Thump came a sound from beside Harry where Hermione had sat only a minute ago; the attention of the student body and staff members alike was captured. Slytherin included were gazing at the Gryffindor table but unlike the others, wore scornful smirks. Madam Pomfrey flew down from the staff table and a minute later bemused yet anxious Harry was following the floating stretcher with Ron at his heel. Half an hour later they were called inside the hospital wing where Hermione was slowly but surely making her way to the world of living. Madam Pomfrey cast another of her glares their way before retreating to her office. Having tried their luck enough already they waited till the sure sound of a closed door came to bombard a very dazed looking Hermione Granger as she struggled with the very dim state of her mind.

"How are you feeling, mione?" asked Harry, followed shortly by Ron.

"What is in the letter? Why are clutching it in death's drip, did it offend your sensibilities that much?" asked Ron then muttered to himself, "I must see it."

"What it is Hermione, surely you didn't . . . fail?" Harry whispered the last word fearing she might faint at the sound of it. Ron watched her intently, already scheming.

"Wha . . .?" said Hermione, still dazed.

"Of all the times to be a dunderhead . . . unfair." Muttering to himself Ron said, "OH Ho! You fainted in the Great Hall after you received this letter, which is getting the life squeezed out of it in your death clutch. Ergo you are in infirmary." Finished Ron and huffed in annoyance.

"Exactly, so will you now pull us" Harry said gesturing to Ron and himself "out of this mindboggling crisis. PLEASE!"

Hermione closed her eyes in concentration; trying to recollect everything from the Great Hall to her sudden blackout; failing miserably, she simply handed the letter Ron mentioned.

"Okay, this is the parchment from the potions class, the one from yesterday's class whose results we were to see today . . . some heritage potion, was it Ron? So what is your parchment doing here? First ranker's privilege?" asked Harry unfolding the parchment while Ron came behind him to read it as well.

"Bloody Hell! It can't be . ."

"What is it?", asking Harry scrunching up his face at the temporary loss to hearing in his right ear.

"You don't know?! Of course you don't . . Harry, Hermione is a pureblood. Delmens were quite an old pureblood family, not ancient but not quite new either. Despite being only two generations old they were known for their bookworm tendencies, eh, I mean they were a well-known Ravenclaw family."

Ron shared a silent snicker with Harry.

"So what happened?", asked Harry.

"The last of Delmens family died in a freak accident, later clarified as gas leak. Quite a muggle fanatics they were . . anyway, . . . no, that's about it. Nothing much was known about them, what with them living in the muggle world." Finished Ron narrating of his story.

"Oh. Hermione, are you adopted?", asked Harry looking at her.

"So it seems." Murmured Hermione still a bit dazed.

"You are a pureblood after all." Muttered Ron looking at Dumbledore's signature at the bottom of the letter.

"Dumbledore asked for you to come to his office at . . well, right now. He has exempted you from the morning classes." Informed Ron looking up at Hermione.

"Wonder why?", said Harry glancing up at Ron.

Giving a slight smirk, Ron looked at Hermione who finally seemed to have recovered and was trying to get out of the bed.

"Whoa missy, be patient. Five minutes wait won't make Dumbledore take points from you." Said Harry holding her down.

Hermione just slumped down in the bed, not coherent enough to give a retort. Fifteen minutes later, Harry accompanied her to headmaster's office while Ron moseyed around in common room waiting for Harry to discuss (gossip more like it but no self respecting guy would ever be caught dead saying that!) this new development that was being discussed without them.

When she returned, Hermione was tight lipped more than usual to which Ron shrugged and muttering gravely 'Must be highly tedious matter.' to Harry who nodded with equal severity. Hermione huffed and made her way to dormitories grumbling about lousy boyfriends and horrid best friends.

"I am ever so glad that she is not my girlfriend. Thank you mate for taking her off the market." Said Ron sincerely, putting an arm on his best mate's shoulder.

Harry scowled dangerously as he watched his girlfriend stomp up the stairs like a baby dragon having a tantrum.

"Talk about being childish. I wonder what it's like . . ."

Harry just sighed at his incredible good fortune.

At Present

"Mione hurry up I'm getting late!" called out Harry.

"Harry, you can go if you are getting late." Answered Hermione.

"Okay then, bye." Said Harry rushing out of the front door.

The day was hectic for Harry and Ron as it was their turn at the training session of the week. Though it was easy to handle the newbies, the meeting after that was quite tough; the council had been uncooperative about the situation with the deaths of magical creatures or, about the complaints of the companies for the resolution of the situation. Harry was decked with the paper work of the whole week; preparation of reports, suggestions for the problem and the uncooperativeness of the council were truly stretching his patience. Just then door opened to reveal his secretary who reminded him of the lunchtime.

"How was the day?", asked Hermione coming soundlessly into Harry's office.

"Hermione! When did you come?", asked Harry, startled.

"A second ago when my husband had his nose buried in his much pending paper work." Answered Hermione smoothly holding out their lunch.

"Hey! I was gone on an official trip." Protested Harry pushing off the papers aside and placing his lunch.

"Keep this up and you will find yourself at home for a week." Said Hermione smoothly, opening her lunch.

Harry made a face. "Trust me this time not even Minister can drag you out of our home." Added Hermione in the same tone.

"Mione! I don't have the luxury of spare time when this much work is still to be done and with all the council still turning deaf ear to this problem, it is not helping." Answered Harry with a sigh.

"How I wish you were Ron sometimes, anyways I came here to tell you something interesting, guess what?", asked Hermione excitedly.

"Can't guess! My brain is temporarily on leave." Said Harry eying his fries hungrily.

"Harry . . ." Said Hermione sternly then chuckled, shaking her head. "Professor Dumbledore has asked for us to discuss something important so you better complete this . . . task before we visit professor on Sunday."

"What is it about?", asked Harry chewing his burger.

"No idea." Answered Hermione and the rest of the lunch was eaten silent.

Hermione who had finished her lunch got up to go but was interrupted, "You are going?" asked Harry adding, "don't go". "Harry, I need to return to my office. I'll see you at home." Answered Hermione turning towards the door but seeing this Harry got up too; wiped his hand with tissue, he stopped her before she could take anymore steps by grasping her wrist, turned her around and firming his grip around her waist, kissed her passionately, stunning her completely. Surprised, Hermione couldn't keep her hands from running towards Harry's neck from his chest and encircling it, kissing back passionately. They pulled back "What was that for?" asked Hermione dreamily to which Harry smirked and answered, "Just in case" before letting her go. "Not fair." Said Hermione huskily, hitting Harry on chest playfully before adding, "Now tell me how am I to concentrate on healing rather than on you." Harry just gave a crooked smile and started kissing her on the neck slowly, addictively. "Harry . . ." Hermione moaned, " let . . . me . . . go . . . need to . . . get back" and gently pulled away from him. Hermione returned to her work, healed some kids but after sometime her mind drifted towards Harry "See what you did? Now I can't concentrate." Thought Hermione, running her hand slowly on her neck "Well I can't help it with you standing in front of me.'' Came the answer from Harry.

The day went pretty good for both; Harry was in nice mood as the meeting with minister had gone exceedingly well. He had explained the deaths of magical creatures, their consequences on the companies and gave the solutions to the problem to which the minister readily accepted saying he was saved from the daily letters from industrialists.

"So, how was your day?", asked Harry entering their home, teasingly.

"Very funny!" said Hermione coming out of kitchen and kissed him passionately. Harry returned the gesture enthusiastically but before he could fully enjoy the kiss Hermione pulled away.

"Hey!" said Harry in protest, following her lips.

"What?" said Hermione innocently "You seem to be in good mood." Continued Hermione.

"Which you spoiled!" whined Harry.

"What did I do?" asked Hermione enjoying it.

"Oh, stop enjoying! I talked with the Minister and he understood, lamented about others negligence. So, I hope you will stop pestering me now.'' Answered Harry at last, making his way to their bedroom.

"Really Harry! That's wonderful. Let's go to the restaurant today, I don't feel like cooking." Said Hermione chuckling at Harry's expense.

Their dinner went well; they discussed about the new Mr & Mrs Weasley, Ron and Luna Weasley. A certain someone named Lavender was none too pleased. Everything was serendipitous, so was in the case of Mr & Mrs Potter; Harry, who was supposed to have a crush on a certain redhead proved everyone wrong by proposing to Hermione on the eve of winter ball outside the castle, near the lake under the bright night sky and marrying her in spring on the beautiful Caribbean Islands in the following year. The years of talk on Harry and Hermione much to Rita Skeeter's delight had come true and to Victor Krum's dismay. It was not yet their first anniversary and it seemed fate had something planned for them.

Sunday came and the couple headed to the Hogwarts castle. No sooner had they entered the corridors of the castle, children flocked around Harry and Hermione for their autographs. It was a tough task cutting through them and enter the headmaster's room but they managed it. "Enter" came the voice of their headmaster even before they knocked the door; on entering they greeted their professor warmly and took sets.

"I am delighted to see you both, children." Said Dumbledore.

"The pleasure is ours, professor. What can we do to help?", asked Harry.

"I presume you have some theories about this meeting." Said Dumbledore with a twinkle, offering them lemon drop, which they politely refused.

"We sure tried but we didn't succeed." Said Hermione looking from Harry to Dumbledore with a smile.

"Few days ago I came across the mystery of a famous potionist Sir Frankfin, who had claimed to have discovered a potion that could provide a child with some resistance to minor spells. The potionist disappeared without a trace few days after announcing his discovery and months later he was found dead, from that very year experiments are being conducted to create the very same potion, which had no side effects. I remember, he had the parchments buried in secrecy which were never found, so I called you both here to do me a small favour." Said Dumbledore.

"Anything sir." Said Harry.

"I had discussed this issue with minister and he has accepted to give you a leave of indefinite duration for this task which I intend to discuss with you both. As I said, the parchments were never found and the potionist, being a dear friend, I mourn his death. I intend for you both to time travel and assure his safety and that of his work. Frankfin will be of great asset to our society especially in this war struck times, I hope I have made my intentions clear." Concluded Dumbledore eying Harry and Hermione, who sat stunned and a bit disoriented.

"We both have to go to the past and see that Sir Frankfin is safe with his discovery. Is that it?", asked Hermione a minute later, dubiety clear in her tone.

"But surely you would have been entrusted with their location, being his friend? And how far in the past are we talking about?", asked Harry, perplexity clearly reflecting on his face.

"We had a bit of disagreement. I was not able to meet him and be in contact with him thereupon. Hence, this task falls upon you both." Answered Dumbledore.

"It's done thing sir, you needn't worry now." Said Hermione.

"Yes sir." Assured Harry though perturbation quite evident in his demeanour.

"Thank you children, now moving towards the details, I want to inform you both that the time was somewhere near at marauders' time . . ." Said Dumbledore, eying Harry's sudden anxious and alert face ". . . and we were in need of new DADA teacher so, it would be perfect for Harry to pose as the DADA professor and you, Hermione to accompany him as his wife, naturally. Harry, I know what you are thinking but let me lay the rules, not a word should reach your parents or the marauders, we are not to change the timeline even if we can." Said Dumbledore gaining seriousness to which Hermione nodded in favour.

"I understand professor, if the fate ahd wanted, it could have at least saved me a parent but it did not and I understand now; it could not have been possible to defeat Voldemort." Said Harry. And Dumbledore nodded.

"Sir, why is that you choose to send us both, not that I object!" said Hermione.

"To be honest, I never thought about it but maybe now I can . . . as much as I know Harry, he can never trust his own mind so . . ." Said Dumbledore with a hint of smile ". . . it's only prudent to send you along Hermione dear; you both being bonded will not help the plan if you are separated." Concluded Dumbledore with Hermione's laugh.

"Professor!" exclaimed Harry embarrassed, to which Dumbledore laughed good-naturedly.

"Seeing as we are going quite far back in time, I think it's prudent to change our names. We mayn't go down in history books but Hogwarts will remember us." Said Hermione.

"Of course dear, I have given thought to it and I suggest to just make them sound bit different, but not quite far off. For instance, Harry can be Harrison and yours have to be changed though, Hermione dear. I thought Isabella would be apt . . . what do you think?" asked Dumbledore.

Both nodded their heads and bid goodbyes and left. It was morning as they sat having a cup of tea. They sat sipping their beverage in silence, lost in their thoughts.

"So, what do you think?" asked Harry.

"I think we shouldn't say a word to anyone, not even to Ron." Replied Hermione.

"Ron would be most upset if he comes to know of this." Said Harry.

"Oh yes, if he will." Said Hermione with a mischievous smile at which Harry laughed.

Sunday night was as eventful as the day; the couple was busy making list of things to buy and shopping, packing and the we-will-be-out-of-town letters to Weasley's and Darin's were readied to be sent. They were to leave the day after tomorrow, which came all too early, finding them standing in professor's office waiting with luggage for Dumbledore to give them further instructions.

"Children, this letter have all the information about Frankfin, his address and the day he disappeared and the day he died. Now, I hope to meet you in the past safe and sound!" said Dumbledore and showed them the portal of time. Both waved to their professor and soon were fading with their luggage.