Title: The Vanishing Cabinet Of Time

Summary: After Ron betrays them, Harry and Hermione find themselves in the Room of Requirement during the Battle of Hogwarts. Whilst searching for the Diadem Horcrux, Death Eaters enter the Room. Harry and Hermione hide in the Vanishing Cabinet – which abruptly throws them back in time to the end of their third year at Hogwarts, in their younger bodies. Armed with knowledge of the future, they seek to change the future for the better.

Rating: M
Warnings: Do-Overs, Harem, Betrothals, Manipulative!GreaterGood!Dumbledore, Smart!Powerful-But-Not-Godlike!Harry-And-Hermione, Ancient and Noble Houses, Lords and Ladies, Severe Character Bashing – Dumbledore, some Weasleys and others; other warnings labeled individually in chapters.

Ships: Harry/Multi (Hermione, Daphne, Susan, Luna – maybe Gabrielle and Tonks), Sirius/Amelia

Disclaimer: J.K Rowling owns the characters and the world of Harry Potter. I do not. I just like to play in her sandbox. No copyright infringement intended. Recognizable sections of this chapter come directly from Chapter 21 of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling. I do not take claim for these, only my own additions.

Chapter 1
Two Trips Through Time

As the sounds of battle erupted through Hogwarts castle, Hermione Granger followed Ron Weasley toward the girl's bathroom on the second floor. Their plan seemed simple enough. They would make their way down to the Chamber of Secrets, retrieve a few venom-filled fangs from the Basilisk and destroy the Horcrux residing inside Helga Hufflepuff's goblet.

However, as soon as they entered the bathroom, Hermione realized they had already encountered a huge problem.

"Ron?" she asked, "Exactly how are we going to get into the Chamber? The entrance can only be opened by a Parselmouth."

A smirk crossed Ron's lips and he walked forward toward the sinks. Hermione's eyes widened as she heard a hissing sound coming from Ron's lips. Immediately the sinks began to slid inward, creating a entrance in the floor.

"Exactly how did you do that?" Hermione asked.

"Does it matter?" Ron asked, "Come on! We're wasting time."

Hermione shook her head and stared at Ron. "This doesn't make sense at all. Parselmouth abilities cannot be recreated through mimicry. You're a Parselmouth!"

"And you are too smart for your own good," Ron said.

"Wh-what?" Hermione asked.

Ron turned and pointed his wand at her. "I can't have you blabbing something like that to Harry, now can I? Obliviate!"

Hermione knew she couldn't get a Shield up in time, so she ducked to the floor. Expecting another curse, she then threw up a shield just as Ron yelled out "Imperio!" Hermione's shield blocked it – which either meant he didn't exactly mean to do it, or he didn't put enough power into it.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Hermione growled.

The spell hit Ron, and his arms snapped to his sides, and his legs snapped together. He fell to the floor. Hermione stood and hurried over to him, then kicked the wand away from him.

"Stupid Mudblood Bitch!" Ron growled.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you, Ron?" Hermione asked, as she felt tears pool in her eyes. "Trying to take away my memories, and then you try to control me?"

"I don't have to tell you anything," Ron said.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "There is something you seemed to have forgotten about the Unforgivable Curses, Ron. You have to mean them. I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say that you didn't mean to curse me. I'm also going to teach you how to really cast an Unforgivable Curse. Imperio!"

She smiled smugly as Ron's eyes glazed over.

"Now," Hermione said, "You're going to tell me everything, and it will be the truth. You would never call me a Mudblood, nor a bitch. What is wrong with you? You're supposed to be my friend."

"Your friend?" Ron asked, "I've never been your friend. I wouldn't give one shit about you if you hadn't stuck your nose into my business with Harry."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, "What business?"

"Before first year began," Ron said, "Professor Dumbledore met me at my house. He asked me to befriend Harry Potter on the Hogwarts Express. If I befriended Harry, then he would tell me anything. That is exactly what Dumbledore wanted."

Hermione's sharp mind put two and two together. "Are you saying Dumbledore wanted you to spy on Harry?"

"Yeah," Ron said, "In return he would give me money and candy and make sure my grades were passable. I don't like to do homework or read textbooks or anything like that, and Dumbledore knew that. I accepted the task. And then you had to stick your nose where it didn't belong. Those first few weeks of our first year, you kept coming around and trying to be Harry's friend. You never got my hint to stay away. Dumbledore began to realize that you wanted to be Harry's friend. Dumbledore knew about Quirrel's troll. Dumbledore was a highly skilled Legilimens, of course he knew."

"He knew that Quirrel had Voldemort on the back of his head?" Hermione asked.

"Did you just hear what I said?" Ron asked, "Yes, of course he knew. He also told me to upset you and make you run off. Did you know you were originally going to spend Halloween night in the safety of your dorm-room. That was before Dumbledore placed you under an Imperius Curse and made you go into the bathroom. He placed troll lure in that same bathroom."

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"He wanted you dead," Ron said, in a 'isn't it obvious' tone, "You were meddling in his affairs with Harry. But Harry had to come along and save the day."

Hermione blinked back tears. She could not believe what she was hearing. Dumbledore wanted her dead?

"So why didn't he do away with me after I became Harry's friend?" she asked.

"Dumbledore realized that with your help," Ron said, "Harry would uncover the mystery about the Philosopher's Stone. And he was right."

"He wanted Harry to save the Stone," Hermione said.

"Yeah," Ron said, "It was Harry's first test. He was making sure that Harry had what it took to defeat Voldemort. Then there was our second year. Now, I'm not going to say that Dumbledore was behind your Petrifaction. But he certainly seemed more cheerful when you were Petrified. Might have even heard him say that it was a pity you had a mirror with you. I visited you in the Hospital Wing while you were Petrified. Even in that state you had a nice set of tits. I could reach my hand up under your shirt and..."

"Bastard!" Hermione growled; she wanted to kick him the bollocks, but she needed to know more. "What else? What else were you and Dumbledore responsible for – when it came to me?"

"I knew about your time-turner antics in third year," Ron said, "Dumbledore told me. Why do you think he let a young third year use a time turner? He hoped you would go mental from the pressure. And then, when he suggested you and Harry go back in time to save Sirius? It was only to give you another shot at getting bit by Remus in his werewolf form. If you were bit and turned into a werewolf, Dumbledore would kick you out of Hogwarts, and we'd be done with you. Fourth year... second task of the Tournament. Do you really think Viktor Krum missed you the most? He had a family. No... Dumbledore, as a judge, put you on the bottom of the lake, in the hopes that you would drown. Dumbledore gave up after that... well, at least when it came to trying to kill you. He was busy with other things. He just told me to eavesdrop on you and Harry."

"And what about you?" Hermione asked.

"When I realized you weren't going anywhere," Ron said, "I changed my tactics. If I can't get rid of you, then you were going to be stuck with me. In the Department of Mysteries, when you got hurt by that Curse, and nearly died... after that, in the Hospital Wing, I could see Harry beginning to fall in love with you."

Hermione blinked. "Harry...? But he loves Ginny."

Ron grinned. "Yes, what a brilliant plan that turned out to be. Dumbledore realized that Harry was beginning to fall for you, so he talked to my mother. She's great at cooking up Love Potions. She began dosing Harry – first with some minor Love Potions, then the more serious ones. Harry slowly and slowly began to feel something for Ginny."

"His love for her is... fake," Hermione said.

"Sure," Ron said, "But Mum agreed to do it. If Harry knocked Ginny up, and Harry died, then his fortune would go to my family. Harry doesn't even know he has a fortune, did you know? He just thinks his only Vault is his Trust Vault. He's too stupid to realize the Vault never seems to run low on money. It always fills up."

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked.

"Mum," Ron said, "Dumbledore gave her the key to the Potter Vault, so she could take some funds for it. Harry won't need it, he's going to die today."

"Excuse me?" Hermione asked.

"Oops, I forgot to tell you, didn't I?" Ron asked, "Dumbledore told me that Harry has a Horcrux in his scar."

Hermione's eyes widened and began to fill with tears. "No..."

"Did you know that the Goblins could have removed the Horcrux from Harry's scar?" Ron asked. "Griphook knew. In fact, he wanted to tell Harry whilst at Shell Cottage, but I Obliviated the bastard. I also made him betray Harry at Gringotts."

"Bastard," Hermione said.

"I should have never left you and Harry in the tent," Ron said, "That was my biggest mistake. I was honest about that right from the start. Whilst I was gone, I couldn't feed you Love Potions anymore."

"You dosed me?!" Hermione asked.

"Course," Ron said, grinning, "How else was I supposed to have you? I knew you fancied Harry. But with the Love Potion, little by little you forgot about that. Little by little you realized you were in love with me."

Hermione had enough. She ran over to him and kicked him in the groin. Ron groaned and cried out in pain, but couldn't move at all thanks to the Body Bind.

"You traitorous bastard," Hermione growled, "I really thought I felt something for you. I'm sure those feelings I felt whilst you were snogging Lavender was because you were dosing me. What? Did you want some on the side before you got me? But you dosed me so I wouldn't choose anyone else? Like Harry? I do love him, Ron."

"Bitch," Ron muttered.

"I should kill you right here and now," Hermione said, "But I'm going to leave you here. Maybe you'll be lucky and someone will come along and find you. Better hope it isn't a Death Eater."

For good measure, Hermione kicked him in the groin again. Then she turned and left the bathroom and hurried out toward the Grand Staircase. She was nearing the staircase when she realized she still had the Cup Horcrux with her and no means to destroy it. She decided she needed to find Harry and they could figure out another way. Hermione took the Marauder's Map from her pocket, said the key phrase and searched through it. Harry was heading toward the seventh floor, and there was nobody in his path.

Hermione hurried toward the Staircase and made her way to the seventh floor. When she arrived she checked the map again. Harry was now near the Room of Requirement. And two men Hermione knew were Death Eaters were coming from the other direction. Hermione hurried toward the Room of Requirement, and when she arrived she found Harry dueling against two Death Eaters. She hit one with a Disarming Spell, just as Harry Stunned the other one.

"Potter's here!" the Death Eater screamed, "Potter's on the seventh floor! He –!"

Hermione Stunned the Death Eater before he could get out another word. Heaving and panting, Harry turned to Hermione.

"Where's Ron?" he asked, "Did you destroy the Cup?"

Hermione broke down into tears that had threatened to come since her encounter with Ron.

"He's not – tell me he's not dead," Harry said.

"No, its worse," Hermione said, "I think – Ron, he betrayed us."

"What?" Harry asked.

"He spoke Parseltongue," Hermione said, "And when I asked how he had done it, he turned his wand on me and tried to Obliviate me then tried to curse me with an Imperius. I hit him with a Petrificus Totalus. And then -"

"Then what, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I placed an Imperius Curse on him," Hermione said, "And told him to tell me everything, and to be honest. He – I don't think he's ever been our friend, Harry."

Harry frowned and stared at Hermione. "Look, Hermione. We don't have time. The Diadem is in the Room of Requirement. We need to destroy it and end this war. Afterward... we can discuss what you found out. Did you at least destroy the cup?"

Hermione shook her head. "I wouldn't be able to get into the Chamber without a – a Parselmouth and I didn't trust Ron. I just wanted to get back to you."

Harry sighed. "Alright. We'll find a way to destroy it. Make sure there aren't any Death Eaters coming. I need to open the room."

Hermione kept an eye on the map as Harry paced back and forth. When the door appeared, Hermione ran over to him. She didn't know what made her do it, but she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed him square on the mouth. Harry froze for a mere second before he returned the kiss briefly.

"There's something else I need to tell you," Hermione said, when she backed away.

"I think I know what you're going to tell me," Harry said, "Save it for after the battle. We'll have the rest of our lives to tell each other."

Hermione narrowed her eyes in confusion, and before she could think what he meant, he dragged her into the Room. She had wanted to tell him what Ron told her – about Harry apparently having a Horcrux in his scar. But his reply didn't make any sense...

Harry dragged Hermione through the room until they reached their destination. It was then that Hermione saw the Diadem sitting on top of a bust, which was situated near a cabinet.

"It is funny, you know," Harry said, "I hid the Prince's book somewhere near here. I even saw this Diadem when I did. Ironic that it is a Horcrux. Do you think it is safe to hold?"

Hermione was about to answer when she heard voices in the distance. She and Harry shared looks of horror.

"We can't let them find us," Hermione said, "If they find out what we're doing..."

"We need to hide until they leave," Harry said.

"But where?" Hermione asked.

Harry grabbed the diadem from the bust, then looked at the cabinet. He opened it up, and dragged Hermione with him inside the cabinet. Hermione remained at the back of the cabinet, whilst Harry peered out through a narrow slit in the door.

It was then that Hermione realized exactly what Harry meant after their kiss.

"I love you, Harry," she said.

"Hey," Harry said, "We'll have enough time for that later."

"I-I – Harry, there's something else you need to know," Hermione said, "Ron – he told me that Dumbledore thinks your scar is a Horcrux."

"What?" Harry asked.

"It is what he said," Hermione said.

"You had him in a Body-Bind," Harry said, "He could have spout of any lies."

"Not when I had him under an Imperius, telling him to tell the truth," Hermione said, "He said that the Goblins could remove the Horcrux, and that Griphook was going to offer to help."

"Why didn't he then?" Harry asked.

"Ron said he Obliviated Griphook," Hermione said.

"So Ron betrayed us?" Harry asked. "Our best mate –?"

"I don't think he's ever been our mate," Hermione said, "He's used you – us – right from the start. He – he told me that Dumbledore -"

Before she could continue, she heard voices nearby, outside the cabinet.

"I love you too, Hermione," Harry whispered.

"Don't say that if you're just doing it because you think we're going to die," Hermione whispered.

"I'm not," Harry said; he turned around and looked at her, "I love you, Hermione Granger."

Before Hermione could respond, she heard a voice right outside the cabinet.

"Oi!" Draco Malfoy's drawling voice growled, "I think someone is in that cabinet!"

"Blast it!" Vincent Crabbe said.

Harry clutched Hermione protectively, just as a spell hit the outside of the cabinet. She shrieked as the cabinet grew darker. Then a sudden bright white light blinded Hermione and the next thing she saw was darkness.

When she came to, she found that she was staring at the ceiling of what appeared to the Hospital Wing. She raised her eyebrows in confusion. Why was she in the Hospital Wing? The Great Hall was the makeshift Hospital Wing. Was the battle over? Had she and Harry somehow survived the onslaught from Draco and his cronies on their attack on the cabinet? How many hours had passed since that moment?

She groaned as she sat up on her hospital bed. Her muscles ached and she felt very odd. She looked around and her eyes widened when she saw Harry asleep on the bed next to her. Only he looked different.

Younger. He appeared to be thirteen years old.

Hermione gasped as an impossible thought came to her mind and she held a hand to her neck. She felt a chain and which she gripped in her hand. Her eyes widened when she saw the Time-Turner.

"What the bloody hell?" Hermione asked.

"Language, Miss Granger," a voice chided.

Hermione looked up and saw Madam Pomfrey bustling over to her.

"I know you had an eventful evening, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey said, "But there is no need for that language."

"Eventful?" Hermione asked, "That's quite the word for it. It was a bloody war. What happened to Voldemort? The Death Eaters? How many people did we lose?"

Madam Pomfrey looked at her with a concerned expression. "My dear, you must have had a nightmare. Those Dementors must have done quite a lot of work to you. And Sirius Black and a werewolf on top of that? I can understand why you had a nightmare."

Hermione's eyes widened. Dementors? Sirius Black? Werewolf?

"What day is it, Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked.

"June 6th," Madam Pomfrey said, "Almost midnight, so it is nearly June 7th."

"This is going to sound a little weird, I know," Hermione said, "But what year is it?"

Madam Pomfrey blinked. "1994, of course. My goodness dear, you really must have hurt your head. I need to get you a Concussion Draught."

Hermione's quick mind began to whirl. So, somehow I have traveled back in time to the end of my third year. And hopefully, Harry has too. It is the evening of Sirius and Buckbeak's escape. Nearing midnight? Have we used the time turner yet?

"Has Professor Dumbledore come by yet?" Hermione asked.

"I do not think so," Madam Pomfrey said.

Hermione nodded. Dumbledore will be coming in at any moment asking me and Harry to use the time turner to save Sirius and Buckbeak.

"Stay right here," Madam Pomfrey said, "Don't worry about Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. Harry is just fine and Ron simply has a broken leg. I'll be back with your Draught."

Hermione narrowed her eyes as she looked across the room and saw Ron fast asleep, snoring loudly. It took her all she had not to grab her wand and curse the bastard. Then she realized... she needed to use her wand. Madam Pomfrey might tell Dumbledore about her questions about the date and year. As Madam Pomfrey walked away from the bed, Hermione grabbed her wand from the bedside table and pointed it at the nurse. She cast a silent Obliviate, and prayed that it worked.

Madam Pomfrey paused in her step and shook her head. Hermione smiled. It had worked! Which meant that she had her advanced magical skills of her eighteen year old self, as well as her memories. But she was still fourteen years old. This was too weird!

She glanced at Harry and realized she needed to wake him up. She stood from the bed and walked over to Harry, then shook him awake. Instantly he woke up and looked at her with wide eyes. She could tell he was going to loudly say something, so she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. She allowed him to return the kiss briefly before she backed away.

"Yes, I look fourteen years old," she whispered. "You look thirteen. Whatever happened in that cabinet, it made us travel back in time somehow. We're back at the night of Sirius' escape at the end of third year. I don't think we've used the time turner to go back though yet."

Harry's eyes widened as he glanced at her. "We traveled through time?"

"Yes," Hermione said; suddenly she heard voices outside the Hospital Wing. "Showtime, Harry. Soon, Dumbledore is going to tell us to use the Time Turner. Play along."

Harry nodded and sat up.

Shocking business," Cornelius Fudge's voice said, "shocking... miracle none of them died... never heard the like... by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape..."

"Thank you, Minister." Snape's cool voice said.

"Order of Merlin, Second Class," Fudge said, "I'd say. First Class, if I can wangle it!"

"Thank you very much indeed, Minister," Snape said.

"Nasty cut you've got there," Fudge said, "Black's work, I suppose?"

"As a matter of fact," Snape said, "it was Potter, Weasley, and Granger, Minister.. . ."

"No!" Fudge said, in shock.

"Black had bewitched them, I saw it immediately," Snape continued, "A Confundus Charm, to judge by their behavior. They seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent. They weren't responsible for their actions. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape... They obviously thought they were going to catch Black single-handed. They've got away with a great deal before now. . . . I'm afraid it's given them a rather high opinion of themselves... and of course Potter has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of license by the headmaster —"

"Ah, well, Snape," Fudge said, "Harry Potter, you know - we've all got a bit of a blind spot where he's concerned."

"And yet — is it good for him to be given so much special treatment?" Snape asked, "Personally, I try and treat him like any other student. And any other student would be suspended — at the very least — for leading his friends into such danger. Consider, Minister — against all school rules — after all the precautions put in place for his protection — out-of-bounds, at night, consorting with a werewolf and a murderer — and I have reason to believe he has been visiting Hogsmeade illegally too —"

"Well, well, we shall see, Snape, we shall see," Fudge said, "The boy has undoubtedly been foolish. What amazes me most is the behavior of the Dementors. You've really no idea what made them retreat, Snape?"

"No, Minister," Snape said, "by the time I had come 'round they were heading back to their positions at the entrances..."

"Extraordinary," Fudge said, "And yet Black, and Harry, and the girl —"

"All unconscious by the time I reached them," Snape said, "I bound and gagged Black, naturally, conjured stretchers, and brought them all straight back to the castle."

"Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey said, "I told you to stay in bed."

Madam Pomfrey now came walking briskly up the dark ward to Harry's bed. Hermione turned to look at her.

"Harry woke, ma'am," Hermione said.

"I can see that," she said briskly. She placed the chocolate on Harry's bedside table and began breaking it apart with a small hammer. "Get back in bed, Miss Granger. You two will be staying here until I'm satisfied you're — Potter, what do you think you're doing?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry put on his glasses and picked up his wand.

"I need to see the Headmaster," Harry said.

"Potter," said Madam Pomfrey soothingly, "it's all right. They've got Black. He's locked away upstairs. The Dementors will be performing the kiss any moment now —"

"You don't understand," Harry said, "He's innocent!"

Suddenly the doors to the Hospital Wing opened. Minister Fudge and Snape walked into the room.

"Ah, Harry, you're awake," Fudge said, "Professor Snape was just telling me all about what happened. It seemed you had quite the night."

"Sirius is innocent, Minister," Harry said.

Hermione knew Harry wanted to say more, but she grasped his hand and squeezed it. Harry looked at her and she shook her head. She had a plan already, but she couldn't say it in front of everyone else.

"You see, Minister?" said Snape. "Confunded, both of them. Black's done a very good job on them."

"Shut the fuck up, Snape," Harry growled. "Minister, please. Tell me this. Would a Pensieve and/or Veritaserum help my claims?"

Fudge stammered. "I – well – ah – I highly doubt it, Harry. You have been the victim of the Confundus Curse it seems. I know... I know you want to tell me different, but how can we know?"

"Then why can't you just ask Sirius?" Harry asked. "Veritaserum would do the trick."

"Potter, it is inadmissible in the court of law," Snape said, "Why would you think the Minister could pass it here? So like your father. He trusted Black too, and look how he ended up. You don't want to go the same route."

"Now, Severus," Fudge said, "That's not very considerate of you. Harry's had a rough night."

Harry looked like he wanted to say something else. However, the Hospital Wing doors opened again and Albus Dumbledore strode into the room. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. Apparently the man had been trying to kill her for the past three years. What else was he trying to do? What else had he done to her? To Harry?

Harry turned to the Headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore, Sirius Black —"

"For heaven's sake!" said Madam Pomfrey hysterically. "Is this a hospital wing or not? Headmaster, I must insist —"

"My apologies, Poppy, but I need a word with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger," said Dumbledore calmly. "I have just been talking to Sirius Black —"

"I suppose he's told you the same fairy tale he's planted in Potter's mind?" spat Snape. "Something about a rat, and Pettigrew being alive —"

"That, indeed, is Black's story," said Dumbledore, surveying Snape closely through his half-moon spectacles.

"And does my evidence count for nothing?" snarled Snape. "Peter Pettigrew was not in the Shrieking Shack, nor did I see any sign of him on the grounds."

"I would like to speak to Harry and Hermione alone," said Dumbledore abruptly. "Cornelius, Severus, Poppy — please leave us."

"Headmaster!" sputtered Madam Pomfrey "They need treatment, they need rest -"

"This cannot wait," said Dumbledore. "I must insist."

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips and strode away into her office at the end of the ward, slamming the door behind her. Fudge consulted the large gold pocket watch dangling from his waistcoat.

"The dementors should have arrived by now," he said. "I'll go and meet them. Dumbledore, I'll see you upstairs."

He crossed to the door and held it open for Snape, but Snape hadn't moved.

"You surely don't believe a word of Black's story?" Snape whispered, his eyes fixed on Dumbledore's face.

"I wish to speak to Harry and Hermione alone," Dumbledore repeated.

Snape took a step toward Dumbledore.

"Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of sixteen," he breathed. "You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?"

"My memory is as good as it ever was, Severus," said Dumbledore quietly.

Snape turned on his heel and marched through the door Fudge was still holding. It closed behind them, and Dumbledore turned to Harry and Hermione. Hermione knew that Harry wanted to say something to him, but she squeezed his hand. Dumbledore's eyebrows raised as he looked at their entwined hands.

"Do I sense the seeds of romance blooming?" he asked.

"That is none of your business, Headmaster," Hermione said, "I believe you wanted to speak to us."

Dumbledore peered at Hermione, his eyes twinkling. Hermione looked away, just in case he tried to use Legilimency on her. She really needed to study Occlumency, and she needed to teach Harry! Dumbledore could not know they were time travelers.

"I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is very little time," he said quietly. "There is not a shred of proof to support Black's story, except your word — and the word of two thirteen-year-old wizards -"

"Fourteen year old witch, Headmaster," Hermione corrected.

"My apologies," Dumbledore said, "The word of two young students will not convince anybody. A street full of eyewitnesses swore they saw Sirius murder Pettigrew. I myself gave evidence to the Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper."

"What evidence?" Hermione asked, "When did you give it? I read nothing about Sirius having a trial."

"That is neither here nor there, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "Not at this time anyway."

"Time is a tricky thing, Professor," Hermione said, as she stroked the necklace of her time turner. "That is what it all comes down to, isn't it? That is why you're here? You want me and Harry to use the Time Turner and go back in time and save Sirius and Buckbeak?"

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows as he looked at Hermione. "You are indeed the smartest witch of your age. That is indeed what I want you to do. Now, pay attention Sirius is locked in Professor Flitwick's office on the seventh floor. Thirteenth window from the right of the West Tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, both of you: you must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law — you know what is at stake... You — must — not — be — seen."

Dumbledore turned on his heel and looked back as he reached the door.

"I am going to lock you in. It is —" he consulted his watch, "five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck."

Hermione turned to Harry as the doors shut. She cast a Muffliato charm around them, just in case Ron was awake or Dumbledore was still listening.

"How did this happen?" Harry asked, "How are we back at the end of third year?"

"That cabinet," Hermione said, "When the spells hit it, it must have somehow knocked us back in time."

"Then why aren't we in our older bodies?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Hermione said. "Look, Dumbledore wants us to go back to earlier tonight. I have a better plan."

"Which is what?" Harry asked.

"We go back twelve hours," Hermione said, "That will give us time to discuss the situation we're in. I still need to explain to you everything that Ron told me. I know we can't be seen. So... we can spend most of the time in the Room of Requirement. Then – when was it when we were going down to Hagrid's?"

"You expect me to remember?" Harry asked.

"Half-past-seven," Hermione said, "I'm almost sure of it. If we arrive around noon, that will give us seven hours to discuss stuff and do other things."

"Other things?" Harry asked, "Like what... pass the time snogging?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "No. I was thinking more along the lines of leaving Hogwarts."

"We can't," Harry said, "Someone will know."

"Harry, if we're careful, nobody is going to know," Hermione said, "Our other selves will still be here. We could go to Diagon Alley or... wherever we want. However, we can't do anything that will mess up what happened tonight. That part already happened. We can't change it."

"Wait... we can change the future," Harry said, "We came back in time. We can make it so the Second War doesn't even happen."

"We'll discuss that in the Room of Requirement," Hermione said, "Come here."

Harry walked over to her, and Hermione extended the chain of the necklace and wrapped it around Harry's neck. Then she began turning the hourglass, counting until it reached twelve.

And for the second time in only a few minutes, Hermione and Harry traveled through time.

So begins my newest story.

Yes, this will be a Harem story. Hermione, plus three Betrothal Contracts (Susan, Daphne and Luna). Will there be more girls too? We'll see. I could have Gabrielle and Tonks along for the ride. I don't know yet. I'll think about it. This is also a Manipulative and Sort-of Evil Dumbledore, and bad Ron and Molly – maybe Ginny, maybe not. We'll see.

Basically this story is your typical fourth year time travel story with a few of my twists in play. And it might lengthen to after fourth year as well. Harry and Hermione will seek to change the future (save Sirius, defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters, defy Dumbledore, get their revenge on Ron and Molly. So on and so forth.

Next chapter: Nine hours before they must save Buckbeak and Sirius, Harry and Hermione have a discussion in the Room of Requirement and go to Diagon Alley.

My other stories "The Harem War" and "Lily's Next Great Adventure" are my main two priorities, so don't expect this to update every day or two. It will more than likely update once a week, I hope. That will be my goal.