nodded and walked over to get a book to read, leaving Hermione with her cup of tea, and a lot of dishes piled up waiting for her.

By the time it was time to leave Hermione was a bundle of nerves, she'd just given Wicksley his first drink of the Polyjuice Potion and watching his transformation into Sirius had been shocking, suddenly everything had become very real.

She had given him the bottle with a shaky half smile, Snape had already programmed him to think it was his own private stash of Ogdens Old Fire Whiskey, and that he always took a mouthful every hour, he would also be compelled to take a mouthful as soon as he left for the Ministry of Magic. It had been delicate work by Snape, and after watching him Hermione had to admit, she was in total awe of his prowess with a wand. The man himself may be an arrogant, insulting, tosser, but his magic was sublime.

Hermione quickly packed the tent and put it inside her purse before covering Wicksley/Sirius with the invisibility cloak, then Snape took hold of Hermione, who was in turn holding onto Wicksley/Sirius and disapparated, all of them landing in the small park right across the road from number twelve Grimauld Place.

As Snape left them and walked over to the house Hermione took out a piece of paper she had been saving for years as a memento and gave it to Wicksley/Sirius to read, it was basically the same piece of paper that Harry had read so many years ago, a brief message from Dumbledore, as secret keeper saying, The Headquarters of the Order of The Pheonix is located at twelve Grimmauld Place London.

As soon as he finished reading Hermione snatched the piece of paper back and put it in her bag, this was all she had left of Albus Dumbledore, a man she greatly admired, it was the message that he had given her to read before she had arrived at the house when she was still a teenager, and she'd never give it up willingly.

They watched Snape enter the house then quickly crossed the street and waited on the front doorstep, when Hermione heard a loud bang she entered quickly, Wicksley/Sirius right on her heels.

As she ran into the parlour Snape was just walking out of the kitchen, a large satisfied smirk on his face.

"What did you do?" she whispered furiously.

"Nothing much, just gave him a little headache," he said smiling maliciously.

"There was no need for that!" snapped Hermione as Wicksley/Sirius took off the cloak.

Snape smirked and took the cloak, "I'll meet you back in the woods, please show Sirius back to his room, he pointed back to the kitchen door, "it seems I may have dropped my coin purse in your kitchen Black," he said addressing Wicksley/Sirius, "I'll just go grab it and then show myself out."

Snape turned and strolled away, seemingly pleased with himself and whatever he'd just done. Hermione on the other hand was furious, but at the moment there was nothing she could do.

"Come on Sirius, I think a quick lie down might do you some good, and don't forget to take a sip of your drink as soon as you wake up, it'll help with your headache, I promise."

Hermione led him upstairs to his room and settled him, as Snape took the invisibility cloak and threw it over the real – and now unconscious - Sirius, who he'd just, rather sneakily, knocked out cold. He then revived him just enough for him to half stagger to the front step of the house where he quickly disapparated the pair of them back to the woods they'd just left.

Hermione joined him a few minutes later, "really Severus, did you have to do that?" she snapped.

Snape smiled, "Yes," He then took out his wand and pointed it at Sirius, "Enervate," he said casually with a lazy flick of his wand.

Sirius's eyes snapped open and he immediately went for his wand.

"Sirius, stop, please!" said Hermione desperately.

Snape smirked, "Yes Black, don't do anything stupid, believe it or not, we're here to save your life."

Sirius had his wand in his hand and pointing at Snape before he'd even finished his sentence, his teeth were bared in a snarl, as if he wanted to physically rip Snapes throat out.

"Please Sirius, listen to us, we didn't mean to hurt you I swear, we're here to save your life and take you back to Harry," begged Hermione.

Sirius cast Hermione a quick glance, "who the hell are you, and more importantly, why the hell should I believe a word you say?" he said angrily, as his eyes went straight back to Snape who was standing there with his wand still raised.

"It's me, Hermione," said Hermione desperately. "Yes, I know I look older, and that's because I am older, much older, but I truly am her to save your life if you'll only just listen for a moment."

Sirius glanced at her again, seemingly loathe to take his eyes off Snape, which considering he'd just been knocked out and abducted by the man, seemed like the sensible thing to do. After the first quick glance he looked again, this time for a little longer.

"Tell me something only Hermione would know then!" he said suspiciously.

Hermione told him of their first encounter, and of her and Harry saving him from the Ministry and letting him escape on Buckbeat, she also told him they called him Snuffles in all their correspondence, and that Harry had saved him from a dementor attack.

Sirius frowned, "Hermione?"

"Yes!" she said.

Sirius looked at her again, still never lowering his wand. "So why did Snape just attack me when I wasn't suspecting it . . . like a coward."

A botchy red flush crept up Snapes neck as Hermione said, "I have no idea, but there is no way I could have gotten this job done anywhere near as well as it's turned out without him, he's been helping me," she said with a wry smile.

"What's this about saving my life then? What is going on? Why are you here? Is Harry alright? Did Voldemort win and you've come back to try to change things?" he asked quickly.

Hermione answered his questions patiently, then she told him where she came from, of her and Harry's lives and children, then of her divorce and her decision to come back and get him because Harry missed him so badly, and she needed a challenge to get her life back on track again, and it was only now that she finally thought she was capable enough of performing the magic required to make a super time turner capable of bringing her back to where she needed to go. She continued to prattle on about her stop at an opportune time to save Snape, and of Snapes help in her plan to save his life, and what they'd done to Wicksley to do it.

When she finally finished Sirius was simply staring at her, a strange look on his face. "You had no right Hermione, do you know how dangerous this was? Each landing back in time could have disrupted the time line, you took far to great a risk!" he said angrily.

"No-one will know, there was no body from either you, or Severus, and everyone will still see you die, except it wont be you, it will be Wicksley, he was one of Voldemort's men who was already betraying the Ministry," she pleaded.

"I'm not afraid of dying Hermione, I'm not afraid of fighting for a cause I believe in, you took that from me, you could have allowed Voldemort to win with even the slightest misstep" snapped Sirius.

"Well, it's to late now," she said peeking at her watch, you're already on your way to the Ministry and if I don't get you both out of this timeline everything really will be ruined, now please, come here, both of you."

Sirius frowned and hesitated.

"Oh please, enough with the melodramatics Black, we've gone to a great deal of trouble to save your miserable, ungrateful, hide, now you're off to see Potter again, I should think you'd be happy, at least you have a house to return to still."

Sirius glared at Snape, he shook his head, this was all moving to fast for him, but he knew he had no choice, he couldn't stay in this timeline now, these two fools had taken that choice away from him. Still, at least he could see Harry again, and if his name was now cleared, perhaps he could even have a life again. He went to stand beside Hermione whist she took out a long golden chain from under her robe.

She slipped it over both his and Snapes head before Snape said "Stop!"

Hermione glanced up, her hand covering the hour glass.

"What?" She asked in confusion.

"You promised me a last truth before we went back Granger, you have been holding something back, and I want to know what it is – now!"

Hermione reddened as she quickly put the hourglass in her fingers ready to turn. She looked up at Snape, very conscious of all their bodies jammed so tightly together under the chain, for the first time in a long time she felt intimidated.

"When Harry was walking through the forest to meet Voldemort for what he thought was a final confrontation he used the Resurrection Stone, and his parents reappeared to give him courage and walk with him . . . along with Sirius."

"What?" yelled Snape as he immediately tried to grab Hermione's hand.

"Stop it," cried Hermione as she tried to turn the hourglass forward, instead Snapes hold dragged her hand backwards -hard, making her cry in pain and let go, but instead of not moving at all, her hand, coupled with the force of Snapes hand, combined to send the hourglass spinning backwards at a horrendous rate.

Hermione felt a giant pull in her stomach, she reached out with both hand grabbing both Snape and Sirius just as pain exploded in her body. As they started to be dragged backwards in time, it felt like her body was melting, her bones breaking and reforming, she was dying, all as her own agonised scream filled her ears. and then she knew nothing.