a dance with destiny

iii

Disclaimer: I only own the order these words are in, the rest belongs to JKR :)

September 2, 1977

Hogwarts ~ The Hospital Wing

3rd Person POV:

Madame Pomfrey bustled over and gave Hermione some potions to drink, telling her that they would help "with the effects of the Cruciatus curse."

Hermione thanked her and quietly asked if Madame Pomfrey had her beaded bag. The matron nodded and went to go get it for her. When she came back with the small bag, Hermione pulled out an envelope and handed it over to Dumbledore who opened the letter.

As he read, his eyes grew wide with shock, "Is this true?"

"Yes, sir, I have the Destiny Turner."

"So...you are from...the future?"

"Yes, sir."

"What house were - or, will - you be in?" Dumbledore corrected himself.

"Gryffindor, Headmaster."

"Alright. Let me finish reading this and then I'll introduce you. You could pose as a transfer student from Beauxbatons."

"Yes, sir," Hermione murmured.

She looked back at Dumbledore, who was finishing up the letter. He leaned forward and quietly said, "Your cover is that you moved here from France, where you went to Beauxbatons. Your family was tortured and killed at the hands of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. If the Destiny Turner worked, which it obviously did, then you won't be born in 1979, and instead, it will be like you were born in 1960, and you escaped from Voldemort and his followers after being tortured."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "But...I wasn't tortured by Voldemort."

"But you're feeling the effects of the Cruciatus," he nodded to her hands, "you're shaking."

"Yes, but that was, uh, Bellatrix."

"Bellatrix?" Questioned Dumbledore.

"Lestrange. Erm," Hermione paused, Bellatrix wasn't yet married in this time, "Black."

"Okay. Ah, yes, I remember reading about her betrothal to Rodolphus Lestrange. As I was saying, and I'm sure you know, the Destiny Turner changes your destiny. Basically," he paused for a moment, "What happens to you in this time – like the aftereffects you are feeling – will match up to your cover story – including the torture. You will not be born in 1979, and you are stuck forever in this time – unless you use the time turner to go further back in time. Because you won't be born, you can keep your name."

Hermione nodded respectfully, "Yes, sir."

"In a few weeks, after you settle in, I'll call you to my office so we can further discuss this matter."

"Yes, Professor, of course."

"I'll order your books and supplies, and they will be ready for you by Wednesday. Yes. Three days, Miss Granger. Although I expect Poppy will keep you a little longer."

"Thank you, sir," Hermione smiled gratefully.

"You are very welcome, Miss Granger," he gave her a warm smile, "Welcome to Hogwarts."

Leaving Hermione to her thoughts, he turned and left. A few minutes later, however, the four marauders bounded in, still wanting to meet her.

Hermione stared at them, still trying to comprehend the fact that James wasn't Harry, and that Peter hadn't yet betrayed Lily and James, and that Sirius didn't go to Azkaban for 13 years, and that Remus was still alive and well.