It's About Time

I apologize for the extended delay in updating… real life beckoned and writing is something I am only able to do when I am doing it for fun so, unfortunately, this had to wait until I had some real time to sit and plan. Thank you for bearing with me!


I know this is a short chapter... but don't hate me. It was necessary.


Chapter Seventeen.

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There was velvety darkness all around.

Floating or falling…

Asleep or awake…

Hermione sank further and further into oblivion.

Through the sea of shadows flashes of light beamed sporadically.

A flash of blue light.

Sirius’ face.

A flash of blue light and scenes began to play before her as though projected onto the vast expanse of nothingness.

Sirius plummeting to the floor of the Great Hall. Screams and sobs from the crowd sounding all around.

A flash of blue light.

It is daylight. Beneath a beautiful floral archway, James beams as Lily walks up the aisle towards him in an ivory satin gown. Beside him, Sirius, Remus and Peter smile broadly as their best friend marries the love of his life.

Flash.

Four Marauders and a pregnant Lily huddle together in a living room, listening, horrified as Dumbledore relates to them a prophecy he has heard. The Potter’s unborn child may be in grave danger. Sirius embraces James and swears that he will die to protect his Godchild.

Flash.

James is handing a newborn Harry, wrapped in a red blanket, to Sirius who cannot hold back tears of joy. Remus claps James on the shoulder in congratulations. Peter gazes intently at the infant, his brow furrowed in uncertainty, before excusing himself and departing.

Flash.

James and Lily make Peter their Secret-Keeper. Lily kisses him on the cheek and expresses her endless gratitude to him for protecting their family.

Flash.

With a trembling hand, Peter hastily scratches a message to Albus Dumbledore. The word “tonight” is shakily underlined twice before the parchment is sent off hastily via owl.

Flash.

The front door of James and Lily’s home is blasted open. The dark wizard strides in, wand raised. James shouts to Lily and she runs up the stairs. Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Nadine and five other Order members apparate into the room instantly. Clearly stunned at finding the couple guarded, Voldemort begins sending curses hurriedly. A jet of green light hits Nadine in the chest. Remus catches her as she falls in death.

Voldemort ascends the stairs deftly. Lily cries out and stands firmly between Harry and Voldemort. Just as the second burst of green light jets from the end of his wand, Peter charges in the room and shoves Lily out of the way. He shields the baby’s body with his own as the Unforgiveable Curse strikes his back. Peter’s body falls stiffly to the ground.

Lily screams and struggles to get to her feet. Voldemort ignores Lily, trains his wand on Harry and repeats the Killing Curse. A great blast resounds and as the smoke clears, James rushes into the room to find Lily clutching Harry to her.

Flash.

Hermione is eleven. She stands on Platform 9 ¾ with her parents waiting to board the Hogwarts Express for the first time. She happens into a compartment in which two boys are seated. One has dirt on his nose. The other, his best friend since infancy, is the famous Harry Potter with the legendary lightning bolt scar upon his forehead.

Flash.

Hermione, Harry and Ron are arriving at King’s Cross at the end of their first year fresh from their adventure with the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry runs to greet his parents. His father sweeps him up in his arms and hugs him lovingly. He introduces his new friend, Hermione, to his parents. James and Lily meet Hermione enthusiastically and exchange a significant look over her head.

Flash.

The three friends are on the train once more, on the way to begin their second year. New Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Remus Lupin, joins them to greet his best friend’s son, Harry, and Ron. He sees Hermione and observes her with astonishment before he smiles softly then departs the cabin.

Flash.

Harry has just completed the first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament by summoning his Firebolt. Hermione and Ron celebrate with him. Harry’s parents rush to their son. James beams with pride while Lily fusses over Harry worriedly. Sirius approaches and wraps his Godson in a fierce embrace. Harry introduces Hermione to his Godfather, an Auror, who stares at her for a long time before shaking her hand slowly. He tells her that he has heard from both Harry and Remus that she is the “smartest witch of her age”. She blushes.

Flash.

Harry emerges from the maze, covered in blood, gripping the Tri-Wizard Cup and Cedric Diggory’s body. James is the first to his side as Harry reveals that Voldemort has returned.

Flash.

It is Christmas at Grimmauld Place. A fifteen year old Hermione is dashing down to the kitchen when she runs into Sirius on the staircase. He reaches out a hand to steady her and smiles. Her back presses against the wall. His eyes flick upward towards a cluster of mistletoe hanging overhead. He leans in closer with a hand resting on her shoulder, his eyes fixed on her own.

His lips stop short of brushing hers when he pauses and pulls away, kissing her cheek instead. He stands and gazes at her for a moment. Her name is called from the kitchen. She flushes and continues down the staircase. He stands alone on the landing for a long time after she leaves.

Flash.

Members of Dumbledore’s Army fight alongside the Order of the Phoenix at the Ministry of Magic. Sirius ducks a jet of red light sent by Bellatrix. She raises an eyebrow and smirks as she aims her wand at Hermione who stands opposite Sirius. Before Bellatrix can utter a word, Sirius hits her with a curse and she falls backward through the veiled archway.

Flash.

Dumbledore and Harry return to the school to find the Dark Mark gleaming over the castle. Death Eaters have invaded Hogwarts. The Headmaster and sixteen year old Harry run into the school to find students, Order members and Aurors battling once again. James shouts for Harry to get out but he refuses to leave. Sirius duels tirelessly, never leaving Hermione’s side.

Flash.

Hermione is in the library of Grimmauld Place. She pulls a heavy leather bound book from the shelf. Opening the first page, she runs her fingers over the unrecognizable runes when she disappears.

The flashes stopped.

There was darkness.

Then there was nothing.

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“Hermione?” A voice was speaking to her from far away.

She fought against the pitch blackness.

“She’s waking up!” The voice called.

Hermione’s eyes opened slowly and she winced against the blinding white light. She could make out a blurry figure above her. Unruly dark hair… glasses…

“J- James…” Hermione muttered, before falling unconscious.

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