A/N - Thanks so much for reading and let me know what you think!

Chapter 3

28 June 2003

"I, erm, needed to ask Padma something about work." Hermione said.

"Weren't you just-" Fred trailed off looking behind him for a second. "You said you were going to take a shower."

"Right," Hermione said, her heart beginning to pound. "I was but then I remembered something I needed to talk to Padma about so I decided to pop over before I forgot."

His brow furrowed. "I've been in the living room the whole time. You couldn't have gone through the Floo."

"I Apparated," Hermione said.

Fred stared at her for a moment. "You're wearing different clothes."

"What?" Hermione's brain scrambled to find a way out of this situation.

"That's not what you were wearing before you went to take a shower," Fred said. His eyes narrowed as he stared at her.

"Oh, well-"

"Where's your ring?" he asked.

Hermione swore in her head. "I took it off, before my shower."

"You're not Hermione."

Fred's head disappeared from the Floo and all Hermione had time to do before the Floo activated and he was stepping into Padma's living room, wand drawn, was palm her own wand.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Fred, what are you talking-"

"Don't," he snapped. "You're not my wife. That's not what she was wearing when she left, you're not wearing a wedding ring, and just before I stepped through I heard the shower running. So, I'll ask again. Who the hell are you?"

"Fred, you don't understand," Hermione began but instead of responding, he cast an Incarcerous.

Hermione may not have dueled for a while but her wartime reflexes hadn't yet left her and she cast a Protego and blocked his spell. Fred, however, was no slouch either and cast another two spells in rapid succession. It was all Hermione could do to block them; she couldn't even think about going on the offensive. Nor did she want to.

"Please, Fred, just listen," she tried as she blocked yet another stunner from him. At this rate, they were going to destroy Padma's flat.

Hermione dodged as he cast again and as she moved, her foot caught on the edge of the carpet. She stumbled and Fred disarmed her, then cast another Incarcerous. Hermione swore as ropes tightened around her body and she vowed to practice dueling with Harry again when she got back to her own world.

Fred moved to stand over her, his wand pointing at her face. "Either tell me who you are or I call the Aurors."

"I can't tell you." At the look on his face, she hurriedly continued. "It has to do with work."

Fred's mouth tightened. "A convenient excuse, don't you think?"

"Convenient or not, it's the truth."

"Sure, it is. I suppose we'll just have to sit here until the Polyjuice wears off. When did you take your last dose anyway?"

Hermione said nothing. If Fred had Flooed Padma while the other Hermione was taking a shower, she would have no idea where he'd gone even when she discovered him missing from their flat. Hermione could only hope that Padma wouldn't take long at the shops.

"Although," Fred said as he continued to study Hermione. "It's not Polyjuice is it? The resemblance is close, I'll give you that, but it's not perfect. Which means you either have a very old hair of Hermione's or it's a glamour."

He cast a few countercharms for glamours but nothing happened, of course. Fred frowned as Hermione continued to wriggle slightly in the ropes. Her wandless magic was limited but she could do an 'Accio' to get her wand. However, it wouldn't do her any good if she couldn't get at least one hand free. Otherwise, her wand would just bounce off her bound body.

She wondered what the other Hermione would do when she got out of the shower and found Fred missing. She highly doubted that her counterpart would think to Floo Padma to see if Fred was here. She wondered why Fred had been calling Padma anyway.

"What did you do with Padma?" Fred asked.

"I didn't do anything to her. She's out at the shops."

He glanced over his shoulder and then walked backwards keeping his eyes on Hermione while he did so. When he reached the corridor, he called out for Padma.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't you think she would have come running when she heard us dueling if she were here?"

"Only if you haven't done something to her."

Hermione sighed. "I haven't done anything and I can't tell you why I'm here. If you don't believe me, go home and ask your wife."

Fred ignored her and cast a petrification spell on her for good measure before he turned towards Padma's bedroom. Hermione screamed in frustration in her head.

A few minutes later, having obviously searched the rest of the flat, Fred returned, glanced at Hermione, and then went to the Floo. Instead of stepping through like she expected, he knelt in front of the fireplace and stuck his head in. Then he called out for his wife.

Hermione could do nothing but wait as Fred continued to call out for the other Hermione. After a few minutes, she must have finally been done with her shower because Hermione saw his body sag in what she could only guess was relief. He told the other Hermione where he was and they had a brief conversation, although Hermione could only hear Fred's side of it.

"Just come through, love," Fred said. He pulled his head from the fireplace, stood, and pointed his wand at Hermione again.

A few seconds later, the other Hermione stepped through. She sighed as she saw Hermione's frozen form on the floor. The other Hermione quickly ended both of Fred's spells and then walked over and helped her up. She then summoned Hermione's wand from Fred's pocket.

Fred stared at her in disbelief. "What the hell is going on, Hermione?"

The other Hermione turned to him in exasperation. "It's work-related, that's all I can say."

"Something at work that involves you having a doppelganger? Who pretends to be you, no less?"

"You know I can't tell you, Fred," the other Hermione said.

"She looks different. Not by much, mind you, but if you were going for an exact double, it didn't work."

It was true. The other Hermione's hair was longer and her curls were tamer due to a potion Fred had invented just for her. He'd given it to her for her birthday last year. And Hermione had noticed that this Hermione didn't look half as weary as she sometimes did. She'd chalked that up to the lack of relationship stress.

"What were you Flooing Padma for anyway?" the other Hermione asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Just needed to ask her something," Fred said innocently. The other Hermione's eyes narrowed, studying her husband.

"It's a surprise. Don't spoil it. And don't try to change the subject." He looked at his wife. "Do you know for certain where Padma is?" He eyed Hermione suspiciously.

The other Hermione rolled her eyes. "If she says Padma's at the shops, she's at the shops. There's nothing sinister going on here, Fred."

"Then what is going on?"

"You know I can't tell you anything about work," the other Hermione said with a sigh.

Fred looked between them a few more times before he finally threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine."

"You can't say anything about this to anyone," the other Hermione said. "Not even George."

"Come on, Hermione. You know how hard that is."

"Then I'll have to Obliviate you."

Hermione cringed internally. She hated memory magic, had ever since she'd modified her parents' memories. She knew that this Hermione had found her parents and restored their memories as well, but they hadn't seemed to have the reaction that Hermione's did. They'd been happy to have their daughter back more than anything.

Hermione's parents, though, had been angry about what she'd done and hadn't spoken to her for several weeks. Even now, things could be strained between them at times. They still loved her and they got along for the most part but she knew they would never have the close relationship that they used to. She'd broken their trust.

"You wouldn't," Fred said.

"You know the rules, Fred. I could lose my job if they find out."

He glanced at Hermione one more time, then looked back at his wife. "I won't say anything, I promise."

"Go home then," the other Hermione said. She tugged him towards the Floo but Fred continued to look at Hermione over his shoulder. She shifted nervously.

"Fred," the other Hermione prodded.

"Sorry, it's just bloody strange."

"I know," the other Hermione said.

Hermione wanted to nod in agreement but refrained. Fred looked at her one last time before turning to his wife. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. When they parted, the other Hermione's cheeks were pink and she all but shoved him into the Floo.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said as soon as he disappeared. "I guess Padma forgot to ward the Floo before she left."

"It's all right," the other Hermione assured her. "It's not the first time he's found out something about a work project. He won't say anything."

Hermione nodded.

"Are you all right?" the other Hermione asked.

"Besides realizing that I really need to keep up on my dueling? Yes."

The other Hermione chuckled. "Let me help you fix the flat."

The proceeded to repair everything that had broken. Thankfully, only the living room had been affected. When they finished the other Hermione turned to her. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah," Hermione said. It's not like she could go anywhere.

The other Hermione smiled and then followed Fred through the Floo.

Hermione blew out a breath and flopped back down onto the couch. She needed to figure out how that device worked and get back to her own world.

"Well, at least now I don't have to make excuses to come over here," the other Hermoine said that evening. She turned to Padma. "Do you know what he wanted to talk to you about?"

"I'm not spoiling anything but your anniversary is coming up," Padma said with a smirk. She laughed at the other Hermione's expression. Hermione could relate. She wasn't big on surprises either.

"Trust me, it will be fine," Padma said.

"Famous last words," the other Hermione said under her breath.

Hermione chuckled. "Did you find anything in Grimmauld's library?"

"Not really," the other Hermione said with a sigh. She set a book on the table. "I skimmed through this one and I didn't see anything that jumped out but I brought it anyway."

They'd translated all the runes but the symbols were still giving them trouble. They'd found a few more over the last couple of days but nothing that had given them any indication of how the device worked. And they still had yet to decipher the one that wrapped around the sides of the outermost ring. What Hermione had thought was a rune, wasn't. Or at least, it wasn't one she could figure out from just the left side. It didn't seem to match up with anything.

"I'm thinking that we are probably going to have to go to Davidson on Monday," the other Hermione said with a sigh.

Hermione grimaced. The Head Unspeakable was going to be furious that they'd waited nearly a week to report what had happened. Hermione would end up being confined to the DOM, probably isolated from everyone so as not to affect anything any further and she'd just have to wait while they researched a way to get her back. As much as she was tired of staying in Padma's flat, she couldn't imagine being forced to stay in the bowels of the Ministry for who knew how long.

"Actually, I had a thought," Padma said. When both Hermiones focused on her, she smiled. "What about a Pensieve?"

Hermione frowned in thought. "To see what happened with the rings when I jumped?" The other Hermione looked to have come to the same conclusion.

"Yes," Padma said. "If we know which ones turned and how many times, we might be able to reverse it."

"That's risky," the other Hermione said. "She could end up somewhere else completely."

"It wouldn't hurt to look though," Hermione said. "But I can't imagine I'd be able to get into the Department of Mysteries undetected."

The DOM had a Pensieve available for the Unspeakables to use, but after the incident in her fifth year the department had changed security measures. People were screened by their magical signature and the Head Unspeakable was alerted if someone who wasn't supposed to be there entered. While it was possible that both Hermiones had the same magical signature, although Hermoine doubted it, they were different people after all, it still would register two of them and Davidson would be alerted anyway.

"We don't have to go to the Ministry," Padma said with a grin.

"Where else besides Hogwarts is there a Pensieve?" Hermione asked in confusion. Hogwarts would likely be just as difficult to get into.

"Gareth's family owns one."

Hermione looked at her in surprise. Pensieves were rare, not to mention expensive to acquire.

"Gareth's mum was an Avery," the other Hermione explained.

"She married a half-blood and while not disowned, she certainly wasn't overly welcome in the family anymore. Not to mention that she didn't share their Pureblood ideology. Her brother never had children so she ended up inheriting everything when he was killed in the Final Battle. Including the family Pensieve," Padma said. "The only problem is, we'll have to go there to use it. But Gareth's parents are on holiday so at least we won't have to worry about anyone but Gareth."

"And what are you going to tell him?" Hermione asked. "I mean, I know that I can be disguised but won't he wonder why you're not using the one at work?"

Padma shrugged. "Not likely. He has no reason to know that the DOM has one and I've never mentioned it because I've never actually used it."

"Should we go now?" the other Hermione asked.

"Let me just Floo and make sure he's home." Padma went to the Floo and knelt to call Gareth.

Thirty minutes later, they had travelled by Floo to Gareth's parents' home. Hermione, who had been glamoured, was introduced as a work colleague. Gareth led them into his mother's study where the Pensieve was stored.

"I suppose I need to make myself scarce for this," he said once he had settled the bowl on his mother's desk.

"Sorry, but yes," Padma said. She gave him a quick kiss and squeezed his hand before he left the room. Once he was gone, the other Hermione cast privacy wards on the room making certain they wouldn't be overheard.

Hermione carefully drew the memory from her temple and flicked it into the bowl. She looked at the other two women and nodded once. The three of them lowered their faces into the Pensieve.

Hermione had used a Pensieve before but it was still disorienting for a moment. Padma had a harder time as this was her first experience. The other Hermione steadied her and they turned to watch Hermione's memory.

"The camera was a good idea but levitating the device and trying to photograph it on your own?" the other Hermione questioned.

"I'm aware," Hermione said with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest.

Padma chuckled to herself.

"This is it," Hermione said.

They watched as Hermione lost control of her levitation spell and the device began to tumble, end over end. The two outermost rings turned but the other three seemed to remain stationary. Something on the device appeared to glow just before she disappeared from the DOM but she couldn't tell what it was.

When the memory had finished, they left the Pensieve and compared notes. They all agreed on what had happened except that Padma had thought the innermost ring had moved as well, just hadn't done a complete turn. The other Hermione thought the glow might have been one of the runes or symbols lighting up but she couldn't tell which one because they were so small.

After their fifth watch of the memory, they were all in agreement about the sequence of events. They knew the general location of the rune or symbol that had glowed and wanted to look at the device to see if they could determine which one it was. Hermione thought it was the rune for journey, which would make sense. She wished they had the device here to be sure though.

"I know what you're thinking," the other Hermione said. "And no."

"I wasn't going to suggest it," Hermione said with a scowl. It was rather inconvenient to have someone who was essentially you know what you were thinking.

"Suggest what?" Padma asked.

"Bringing the device here to be sure which rune it was that glowed," the other Hermione said.

Padma looked at Hermione incredulously.

"I wasn't going to," Hermione muttered petulantly.

"We'll remember which one it was," Padma said. "We watched it enough times."

The other Hermione dropped the wards she'd put up and they left the room. Gareth came out of the sitting room across the corridor. "All finished then?"

"Yes, thank you so much, Gareth," the other Hermione said.

"Not a problem," he replied.

Padma walked over to him and they spoke quietly as they followed the other two women back to the Floo. Once they reached it, Gareth made his good-byes to both Hermiones, then turned to Padma.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Eleven o'clock."

He kissed her and then left the room as the three of them went through the Floo back to Padma's flat.

"Maybe if we just reverse it, she'd go back to her own universe," Padma said.

They'd been mulling over possible ways to get Hermione back for over an hour now.

"I'm just concerned about why that particular rune lit up," the other Hermione said.

Instead of 'journey', which they all assumed had been the rune that glowed, it appeared to actually be 'destiny'. Although the two were near one another on the device, the three women were nearly positive that it had been 'destiny'.

"It doesn't necessarily have to mean anything," Padma said. "The device wasn't used properly, we all know that. Who knows which runes would light up if we actually knew how to use it."

"Then there's no guarantee that reversing the turns would take her back," the other Hermione pointed out. "It might not work at all."

"Or it could take me somewhere else," Hermione said with a sigh.

"Yes," the other Hermione agreed.

Hermione rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. She was so tired of speculating and completely frustrated that they couldn't just figure this thing out. It was unrealistic she knew. This type of project could take months, if not years, to complete, given they had no information whatsoever on the device.

The contents of Rookwood's vault and properties here had been seized by the Ministry after his death, as they had with Death Eaters in her world. Padma and the other Hermione had absolutely no idea what would have happened to any kind of journals or notes, but it was likely that they were destroyed. And obviously, this device hadn't been discovered in this universe. Either Rookwood had never made it, it had already been destroyed, or the property of his where the device had been found had not yet been discovered.

Hermione wished that she'd asked Croaker more about where the device had been found. Of course, what reason would she have had to need to know that? And while Croaker had told her that they were still searching the property for anything pertaining to the device, she'd disappeared before any notes had been found.

If they even existed, that was. It was possible that Rookwood had stored his notes elsewhere and they had already been confiscated and destroyed. Anything not of value to the Ministry hadn't been kept. Or he might have destroyed his notes himself. Not that Hermione really thought that. He had been an Unspeakable after all. None of that helped them now though.

"We're going to have to go to Davidson, aren't we?" Hermione asked with a sigh.

"I'm afraid so," the other Hermione said.

"She's going to go spare that we kept this from her for a week," Padma said.

"I'll go in on my own," Hermione said. "I don't want either of you getting into trouble for this."

But the other Hermione was shaking her head. "We'll need to tell her exactly what happened which means telling her that you landed in my flat."

"You don't have to have been home at the time," Hermione said. "I can just say that I left once I figured out that it wasn't actually my flat. She knows we're Muggleborn; I could have easily been hiding in Muggle London."

The other Hermione and Padma looked ready to protest so Hermione hurriedly continued. "I'm sure she'll believe me especially if I tell her I didn't want to interfere with the timeline or dimension line or whatever we're going to call it."

"I don't want you to be kept prisoner in the DOM," the other Hermione protested.

"So, you're going to give her an excuse to keep the two of you there too? Besides, I'm not going to be a prisoner. It will just be like being at work all the time. My dream." Hermione chuckled but the other two didn't seem amused. "Please, you both have done so much for me. Let me do this and keep you out of it."

"What if she tries Veritaserum?"

"You know how good our Occlumency is," Hermione said with a shrug. "That always interferes with Veritaserum."

"Let's sleep on it," Padma said. "We can decide tomorrow."

"All right," the other Hermione said. "Fred and I have plans earlier in the day but I'll stop over before we go to the Burrow for Sunday dinner. So, four o'clock?"

"That's fine, Gareth and I are having brunch and then doing some shopping in Diagon. I'll be home by then."

"Good, I'll see you tomorrow then."

Hermione watched her go through the Floo and knew there was no way she was going to let either of them get into trouble for her. She'd go to the Ministry in the middle of the night and wait for Davidson to arrive if she had to.

29 June 2003

Hermione stared at the device in front of her. Padma had left for her brunch date with Gareth and Hermione was restless. She had lain awake most of the night imagining just how long she would be stuck in this universe and had been tempted more than once to just grab the thing and reverse the turns that had brought her here. It was only the thought of ending up somewhere horrible that had kept Hermione from throwing caution to the wind and just trying it. What if she ended up in a universe where Voldemort had won? Or one where she didn't have magic at all?

The three of them had discussed replicating what Hermione had been trying to do in the Department of Mysteries. With three of them, they should easily be able to keep the device levitated while taking photographs. Hermione, however, had been against it. If something did go wrong, the last thing she wanted was for one of the other two to be flung into some other universe.

That didn't mean that Hermione wasn't going to turn the thing over and look at it herself. She'd already written a note for Padma in case something went wrong and Hermione disappeared again. Pulling in a breath, Hermione pointed her wand at the device and cast a stabilization charm. They'd discussed doing it many times but were concerned the magic would interact with it somehow. But now, Hermione was out of options.

After a few moments when nothing happened, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She pointed her wand at it again and levitated it, then carefully turned it over and settled it back into the box. After waiting for another few minutes, she grinned when the device remained benignly in the box. She leaned forward to inspect the runes and symbols.

At first glance, they looked similar to the ones on the other side and Hermione frowned. This was something they had discussed as a possibility, that the two sides were mirror images of each other. As Hermione's gaze roved over the rings she realized that while some were the same as the runes on the other side, there were also differences. Excitement growing that she might find another clue, she jumped up to retrieve the books they had been using and set to work.

An hour later, Hermione groaned in frustration. She'd looked for one particular book on symbols that the other Hermione had brought only to find it missing. The other woman must have taken it home with her. If Hermione wanted to figure out some of these symbols, she would need that book.

She chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating the Floo. The other Hermione had said that she and Fred had plans this morning so Hermione could just pop over to the flat and find the book. It would only take her a few minutes and she was sure that the other Hermione wouldn't mind. Unless their plans involved, well, something that would have stayed in for.

Hermione thought about it for a few more seconds before she decided just to do it. She'd call first, that way if the other Hermione and Fred were still in the flat, she'd know before she saw anything. Unless they were in the living room or the kitchen. She shook her head to clear it of that mental image and grabbed the Floo powder before she changed her mind.

Closing her eyes as she stuck her head into the fireplace, Hermione waited for the grates to stop spinning. Keeping her eyes closed she waited but didn't hear anything. She opened one eye and was met with an empty living room. Thank Merlin.

"Hermione?" she called out. When there had been no response after several minutes, she pulled her head from the Floo, threw in more powder, and then stepped through.

Hermione searched the bookshelves in the living room but didn't find what she was looking for. She glanced into the kitchen and then made her way to the bedroom. There was a stack of books on the desk in the corner of the room and after looking thought it, Hermione found what she needed. Grabbing the book, she began to head back to the living room when she heard the Floo flare to life.

"Hermione?" a voice called and Hermione froze. It was Harry.

She quickly stepped back into the shadows in the hall, eyes widening. She looked around frantically as if something in the corridor could help her. She couldn't Disapparate with the anti-Apparition wards on the flat. Her only means of escape were the Floo or the front door. Hopefully, Harry hadn't seen her and she could just hide in the bedroom until he realized the other Hermione wasn't here and ended the call.

"Hermione, are you there? I really need to talk to you."

Hermione bit her lip. He sounded so defeated. She remembered that this world's Hermione had also had a conversation with Harry about what was going on with him and Ginny. Had this world's Harry spoken to Ginny? What had the redhead said?

Even if this wasn't her Harry, he was still Harry. He was still the other Hermione's best friend and he was obviously hurting. Despite the voice screaming in her head to stay put, Hermione walked into the living room. The look of relief on Harry's face when he saw her made it worth it. Hermione would always be there for Harry, no matter the universe.

"What's going on, Harry?"

"Can I come through?"

"Of course," Hermione said.

Seconds later, Harry was in the living room. This Harry looked identical to her own. Hermione only hoped that he didn't notice the differences, albeit slight, between her and the other Hermione.

When Harry didn't say anything for a few moments, Hermione tugged his hand and pulled him down on the couch next to her. "What is it?"

He looked up at her, pain clear on his face. "I talked to Ginny."

"Oh, Harry. What happened?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "She agreed that we haven't been connecting lately. Blamed it on our schedules and just not having a lot of time together. I mean, she's not wrong but," he shook his head, "it's more than that."

Hermione waited as he seemed to gather his thoughts.

"We talked about kids and she told me that she couldn't give me a definite answer. All she knew was that she wasn't ready to give up Quidditch and she didn't know when she would be. And on top of everything, that damn photo of her and Alex."

He sighed again. "She just didn't seem like she thought there was anything really wrong and that it would all work itself out somehow. When I suggested we take a little time off and go away somewhere just the two of us, she told me she couldn't right now. It's like, it's like she's out there living her life and I'm just supposed to be waiting around for when she has time for me or something."

He looked up at Hermione. "If she doesn't think anything's wrong, how can we fix this?"

He looked so miserable, Hermione couldn't help but pull him into a hug. "It's going to be okay, Harry."

"I love her, Hermione. But I don't know, it's just not…the same."

Hermione held him tighter and he buried his face in her hair. They sat that way for a few minutes until Harry pulled back from her. "I don't know what to do."

"If you want to work things out with her then you need to make sure Ginny understands how you feel. If she can't accept your feelings then you have a choice to make. Relationships aren't one-sided, both people have to be willing to work at it."

Hermione realized that this was exactly the issue with her and Ron. He just seemed to think that because they were together they would stay that way. Gods, she needed to take her own advice.

"I know you're right." Harry looked up at her. "You sure you're still blissfully happy with Fred?" he asked with a smirk. He tugged at one of her curls. "We could run away together you know."

Hermione's laugh felt harsh but she kept a smile plastered on her face and Harry didn't seem to notice. "I'm sure."

"I have to go but you're going to be at the Burrow tonight, yeah?" Harry asked.

"Yes.

He nodded. "Maybe we can talk more then?"

"Of course, we can." She was going to have to be sure to tell the other Hermione exactly what they'd said in this conversation. Hermione already knew her counterpart was going to be furious that she'd talked to Harry.

Harry rose from the couch and Hermione followed suit. He hugged her again. "I love you, you know that right?"

"I love you too, Harry."

Harry gave her a sad smile when they parted, then grabbed the Floo powder and stepped through the Floo.

Hermione flopped back onto the couch once he'd left. The other Hermione and Padma were going to kill her.

"What were you thinking?" Padma demanded.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry!" Hermione said. "He was just so upset I couldn't just ignore him. I couldn't."

"What if he had noticed, Hermione?" Padma asked. "There are differences between the two of you."

"He didn't," Hermione assured her. "He was too upset and he saw what he wanted to see."

"He was that upset?" the other Hermione asked quietly.

Hermione nodded. "I'll tell you everything, exactly what he said. But I don't, well, I don't know if he's going to stay with Ginny."

The other Hermione stared at her for a few moments and then she nodded. "You shouldn't have done it but I understand why you did."

"Hermione!" Padma protested.

"It's Harry," the other Hermoine said with a shrug and Hermione couldn't help her smile.

Padma sighed in exasperation. "Regardless, you had better make sure that he doesn't suspect anything."

"I will, don't worry," the other Hermione said. "We're supposed to talk at the Burrow?"

Hermione nodded. "Although, where you'll get any privacy there, I have no idea."

The other Hermione chuckled. "You'd better fill me in then."

"You're sure?" Padma asked for the third time.

"Yes," Hermione said in exasperation. "You've spent far too much time helping me as it is."

"I did spend most of the day with him," Padma said. "He'll understand if I can't make it."

"Padma, go see your boyfriend. I'll be perfectly fine here. Now that I can see the other side of the device, I'm going to try to figure out this rune or whatever it is wrapped around the edge."

"Yes, well, we'll talk about how incredibly dangerous that was later," Padma said as she slipped on her shoes.

"Worked, didn't it?" Hermione asked with a smirk.

Padma just rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath about Gryffindors. Hermione laughed. She'd heard the same thing from her Padma more than once. A momentary pang of longing for her friend passed through her.

Pulling a deep breath, she put a smile on her face and looked up at Padma. "Have fun. I won't wait up."

Padma rolled her eyes again but a bit of color stained her cheeks. She waved to Hermoine and stepped into the Floo, calling out for Gareth's.

After Padma's departure, Hermione's mind wandered back to Harry. She wondered if her Harry had spoken to Ginny in their universe and if their discussion had gone the same way. And who would be there for Harry to talk to? He couldn't very well go to Ron. Ron would lose it if he even had an inkling that Harry and Ginny might break up. That pretty much left out the rest of the Weasleys as well. Besides her, who did Harry have to confide in about this? She berated herself again for her stupid decision with the device.

Hermione sighed, her mind turning to what was going to happen tomorrow when she basically turned herself in to Davidson. She had been able to convince Padma and the other Hermione to allow her to go in on her own. She was going in early before most people would be there. If she couldn't get to Davidson's office, she would wait outside the entry chamber for the woman to arrive. While not in as early as Croaker usually was, Padma and the other Hermione had confirmed Davidson was still the first to arrive in the mornings, especially on Mondays.

Hermione was not looking forward to the meeting at all, not to mention having to be sequestered in the DOM for an unknown amount of time. While she had managed to mostly keep a lid on her fear about not being able to return to her own world since that first night, it slipped as she thought about her possible indefinite confinement in the Ministry. If time were passing in her world as it was here and she was stuck here for months, what would happen at home? Croaker would likely assume that the device was some kind of time-turner after all. Would he think she was lost? Dead?

And what would he be able to tell her friends and family? The Department of Mysteries kept their secrets for a reason. Would her friends, her parents, spend the rest of their lives having no idea what happened to her? Croaker wouldn't really know either, of course, but what could he tell them if anything?

Panic began to work its way through her until her hands were fisted, her knuckles white and her nails biting into her palms. She couldn't be stuck here forever, she could not. She had to find a way to get home. She immediately flashed back to the Pensieve. She could try to reverse the turns to see if that took her home. It might not, she knew that, but not trying didn't change anything either. She had to do something. She had to.

She grabbed a piece of parchment and scribbled out a short note to Padma that simply said, "I'm sorry. I have to try."

Then Hermione grabbed the device, put the chain around her neck, and closed her eyes. She ran through the memory of the Pensieve again, then took a breath and turned the rings. Seconds later, she disappeared from Padma's flat.