Chapter 25

31 July 2003

It was dark when Hermione arrived. Her eyes snapped open, and she realized she was lying in bed. She hadn't realized how late it was when she'd left Sirius. This could complicate things if she weren't alone. How was she going to be able to not only look at the Universe Hopper but get it off and hide it?

She lay still for a few moments, trying to take in her surroundings. There was definitely someone in bed with her, she could hear their quiet breathing. Thankfully, whoever it was, wasn't touching her so the risk of waking them when she moved was lessened. Not by much, they were still rather close together as if they'd started out cuddled up to one another and had shifted in their sleep.

She was going to have to be quick about things and she had to find the other Hermione's wand. She reached a hand under the pillow, which was where she kept hers when she slept. It seemed that this Hermione was just as cautious as Hermione's hand wrapped around the handle almost immediately.

She eased it out from under the pillow, then cast an immobilization charm on the mattress. It would keep whoever was in bed with her from feeling her moving around.

Hermione carefully took the chain for the Universe Hopper from around her neck, then lit her wand with the weakest 'lumos' she could that still allowed her to see. Before she could look at it, she realized there was a ring on her finger. A wedding ring. She was married in this universe.

She held her breath as she looked at the symbol that wrapped around the edge of the device. Now that she knew what she was looking for, it was easy to discern that the symbol was now completely destiny. Except…wait. Not completely. She brought the device closer to her face. There was the tiniest edge of movement. So tiny, in fact, she would have missed it had she not known what to look for.

She cancelled the light spell and then conjured a box for the Universe Hopper, her thoughts racing. If there was still even that tiny bit of the movement symbol, that meant this wasn't the last universe. Only, maybe it was. Maybe this was the universe where she realized her destiny, but she still needed to get home, hence why the movement symbol was present at all.

Luna had said only one more universe. And Padma had been sure that Hermione was supposed to go home, that her ultimate destiny didn't lie in another universe but back in her own. Taking a deep breath, Hermione put the device in the box she'd conjured and opened the drawer of the bedside table, slipping it inside and warding it. She'd find a better place to hide it in the morning. Then she cancelled the immobilization spell on the bed.

All she had to do was turn over and look at the person beside her and she'd know. But she couldn't. She was frozen in fear that who she was hoping for wasn't who she was going to find. 'Do it, Hermione,' she chided herself. And finally, Hermione turned.

She gasped as she saw who was lying next to her, tears immediately flooding her eyes.

"Hermione?" a voice mumbled in the dark. "You okay?"

She must have made more noise than she thought. Or maybe it was the movement of her turning towards him in the bed. But she couldn't answer him, couldn't do anything except cry at the sight of him. He was alive, he was here, with her, in this bed. It was him.

Harry opened his eyes, those beautiful green eyes, and she began to cry harder. "Love, what is it?" he asked in concern, propping himself up on one elbow and bringing a hand to her cheek.

Hermione couldn't help it. She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, crying into his shoulder. "Harry."

Harry rubbed her back, shushing her as he held her. "It's all right, Hermione. You're safe. Everything is okay."

When she'd finally cried herself out, he pulled back from her, brushing curls off her face. "Nightmare?"

She nodded. Even though she didn't mean it in the sense that he did, it had been a nightmare.

"Want to talk about it?"

"You were, you were…dead," she whispered.

"Oh, love," he said, pulling her close again. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If there had been any other way, I would have done it."

She realized he must think that she was dreaming of his fake death during the Final Battle. Her other self must still dream about it, just as Hermione did. "I know."

They sat that way for a while longer, Hermione calming further as Harry continued to rub her back. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

"I love you, too." And for the first time Hermione had said those words to her partner in any of the universes, she meant them completely. And meant them for herself, not the other Hermione.

1 August 2003

Hermione woke first, just as the sun was starting to rise. Harry had his arm thrown over her waist, their foreheads almost touching even though they were still on their respective pillows. She couldn't help the smile that broke out over her face as she looked at him. It had been real. He was really here and she was married to him. Well, her other self was anyway.

She wondered where 'here' was. She took a quick look around the room. It looked like the master suite at Grimmauld Place. The decor was different than it had been in the previous universe, as well as what it looked like in her own world, but the room itself looked the same. She supposed that meant Sirius wasn't alive here. Although it didn't surprise her really, she still felt a pang of sadness.

She should probably be worried about what her other self's life was like here, where she worked, who her friends were, if she were close to Padma, but she honestly couldn't bring herself to care right now. She was too happy to have Harry lying next to her to worry about anything else.

Luna had been right; Hermione had known all along what she wanted she had just been too scared to admit it to herself. It had partly been self-preservation. Harry was married to Ginny and therefore off limits. What good would admitting that she was in love with her best friend have done? And she was. In love with him that was. She just hoped that he might return her feelings.

A feeling of dread came over her. If she did get home, there was no guarantee that Harry would feel the same way about her. Or that he could even come to. Maybe he had no desire to date her, just wanted her as his friend. Even if Hermione had realized her feelings, that didn't mean she would get what she wanted.

She took a deep breath before she could spiral further into her thoughts. That was a problem for later. Right now, she had to figure out a way to get home and then she could worry about the Harry situation. And while she was here, she was going to enjoy the relationship with this Harry.

His eyes fluttered open and he smiled at her when he saw her staring at him. "Morning."

"Good morning," Hermione said, scooting closer to him so her head was resting on his chest.

Harry's arm tightened around her, and he immediately began to run a hand up and down her back. "Feeling better this morning?"

"Mm," Hermione acknowledged much too comfortable to keep up a conversation. In fact, she thought she might be able to sleep a bit longer if Harry were amenable.

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "As much as I'd love to spend another day in bed with you, we only took yesterday off work."

"Tell them we're sick," she mumbled into his chest, jealous that her other self had apparently spent Harry's birthday in bed with him.

He laughed. "Somehow I think our bosses would see right through that."

"Food poisoning," she said.

"Which we could cure with a potion," Harry reminded her in amusement.

She scowled up at him. "You're not being very agreeable."

"And who was it that I had to convince to take yesterday off in the first place?"

"Clearly, I was being completely daft."

"Clearly," Harry agreed. He leaned down and kissed her.

Hermione sighed into the kiss as Harry deepened it. It was just as wonderful as she'd remembered it. How she'd gone the last five years without Harry's kisses was beyond her.

When Harry finally pulled away from her, he groaned. "You're killing me, love."

"You started it."

"Later," he promised, kissing the tip of her nose and rolling off her.

Hermione sighed. Why hadn't she jumped a day sooner?

When they had both showered, separately, much to Hermione's disappointment, and were eating the breakfast Kreacher had prepared for them, Hermione realized that she had no idea where the other Hermione worked. She hadn't even looked in the wardrobe to see if there were any Ministry robes, Unspeakable or otherwise.

She couldn't ask Harry, of course, he'd think she'd gone mad. She would just have to hope that she could rifle through her other self's clothes without Harry wondering what she was doing. She should probably go back up to the bedroom first, while he was still eating.

Shoving the rest of her toast in her mouth, she stood and thanked Kreacher for the breakfast. He looked at her oddly for a few moments and Hermione wondered if he knew that she wasn't the real Hermione. Kingsley's elf hadn't but then again, Jinx hadn't known the other Hermione all that long.

"In a hurry all of a sudden?" Harry asked.

"No, just not as hungry as I thought."

Harry's brow furrowed for a moment. "You're not, I mean, no it can't have happened that quickly. Or I mean it could, but you wouldn't know, would you?" His cheeks reddened. "Never mind, forget I said anything."

Hermione stood and looked at him for a moment. Were they trying to have a baby? Oh gods, they were. Shite. As much as she wanted that for Harry, she hoped to Merlin that she wasn't pregnant. She didn't want to have to worry about that again, about what her presence might do if she were. Not after what had happened in the Draco universe.

Although, from what Harry said it must have been a relatively new development, perhaps even only as recent as yesterday. She might have to take precautions while she was here. If she used the loo right after, she could still cast a contraceptive charm.

And then she felt a surge of anger so strong, it nearly made her want to lash out. She hadn't felt anything from her other self until just now, but it was clear that the other Hermione did not like that idea. Hermione couldn't blame her. It was her body after all. Of course, she couldn't cast a contraceptive charm, that wasn't her decision to make. She shouldn't have even contemplated it. Hermione had to remember that even if Harry was what she wanted, this still wasn't her world. She hadn't made any major decisions for any of her other selves in any of the other universes. She wasn't going to do that here either.

Her other self seemed to calm a bit and Hermione walked back to Harry, sitting down on his lap. "No, I wouldn't know yet but don't be embarrassed for being excited."

He smiled, kissing her softly. "It would be an amazing birthday present."

"They wouldn't be born on your birthday if I was," Hermione said in confusion.

"No, but they would have been made on my birthday. That's just as good." He grinned cheekily at her, and she laughed.

She kissed him again then jumped up from his lap and hurried upstairs to look through her other self's wardrobe.

Hermione had been relieved to find the Unspeakable robes in the other Hermione's wardrobe. Although, she was concerned as well. She had no idea what the security measures were in this world, nor who she worked with or where her office was. Not to mention whatever this Hermione was working on.

Harry was an Auror here as well, which didn't surprise Hermione. The only universe where he hadn't been an Auror was the one where Voldemort never returned. Although, she supposed that she had no idea if Voldemort had returned here or not. She assumed he had given that Harry was living in Grimmauld Place alone. But it was possible that events had happened differently here. Maybe Sirius lived elsewhere and he'd given the house to Harry. She hoped so, for Harry's sake, but she didn't think it was likely.

They Flooed to the Ministry and walked through the Atrium together towards the lifts.

"Lunch today?" Harry asked as they waited.

Hermione immediately wanted to say yes but she really needed to speak to Padma and lunch would be the perfect opportunity. "Not sure. Let me see how my morning goes and I'll send you a memo?"

Harry nodded, then kissed her cheek before they boarded the lift to head to their departments.

When Hermione stepped off, the only one to exit at the Department of Mysteries, she took a deep breath and walked to the entrance room. If she were going to be rejected by the Department's wards, it would be here.

She stepped through the entrance but nothing happened. Feeling relieved, as the room would have not only begun to spin if she wasn't authorized, but also only opened to the receptionist the DOM now employed, Hermione cast the spell to open the door that led to her office in her world. Surprisingly, it seemed to work here as well. A door clicked open, and she stepped through into the Time Room.

Her office in this world was the same one as her office in her world. Grateful for the similarities, she lit the lamps and sat down at her desk. A wedding photograph of Harry and her other self sat on the corner of her desk. Hermione smiled and picked it up. They both had looks of complete adoration on their faces and Harry leaned down to kiss the other Hermione softly.

Her heart clenched. She wondered if her Harry would ever look at her like that. Or had he and Ginny worked things out, decided to give it another go? Hermione had been gone for almost six weeks now. A lot could happen in six weeks.

No, she wasn't going to think about that now. First, she had to talk to Padma and then they needed to figure out how to get her home. She could worry about her relationships then.

Hermione's first inclination was to go to Padma's office, or the office Padma used in her universe anyway, and talk to her friend immediately. She'd made it all the way to the door of her own office before she stopped. What if Padma wasn't an Unspeakable here? Or what if she was but her office was somewhere else? What excuse could Hermione give showing up to someone else's office? Especially if it was someone she didn't know.

She needed to do some research first, try to find out if Padma even worked in the DOM. Hermione closed her office door. More people were arriving for work, and she knew if her door were shut, no one would bother her unless it was important. It was an unspoken rule in the DOM in her world that she hoped was the same here.

She started with the bag Harry had given her this morning just before she went through the Floo. He'd made a joke about her forgetting it, but she could tell that he'd been confused that she had. She'd kissed him in thanks, which seemed to make him forget all about it.

Now, she searched through it, pulling out a planner that looked identical to the one she used in her world. She flipped to August and searched the entries. 'Lunch with P' was inked in for Sunday but Hermione knew plenty of people whose names started with P. For all she knew, it could even be a last name.

Flipping back to July, she looked at yesterday's entry. 'Harry's birthday and baby-making'. Her other self had even drawn a small heart below the words. Normally, she would have rolled her eyes at the sappiness of it but now it just made her smile. She felt an answering wave of what she could only describe as giddiness from her other self. Both she and Harry really wanted this apparently.

There were other days in previous months that also had the 'lunch with P' entry which Hermione took as a good sign. It had to be Padma, it just had to. Nothing else in her bag seemed directly relevant to her job here, which didn't surprise her. They weren't supposed to take research related to their current projects out of the DOM in her world either.

A search of the desk didn't really reveal much either. There was a stack of notes that were likely related to the other Hermione's current project. Hermione only gave it a cursory glance. But she couldn't find anything related to the department and who worked there. She hadn't expected a list of employees or anything. But she had hoped that she might find notes or something that referenced other people that worked there. Maybe a project that she and Padma had worked on together.

The bookshelves that lined one wall contained only books, most of which Hermione also owned in her world. There were a few that she didn't recognize that she was itching to read but managed to refrain. She had more important things to deal with.

She supposed the only option was to head to where Padma's office was in her world and see if it was the same here. She'd have to come up with a cover story though if it wasn't. Or what if the door was closed and she had to knock and someone else answered? Hermione sighed.

"You don't want to give me a hint here, do you?" she jokingly said to her other self.

A few seconds later, there was a nudge. A nudge that made Hermione want to stand and leave her office. It was obviously coming from her other self but Hermione ignored it for the moment, far more concerned about how it was happening. She had never felt a compulsion to physically move before. Well, maybe that wasn't entirely true. The first time she'd kissed Neville she hadn't intended to but did it anyway. But it hadn't felt like this. Then it was more of a mental suggestion. This time, she almost felt like her other self could force her to move and would actually be controlling her limbs.

She felt the nudge again, stronger this time, and nearly gave in to the terror of it. Instead, she took a deep breath and stood, walking to the office door and opening it. If the other Hermione was going to help her find Padma, then she was going to listen. She could worry about how the other her had done it later.

Hermione walked into the corridor and followed the nudges. She walked a familiar path from her office to where Padma's was located in her own world. Thankfully, she didn't meet anyone along the way. When they reached Padma's office, Hermione felt her other self recede. She blew out a quiet breath before knocking on the door frame of Padma's open office.

"Hey, Hermione," Padma said as she looked up. "How was your day off?" She grinned, leading Hermione to realize that her friend knew exactly how her other self had spent it.

"It was good," Hermione said with a smile. "Very relaxing."

"I'll bet," Padma said with a laugh. She motioned for Hermione to enter, then waved her wand to close the door behind her. Hermione sat down in the chair in front of Padma's desk. Padma looked at her expectantly.

Hermione had no idea what she was supposed to say. Was Padma expecting details? She wouldn't have any to provide even if that were something that they did. Somehow, Hermione didn't think so. She might as well just jump right in.

"There's something I need to tell you." Hermione turned and waved her wand to set a series of privacy wards on the room.

Padma looked at her in confusion. "What's going on, Hermione?"

Hermione took a deep breath. This was always the hardest part, having no idea how Padma was going to react. At least the wards could only be lowered by Hermione. Padma wouldn't be able to leave her office to report Hermione right away. Hopefully, she could calm her down enough so that she wouldn't at all.

"I lied to you before about my day off. I honestly don't really know how it was because I wasn't there."

Padma stared at her for a moment. "I don't follow."

Hermione pulled the box with the Universe Hopper from her pocket and set it on the desk between them. "I arrived at Grimmauld Place in the middle of the night using this." She tapped on the top of the box with her forefinger. "It's a device I was studying in the Department of Mysteries in my own world. There was an accident, and I traveled somewhere else. I've been doing that for almost six weeks. This is the seventh place I've been."

"You mean like a Portkey?"

"No, not a Portkey." Hermione opened the box so Padma could see inside.

"Time-turner? Hermione, you know that you shouldn't be interacting with anyone!"

"No, it's not a Time-turner. It's a Universe Hopper."

"Universe Hopper?" Padma repeated still staring at the device. "What do you, wait. You said you were studying this in your world. What do you mean, your world?"

"I mean just what I said. I came from a parallel universe and I've traveled to six others besides. This would be the seventh. In each one I learn a little more about the device and hope to get home. I haven't yet though. I need your help."

Padma just stared at her. Which, really, was better than hexing her or accusing her of being crazy. "Did George put you up to this?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Hermione asked.

"George. He's still upset that I helped Ron with that potion that made George sing everything he said for three days. I've been waiting for retribution for a month now."

Hermione gathered many things from this statement. Fred was obviously still dead in this world, as Ron worked with George as he did in her world. Padma was somehow close enough to Ron to help him with a prank. Were they…together? Wouldn't that be an interesting turn of events? Although, given that Hermione had no idea how long she and Harry had been together or what the catalyst was, she had no idea if she and Ron had even dated in this world. For all she knew, his disastrous Yule Ball date with Padma in her world might have been a smashing success in this one. Or maybe it was something else entirely.

"I, no, no, George had nothing to do with this. This isn't a joke or a prank. It's what actually happened. I am not the Hermione Granger that you know."

"Potter," Padma said.

"What?"

"Hermione Potter."

"Right," Hermione said. "Shouldn't that be enough to tell you that I'm not who you think I am. I don't think the real me would forget my own name."

Padma stared at her for a few more moments. "You're serious, aren't you? Or at least you think you are."

Hermione sighed. "I haven't gone mad, and this isn't one of George's pranks. I've spoken to your counterpart in every other universe I've been in and while she didn't believe me at first, she always came around and helped me. All I'm asking is that you hear what I have to say."

Padma glanced at the Universe Hopper again and then back to Hermione. "This is real? It's not something George cooked up in his shop?"

"It's real."

Padma sat back in her chair. "I don't, I can't, what?"

Hermione explained what had happened to her in her own universe, the accident that started her on this journey, as well as her time in all the other worlds. She told this Padma everything, even the bit about the body-sharing. To her credit, the other woman merely raised her wand to Hermione for a few minutes before setting it down again after Hermione had explained.

"So, you're telling me there are two of you in there?" Padma pointed to Hermione.

"Yes."

"And what happens to the original Hermione when you leave?"

"I assume that she goes back to her normal life, but I don't know, obviously." It was still a huge regret, and if she were honest, fear as well. That when she left, something happened to them and they were never the same again.

"And they know you're there?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "It's gotten to the point where I can even communicate with them."

"So why can't I talk to my Hermione?"

"I don't know. I can talk to her or tell her things, but she's never responded in words. Or talked through me or whatever. I can feel her emotions and there have been a few times where we've sort of shared space I guess you could say, but she hasn't been able to take over entirely."

"You look concerned about that," Padma said.

"It's just, in the last universe, my other self seemed to be much more present. And in this one, I almost felt like she was making me move. Or her body move I should say."

"How so?"

"I wasn't sure where your office was, if it was in the same place here that it was in my world. And she gave me this…nudge to get up and walk over here. I was able to resist it, but it was harder than I thought."

Padma picked up the box with the device and looked at it. Hermione stopped her when she went to take it out of the box.

"Please don't," Hermione said.

"You've told me how it works. I'm not planning on putting it on or turning any rings."

"I wasn't planning on doing that either and yet here I am," Hermione said dryly.

"Right," Padma replied. "Can I cast an immobilization charm on it?"

Hermione bit her lip. "We have before, yes."

"But," Padma prodded.

"We still don't completely understand it. I feel like I'm so close to getting back to my own life I just don't want anything to prevent that."

"I understand," Padma said. "I promise I'll only leave it on for a short time while I look at it."

Hermione nodded. Padma cast the charm, then picked up the device, examining it from all angles. When she had finished her inspection, she returned the device to the box, cancelling the charm, and looked back at Hermione. "Let's say I believe you. What do you think I'll be able to accomplish that none of the rest of my other selves could?"

"In every universe, every Padma has figured out something new about it. I'm hoping that you'll help me find the final piece that will get me home."

"I have to be honest with you, Hermione. I don't know where else to look. If the symbols and runes are translated correctly, you've figured out that the charms and enchantments are woven through the center disc and you've discovered what the symbol around the edge means, what else is there?"

"There has to be something, or else I'd be home already," she snapped. Then she took a deep breath and shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's just been difficult."

Padma reached over the desk and took her hand. "It's all right. I honestly can't even imagine all you've had to deal with. And of course I'll help you however I can."

"Thank you," Hermione said quietly, blinking to keep her tears at bay.

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to start today. I've got to get this report written or Croaker is going to have my head."

Hermione's head whipped up. "Croaker?"

"Head of our department, Croaker, yes." Padma's eyes widened. "Oh, is he not the Head in your world?"

"No, he is. But he hasn't been anywhere else. In most other worlds, he was killed in one of the wars."

"We should probably go to him with this," Padma suggested.

Hermione thought about it for a few moments. Of everyone else that had been the head of the DOM in the other worlds, Croaker would probably be the one that she would feel most comfortable approaching. But she still couldn't be sure that he wouldn't lock her up in here and study her and the device for who knew how long. He was still an Unspeakable.

"Not yet," Hermione said. "If we can't come up with anything in a few days then I'll consider it."

"Hermione," Padma began to protest but Hermione held up a hand.

"You know what he'll want to do, Padma. I can't be trapped here for weeks or months while they 'study' me."

Padma sighed. "All right. For now."

"Thank you."

"If you can write down everything that's happened so far, that would help me."

"I can give you Pensieve memories of my jumps too, if you like."

"All right."

"Would you be able to talk again at lunch? I don't want to interrupt your work, but I do have a few questions I'd really like answered if you have time."

"I'm sure I'll be ready for a break then. I'll meet you in your office."

"Thank you, Padma." Hermione put the top back on the box with the Universe Hopper and slipped it back into her pocket. She then left Padma's office, closing the door behind her.

When Hermione reached her own office, or her other self's rather, she shut the door and blew out a breath. One hurdle crossed. She sat down at her desk and pulled out parchment and quill, settling in to write out her story.

Hermione spent the rest of the morning writing out all of the research on the Universe Hopper, as well as detailing her jumps. She conjured a few vials and put the memories of her jumps inside. She didn't even look at the project that her other self was working on. Hermione was sure she would be able to figure it out and even help if she needed to, but this was more important right now. She'd also dashed off a memo to Harry, letting him know she wasn't going to be able to meet him for lunch.

It helped as well, as she went through each universe, to remember how she had felt or interacted with her other self. She could definitely see a progression in both the strength and ease with which her other self seemed to make herself known as the universes went on. Again, Hermione couldn't say for sure that the other Hermione was getting stronger in each one, or if she was simply getting more used to the situation and therefore had an easier time sensing and interacting with her counterpart. It sure seemed like the former though. Something which still made Hermione extremely nervous.

At the soft knock on her door, she waved her wand to open it. Padma stood outside.

"I've finished what you asked for," Hermione said indicating the stack of parchment and vials of memories.

Padma slipped into her office and closed the door behind her. "Better keep them in your desk for now. If I take them with me, I'll just want to look through everything and I've still got to finish my report."

Hermione nodded, placing them in one of her desk drawers and then warding it so no one could open it but her. Too nervous to leave the Universe Hopper there, she'd charmed an undetectable pocket into her bag and hidden it there.

"I thought Muggle London," Hermione said. "Just to give us some privacy."

"Wise idea," Padma replied. The two made their way to the lifts and then walked through the Atrium to the Apparition point.

Hermione held out her arm to Padma. "All right if I take you side-along? I have somewhere in mind."

Padma looked at Hermione warily for a moment before agreeing. Hermione honestly couldn't blame her. She handled all of this rather well, so far.

They landed in an alley a few streets away from a pub that Hermione and her parents had frequented when she was a girl. After they ordered their food at the bar, Hermione led Padma to a corner booth where they would have some privacy.

"I spent half the morning trying to decide if I really believed you or not," Padma said.

"And have you decided?"

"Honestly, not even George could come up with something this convoluted."

Hermione chuckled. "That leads me to a question. How are you so close with George and Ron?"

"What do you mean, how am I…oh right, different universe. Guess that means different friends and partners too then."

"Sometimes," Hermione said. "Or always in my case. As far as partners anyway."

"Ron and I live together."

"As in, live together, live together?"

"As opposed to not living together, yes," Padma said in amusement.

Hermione huffed. "I mean, you're dating? You could just be roommates."

"Yes, we're dating. Have been for over two years now."

"Wow, really?"

"That's surprising because?" Padma asked.

"Well, in my world, I'm dating him."

Padma stared at her in shock and Hermione couldn't help but laugh. She hadn't really touched on any of her romantic partners when she'd told Padma her story, not in her own world or the others she'd visited.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Hermione asked when Padma hadn't said anything for a few moments.

"Honestly? Yes. You and Harry are just, you and Harry. Or her and Harry I guess I should say. It's like once the two of them got together, everyone could just see that it was what was meant to be."

Hermione smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. In her world, people said that about Harry and Ginny quite often. She had never expected to hear her own name in that same context with Harry.

"Sorry, I don't want to upset you. I'm sure you and Ron are very happy in your world."

"Not really," Hermione said. She looked up at Padma. "I'm planning on breaking things off with him when I get back. Was thinking about it before I left, actually."

"All right then," Padma said. "I'm sorry, this is just so strange." They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Did you and Ron go to the Yule ball together?" Hermione asked.

Padma laughed. "We did. Complete disaster. He didn't dance with me once."

"Well, that's the same at least. What changed?"

"We all grew up, I guess. Did you have the D.A. in your world?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well, we all get together once or twice a year and three years ago, Ron and I got to talking. He told me that he was thinking of leaving the Aurors and that I was the first person he'd told. I was a bit surprised by that but it sort of made sense. I mean, sometimes it's easier to tell someone that you're not close to things like that than those you are, you know?"

"I do," Hermione agreed.

"He and I sat and talked about it, as well as other things, for hours. We were the last ones left at the party, in fact. Hannah had to kick us out." Padma smiled. "And we just kept talking after that. Until one day, we were dating. He moved in with me last year when George and Angelina got married and George kicked him out of the flat above the shop."

Hermione couldn't help but smile. She was glad that both Ron and Padma were happy. And it sounded like if Ron had been upset about Harry and Hermione getting together, he'd gotten over it.

"What about Harry and me, I mean her. How did that happen?"

"When they were off hunting Horcruxes and Ron left, she and Harry got close."

"How close?"

"They ended up sleeping together a few days after Ron left. They were both upset and it just sort of happened. But then she told me that afterwards, they both wondered why they hadn't been doing it the whole time. They had both had crushes on the other at one point but didn't think the other felt the same, so they'd found other people. That night in the tent made them realize that they really only wanted each another."

"And when Ron came back?" Hermione couldn't imagine that had ended well, given how he'd reacted to them while he was still there, and they hadn't even been doing anything then.

"Neither of them wanted to upset Ron right after he'd just come back, so they decided not to tell him at first. They went back to sleeping in their own beds and tried to go back to acting like they were just friends. My Hermione didn't give me all the details but after what happened at Malfoy Manor, Harry couldn't hide his feelings anymore. Ron figured it out, they had a row, and Ron punched Harry. Ron was angry and felt betrayed, but he stayed to help.

The three of them managed to keep it together enough to finish finding the Horcruxes and make it to Hogwarts. When Voldemort said that Harry was dead, the sound that came out of Hermione's mouth, I've never heard anything like that," Padma shook her head. "I think Ron realized in that moment just how much she loved Harry. It still took them a while to reconcile. Ron had a really tough time with it. But they got there in the end."

Hermione was extremely glad to hear that, although she wasn't sure that would be the case in her world. If she and Harry did end up together now, they might very well lose Ron and Ginny for good. The Weasleys too.

Pushing that thought aside, Hermione turned back to Padma. "Is there anything you want to know before you go through my notes and memories?"

Padma was silent for a moment studying Hermione. "As much as I'm trying to wrap my mind around not only the possibility, but the actual existence of parallel universes, it's still just, I don't know. It seems impossible."

"I know," Hermione said. "Sometimes, even though I've been living it, I still can't believe it."

"How are you doing it? I mean you're dropped into these lives that you have no clue about and expected to figure out how to function."

"It definitely helped that the first two times, I wasn't alone. I didn't have much to adapt to because my other self was there too. After that though, it was horribly disorienting. I'm lucky that I either found journals or photographs to help explain or I talked to you, and you were able to tell me what was going on. Sometimes, I just had to muddle through for a while before I could figure things out."

"And no one suspected?"

"Oh, people suspected," Hermione said. "I think that all of my partners thought that I was acting strange at least once. I was always able to explain it away. But Sirius was very suspicious in the Draco universe. I think it was only the fact that I was pregnant there that kept him from questioning me too much."

"You were pregnant? By Draco Malfoy? And Sirius was alive?" Padma asked in surprise.

"Oh, right, I haven't told you all of this have I?"

"Definitely not."

They spent the rest of the lunch eating and discussing all of the lives Hermione had lived.

"I still can't believe the me in your world is holding out for Ernie," Padma said wrinkling her nose at the thought. They were on their way back to the Ministry. "I mean we dated for a bit and he was a tosser."

Hermione laughed. "More than one of you has told me to tell my Padma to get rid of him."

"Well, she should."

"I'll be sure to let her know," Hermione said. "If I ever get back that is."

"You will," Padma assured her.

"I hope so," Hermione said.

"You will." Padma was more insistent this time.

Hermione gave her a small smile, praying she was right.