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Chapter Text

The flames danced across the piles of forgotten items. It was surprising that the fire didn't race through the space faster, consuming everything in its path instantly. Hermione had always thought that fiendfyre would be hungrier than it was in real life. Although, perhaps her perception of time had slowed the way it does in moments of chaos and that plume of cursed flame was actually about to devour her. That would make sense. She should probably get moving. 

"Ron, grab Hermione! Harry yelled as he grabbed Goyle and dragged him on the old broom he'd found in the opposite corner from Hermione. "Malfoy's trying to get Crabbe!" 

"On my way!" Ron yelled back, heading in her direction as fast as he could. Next to Hermione, a towering bookshelf full of old parchment nearly exploded as the fire finally reached it and a large trunk that had been perched awkwardly upon it fell directly onto Hermione, knocking her down. 

Her head smacked the floor, and the world spun for a moment. The trunk felt like it was filled with lead weights and panic shot through Hermione's chest as she wiggled, struggling to move it off of her. While the trunk's polished wood seemed to insulate her somewhat from the nearby flames, the super heated metal fixtures of the trunk seared her hands and arms as she pushed and strained against its weight. 

Finally, it moved. Not a lot. It was just enough for Hermione to leverage it against the floor and wiggle out from under it. Free at last, she stood up and looked for the others through the smoke and flames. 

"Ron! I'm over here!" She screamed. She couldn't see him through the wall of flames before her. Her heart beat wildly in panic. 

"Ron!" 

Hermione decided to retreat to the back wall of the room, it was still untouched by the flames and there was a sturdy looking table that she could climb on to get a better viewpoint. 

She ran over and shoved the table against the stone wall and clambered onto the scarred mahogany surface. She stood up, expecting to see a scared redhead on a broom circling, looking for her. But there were only flames. No Ron. No Harry. No Draco. No brooms. 

No way out. 

They left her? Ron left her behind? 

A hot tear slid down Hermione's face as she slumped back against the stone wall and slid down in defeat. She hugged her knees as she wept. 

There has to be a way out. She just needed a way out. She wished she could go back in time and keep this from happening. She couldn't die here. Not like this. She had to get out somehow. 

Hermione saw a bright light out of the corner of her left eye and turned toward it, expecting to see the fire engulfing the nearby furniture. But the light was surrounding a wooden door set into the gray stone wall, a door that hadn't been there a moment ago. 

It took her a moment to realize that the room's magic must still be working, at least a little. She shoved herself to her feet and jumped down from the table. Hermione ran to the door and wrenched it open, revealing a narrow stone staircase. She slammed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, breathing heavily and coughing. She pulled her wand out of her beaded bag and cast a lumos to investigate her new surroundings as she caught her breath. 

It occurred to her that leaning against a wooden door that was the only thing between you and a magical fire was probably not very smart. So, Hermione gathered her strength and pushed away from it, only then realizing that the door was gone, replaced by a solid stone wall. 

A little thrill of fear went through her as Hermione realized that the magic that sustained the Room of Requirement may not survive the fire and this passageway could also turn back into stone with her still in it. There was no guarantee that it would last. She descended the stairs as quickly as her shaking legs could, assuming she would end up in the Hogshead. It had to be the same passageway from before. 

But, she came to a door much more quickly than she expected. She pushed it open and was nearly blinded by the sun glinting off a blanket of pristine white snow. 

Now that was weird. 

Hermione wondered why someone had conjured snow and who had enough power to make so much of it. Perhaps it was to guard the back of the castle? It would make some strategic sense to deter the deatheaters from forming a second front, she supposed as she trudged to the nearby back entrance. 

Hermione was shocked to find the door unlocked. There wasn't enough snow to make leaving a door unlocked during a siege a good idea, if such a thing could ever be a good idea. 

Hermione turned around and looked out at the snow again and realized that the sun was too high in the sky. It should have been darker. 

Maybe the room had sent her back in time? Maybe it wanted her to stop it from burning? That would explain everything. But, it would make reentering the castle dangerous. There could be deatheaters anywhere. 

Maybe she should head to Gryffindor tower. They would be able to tell her the date and update her on the current situation. And they would hide her and make sure the wounds she was just starting to feel were taken care of. 

Hermione took the nearest stairs two at a time up to the tower, relieved it was so close by. She was wheezing and exhausted by the time she stopped in front of the fat lady. 

She didn't know the password. Brightest witch of her age? Hermione scoffed at her lack of foresight. A wave of dizziness and fatigue hit her and she swayed before plopping down next to the portrait hole in exhausted resignation. She would just wait. She was too tired to think of a new plan. Wasn't even sure she cared anymore if she was caught by one of the Carrow twins. 

Her eyes drifted shut just as the portrait hole creaked open. She tried to open them again, but they were so heavy. Her limbs also seemed to be made of lead. Unfortunate. 

"Hey, did you forget the password?" 

"Oh Merlin! She's hurt!" 

"Run and tell Madame Pomfrey that we're bringing her a patient" 

"There's so much blood." 

"I know, hurry, transfigure that into a stretcher, I am going to try to slow the bleeding. We have to get her to Pomfrey, NOW" 

Chapter Text

Hermione opened her eyes and immediately regretted it. Why was it so bright? Did Harry leave the tent door open again? 

Hogwarts! She sat straight up in a panic and looked around her, sparking a litany of complaints from her body. But, the familiar sight of the hospital wing calmed her a little in spite of the pain. 

"You're awake!" A boy's voice startled her and she turned to see Harry and another dark-haired boy she didn't recognize. 

"Harry! What's going on? What day is it?" 

Harry gave her a strange look. "It's Saturday, Who's Harry?" 

Hermione huffed, "Sorry, not the day, the date. What's the date?" 

"December 10...1977, in case you've forgotten." Harry joked, as if it was ridiculous to not know what year it was. Which to be fair, would be valid to anyone who hadn't just experienced nonconsensual, accidental time displacement. 

However, Hermione froze as the reality of her situation sunk in. She looked more closely at Harry and gasped a little too audibly when she realized that there was no scar, no bright green eyes. Not Harry. 

Realizing the doppelganger wasn't Harry made the differences clearer. The boy was taller and healthier looking than Harry at his best, and she was surprised she didn't immediately see the difference considering how thin they'd both gotten over the last few months. The shock must be slowing her down for such a blatant difference to have escaped her notice. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't look at you closely enough, Harry's my brother. You look a bit like him" Hermione lied through her teeth. "Who are you? How did I end up here?" She was pretty sure she knew the answer, but she still hoped that she was wrong, maybe she'd heard the date wrong. Maybe she'd made it up. Maybe... 

"I'm James. James Potter. My friends and I found you unconscious and battered outside Gryffindor Tower and brought you here" The boy answered earnestly, interrupting the whirl of rationalizations racing through her mind. Hermione's heart sunk. 

The Room of Requirement apparently really had  taken her desire to prevent the fire a little too seriously. Or it malfunctioned as the fiendfyre devoured its magic. Who knows? It probably didn't matter how she ended up here. What mattered was what to do now. 

Was it possible to get back? All the books she had read in 3rd year about time travel claimed that it was impossible to move forward in time without aging as if you'd lived those years. But, the Department of Mysteries could know more. Maybe they could return her to her time? 

But did she even want to bother going back? What was left for her, a battle? Parents who didn't remember her and probably never would? Friends who left her to die a horrific death? Were they even sad she was gone? They probably didn't even care. 

Maybe she should give them a pass for leaving her behind. They probably thought she was already dead and were scared of joining her. Harry may not have even realized there was a problem until it was too late because he was focused on getting Goyle out. But in their place, she knew she would have checked before saving herself. Ron didn't. He left without her. He didn't even care enough to try. 

Ron's decision to leave her behind wasn't even just a failure of friendship like when he'd abandoned her and Harry before, but an absolute betrayal of what she had thought was the beginning of their love story. The grief of that realization threatened to swallow her whole. 

A tear welled up and spilled over onto her cheek without her consent. Hermione turned away,  reached up and swiped it away quickly, hoping the boys didn't see it. 

"Are you in pain? We should get Madame Pomfrey for you" Hermione, looked back at James and was surprised that James looked so concerned.He seemed so genuine. From the stories that Professor Lupin and Sirius had told her, she would never have guessed that James Potter would be so gentle. She'd always thought Harry had inherited his kindness from his mother, but it seemed that it came from James as well. Her heart warmed a little towards Harry's father, seeing that small resemblance to her best friend. 

"I'll get her" the other boy offered, jumping up out of his chair. Hermione finally looked at him, and recognized his gray eyes. Sirius, it had to be. He gave her a sad smile and turned and walked towards the medi-witch's office. 

James reached out and took her hand. "I'm glad you're awake. We weren't sure you would make it, you were in such bad shape. Smoke inhalation, burns, a head injury, broken bones, bruising, severe malnutrition, evidence of torture..." He trailed off. "I'm really glad you're okay" 

Hermione smiled at him."Me too, actually." She was surprised to realize it was true. Even if she was stuck forever in another time, she was glad that at least she didn't burn to death alone in that room. 

Madame Pomfrey came bustling out of her office and immediately began casting diagnostics over her and questioning her about her remaining symptoms. 

" You were in such bad shape, Miss--" Madame Pomfrey paused and looked at her "What's your name, dear? I just realized that I haven't asked" She smiled kindly at Hermione. 

It felt a bit like home lying on the clean white sheets of the hospital wing bed, with the medi-witch fussing over her. Madame Pomfrey might be younger, but she was still the same in essentials. Hermione felt bad about how much lying she was about to have to do to hide the truth from the kind witch. 

"I'm...Mina Bennet" she answered. Her real name was out of the question, of course 

Luckily, after Malfoy Manor, Hermione had thought up a new alias in case they got caught again. She didn't think she would need it, but wanted to be prepared so she wouldn't accidentally make someone else a target the way she could have by using Penelope's name. 

So, she had picked Mina from one of her favorite muggle books, because it was close enough to Mione that she thought it would be easy to answer to. And ever since the first time she'd read Pride and Prejudice, she had always wanted to be a Miss Bennet (as silly and girly as it made her feel). She'd probably never get another chance, so she was going for it if she ever needed another alias. Hermione was thankful that she was prepared this time. Hopefully, the name would bring her good luck

Chapter Text

"Miss Bennet, you've been unconscious for nearly two weeks. Luckily for you, that means that you've missed much of the most uncomfortable parts of your healing.” Madame Pomfrey shuffled over to the potion storage area and began pulling bottles out, checking labels, and adding them to a metal tray.

“Unfortunately, some of your injuries seem to be cursed, so they are resistant to healing. I have done my best to close the wounds, but we will have to keep a close eye on them to make sure that they heal. If they continue to resist healing, we may need to seek out a  specialist in cursed wound healing.” The medi-witch glanced at Hermione's arm sorrowfully, as she organized the potion bottles next to Hermione's hospital bed.

“In addition to your injuries, I am quite concerned about your overall health. You are malnourished, which will require a regimen of nutrition potions to correct. However, I believe that you should make a full recovery within a few weeks" Madame Pomfrey patted Hermione on the shoulder and gave her most encouraging smile.

"I'll need to inform the headmaster that you’re awake, he has a few questions for you" the medi-witch shot off a patronus to Dumbledore, then handed Hermione a potion.

Hermione took it quickly, immediately thankful that it only tasted faintly of mint. She counted herself lucky. Healing potions had quickly become the bane of her existence at Hogwarts.

After one of her first stays in the hospital wing, Hermione had decided that the reason that the Hogwarts Express sold Botts Every Flavored Beans was solely to train magical children to be able to choke down any vile tasting concoction they came across without vomiting. Thus far, she hadn't found any evidence to the contrary.

It was one of the things that Hermione thought muggles occasionally did better than the wizarding community. Magical healing potions may be more instantaneous, but paracetamol could be swallowed without inducing gagging. Sometimes, it seemed worth it.

Magic wasn't always better at everything, although Hermione guarded that opinion like it was a state secret, knowing that most of the wizarding community would never admit that muggles could be in any way superior.

Sirius picked up Hermione's next potion and held it out for her, shaking it to entice her to grab it from him, “I hope you're excited for this one, it tastes like a troll's foot” He grinned at her like they were good friends with an inside joke and Hermione saw the glimmers of the man she had once bickered with over elves rights. While they hadn't been particularly close, his familiar presence was still rather reassuring.

“Ecstatic to hear that” Hermione smiled wryly at Sirius before downing the truly heinous-tasting potion. She chased it with a full glass of water. “You undersold just how bad that one was, I think it's closer to a troll's armpit than feet”

The boys both chuckled at that before James paused and lightly slapped his forehead ”Oh Merlin, I almost forgot, we brought your bag. We didn't find your wand though, sorry.” James handed over the beaded bag after retrieving it from under his chair. “By the way, can you teach us whatever ward you have on that bag? I have a feeling it would be dead useful!”

“Thanks! I think I shoved my wand in here before I climbed up to Gryffindor Tower.” She said as she opened the bag and started rummaging through it. “Ha! Here it is!” Hermione pulled it out and  brandished it like a trophy as she bounced a little in her bed. She felt more confident with it back in her hand. “Ask me later about the wards, they're a bit tricky to master.” She smiled warmly at James, knowing he meant it would be useful for some kind of mischief.

Madame Pomfrey finished washing her hands, and crossed the room towards them, smiling indulgently at their antics. “Boys, now that you know Mina's alright, and have returned her property, you should let her get some rest.”

“But, Madame Pomfrey…”

“No, James. I know you all have a special interest in Mina since you saved her life, but I will take care of her. You can return after dinner. Get some fresh air or do something fun, you need a break.” The boys pouted just a little as they gathered their things.

“Alright, fine…See ya, Bennet, we'll be back after dinner!” James patted Mina's hand as Sirius pulled him away, throwing a cheeky grin at Hermione. 

The two of them nearly ran over the headmaster as he swept into the room wearing garish chartreuse robes embroidered with small star shapes. His eyes twinkled at them as they apologized. James gave a final wave before they disappeared around the corner.

James took the stairs from the Gryffindor common room up to his dorm two at a time.

“Oi! Prongs, what's the hurry?” Sirius whined as he hurried to keep up with his best friend.

“There's no hurry, I want to get the map. I just need to see something” James replied as he rounded the corner into their room and immediately began rifling through his trunk. He found the map quickly and opened it, looking at it intently.

“Is it time to stalk Evans again? I thought you gave that up when she finally agreed to date you” Sirius paused as he saw a slight flicker of guilt pass over James’ face. 

“Or, is it your newest obsession? Our Miss Mina Bennet?” The discomfort on his friend's face confirmed that Sirius was on the right track now. He grinned mischievously.

“Are you expecting that she fled the Hospital Wing as soon as she was out of our sight? Mayhap, she murdered the headmaster and Madame Pomfrey on her way out? Better make sure”

“Mayhap? What century are you channeling, you prat?” James teased him, pushing him lightly as he paced the room.

“I like it, it's jaunty. It gives me a certain je ne sais quoi.” Sirius shot back.

“Anyway, I know she's there. I just need to know she's alright. She looked so lost and alone —” James paused and squinted at the map. “She's not there.”

“What?” Sirius grabbed the map from his friend and scrutinized it before pointing a finger at a dot in the hospital wing.

“There may not be a Mina Bennet there, but there is a Hermione Granger. It's probably her, that little liar” Sirius said a little fondly, liking her better for the small deception.

“She lied about her name? Why would she do that? We saved her.” James looked a little hurt and a lot indignant at the discovery.

“Well, you saw the state she was in: tortured, that slur carved into her arm. If anyone has the right to be cautious, it's probably her. Plus, it's not like she knows that we have a way to figure out who she really is.”

“That's true. Someone might be looking for her. It was smart to use a different name. It's probably a good thing. It'll keep her safe” James rubbed his forehead like the mental gymnastics of absolving the mostly unknown witch were giving him a headache.

Sirius laughed. “You're so determined to like her. You don't even know her, Prongs. She might be a terrible person. Maybe she deserved the torture.”

“What! You were the one defending her and in any case, who deserves torture?”

“I know, but I am keeping an open mind, unlike you. Adopting her like she's a little wounded bird while knowing only her name” Sirius bent over holding his stomach while he laughed.

Unamused, James picked up Peter's pillow off the bed next to him and chucked it at Sirius’ head. It nearly knocked the laughing wizard over.

“Hey! Bad Prongs!” Sirius shouted “So violent when you're feeling defensive”

“Keep it up, Pads, and I'll throw a shoe at you next time” James threatened indifferently as he sprawled out on his bed. Sirius plopped down next to him.

“No shoes. You might damage my pretty face. Do you really want to be hated by every witch in the school and a good chunk of the wizards for ruining such perfection?” Sirius asked loftily.

“Of course not. I'd never survive it. I don't want to end up in the hospital wing next to Mina, ripped to pieces by your rabid admirers.” James laughed at his friend.

“Ah, glad you're on the mend” Professor Dumbledore said warmly. “We were rather worried about you.”

Hermione really wasn't ready to have a discussion with Dumbledore yet. She hadn't had time to make a plan and decide what to tell him yet. The whole truth? A partial truth, keeping future information secret? Or nothing? What was her best option? 

The fear that had been embedded into her bones by her time in the fire, began to rise again. Her heart beat impossibly fast. Hermione just wanted to run and hide. And she felt stupid for reacting this way, it was just the headmaster, she could trust him…

“How did you end up here, Miss Granger?” 

Chapter Text

“What?” Hermione was shocked, and pulled at her wild hair to soothe her anxiety. How did he know who she was? Did her real name show up in Hogwarts documentation or something? Magic could really be problematic for keeping secrets sometimes.

“Legilimency, my dear. No one knew who you were, so I took a quick peak to try to find answers. The mind is a bit trickier to penetrate when the subject is unconscious though, and unfortunately you only get fractured impressions” Dumbledore explained with a thoughtful expression subduing his usual eye twinkle.

She knew it was the stupid magic ruining her plans! Hermione really was going to just thoroughly destroy the future as she knew it. At least that meant that she wouldn't have to sit and watch as all the same mistakes were made and everyone died the same way. She might even be able to prevent Tom's resurrection. That was a cheery thought at least. It gave Hermione all sorts of warm fuzzies. Almost enough to cover over the discomfort of someone being in her head.

“I believe that you are a Hogwarts student, though I don't recognize you, so I assume you came from the future. Time turner?” He inquired as if it made no difference to him. However, Hermione thought she caught a glimmer of tension behind the practiced nonchalance. She was almost certain that he was afraid of her answer.

“Not this time, no. I was in the Room of Requirement and another student cast fiendfyre. It spread quickly, and I was stuck and asked the room for a way out and I may have wished that I could go back before the fire started. I don't know if the magic malfunctioned because of the cursed fire, or if it sent me back to the point that began the events leading to the fire” Hermione mused, still wanting an explanation. If anyone would know or have access to information, it was the headmaster.

“When you say it started now what do you mean?” Dumbledore accioed a chair over and sat himself next to Hermione's hospital bed.

“We were preparing to battle Tom and his followers. The deatheaters were gathering outside the castle to attack. My best friends and I were gathering supplies from the room when we were surprised by students who aligned with the other side. The student who cast the fire was the child of a deatheater, stupid and looking for glory” 

Hermione decided at the last second to omit the information about the horcruxes and her best friends’ identities. She wasn't even certain why she did it, just a vague discomfort sharing the information with the headmaster. She supposed she could always fill him in later if she changed her mind. Or he might decide to invade her mind without permission again.

“Tom?”

“Ah, sorry, there was a taboo on the name Voldemort and saying ‘You-know-who’ or ‘He-who-should-not-be-named’ was a bit of a mouthful. After we broke the taboo and got captured once, I started using “Tom” instead because it felt more normal and the name is so ubiquitous that it seemed unlikely that they would ever be able to use it as a taboo." Hermione rambled a little as she tried to explain.

“Voldemort is still alive, then?” Dumbledore asked casually.” What year did you come back from?” Hermione found the headmaster's attempt at subtlety incredibly grating. The whole interview would be so much quicker if he would simply be straightforward about what he wanted to know. She looked down at the sheet covering her legs and fidgeted with it before answering.

“Not really still alive so much as he returned, actually. He was thought to be dead from the early 1980s to about 1995. It was 1998 before I came here.” 

“Twenty years in the future and still having to deal with him? You'll need to give me the details, so that I can decide what to change and what to keep”

“Could we do that another time, professor? I am rather tired.” Hermione feigned fatigue, hoping she was a better actress than a liar. She was not at all convinced that it was a good idea to meddle with the past, and until she knew what she thought about it, she wasn't about to give him the information.

The first time around, nearly the entire Order had been killed under Dumbledore's leadership and Voldemort's defeat was largely pure dumb luck rather than effective strategy. It may be prudent to insist on being in charge of any interventions in the timeline, if that was the direction she decided was best.

“Of course, my dear. It can wait until you are stronger.” The headmaster stood and sent his chair back to its original location.

“Oh, before you go, I was wondering if you knew of any way to return to the future or had any contacts in the Department of Mysteries that might be able to help?” Hermione asked before letting out a real yawn. Maybe the fatigue wasn't all an act, after all.

“I'm afraid I don't have any answers offhand for you, but I do have a few friends I can reach out to discreetly” Dumbledore patted her shoulder lightly, with more fondness than Hermione had ever experienced from him.“I'll see you again tomorrow, sleep well”He smiled at her and swept out of the room.

Hermione felt guilty that she was glad that he was gone.

The great hall was buzzing with activity by the time James and Sirius arrived. They headed over to their usual spots at the Gryffindor table, eager and hungry.

“Moony!” James practically yelled as he fell into his seat across from Remus. “You're here!”

“ Prongs!” Remus replied mockingly, looking up from the stew in front of him, spoon in mid air. “Where else would I be at dinnertime? Taking a stroll through the Forbidden Forest? On a tour of the Slytherin common room?”

“I don't know, you've just been missing all day…and we had important news to share.” James smiled with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

“I was in the library, with your girlfriend, studying.” Remus replied nonchalantly.

“What! Sneaking off to the library with my girlfriend? I thought we were friends?” James feigned wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.”Sirius, can you believe Remus would betray me like this? I'm shocked!” 

Sirius laughed at James’ attempt to look broken and betrayed. “No, I thought he had more integrity than that!” Remus threw a piece of bread at Sirius who caught it with a grin and took a bite out of it.

“Yeah, sorry, mate. Hope we can still be friends.” Remus deadpanned, unamused by his friend's antics. He grabbed another piece of the crusty bread and dipped it into his stew.

“Well as long as you're sorry.” James grinned as he reached for the treacle tart in front of him” Are you two going to run off together?”

“Wasn't planning on it, but I'll give it some thought” Remus finally broke and smirked at his friend across the table.

James laughed at his answer and changed the subject,“Why were you two bothering to study when the holiday starts tomorrow? You'll forget everything and just have to relearn it when classes start again.”

“Lily wanted to get in some extra studying before she goes home. You know how she is. She's afraid that taking a break will set her back. The world might just end if she's only second in the school. I didn't have the heart to put her off.” Remus explained.

James shook his head fondly. “Thanks, mate. I'm glad her parents are insisting she goes home. She needs the break and she'd never be able to relax enough if she stayed here.”

Remus nodded in agreement as he finished chewing. “So, what's the exciting news?”

“She woke up.”

“Oi, Mina! This is one of our best friends, Remus. Mr. Remus Lupin, allow me to introduce you to Miss Hermione Granger” Hermione smiled in greeting, excited to make the acquaintance of her professor's younger self. It took a moment before Sirius’ words sank in and she stiffened, turning to see Sirius with a wide, shit-eating grin on his face.

“Does everyone know my real name? How am I this bad at keeping one little secret?” She clapped her hand over her eyes in exasperation at her oversight. “ Oh, bloody hell… the stupid map. How could I have forgotten it?”

“Language, Miss Granger. You're lucky you haven't been sorted into a house yet, or Remus and I would have to take points…” James teased, flinging himself onto the bed next to her. “Shove over, I barely fit, Mina.” Hermione halfheartedly glared at him, before moving over as he'd asked.

“Wait, how do you know about the map?” Sirius’ eyes bugged out a little in surprise. Hermione would have laughed at the dumbstruck look on his face, if she weren't still busy berating herself for yet another oversight.

“Hand me my bag, would you?” Hermione asked Sirius. He grabbed it off the floor and handed it to her. She opened it and rummaged around a bit, sticking her whole arm into the bag before she found the bit of old parchment she had been looking for. Pulling it out, she tapped it and quoted “ I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

The looks of astonishment on the three wizards’ faces finally broke through her reserve and she laughed out loud at them.

Chapter Text

“Where did you get that?” Sirius demanded, grabbing at the map. Hermione twisted to keep it out of his grasp. James used his position next to her to neatly pluck it out of her hands.

“Hey! Careful with that thing! You'll rip it!” Hermione was disturbed at the thought. She didn't want to lose another piece of home.

“It's definitely not ours, guys, relax.” James started, “We just used it in our dorm, and this one doesn't work, look!” He pointed to the hospital wing. “ It says Hermione and Remus are here, but our names are Nymphadora Tonks and Fred Weasley” Hermione jolted at that, but James just laughed, not realizing the implication. “This map is mental. Sirius, isn't Nymphadora Tonks your cousin?”

“Yeah, let me see that” Sirius reached over Hermione and grabbed the edge of the map, pulling it closer. Hermione looked too, panicking a little. Was the battle over? Did they win? She searched for familiar names. 

“I don't recognize any of these names, although there are surnames that are correct” Sirius let go of the map, losing interest in the seemingly useless map.

“Where did you get this broken copy of the marauders map? How did you even know about it?” Remus inquired gently, noticing how pale the girl had grown.

“It's not a copy” Hermione replied quietly “And it's not broken.”

“What do you mean? As much as I am going to definitely be calling Sirius Nymphy for awhile, it's not the correct name”

“No, it's not. The map isn't working for this time period. Apparently the magic you used to create it can't or hasn't adjusted to traveling twenty some years into the past.” Hermione explained fully, watching the names of her classmates and friends on the parchment.

“Wait, are you telling us that you're from the future?” Remus asked skeptically.

“Yes”

“But, if that's the case, why does it say you and Remus are in the hospital wing?” James asked, pointing at their names.

“I think, because we are? We can test it. Come on Remus, let's walk out of the room, they can watch and see what happens on the map” She gingerly stood up and took a few wobbly steps toward Remus. He rushed over and offered his arm for her to lean on as they popped out of the room, then back in.

“The map showed Hermione leave, but not you, Moony” Sirius said.

“That's what I figured would happen” Hermione said, sitting back down on her bed. It's showing future Remus, not this Remus. Tonks was future Remus’ wife, so it makes sense that they would be together. I hope they're both alright”

“I have a wife?” Remus asked incredulously. Sirius laughed with James  at the idea of Remus being married to his little cousin.

“And a son, yes. Although, no guarantees the same things happen in this timeline, since I'm here screwing it up” Hermione explained wearily. “You may end up with someone else or nobody. It's ultimately up to you, I suppose.”

“How did you get here and do you have any actual proof?” Sirius asked. “Not that we don't believe you, but this could be a weirdly elaborate prank”

Hermione dug in her bag, this time practically having to crawl inside of it to reach her personal items, and pulled a photograph out of an album. It showed her with several members of the Order of the Phoenix, including Sirius and Remus.

“Is that Grimmauld Place? We look so old!” Sirius grabbed the photo from Hermione to get a closer look. Remus crowded in next to him, just as eager for a glimpse into the future.

“Sirius!” Hermione protested “You're going to rip things.

“Yeah, Pads. Stop being so grabby.” James reached over Mina and smacked the back of his head. “Mum would have your hide if she knew.” 

Pink spots rose on Sirius’s cheeks. “You're right. I'm sorry, Mina” He handed the picture back with a practiced bow. ”Forgive me, milady”

“Idiot.”

“That is not a ladylike response to an apology, Mina” Sirius teased, ruffling her hair.

“Never claimed to be a lady, Sirius” Hermione shot back, slapping his hand away.

So, how did you get here?”James changed the subject before a war broke out between the two, determined to stay on topic.

Hermione repeated the same barebones story that she had given to Dumbledore, editing out the identities of her best friends and other details that she wasn't ready to share.

“Your best friends left you to die?!?!! What kind of friends would do something like that?” James exclaimed. Hermione's heart twinged as she remembered the betrayal.

“Scared ones, I suspect. Maybe bad ones. I don't know for sure what happened” Hermione internally cursed at the tears that snuck out of her eyes without permission. She really needed to make time to properly deal with her feelings so that the crying-in-front-of-people thing would stop. She'd thought that she had grown out of crying all the time. Its resurgence was not convenient.

“Shit, don't cry. I'm sorry!”James looked frantic at the idea of having caused the tears.

“It's not your fault, everything is still so fresh. I'll be okay eventually” Hermione assured him with a small smile.

“Well, we'll do everything we can to help you adjust.” Remus promised, patting her kindly on the shoulder. Hermione smiled thankfully at him.

“Luckily, the three of us were planning to stay for the Christmas holiday this year, so we can get you caught up before classes start” Sirius smiled “You'll need to know all the gossip before moving into the tower.”

“Why do you assume that I will be in Gryffindor?” Hermione teased “Maybe I was a Hufflepuff.”

Sirius snorted in laughter at that. “If you wanted to convince me, you should have gone with Ravenclaw. That would at least be believable. No, I'm convinced you're a little lioness. You're stuck with us, kitten.”

Hermione made a face at the familiar nickname. “Don't call me that,” She warned.

Sirius’ smile grew. “But it's perfect for you. And if you are going to become an honorary marauder, you'll need a nickname” All three wizards laughed at  the disgruntled look on Hermione's face. 

The hospital wing was too quiet now that classes were back in session. Hermione could hear a tap dripping water somewhere nearby as she stared at the ceiling. Bored. So bored. She almost missed being actually unwell because at least she was able to sleep. But being trapped in a hospital bed for a minor case of malnutrition was inhumane. It was worse than the cruciatus. At least that wasn't boring.

She probably should start planning. She would need to dig out her notebooks on the original Order and deatheater activity. Make sure that they all start training seriously for battle. Convince the Order to be more on offense. Oh, and she needed to destroy the horcruxes again.

Hermione sat straight up at that thought. She could start on that one right now. Get the diadem out of the Room of Requirement and destroy it. She still had several basilisk fangs in her bag. Easy peasy.

As the plan to sneak off for a stroll to the seventh floor began to form, Hermione began to feel sick to her stomach. She chided herself for the anxiety over going back in that room.

She got up out of bed, transfigured her clothing into student robes and peeked out of her private room. The coast was clear, Madame Pomfrey was in her office with the door closed, so Hermione was able to easily walk right out.

She walked up the stairs, excited for the change of scenery. But, as she approached the sixth floor, the knot in her stomach returned. Every step she took made her panic worse. It didn't seem to matter that she knew it was fine in this time period. No fire. It was safe.

Hermione repeated that to herself as she slowed on the stairs, sweat pouring down her face as the fear increased with each step. She finally made it to the seventh floor.

But, it felt as if her feet were suddenly made of lead. She couldn't take another step. Instead she slumped against the wall next to the stairway and slid down to sit on the floor.

Maybe she couldn't complete her task today, but she could sit there until the panic faded. Tomorrow, she would get closer, maybe even go inside. Perhaps once she went in, this silly reaction would stop. Good plan.

Hermione sat there for what felt like hours, staring at the tapestry and berating herself for the weakness that kept her stuck in place. She couldn't even convince herself to get up and return to the safety of the hospital wing. She was just stuck in place.

Eventually, the panic and adrenaline dissipated and Hermione dozed off on the cold stone floor.

Hermione woke slowly. She was warm and comfortable. She sighed as she snuggled into the warmth beneath her. As she remembered the events of the day, she began to register that something had changed while she slept.

Hermione's eyes finally opened and she realized that she was laying across a person's chest. She startled and yanked herself upright in shock.

“Welcome back, Mina. How are you feeling?” James smiled down at her warmly. “You must have been exhausted, I couldn't wake you.”

“Why are you here? Why was I laying on you?” Hermione replied, flustered and avoiding his questions.

“I was taking the long way back to the Tower to avoid being dragged to the library and forced to study, when I found you asleep on the floor.” James yawned and stretched his arms out.

“Cast a warming spell on you and tried to wake you, but when I couldn't, I decided to sit with you to make sure you were alright.” James pushed himself up off the floor with a groan and reached down and offered Hermione a hand up. She reluctantly accepted his help, echoing his groan as the stiffness in her legs became apparent.

“Must have fallen asleep, too. As for why you were laying on me, I assume that sleeping Mina couldn't resist my animal magnetism the way awake Mina can. I knew you wanted me, deep down” James smirked arrogantly at her, leaning back against the wall.

“That must be it,” Hermione replied dryly, brushing dust off her clothing. James laughed at her tone.

“So, what were you doing up here?” James asked curiously.

Hermione considered lying, but frankly, she was too exhausted to bother.

“I was bored and I thought I could just walk up here to retrieve something important. It should have been an easy enough task to complete” Hermione looked away in embarrassment.

“Tired yourself out, huh?”

“No. I had a panic attack before I even got to the seventh floor. I couldn't move past this spot. So, I decided to sit here until I was bored instead of scared.” Hermione explained, blushing.

“Did it work?” James asked.

“Think so. Although I can feel the anxiety rise just thinking about going closer to the Room.” Hermione replied, pushing down the feeling with everything she had.

“Wait, this is where the room is? Where you nearly died? Why would you come here alone?” James demanded.

“I didn't think it would be a big deal–-” Hermione started.

“What if it was still on fire? You could have been hurt!” James interrupted furiously, terrified at the thought.

“It's unlikely. The fire hasn't happened here yet. Plus, I have to go in eventually.” Hermione understood James’ perspective, but thought he was clearly overreacting. She could handle herself in dangerous situations. It was just perfectly safe, controlled environments that she was apparently unable to deal with all of a sudden.

“Why don't I go in and grab whatever it is you need?” James offered brightly, getting over his fear at the prospect of playing the hero.

“It's nice of you to offer, but you don't understand the sheer scale of this room. It has hundreds of years of lost things in it. I couldn't give you good enough directions to even get you close. And it may not be where I think it should be.” Hermione explained.

“We could just summon it?”

“Nope, you can't summon it. Doesn't work because of the protections on it.”

“Shit.”

“Language, Mr. Potter. You're lucky I'm not a prefect in this time, or I would have to take points. Professor Mcgonagall would be so disappointed in her head boy” Hermione teased. 

James chuckled, before pushing off the wall. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the stairs.

“Alright fine, we need to get you comfortable so you can go in. But, no more doing it by yourself. Bring someone with you from now on”

“Sure, I definitely need a chaperone to sit and stare at the scary wall” Hermione snarked at him, annoyed at his insistence.

“Judging by how cold and unconscious you were when I found you, yes you do.” James pointed out. “Please? I'll worry otherwise. I'll even ask the others to help, so you don't have to.” Hermione softened a little at his earnestness.

“Fine. I will bore someone to death on a regular basis until I am able to go in the room. Happy?

“Ecstatic.”