Braving the Past

Chapter 43: There and Back Again

When the world stopped spinning, Hermione had to take an extra moment to allow her mind to catch up. The two stood still, quietly observing their new surroundings that weren't all that new.

Sunlight glinted through the trees, casting the forest in a calming glow. Birds chirped happily as their wings carried them between branches and trunks. Life continued to flourish. It was as if nothing had happened to upset the balance of things.

That thought struck Hermione and her eyes widened.

Had it? Had nothing happened yet?

A gleam of hope caught in her chest where she clung to it with everything she had. That hope clouded everything else - even the remembrance that she and Tom were still connected with the time-turner necklace around each of their necks. And so she didn't think before turning to run in the direction of the castle. The chain held fast, yanking a surprised Tom along with her.

"Merlin's shaggy -" he grunted.

Hermione didn't slow. Didn't even stop to undo the chain. Tom would just have to keep up and stay close. They burst through the trees, and the spark of hope she had allowed herself was dashed to pieces.

Ahead of them stood the remnants of what used to be Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To her right, Hermione heard Tom's sharp intake of breath as he took in the scene before them. The only indication that any time had passed was the lack of smoke and flames. The air was stale and quiet outside of the forest. Whatever had happened here, it had settled into silence filled with the whispers of what once was.

"I suppose it was too much to ask to be brought back before it all went sideways for your lot," Tom said.

A dash of sunlight across Hermione's vision forced memories she had struggled to leave behind to the forefront of her mind. Screams echoed in her ears, orange flames leapt up to the sky, flashes of green and red cutting across the empty courtyard.

She looked away, fresh tears burning at the backs of her eyes. Now that she was here, she wanted nothing more than to run back into the safe arms of her friends, long dead. Even Peter had been killed by his own hand, though no longer the Peter she once knew. That Peter had died a long time ago.

But Remus. Remus could still be alive. She couldn't remember if she had seen him amongst the dead as she had escaped the night she'd met Tom Riddle. Perhaps he had made it out safely.

Tom carefully lifted the chain from around his neck. His eyes were soft when he looked at her, as if he could see all the frightful memories through her eyes. Hermione wouldn't be surprised if he could. For all she knew he could be using legilimency on her again. The memories were passing through anyway, he could easily jump into the fray without her noticing.

Yet somehow Hermione knew he wouldn't. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and they silently agreed to walk closer to the broken castle.

They had only taken a couple steps before a green spell whizzed past and slammed into a tree trunk behind them. Hermione quickly caught on that this was not another memory.

A couple shouts echoed across the abandoned courtyard, followed by two more curses cast in their direction. Tom's hand slammed into Hermione's back, forcing her to the ground just in time to dodge them. He let out a string of curses after checking his trouser pockets, only to come out empty handed remembering he no longer had a wand.

Hermione didn't have time to think about that. She pushed herself off the ground, mud and yellow grass sticking to her front.

"Back into the forest!" she shouted.