DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER!

The Kid and I

Description: HG/TR Time Travel. Details changed. Spoilers. After Dumbledore's death, Hermione is given a strange envelope that she is not allowed to open until a certain date. On the eve of the Final Battle, she opens the envelope, and promptly vanishes. Being transported into the past, she realises that she has a chance to change everything. But the ultimate question is not 'should she', it's 'will she'?

Introduction

Hermione sat on her bed holding an envelope from Dumbledore's will. As well as a storybook, he had left her this envelope. It was six inches by six inches and had her name written on it. It also came with a note, 'Do not open until December 31st 1999'. She was vastly curious as to what was inside it and why she couldn't open it but she respected his wishes.

!"!

It was New Years Eve, 1999. Hermione was having a good luck drink with McGonagall. The Final Battle would occur the next day. Voldemort had sent a letter offering to arrange a date for the battle, 'so a new world can start on a new millennia' He said. It was obvious He was intending to win.

Hermione was lounging back in the chair opposite the Professor as the Scottish woman poured them both a large Firewhiskey. The years since her, Harry's and Ron's search for the Horcruxes had changed Hermione drastically. She'd become very confident, maybe even arrogant, yet she was still kind. Her intelligence and loyalty had never faltered in the years, but she was quieter and more secluded than she had been in the years previous.

The envelope from Albus felt like it was burning a hole in her robes as she accepted the glass of the amber liquid from her ex-Professor.

"A big day tomorrow, Miss Granger."

"So it would seem, Professor." She sipped the liquid with a gasp and then pulled the envelope out of her pocket.

"What's that, Miss Granger?" She asked as she sat down wearily in her chair.

"It's something from Dumbledore's will. I haven't been allowed to open it until tonight." She looked the older woman in the eye. "You knew him well. What do you think it is?"

"I knew Albus well enough to know that you could never guess what one of his gifts was going to be. The only way to find out is to open it."

Hermione put her glass down and gently pulled open the envelope. It was empty except for a necklace. It was on a golden chain with a large purple stone on the end. She touched it and it warmed up and started to glow lowly.

"What is it, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked, eager to know what the gift was.

"I…I don't know." She put the necklace around her neck and held it gently, running her thumb over the sparkling stone. The heat then started to pulse, going from hot to cold to hotter to cold to even hotter. When it became so hot that she had to let go of it, it shone blindingly bright. And then she vanished.