Chapter 1

The pale light from the moon glimmered across the grim face of the young girl as she sat there poised on the edge of her seat, staring into space, deep in thought. Her dark bushy brown hair was messier than ever as it fell from her desperate attempt at a pony tail. Her eye brows continued to squeeze together and un-squeeze, her mouth opening and closing as she attempted to grasp what was being asked of her. The conversation kept filtering slowly into her head, and she slowly attempted to comprehend the consequences to herself and those around her.

"Ms. Granger, I realize I have no right asking this of you, or of anyone, but you should be aware that the fate of the wizarding world is in your hands. As you know, Voldemort is gaining immense power, so much, and so quickly, that everything which the Order has attempted to counteract has failed, leaving us with two final options…

One – the final battle, - using whatever remaining resources and strengths we have, leaving the outcome of the war up to probability and most likely to Him. The second, is for us to send someone on a special mission, to go where no one else has gone before, and accomplish what the Order and the wizarding realm has not or will not be able to do. This person is you. You will surely come to the same conclusion if you think of this logically once told of the mission. Think of those in the order, - Harry is too valuable to both our hope and our forces to risk losing him, and just as importantly he does not have the skills and patience or knowledge to accomplish this task. Ron, Tonks, Moody, Remus, Severus, - each have an important role to play or do not suit this task. You have the perseverance, the logic and intelligence to succeed…

If you choose to accept this task, - this ultimate personal sacrifice, you would be placing us all in a great debt to you. However, before I divulge any information regarding this… task, I must know if this idea is too much for you. Before you say anything, realize that you would be leaving behind everything you have ever known, your friends, family… luxuries. Your sole existence would be reliant on the completion of this mission. I need to know if you are willing to listen further, to seriously contemplate agreeing to this task. Please, share your thoughts Hermione."

Across from her an old and wise wizard sat unordinarily slumped with his face in his hands as he studied the face of the girl in front of him. Internally he acknowledged that he was asking too much of her, what were Hermione's chances of succeeding at this task he was asking of her if the two most renowned wizards in society – Harry Potter and himself – Albus Dumbledore, could not defeat the Dark Lord.

"Yes, I'll consider. Please tell me what the rest of this mission entails, Professor," She stated firmly.

Professor Dumbledore's head lifted suddenly as if realizing that she had finally spoken. Pushing his half moon glasses further up his nose, he signed before stating, "Not many realize that Voldemort's real name is actually Tom Marvolo Riddle. I'm sure young mister Potter shared this information with you in your second year. He was in Hogwarts over 50 years ago. This mission would mean you would be going back in time, my dear, to the year 1955, to when he was in his Seventh year. In simplest terms, your task would be to alter his path, either by terminating the root of the problem" – at this point his eyes pierced Hermione's meaningfully, "or by another means. Solving this problem does not have to involve killing, the most complex problems are sometimes solved by the simplest solution, - love. Just think, how was Harry Potter kept alive? Love. Of course if you accept this mission we would go into an indepth history of Tom Riddle's life and the life you would be entering so you can understand him and further to convince him of your role… But I'm an old man, and I have been rambling far too long. Take a few moments, consider it logically. However, you must understand that by going into that time, you can never, ever, return to this one. Lemon drop?"

Hermione's eyes closed for a moment as she took all of this new information in. He was right of course, she would be a logical choice for the part, after all she is his age, being in Seventh year currently. In addition, who was it that solved most of the problems when Harry, Ron and her had been in all of those situations fighting Voldemort? Her. But the thing that held her back was exactly that – Harry and Ron, her friends and family, how could she give those up? Then again, how could she not, knowing she would be forced to give up so much more if she didn't. It wasn't fair.

They sat there like that for a good half hour, Hermione in intense thought, and Professor Dumbledore rubbing his temples, as a silent, unnoticed tear slipped down his cheek. He truly looked his age at this moment.

Suddenly, Hermione spoke in a hushed voice, "Of course I'll do it Professor. There really is no other choice is there? It's either I go and possibly succeed where others have not, or wait until we almost definitely lose. I've been paying attention in the Order meetings, Sir, and the casualties on our side have only risen, while the Death Eaters continue to grow."

"Sometimes Ms Granger, I forget that you are actually only 18, yet for all your bodily appearance, you act much older than you are. Thank you, Ms. Granger, for whatever that is worth now. While it may seem like nothing, just think, once this mission is done what it will accomplish, - the lives you will save, and the families that never met may be able to."

Nodding her head, Hermione relaxed back into her chair, as if the world had ironically finally settled on her shoulders. "So when do we begin, Sir?"

"Saturday morning, seven o'clock sharp, the password to my office is Turble Toffee. As it is only the near the end of September we shall want to hurry. You will have four days to get your affairs in order, - visit family, friends, gather any knowledge from the library, etc, to prepare you for your trip. Right here, is some information packets which contain information on Tom Riddle, brief history really, as well as some possible strategies and background information you may want to choose. Anything mentioned in this room is not to be mentioned to anyone, - this is deadly serious Ms. Granger. Not even Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. You may however, tell them that there has been an illness in your family which is why you are leaving abruptly on Thursday evening to visit your parents, explaining why you are wanting to spend more time with them before you go. I trust that is satisfactory? Very well. Sleep well Ms. Granger. You have committed yourself to a noble cause."

"I know Professor. Thank you." With that, Hermione stood up slowly, picked up the information packets and walked down the winding steps of his office. As the gargoyles closed her steps sped up, glancing at her watch, she realized it was already past curfew. Suspiciously, she looked around for any signs of Ms. Norris. When she finally reached the Gryffinder portrait of the fat lady, she quickly ran up to her room, wishing to be by herself. That night, despite her body's protests, she began her reading of the information packets.