Disclaimer: I own nothing. It is all hers. I just play with them a little.

The sun refused to come out that day. The sky was dark with clouds, heavy with rain that refused to fall. A cold wind blew around them. Cold despite it being the end of June. Then again no one could really claim to remember the date at this point. The battle had been harsh and bloody. And it had happened on the very soil that was suppose to be unreachable.

No one should have been able to Apparate onto the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At least according to Hogwarts: A History. But then again there had never been a Dark Lord like the one that was presently watching over his army.

No there had never been one like him before. But the side of the Light were clearly determined to stop him. They would do what ever it took and in doing so pledged their very souls to his end.

Lord Voldemort could see that his army was having it's difficulties. That surprised him a little. After all he did not expect children to put up much of a fight. However, he should have realized that Dumbledore would be some what prepared. He probably had Aurors hidden in the school all term. He would have known that Voldemort would want to take the school as his home. Indeed he had planned it all along. Hogwarts would be his new home from which to strike out of. It's ancient magic, wards and barriers, even it's location, would be the very thing he needed to take over all of the Wizarding world.

And yet it seemed that it was not going to be so easy. It looked like he would actually have to get involved in the battle. This was not something he usually did. No, in fact it was only after prisoners had been taken or most of the offending army had be defeated that he got involved. After all, what good was being the Master all about if not being able to use your followers to fight your battles for you.

He walked out of the shadows then in time to see his beloved Bella take a cutting curse. He walked over to her and waved the spell away. He healed her quickly and sent her back to the battle. She kissed the hem of his robes and he touched the top of her head. She took off quickly and within minutes had her attacker writhing under a severe Cruicatus. He smiled to himself as he was grateful once again, that she was on his side. He had seen her mad before but watching her take revenge was like watching a child open presents Christmas morning. She was a particularly vicious Death Eater. In fact, she was one of his favorites. But she was not his number one. No that place belonged to one other. He thought fondly of his Second in Command. Now she was something else. Beautiful, vicious and unrelenting. Not that she took part in many of the attacks. Oh she had done her fair share of torture but it was mainly her fellow Death Eaters that she tortured. At his command of course. Most of the attacks and battles that she did take part in required her Potions expertise.

Yes, she and Severus made quite a team. Both of them skilled enough to have become Masters before they were even out of school. He would normally only demand one Master but the two of them were so close and worked so well together that he had not the heart to be rid of either. Instead he counted himself lucky that they were both loyal to him. In fact he was so convinced of her loyalty that when she had requested to take the Dark Mark in the future instead of when she had first come to him, he agreed. She was able to keep appearances better without it in a time when everyone was being cautiously checked for his mark. She had offered a blood bond instead but he had refused when he had Legilimens her and saw her intentions and loyalty were true. He was so proud of his beloved surrogate daughter Shaylee.

He walked over then to where a child was laying, bleeding to death. He looked down to see a Slytherin crest soaked with blood. He cast a silent Legilimens at the child as he looked deep into her eyes. He saw that the child had sided with the enemy. Foolish little girl. Following Potter and his crew because they were smart, popular and had Dumbledore's friendship. He shook his head. When will they learn that these things do not matter. What mattered was power. And he had power.

He kept moving until he reached the heart of the battle. He was seen then by Potter and his crew. He watched as they came towards him. What they didn't know was that amongst them there was a traitor. Oh yes he had infiltrated the famous group. He almost laughed as he saw them approach him with wands raised.

Potter looked at him with calm face and steady eyes. This threw him a little. Insolent brat. He was the Dark Lord. He was Lord Voldemort. He was the reason why Hogwarts was under attack and he was the reason why all Mudbloods would die and Half-Bloods would become slaves to Pure-Bloods. But he watched again in fascination as they spread out and a girl walked towards him. She held her wand east to west, palm up so it could be considered a cessation of hostilities. At least between them. He inclined his head and she nodded her agreement. She dropped her wand into the holster on her side and he slipped his back up his sleeve. He could have it back in his hand in less then a second but she need not know that.

"Well girl. Speak as you obviously wanted the chance to do so. Let me remind you however that this does not mean that should I find your words an offense or a waste of my time that I won't kill you anyway."

"I have no doubt that you will try to kill me when you hear what I have to say, Tom Riddle. Ah yes. I can see how that name must bother you. Do your followers realize that you are indeed a Mudblood. No I can't imagine that they do."

At this point the girl stopped speaking as he had his wand at the ready. How dare this girl, this inferior witch speak his hated Muggle father's name. But what angered him more was how she knew this. He needed to know. For most of his followers did not know that he was not a Pure-Blood. Of course at this point it did not matter because he was their Lord and they had sworn their allegiance in blood and with Dark Arts magic. They could no sooner leave him or they would die.

"Girl. I don't know who you are but you will regret those words with your dying breath. Now before I kill you, tell me what your name is that I may remember you to those who survive and tell them of your stupidity."

The girl had the audacity to laugh a him. It was a harsh throaty laugh that may have been considered sexy had they not been in a field soaked with the blood of enemies and friends. Her next words chilled him to the bone.

"Oh Tom. Thank you. I had quite forgotten that I could even laugh after these past few weeks." She shook her head as if to clear it.

"I do apologize for not introducing myself to you sooner. My name is Hermione Granger. I am a 7th year student at Hogwarts. I am also the child of 2 Muggles. But more importantly I am no longer wearing a disillusionment charm. Shall I show you the one that I wear half of the time, Tom?"

With those words and without a wand, she closed her eyes and started to shimmer in front of him. She became shorter, her hair turned blond, her skin became paler. And when she opened her eyes to him they went from chocolate brown to a deep purple.

Voldemort was shocked. There in the place of the Mudblood was his Shaylee. His precious daughter. His second in command despite her young age. One of his Potions experts. How had he not seen thru all of her facade. How could he have been so fooled. And he could not even pretend that he had been aware. His face showed the truth of that. Oh but she had played him good.

"Shaylee. . .You lying Mudblood traitor. I gave you everything. You could have had everything. I would have given you the world. Which of my other followers helped you in this. Tell me now you bitch or I will wipe out your existence."

He had to be fearsome. He could not let it show that he had been so thoroughly deceived. And hurt. Dear Merlin. He was actually hurt.

"Tom. No one else knew. How could they. If I fooled you how could they not be fooled. No Tom I did this all on my own. Would you like to hear how I did it and why?"

He did really want to know but wasn't sure if he should have more of his followers around him. He summoned Bella, Rudolphus and Regulus. They acknowledged his summons and started towards him.

She noticed his non-verbal summons and shook her head. "Afraid of me now dear father. I must say that the past year has been enlightening. I have learned more about potions and Dark Arts then is proper. Of course I have also seen more bloodshed, torture and pain then is fit for any human. However, it has all been worth it. You see Tom, I have been playing a part here and now it is time for me to return to my normal life. I have what I came for. Would you care to know what that is?"

By this time his faithful Death Eaters had come to his side and were kneeling beside him waiting to be acknowledged. They could not contain however their surprise at seeing Tom's unofficial daughter facing him from the opposing side. The all had worried looks on their faces when they heard the part of her saying she had gotten what she came for. It increased then as she seemed to shimmer in front of them and her glamour charms faded away leaving a brown haired girl in her place.

"Well spit it out Mudblood. What exactly have you acquired that I should be concerned about?" Voldemort's voice was harsh but had an underlying edge of fear in it. After all, Shaylee had been privy to every important tactical move. . past and future. Not that plans couldn't change but as she had been part of it and a brilliant tactician in her own right, it would take time to undo the damage.

She laughed then and he bristled at the sound. How dare she laugh at him. He should attack her. But some part of him still loved her and couldn't allow his wand lift. Besides, there was the fact that he had trained her himself.

"That name hardly bothers me Tom but feel free to use it if you want to make yourself feel better. Now as to the knowledge that I have. I do believe that I will whisper it in your ear." With this said she moved closer to him and he froze. He should kill her now for being a traitor but he also needed to know what information she had.

Hermione leaned in close to the man that had destroyed so many lives. Especially remembering her best friend, Harry. She leaned in knowing her time was at an end now.

"I know of the six. And I know of what they are. You can not change them or risk destroying yourself. You can hide them anywhere in the world My Lord. But they will be found and destroyed. Never forget that."

Both sides watched as the petite brunette whispered in the Dark Lord's ear. And they watched as his expression went from anger to terror. They had never seen such a look from him and it was greeted with a range of emotions. The Death Eaters were worried and began to step back as if in retreat. The Aurors and forces of the Light began to move forward as if to re-engage in the fight.

Hermione continued whispering to Voldemort. "You will retreat now. Remove yourself from these grounds and you can be assured that your secret will remain safe from me for now. Stay and every wizard from here to the Americas will be searching for your Horcruxs by tomorrow. I will give you a blood bond on this if you ask. But you must also give me an oath that you will not harm me this day."

Voldemort stepped back and study Shaylee face. "I do believe I will take that blood bond this time my girl." He turned and commanded his army to retreat back to his stronghold. Sounds of Disapperating could be heard all over. Teachers, Aurors and students alike started cheering and shouting. Then began the task of removing bodies and aiding the injured. Voldemort turned to Sha. . the girl and looked expectantly. She nodded and raised her wand with his. Each held out their free hand and with a downward slash against each other, cut into the free hand. Clasping her bleeding hand in his, he said, " I have removed my army from Hogwarts as promised and I will not attempt to return. Nor will I hurt you. . .this day. In exchange I will have your promise of secrecy."

Hermione nodded. "I accept that you have removed your army and will not return to these grounds or face a death like no other. I give my vow that I will never reveal the identity or location of any of the Horcruxs in this time for fear of facing a death like no other." She turned to those behind her and gestured for them to move away so that she could speak with him in private.

Voldemort smiled a gruesome smile then. He had won to some extent. The forces of the Light had been diminished. He had gained access to Hogwarts and done once could be done again. Although it hardly balanced losing his daughter and finding out she was a traitor. As well as now knowing about his most precious secret. But the blood bond would keep her. . .

"Wait. Why did you say in this time?" he asked

Her smile was feral. It made his skin crawl and his blood run cold. "Oh dear father. Did I forget to tell you something. How rude of me. I am from the future. In fact, in just about 5 minutes I will return to my time with the information needed to destroy you once and for all. But don't worry, I will make it fairly painless."

He roared with rage and lifted his wand to her only to be met with a burning sensation over his body. Realizing that it was the oath he had made, he glared at her and promised himself that one day he would stand over her dead body. He would let Bella have her for a few days maybe. Facing her once more he shook his head, "I gave you everything I had. You were my daughter in all but name. I will never forget this. And I will have my revenge." With that he Disapperated away.

Hermione turned to make sure she was alone. She could feel the pull of the Gods returning her to her proper time. She was deeply saddened at this. She did not want to leave just yet. She was leaving her friends and her love. Most would be there waiting for her but some would not. And she wouldn't have the chance to say good-bye. She wondered now how much of the future she had changed. Certainly not enough to make that much difference but enough to notice.

Walking quickly to the forest, she turned once more to see several figures looking confused. They were searching for her, she knew. But they could never know where it was that she was going. She just hoped that they would understand. It was unnerving that it would only be 5 minutes before she saw them again. It would be 20 years for them. Although they would see her start Hogwarts, they would not know it was her until she returned. She would begin to look familiar but they would never connect her with their friend who showed up in the Great Hall one morning. At least not right away.

Sighing, she thought about him. To her it would only have been hours since they had been together. Hours since they had snuck away to the Room of Requirement. Hours since they had kissed by the fire under a sky filled with thousands of stars. Hours since he had asked her to marry him. Hours since she had said yes before thinking about the consequences. Hours since they had made love for the first and last time. Just hours.

But to him it would have been twenty years. Twenty years of wondering what had happened to her. Twenty years of worry and mourning. Twenty years of love turned to anger when he realized that she had known all along that she couldn't stay. Twenty years.

As she felt the spell ending and felt a familiar tug behind her navel she smiled a little. After all she was going to see Harry and Ron in just seconds. Her smile faltered as she knew that he might be there waiting for her. He would know now. And that broke her heart because she knew that he would never accept her again. Nothing would change that. She had broke his heart. Tears began to fall from her eyes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

" 'Mione. . 'Mione. Please wake up. Gods you have been missing for a month and then puff. There you are in the Great Hall. Please wake up, Hermione."

She could hear Harry's gentle insistence. She reached for his hand as her eyes opened. "I'm here know Harry. I'm back. And I know. I know where they all are."

Harry knew that she was confused but didn't want to risk having her relapse into a coma again. He just wiped away his tears and hugged her gently as Ron called for Madame Pomfrey.

She came over quickly and ran spell after spell over Hermione before pronouncing her healthy. She left the 3 teenagers alone while she went for the Headmaster and Head of Gryffindor.

"Hermione, What happened. Where were you all this time. Why are you crying 'Mione?"

Under the boys questioning she had started remembering the past year with her friends. She wept softly now as they watched helpless. Dumbledore was the one who answered their questions.

"Boys I do believe that Hermione is exhausted but I will tell you the little that I know. Miss Granger was sent back in time. 20 years back in time. Back to 1978 when the Marauders, Lily and Severus were graduating. She has been with them since the beginning of their seventh year."

Harry and Ron stared open mouthed at the headmaster before turning back to Hermione. She merely nodded and continued her soft sobbing. Dumbledore sat on her bed then and took her hand in his. "My dear I knew it was you as soon as I saw you enter the Hall for your sorting. I couldn't believe that the courageous woman that I knew form back then was the slightly neurotic girl quoting from Hogwarts: A History."

She laughed at his attempt. But she looked up mournfully. "Did I really change anything for the better. I mean Lily and James are still gone. Peter still betrayed them. Sirius still fell at the Ministry. What have I done that has made it better?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly then as he turned to the young men beside him. " Gentlemen. I must ask you to leave me with Miss Granger now. I must tell her some things that only she can know. And I must ask you not to press her about these matters. They give us a great advantage against Voldemort and if he knew Hermione had returned he would be hunting her."

Not happy about with the turn of events, but acquiescing to his request, Harry and Ron kissed her goodbye and promised to come back later.

Then Dumbledore turned back to her. "Now my dear. Rest a little and I will be right back."

Laying back on her pillows she wondered why he seemed so happy. She knew that some things had still happened simply because her friends had argued that time should not be messed with and that some things were meant to be. Even if that meant some of them would be sacrificed. Their bravery and selflessness astounded her.

She must have drifted off for a few minutes. She awoke to feel a hand gently brushing her hair back from her face. And another hand holding hers tightly. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked to her left. Her smile would have rivaled the sun on it's best day.

There, holding her hand was Lucius and standing beside him was Narcissa. "Oh Luc. . Cissa. Oh God. You did it. You believed me. I thought you never would. I though I would come back here and it would all be the same. You walked away." Tears coursed down her face as they stood to hug her. She returned the hug fiercely.

"Oh Mione. We were so worried when you disappeared. We thought he had taken you. It was then that we knew. It was then that we realized you were telling the truth. We had to turn then. Not that he ever knew. I have been the proper little pureblood wife. And Lucius has been a spy all these years."

"Oh Luc. I never meant for you to do that."

"I know you didn't but I couldn't let Sev be the hero."

Her smile disappeared immediately then. "How was he. . after I mean. I. . I never told him that I would be leaving. He knew I was from the future but I didn't tell him from when or that I would be returning."

Narcissa looked to Lucius before speaking. He nodded his head and looked away. "Oh Mione he was lost without you. He didn't eat or sleep. He became obsessed with spying. Voldemort didn't really trust him for years after Shaylee disappeared. He had only gained back his trust days before . . before James and Lily died. When he came back 3 years ago Severus was punished again. For days this time. But he took it all. None of us recognized you yet althought it's unbelievable that we didn't. He has been heartbroken since you disappeared. But I don't know if things can work out Mione. He is still so angry about everything. He's your teacher now and 20 years older then you. We asked him to come with us but. . he refused. Said he just couldn't look at you."

Hermione nodded. "I know. I knew then when I was leaving that he might never talk to me again. I knew that I was going to lose him. But I can't regret being with him. It was the single greatest thing I have ever done in my life. He was and is the love of my life. I am just glad that I got to have him at all. But it is also my greatest sorrow because I have caused him so much pain. I am truly sorry for that. I just wish I could tell him."

The three of them, one a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood, the 2 others a little older but filled with deep affection and friendship, held hands then as the younger girl softly cried her heartbreak.

Another set of eyes filled with tears at these words. Turning to walk back to the dungeons he promised himself that he would talk to her tomorrow. Not for long and maybe not ever again but just once. And as he walked away he fingered the ring in his pocket. The ring he had made all those years ago when his life seemed filled with love and purpose. He wondered if it would ever feel that way again.