Hermione Granger and Fate's Divergence

A/N: Hey, I've told my friends this, but I'm a romantic at heart, and personally would care for the countryside then a city block.

Chapter Four:

Like Sands in an Hourglass

Hermione watched the scenery fly past their coach wagon, amazed at the beautiful countryside. In deep contrasts to Termina, Hermione found she loved the country just about as much as she loved the sea. Something so peaceful and inviting, so open—like a warm hug from Harry... Her smile faltered a bit, but she kept it neither the less. She was on her way to Forget-Me-Not Valley, were Luna and Crono lived.

James had given her almost a month off, with pay. And despite many protests from Marcy, Hermione knew she had to go. Crono had always come for her when she needed him the most, and maybe now was the time to go to time. She had so many questions, and though he didn't speak, Hermione believed that only he held the answers, answers she desperately searched for.

Luna had gone ahead, saying that with winter coming, there would be more people at the town's inn, where she worked. Crono was still working on the farm there, and had told her, much to her surprise, that she would be staying with him. It amazed her that he wanted her to stay with him; they had barely been friends a month before, and now, despite the fact he never spoke a word about himself, Hermione felt closer to him than anyone she had ever met.

“Almost there miss,” the driver said. Hermione looked up at him, smiling as she turned back to the scenery flying by. She hoped that she could relax, and that maybe the dreams would stop. Not her “normal” dreams about Harry, Crono, or a combination of the two, yet rather dreams that had plagued her since Kid had spoken to her. Her dreams were of a man with flaming red hair battling... a giant turtle? Another dream showed a blond, fighting a man that looked a great deal like Guile, but maybe a bit younger. They were all so real, but felt... Old... Old being only word she had to describe them.

“Well, here we are,” the man told her, stopping in front of an old two-story inn. They had just passed by another farm, where a large woman and a young girl were busily picking up vegetables it appeared. Fall was fast ending and winter was slowly creeping up on them. Hermione clutched her shawl around her and picked up her small suitcase as Luna came out of the inn, a towel holding a towel.

“Crono's working on the farm right now, so he told me to take you down to his place.” Luna said with a smile.

“I'm living with him?” Hermione asked as Luna walked down a beaten path.

“If you want to call it that, sure,” Luna said, laughing for a bit. Hermione was in awe as she was led down to the beach, to what appeared to be a cabin perched at the edge of the high tide. “He told me to set you up in the cabin.” The cabin itself was a rugged on the inside as it was on the outside, though the scent of flowers filled the air as she approached. The sight of several bouquets of forget-me-nots filled the rooms as Hermione entered. A board was the table and the bookshelf looked old, but was filled with various sizes of books. She hoped she'd get a chance to read it beneath the stars.

“Ah, good to see you back so soon,” Luna said to someone outside. Hermione put down her bag next to the bookshelf, and walked out to meet the visitor, only to throw her arms around him in a tight hug.

“Crono!” she squealed, causing much laughter from Luna. Hermione began to blush as she relaxed and soon felt the man's arms draw her into a tight hug. It was short though, unlike his usual hugs. Something was bothering him, maybe she'd get him to talk to her, or rather, question him until she was right.

“I'll leave you two alone,” Luna said, walking back up the path. “I'll be back for dinner, Hermione.” Hermione nodded, and turned her attention to Crono who was sweaty.

“You going to take a shower farm boy?” Hermione asked, giggling slightly as she stepped back. He looked down at himself, then at her for a moment, before causing her to squeal again. He lifted her over his shoulder and walked outside, down the shoreline and into the water.

“Crono, put me down now!” Hermione said, trying to be angry, but he just smiled at her, and flash of memory came to her. The smile was always there, in her dreams, but it didn't belong to the same man, did it? Her thought was lost as she was dropped into the water, with Crono swimming back to shore. She growled lightly, and began to laugh as she swam after him. He lay on the beach, staring up into the sky as she reached him. Returning his smile, she lay down next to him, her hands behind her head, staring at the clouds above them. She felt something crawling next to her, and nearly jump off the ground and onto Crono before she saw the small otter.

“She yours?” Hermione asked as she picked up the otter. He nodded, but did not move, rather staring off at some distant star. Hermione looked at the red star, growing closer, then turned back to Crono, smiling.

“Thank you, for saving me I mean,” she said, starting to ramble. “I never got a change to do so, and you didn't have to do it, but you did anyway-” Crono put his finger to her lips, stopping her. A smile grew on his face as he removed his hand. “Shutting up now.” She said sheepishly. She relaxed for a time, being there next to him before he stood up, dusting off the sand from his clothes easily. Hers were not so lucky as they were covered in the damp sand. Crono gave a silent laugh and shake of the head as he made his way back to the cabin. Hermione did her best to get the sand off of her clothes, but failed.

Crono had picked up a bag and was preparing a stew or something over as Hermione walked into the cabin. Luna had given her a new set of clothing, similar to Crono's, which he had several pairs it seemed, but white pants, light weight for easy movement she said. Whatever that meant. Changing, Hermione put her other clothes in a bin she brought with so she could do her laundry, before smiling to herself. Going back outside, Crono was staring at the stars once more, but his attention was draw to Hermione as she came over.

Her gave her an appraising look before saying something, or rather, his face did. You look nice. She sat down on the log next to him, taking in appreciation the setting sun and rising moons.

“Thank you,” Hermione said, sitting down next to him. “What were you looking at?” Crono pointed at the sky again, but this time the moon still rising above them. “It's beautiful.” She whispered as she stared at it. He smiled as he relaxed once more, taking a small book out a bag of his. Looking away from the pale moon rising, Hermione let her mind go over the last few months, of everything that was happening to her. Her mind went back to the first time that she had met him, and how he “fought” for her.

“Crono, how did you stop that platter?” Hermione asked. She blushed as she realized what she said, not intending for him to hear her. He looked at her, smirking slightly. This caused her to blush even more under his gaze. “I mean when that man slapped me, how did you…” her voice trailed off as realized their position. Several feet above the ground, they floated like it was the most natural thing in the world. She screamed, something she'd never see herself doing. Throwing her arms around Crono's neck, she clung to him in an attempt not to fall.

Relax. His face calmed her a bit as they floated down onto the ground once more.

“Did you?” She asked her arms still around his neck. He nodded, his smile growing larger. “How did you do that?” Crono pulled out a stick, little more than a foot long. He waved it once, causing the fire to go out before waving it again and the fire reappeared.

“A wand,” Hermione whispered as a thousand memories returned to her, or rather fractions of memories. She removed her arms from his neck and placed them in her lap as the memories meshed together. Crono's eyes lit up for a moment as he stared at her in surprise. He nodded his head before standing up for a moment, offering her his hand.

“Thank you,” she said softly as she tried to work the memories out. His rough hands brought her back to reality as she stood up.

I want to show you something. His eyes spoke for him. Hermione choose not to say anything, rather nodding as he held onto her hand, pulling her toward. However before they could get to the hut, whatever Crono wanted to show her was forgotten as a shriek came from the hills. Crono dropped her hand, ran to his hut and grabbed his katana, the same one she had seen him fight with before.

“Wait up,” Hermione said as Crono took off in a sprint toward the village. As she went over the hill, she froze in fear. Buildings were burning as thieves were riding in and out of the streets, holding torches. Crono did not hesitate however. His sprint seemed to speed up as he took down the nearest one. Hermione was amazed, however that amazement quickly turned to fear at the sight of Luna, trapped in one of the buildings. She rushed over there, knowing she had to do something. Extending her hand, she felt something flow inside of her. It was a cool feeling, one that she could not help but dive into. A sense of fear came over her again, like when diving into freezing water, but she resurfaced with newfound courage.

“Luna!” She screamed, causing Crono to look over to her. His fear was evident, his body worn and tired. Hermione felt something building inside of her; she raised her right hand, and pointed it toward building. Instinctively, she pushed whatever had built inside of her out of her hand. A bolt of ice was created and spread from her fingertips, coming together at the point of attack, the base of the fire.

Crono stopped where he was running toward her, about ten feet away. His look of shock might have surpassed hers had she not frozen herself. Unable to move in fear of what had happened, it was left up Crono to finish. She watched him work, this time slower. The fires were no longer a threat, but the bandits and thieves still were. In a few swift movements, the captain, or at least Hermione thought was the captain, was down on the ground, the katana at his throat. For the first time, Hermione heard Crono speak.

“Get out.” It was soft and said through his teeth, but he spoke. His voice was raspy from lack of use, but that did not stop him from articulating as well as he did. The man nodded as Crono pulled back his katana. The bandits fled from the town, as those who remained and fought cheered in victory. Crono stood slowly, and began to more limp than walk his way toward Hermione.

You okay? He held a hand out to her, lifting her off the ground. She nodded, watching her hands careful, as if they would do it any moment again.

“Crono? What happened here?” Guile came floating over to the, a black cloud erupting beneath his feet; this was his only sign of anger. Crono glared at Guile for a moment before helping Hermione the rest of the way. Luna was coming over to them in a sprint. Without even looking behind him, Crono turned and caught her in his arms, pulling her into his embrace. Holding out his arm, his open invitation to Hermione did not go unanswered.

Hermione relaxed and let the situation flow over her. She had just performed, for lack of a better word, magic, and this magic saved Luna's life, but how did she do it. More than that, it was the fear that she could have dead, yet she ran out there, next to Crono, ready to fight with him.

Crono was doing his best to glare at Guile and comfort the two ladies, which Hermione could not help but find amusing. It wasn't until Guile spoke did Hermione look up from Crono's shoulder. “Crono, I believe there is much we must discuss. But I assume it would be best over dinner.” Crono nodded as the two ladies relaxed their hold on him. Luna gave him a short peck on the cheek before hugging Hermione, thanking her for saving her life. Hermione returned it as best as she could as she refused to let go of Crono's hand. He needed her help now.

Supporting some of his weight, Hermione helped Crono limp toward his home, as Guile and Luna rushed again to the cabin. The town militia, or what was left of it was taking care of the rest, this left Crono alone with his own.

Once at the cabin, Hermione helped Crono onto a log, noticing the large wound at his leg. Luna rushed out, with a bundle of rags in her hand, with Guile holding a small vile. “Make sure he stays still,” Guile said as Luna attempted to lift his left. Crono winced in pain, and Hermione temporarily forgot her own fears and problems, reached for his hand in an effort to comfort him. He gave her a smile as Guile poured the vile onto the wound, cleaning it. “You'll have to stay off of it for a while.” Crono glared at him once more as Luna finished the wrapping.

“It'll hold for now,” Luna said as she finished. “But I don't think even Guile's potions can help. There must have been poison on the blade or something because it doesn't seem to be closing.” Crono nodded, and began to apply pressure to his leg, wincing from the pain.

“Crono, do you always get into such mess?” Hermione asked. She placed her hand over the wrapping as he took it off. The feeling was filling her up again, as she stared into Crono's eyes. The “magic was filling body, and once again, she felt it flow out of her finger tips, though this time, not ice, but rather water. Crono winced again as the healing waters rushed onto his skin. He relaxed though, and placed his hand over hers, causing her to blush.

Thank you. Crono relaxed, but keep his hand over hers. He gave it a gently squeeze as he turned back to Guile, glaring at him.

“I don't know how they got here, we're very well protected here,” Guile said in his defense. Crono stood up with the help of Hermione, and glared at Guile once more before walking to his cabin. Hermione looked out to sea, and saw the storm rolling in. The wind picked up and Hermione followed him inside.

Crono was laying out a mat on his wooden floor, and before motioning toward the bed and then her. “No, you're taking the bed, I'm the guest,” Hermione said. Crono shook his head and repeated the action. Hermione glared at him, to which he only smirked and plopped down onto the mat. “Fine, but I'm not going to like it.” Crono nodded and pulled out a trunk from underneath the bed. It looked worn, like it had seen many miles, but held up well.

“What's in there?” Hermione asked, sitting down next to him. Guile and Luna were talking about something outside, and it appeared to be a heated argument that she didn't want to get involved with. Crono pulled out small case, about as long as the wand he held. He handed it to her, reverently.

Hermione opened the case slowly to find it held a wand, like the one Crono had, but different. “Vinewood with a dragon heartstring core.” Hermione whispered to herself. Crono could not help but smirk as she stared at it. Her mind began to fill with more and more memories. They melded together, coherently now, how parts. She could remember a swish and a flick of the rest, and something floated as easily as they did earlier. Shaking her head, she looked at Crono for a moment before speaking.

“What am I?” Hermione asked. The fear was evident within her voice as she spoke. Crono gave her a look of questioning, as if to ask: the better question is, who are you?

“Dinner's ready I think,” Guile said, poking his head into the room. His face had returned to the stoic one Hermione had always seen him with. Crono nodded and stood up, pushing off the ground. He held his hand down to her, offering to help her up. Hermione smiled and took it, happy to finally begin to make sense of some of the life that was lost to her. But of what she knew of her old self—why she wasn't half the woman she was now...

* * * * *

“How dare you!” A man's deep blue covered head twisted from the force of the slap against his cheek. As a redheaded mother rounded for a second shot, his left hand grabbed it, stopping her from swinging.

“Oh, I dare, I dare,” the man said, tightening his grip on her hand. “You're family has caused enough trouble for mine in the past lives, and I've not going to deal with it again here.”

“We're just trying to protect ours,” the woman said as a dome suddenly erected held several men back.

“Trying to protect your own, by adopting another family's child?” the man said. “I've done everything I can to protect him, `cause he's my family.”

“Then why weren't you there for him, like we were?” the mother screamed back. “We were there for him when he needed someone the most!”

“No, Hermione and Ronald were there for him, you smothered him,” the man shot back.

“ENOUGH!” A demanding voice filled the Great Hall. “I will not have this bickering destroy what peace is left after the war.” An elderly man strode into the hall, once twinkling eyes bland from what had come to pass. “Both sides have lost those they care about, and you two stand here like children. The war has ended but momentarily, you both know that, and yet you fight in the middle of the halls as if the children of this school could not hear what you speak about.”

“Any reports from Another World?” one of the red heads asked as he stood next to his twin. The old man shook his head.

“Harry has yet to tell us anything,” the old man said. “I believe he wishes to forget for as long as he can.”

“Oh there's trouble over there,” the man with blue hair commented. “It never was a peaceful place, and he might be helping them.”

“Alas, we will not know until Guile return...”