A/N: It's done! It's done!(Author runs around in crazy circles waving arms above head.) Big apologies to those who've followed this story from the beginning for having you wait so long for this chapter. Thanks for being patient.
Setting: McGonagall's Room
Minerva McGonagall entered her room completely exhausted. Today's events were tiring for everyone. Most especially Hermione Granger. McGonagall shook her head. She'd already been through so much this year, funny how it usually revolved around the girl's two best friends. The professor began getting ready for bed and as she did she wondered how she was going to get Hermione to come out of her room. As it was Lavender and Parvati were sleeping in other dorm rooms. McGonagall had just turned down the covers when she heard a piercing scream and turned in time to see the object of her thoughts come crashing through her window on, of all things, a broom. The girl landed heavily on the floor and got up quickly stammering the whole time.
"Oh Professor McGonagall I … I uh… um. Oh dear, I am in trouble aren't I?"
McGonagall would have answered in the affirmative if not for a few things. Such as the fact that Hermione was in her nightgown and bare feet and secondly, Hermione had a horrible fear of flying thus something was very much out of the ordinary. McGonagall opened her mouth to speak but before she got a word out Argus Filtch's voice came through the door.
"Professor?"
"Come in Mr. Filtch."
The caretaker came shuffling through the door and pointed accusingly at Hermione.
"That one was flyin' around the Quidditch Pitch with no care for the rules. I saw her myself, flyin' better 'an any of them Chasers that's out there now. But that was before she crashed through your window."
McGonagall watched as Hermione paled as she remembered what had happened. Clearly she was upset by the ordeal and Professor McGonagall felt no need to make it worse. She turned to Filtch and quirked an eyebrow as she drew herself up regally and said,
"Thank you Mr. Filtch, I will speak to Miss Granger alone."
Filtch bristled at what was clearly a dismissal. He turned with a sneer and all but slammed the door behind him as he left. McGonagall turned to Hermione as soon as he had gone.
"Miss Granger, tell me what happened."
Hermione looked up startled by the calmness of her teacher's voice.
"Well I was asleep and then I was suddenly awakened only to find myself flying. And as soon as I realized I was flying I lost control of the broom and crashed through your window. Professor I am so sorry I-"
McGonagall held up a hand to stop her.
"Miss Granger, were you dreaming?"
"Yes I was. How did you know?"
McGonagall smirked slightly.
"First tell me what you were dreaming."
"I was dreaming about getting as far away from here as I could. After today it's all I've thought about."
McGonagall nodded.
"I thought so. Miss Granger it appears you have been sleep flying."
"Sleep flying? Like sleep walking?"
"Exactly and I think I have a way to help you."
Hermione stepped forward eagerly.
"Really? What is it?"
"We're going to have you take private flying lessons."
She paused a moment and stared hard at Hermione stopping her in mid protest.
"This sleep flying is dangerous Hermione. We have to stop it as soon as possible. I believe that once you are comfortable on a broom that you will stop."
The girl stood looking confused.
"How will that help?"
McGonagall sat down upon her bed and motioned for Hermione to take the chair across from her.
"This is a subconscious need you have to fly. To set aside your inhibitions and just soar with no restraints."
Hermione sat and pondered this for a moment.
"So when will I begin with Madam Hooch?"
McGonagall got up from the bed and walked to the door opening it as Hermione followed her.
"You will not be studying with Madam Hooch."
Hermione cocked her head.
"With whom will I learn then?"
"Be at the Quidditch Field tomorrow at three o clock and you'll see. Now try to get some rest. Goodnight Miss Granger."
Hermione walked out the door calling a quick
"Goodnight Professor"
over her shoulder as McGonagall shut the door behind her. She then turned to the window and waving her wand muttered a repairing spell that sent the pieces whirling into the air, situating themselves back together as they went and then finally settling back into the window frame whole once more. McGonagall walked to her bed and climbed in as she said a hurried
"Nox"
and put out the lights. As she lay there she began to think about whom she would ask to be Hermione's teacher. She went to sleep with that foremost on her mind.
Setting: Below the Tower
Hidden beneath an invisibility cloak were Future Harry and Hermione. Hermione pushed at Harry who was nuzzling her neck.
"Harry! Harry stop."
Harry pulled back and looked into her eyes.
"What is it Luv?"
He pulled her closer.
"Something's different Harry. It's changed, I can feel it."
Harry looked worried.
"Can you tell what it is?"
Hermione shook her head.
"I've no idea Harry. I only know that whatever it is, it isn't right. I mean what if we're the ones that changed things? What if we changed our entire future?"
"There's really nothing we can do until we know for sure."
She sighed.
"I supposed you're right."
Hermione sighed again.
"Whatever's happened Luv, we'll work through it."
Harry pulled his wife closer.
"I guess I've got no choice but to believe that."
She murmured as she buried her face against his chest.
"Harry?"
"Yes Luv?"
She snuggled closer.
"Whatever happens, I love you. I did back then so no matter what happens nothing will change that."
"For me either Hermione."
Setting: Hermione's Room the Next Day
Hermione lay in bed staring at her canopy top. She had no intention of her room until her flying lesson at three that afternoon. A knock sounded on her door.
"Go away!"
She shouted. It was bad enough she'd had to let Lavender and Parvati in to change their clothes this morning, she wasn't about to let anyone else invade her sanctuary.
"Hermione, it's Harry. Open up."
"Not a chance."
She heard him sigh.
"Hermione you need to eat. You didn't come to dinner last night, you missed breakfast and lunch is almost over."
Hermione's stomach growled at the mention of food.
"I'm not coming out."
She called defiantly.
"I wouldn't dream of asking you to Hermione."
Came Harry's uncharacteristically sarcastic reply.
"So what's with all this talk about food?"
She retorted.
"Oh I don't know I just brought up a tray for you."
Again her stomach voiced its displeasure.
"All right Harry, hang on a minute."
She got up and grabbing her wand walked to the door. She said the counterspell to her locking charm then opened the door to see Harry balancing a tray in his hands. She stepped back to allow him to come in. As soon as he had come in the room she slammed the door closed once more and locked it behind Harry. He raised his eyebrow at the locked door.
"I don't want anyone else in here."
She replied.
"Well glad you opened up for me 'Mione."
He set the tray on her bed and motioned for her to sit. As she came to the bed she noticed the amount of food piled in front of her.
"I know I've missed a few meals, but I'm not that hungry."
She said in surprise.
"Actually I thought I'd join you."
Hermione nodded and sat down on the bed with Harry across from her. They ate in silence until they both reached for the pumpkin juice at the same time and felt a jolt of electricity pass between them. Harry looked up sharply and caught Hermione's eye. Hermione blushed and looked down. Harry continued to look at her. He watched as the sun made golden streaks through her hair. How delicately her hands were shaped and he saw the small callus on the side of her middle finger where her quill rubbed against the skin. When she looked up again he noticed the amber flecks in her eyes. He didn't realize he'd spoken out loud until she looked at him surprised.
"You're the first person besides my parents, and myself of course, to notice that."
Harry could feel his face redden.
"I just think y-they're pretty is all."
Harry prayed fervently that she didn't notice he'd almost called her pretty. It wasn't that he didn't think she was he just wasn't sure how she would react to him thinking that way about her. Hermione's voice startled him.
"Harry, what are you thinking? You look so serious."
He smiled at her.
"Nothing terribly important 'Mione. I should get going. Lunch is over and I need to get to class."
"Well thank you for lunch Harry. It was very sweet."
"Any time Hermione."
Harry picked up the tray with one hand and squeezed Hermione's hand with his free one.
"It'll all work out Hermione, you'll see."
And getting off the bed he made his way to the door, giving her a tiny wave as he left.
"Oh I do hope you're right Harry."
She whispered at the closed door.
Setting: The Entrance Hall
McGonagall was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Hermione to come down. It was nearly three o clock and she wanted to make sure Miss Granger didn't forget their appointment. She needn't have worried for ten minutes to three Hermione came down dressed for flying. McGonagall felt rather sorry for the girl as she saw cast furtive glances around the hall. She spotted McGonagall at the bottom of the stairs and swallowed nervously.
"Well Miss Granger, are you ready to begin your lessons?"
Hermione looked slightly ill as she replied.
"I suppose. I haven't really got a choice have I?"
McGonagall didn't reply as she led the girl outside and down to the Quidditch Pitch. While McGonagall's strides were strong and sure, Hermione's grew increasingly halting. Fortunately,
'Unfortunately'
She thought darkly.
Fortunately for her she didn't stop until she reached the stadium. Where upon her mouth fell open and a small squeak was emitted. McGonagall smirked.
"Miss Granger, I trust you know your new teacher."
Hermione nodded her mouth still open.
"Good. I'll leave you to it then."
She turned on her heel leaving Hermione still in her state of shock. Finally Hermione found her voice.
"Harry?"
He looked down sheepishly.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm your new teacher."
I gathered that. What I'm asking is why?"
Harry smiled.
"Two reasons I suppose. First because I'm a good flyer. Second because I'm your friend and might be able to calm any fears you may have. Now that we've covered that shall we begin?"
Hermione walked towards him then stopped uncertainly.
"Harry how much did McGonagall tell you?"
Harry took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I know about the sleep flying. McGonagall's right. You need this before you wind up hurting yourself."
He led her to his Firebolt and had her get on. Then he got on behind her. His hands resting in front of hers.
"Grab hold of my arms for now Hermione."
Once she had complied he kicked off from the ground. Instantly Hermione had the sensation of falling. Her body tensed and her breath came in short panicky spurts.
She saw a girl's face above her. Long black hair touched her shoulders. Her mouth was open in surprise as she reached out trying to grab Hermione's hand.
"Hermione!"
Suddenly Hermione felt an arm around her waist and someone's breath on her skin as they whispered in her ear.
"Sh, Hermione sh. Just breathe, you're safe. Everything is all right."
Hermione immediately recognized Harry's voice. His arm was wrapped around her and he had pulled her close against him. Her breathing gradually returned to its normal pace and her heart was no longer racing.
"Are you all right now?"
Harry asked. His head on her shoulder, concern evident in his eyes. She nodded.
"Do you want to stop now?"
She found her voice and answered,
"No, not yet."
Warmth had begun to spread throughout her body, stemming from where Harry's hand rested on her stomach.
'I rather like this feeling.'
Hermione started at this thought.
'Where'd that come from?'
She asked herself.
'Hormones and sheer animal attraction.'
The more mutinous half of her brain answered.
'You just bugger off!'
Argued the sensible half.
'You're attracted to him.'
'Am not!'
'Well you know there is one way to prove it for sure.'
'What?'
'Kiss him. If you do and there's nothing then you'll be right. If you kiss him and there's something you're still right. And we all know how you love being right.'
The lesson continued as Hermione fumed at her suddenly cracked brain.
Down below Future Harry and Hermione hunkered under the invisibility cloak once more. A crystal held between them allowed Hermione to speak to her past self's mind. Harry looked at his wife.
"Hermione, is it a good idea to influence your past thoughts like this?"
Hermione smiled and gave him a quick kiss.
"Of course. Besides I'm not really influencing myself. This is all stuff I had thought about before now. I'm just making it more vocal. Anyway, the only thing that could really go wrong is if the inner monologue became the outer monologue and I wound up confessing all this stuff to your past self."
Harry grabbed her.
"Sometimes I really wish you didn't have all this self control."
"Well Mr. Potter, I have been known to let loose once in awhile."
Harry smirked.
"As evidenced by our son Toby."
Together they broke into a fit of giggles. Cares about changing the past momentarily forgotten.
TBC….