Timeless

Chapter 1

Hermione awoke to a painful throbbing sensation on her head. "Ow," she muttered, rubbing the back of her head, although her whole body ached from being thrown roughly to the ground. She looked around for her friends and found herself in very odd, yet familiar surroundings. Instead of the great ruins of the battle, lush green grass rolled on the hills, the forest behind her was cheerful and young, and the great castle was at the brink of its glory.

Her mind went into overload as she tried to decipher the meaning of what had happened, and Hermione collapsed.

When she awoke, she felt strong arms carrying her to the hospital wing of Hogwarts. Hermione craned her neck to see her savior and her eyes widened. He was handsome, like any charming prince in every romance novel. He even smelled of aftershave and musky cologne. The young man had luscious black hair and a pale complexion with flashing dark eyes.

It was Voldemort.

Hermione leaped out of his arms and backed into a wall with her wand pointed to him. "St-stay away!" She stuttered, her cheeks flushing.

Tom Riddle merely raised an eyebrow at her, "I'm sorry, did I scare you?" He asked in a silky smooth voice. Hermione's resolve broke, and she nearly swooned at the sound. "I found you near the Forbidden Forest unconscious." His eyes widened innocently. "I'm Tom Riddle, Head Boy of Hogwarts."

Suddenly, Professor Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing, looking oddly strange with a red beard and a less wrinkled face. "Tom, I heard there was a student unconscious?"

"She's right there," Tom nodded towards Hermione.

Dumbledore turned around to see a shocked and disheveled young girl in tattered black robes with wild and cornered eyes. When she focused on Dumbledore, she visibly relaxed, but the terrified and haunted look never left her eyes.

"I don't recall you being a student at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said kindly. "Why don't you sit down? I feel you have quite a tale to tell me."

"Th-thank you, sir," Hermione said meekly. Eyeing Riddle warily, she sat down on the bed. "C-can I talk to you in private?"

Dumbledore nodded understandingly and took her to his office. It wasn't the Headmaster's office, and Hermione had to remind herself that Dumbledore was still the Transfiguration Professor. It was strikingly similar to his office in her time, and she smiled when she saw Fawkes perched on his stand. "Professor Dumbledore, I've come from the future." Dumbledore looked quite startled, but his eyes twinkled curiously. "I'm trying not to alter anything here in the past, but I just don't know how to get back."

"If I may ask, how did you get here?"

"Erm... I touched something." Hermione furrowed her brow, struggling to recall the object. "It was a glowing blue sphere made of some kind of glass with cracks running through it." Hermione said.

"Hmm, it seems like you've stumbled upon the mythical Sphere of Time. Legend says that it appears whenever a powerful witch or wizard has been defeated as a sort of commemoration for their imprint on history." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Now, I do believe you are a very smart witch. Have you figured out how to get back to your own time period?"

Hermione brightened, "Um... what year is it?"

"It is Friday, September 1st, 1944, Miss..." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Er...you can call me Hermione...Clearwater," Hermione said, thinking of the first name to come up in her head. Then she nearly sniggered at the memory of pompous Percy showing off his Head Boy Badge to his girlfriend. "And, yes, I've figured it out. Thank you! Erm... also, is it possible for me to stay here for the school year?"

"Of course!" Dumbledore went on to give her a sack of galleons to provide for her school supplies and a new wardrobe.

"Thank you so much, Professor!" She smiled. Dumbledore winked back, and led her to the Gryffindor common room after her telling him of her house. There, she snuggled into a spare bed and fell fast asleep.