The Time Turner

Chapter 1

Hermione slowly opened her eyes and saw the sun streaming in through her bedroom window. Spring was her favourite season, not too hot and not too cold, just perfect weather for studying and getting her thoughts in order. She crawled out of bed and took her clothes to the bathroom and since it was Sunday, she didn't need to rush for class. After she was ready she walked downstairs to have breakfast.

"Today will be perfect if I don't run into those idiots, Potter and Weasley," Hermione thought but just a minute too soon.

"Bookworm Granger, I thought you didn't need food to live, only books?" Ron laughed as his co-conspirator Harry Potter teased her.

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were the bane of Hermione's existence. From the first day she started at Hogwarts, they had targeted her in their silly pranks and jokes. It got really bad in Fifth Year and Hermione had her suspicions. Harry and Ron were struggling with their grades and they were warned by Professor McGonnagel that if they didn't improve she would throw them out. So they came crawling to her to help them with their work and when she flatly refused, it made her taunting even worse. She had learnt to live with it and she constantly reminded herself that she only had this year left and then she would never see Potter or Weasley again.

"Harry, do you try to be stupid or does it just come naturally like Weasley?" Hermione shot back and both boys stared at her, not quite understanding her insult. It gave her a few seconds to escape around the corner and make it to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Hermione scanned the Hall and saw a small area that was free. She never really made any friends and she was quite convinced that it was Harry's doing but either way she had her books to keep her company. Hermione sat down and nodded to the other people sitting near her but there was no response as usual. She knew when Harry and Ron walked in, firstly because all the girls in the entire Hall stopped and shot dreamy looks at them and secondly because the hair on the back of her neck rose up. Hermione felt them standing behind her and she cursed herself for sitting with her back to the walkway. She slowly turned around and decided to look her tormentor in the eye. It was both Harry and Ron but Ron was standing in front.

"You know what Granger, you're just a little too smart for your own good. If I were you, I would be careful, very careful!" Hermione kept her face still and showed no reaction at all. Ron stepped in closer and tried to stare her down but she didn't budge. Ron huffed in her face and then stormed off and left Harry standing there. He leant forward and Hermione tried to lean back but the bench was digging into her back. He took a strand of her hair off her cheek and moved it back. This was the first time he actually physically touched her and her heart was racing while her cheek was burning. He lightly slid his finger down her cheek and then walked away. Hermione realised she wasn't breathing and gasped in a huge breathe.

She watched him walk away and then decided she had lost her appetite and was about to leave when she heard her name.

"Miss Granger, a moment please?" Professor McGonnagel entered the Hall and was walking towards her and Hermione tried very hard to maintain her composure even though she was clearly losing it.

"Yes, Yes Professor," Professor McGonnagel cocked an eyebrow and asked if she was ok.

Hermione nodded and then the Professor continued walking, motioning for her to follow. They walked towards the front of the Hall, which meant she had to pass right by Harry and Ron. Ron was busy chatting up some girl, the last few minutes a distant memory for him but Harry was staring at her as she walked down the aisle towards him. As she passed by, her right hand that was laying limp by her side, felt a light touch of fingers on the inside of her palm. Hermione quickly pulled her hand up to her stomach and gasped. Professor McGonnagel stopped and turned around and Hermione almost ran into her.

"Potter, are you up to no good again?"

"No not at all, just sitting here having breakfast, Professor." Professor McGonnagel smirked and then turned to continue walking. Hermione dared a glance at Harry and wished she hadn't.

His emerald green eyes were boring into her soul and she found she couldn't escape his glare. He smiled or smirked, she wasn't sure which, but he broke the eye contact and then Hermione turned around to quickly catch up to her mentor.

They walked into a small room that was off the Great Hall. The room was just as magnificent as the rest of Hogwarts and Hermione was surprised that she hadn't even noticed the room before.

Professor McGonnagel walked over to a huge cabinet that seemed to contain many old artefacts. She performed a complicated wand motion and uttered a spell under her breath. Hermione wanted to step closer but she was rooted to the floor. Professor McGonnagel took out an artefact that looked like a necklace with a huge gold ornament hanging on it.

She locked the cabinet and turned around holding the artefact.

It was a necklace, a huge one. It had a very long, thick, strong golden chain with an ornament that could only be described as an intricate egg timer. It had very complex detailed carvings with purple sand encapsulated inside. Hermione walked closer and looked at Professor McGonnagel to seek permission to hold it. She nodded and Hermione took it gently in her hands.

"Miss Granger, recently we were discussing your current subject selection for this year and you expressed your desire to take on more subjects, is that still correct?" Hermione looked at her Professor and nodded but was confused.

"Sorry Professor, I thought you said it was not possible for me to take on extra subjects, my timetable is completely full now."

"Yes I am well aware of how full your timetable is and it is for that reason that I was hesitant to take this option Hermione and if it wasn't for Professor Dumbledore's intervention, I wouldn't have agreed." Professor McGonnagel walked over to a large chair that was near the fireplace. Hermione followed her, still admiring the beautiful necklace in her hand.

"What Option Professor?" Hermione sat down in front of her mentor and listened while she told her of the beautiful piece of jewellery she was holding.

The necklace turned out to be a Time Turner. Professor McGonnagel carefully explained how the Time-turner worked and how Hermione could use it to benefit her studies. She would attend her classes and then use the time turner to go back in time and then attend the class she missed due to her being in her first class. Professor McGonnagel explained the three rings around the middle of the Turner. These rings determined how far back in time she travelled. Hermione would only have to worry about the smallest ring which measured the time in hour increments. The next ring measured days and the final one was years. It all sounded terribly confusing but absolutely exciting at the same time.

"Hermione there is one thing you must never, ever, ever do..."

"What is that Professor?"

"... you must never come into contact with yourself. You cannot let your other self see this self, do you understand?"

"Ummm, I am not sure actually."

"OK Hermione when you use the time turner to go back and do Ruins on Monday afternoon, your other self will be in Arithmacy. So during that class you cannot accidentally run into the Ruins Hermione. It is extremely important that you follow this rule as it will change your future. The most extreme complication can be that you will cease to exist... in both worlds." Hermione gasped.

"But I am sure you will be very sensible and ensure no accidents will occur Miss Granger. Now I cannot express my urgency in the fact that you cannot lose this. You must never take it off your neck until we are back in this room where it can be placed back into its safe home. Is that clear?"

"Yes Professor, I understand and I thank you for trusting me with this, I won't let you down I promise." Professor McGonnagel nodded and stood up to place the necklace around her neck and then Hermione tucked it inside her jumper.

"Right Miss Granger you can get a new timetable in my office after lunch so you can begin tomorrow." Hermione nodded and couldn't help the smile that was creeping onto her face. She followed the Professor out of the small room, holding the valuable treasure through her clothing. As they walked out Professor McGonnagel broke the silence.

"Hermione, can I ask you a question?" She didn't wait for a reply.

"...are Potter and Weasley causing you problems?" Her eyebrow was cocked up on one side and her expression was serious. Hermione had heard through the grapevine that if those two got into trouble again they were going to be thrown out of Hogwarts. She was so tempted to say yes and tell her what they do to her but she decided against it, she did not want to be responsible for ending their education.

"No Professor, it's nothing that I can't handle." Professor McGonnagel nodded and then left to return to her office.

Hermione got to the door of the great Hall and decided that it looked beautiful outside so she went upstairs and got some of her books for studying and then ventured outside to take in some sun.

It didn't matter how hard she tried to study her books, the necklace around her neck was weighing her down. She was itching to try it out. Maybe she could actually, it would be better to be sure of how it worked before she had to do it for real tomorrow.

Hermione looked around to see if there was anyone nearby who would see something strange happening. No-one.

She pulled out the Time Turner and carefully examined it. It was truly a beautiful piece of jewellery. Professor McGonnagel had shown her how to use it so with trembling fingers, Hermione stood up and stepped off her blanket and checked one more time for any one walking by.

It was all clear. One small quarter turn on the first ring would take her back 15 minutes. That was good, because she didn't have too long to wait to see what would happen.

The Time turner clicked over one small quarter click and then Hermione felt a strange sensation happening to her body. It felt like she was apparating but not as intense. It only lasted a few seconds and then she looked around. Hermione almost screamed when she saw herself sitting on the blanket right in front of her studying her books. She quickly stepped behind a large tree and hoped the other Hermione wouldn't get up and investigate. Hermione peaked around the large tree and watched as her other body was trying to read and then slammed the book shut. Obviously this was when she realised that she couldn't study with the necklace around her neck. The travelled-Hermione found it quite amusing to watch herself go through the motions that she had only just gone through a moment ago. Hermione on the floor, looked at the necklace and then checked to see that no-one was coming. She stood up next to the blanket and again checked to see if anyone was coming and the last thing travelled-Hermione saw was the Time turner click once and then she was back next to the blanket. Her minutes were up. Wow, what an amazing experience, thought Hermione. Hermione settled back down on the blanket and stared at the wonderful piece of machinery in her hand. She was so enthralled with her discovery that she didn't notice she had company. All she felt was someone had pulled her up off her blanket and stood her on her feet, then she looked up into a pair of piercing angry eyes.

"What did you tell McGonnagel, Granger?" Ron's voice was threatening and Hermione was genuinely scared. She was trying to put the Time Turner away without him noticing but he had her arm firmly in his grasp.

"You better not have put me in more trouble, or else?" Hermione tried to shake her head no but the pain in her arm and the anxiety of trying to hide the Time turner was taking it's toll and she felt warm tear drops fall down her cheek. Harry walked around the corner and saw the tears falling delicately down Hermione's cheek and then Ron turned around to see Harry looking between the two of them. He loosened his grip but did not let go.

"Did you say anything to McGonnagel, Granger?" He leant in closer and she tried to turn away but made eye contact with Harry. Her eyes pleaded with him to help her. She didn't want to be attracted to him and she fought it with all her might, but she had been losing the battle this year.

"NO I didn't, now let me go!" Hermione tried to wriggle out of his grip but he was too strong. He leant in even closer, if that was even possible and whispered, "Better make sure I don't hear that you put me in Granger, or you'll regret it." Ron grabbed her chin and gave it a rough squeeze but Hermione shook her head out of his grasp while he laughed at her and then walked away.

Hermione watched as Harry followed Ron and he tried to catch up to him except that Harry kept looking back at Hermione.

Hermione was fuming when they left and she was getting even more angry as she watched Ron walk away laughing at her. She sat down on her blanket and huffed. It took Hermione a few minutes of composure time before she remembered why he caught her unawares.

Her Time turner.

Hermione lightly fondled the Time Turner as she watched Harry's figure disappear up to the castle. She couldn't believe how rude they were. It started right back in first year when Professor Snape picked on Harry, he was asking him such hard questions but since Hermione knew the answers, she was trying to help him, but he didn't see it like that. He called her a know-it-all, a book worm and some other horrible names and she tried to explain she was trying to help, but he was mad, really mad and for some reason Ron kept adding fuel to fire. It continued on for years and then in fifth year when he wanted her help and she refused, it just made matters worse. The only way she got through the day was to continuously remind herself that she only had a year to go and after that she would never have to lay eyes on Harry Potter again. The problem that had been resurfacing this year, was that she was attracted to him and it made her really angry with herself. But she couldn't help it, he was so cute but just unbelievably rude.

Hermione picked up her books and blanket and then started walking back to her room. On the walk back, she decided to forget about Weasley and Potter and concentrate on the exciting semester she had ahead of her. Hermione went past Professor McGonnagel's office and found her new timetable awaiting for her.

The afternoon was spent studying the Time turner and looking over her timetable to jot down notes as to when she needed to use it. Hermione also made notes of the route she needed to travel to each class to ensure she would not run into herself. It took the whole afternoon of planning and Hermione found she was quite famished. She securely placed the time turner back around her neck and tucked it away out of sight.

Her mind was so far away she did not hear him come up behind her. She didn't realise he was there until he pushed her into a small alcove along the hallway. He pressed his hand firmly onto her mouth and with the other hand he grabbed her tightly around her waist. Hermione could feel every part of his body pressed against hers, her heart was racing and she felt feint. He loosened his hand on her mouth and she shook her face free of his grip. He left his hand was near her neck and then spoke to her.

"You had better hope with everything you have Granger, that my meeting with McGonnagel is not because of you." Harry looked annoyed.

"Harry, why do you always pick on me, I haven't done anything to you nor have I spoken to Professor McGonnagel about you. But if you keep harassing me like this, I will be forced to tell her what you're doing." Hermione tried to sound strong but it wasn't working.

"Don't threaten me Granger or Weasley will kill you."

"Then just leave me alone, I don't like you or him nor do you like me so just go away." Harry's demeanour seemed to change but it was so slight Hermione almost missed it. He pushed her back into the wall and stalked off towards the Professor's offices.

Hermione breathed out a sigh of relief and fixed her hair and then continued on down to eat some dinner.

She ate alone as usual and then started the walk back to her room. She was thankful that she was Head Girl as it meant she had her own common room and her own bedroom. The Head Boy was Jamie Browne, a boy from Ravenclaw that she had very little to do with, so basically her night would be peaceful. Hermione walked down the quiet walkways and as she turned a corner she saw Harry leaning up against a wall passionately kissing a sixth year girl. Hermione stopped and stared. She wanted her feet to keep moving or to turn around but they wouldn't obey her. Hermione watched the scene in front of her and then noticed that Harry was looking at her while still kissing the other girl. It made her feel terribly uncomfortable so she turned around to walk away. She started walking quickly then broke out into a run. Hermione heard Harry calling her but she didn't stop. She ran around a corner and ducked into an alcove that was off to the right and she roughly wiped away the stray tears that were trailing hot tracks down her cheek. Why did she let him get to her? It made her even more angry that her stupid tears would not stop.

After a few minutes she listened to see if there were any noises or sounds coming from the walkway. Nothing at all. Hermione peaked out around the corner and seeing the coast was clear, she walked briskly back towards her room.

She pulled the Time turner out from around her neck and reminded herself of the year ahead. Hermione decided not to let that idiot, Harry Potter worry her. She was going to work her backside off this year and get the hell away from him.

Again with her mind in the clouds, Hermione did not hear him approach nor did she feel him behind her. All she knew was that she felt his strong arms around her waist and then she was being pulled around to press into his body. Her hands were pressed against his chest and she was flustered.

"Granger, why didn't you stop when I called you?"

"Harry, why don't you just leave me alone, why do you continuously harass me?"

"Don't call me Harry!" Hermione was surprised, his voice was different, somewhat pained.

All she could do was nod.

Harry's mood changed just as quickly and a gold flicker caught his eye and without letting her go, he used one arm to tighten his grip and the other to take hold of the Time turner around her neck. Hermione yelled no, but it was too late. Harry spun all the rings around simultaneously and just kept spinning them. Hermione's horrified face watched as the sand changed to dark blue and then that familiar feeling came over her body. A feeling that had nothing to do with how close Harry Potter was standing to her.