Chapter Text
Sirens blared, proclaiming the breaching of the wards, as Hermione sprinted through the dark alleys of Hogsmeade. She could barely see. Sweat was running into her eyes, and she was so dizzy that the world seemed to be spinning. But she couldn’t stop. She only needed to get past the anti-apparition wards, and then she would be safe. They knew the risks of coming here. But they’ve been running out of options.
Hermione clutched the tiny object in her fist as voices rose behind her. Zigzagging to increase her chances, she could barely evade the red and green light beams shooting in her direction. She lurched forward as something hit her, and excruciating pain shot through her left arm, splintering the bones inside. But she couldn’t stop. Hermione tightened her fist through the pain.
She would fail.
She thought of her family. The Weasleys. Harry. She would fail them and everything they’ve worked for.
Running faster, she neared the end of the wards. She fastened her grip around her wand and concentrated on her destination. Only ten steps remained. A second strike hit her from behind. Fire scorched her back and Hermione screamed. Stumbling the rest of the way, she turned on the spot and crumbled on the steps of Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
Her heart stopped. Right behind the open front door, she saw a male figure lying on the floor.
She’s been too late.
Staring at the body of her lifelong friend, Hermione tried to steel herself. Tried to brace herself for the horror she would find once she crossed the threshold. She always thought death to be peaceful. An escape, if all else failed. But as she looked at the red hair, the blue eyes and the dread etched into every feature of his face, she only felt despair. Using the handle as leverage, she picked herself up from the floor and walked the last remaining steps right into her nightmare.
“Homenum Relevelio”, Hermione whispered, the spell confirming her worst fear. Walking faster through the headquarters of the Order, she blocked everything out. Couldn’t face the destruction that’s been havocked. But she needed to know. To see. Picking up her pace, she ran upstairs, looking for one body. And as she neared their door, the room they’ve been living in the past year, she finally broke. Because there he was. She only recognised him because everything about him was ingrained in her very being. Falling to her knees right in front of him, Hermione screamed. Broken cries, echoing through the lifeless house. His body was broken, mutilated, and his blond hair was caked with blood. They didn’t simply kill him. Couldn’t resist taking revenge on the traitor, who did everything in his power to stop them. But it wasn’t enough. Nothing they did was enough. Hermione couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. Couldn’t live. Not without him. Without her family. She wouldn’t.
Taking his hand into hers, Hermione jumped as something sliced into her finger. Ignoring the cut, she carefully opened his fist and found a piece of paper inside.
Through Time and Space, always yours – D.M.
Pain coursed through her as she thought about how he must have used his last moments to write this message for her, knowing what she would find. What she would need to do. Her heart broke once again.
But with the pain came rage, and her magic exploded. A maelstrom of grief and sorrow and loss, destroying everything in its path. Watching the windows burst and the wood splinter, Hermione stood. Determination rose inside of her and with one last look, she bid goodbye to this life, this timeline. “Incendio”, the word barely leaving her lips as she watched her world go up in flames.
Slowly walking outside, Hermione looked at the object in her hand. The Time-Turner they’ve risked everything for. Turning the pendant three times, once for every year she wanted to go back, Hermione Granger-Malfoy travelled back in time, to pay them back. To fight for the lives lost and for the future they deserved.