Minnie Ranger Snape

January 15th, 1978

Dear Harry and Ron,

Today was the strangest day of my life. You'll never guess where I am! Well. . . if you read the date you probably actually can tell WHEN I am. That's right. I'm in the past. . . well to me it is the present. It is all very confusing I must admit. I do think I will spend some quality time in the library during my stay here trying to research this strange predicament.

After Neville's potion spilled all over me, I felt the world start spinning around me, and then I landed on a hard stone surface. Hearing gasps all around me; I slowly lifted my head and peered around. To my surprise, I didn't see anyone I recognized, so I became extremely confused. Fearing that some dark magic was at work - I know, Ron, you're going to think I am so paranoid - I said quickly, "I must see the headmaster."

I didn't realize at that moment how lucky I was that I said that instead of something along the lines of 'where the hell am I and who are you?' The teacher, I now know that her name is Professor Foster, was glancing at me suspiciously, but ordered one of the students in the class - a third year Hufflepuff boy named 'Dirst' - to lead me to the headmaster's office. Foster is the potions professor who Snape learned under, can you imagine? But I am already beginning to see where he got some of his tactics from. She is Slytherin through and through. Obviously scared, Dirst led me to Dumbledore's office.

Walking through the halls, I became even more confused. I was thinking 'what kind of potion could that have been? Have I been sent to an alternate universe version of Hogwarts?' For the halls through which Barry Dirst led me definitely belonged to those of Hogwarts. My mind was reeling in circles, and part of me wanted to just race to the library to research the situation. But I managed to restrain myself. Ronald Weasley stop laughing RIGHT NOW!

When we got to the stone gargoyle, I remembered what you said about Dumbledore's obsession with his passwords ascertaining to candy, so I started rattling off names of all of the different kinds of candy I could think of, muggle or wizard. Barry thought I was crazy, but his look of slight trepidation quickly transformed into one of admiration when, after 'Gobstopers,' the gargoyle sprang aside just as you described Harry. He left me there and I mounted the steps with a slight feeling of apprehension.

When I reached the great oak door, I knocked nervously. Dumbledore told me to come in, so I did, closing the door behind me. He looked at me curiously, but didn't say anything; just sat there, waiting for me to make the first move.

"Err. . . hello," I said nervously, glancing at him for a fleeting moment and then looking back at the floor, shifting from one foot to the other.

"Hello," he replied.

"Err... my name is Hermione Granger, and, well. . . could I ask you something?"

"Of course my dear," he replied, still in that polite tone.

"What year is it?" I asked, not looking at him as I voiced my worries.

His eyebrow rose ever so slightly, but he replied calmly, "1978."

"Err. . . well. . . that complicates things I suppose," I said, sighing in resignation, "you see, I come from year 1996, where I am the Gryffindor Head Girl, and during an accident in potions, I was somehow sent back in time." I said the last bit extremely quickly, only looking at him when I had finished.

"Ahh. . ." said Dumbledore, gazing at me thoughtfully, "yes, that does present something of a problem, doesn't it Miss. . . err. . . Ranger was it?"

"Granger," I corrected immediately, before an idea popped into my head. "However," I began slowly, "unless you have the means by which to transport me home this instant, I will probably have to take on a false identity while I am here, so 'Ranger,' is not such a bad idea." I looked at him, hoping that he would tell me not to worry about all that, he had a special potion or spell designed especially for these circumstances.

"Yes," he replied, "I suppose you will have to do that. You see, of all of the unusual events that have taken place during my time as headmaster at this school, this is a first. But I assure you, I will do all I can to ensure that you get home. Give me a month."

"Of course Professor," I said, trying to mask my disappointment, "I understand. But what will I do while I'm here? Will I pretend to be an exchange student? Because you obviously can not tell the entire student population the truth about my background."

"You are absolutely right, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "I must caution you: DO NOT reveal ANYTHING about the future to anyone while you are here. Yes, I think that an exchange student would be a good cover up story. Tell me Miss Granger, have you ever heard of the Wandminster Abbey School? It is an extremely small wizarding school that is extremely exclusive in who it allows in. . . No, my dear, I do not mean exclusive because of the purity of its scholars' blood, but because it only admits witches and wizards who are extremely dedicated to their work. You mentioned that you are/will be head girl, so I am assuming that you are dedicated to your studies. You will pretend to have come from there."

I nodded, sighing inwardly. This wasn't some sort of information I could memorize out of a book. I would need to dedicate myself to the acting aspect of it. And as you two very well know, my abilities when it comes to anything that doesn't have set guidelines, - I will NEVER understand why you didn't drop divination - I have very little practice or ability.

"Very well. Now that that's settled, I am going to have to announce to the student body tonight at dinner that we have a new student in our midst. Until then I suggest you make yourself at home in Gryffindor Tower. I am assuming, judging by the Gryffindor insignia on your robes that you know how to get there?"

"Of course professor," I said, feeling slightly nervous, "But what about my supplies? And have we settled on what my name is to be?"

"Well, your new name must have some connection to your old one, so let me see. . . From Hermione Granger we can get. . . Minnie Ranger. Is that good?"

"Yes sir," I said quietly.

He smiled reassuringly at me and said, "And as to the status of your supplies, I assure you that by the time you reach Gryffindor tower everything you need will be there. The password is 'Marauder.'" And Harry and Ron, he was serious! I raised an eyebrow upon hearing the name and he shrugged saying, "Our Head Girl, Lily Evans, suggested it. Although I have a sneaky suspicion that it was really the idea of her four friends who tend to call themselves the Marauders."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I didn't say anything. Harry, he was talking about your parents! I just smiled slightly and said, "Of course. Thank you very much!"

"Not at all my dear, not at all. I dare say Miss Evans will be excited about your arrival. She has been the only Gryffindor girl in her year for the past seven years. Good day Miss Granger, I will see you later."

"Good afternoon," I replied, nodding slightly at him before rising and heading towards the door.

"And remember Minnie Ranger, the future MUST remain a secret. You must not give away even the smallest details, because that could create unwanted paradoxes."

"I know Professor, I was in possession of a time turner during my third year, and Professor McGonagall made sure I was well aware of the dangers of messing with time. Thanks again." And I left, my heart sinking in my chest.

*******

Guys, walking through those hallways that are so familiar yet so strange was one of the most trying experiences of my life. I saw many people of whom I knew many secrets that could not be divulged. Finally I arrived at the portrait hole, told the Fat Lady - who is not quite so fat now. I must say I was most surprised - the password. She looked at me strangely, obviously not recognizing me, but swung forward nonetheless.

The moment I stepped through the portrait hole, a group of four boys, who had been conversing quietly amongst themselves, immediately stopped talking and looked up. At the moment they were the only inhabitants of the common room, which, I might add, has not changed a bit.

The one with messy black hair and glasses said politely, "Can we help you?"

I just stared at him for a few seconds in wonder. He was / (is?) your father Harry! The similarities between the two of you are just breath taking. Finally I realized that my staring with my mouth hanging open was causing them to laugh, and so I snapped out of it. "Err. . . sorry. . ." I said awkwardly, "It's just that you look an awful lot like my friend from my. . . err. . . old school."

"Oh," said James, clearly uninterested now that he realized that I wasn't thinking how undeniably hot he was.

I opened my mouth to tell them who I was when a shriek was heard coming from the staircase that led up to the girls dorms. "I think she found it Prongs old buddy," said the grinning form of a younger Sirius. I felt like I was going to start crying as I gazed at him in wonder, but was quickly brought back to reality by the appearance of a girl with long red hair and startlingly green eyes.

She was red in the face, and stormed up to James and started yelling at him. "James Potter!" she shrieked, poking him in the chest, "Just because we are going out now does NOT give you ANY reason to do that!"

James just grinned at her and said "God Lily, can't you take a joke?"

"That was not funny you -" but she cut off as she realized that I was there. "Err. . . who are you?" she asked, clearly distracted.

"I was just going to ask the same thing," said the younger version of Remus Lupin calmly. The five of them had all turned their attention to me now, and were staring at me expectantly.

"Hi," I began lamely, "I am Minnie Ranger, and I'm an exchange student from Wandminster Abbey."

"Oh wow, isn't that supposed to be a really prestigious school?" Lily asked, completely forgetting about her fight with James.

"Err. . . yes," I said quickly. I really was not any good at this. I am sure that you two are laughing hysterically now, seeing as you have basically never seen me at a loss for words before. "It's a very good school. But I wanted to experience Hogwarts, which is much bigger and has a more pronounced reputation. So I am going to be here for about a month. The exact dates are not set yet."

"Oh," said Lily, clearly fascinated, "well welcome to Hogwarts! I am Lily Evans, and these four are -"

James cut her off, saying, "James Potter at your service. Also known as Prongs in intimate circles." I smiled at him, still not quite believing exactly how much you look like him Harry.

"Sirius Black," Sirius said dramatically, knocking James out of the way and kissing my hand as if I were the queen of England, "My friends call me Padfoot." I laughed at the kissing, and smiled slightly to myself at the stupidity of them introducing themselves to me.

"Hello, I am Remus Lupin. My nickname is Moony," Remus said in his quiet way. I smiled at him and said 'hi.'

"Peter Pettigrew," Wormtail said nervously, and it took all of my effort not to jump on him and strangle him. Oh Harry, I could prevent it all, but I can't. The world would be completely different if I did. Can you ever forgive me?

"Well. . . Minnie was it?" I nodded, "Let me give you a tour. This is the Gryffindor common room where we Gryffindors spend a lot of our free time, and it is also the room that leads up to all of the dormitories. Boys are that way," she pointed, "and girls are that way." She pointed again. "Do you know where you are sleeping yet?"

"All Professor Dumbledore said was that I would find all of my stuff here when I arrived. So maybe they are upstairs?"

"Well, let's go see," said Lily, smiling at me. Harry, you might look like your dad down to the last hair on your head, but your eyes are exact replicas of your mother's. I know you have been told this countless times, but I can't get over the fact. Lily led me upstairs to the very dorm that I have in the future, and said, "I am really glad that you're here. I mean, it's great to have your own room and all, but it gets lonely."

I smiled at her, and went over to the bed that had a trunk lying next to it and a pile of books on top and started rifling through my new stuff. Everything I needed was there, including an empty book: this book.

"I'm going to let you unpack and get settled, and then I'll come back and give you a tour, okay?" She asked, heading towards the door.

"Sounds great!" I said, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. So she left me there, and I quickly unpacked before pulling out this book and beginning to write. Whoops, Lily's back!

"Do you want to go then?" Lily is asking me, gesturing towards the door.

"Sure," I am saying. Boys, being shown around the place that has been my home for the past seven years will be so awkward! But I have to go. I'll see you in a month.

Love, Hermione