DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and events from one of my favourite authors, the great J.K. Rowling. In addition, numerous unnamed stories have likely influenced my work as I have read hundreds in this fandom over the past five years. I will give credit for the occasional, obvious homage.

NOTE: This first chapter is shorter than I plan to make the rest; I have the story mapped out into 9 parts for a minimum of 33 chapters and it could double at the most. I will update this story as often as I can but my life can be busy at times. You can view my LJ for updates; the link is on my author page.

EDIT: This has been revised a few times over the years. For now, the newer version will only be on here, which is easier to submit to than the other sites that require excellent beta work. I'm operating without a beta for now.

Chapter 1: Prologue or Post Epilogue

Hermione Granger-Weasley looked out the car's passenger window, watching the sights of London pass her by in a blur. She closed her eyes for a moment to ponder over her dream from the previous night. There were body parts touching other body parts, and more passion than she'd felt in years, but she knew the man in her dreams was not her husband. Her heartrate had picked up just thinking of those flashes from her dream. She remembered the feel of the man's body under her hands. As she rubbed her fingertips together, she tried not to smile. Smiling today for no reason would tip off Hugo, if not Ron.

Ron, her husband, pulled the car up in front of their house in the suburbs of London. Since they'd left Kings Cross, Hugo, their son, sat in the back seat talking non-stop with Ron about the day when he'd finally be going to Hogwarts. She had to tune them out after a few minutes. Ron was responsive enough to satisfy Hugo with interjections of "That's my boy," which he emphasized with a thump on the steering wheel. The boys started to exit the vehicle, but Hermione took a moment for a deep breath before exiting.

Saying goodbye to Rose earlier was difficult enough. The last thing Hermione wanted to think about was both of her kids being at Hogwarts, because that'd mean it would only be her and Ron left in a big house. Finally, Hermione got out of the car and walked towards her front door. She noticed the dead roses needed clipping under the front window. She added that to her to-do list and kept walking.

"Smile 'Mione… Nev'll floo call us soon to say that we've got another Gryffindor in the family," Ron said as he opened the front door and guided her inside.

As she walked into the house, she turned towards both men. "Will you two be able to get by for two hours while I work on a spell for my latest client? The delivery date is next week and there is still so much for me to do. I am so worried that I won't make my deadline with everything that is going on right now." She knew the enthusiasm wasn't in her voice, but her concern over deadlines was convincing enough.

Hugo nodded, "Yeah, sure, mom. Maybe dad can take us to Uncle Harry's so I can hang out with Lily and some of her cousins that are visiting?"

"That sounds good," she looked at Ron, "Do you mind honey? Maybe Harry would like to hear more about your driving test…"

Ron took the bait. "I never got to tell him about the close call near the end of the-"

Hermione tuned Ron out. She gave him a pat on the shoulder before turning away. "Have fun, you two." She called, realizing it was too late to give Hugo any demonstration of love before he left. It'd be awkward at this point to turn around, walk over, and give him a hug, or even a pat on the head.

Moments later, Hermione sank down into her overstuffed 'thinking chair' in her office. The house was peacefully quiet and she knew she just needed a few minutes to think before she could get to work.

My client wants a spell that will work in the way time turners used to. Since the Unspeakables haven't replaced the time turners after twenty-some-years, I guess it's up to me. But I'm getting off topic… Right, I have the runes for the wand movements done; I need to decide which is best "Tempus EGO Votum" or "Tempus EGO Necessitas". The Arithmancy works best for the first which means "time I desire" but I prefer the second which means "time I need" it just seems better.

"Ah, the hell with it, I just need to experiment with both," Hermione said as she stood up and prepared to cast the first spell. She took a deep breath, deciding she needed to be transported back to the moment they got home, as it would allow her enough time to avoid her past self. "Tempus EGO Necessitas", she recited as she executed the wand movement, which was quickly followed by her exclaiming "Oh Shit!" She felt as though she was being squeezed around her middle as her conscious started to close in around her. She knew something was wrong. Thoughts of everyone she loved filled her mind. She regretted not giving Hugo a hug goodbye. Finally, she thought of loved ones who had died and thought 'I'll be seeing them again soon.'