Draco Malfoy had changed a great deal since his Hogwarts days and so had Hermione Granger. The War changed everybody. Who thought that the Ferret would become friends with The Chosen One and he could maintain a civil relationship with the Brightest...
Both of them had been looking around the room for some clue. They had decided that even though the sensible thing to do was to return, they did not know what lay ahead of them, outside the Marshlands now.
Malfoy was crouched on the floor. As Hermione drew closer, she realised he was looking at something under the floorboards or rather something that used to be under the floor boards. He had managed to pry away a board to reveal a pair of earrings that clearly belonged with the necklace that they had earlier found. She squat down next to him to get a better look. The earrings glimmered in the Lumos spell that Malfoy's wand was casting. "I saw something shine under the floor boards through the cracks. And even though they look like they match the necklace, I have never seen these in my entire life. My mother may have had too much of jewellery, but I would at least remember this set for sure. She has shown me the necklace many times to remind me that it's high time I get a bride home." He said looking at the earrings.
Hermione felt self-conscious for a second. She had absolutely no idea why. Draco had not even looked at her but his tone made her feel butterflies. He had not even implied anything! She must be losing her mind. That is what the spell must be at this place!
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"You think we should pick them up?" She asked.
Draco and Hermione carefully moved and lifted the box together.
'Nos tempus est huius'
Hermione whispered the words as she read them off the side of the box, giving a questioning look to Draco who just shrugged. It seemed familiar to Hermione, but she could not place it. She was sure she hadn't used it before or read it recently, but she definitely had read about it at some point in her life.
Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning outside the cottage. The light was so powerful that it blinded the duo. It wasn't like the lightning that came with a storm, rather it was like the powerful flash of a camera that made you blind and sway for a few moments. Hermione put down the earrings next to the necklace as they rushed outside, wands ready in their hand.
"Who are you?" they heard an alarmed feminine voice from behind them. They turned to see a young girl, in her late teens, standing there looking perplexed. She wore dark robes under which one could see a full-length dress in gauzy fabric. It rather reminded Hermione of the nightgowns her Grandmama used to wear.
Hermione stuttered. She did not know if they were trespassing and she was still hoping that she was wrong and they were still in the present times. She stole a glance at her watch and saw that the second's hand was now moving and the time had moved a little beyond 1:25. This meant that they were now stuck in time!
Draco moved towards the girl, who by now looked extremely scared of the witch and wizard standing before her with their wands drawn. "I won't hurt you. I just need to ask you something. What is your name? We promise we won't hurt you." Draco knew her name was Lydia. And that she was here to find Adelia. He realised it the moment he had turned around and looked through her mind. Draco was skilled at both Legilimency and Occlumency. Living around Death Eaters and with the Dark Lord himself had taught Draco constant vigilance, like Moody, would say. Vigilance even in protecting his thoughts. They were back in time. They were bloody well back sometime in the 1800's! He was panicking, but for the sake of Hermione and the girl in front of him, he had to act collected.
"I am Lydia. And who may you be?"
"I am Draco. Draco Malfoy. I am a distant relative of Silvius Malfoy. I hail from France. We have never met before but I wish to see my cousin on some business. The village folk told me he might be here." Draco fibbed. Hermione's eyes widened and she almost gave a panicked shriek before she decided they must play along. Wherever they were, whatever time period it was, they had to keep their heads safe.
Lydia seemed to weigh in his statement but looked distrustful of them. "What business do you have with Master Silvius, Sir?" The girl was smart and though she looked meek, she had courage. Draco had to admit that much.
