A Voice From the Past by Cherry

Rating: PG
Genres: Romance, Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 4
Published: 28/02/2005
Last Updated: 04/03/2005
Status: In Progress

Someone pulls a horrible prank on Hermione during a masquerade. How will Harry react to the 12
year old Hermione? And more importantly: How will Harry react when things start to get worse?




1. Chapter One
--------------



*This fic is probably the fic I've had most fun to write. But at the same time, it must
have been the most annoying thing I've ever written! It started as a small idea, a small
one-shot, but it clearly had grown, hasn't it?*

*The masquerade in the beginning was just a funny scene I had in my mind for a couple of
months, but I never intended to use it. I didn't know where to put it. The idea was too small
and undefined to use as a fic itself. But, when the second idea, Hermione being small again, popped
into my mind I simply thought I'd use the masquerade as a good beginning. It was never meant to
be a part of the whole* *plot. The whole plot which isn'**t uncovered in this
chapter. Nope, nope. What you guys are reading* *here* *is just the beginning to...
everything. But I can tell you; if you're smart enough, you might be able to figure out what
I've planned. Well, a small part of it all, at least.*

*Dear. I'm starting to sounds as J.K. herself... Well, I guess that's a good thing. It
means I'm on the right track, right?*

*Oh, and for those who have no idea who Teri Hatcher is or what version of Superman I'm
talking about you can go here:* *http://www.kryptonsite.com/loisclark/lcabout.htm (Yes, I made
a quick search just for you ;)).*

*Anyway, p**lease do enjoy and leave me a small comment. (And as a small note; neither
my* *spell-check* *nor* *grammar check* *is working on this computer. So
please, forgive me if there are any mistakes. I tried to catch them all, but I've probably
missed most of them.)*

**A Voice From the Past**

Masquerades. Sometimes Dumbledore did have some pretty strange ideas. Well, strange and
*funny* ideas. Hermione smiled as she added some more Sleekeazy into her hair.

She had always liked masquerades. Well, she'd never been to one but she still loved them and
had always wanted to go to one. So, when Dumbledore had announced that they were holding a small
masquerade to `ease up the atmosphere' she had been delighted. She had almost directly decided
to dress up as Teri Hatcher's version of Lois Lane in Superman.

Somehow, she also had managed to convince Harry, who didn't know what else to dress up to,
to match his costume with hers. Harry had at first laughed at her idea, but had soon enough
accepted her it. But after that he had refused to tell her exactly what he was going to dress up
as, even though she had begged and pleaded him to tell. Well, she guessed he'd make a pretty
decent Clark Kent…

Hermione smiled as her hair finally gave up and stayed straight as she wanted it to. She quickly
grabbed her wand and charmed her hair to stay slightly curled up at the ends. She glanced at the
clock; she had about five minutes before she had to meet Harry in the common room.

She made a quick inspection of herself in the mirror: Everything looked fine… She grabbed her
wand once again and placed it in one of her magically enlarged pockets, before bouncing down the
stairs to the common room.

Upon reaching it she was disappointed to see that Harry had not yet arrived; although Ron was
already there, dressed up as one of the players in the Chuddly Cannons. Which one, Hermione
couldn't tell.

“Hello, Ron,” she said with a smile. “Is Harry coming soon?”

Ron snorted. “Yeah, he's just finishing up some last touches. Blimey, he takes more time
than a girl.”

Hermione hit him playfully on the arm. “I do not take long time dressing.” She pouted before
turning serious. “So, what who is he dressing up as?”

Ron laughed. “I knew you'd ask.” He stuck out his tongue. “He made me not to tell.
You'll just have to wait.”

Hermione sighed. “Oh fine. I'll wait.”

Ron smiled as he glanced at his watch. “Well, I better get going. I have to meet Luna in a
couple of minutes.” He waved before walking out the portrait hole. “I'll see you both
later.”

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but a voice behind her broke her off.

“Yeah, later…”

She spun around and gaped at the sight before her. Harry was apparently not dressed up as Clark
Kent. Well, not *really.*

Hermione quickly closed her mouth as she studied him closer: His arms were crossed before him as
he stood with his back straight. He looked taller; more proud than before. And Hermione had to
admit; the spandex suit did suit him very well. It seemed as the many years of playing Quidditch
and doing chores for his uncle finally had paid off: His muscles, which usually were very well
hidden under his loose clothing, were showing off quite nicely.

Harry smiled, making his forest green eyes, which were no longer hidden behind his usual
round-trimmed glasses, sparkle. “What? Do I look that bad? I can go and change if you want...” He
drew a hand through his slicked hair.

Hermione smiled, secretly wondering how much hair-gel he had needed to make his hair stay that
way, seeing as his hair lay still normally. “No, you look like.... a god,” she paused. “Good. I
meant `you look good'.”

“Great!” he said as he straightened himself slightly.

Hermione's eyes widened. He was floating. He was floating at least a feet off the ground!
“You...? You are... What?”

Harry grinned. “Didn't I tell you?” He laughed at the flabbergasted look she gave him.

“But how...?” she asked, frowning.

He floated back down to the ground again. “Advanced charms and transfigurations pages
seventy-six to one-hundred and twenty...” He smiled. “For abilities such as flying,
invulnerability, increased strength and speed, enchanted eyesight, improved hearing and chilling
breath.”

“You copied all Superman's powers?”

Harry nodded with a grin. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“You certainly did,” she said before looking like something had dawned on her. “But those spells
are dangerous! Even if you use them for a short period of time.... That's why people never use
them. They endanger your health as well as...”

Harry lifted his hand, breaking her off. “I know. That's why I got McGonagall to help me.
She made some alternations to the spells, making them less dangerous. And we enchanted the suit,
making the spells even less dangerous. At least if I only wear the suit for shorter periods of
time.” He smiled as he approached.

“ I think it still sounds dangerous, but I guess McGonagall knows what she's doing. Or else
she wouldn't have given you the suit...” She paused with a smile. “Well, we better get going.
I'm sure Ron's wondering why we're taking so long.”

Harry laughed. “If he isn't busy eating all the food, of course,” he said, scooping her up
in his arms as if she was light as a feather.

“Harry! What are you doing?”

“Well, I thought you wanted to go there as fast as possible and we might as well make a good
entrance...”

“Well... As tempting it might be...” She smiled. “I think I have a better idea. Do you remember
Dumbledore saying that they'll announce the last dance before the crowning of the best
suits?”

Harry nodded. “Yeah, and?”

Her eyes glittered. “Well, wouldn't it be nice to literally dance above everybody else?”

“Sounds good to me.” He flashed her a short grin. “Well then Miss Lane, shall we get going?”

Hermione took his hand. “Lead the way, Superman; lead the way.”

They walked through the corridors in a quick pace as they both wanted to reach the celebrations
as fast as possible. Though, Harry with his enchanted speed almost walked three times as fast as a
normal person, forcing Hermione to run after him.

They had almost had reached the Great Hall when Hermione started to grow tired. “Harry! Slow
down, please.” Hermione wheezed. “You walk too fast.”

Harry quickly drew a halt. “Sorry. I forgot,” he said as he calmly waited for Hermione to reach
him.

Hermione smiled weakly. “No problem. I just have to catch my breath,” she said, taking a couple
of deep breaths. “I feel better already. Let's go inside,” she said after a while.

“I couldn't agree more.” He took her hand as they both entered the masquerade.

The Great Hall had never looked as good as it did just then. The walls were richly decorated in
the houses different colours and the enchanted ceiling displayed a lovely dark blue sky with stars
embossed over it.

The long tables had been replaced by smaller ones; the biggest was big enough for about eight
people to sit by, while the smallest was tables set for two. The candles hovered above the tables,
casting a warm glow over them all.

Both Harry and Hermione looked around, trying to find Ron and Luna among the many faces among
the tables. It probably had taken them a long time to find them if it hadn't been for Harry
enchanted eyesight.

“I've spotted them,” he said, pulling Hermione gently. “They're over there, at one of
the tables for four.”

They quickly took the seats Ron and Luna had managed to hold for them. Harry took the seat
beside Ron, and Hermione the one beside Luna.

Luna had dressed up as a fly agaric; it was a rather sweet costume, but Hermione just
couldn't figure out *why* Luna had dressed up as a fly agaric...

“What took you so long?” Ron hissed.

Harry barely got the time to shrug before Dumbledore rose (he was appropriately dressed up as
Santa Clause), silencing all the students with that simple motion. “Ah, I think we're all
gathered now,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Welcome to our first of hopefully many masquerades. I
do hope you enjoy yourselves and remember the small contest we're having. But for now; let the
feast begin!” He smiled, raising his arms in a fatherly gesture, before seating himself.

Everyone in the Great Hall applauded loudly before picking up the menus which had magically
appeared instead of the usual food.

Hermione bit her lip as she read through the menu. “I think I'd like the fried chicken with
chips and some pumpkin juice with that,” and as soon as she uttered the words, the food appeared on
her plate. “Thank you,” she said, even though she knew the houselves probably couldn't hear
her.

Harry smiled. “Nice choice. I think I'd take the fried chicken and pumpkin juice as well.”
He grinned as the food appeared. “Thanks.”

Ron fiddled with the menu. “It all seems so jolly good... Blimey, I would like to taste all the
dishes!”

Harry laughed at the sight of Ron's suddenly overfull plate. “Your wish just came true,
mate.”

Ron glanced at his plate and grinned. “I love those houselves,” he said as he began eating.
“I'll buy Dobby a pair of socks for Christmas!”

Luna smiled, looking up from her own plate. “Don't buy him socks made by snickles,” she said
calmly, “they're poisonous for the right handed houselves.”

Hermione simply rolled her eyes, not daring to say anything about the matter. She had started to
like the seemly confused girl and really didn't want to hurt her.

Harry winked at her before turning to Luna. “Thanks for the tip, Luna,” he said, sounding
surprisingly honest.

The rest of the dinner passed with some friendly chatting until Dumbledore rose, silencing
everyone once again. “I see that most of us are getting ready to dance. As soon as all by your
table has eaten the - I must say - delicious dishes and are content, please rise and your table
will disappear. If you wish to sit, your chairs have been moved next to the walls. Dessert will be
served later on.” He smiled as he seated himself again.

Ron quickly swallowed the last of his food before glancing around. “Are you guys done?” Seeing
as everyone else's plates were empty, he rose, both Harry and Luna followed shortly.

Hermione though, was still sitting. “I haven't finished my juice yet.” She held up her
nearly full goblet.

Ron shook his head. “Almost forgot. You drink slower than anyone else I know!”

Hermione looked annoyed. “I can drink fast if I want to! I just like to enjoy the taste, instead
of inhaling food like you do!”

Ron's ears started to turn red, but before he could respond he was roughly pushed forward by
no other than Draco Malfoy. “Easy, Weasel. Wouldn't like you to burn up.” He sneered as he
approached Hermione. “Well, well, well, Granger...” He studied her closely. “If you hadn't been
such a mudblood, I might have thought you were pretty.” He grabbed the goblet from her hand. He was
just about to drink from it when he suddenly yelped and dropped the goblet, spilling juice over
Hermione.

Malfoy sneered. “Who did that?” He demanded.

Hermione spluttered. “Who did *what*, Malfoy? From what I saw, *you* just spilled all
the juice over me!”

“Someone heated the goblet with a bloody heating charm! Bloody idiot, I burned my fingers!”
Malfoy growled before stalking away.

Hermione frowned: No wand had been brought out, she was sure of that. The only person who, right
now, could heat something without a wand, or heating charm, was Harry using his enchanted vision.
She cast a suspicious glance at Harry who simply smiled innocently.

Hermione shook her head before rising and instantly their table disappeared. She brought out her
wand, cleaning herself and her clothes. “Now when that's over; would you like to dance, Harry?”
she asked with a smile. But as soon as she uttered the words, she was suddenly overcome by
dizziness.

“Yeah sure...” He paused. “Hermione are you feeling alright? You look pale...”

“Yes... no,” she squeaked. “I don't think I feel so good...” She quickly gripped Harry,
trying to steady herself. “I really don't feel so good...” She managed before blacking out.

“Hermione?” Harry shook her gently. “Hermione?” this time his voice was more urgent.

Ron looked worried. “Merlin! What happened?”

Luna, for once, looked focused even though she still spoke like she was unfocused. “Maybe her
pumpkin juice... Maybe Malfoy did something to it...”

Harry's eyes widened. That would explain why Malfoy had taken Hermione's goblet... Harry
focused on some of Hermione's spilled pumpkin juice, and zoomed in as closely as he could. He
suddenly nodded. “There's some kind of weird potion in her juice...” he quickly said as he
scooped her up in his arms. “I'll get her to Dumbledore...” He said before running, faster than
the eye could see, to Dumbledore.

He managed to reach Dumbledore, and the rest of the staff, less than one second flat.
“Professor! Malfoy poisoned Hermione...” He paused. He figured probably no one would understand him
if he didn't calm down. He took a couple of deep breaths before he told them exactly what
happened.

Dumbledore studied Hermione intently. “Mr. Potter, could you please bring her to the hospital
wing and get some of her pumpkin juice before someone dries it off?”

“Yes sir,” he said before dashing off. He left Hermione at the hospital wing first, before
running back inside the Great Hall. He only stayed for a couple of second, just enough time to
carefully blow some on the spilled juice back into Hermione's goblet and return to Dumbledore
who had, together with some of the teachers, managed to reach the magical stairs.

Dumbledore silently handed Snape the goblet, who made a quick incantation with his wand. A small
puff of purple smoke suddenly burst up from the goblet. Snape frowned. “It's a Port-Startus
potion. I had a brewed bottle in my office, but someone stole it earlier this day...”

“A *what* -potion? What has it done to Hermione?” Harry demanded.

“A Port-Startus potion, Harry,” Dumbledore said calmly. “It complicated, but it's roughly a
potion used to remember and learn new things with, so to speak. If you missed a very important fact
when you were, let's say... fourteen, one would become fourteen again and learn what one had
missed.”

“But, Hermione... She doesn't miss important things. She's the best in our class...”

Dumbledore smiled. “Not in that sense, Harry. If you'd miss an important *personal*
fact.”

“But, she never drank...”

“You aren't supposed to drink the potion. You can, of course, but it's activated by
touch.”

“Oh... But an antidote...”

Snape sneered. “Don't you ever read? There is no antidote, Potter. That's why people
very rarely use this potion: If they never figure out their lesson, they'll never age above the
age turned into. They're stuck as kids, or whatever they became. And all the memories they got
after the age they turned into are gone until they get transformed back into their original
age.”

Harry's eyes widened. “Hermione!” he whispered in alarm before dashing back into the
hospital wing.

Hermione was still motionless. Harry sighed as he seated himself beside her on the small bed.
She was smaller... Younger, more vulnerable. She looked... just like she looked the first time he
saw her on the Hogwarts' Express.

Harry stroked her hair lightly. “Hermione... My little `Mione.” He smiled grimly. She had always
hated that nickname, and now she wasn't even awake to scold him for calling her so.

He carefully lifted her up, cradling her closely in his arms. “Oh, Hermione... I shouldn't
have heated the goblet... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...” She was so small, Harry noted. She
would barely reach his chest if she stood up next to him. Had she ever been so small?

“Mr. Potter... Alas, you have to let go off Hermione for a while, so Poppy here could take a
look at her.”

Harry jerked up, noticing Dumbledore for the first time. Harry carefully placed Hermione onto
the bed again.

Madame Pomfrey immediately began exanimate her, going through several spells while doing so.
After a while, she finally straightened herself. “She's physically fine. I'd guess
she's around the age of twelve. Perhaps thirteen.” She walked briskly towards her office.
“She'll wake up soon, but you can Enervate her if you want. I'll get a cleaning potion, so
she'll get any left over potion out of her system...”

Harry silently grabbed Hermione's wand and pointed it at her. “Enervate,” he said simply,
before placing the wand beside her again.

Hermione's eyes opened immediately. She blinked a couple of times before mouth finally
formed an `o'. “S-Superman?” she asked incredulously.

**...To be continued...**

*That's all I have for this time. When will the next chapter come? I have no idea. When
inspiration strikes me, I guess. And that might be tomorrow... or next year. :P I'll try to
behave nicely for you. But I have to admit; I'll type faster if you give me some nice comments.
Oh, come on! I'll give you cookies...!*

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2. Chapter Two
--------------



*Well, here's the next part of the fic. Be happy you got the chapter so quick! ;) As a
small note, the chapter has been edited. Not much, so you don't need to re-read it. I mostly
re-wrote the dialogs a bit and fixed some mistakes.*

*Anyway, in this chapter a nice big clue is revealed if you're smart enough to see it.
Read in between the lines!*

*Oh, and to you portkeyers, if anyone of you has time I would need a fellow brainstormer. Not
a Beta, but someone who has the time to listen to my ideas and who does not mind hearing me ramble
about either Harry Potter or Superman... or those combined. If you are interested, please PM me
here on Portkey. My forum-name is the same as my author-name.*

*Thanks to all of you who reviewed!*

**A Voice From the Past - Chapter Two**

*Hermione's eyes opened immediately. She blinked a couple of times before mouth finally
formed an `o'. “S-Superman?” she asked incredulously.*

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Harry couldn't help himself and therefore chuckled
softly.

“Alas, Miss Granger I'm afraid not. I'm sure Mr. Potter is quite a super guy, but quite
that super.”

Hermione's eyes widened. “Harry?”

“Yes, quite so, Miss Granger.” Dumbledore smiled. “Now, I'm sure you have some questions on
your mind, though I would prefer if we took them privately.” His eyes twinkled merrily. “And
I'm quite sure Mr. Potter won't mind keeping us company.”

Harry shrugged lightly.

“Ah! Then I guess a couple of cups with hot chocolate would be appropriate. It's quite
chilly in the corridors during winter, don't you think?” He looked pointedly at Harry.

Harry shrugged again. “I wouldn't know,” he replied just as Pomfrey walked back in, a small
bottle in her hands.

“I've got too many patients these days. I'm almost out of cleaning potions...” she
muttered as she filled a small glass with the clear liquid. “Now, I need you to drink it all,” she
said briskly as she handed Hermione the glass.

Hermione took the glass and emptied it with one gulp before grimacing. “Ugh! That tasted
awful.”

Pomfrey took the glass from her hand. “Well, it all can't taste like candy.” She lifted her
wand, making a small incantation. She nodded, satisfied, when the tip of her wand started to glow
white. ”Now, I would want you to stay here for observation, but as the Headmaster is insisting on
talking with you...” She sighed. “I guess I have no other option but to let you go.”

Dumbledore smiled as he thanked her, and nodded to Harry and Hermione to follow him. Harry, not
wanting Hermione to walk, easily scooped her up in his arms, not listening to the many protests she
shouted.

“Harry! Let me go!” she squeaked. “I have my own legs!” she pounded her firsts on his chest.

Harry shook his head. “You better stop that; you might hurt yourself. And I don't think
Pomfrey will be so happy if you manage to break your hand two minutes after she lets you
leave.”

Dumbledore looked amusedly at them both as he halted in front of the old gargoyle. “Ice mice,”
he told it simply.

The old statue sprang to life and jumped aside, revealing the old staircase. The trio quickly
walked inside before the gargoyle jumped back, hiding the entrance one again.

Well inside Dumbledore's office, Harry finally let go of Hermione and carefully placed her
in one of the chairs before slumping down in the chair beside hers.

Hermione glared at him. “I could have walked myself.”

Dumbledore smiled. “Now, now, children.” He brought out his wand and with a lazy wave, he
transfigurated his Santa Clause costume into a more comfortable looking blue robe before secretly
transfigurating Hermione's, right now, oversized business suit; into a much reasonable sized
school uniform. Smiling, he waved his wand again and a three cups filled with piping hot chocolate
appeared. “There. Help yourselves.” He waved towards the cups of chocolate.

Hermione carefully picked one of the cups and sipped carefully. “It's too hot...” she
mumbled before carefully blowing on her chocolate.

Harry smiled. “Here. Let me.” He took the cup from her, and blew on her chocolate before handing
it to her again.

She carefully sipped on her chocolate. “Perfect... how did you do that?” she asked,
flabbergasted. “Oh, never mind.” She turned to Dumbledore again. “What happened? Where -when am I?
And why is Harry dressed up as Superman?”

Dumbledore passed his cup of chocolate to Harry. “Would you mind blowing on my chocolate as
well?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. Harry shrugged and blew lightly on the Headmaster's cup.
“Ah, yes. Much better,” Dumbledore said before placing the cup on his desk. He took a deep breath
and folded his hands in front of him. “Ah, Mr. Potter's clothing. It's probably the easiest
to explain. We were having a masquerade.”

“Oh...”

“And for when... You, Miss Granger, has managed to travel five years into the future.” His eyes
twinkled once again. “Tell me, what is the last thing you remember?”

Hermione bit her lip. “Well...” She stared down into her cup. “I'd just said bye to Harry.
He was about to walk into the last chamber to face Snape and I had just helped him with the
riddle... I was walking back to Ron and I'd managed to reach the room with the troll. I
hadn't noticed it, but the troll had already woken up so it attacked me. I remember I was
thrown into the wall... I must have fainted because the next thing I know, I was waking up
here.”

“Ah. Just as I thought...” Dumbledore rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now, there's a reason
for everything. There's a lesson to be learned here, or else you wouldn't have been sent
here, Miss Granger. You're lucky you came here during Christmas. Apparently you will have to
stay here until the lesson is learned. In the meantime I'll arrange a private quarter for you
to sleep in.” He sipped on his chocolate. “You may be excused.” He paused. “Oh, and Mr. Potter: A
word if you may.”

Hermione glanced at Harry who simply winked, making Hermione blush as she walked out from the
room.

Harry turned his gaze to his Headmaster. “Yes, sir?”

Dumbledore gazed down at the younger man. “Harry, I have to ask of you not to tell Miss Granger
what really has happened. Please stay to the story I gave her, or else the chances of her finding
out her personal fact decreases.”

Harry nodded slowly. “Yes, sir. I'll tell Ron as well.” He rose from his chair as he turned
to leave.

“Do so, Harry, do so...” Dumbledore paused. “Oh, and Harry?”

“Yes?”

“Nice costume... I'm sure Hermione liked it very much.” He struck out his tongue.

Harry simply stared before sticking out his tongue as well. As he closed the door, he was sure
he heard the old Headmaster laugh.

**...To be continued...**

*Well, that's all I have for this time. And before you flame me; the scene where Hermione
gets attacked by the troll is not in the book and I know it.*

*Well, free cookies to all who review! :)*

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