A perfect pitch
Hermione found herself on a very hard, very cold surface. Cracking an eye open she looked around and saw that she was in the Headmasters Office. Only it looked similar to how Dumbledore had it, although not as crowded. Tucking the Time turner into her shirt. Getting to her feet she felt woozy for a moment. She wondered what year it was and how far off they’d been with their assumptions.
There was a rather loud cracking noise. “What is your purpose in my office Ms. ?” Hermione’s head turned quickly to the man standing just behind the desk. Dumbledore and he didn’t appear any younger though his beard may be slightly shorter.
“I have a letter for you. From the person who sent me here.” She held it up in her hand. To show him the name on the envelope, which was his.
“How did you get in here. Apparition isn’t possible on school grounds, so it makes very little sens-” “Please Professor, you only need to have read this to understand my peculiar circumstance. I swear to you I’m not here to do any harm to anyone but Tom Riddle.” Hermione interjected rudely. Trying to compose herself she took another step forward.
Hermione held the letter out again for Dumbledore. She coils and sees the hand curl around the end of his wand in case she tries anything. “Please sir. Just read it.” Handing it to him. After about thirty seconds Dumbledore released his wand and grabbed the letter from Hermione. Opening it
----------------------------
Dear Albus,
Please excuse the rude interruption on our part, but I have just sent you the key to defeating He Who Must Not Be Named. This is Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of our time. Quickest and most level headed I hope my decision was correct.
Albus, he made horcruxes. He made more than one. I don't know how many exist right now, because I don’t know what year she will reach. Please do all you can to help her and she will help you as much as she can without obscuring the future and fixed events. We win the war, Albus, but he comes back and it's terrible. Terrible for years. He takes the school before the end. Help her. Help us.
Regards
Minerva McGonagall
June 6th 1999
--------------------------------
Looking back over the paper, “Ms.Granger then. How may I be of service to you.” Dumbledore didn’t look entirely convinced. “I need to know what year it is, Professor.” she inquired. “It is October the thirteenth, nineteen seventy seven.” Hermione was twenty one years from her own time and she was stuck here but at least she was where she had meant to land. “Well.. um.. Professor I think we made the correct mark. Anyway, no use dwelling on it. Currently there should be only five horcruxes. Hermione took her bag from her wrist and opened it. Pulling the plans out. “Are you aware of any of these yet Professor? Should I start from the beginning?”
Dumbledore stared at the girl quite oddly. “I am familiar with the term. I was unaware Tom was aware of it though. It does make sense if I were truly to stop and think about it. I really should give him more credit.” Dumbledore sat down in his high back leather chair. “Well that makes things harder and easier I guess.” Flipping to the timeline page she laid it flat on the table.
“You see sir, We put a timeline together before I left. Tom Created his first horcrux while he was still going to school sir. His family ring, the Gaunt ring. He took it from Marvolo in nineteen forty two, killing his grandfather and using his death to turn the ring into the first Horcrux. The following year he opened the Chamber of Secrets and used the Basilisk to kill Moaning Myrtle and created the second Horcrux, his diary which he entrusted to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy in the spring of nineteen seventy nine. Now the next three are more tricky, Professor. I know when he gets them , but not when he makes them into actual Horcruxes.”
Looking up from her papers she saw Dumbledore looking quite calm as if this was news he heard everyday. “In nineteen fifty six he was working for Borgin and Burkes. There he’ll be introduced to Hepzibah Smith where he acquires the Hufflepuff Cup, and The Locket of Slytherin. To which he gave the cup to his most beloved servant Bellatrix in nineteen seventy two. She holds it in her vault in Gringotts. In nineteen sixty seven he finds the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw and hides it here in the castle when he comes to see you about a job.”
Dumbledore had a small smile on his face and it made Hermione feel quite uneasy. “And where would the locket be?” he asked softly. “In a cave, in the cliffs he visited while in the orphanage. I believe you should be familiar with them.” He nodded.” We have roughly three years before he loses his human form. We must collect and destroy all these horcruxes by then.”
“I can only imagine what it must be feeling like. Knowing you’re never going back. To have to live twenty two years before you’ll catch up.” Dumbledore looks sad for Hermione. “Sir, I’d gladly give fifty years if it means that I don’t lose so many people in the future, then I'll give as many years as I have to. I’d go further back if I must.`` The conviction in her voice seemed to stir Dumbledore.
“Well then we must come up with a backstory for you if you’re to start classes so-” “Actually Professor I’ve already graduated.” She produced the N.E.W.T. scores and O.W.L.’s as well. “You see, Sir, I’m here to get a job done.” Nodding to hear the statement he looked over the papers. “Alright then. You’d be talking about joining the Order then?” Hermione nodded.
“Professor, I believe we should start here in the castle. The Diadem should be here. I know roughly where it is. I only need the authority to walk amongst the castle freely.” Dumbledore was twirling the end of his beard around two fingers. “What should I tell my staff then. Still need a back story. I don’t think you can remain Hermione Granger for the foreseeable future. You don’t exist yet and it would be rather odd for two of the same person to exist at the same time, don't you agree?”
Hermione stared at the desk. “Yes. Yes, you’re right. I should have thought of something beforehand. I apologies for my lack of foresight.” quietly she thought to herself. “I would rather keep my first name if I could. Maybe talk to the Prewett brothers to see if they would vouch for me. A cousin or distant relation here looking to connect with family thought lost, but I'm actually here to join the order. Tell them I'm in need of protection from The Death Eaters.”
Dumbledore looked like he was considering this in his head. An Owl appeared seemingly out of nowhere and dropped a letter on the desk and flew off again. Lifting the letter Dumbledore nodded to himself. “Alright. I will be in touch with who I need to.” He took out a black piece of parchment and wrote something on it. “Bring this to Minerva, and she should help you find a sleeping quarters for the time being until we can further solidify your back story.” Dumbledore sealed the note and handed it over to Hermione. “Sleep well Ms.Prewett.”
Heading down the stairs Hermione couldn’t help but feel very flushed. Speaking with someone who in her time was dead. She truly had so many questions but she was here for a reason. She had dozens of people to save if she could. Heading down the halls she noticed it was either very late or very early.
Dumbledore had given her verbal instructions to McGonagall’s room, and it was the same one Hermione knew to be hers. She was thankful that some things never change. Knocking on the door, Hermione only had to wait for a few minutes before it opened to reveal a forty something McGonagall in her teaching robes.
“Can I help you?” She asked, seeming confused. Not knowing who Hermione was. “Yes Professor Dumbledore sent me to see you. He got a letter and was occupied after that.” she handed Dumbledore’s letter up to McGonagall. Taking it from Hermione she broke the seal and read the quick message. “Very well. Give me just a moment.” Closing the door in Hermione’s face.
After a few minutes Minerva reappeared. “Alright, do you have a preferred floor? The message was not specific as to where you’d be monitoring.” Nodding Hermione thought for a second before answering. “The seventh floor would be preferred. If we can manage it.” said with a smile. “Very well. Follow me if you would.”
Walking through the castle nothing major was different. Dated as always, and smelling faintly of mildew. There were different paintings mixed in and some missing that Hermione could remember. They must be installed later. She smiled to herself. Reaching the seventh floor McGonagall took Hermione to a door she wasn’t familiar with.
“This door appeared early yesterday morning and we weren’t sure as to why. I hope that it suits you well.” Unlocking the door and stepping aside, Hermione saw that the room was small but the whole one side of the room was a bookcase. Entering the room she smiled and breathed in the smell of Hogwarts. The smell of home.