The final war had been over for five years now. The Wizarding world was still battling to find those who still worshipped the fallen Dark Lord. But overall, things were as peaceful as they've ever been. The pain of those lost in the battle had dulled, but never forgotten. Hogwarts held a ceremony each year for those fallen or lost during the Dark Lord's reign.

Harry had became an Auror for the ministry. Once Ginny had graduated Hogwarts she had trained to become an Unspeakable. They had been married for two years now and were expecting their first child in seven months. No one was more excited than Mrs. Weasley.

Ron had moved on to become a Quidditch announcer. He traveled all over the world with a zeal for his job. He was enthusiastic, articulate, and captivating to his audience. He had finally grown up.

As for Hermione, she was working in the department of Magical Creatures. She was sick of her job. She was constantly ran ragged over some of the mildest cases. She'd gone to one of the top Wizarding colleges in Europe located in Germany. She had majored in an assortment of topics; magical creatures, ancient runes, and transfiguration. She had gotten a minor in potions.

Goal driven and she ends up in the ministry. She didn't suppose all ministry jobs were bad. There were people in her division that actually enjoyed what they did. Maybe they weren't as ambitious as herself. Harry loved his job. Maybe there was something wrong with her. She just couldn't seem to settle herself. She needed a change.

She had an appointment with Dumbledore at two that afternoon. She was thinking about filling the charms position since Professor Flitwick retired. It would do good for her, she told herself. She'd be helping a new generation of witches and wizards. She'd contribute to something other than running around the continent looking into potential dangerous creatures.

Hermione cleaned up her desk before taking her hour lunch to apparate to Hogwarts. Rushing through the ministry, she nodded politely or called greetings to those she knew. When she got to the apparation point, she was gone with a pop. The heat that greeted her outside of Hogwart's gates was stifling. Perspiration started to build on her upper lip as she navigated up the path that led to the front doors.

There was a small cluster of kids on the far side of the lawn with a professor. Since classes were still in sessions the halls were empty. The heels on her black pumps echoed as she hurriedly rushed down the corridors. The stone gargoyles brought back many memories and she smiled to herself. "Cockroach clusters" she said. A handle appeared on the wall and one of the gargoyles reached out to swing it open for her.

She was running a bit late she noticed as she glanced at her wrist watch. She picked up her pace on the winding staircase. She reached the top and knocked lightly. "Come in." A cheery voice called through.

Hermione pushed open the door and smiled brightly at the grey haired man with his half moon glasses. "Good afternoon, Headmaster."

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger. Please come in! Sit down." He indicated a chair across from him. She walked in and sat down. She didn't notice the man to her right glaring at her. Her white blouse was buttoned except for the two at the top, showing her slender and graceful neck. The blouse was tucked into a form fitting black skirt that came up a few inches above her knees. She wore panty hose, he noticed along with the black pumps with the four inch heels.

"Thank you so much for seeing me today, Headmaster." Her smile only seemed to get brighter.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "No, no. Thank you, Miss Granger. We have been trying to fill this position for the year. I'm afraid it's pure selfishness that I'm grateful. Teaching hasn't been my job for ages until now."

"I think the change will do wonderfully for me."

"I haven't a doubt. What makes you want this position so much, if you don't mind my asking."

Her brown eyes shone enthusiastically. "I want to help people. I want to make a difference. To provide knowledge and to help mold our future witches and wizards."

The man sneered in disgust. "Of course you do, Miss Granger. Always looking for a way to be a know-it-all. Didn't get your fill when you were in school?"

Hermione's head whipped around, her brown hair flying in disarray. "Excuse me?" Her eyes finally lit on Severus Snape sitting off to the side. His hair was still black as night, straight strands and down in his face. His features were a little gaunt, but gave him a distinguished look. And he still wore his customary black robes.

"You heard me." he replied.

"Now Severus, my boy, no need to be rude. I rather like the sound of Miss Granger being a part of our faculty."

"I think we should take a vote." Severus bit out.

Her eyes narrowed. "If I remember correctly, Professor, you were the only one less than pleased with me."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and watched both of them over the top of his spectacles. It always fascinated him how they were always at odds and ends through the years, especially after the final battle. He watched as Hermione shot off of her chair and paced around his office.

"What is your problem, Professor?" he heard her ask Severus.

Severus stood up abruptly. "You are!"

They were glaring daggers from across the room. She turned her back to him. Something on the edge of Dumbledore's desk caught her eyes. She picked it up and studied it. "What is this?"

"An old fashioned time turner. Quite fascinating." Dumbledore murmured.

Severus took four strides across the room and pulled it out of her hands. "I'd appreciate it if you don't fiddle with everything that isn't yours."

She snatched it back. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop being such a git. But we don't get everything we want!"

"I wouldn't…" Dumbledore started before he was cutoff.

The time turner slipped from their fighting fingers and smashed on the ground. Hermione and Severus felt themselves being pulled. Their sight went black as they tried to fight against it. Their resistance was futile. When Hermione lifted her head she realized she was laying on the ground in a room with Severus. She was slightly dizzy from whatever had happened. Her eyesight started to clear when she realized she wasn't in Dumbledore's office anymore.

They were in a room that was richly done in power blue, gold, and cream. There was a fireplace across the way with bookshelves next to it. There was a magnificent looking writing desk, and across from that a tall armoire. Her eyes then lit on the grand four poster bed with the canopy tied back.

A deep groan came by her side. Severus was leaning up on his elbows looking around. "What the bloody hell did you do this time?"

She huffed. "I didn't do a thing. If anything, you did!"

A knock sounded on the door before a voice floated through, "Lady Melissa, are ye ready for ye toilette and dressing?"

They looked at each other before they scrambled up. "What do we do?!" she cried.

"Answer her."

"But I'm not Lady Melissa! Surely she'll know."

"Just do it." Severus commanded.

Clearing her throat Hermione called out unsteadily. "N-not right now."

"Excuse me, mum, I didn't hear you." the woman called back. Hermione gave Severus a panicked look. The handle on the door started to turn. "I'm comin' in now."

"Damn." Severus breathed. "Wrap yourself in that comforter, I'll hide."

"Hide where? What is going on?!" She pulled on his hand.

Yanking away from her, he rushed to the bed and threw the blanket around her shoulders. "Don't let her see your clothing. I have to hide, we cannot be caught in a compromising position, Miss Granger."

Before she could answer Severus had rushed into a room off to her right. The door pushed opened and she wrapped the goose feather comforter around her tighter. A woman that looked to be no more than five years older than herself entered. She was dressed in a plain black dress, white apron, and white cap. She had pale green eyes and unruly red hair that was pinned up.

She gave Hermione a smile. "I knew ye wouldn't be up jus' yet, Lady Melissa. But yer Papa insisted that I awake ye. Why, with house guest here before ye head to London for the season, he's anxious. 'Tis yer year to be married off he says." she fussed around the world while she chattered animatedly. "The serving boys will have water up fer yer bath in a moment, mum."

Hermione stared in bewilderment. This woman thought she was the Lady Melissa. "His Grace, the Duke of Hawthorne, says to have ye down in time fer breakfast."

Before a reply could form in her mind, two young boys started lugging in buckets of water to a brass tub she didn't notice next to the fire place until now. She heard one of the boys call the woman Millie before he left.

"Will ye require any help with yer washing, mum?" Millie asked as she set out bath salts, soap, cloths, and towels.

"No thank you, Millie." Hermione said softly.

"I'll leave you to it! I'll be back in an hour to help you dress." She left with a smile.

Hermione dropped the comforter to the floor and raced to lock the door. She pressed her back to the wood and breathed deeply. Severus stepped out of the room and moved closer. "Well, Miss Granger, it seems you've sent us back quite a bit back in time. I'm not sure how far."

Her eyes snapped to his. She stood up rigidly. "I had nothing to do with this. If you hadn't gone and started acting all childish over a time turner, we'd still be in Dumbledore's office!"

"Pointing an accusing finger at me right now isn't going to help our cause. First we need to find out exactly where we are, what year, and our roles in this time."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and glowered. "I am Lady Melissa, daughter of the Duke of Hawthorne. If I get my wish, you'll be nothing more than a stable boy or footman."

He snorted in derision. "I highly doubt you'll get your wish. I shall be off now."

"Where are you going to go?" she hurried after him as he started towards the door he came in through.

"I'll roam the hall until I find a servant." They entered a sitting room that was done in the same colors as the bedroom.

"Then what? Ask him who you are?" she ground out.

"I'll read his thoughts, of course. Some of us have that ability. Take your bath and get dressed, Lady Melissa." He walked out the door.

She looked around the room for a moment before she locked the sitting room door. She had roughly forty-five more minutes before Millie would come back. Slowly she started to doff the clothes she had on. Folding them neatly she looked around for a place to hide them. Her eyes lit on a chest at the foot of the bed. There was a key sticking out of it. Opening it, she saw a few possession. A perfect place to hide her clothes and wand. After locking the chest, she found a ribbon to put the key on and slip around her neck.

The water was tepid but felt good against her cool skin. She leaned back in the tub and let herself soak. This was all such a shock to her. How were they going to get back? After washing herself she stood up and grabbed one of the fluffy towels that was laid on a stool next to her. A knock came from the door.

"Yes?" Hermione called.

A muffled reply came. "I'm here to help you dress, milady."

Hermione rushed to the door and unlocked it. She opened it a little and scooted away from the door. "Jus' get done, did ye? Well, we'd best hurry and get ye dressed. His Grace is downstairs demanding his daughter be down within the half hour."

Millie rushed to the armoire and began to rustle through the dresses. "What color do ye want to wear, milady? Ye look positively ravishing in lavender."

"I…I suppose the lavender is fine, thank you, Millie." Hermione wrapped her towel around her tighter, feeling a little self conscious about her nudity.

"Well, girl! What are ye doin'? Get yerself in that chemise. Yer father is in a downright mood."

Hermione bit her bottom lip as she looked at the sheer chemise. It was sleeves and would go down to mid thigh. She picked it up and quickly slipped it on while Millie had her back to her. She picked up the stockings and looked at them curiously. She slid them on and tied the ribbons to keep them up. She felt so out of place. Millie quickly slid a whalebone corset; she quickly pulled the laces until Hermione stood straighter and she could barely breathe.

"Do you think you could loosen the ties a little, Millie?" Hermione asked breathlessly.

She gave a small snort. "'Tis not appropriate and ye very well know that." Millie grabbed the lavender morning dress and slid it over Hermione's head. It was from the softest material she's ever felt. Once it was laced up she looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes grew wide at the daring display of her décolleté. The bodice was square and scooped down, pushing the swell of her bosom up. The dress came down to the bottom of her feet. Millie gave her matching slippers to put on.

Afterwards she set her in front of the vanity set in her bedroom and brushed out her hair that came to the middle of her back. Millie pinned it up in a simple chignon, letting small curls fall artlessly around her face. She had never seen herself look more beautiful.

"Pinch yer cheeks and put some rosy color in them. Then ye best be getting' down to His Grace and yer company."

Millie hustled her out into the hall so she could clean up the mess. Hermione stood in the hall for a moment before she started hesitantly towards the stairs. She walked down the stairs and ended up in the foyer. She stopped and looked for a servant. Instead she heard voices down the right side of the hall. She slowly followed them until she ended up in a bright breakfast room.

"Melissa, darling, there you are!" called a deep voice. A man stood up hastily. He was wearing a brown suit with a dark yellow waist coat. He had a cravat was tied immaculately. His hair was a salt and pepper color that was cut in what she assumed was the style of this time. He was tall and formidable looking, but his hazel eyes were kind.

She didn't know how to reply. She didn't know who the man was! He came forward and grabbed her elbow to guide her into the room further. "I would like to present to you the Duke of Townsend." the man said. "Townsend, this is my daughter, Lady Melissa."

The man that claimed to be her father nodded toward the other side of the table. She looked and her breath caught. Severus stood up freshly clothed in a black suit with a black waistcoat. His cravat was expertly tied. His hair wasn't in his face for once; it was clubbed back. His eyes had a mocking look in them. Severus came around the table and bowed to her.

"Were are your manners, girl? Curtsy to the man." her for the moment father said.

Hermione gave an awkward curtsy. "A pleasure, your grace."

"The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure, Lady Melissa." Severus replied.

The man nodded happily and sat down at the end of the table. "Shall we resume to breakfast. I dare say that our other guests shall not rise this early." The three of them sat down to have a footman serve tea, coffee, and anything they want off of the sideboard.

Hermione picked at her food and watched as the Duke of Hawthorne kept a steady conversation with Severus. "Excuse me, your grace." an elderly servant said from the dining room doors. He was dressed in black and white that was customary to the servants.

"Yes, Dockings?" The duke asked.

"Your secretary is here on urgent business. He asked to see you in your study when you're available." the man replied.

The duke stood up setting his napkin next to his plate. "If you two will excuse me, I must take this."

Once the duke left the room Severus looked at the footman. "You may leave us." With a nod the man left and closed the doors behind him. "Looks like you didn't get your wish, Miss Granger, or should I say, Lady Melissa."

Hermione gave him a cross look. "I did not, your Grace. How did you find out who you were assumed to be?"

"I do have skillful abilities in the arts of legilimency. I found a servant wandering the halls in the east wing of the house. Lo and behold, he was my personal servant. I read his mind and then proceeded to tear into him about not having clean clothes for me." Severus gave a distasteful look at his tea as he took a sip. "This is the duke's country seat Hawthorne House. We will be staying here for another week before making our way into London to take in the season. What I gathered from the duke's mind, he plans to marry you off and has me as a potential suitor in his mind."

She rubbed her brow as she took in all of the information. "How are we supposed to get back? I understand we were sent back in time because of the time turner."

"There is no definite way for us to get back, if it's even possible. I have never heard of anyone being sucked through a fabric in time. We will have to find a solution, research, or play this all out. Maybe even try to find a time turner."

"We could find a time turner!" she cried excitedly. "We could go looking immediately when we get into London! We don't have to be here long."

Severus gave an irritated sigh. "You silly chit. Witchcraft may not be as a big of a deal as it was years upon years ago, but it's still a big issue. We can't just walk along Bond Street demanding someone point us to the closest witch or wizard's residency. If we ever go anywhere without the duke, you will have to be properly chaperoned by someone. You will also need the company of your maid or a footman. Aren't you supposed to have a brain in that head of yours?"

"Then what exactly do you plan, sir?" Hermione bit out.

"I suggest we play our roles to the best of our abilities. I don't suppose you have trained in legilimency?" To the shake of her head he kept going. "I didn't think so. I will try to be as much help as I can properly provide for you. I have a residency of my own in London, but the duke has kindly extended for me to stay at his house. You are Lady Melissa Trahern, daughter to the Duke of Hawthorne and the Duchess of Hawthorne, whom is dead. You have an older brother, he is already in London awaiting you and your father's arrival. You are twenty two years old and should be considered on the shelf, but being a duke's daughter, you are still quite the catch with a hefty dowry. I believe that is all the prudent information you need right now."

Hermione groaned. She didn't want to go through this in the dark. How was she supposed to pull this off if that's all she knew. This was a time she wished she was an accomplished at legilimency. Perhaps Severus could teach her.

Severus watched her while she sat there poking at a poached egg. She looked quite lovely in the dress she had on. He almost choked when she had first entered the room. Who's idea was it for her to show that much flesh? They were trying to not call attention to themselves. But he had to think rationally. They had to go with this. And what was it to him anyways? If the chit hadn't of started to mess with his time turner, then they wouldn't be in this situation. Now it was up to him to find a way out.

He was worried earlier when he left her rooms what would happen when he did actually find someone who saw him in his robes. But he found it wasn't that hard since the duke was supposedly an intimidating person. That he could pull off.

The doors were pushed open and Hermione and himself looked up to see a young man lead a young woman in. They both had sandy blonde hair, hers up with ribbons treading through it, his cut in the latest style. She wore a pale pink gown that complimented her complexion and figure. Her blue eyes were as light as the sky. The man had the same eyes, indicating that they were related; probably brother and sister. He was dressed in a blue suit with a matching waistcoat.

"Melissa!" the girl exclaimed as she rushed in. "You look absolutely ravishing. Lavender is definitely your color. Isn't it, Robert?"

The man gave Hermione a quick smile. "Just lovely, Melissa."

The girl seemed to give a start when she noticed Severus. Her cheeks grew rosy as her eyes lowered demurely. "Excuse me for such outburst, sir."

"May I present the Duke of Townsend." Hermione replied.

The girl quickly curtsied. "Oh, my! A duke. I'm terribly sorry, your Grace. I'm La…"

Severus cut her off. "Lady Charity Beauchamp. I know who you are. I've met your father on several occasion."

"Your Grace." Robert said respectfully as he bowed.

Severus nodded his head. "Lord Robert. How is your father? Doing well I trust."

The man gave a rueful smile. "Quite well to be sure. He has been raving about you having a mind of a genius with the last business venture you advised him in."

The two younger people sat down and chatted amiably with Hermione. Great, Severus thought, first I'm sent in time, put in charge of babysitting Miss Granger, have to play this damned role, and now I give our sound business advice. What bloody else could happen?