Sir James had left the highwaymen that had only been stunned to the side of the road, still bound. A fitting punishment as another group of travellers would pass this way before the sun set. Hermione replayed the scene in her mind and pondered how she managed to do what she had never been successful with in the past or future when she attempted wandless magic with Harry. She also though about how Sir James had said he seemed to find her familiar and how they formed the bond of trust almost since they first met. She also understood his shock and anger at her revelations, witches in this era were being hunted and generally though as evil and devil worshiping vermin.
She also pushed one other key fact deep in the back of her mind.
"…attempted such a feat?" Hermia asked again.
"Pardon, I was lost in thought."
"I asked if that was the first time you attempted such a feat, the look on your face when you defeated those men and saved my lord was unmistakable for surprise."
"Harry and I have, shared, more with each other at one time. I have some of his natural abilities, but not to his level."
"How did you share your powers, if I may be so bold to ask?"
"Ask me another time, and I'll tell you." She smiled as she let her mind drift again.
They crested a familiar hill just outside the town, more of a tiny village today, no more than a dozen houses along the main road. If this could be called a road, she thought, the ruts and bumps bounced her on the carriage seat, and although it was padded, it could have used another few layers for comfort. The field in the distance brought memories back, she spotted a familiar knoll but the old oak she knew was a mere sapling. Off past the knoll would be a pond, and there was a trail from there to the house.
"There, past that knoll is the path to the house." She instructed her guardian, as he turned off the more travelled path to the one she directed.
"Milady, there's nothing there, no path or trail. Are you certain this is the way?" he asked as they approached the small tree.
Hermia could see the trail and was slightly confused as why he did not. "It's charmed so muggles cannot see the trail or the house." She whispered to Hermia, who took the hint as to also believe the path and house she could plainly see did not exist.
"Sir James, stop a moment." She requested as they came to the knoll. She left the carriage and was followed by her kin; she held a hand to both and whispered to herself, allowing the charms to be lifted for her guide.
As the path and house appeared, he stared in that direction, speechless. "By all that's holy." He whispered.
"Now you can see their home, I'm certain they're about. Come on." She instructed.
She bounded down the trail to the house she had spent many nights as a girl with loving friends. She hoped this was still the home to some distant Weasley clan, and they would believe her story.
Everything was so familiar, yet different. She passed a spot where there was a table made from an old stump she and Ginny sat and had girl time. A massive tree stood there today. The old stonewall that had been in disrepair for many years was new; it bordered the gardens where fresh vegetables were growing. She glanced over her shoulder; the grin she sported brightened her face as she spotted her companions a short distance back. They were taking all the sights, James in total wonderment, and Hermia at the new wizard family she was to meet.
Hermione reached the door first, her stomach a-quiver with expectations and some apprehension that these people would reject her and her claims. They were wizards, that much she was certain, but who were they in this time. That was her question, and would they help, that was her quest.
She tentatively knocked and waited for half a moment before a sight that nearly shocked her greeted her. Standing in the door was Ron. Only it wasn't her Ron, this boy was closer to the Ron she knew as a girl, he had the same flowing red hair and freckles across his face. He was the right height to be the Ron from their second year, twelve or thirteen she assumed.
"May I help you Ma'am?" she heard the likeness of her closest friend ask.
"May I speak to your parents; I am in need of your help. Please, I have come a long way and…"
She stopped short to find not a copy of Molly standing behind the boy, but another woman. Her face was unmistakable, her expression well known. She did not have the Weasley red hair, of the brightly coloured hair of the woman her resembled, but long dark hair. She also had dark twinkling eyes set in a pale, heart-shaped face. Hermione could only guess her age to be late thirties, old for this era, but still younger than Molly would have been with a son Ron's age. Hermione fought the urge to throw her arms around these familiar faces, and simply began her plea.
"I'm looking for some old family friends, and I knew they lived here. My name is Hermione Potter and I have found myself here through some accident. I need your help."
"And exactly how can we help? We have no knowledge of you, Miss Potter."
"Mrs. Potter." She corrected. "Please I'm looking for the Weasley family, this had been their home for many generations and I was hoping to find…"
"Aye, we are the Weasley family, my husband Patrick is tending the fields, and he should be back shortly. And if I may ask, how did you find us?"
Her brief conversation allowed her companions to catch up, and waited just off the porch, allowing Hermione the space she needed to reacquaint herself. "I think you know, I'm part of this world." She pointed to Sir James and Hermia, "He is a muggle and believes she is too, she's also like us, please help me. I need to get to the school or Diagon alley, I need transportation."
"We are not a family of great means, Mrs. Potter, but pray tell us how we can help. Please come in, my name is Tilly Weasley. Roland, please offer her companions a drink from the well." Hermione thought quickly, 'Tilly, must be short for Matilda, need to ask her later.'
"Thank you." She turned to her two friends and motioned for them to wait, and she entered the familiar dwelling. Leading the way the woman ushered Hermione into the lounge, Hermione knew the way quite well but followed the woman.
"First, does your floo connect to Diagon Alley?"
"Before I answer any questions, you had best explain yourself, and you'd best convince me what you say is the truth."
With that, Hermione disclosed as much of the story as she could, leaving out the minor detail of being from the future. She added that she wanted desperately to return home, and that was her main objective. The revelations required several cups of the most wonderful tea Hermione had since she arrived, Hermia was a splendid handmaiden and wonderful companion, but she really needed to learn to cook, a skill she admitted to herself she never learned either.
"Well, Mrs. Potter, that truly was a fanciful tale. I should expect you to give certain playwrights a time should you decide to author one of your own. I don't see how any of this is the truth, strange as it all is, but I can hardly believe much of it without some validation."
"How long have you lived here? Your son," she turned to look at him again. "He looks so much like Ronald, but you want proof. Does the third step from the fourth floor landing still squeak? Whenever Ginny and I tried to sneak out at night Molly would always catch us. Not even a silencing spell would work."
"Aye it reminds me of the time I was caught by Patrick's mum." She replied without thinking. Her brow furrowed in thought and shook her head. "'Tis but a coincidence."
She thought long and hard, she had told Tilly every detail possible, all she could do was tell her the missing details. "The truth is, I'm not from this time, and I want to return home, to my Weasleys, Ron and Ginny, and to my husband. Surly you can understand how it would feel to be torn from your family with out a reason. All I'm asking, begging, is for your help to return to my time. I need a wand, and there's a task I must perform at Hogwarts. I think that is why I'm here."
"What is this task at Hogwarts School?"
"There is a Chamber that may contain certain secrets that I need to destroy. They are the cause of my Harry's pain and problems. If…"
"And where is this Chamber?"
"It should have been hidden since the founding; I know how to get in."
"Salazar Slytherin's Secret Chamber? That is a myth. It does not exist."
"It does, Harry rescued Ginny from death in our second year, and in our sixth, he almost died there. There's an object that had hurt us both, if I could find it and destroy it." Her hand went to her scar, remembering the dagger used on her, on Professor Snape and on Molly. If I could destroy it, maybe what happened to me would not have distracted him.
"There's a dagger that was used to kill Molly, I want to destroy it."
"This Molly, who is she?"
"Ronald's mother, Molly Weasley. Her husband, Arthur and son Bill were also murdered in that battle. I hope to change that, I miss them all so." She felt her eyes thicken, but fought the urge. She's shed too many tears for too many friends. This was her moment to fix things.
"So you want to help not only yourself, but members of my future family. I know I shouldn't believe you," she stopped and pondered the issues, gently rubbed her temples to help facilitate her thoughts. "But I sense something good within you. Please understand my reluctance, these are difficult times, and many of us are being murdered in the name of religion."
"I know." She looked at Hermia, who was chatting pleasantly with Roland, "she's my distant relative. And she's going to be persecuted and I can't change that. Not without help. Will you help me?"
"Aye. You can get to the Cauldron and from there to the square. Do you need directions to Ollivander's?"
"No, I know the area well." Hermione replied politely.
Tilly stood, walked to a cabinet on the wall, one Hermione remembers from her days in this house as a girl. "Here, it's not much, but it should get you what you need."
Hermione held a small bag of wizard gold, and put it in her skirt pocket. "Thank you, I'll be certain to repay you if all goes well. We'll leave immediately."
Hermione stood and embraced Tilly as if she were Molly, and desperately wanted to hang on longer, but she had to leave. "Hermia, Sir James. It's time." The two witches left the front room and joined the others. Hermia had seen Roland in school, but they were in different houses and never really talked. They promised to remain friends when school resumed in September.
Hermione took Sir James by the hand and ushered him away from the others, "Sir James, please stay here, where I need to go may be too dangerous for you. If I'm successful I'll be back by dusk. These are my people, they are good people; I would trust any of them with my life. I need Hermia to come with me to help, as she wouldn't raise suspicion; she could pass easily as my apprentice and would be safe. The people I need to see and places I need to go would know you for who you are, but she could pass as one of us."
"Nay, I have vowed to protect and defend you, let me join you and I'll remain silent, no one would suspect."
"I can't risk putting you in that danger. Where I'm planning on going, there's a risk anyone else would be killed, I've been there once before, and I think I can handle the creature that guards it. Please wait here. If we're not back by morning, return to your family and protect them, times will soon be dangerous not only for people like me, but for you." She reached up and left a kiss on his cheek, an action not common in these times. The man of war turned a deep shade of red at the touch from her lips.
"Aye, I'll wait until dawn. And I'll do as you bid me. Go, be safe and God speed you on your quest." He bowed to her and remained on bended knee until she and Hermia left.
As Hermione passed the boy wizard, she turned to him and smiled as she looked to his familiar face. "You look so much like him, it's uncanny." She said without thinking as she stroked his cheek.
Hermione left with Hermia close behind her into the fireplace in a green flash.
The Diagon Alley excursion was a brief one. One stop at Ollivander's and she found the one object she needed to hasten her reunion with Harry, her wand remained in the store. Since it's the wand that chooses the wizard or witch, there's no surprise her wand was still there. She remembered back to when she bought it in the days after learning she was a witch. The simple off-hand comment that the wand had been previously used for short time, but not owned, now seemed quite clear. Everything that seemed insignificant was falling into place. Her discovery of the Lost Witch legend during class sparked an interest, which led her to discover a trial transcript bearing Hermia's name. It also left clues to the reasons and others involved in her trial. The insignificant comment of her own wand now seemed so clear, and somehow it would be returned for her to purchase again.
Since apparating directly into Hogwarts was impossible, even in this day, they left the shops for the village of Hogsmeade . It was shortly after noon , and the village had settled into its post lunch mood, shops were active with the local year round residents, with the occasional teacher. Hermia was instrumental here to point out the staff hoping to avoid raising further questions during this task. Hermione briefed Hermia about the existence of the Chamber of Secrets and assured her that there was no danger to her, but Hermia could be affected by the creature that lived in the Chamber. She explained how Harry was a Parselmouth, and had inadvertently passed that ability to her one fateful day. She would not disclose any other details on how the exchange occurred; simply that it gave her the ability to enter the sealed rooms.
She had the route from the shrieking shack memorized, except for two details, the Whomping Willow wouldn't be planted for another 480 years and the shack wasn't there either. Hermia looked puzzled as she watched Hermione retrace her steps for one of the other hidden passageways. She had studied the Marauder's Map intently with Ron and Harry to help plan the defences of Hogwarts.
The shop that would become Honeyduke's proved to be the easiest entry, as that building was currently vacant for the summer months. Once inside, she shed her clothes and pulled on the young man's leggings and a peasant shirt, she tucked the shirt inside the leggings and slipped on a pair of shoes more fitting for sneaking around. Hermia began to protest the change of garb, but was quickly shushed by Hermione.
"I can't do what I must in those things, but I don't expect you to have to wear these either, just let me deal with this task." Hermia nodded and sighed with relief at not having to dress like her brother.
They quietly traversed the underground passage into the school, to the one-eyed witch. Hermia was taking every new revelation of Hermione's knowledge of the school into her brain with some level of awe. Once inside, both felt like they were home.
They slipped through the shadows to remain concealed, into the second floor girl's loo. The room itself hadn't changed except there wasn't any plumbing in the room, a large basin that hid the entrance way was full of water, fed to the sinks through crude pipes.
She stood near one specific faucet; one she had seen reset itself that day she searched for Harry. She pulled a small rucksack and removed matching hand mirrors. She waved her wand over them and uttered the incantation, they were engulfed in a clear haze for a moment and she handed one to her companion.
"Here, call my name in this and I'll be able to see and hear you. Don't follow me; I can't keep you safe from the creature. PROMISE ME you'll wait here."
"Yes mum, I'll wait here and let you know should anyone come by. Please keep yourself safe, I've truly come to enjoy your company." She said with a curt smile. Hermione replied with a more than friendly embrace.
"You have no idea how much you mean to me. I'll be back soon." She turned to the sink and issued her command, hoping she could still speak the language.
"Harrashhet sith, Sharthhh harrash…" she hissed to the sink, and it obeyed, opening for the first time in 500 years. Wide-eyed and amazed, Hermia took a couple steps back, as the massive top to the basin raised to the ceiling and the outlaying fixtures expanded creating the opening.
She leapt into the gaping hole, as she did once before, sliding down the pipes to the outer chamber. Her first action was to illuminate the chamber with a Lumos , her wand glow lighting the room. This time she was apprehensive of finding a live Basilisk waiting in the chamber. She remembered Harry telling her that it lived inside the statue's head in the main chamber. Her first task was to convince the creature she was its new master and tell it to remain in its home.
She opened the massive door to the inner chamber much as she had the basin gateway. She hid to the side, half expecting the snake-like creature to appear, She called out to it, in it's native tongue to stand fast to wait for it's new mistress. She was slightly shocked at the reply indicating it had been waiting these long years for someone to arrive.
"I am here seeking certain items." She called out, and crossed the threshold into the main chamber. "Stay within your home, and do not look upon me. I am your new mistress." She repeated.
"I hear and will obey mistresssss."
"I am seeking certain objects promised to me by Salazar, do you know where I can find a jewel encrusted dagger, as long as a man's forearm?" she asked.
"No. I have never seen such an object. I have been in this room since the door was sealed. How long have I been here?"
"500 years, or so. Is there another chamber? A bed chamber here?"
"Yessss. Follow the trail to the right. There is a doorway past the likeness of the first master."
"I have a companion waiting, you are not to harm her, understood?" she commanded.
"Why should I lissssten to such a command?"
"Ssssilence, I am the only one you will obey and I ORDER you to remain and not harm her, she is… family."
"Understand."
Releasing a sigh of relief, she entered the bedchamber where she found Harry bleeding to death. She hoped to find that damned knife but was disappointed in that search. She scanned the shelves that lined the room hoping to find some way to return to her time, maybe a time-turner or a book of temporal spells. Her wand continued to flood the room with light as she searched the volumes hoping for some divinely inspired idea. She looked through the many titles and none appeared to be of use until she spied one in particular.
She suddenly cracked a grin and realized exactly what to do. She couldn't destroy the dagger, and knew it would still inflict its pain. But she could save Harry's life.
She picked up the familiar manuscript, and flipped to a well-known page. She noticed that there were only two of the three sections written and knew there was one more author to come. She pulled a quill and ink from her rucksack, and made a minor alteration to one passage before replacing the book.
"That's for you Tom, enjoy." She grinned. She knew it would be found in another 450 years, her little contribution to the future. It was a minor change she had read once and just like when Harry conjured the Patronus to save himself and Sirius, she instinctively knew what to change.
"Milady," the mirror whispered, "There are footsteps about, I suggest you hasten your search."
She looked at the mirror, and frowned, having come all this way and the two things she hoped to achieve were fruitless. Her one successful task was worth the trouble, as long the invasion into the chamber was undetected.
"I'm coming out, stay hidden." She whispered and turned to the doorway in time to see a figure slide by. "I told you to remain."
"Yesss. You told me to sssstay in my home and thissss is my home."
She knew she had to leave, and she thought about helping poor Myrtle, when an idea sparked.
"I must return, you will remain here, there will be a false ssspeaker in many yearssss time, he will not be the true ssspeaker. Do not obey him, understand?"
"I will lissssten to his wordsss and if he isss false, I will dine on hisss flesh."
"Now, return to your home and I will leave. Do not ssspeak of my visit."
She sucked up a chest of air and with her head held high with the arrogance of a Slytherin, she left the chamber, resealing the door to the inner chamber, and climbing up through the gateway. There she sealed the outer gateway, and charmed it to appear untouched.
"Come, let's get out, Hermia, I think I found what I needed to do."
"Milady, there was someone outside the room a few moments ago, but I haven't heard a sound since. When you were in that chamber I heard a fair amount of hissing, prey tell, what happened?"
"Nothing that will concern you or anyone for a long time, I hope." The two made their way back to the one-eyed witch and returned through the passageway back to Honeyduke's. She changed back into her other clothes and they returned to the safety of the Weasley home well before dinner.
The two witches were met with hugs and well wishes from their new friends. Sir James had spent a tenuous afternoon in the company of people he had been conditioned to fear, this short time spent in their company altered his views, as he now had first hand experiences with these people. They were kind and friendly, and very open about their abilities. Because of his pledge to Hermione, to be her champion, this Weasley family softened their own views about muggles, accepting him into their circle.
With the exception that many of the faces were new, and there were fewer Weasleys surrounding her, Hermione felt at home. She still had a very open wound that could only be healed by one person, and he was 500 years away. She managed to do one thing today that would have a lasting impact on the future, but all she did was make a change that she knew had been made, so in that sense, she didn't alter time. Everything now seemed to have a purpose in this life, except the one thing that put her in this spot, she was still unable to bear Harry's child.
The three newcomers sat at the dinner table, moved to the outside to accommodate the additional guests, all enjoyed a feast that would have rivalled any of Molly's impromptu meals. The evening wore on, with the youngest of the Weasleys monopolizing the knight, who realized these children were no different than his own. Hermia also felt at ease having found another small community of her people, friendly and warm. Of the group, only Hermione wore a false smile, she wasn't any closer to home.
One by one the group retired, the youngest first, were ushered to bed by Tilly, leaving the adults alone to continue their fellowship. Rooms had been arranged for the three guests and what meagre possessions they had were neatly laid out for them. Sir James stayed behind sampling a bottle of Firewhisky and sharing assorted tales of heroism and valour with Patrick. Hermione watched the exchange from the porch, as she sipped from a cup of tea, imagining the exchange she watched was between Jake and Arthur. They were so much like her expanded family, and so different. She quietly slipped away into her room.
Tilly must have sensed Hermione's anxiety and gave her a familiar room, the one she mentioned at the top of the stairs near a squeaky step. It was Ginny's room and the girls spent many fond days and nights in that room. It was now just an empty chamber with a single bed and nightstand. She welcomed the surroundings and quietly slipped into the bed. She had been here now for four days and decided to resume an old habit. She pulled out a scroll of parchment and her quill from the rucksack she carried, and began to record her exploits, a labour that lasted a few hours. When she was satisfied with the work, she charmed them as was her habit and carefully put them on the nightstand.
That night she had an amazing dream.
"Harry, three weeks is long enough, you need to at least get some fresh air and some sleep, don't force us to give you a sleep potion." Ron was tired of Harry's stubbornness; he steadfastly refused to leave the room. Harry was also beginning to tire of Ron's 'mothering', 'she'll get better, I know it.' He kept telling himself.
But the need for sleep was satisfied in short bursts, no more than an hour a night was all he's allow, but his last 'nap' was three nights ago and his body was telling him to relinquish control for at least a little while.
He looked at Ron and nodded once. "I'll just take a short nap here, with her." He replied. It was better than a fight, and Ron agreed. Harry lay next to his wife, draped an arm over her chest, to feel her breath and in case she woke up while he napped.
He closed his eyes and before Ron could pull a quilt over his lifelong friends, Harry was asleep. He tried to keep his dreams away, to not remember the good times, in case that was all he had left, he didn't want them spoiled with the memory of this time. Tonight he had a dream unlike any he ever had in his youth.
Tonight she lay there under a palm tree on a familiar beach. She wore a full swimsuit, which suited her better than a two piece. She lay with one hand on his chest, the other stroking his hair. She leaned over and gently kissed his forehead, and his cheeks. She pulled his face to hers and looked him in the eyes, and said the words he longed to hear. "I'll be back soon, I love you." She kissed him deeply on the lips and vanished.