Running Out Of Time

Chapter 13

Summer 2017

Hermione was unsure who to turn to. Only Luna knew of the pained voices plaguing her. She returned home, unable to look her husband or kids in the eye.

"Mrs. Malfoy." A deep voice stated.

Hermione jumped at seeing Severus Snape in the painting of  a green forest. "Professor Snape, how can I help you?"

"It is I who can help you." The man answered.

"Huh?"

"With the voices that plague you Hermione. I have the cure." Snape smiled.

"How?"

"Lets skip the how for the moment. If you could get Luna here, I will tell her what to do." Snape cut across.

Summer 1994

Snape growled. "Give me that thing."

James handed the time turner necklace over.

"Professor, what are you doing?" Hermione asked

"Saving you from a world of paim Miss Granger. I hope you can forgive me one day." Snape took out his wand and tapped the necklace 4 times. The time turner emitted a dark green smoke.

"I hope you are satisfied Potter Jr." Snape scowled at James.

"More than you know!" James laughed.

"Ok, now you are my son?!" Harry looked ready to faint.

"Yes Dad. I am." James smiled.

"How did you get here?" Hermione asked.

"Same as you did in 1973, by this same time turner." James smiled.

"Dont know what your talking about." Hermione said at once.

"Yes you do." Snape replied raising his wand. Into his hands flew the entries James was reading. "Your writing, if Im correct?"

"Yes, but..."

"Miss Granger, the pain you were warned about is no more." Snape inturrupted.

Summer 2017

Hermione gasped, "Professor! The voices are gone! How can that be?"

"You can thank Potter Jr.  when he returns. He just persuaded my past self to lift the warning curse off you and the time turner. Feel free to tell whoever you want about your time in the 70s." Snape smiled before leaving.

Hermione screamed in delight. Draco pounded up the stairs, wand at the ready.

"What is going on?!" Draco demanded looking half furious, half worried.

Hermione giggled and jumped into his arms. "My love! Its all over!" She eagerly kissed her husband.

"Um...what happened?" Draco asked confused.

"I was under a curse the past 4 years. Its only just been lifted!" Hermione squealed.

"Whoa, so the reason why you became so mean and cold was because of a curse?" Draco asked.

"Yes."

"Why dont you tell Sirius and Harry? They are no doubt worried about you." Draco planted a kiss on Hermiones cheek.

Summer 1994

"How can you know about that unless you..." Hermione gasped. "You were the one who put it there?!"

"Hermione, relax, you can tell anyone you want. Snape deactivated the curse. Theres no need to be afraid." James explained.

Hermiones eyes widened, "easy for you to say!"

"Oh Merlin! I was hoping this could send me back." James sighed.

"Sorry Potter Jr. Looks like the lesson you need to learn hasnt happened yet. Excuse me please." Snape left the house without another word.

James sank into the couch feeling devestated. "I was so hoping that would be it!"

"James dear, can you explain to us whats going on?" Molly asked

"I cant tell it without Hermiones help." James smiled.

"Ok, as long as pain doesnt follow me. Im in."

Over the next hour, Hermione and James told everyone what was going on. From Fate Magic to the lesson they needed to learn.

"I learned my lesson in 1 month, but when I returned to my time, I returned to the moment I had left." Hermione explained.

"Now, its your turn to tell us all about the future!" The twins exclaimed.

"I wish I could but..." James began

"The time turner erases all the memories. We wont remember you or anything you tell us. So tell us anything you want." Hermione cut in.

"Ok. Ask any question you want."

"Who do we end up with?" Ron asked.

James laughed, "Uncle Ron, you end up with Luna. Dad you wind up with Ginny here. And Hermione ends up with...Draco Malfoy."

"I end up with that prat?! How does that happen?!" Hermione yelped.

"I dunno." James shrugged.

"I end up with the Boy-Who-Lived?!" Ginny squealed. She then took Harry and kissed him.

"Ok, are there any other surprises?" Sirius chuckled.

"Um...yes. But I think you should wait till it actually happens. I cant mess up time." James replied.

"Just tell us!" The group shouted.

"Fine. Hermione, your mum had an affair and well...Sirius is your biological father." James winced

"What?!" The room asked as one.

Summer 2017

"Ginny? Harry? Are you home?" Hermione asked when she appeared in the Potters dinning room.

"Aunt Hermione! Mum and Dad are out right now." Al answered coming into the room.

"Oh, ok. Can you tell them to contact me as soon as they can?" Hermione asked.

"Um..sure." Al replied confused.

Hermione smiled and twisted away. She landed in Sirius' living room. "Dad, I... Oh hi."

Hermione stopped at seeing Sirius, Harry, Ginny and Luna all there looking at her with grim expressions.

"Whats going on?" Hermione asked.

"Thats what we want to know Hermione. Draco contacted me." Sirius stated.

"Ah, I see you are all worried about me, huh?" Hermione asked.

"Yes." The group of four said together.

"Im fine now. Apparently James found the cure to my mysterious alimemt and...Im no longer in pain." Hermione stated.

"Ok, back up. You went to the 70s, learned a lesson and were forbidden to speak of the experience. You told Luna about it 4 years ago and thats when you started acting strange?" Sirius asked.

"Yes Dad. After I told Luna, I began to hear voices, a bunch of them crying out for help. Screaming in agony. At first it was just here and there, and they were faint. But as time went on, the voices became louder about to shatter my eardrums and were constant. Its enough to get anyone down. But the good news is, we have James to thank. He found a way to lift the curse. So, Im free!" Hermione smiled.