A Second Chance (Tomione)

Prologue

A/N: Hi! Thanks for clicking on this story. It's my very first fanfic and this is basically a combination of all the things I liked about the other tomione's I have read, so it's nothing special. Hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: All the characters in this story, are the rights of JK Rowling and I don't own Harry Potter. Wish I did, but I don't.

PROLOGUE

Hermione Jean Granger paced fast as she desperately tried to come up with an idea, but it felt like the gears in her mind were frozen with fear.

Harry James Potter, Hermione' best friend since first year, and the boy who lived, had defeated Lord Voldemort only a few minutes ago. Oh, the scream of relief she had let out only to discover that they were now overpowered by bloodthirsty death eaters. Many of their warriors had fallen, and there were too many of Voldemort's supporters.

As Hermione had been duelling a couple of death eaters, a portrait on the side wall  had informed her that the former headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore had summoned her to his portrait in the headmaster's office. Hermione had found Dumbledore's request a bit strange. Then again, Dumbledore was a very mysterious man while being completely truthful at the same time.

After finishing the death eaters off, she had ran to the office.

And there Dumbledore's portrait had been, eyes still twinkling in the midst of war. After Hermione had briefly told him what was happening, he had the nerve to smile and ask- "Ms. Granger, what do you think is the way? The way to end this all?"

And now, as Hermione tried to come up with an answer, Dumbledore just smiled at the look of confusion on her face, as if he expected it.

Hermione thought that Dumbledore should 'wipe the bloody smile off his face'. But obviously, she didn't voice her opinions

"Professor, with all due respect, this isn't the time to think. It's the time to fight. "

"Oh, but Miss Granger, I believe that's not quite it. I believe you must play a bigger role. Something that more or less determines the future, or the present if you will."

Hermione was exasperated. " I should be out there helping my friends. Not waiting for some 'bigger role' that will determine something. Fighting's the only thing that could make a difference."

"Oh, but you don't really believe that do you, Miss Granger? Now, let's do this without wasting time. I would like you to check my drawer. The key is behind the sword's case." After waiting for Hermione to hesitantly follow his instructions, Dumbledore continued. " Of course, Professor Snape knew about this particular relic of mine. Not that he could unlock it with Alohomora. And no Miss Granger, before you ask, the drawer isn't empty. Revelio would do."

Hermione, in silence and with trembling hands, cast Revelio on the apparently empty space. A dazzling blue light followed the tip of her wand, and sure enough the drawer wasn't empty. Inside, lay a golden chain, with a pendant attached to it. The pendant was a small hourglass with golden sand inside. The hourglass was surrounded with two golden rings. On the outermost ring,  small, barely readable words were engraved -

'I mark the hours, every one. Nor have I yet outrun the Sun.

My use and value, unto you. Are gauged by what you have to do.'

The hourglass twinkled because of the morning light, peeking through the office's windows. It was Hermione's time turner from third year.

"But how... w-why?" Hermione stammered.

"I'm sure, Miss Granger, by now, you know what those words mean. This device is of immense use, because of the task you have ahead. You must stop this war before it happened. Before the young boy know as Tom, became who he was a few minutes ago."

Hermione felt her knees buckle, as the realisation of Dumbledore's implication dawned on her.

"No professor, this time you are mistaken. He was born evil. He cannot be changed, and why me? Why not Ron or - or Harry?" Her voice sounded terrified. 

"Mr. Weasley's impulsive nature would lead to choices that may cause more harm than good, and Harry, while a good candidate, might be overcome with grief, by the harm, pain and suffering Tom has inflicted upon him, and might act too... angrily. You are the best person for the job. As for your belief that Mr.Riddle was evil from the start, I'm afraid I don't agree. Everyone can change. Even you, Miss Granger, to the other side. The flaw, I must say Tom possess the most, was not thinking about the outcome. 'He who wishes to fight, must first count the cost'. I'm afraid, Tom didn't count the cost, which ultimately led to his downfall. But that's a topic for another day, you could have with past me. For now,  you must go."

Hermione took a deep breath. "And what if I don't succeed?"

"I don't think you will. I know it."

Nodding wearily, Hermione summoned all her Gryffindor courage, and holding the small  pendant in her hand, closed her eyes and felt a tugging pull, like she did while apparating. After a while, she opened her eyes.

And all she saw was darkness.

A/N: So, first I'll point out some things that are wrong according to cannon. They are here for the sake of the story only.

1. After Voldemort's defeat, the order was not overpowered by death eaters.

2. The time turner was given back to the ministry after the third book, where it was then destroyed.

3. The portraits of Hogwarts aren't usually that interactive.

And that's all, the next update will be there a bit late since I have exams. Please do let me know, if you have any suggestions, or you spotted any mistakes.

Reviews help a lot.

Bye!