Bad Karma

Hermione awoke the next morning feeling rested and refreshed. For the first time in a long time she didn't have to sleep with one eye open and with somebody at her back lying awake. She got to relax completely because there was no threat to her or her friends.

She looked around her spacious room and couldn't believe she was actually in the past; in the year 1977, the year of Harry's parents seventh year at Hogwarts. On the desk to her right was a stack of clothes for her to wear.

Hermione lifted the clothes to reveal some dresses, something she wouldn't be caught dead in. She grabbed her wand and transfigured her clothing into some jeans and shirts she would wear. As soon as she was done she got dressed and waited in the common area for when Dumbledore was to appear.

There was a sharp knock on the portrait before it swung open to reveal Dumbledore standing in the doorway.

“I see you're awake and you found some… clothes. I don't believe those are the clothes my house elf prepared for you.” Dumbledore said; frowning.

“I realize that, but I'm sorry I just can't wear dresses. There's a chance I need to get away quickly and dresses aren't exactly the best choice.” Hermione tried to explain.

“I understand. Now I believe you wish to see your friends.”

“Yes, of course. How are they doing?”

“Harry's arm is no longer broken. Madam Promfrey fixed it last night and since the bones were still intact the job was quite simple. Charlie only had a few scrapes on his back; I believe he took the brunt of your fall.” Dumbledore explained as he guided Hermione to the hospital wing.

Hermione felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of Charlie taking her fall, but was glad that all of her friends were okay. Dumbledore opened the doors and she saw Harry and Charlie whispering to quietly between them.

“Oh, boys! I'm so glad you're okay!” Hermione ran up to Harry and threw her arms around his neck. Harry hugged her back just as fiercely.

“We're just glad you're safe. When we woke up this morning we had no idea where you were. We were afraid you were captured or something. Good thing Dumbledore was there to explain before we did anything too stupid.” Harry grinned goofily as he said it.

It let Hermione know that Harry already knew about being in his parent's time which caused Hermione a little worry.

“I'm glad you're feeling better.” She brushed her hand up his left arm.

“Yup, good as new.” He flexed his arm playfully and smiled as he said it.

“And you Charlie? Dumbledore told me about the scrapes. Thank you for catching my fall, I didn't mean to use you as a cushion.” Hermione said, laughing and blushing slightly.

“It's okay and you didn't use me. From what I remember when you let go of the time turner Harry and I were trying to cushion you.”

Hermione looked at Harry and he nodded in agreement. She smiled and looked back at Charlie with so much affection. “Thank you.” Dumbledore cleared his throat. “Oh, I'm so sorry. Dumbledore has something to discuss with us.”

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling madly and Harry muttered something under his breath. “What pray tell haven't I lost Mr. Potter?”

Harry almost choked. “It's nothing Professor, absolutely nothing.”

“Ah, I think I shall take that as a compliment. Now, what Miss Granger was trying to say was that there is something important I need to discuss with you all. Hermione has already notified me of your reasons of being here.” Charlie and Harry looked are Hermione in shock. “Don't worry your secrets are safe with me.” He watched them through twinkling eyes for a split second. “As I was saying there is very little that I can do with your abrupt arrival, but make do with it. Since I can't send you back to what you faced and you wish to change things I have to make due. So it's best that you stay under my protection, where I may keep a close eye on you all. So without further ado I will give you your assignments.” Dumbledore was talking circles around Harry and Charlie.

Harry was getting impatient. “What are we going to be? Students? House elves?” He joked and Hermione elbowed him. “I was just kidding Hermione.”

“Don't joke about their responsibilities.” She snapped

“Sorry.” Harry rubbed his arm. She packed quite a punch.

Charlie and Dumbledore looked very amused by the display before them. Dumbledore was beginning to notice how much like siblings Hermione and Harry acted. Truthfully he looked forward to see what they did next.

It may have brought back memories Dumbledore would prefer to be without, but the affection they had for one another was his greatest desire. He had seen it countless times when he glimpsed into the Mirror of Erised. It was one of the many reasons he had it locked up in an abandoned classroom, away from prying eyes.

“Now, you will not be students because of your ages. As such you will be apart of Hogwarts' staff. May I present the broom instructor, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and Potion's Mistress.”

“What about Madam Hooch?” Charlie asked, looking confused.

“She had a personal problem to deal with at home. I believe your arrival was anticipated because Horace Slughorn's morals are in question this year, leaving Potions available.” Dumbledore explained. Someone had to play a hand in all this, the events were just too coincidental for it to be accidental.

“And DADA?”

“We have not been able to find an instructor willing to deal with the so called curse. You will all be starting tomorrow and I'll be introducing you to the school tonight. Is there anything else that I can help you with?”

“Why so soon? Won't it look too suspicious if we turn up one day?” asked Charlie.

“I thought of that, but it is common knowledge that Madam Hooch needed to leave and that the DADA position needed to be filled. I'm sure no one will question me if I was to move Professor Slughorn from his post. Is there anything else?” Dumbledore looked tired as he spoke.

Hermione looked around her and glanced out the window. “What time of year is it anyways?”

“It is January 23rd 1977.”

“Thank you.”

“If that is all than I must be going. I will keep the students from interrupting you for a few hours. I will be introducing you all during dinner. So why don't you all go into Hogsmeade for the afternoon and purchase any necessities.” Dumbledore offered. Charlie frowned at him quickly.

“Unfortunately our abrupt departure has left us without funds.” Charlie informed him.

“I'm sure the school can give you your checks early.” Dumbledore said, winking.

“Thank you Professor. We'll pay you back as soon as we can.” Harry had always hated taking things from other people.

“Call me Dumbledore. I'm positive that you won't use me. Now Hermione will explain anything else you need to know. Than transportation will be available to you, I'm sure Hagrid can string up a carriage for you three.”

“It shouldn't take more than a few minutes. I'll explain everything on the way. Thank you for everything you've done, Dumbledore.” Hermione smiled.

“The pleasure is all mine. You're actually doing us the favor by being here.” Dumbledore walked out of the hospital wing and ran straight into McGonagall. “How can I help you Minerva?”

“Are you sure you're doing the right thing by letting them stay here?” Minerva said; her brow furrowing.

“They were sent here for a reason.”

“But from what you said after you spoke to them, they used a time turner to get here.” She said quickly.

“Yes, but they randomly stopped it. And regardless of that, Trelawney predicted this.” Said

Minerva's expression immediately changed at the sound of Trelawney's name. “You're putting far too much thought into her predictions. That old bat couldn't predict rain if it was falling and drenching her clothes.”

“Now Minerva I can't have my Professor's bad mouthing my other Professor's behind their backs, now can I?” They talked while they walked to Dumbledore's office.

“Of course. I apologize for my impertinence. I don't believe in her abilities, but that is no excuse for talking bad about her. But Albus you have to admit that Trelawney hasn't always been the most reliable source of information. Psychic or not her readings are usually useless.” Minerva pointed out.

Dumbledore looked like he was really thinking about what she had said and McGonagall was proud of herself. Until he began to started to walk to the fireplace.

“Don't you have anything to say?”

“As a matter of fact I do.” He through a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and stuck his head in. “Hagrid?”

“Yes, Professor Dumbledore?”

“I need you to get a carriage ready for our visitors. They'll be needing it momentarily.” Dumbledore said.

“O' course. It'll be ready in no time.” Hagrid replied and went to work on getting the carriages.

Dumbledore broke the connection and turned back to McGonagall. Her arms were crossed angrily across her chest. “Is that all you had to say?” She asked through gritted teeth.

Dumbledore grasp her chin softly. “Sometimes we have to take a chance and believe what we feel is right. No matter what you say I will continue to believe that our three visitors are here only to save a future we can't even imagine. In my heart I know they only have good intentions, but I would like your acceptance as well.”

McGonagall's gaze softened considerably from the cold stare she'd been giving him. “I can't say I always agree with your methods of gaining information, but so far you've never steered me wrong. I don't approve, but I will not hinder them in any way.”

“Thank you; that's all I ask.” Dumbledore bent down to place a small kiss at the corner of her mouth.

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“So what exactly does the Professor want you to explain to us?” Charlie asks as soon as Dumbledore left the room.

“I already told you that I would just tell you on the carriage ride into Hogsmeade. It would save a lot of time, so get dressed you two.” Hermione demanded.

Harry pouted, but Hermione shook her head to indicate that it wasn't going to work this time. So the boys picked up their spare clothes and disappeared into the bathrooms.

That left Hermione to her own thoughts. She had a lot of research to do in order to determine why they ended up here of all places. When she had heard the prophecy she had realized that the time turner would be there way of transportation. What she didn't know was where they would be going, but she had assumed that they would be sent to the time when Voldemort was in school.

That way they could stop him from turning evil, but the time turner hadn't worked that way and she was left to randomly select a number of spins. For all she knew they only went back two hours. So when she woke up to see Dumbledore she couldn't believe it.

Now she had to determine what the three of them were meant to do and now she had time to figure out the answers to questions that had been gnawing at her since the Weasley's betrayal. Her biggest question was why Charlie and George the only two that hadn't been brainwashed. How did Ginny go about bringing her family to her way of thinking without alarming anyone?

It was all very secret which lead her to believe that maybe they had been having doubts for awhile. Family or no family if they felt threatened in any way they would have notified the rest of the Order. That was the rule since Dumbledore had died because it was so difficult to ever feel safe.

She didn't know how much Dumbledore could actually help without altering the future in a negative manner. So she didn't want to rely too heavily on him, but she didn't want to do something that would raise any suspicions he may have about them. How did he know their names and they were even coming? Hermione's first guess would have to be Trelawney even though she didn't want to conceivably give her credit for anything.

Hermione was interrupted from her heavy thoughts when Harry came out of the bathroom without Charlie. “What is taking him so long?”

Harry shrugged. “He said something about actually having time to worry about his appearance and than I told him that he never had before. He laughed and said maybe he should start.” Harry chuckled, but then his expression turned serious when he looked at the bathroom door. “Do you think he'll grieve now?”

“What are you talking about, Harry?” Hermione was confused, why was Harry bringing up the Weasleys now of all times.

“Do you think he'll grieve? I mean I understood why he didn't before. None of us did because we didn't have the time since they knew our headquarters and how to get in. We were always on the alert, but now we have nothing but free time.” Harry explained and Hermione could tell that he wanted to grieve.

Hermione approached him hesitantly. “He's been grieving. Charlie may start to be a little more open about it, but he's always been grieving on the inside. It's something we can't stop from happening. It's been hard on us all with what they did, but I've been grieving too Harry. There is nothing wrong with feeling hurt and betrayed. You do know that, right?” She said.

Harry shook his head and tears were close to falling. “No, I wasn't sure if I could. They've been my family for so long that I couldn't actually believe that they would willingly betray me. So when they did I wasn't sure how I was supposed to react to that.”

Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's broad shoulders. “You act the way you feel necessary. No one is here to judge you or tell you how to act.”

“Thanks Hermione, you always know what to say.”

“It's no problem. That's what friends are for.” She whispered.

“No, it's more than that.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek and that was the moment Charlie decided to come out of the restroom.

“I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something.” Charlie said harshly.

Hermione didn't know what was up with him. He comes out of the bathroom in a foul mood. “No, you didn't interrupt anything.” Harry replied and quickly tried to change the subject. “Do you think the carriage is ready?”

“Why don't we go check?” So the trio left the hospital wing and went in the direction of Hagrid's cabin. They were lucky to not run into any of the students, but since it was a Sunday and breakfast it made sense.

Even from a distance all three of them could see the thestrals pulling the carriages. “Wow, I never knew what they looked like.” That reminded Harry that only recently had Hermione actually seen death in person.

She turned to Harry. “So this is what you were trying to tell me about all those years ago, the thestrals. Sorry I didn't believe you. I didn't want to think that thestrals could only be seen by a person who has seen death up close.”

“Don't worry about it. Have you ever seen them Charlie?”

“Yeah, I saw them during your fourth year. Remember I came down for the Triwizard Tournament?” At their nods he continued. “I saw a man die at the Dragon district, he wasn't fast enough and the dragon took him out. I got to see the thestrals for the first time unexpectedly.” Charlie explained.

Hagrid was making the finishing touches on the carriages when he finally caught sight of them. “Oi, it's nice ter meet you all. I'm 'Agrid, and you lot are?”

Hermione grasped his large hand firmly in her small one. “I'm Hermione and this is my friend Harry and a fellow colleague Charlie. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“It's nice to meet you, Hagrid.” Harry said.

“And the both of yer as well, Hermione and Harry.”

Charlie was confused, but figured if Harry was playing along there was no reason he shouldn't. He figured this was one of the things Hermione would be explained on the carriage ride.

“Nice to meet you Hagrid, I'm Charlie as Hermione just said.” He shook Hagrid's hand.

“Ahh, firm grip you got there. Work with any creatures before?”

“As a matter of fact I have. I worked with dragons, actually.”

“Dragons you say?” Hagrid seemed fascinated by this.

“Yes.”

“Fascinating creatures they are. Why I always wanted a dragon fer myself. So far all I have is Fang here.” Hagrid pointed to his enormous dog lying lazily in the shade. “Anyways, you lot better be off. Dumbledore a told me you needed to be getting to Hogsmeade. Just follow the path and it's a smooth ride there.”

“Thanks Hagrid.” Harry replied while he ushered Hermione in first. He stepped up after Hermione and was followed closely by Charlie. They both turned to Hermione simultaneously.

“Explain,” Harry and Charlie said at the same time, fixing Hermione with looks of demanding interest.