Time lost. ...EPILOGUE UP!

FYI - I am posting this 9 page chapter while at home, on my day off, on the weekend, since I couldnt leave you all hanging. See what reviews can do?

Love you guys! Feed my muse, Review!

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Anise watched solemenly as Severus left the scene and fled wildly to the castle. She knew she had very little time left. She needed Draco’s help. This would be hard. Very hard.

Anise ran back towards the cave at full speed. She skidded to a stop looking at Draco. Frozen, Draco looked sweet almost. A sleeping Prince who was going to soon be hell bent on murdering her. Anise had both wands on her but she still was nervous.

The last words that they spoke came back to her. Anise had given Draco two days to think about what she had said.


-flashback….-


“You of course will try to stop me from completing my task. You would disappear completely if I did.” Draco jerked her up by her shirt and shook her.

Her head snapped back and Anise gasped. “You don’t understand. Your actions are what brought them together in the first place! This is all your doing Draco! Your responsible for the fall of the Dark Lord!! Lily Potter was in love with Severus Snape. Any fool could see that if they spent time here long enough. Your meddling brought Hermione back… Severus fell for her instead. Lily and James still fall in love!”

Draco’s hands dropped from her shirt and move to close tightly around her neck instead. “You lie! You are lying to save your father and yourself!” Draco hisses and squeezes tighter as if by punishing this girl in front of him, he could some how make it true.

“The Gods are watching you Draco Malfoy. You have a destiny, just like me. You were always meant to come here. Just like Hermione was always meant to die here. Severus was always meant to always love her and mourn her death, helping Harry Potter defeat the Dark Lord. It’s all true.”

-flashback ends-

Anise’s hands were shaking but she Un-Stupefied him. Draco snarled suddenly as he came forward to his feet slowly. Draco’s legs were weak from the position he was in for so long and he stumbled forward and stared hatefully at her.

“You… you evil little pixie from HELL.” Draco started to crawl towards her and gain speed as he ran after her. Occasionally Draco’s legs wobbled but his determination to get his wand back was very great.

Anise ran through the forest, the irony that Draco was chasing her to exactly where she wanted him to go was not lost on her. She almost laughed but when she looked back at him and she saw the thunderous expression on his face, the feeling passed.
Anise might die here tonight, at Draco’s hands and if she wasn’t such a thrill seeker she probably would be hiding right now. She could only hope that what Draco was about to see would stupor him into reason.

Anise slid down the hill towards the bottom of the lakeshore where Hermione’s dead, naked and battered body rested. Severus had wrapped her in some robes but it was obvious that was all she wore.

Looking down at the waxy pale flesh of the corpse stopped Anise in her tracks. Draco grabbed her by the back of the neck and spun her around to face him.

“Got you.” Draco grinned evilly. Then just as suddenly, Draco released Anise. She knew that he was staring at Granger’s dead body behind her.

“Granger?” Something thick stuck in Draco’s throat as he looked at the body. Obviously she was broken and it made him want to vomit. Draco leaned over away from the body, dropped to his knees and began to dry vomit. A shaking hand wiped over his mouth and Draco choked back some spit.

“Is she dead? What happened to her? It looks like someone broke her into a million pieces.” The words came very fast and rushed as Draco struggled with the horror he felt unraveling inside him.

Anise nodded somberly. “ Yes, she is. I told you, she had to die because it was her destiny. Draco, some things are so powerful that they cannot be changed by man.”

Draco looked sick. “Was she raped?” A vision of his mother pressed into his mind and turned gray. “ Severus did this to her?” The shock seemed to wake up his mind.

Anise looked annoyed at him. “ No! Voldemort, and his cronies. I don’t know if she was raped Draco. I know we need to take her back to her time. She deserves a proper burial. Not being sunk in the lake like a stone.”

Draco made a sudden move and he grabbed for his wand from Anise’s hand. Anise looked shocked and Draco swallowed grimly, staring hard at her.

“ I’ve wanted Granger dead for so long.”

The words poured from his mouth and Anise felt her stomach drop out. Draco wasn’t going to help her. He was going to bury them both here. In this time. Her destiny was all a lie.

Why did she felt such a strangely powerful burning in her soul just looking at Draco? Her future killer.

Draco wet his lips nervously and turned his wand on Anise.“ I never wanted this to happen. I just wanted none of this to ever happen. Not Potter, and not Voldemort. I can still change this. Granger doesn’t have to die Anise. If I can go now, I can … I can take care of James Potter still. Prevent all of this.”

Anise felt the relief pour through her at his words and then horror struck. “ No Draco! You can’t change anything. Don’t you understand? I wouldn’t exist; Hermione’s sacrifice would be for nothing! You thick headed numbskull, I don’t know why I care about you.”

Draco sneered, purposefully ignoring her last words. “ I knew it! This is all about you. Saving your own skin. Why should it surprise me? You’re just like everyone else. Out to protect your stupid family!”

Anise shook her head fearfully as his words sank in. A tear spilled down her cheek. Something bad was going to happen to Draco. She could feel it. “ Please Draco. … Snape would have wanted this. He was your Godfather! He helped you. Do it for him.”

Draco leaned down and looked at Granger’s corpse and he felt remorse. Genuine remorse and he whispered. “Your right. I can give Snape back what he wants. I can rewrite all of this.”

Anise tugged on his arm and shook her head. “ No Draco, don’t do this. Trust me! You don’t understand. You’re going to die here tonight. I ‘m here to stop it. Please, lets go back home. NOW.”


Severus was hurrying back to the lakeshore with rope he had found. Severus stopped abruptly at the sight of a large blond man standing over Hermione’s body and he snarled.

A wild-eyed young Snape ran full force to the man and knocked him down, with his wand at the ready. The element of surprise threw Draco back in shock.

Draco felt like a train had hit him. Draco gripped his wand and faced his attacker. Damn it, Snape was here. Draco tried to think after that hit knocked his brain a little sideways.

“Stup…!” Draco yelled.

Severus didn’t listen to what the wizards hex was; he was a witness and he was trying to hex him.

Severus felt all the rage of the night build on him and he unleashed all that dark energy and anguish as he screamed his hex, pointing it at Draco before he could finish speaking.

“SECTUMSEMPRA!”

Anise heard the curse and she flung Draco out of the way at the last minute. Snape’s curse hit her full on the back. Anise crumpled against him in a shriek of pain.

“…..pefy!” Draco finished.

Draco’s curse hit Snape full blast and Snape froze up and fell over next to Hermione on the ground.

Draco felt warm blood pouring over his hands as he stared down in horror as he grasped Anise. Her back was sliced open deeply and the blood was running thick and almost black as it spread through her clothes. His hands slipped from the wetness and he had to pull her up against him.

“WHY, did you do that!” Draco practically screamed at her. Anise blinked slowly and her beautiful green eyes grew wet, he could see tears forming.
“ Because it was destiny.” Her soft response was cutting him to shreds inside.

Draco felt his own eyes beginning to moisten as he clutched her to him. “I don’t know how to stop this curse. The bleeding will continue if we don’t get it to stop. Your father used it on me once. I still have scars.” Draco said hoarsely, brushing her hair out of her face.

Anise nodded and whispered weakly. “I know. My father knows the counter curse.”

Draco lowered her to the ground gently and looked at her as Anise tried to speak but blood bubbled up from her lips. He felt himself crying but he ignored it. “ Dammit you stubborn pixie.”

Anise choked back a laugh, but it sounded garbled. “You have a chance to do what you want Draco. You can leave me here. Nothing to impede you. But, I need you to take us back. I can’t do it now. I’m too weak.” Anise struggled with the words but even as they left her lips, Draco looked horrified at her suggestion.

Draco pressed his fingers to her lips but pulled back as blood stained his hands. Draco grabbed Anise to his chest and wrapped his hands around her. “Granger can wait. What year are you from? Where do you live?”

“Grimmuald place, 2014 may 3… that’s two days… be precise… no mix ups.” Anise mumbled as she started to fade from consciousness.

Draco felt fear gripping his intestines but he turned his time turner to the future, being precise was hard as he fingers slipped from the blood. He cursed but finally set it right. He closed his eyes and prayed to Gods he no longer could feel. The world spun.

Draco opened his eyes as they arrived, seeing that they were at Hogwarts. Everything looked different; but he wasn’t sure if the time was right still. Draco wasted no time in apparating outside Grimmuald Place. Draco waved his wand at the front door, “Alohamora!”

Anise was looking paler and weaker in his arms. Draco was slick with blood now. Her blood, and it made him feel sick. He gathered her closer and crashed through the door.

“Your father will kill me you know.” Draco whispered to Anise and a small smile formed on her lips.

“You… saved my life.” Anise muttered wonderingly.

Draco rushed to the nearest couch and gently set her down. He touched her cheek softly. “Get Hermione, she… belongs in your time.. A month later should do the trick. Tell the Ministry. They will know what to do. Draco, … I’m sorry…”

Anise looked anguished as she raised a trembling hand to his scarred cheek. “ We cant change the past but we can choose our future. You know that, right?”

Draco drew back staring at her hard and he nodded grimly. Draco started to leave.
“Wait for me Draco… please.” Anise’s words sobbed out to him and Draco froze.

Harry Potter was eating breakfast across from his beautiful wife Ginny when he heard the sound of something crashing through his front door at Grimmuald Place. Harry stood up as he heard voices. Ginny stared at him in shock and they both ran to the living room.

Harry burst through the hallway door just as Draco fled.

Harry stopped suddenly as he saw his little girl bleeding everywhere on his wife’s favorite couch. Harry grew a grey hair right then. “Ginny!” Harry screamed.

Anise choked as she spoke.“Counter the bleeding, it was Sectumsempra.”

Harry paled and quickly countered the curse.

The Potter’s worked together and saved their daughter’s life that day.

Just as destiny would have it.


----


Meanwhile back at school….. 1977 Hogwarts.


James Potter had a splitting headache. A lump the sized of a walnut was forming on the back of his head. He remembered carrying Lily and then some costumed freak attacked him. Everything went dark then.

Genuine fear began to pound in his chest. Scrambling to his feet, James ran from the common room to the girl’s side.

Heading for Lily’s room he slammed open the door, skidding to a stop. Lily was stripped naked and unconscious on her bed.

James fisted his hands and strode to her. James could feel his heart in his throat as he checked her pulse.

“Lily, lily… “ He tried to shake her and Lily’s eyes slowly opened and she groaned.

“God, what…? James, where did you go?” Lily suddenly realized she was naked and she sucked in a breath staring fearfully at James.

James saw the realization in her eyes and he grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her. “ What happened? I remember carrying you in here and then everything went black. I think we were attacked.”

Lily nodded woodenly for a moment. “ I remember feeling strange. I think I drank too much at the dance.”

James didn’t say anything. He suspected that she was drugged but wasn’t sure yet.
“Go on…” He said gently.

Lily stared across at him in awe as she remembered the events. “ You saved me from Goyle. You took…. care of me.”

Lily trailed off and she lifted a hand to push James’s messy hair back from his eyes. She had a look of gratitude that nearly undid James.

James was hoarse as he spoke, staring into Lily’s bright green eyes. “I would do anything for you, Lily.”

The quietly simple words struck Lily dumb and she swallowed hard, hearing his declaration for what it was.

A promise.

Lily looked down in embarrassment at the sweetest of the words and James tucked his fingers under her chin, pulling her face up to his.

James repeated himself. “ Anything. Lily. I love you. Surely you know that?”

James gently leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her usually scornful lips and found them to soften under his soft exploration.

Lily began to kiss him back reverently, and James felt something wonderful and warm seep into him.

James vowed never to stop kissing her after that.

And they didn’t.

Not until the day they both died.

- - -


The immediate fall out from the Halloween Party was chaos.

Severus Snape was found stupefied by the lakeshore. It was assumed that this was another prank by the students but since Severus did not volunteer who did it. All potential charges were dropped. Obviously since Severus was stupefied by the lake, he could have had no hand in the mischief that night. Severus Snape was never suspected.

When Sirius Black carried the petrified body of Frank Longbottom to the Infirmary, the Head Nurse panicked and called for the teachers to gather.

Upon receiving no initial response to her missive, she went to inspect the Head Masters office. Finding the Headmaster in a state of catatonic bliss and unable to respond without the simplest of commands, she panicked. It appeared as though Hogwarts was under some attack.

The Head Nurse Emmeline Brownlyne was no fool. Immediately she contacted the Ministry and soon Aurors began to arrive by floo. There was a full investigation and inquiry made. Since the remnants of the potion had been scourgified by their arrival, no one culprit was found to be punished.

In an effort to punish the culprits, whom the Ministry suspected were the students, the Headmaster decreed that no school dances would be allowed at Hogwarts, for a very, very long time.

The missing of one Gryffindor Hermione Granger was noted eventually, however a note from her parents arrived by owl stating she had to come home on Emergency for the remainder of the School Year.

Frank Longbottom was eventually un-petrified by the Herbology Professor. In an attempt to make up for lost classes Frank took on a tutor. Eventually Frank married the young tutor, a Gryffindor named Alice, who he still vows he was destined to meet.

Severus Snape changed after the party. He became more secretive, suspicious and withdrawn. The Marauders continued to antagonize him and Snape became more vicious then ever.

Creating new spells, and continuing his research with the Dark Arts in grim determination to forever be Voldemort’s right hand while protecting Lily Evans.

Severus Snape grew paler, greasier, secretive and more secluded. Snape had changed overnight into even a more cold and unfeeling bastard. The name Severus was never used again.
All who knew him referred to him as Snape. It was as though; having a first name was a suggestion of weakness for him.

The truth was that Severus couldn’t stand to hear anyone else call him that name. Hermione’s soft way of saying it, had ruined him. This attitude followed him for the rest of his days.

Severus became one of the biggest threats out of all of the Death Eaters. After the death of Lily and James Potter, Severus knew that he had to protect their son.

The Oath stayed strong and alive in Harry Potter.

Severus spoke with Dumbledore; he knew that he was running a counter organization called the Order. Severus Snape became a double agent for Dumbledore in exchange for protecting Harry Potter from harm.

The Death Eaters never talked about that night again. Voldemort hated being reminded of his failings and Lucius hated reminding Voldemort that it was his fault. The subject of Hermione Granger, Mudblood…was banned.

After Voldemort was destroyed by Harry Potter and thought lost. Things began to change for the better. Severus Snape took a teaching position at Hogwarts so he could be close to his memories of Hermione. She still haunted his every thought and eventually he stopped taking interest in silly things like hair conditioner, eating and doing anything but work.

In short, Snape changed from a Death Eater into a Snarky, Evil Potions master whose only joy was to make every kid around him feel stupid for not being as clever as his beloved.

Severus hated them all, their flagrant abuse of their intelligence and lack wittedness. Every one of these students had a future and the brightest girl he had ever known had died before she could become something great.

Severus envied them, their carefree attitude and once in a while, he wondered what his life would be like if he had the opportunities that they so flagrantly wasted. It ate at his soul.

That is until he met her again.

He could still recall the day he heard Dumbledore call out her name for the sorting.

“Hermione Granger!”



TBC -

Just a note.. The omission of Hermione's fate is purposeful and will be addressed soon. No, I didnt forget or cheese out! =P