Another Time

Hermione Granger sat in her chair on the staff table of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On the outside she was as calm as her reputation claimed. On the inside she was torn between grief and happiness. Her eldest child would be starting Hogwarts this year. This was a happy moment for her, but she couldn't help but remember her first year, and her friends that year. After the fall of Voldemort, which had cost her two of the closest friends in Harry and Ginny, it had taken Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic several years to hunt down his remaining supporters. That climactic battle had killed them, along with Voldemort and several of his biggest supporters.

Harry...Ron...Ginny...

Over the next several years of hunting, the casualties had mounted. Somehow the Death Eaters had found Ron, now married to Hermione and living with their son in Scotland. Ron had held off the Death Eaters while Hermione had taken their son and the child she had been carrying inside her at the time and hidden. Auroras had arrived quickly, but not quick enough to save Ron's life.

She quickly shook off these thoughts as Sirius Black, Deputy Headmaster and Defense against Dark Arts teacher entered, leading the new first years into the Great Hall. He placed the school-sorting hat on its stool and backed away. Hermione tuned out the hat and looked down the line of new students. Near the end of the line, a tall boy with bushy red hair gave her a small wave. She gave him a small smile in return. Harry Weasley was very much like his father. Another student, three or four people in front of her son, caught Hermione's eye. Like her son she had blazing red hair. However where her son was tall, this girl was small, with brilliant green eyes. Hermione couldn't remember been told that another Weasley child was starting Hogwarts, which meant this girl must be from a muggle family.

The hat finished its song and everyone applauded. Sirius gave his instructions to the first years. He then began the process of calling each student to put the hat on and be sorted. They were all sorts, feeling like others had felt in their place for thousands of years. Finally Sirius got down to the small girl Hermione had noticed earlier. She could tell that Sirius was surprised, by the stiffening of his posture.

"Lily Potter."

The small girl seemed oblivious to the ripples of interest she was causing amongst both teachers and students. Professor McGonagall just smiled as the object of so much attention went up and placed the hat on her head. The hat sat there for almost a full minute before placing her in Gryffindor. She was applauded as she sat down with Hermione's old house. Hermione was so deep in thought that she almost forgot about Harry as he was also put into Gryffindor.

Who are you Lily Potter?

"Welcome to your first History of Magic lesson. This subject covers events in the Wizarding world, from early history through to more recent history. We shall cover events such as the Goblin Rebellions, the rise of the dark lords and those who defeated them, including people like Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley and others."

With the mention of the last two names, looks were sent at both her son and the other girl. Hermione ignored them and continued to talk about the subject and test the student's knowledge on it. This could prove to be a very interesting year.

"Just who is Lily Potter Minerva?" Even after teaching for five years Hermione was getting used to the informal way of addressing the headmaster.

"I want to know. Harry and Ginny were my friends and if one of them survived the other might have..."

"You will find out tomorrow morning with the other teachers. Our new transfiguration and charms teachers need to join us first before I can explain everything."

Hermione could tell that she was been steered away from the topic and let it drop. She wondered if Harry had had the same frustrations dealing with Dumbledore.

"Why did it take them so long to get here? I thought they would have been here before the school term started."

'There were issues getting them to move back to England. Also their family is coming with them so we had to make arraignments for that as well."

Hermione just nodded and left. She knew when to cut her losses and run.

All the teachers were gathered in the staff room, chatting and sipping cups of tea to wake themselves up. It would be a few hours before breakfast would be served and many of the teachers had slipped into the kitchens for something to nibble on as well.

Professor McGonagall entered the room, trailed by two others. There were obviously the new teachers. The other teachers ignored them for now, content in their chatting, but Hermione began to size them up. They were both shorter than her, wore plain black robes, hats and identical wedding bands. They were both slim, but Hermione could tell that they were strong. The male half had untidy black hair, and green eyes which shone slightly with hidden power, while the female had glowing red hair which was done in a braid that ran down to the top of her legs, and freckles across her nose. Hermione's jaw almost dropped as she realized who they were.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and conversation stopped. Everyone turned and faced the three newcomers.

"I could like to introduce to you our new professors. Harry and Virginia Potter."

"HARRY...GINNY," Hermione screamed running up to them and grabbing them both in a hug. Sirius was not far behind her.

" Hermione, Sirius, little air please." Hermione and Sirius released them from their hugs.

'But you both died in the final battle against Voldemort. Dumbledore told us so.

"A lot of what Dumbledore says has to be viewed from the correct point of view. To many, it was better that we did just disappear and make it look like we died."

'Then Lily is your daughter."

"Yes. We were told she was made a Gryffindor just like her parents. Any chance of going up and seeing her before breakfast?"

Professor McGonagall broke into the conversation, reminding them that there were others present. After a quick round of introductions, Harry and Ginny both left the staff room heading for Gryffindor tower to see their daughter.

Hermione was once again sitting at the staff table. She smiled sadly as she watched Harry carry his daughter into the Great Hall on his shoulders. Owls had already gone out to the rest of the Weasley clan telling them the news. Plans would already be underway to welcome Ginny and her husband home. Their appearance had lifted some of the weight from her heart. She could join in the laughter with some of the other teachers without been reminded of what she had lost. Lily Potter jumped down from her father's shoulders and Ginny joined Harry as the walked to the staff table arm in arm. Hermione's happiness was tinged with grief as she remembered Ron, and how happy he would have been to see this. What it was like to have one who loved you, and who you loved. Her smile dimmed with these memories. She brushed them away quickly before more memories came, but still she got a few. The pain Harry suffered with each Death Eater attack, the loss of Hagrid and others who had been friends. He deserved the happiness been with Ginny bought him. Hermione just wished she could forgive him for the pain he had caused her.

Professor McGonagall entered the Hall and made her way to her chair. She waited for the stragglers to enter the Hall and sit down before announcing the two new teachers.

"I would like to introduce to you our new transfiguration and charms teachers. Professors Harry and Virginia Potter."

Hermione stood outside the Burrow watching the children play. The eldest were in their fifth year at Hogwarts, the youngest were just crawling. They were a riot of color and red hair.

The Adults were similar. Arthur Weasley had finally lost the last of his hair and was completely bald, and Molly Weasley had at long last turned gray. It was like one big constantly changing group as people went to get things and checking of children. Angelina and Katie joked with their Husbands Fred and George, how they kept them straight Hermione could only guess. Penelope talked with Colleen, while their husbands Percy and Bill were obviously having another low-grade argument over something. Martha, Bills wife was talking quietly with her Husband. Harry and Ginny moved through the group, stopping to talk with people. Everyone seemed happy, so Hermione slipped away, moving to a quiet spot in the garden. There were seventeen children, and they could easily look after themselves for a while.

Two people joined her, one walking up on either side. Harry and Ginny.

"I'm not sure how you feel Hermione. That worries me. We used to be able to understand each others feelings."

"How do you think I should feel Harry? Everyone said you were dead. Even when the last of the Death Eaters were put away you didn't try contacting us. You didn't show up for any of the weddings, or Ron's funeral. Why didn't you trust us?"

"It wasn't my choice to make. It took two years just to heal the physical scars that Voldemort left. It was another two before we could face anyone but ourselves again. Even then, we were forced to keep run when Voldemorts supporters came to close. After seven years it was just too hard to face you all again. We had become accustomed to hiding from the world. And the world was better for it. Even visiting Ron's and my parents graves was dangerous."

"You must believe us Hermione, we didn't do any of this to hurt anyone. We just wanted to protect those we loved." Ginny spoke with years of calmness, cooling the fire in Hermione's chest.

"Come one. Let's go back to the party. We can all begin learning to live again."