Chapter Text
Hermione could not have said how exactly it had happened, but somehow during her fight with Dolohov, she must have lost focus, his next spell throwing her backwards, right into one of the shelves. It must have been the one with the time turners, she realized later, when she woke up in the middle of the Time Chamber, two years prior. She had gone back to just at the beginning of summer break, after she had finished her third year at Hogwarts. The last thing she remembered was a loud crash and, going by the several cuts and the glass shards sticking in her hair, skin and clothes, she had broken several of the sensitive instruments, resulting in her unfortunate accident. That was, at least, how she explained her situation to the six straight-faced Unspeakables and, later on, to the Headmaster, who watched her with a fascinated glint in his blue eyes.
“That is indeed a most unusual story, Miss Granger,” he said, stroking his long beard while watching her over the rim of his half-moon-glasses. “Flying a thestral to London…” He shook his head. “To be young again… I must admit that I have only heard of a few cases similar to yours, and most of them are long in the past.”
Hermione nodded, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “Is there anything that can be done, sir? Do you think there is a way to send me back… um, I mean forward?” She knew the answer, or at least she believed she did after having used a Time-Turner for almost a year, but she still wanted to hear it from the man in front of her. Because if there was a way to send her back, then Albus Dumbledore would know of it.
There was not.
“So far we have only found a way to go back in time. Going forward can only be done by taking the slow path, I am afraid. I know to someone as young as you this might seem like a total waste of time, but in the current situation it is all you can do.”
The Headmaster’s voice sounded almost regretful, his tone was what made her understand that this was final - that she was stuck. She shuddered at the implications of it.
“But, sir!” she protested, desperate for a way out of this situation, even if there was none. “I can’t possibly stay at Hogwarts, as I would run into my past self. And the chances of meddling with time and therefore for eliminating my future…” Hermione broke off, realizing that she didn’t dare reveal the details of the future to anyone, even the Headmaster. She could not live through her fourth year again, watching Harry or Cedric struggle their way through the Triwizard Tournament without intervening. It was simply impossible. But where else was she supposed to go? Would she have to go back to her parents, seeking refuge in the Muggle world to wait out almost 22 months. How was she supposed to prepare for her NEWTs like this? With growing panic she shared all those thoughts with the Headmaster, her chest feeling tighter and tighter with every word she spoke.
Professor Dumbledore, on the other hand, did not seem overly bothered at all.
“This is indeed a most unconventional problem,” he said after her words had finally run out, leaving her feeling empty and spent. “But there is always a solution, my dear, even if it is an unconventional one. I do understand your fear of being discovered or intervening with your future as those are both very real dangers. You can trust me to keep your secret of course, but I believe that no one else should learn of your situation until you are back in your original time. Do you agree?”
She nodded. “Yes, Professor.”
The fewer people knew of her situation, the better. She would not be able to keep her secret forever, of course, as people would discover the age gap as soon as she was back in her original time. But until that day her secret would need to be kept, carefully .
“Very well, Miss Granger. Then we will have to find a place for you to stay, including a way to remain undetected. Furthermore, we should make sure that you will not be able to intervene with your own timeline or those of your friends’, while still giving you access to Hogwarts and maybe even some classes,” the Headmaster summed up, his blue eyes looking at her steadily.
“Would that be possible, sir? How?” Hermione found herself asking, unable to believe her luck.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. “That depends entirely on you and your willingness to adapt to this new situation. Tell me, Miss Granger. What is the family you trust to protect and care for you the most?”
The answer was easy. “The Weasleys, sir.”
The Headmaster nodded, his smile indicating that he had not expected anything else. “Well then, Miss Granger. Luckily for you, that particular family always had a big heart and they do have two sons that are about to start their sixth year at Hogwarts. Isn’t that a happy coincidence?”
“Indeed,” Hermione said, even though she still could not see what the Headmaster had planned for her, or what it had to do with Fred and George. But she guessed she was about to find out - soon.
Ssssssss
She would not have found this particular solution in her wildest dreams, Hermione thought when she found herself being carried by the old man towards the door of the Burrow only an hour later. It took all of her willpower to not hold onto his silky, midnight-blue robe with her claws and Hermione could not help but ask herself how long it would take her to get used to that particular fate. She was a cat , a brown, long-haired cat, because somehow the Headmaster had managed to convince her that transfiguring her was the best option to keep her safe, disguised and unable to act.
Maybe he was right, but even though she loved and trusted the Weasleys she could not help worrying about what the twins might do to her, as soon as they learned she belonged to them. Would they try to feed her any of their products? Would they prank her, or forget to take care of her?
She shuddered, her sharp claws involuntarily digging deeper into Dumbledore’s robe. HIs only reaction was a grandfatherly smile and a twinkle. She would have to trust Fred and George, she decided-- if Mrs Weasley would even allow her to stay.
She need not have feared.
“You say you found this beautiful animal right on your doorstep, Albus?” Mrs Weasley said shortly after they arrived, looking at Hermione with brown, kind eyes. “She looks well-kempt, don’t you think? Are you sure she doesn’t already belong to someone?”
“Indeed, Molly. I am quite certain. She is still rather young, you see? Maybe one of the neighbour’s cats has recently given birth to this beautiful kitten here,” the Headmaster replied, looking at her with a kind smile. Hermione stiffened under his gaze, forcing herself to sit even straighter, hoping to show the matron that it would indeed be worth keeping her. “You see, I thought your twins would maybe like a pet for themselves - maybe as a reward for their OWLs. What do you think? ” He continued, his eyes twinkling.
Mrs Weasley seemed to consider his words. Finally, she shrugged. “It can’t hurt, I guess. Cats are more or less self-reliant. And maybe a pet would indeed teach them to be more responsible.” She sighed before her eyes focussed back on Hermione. “Come here, Lovely.”
Hermione did not even hesitate. Instead, she got up before proudly walking towards her new adoptive mother. Because she did not doubt that it would be Mrs Weasley feeding her in the end. With a soft “meow” she sat down in front of her, looking at her expectantly.
“My, she really is a clever thing, isn’t she?” the older witch cooed, before carefully lifting her onto the table. Hermione rose her chin proudly, causing the Headmaster to chuckle.
“She is one of the cleverest cats I have ever had the pleasure to meet,” the man confirmed seriously. “I am sure you will not regret taking her in, Molly.”
At that, Mrs Weasley sighed, her hand caressing the fur on Hermione’s back ever so gently. “Do not worry, Albus. I am sure she will be a wonderful addition to our family. Isn’t that right?” she asked, looking down at her with soft, brown eyes.
Hermione purred, rubbing her hand against the witch’s hand. It was all the answer she could give, but by the smitten look on Mrs Weasley’s face it was all that was necessary here.
Ssssssss
“You got us a cat?” Fred asked, staring down at her in disbelief. “For our OWLs? We didn’t even get the results, yet.”
Hermione could see the redhead getting elbowed by his twin, who was looking at him with a soft smile.
“Hello beautiful,” he said, holding out his hand as if he wanted her to sniff him. Hermione considered her options for a moment, pondering what Crookshanks would have done in her situation. Finally, she rubbed her head against his hand, prompting a pleased smile from her intended caregiver. It seemed to have been the right thing to do, as George scooped her up happily, cradling her against his chest. “Thank you, mum,” he said, rocking her softly. “She’s amazing. It is a she , right?”
Before Hermione realized what he was doing, he lifted her up, staring at her bottom with furrowed brows. She felt the embarrassment welling up inside her, her body starting to struggle against his grip. To her relief he let her go instantly, her paws connecting with the kitchen floor only seconds later. Merlin. She could only hope that the boys would forget about that little scene when Professor Dumbledore transfigured her back in two years, but somehow she got the feeling that this was only the first embarrassing encounter of many to come.
“Look at this feisty little kitten, Freddy,” George said, grinning at his brother. “I can tell she’s a right minx.”
Fred grinned back. “Then let’s call her that, because she’ll be our little minx.”
Mrs Weasley looked at her sons with raised brows. “Does that mean you will keep her?”
“ ‘Course we’ll keep her,” Fred said, crouching down in front of Hermione. “Not sure if we deserve her, but we’ll definitely keep her,” he announced, flashing her his white teeth. “She’s ours now,” he announced, scooping her up, like his twin had done before. For a moment Hermione felt herself stiffen, reluctant to trust the notorious prankster. She would not have any other choice though, Hermione realized, before her thoughts were interrupted by his fingers caressing the fur between her ears. Hermione purred, her body involuntarily relaxing in his arms. This really wasn’t so bad, she thought. Whether she liked it or not, she would have to trust those two redheads because for all intents and purposes she was theirs, at least for the next two years. And she didn’t know if she was relieved or terrified at that prospect.