A Tick In Time

A/N: I really wanted to one of those "Reading the Books" stories but since there seems to be so many issues arising from such fanfiction (and really who wants to do all that work only for it to be taken down) I decided to take a different route. I'm still going to try for "Reading the Books" but later on. R&R PLEASE AND THANK YOU

Prologue

The war was over. The dead had been laid to rest but the healing was eluding them. All anyone could seem to do was go over the 'what ifs' in their heads. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were sitting in silence around the oak tree behind the Burrow. Harry and Ginny were trying their best to get their relationship back on track but they just could not get back to the peacefulness they had experienced the previous year. Hermione had located her parents but they were distant now. Ron's only thoughts were on Fred. Mrs. Weasley appeared at the door, her face once kind face now seemingly permanently etched with grief,

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, you have an owl here."

"Coming," chorused the group. They went inside and saw one of the Hogwarts owls sitting on the windowsill. Harry crossed the room to take the letter, as the owl flew off he ripped open the letter.

"It's from McGonagall," he announced. Hermione and Ron stood on either side of him to read over his shoulder.

Dear Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, and Mr. Weasley

I am writing to request your presence at Hogwarts for an urgent matter. It is in regards to the war but I would prefer to discuss the specifics in person. Please meet me in my office at 3 o'clock.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Its 2:30 right now," said Hermione glancing at her watch.

"We should get going," said Harry. Actually feeling some semblance of energy for the first time in months, they apparated to Hogsmeade village and quickly went up the path that leads to the castle. Right on time the made it to the gargoyle staircase – password phoenix! – and went inside. In the office, Kingsley stood by the fireplace while McGonagall sat at her desk with Professor Flitwick standing beside her. As the trio entered the room McGonagall gestured for them to take a seat as Kingsley joined them. On the desk there rolls of parchments with complex designs and complicated notes, only Hermione seemed to make sense of any of it as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

"Professor McGonagall is this what I think this is?" Hermione asked stunned.

"Yes Ms. Granger it is." McGonagall looked pleased although not at all surprised Hermione had caught on so quickly but hastened to explain to the boys, "These are plans for expanding the powers of a Time Turner."

"That's great Professor, but what does this have to do with us?" Harry put in.

"We are planning to send someone back to around the time of your first encounter with Voldemort when you were a baby to aid the past in making the necessary changes so we can avoid as many of the unnecessary casualties and if possible the second war altogether." McGonagall looked at wonderment of the trio in front of her as the enormity what she just said sunk in.

"But professor, what about the other things that came from the war? Our relationships? Even some lives depend on the war." Hermione was alarmed.

"There have been many researches made into this matter. It's been discovered that certain events are supposed to occur and others are flexible. We realised after the prophecy incident. No matter what, what is meant to happen WILL happen. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be changes but deaths and things of that sense will not occur." McGonagall assured them and when they didn't look convinced she added, "There have been many tests done. I can guarantee it."

"Professor," Ron finally spoke up, "who exactly do you plan on sending back? One of us?"

"Yes, Mr. Weasley that is the plan." Kingsley confirmed.

"Who!?" The trio cried. They looked at each other, it seemed like the war was going to take away something else from them, each other.

"I think the best candidate would Ms. Granger, not only is she the one with the least obligations but she does have much more experience with time travel." McGonagall answered. Ron and Harry turned to Hermione who wore an expression that was cross between sadness and determination.

"When do I leave?" Hermione asked quietly.

"No Mya, you can't go!" yelled Harry as he stared at the girl who practically his sister.

"Harry, Professor McGonagall is right. You have Teddy and Ron has to be with his family. I am the best person for the job."

"But Mya, what about us?" Ron whispered, "Don't ask me to let you go too."

"If we're meant to happen, we will happen Ronald. I have faith in us, in all of us." Hermione said this with so much conviction that the others fell silent.

"Thank you Ms. Granger, we do understand the sacrifice something like this calls for." Said Kingsley and he continued on, "The plan is relatively simple, you will have seven days in which you explain to the people we have chosen about what happened in terms of Voldemort starting from your first year and perhaps if there is time come up with a plan. After the seven days are up, you will be pulled from the past and rejoin the future. If all goes correctly, a new chain of events will occur and only your companions will remember your trip into the past."

"Wait Mya won't remember anything?" Ron interjected.

"We altering the past, including Hermione's, so no she will not remember because in that new timeline the trip would not have happened because it wouldn't be necessary." responded Flitwick.

"I understand," said Hermione nodding, "Whom will I be speaking with?"

"We have decided on James and Lily Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, and myself." Replied McGonagall, "We are hoping to send you back to June of 1981, that way we have a firm grasp of the events during that time, going back to earlier might change too much and going back later may not give enough time."

Hermione nodded again and took a fortifying breath, "I'll be ready by tomorrow."

"If you need more time Ms. Granger –" started McGonagall.

"I don't need more time, I'll meet you here tomorrow at noon." Hermione stood up with the boys following suit and shook hands with the professors and minister before leaving the office.

After many tearful goodbyes from the Weasley family and notifying her parents who accepted her decision with hopes for her safety, Hermione prepared some notes on all the things she should be sure to cover with past people and gathered a week's worth of clothes. All of this was packed into her trusty beaded bag with a few books and some letters from various people to give to the past people. The next day she rose early and said a final goodbye to everyone before apparating back to Hogwarts with Ron and Harry. They walked in silence to the headmistress's office and arrived to see only McGonagall there clutching a letter.

"This letter is to prove your authenticity to Albus and myself," McGonagall handed Hermione the envelope that bore the seal of the Order of the Phoenix. "After that it should be easy to convince the others. Go straight to Albus, the password at the time was pepper imps."

Hemione dipped her head once and turned to her boyfriend and brother. Her eyes filled with tears as she hugged the tightly. She kissed Ron lightly and gave Harry a peck on his cheek. She tried for smile as she received the enhanced time turner from McGonagall and slung it around her neck. She looked at her boys for the last time as she spun the little hourglass and they slowly faded from her sight.