Another idea that popped into my head last night. I was going over in my mind about the concept of time travel and death etc in many fics I read, but there came to me a ponderance. What would happen if, despite everything, the brightest witch of the age was forgotten? Completely wiped from the memories of those she loved and hated. What would happen is due to remarkable dumb luck, someone might be able to help her in a way she had not had the chance for before then? So, with that, this story was born. Tell me what you think! More later.

Sam

Hericlitus

"Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become."

"Everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed."

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man."

It was a cruel punishment. Unusual torture to befall any who would honestly know the title of The Forgotten. To be erased from history itself was the ultimate joke on the imbiber and she was the fool. Tricked into this life by someone so cruel, he was the only one to know of her plight. The Drop of Lethe, a disgusting poison that removed her from her very existence. It was in that. She became a stranger to any love or joy she had received before and ever after. To be forgotten was now her shining role. Hermione Granger never existed as far as anyone was concerned.

The young witch sat in the Leaky Caldron, drinking her glass while reviewing pages. It was here that she could finally sum up enough courage to see out the strangers of her former life after so long. The poison did not make her forget her old life… just everyone else in it fails to recall her. The woman was no potion master, and it took her even this extensive amount of time to find something suitable to try.

"Miss, you dropped your pages," a young boy said, bringing her from her concentration.

Her eyes roamed over the small face and teal hair. "Teddy Lupin," she mused, and he smiled at her.

"How did you guess? Dad, look, she knows who I am," Teddy declared and turned toward his parental figure.

Her vision took in the older man, and her stomach turned. He was scowling at her as was the other man sitting with him. "Teddy, leave her alone now and come sit. We are going to have lunch before visiting your grandmother." Remus's voice strained and the witch tinted with color.

His appearance was so much more welcoming than she imagined. His soft sandy hair had grown to a nice length, and he must have embraced his age because his beard was full and speckled with color. The man next to him she was not expecting to see. The last time she saw Sirius Black, he had fallen through the veil. Now, here he was in all of his glory.

"Well, I have to go. Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny are coming to have lunch," he told her with a nod and smiled.

"Have a wonderful birthday, Teddy," she declared with a soft tone as he wandered back over to their table.

When the boy waved and sat next to his father, Sirius whispered something to them and stood up. The witched watched with amusement as he sauntered over and smirked. "Hello, stranger." His voice was full of playfulness, and she had to hold back a snort at the irony of his greeting.

"Hello, Sirius Black. Come to flirt with me a little?" she teased him and his eyebrow arched.

"I know you from somewhere, I am sure of it." He replied and sat across from her. "You look a bit swotty, but that never deterred me."

Hermione folded her legs and lounged. "Tell me, how did you get out of the veil?"

His grin brightened, and his fingers traced the side of the table. "Well, if you must know, a little blood magic from a loving ancestor goes a long way. It seems I was missed immeasurably on this side of the world and I wasn't technically dead."

She sighed heavily and her lips pursed. "Seems the world has changed a bit since I have been gone."

Sirius's eyes gave way to his calculations and his brow furrowed. "There is this thing about you witch… tell me your name."

Hermione gave him a sad smile and sipped her cup. "You wouldn't remember me even if I told you."

"Tell me and I might."

"My name is Hermione Granger," she said and his face contorted. "I cannot imagine you are remembering, do you?"

His lips moved rhythmically as he mouthed her name a few times. The flicker in his eyes and the way his head tilted made her lose the glimmer of hope she received momentarily. "I feel like I should know that name."

"Ah, yes, you should, but not all secrets are easy to understand," she murmured smartly, and he leaned over the table.

"Come sit with us? I think my friend would remember you if we have met before." He told her and waved back at the werewolf.

Remus bristled at being acknowledged but gave them a friendly wave. His son echoed his actions with the very same motion, but Hermione sighed heavily and shook her head. "I would if I wasn't sure that was the case, Padfoot."

She chewed her lips after letting his pet name slip, and his eyes flickered. "You do know us then? Why is it that a pretty little witch like you is adamant not to join us for lunch?"

"Sirius, I only have an hour lunch before I have to get back. Ginny is going to get impatient," Harry called out as he joined the Lupins with his wife.

Hermione's eyes traveled over the young Potters, and her heart swelled. She missed them terribly and only wished they would recollect her. Harry took a quick examination of the woman as he sat down and she could see his mild disinterest at his godfather's curiosity. He looked through her like she was no one… that hurt the most. "You best go back to your family, they might think you are skipping out on them for a witch, Sirius." Hermione urged him to leave.

"Don't go anywhere, Hermione. I have questions," Sirius declared with a nod and erected himself from the seat.

She watched him travel over to the werewolf and whisper in his ear. Hermione wouldn't deny it. Her heart was leaping out of her chest as she watched the animagus rely what was on his mind. This was the first time since her last attempt years ago that she saw anyone from her old life. The witch had tried, numerous amounts of times to get someone, anyone really, from her life to recognize her.

Remus had a dark narrowed gaze at the woman as Sirius finished. Whatever was spoken had caused trouble for him. Hermione set her coins on the table, not willing to create a scene. She was packing up before too long, and Sirius nearly sprinted over to stop her departure.

"You cannot leave now. I haven't gotten to ask you how you know Remus and me. You so clearly know us," He couldn't contain the emphasis on his last word as he spoke.

Hermione gave him a tired smile as she shouldered her back. "I am sorry, Sirius. Remus looks awfully upset, and I am not here to cause you trouble on what seems to be a small celebration."

"Please don't leave yet?" he asked, and Hermione exhaled heavily before digging deeply into her bag.

"Do me a favor, give this to Teddy. I was meaning to send it off like I usually do, but since he is here. Tell him happy birthday for me." She finished and handed him a small wrapped gift.

Sirius recognized the wrapping immediately. "You are a distant admirer?" he pried, and she patted his arm tenderly.

"The only way I can be," she sighed gently and kissed his cheek before leaving the Leaky Cauldron.