Turning Time

"Hermione," Ron asked suspiciously. "What's that?"

As Ron and Harry approached the table in the common room where Hermione was doing homework, she hastily shoved the chain around her neck into her blouse.

"Nothing," Hermione replied, although her reddening cheeks gave her away. "Just a necklace Mum gave me for my birthday."

"Your mum gave you a book for your birthday," Ron contradicted. "I remember you telling me about it."

Without further ado, Ron reached over and grabbed an end of the chain, pulling the necklace out from Hermione's blouse.

"Not again," he groaned, staring at the pendant dangling from the chain. "Where in Godric's name did you get another Time Turner?"

"McGonagall," Hermione said, snatching the pendant back from Ron. "It's sixth year, and I have all these N.E.W.T. preparation classes that I need to take."

"You haven't learned your lesson from third year?" Ron chastised. "I don't want you exhausted like that ever again."

"Aw, look Hermione, he does care," Ginny chirped, joining their little powwow. "What's going on?"

"Hermione has a Time Turner again," Harry informed her.

"Wicked," Ginny said, a mischievous smile lighting her features. "Can I play with it?"

"Ginny, it's not a toy," Hermione said. "We can't go gallivanting through the space-time continuum."

"Why not?" Ginny said.

"We could cause havoc," Hermione said. "It wouldn't be safe."

"I don't know why you get to have all the fun," Ginny grumbled. "Can't we take it once? I just want to go for a ride."

Hermione looked stern, and they could tell she was on the verge of putting it away and never mentioning it again.

So, calling out the heavy artillery, Ron gave her a lopsided smirk. "Please?" he said. "It'll be fun, and it'll take our minds off everything that's going on. We could all use a bit of fun."

Ron had no idea why he was better at convincing Hermione to do things that were against the rules, but he took advantage of it nonetheless.

"Fine," she said. "We'll take one trip, all of us together. And if any of you tell anyone about this I'll hex you into oblivion."

"Agreed," Ginny said. "Are we going to do it right here?"

"Come on," Hermione said, getting up from the table, walking up the stairs, and entering the empty sixth year boys' dormitory with the other three on her heels. "Where do you want to go? The past or the future?"

"The past," Harry said. Everyone looked at him. They always made him hang out with them, but he never said much anymore. "I want to see my parents."

Hermione nodded. "We can do that. So, let's see...subtract your age, add five years, that'll be twenty-one years, give or take. They'll still be at school; sixth year, minus or plus." She wiggled a few knobs. "Alright, everyone come here and grab hold of me."

Ginny and Harry each took one of her arms, and Ron put his hands on her shoulders. She turned a knob and they disappeared.

They reappeared in the sixth year boys' dormitory, circa the late 70's. They hadn't thought this fully through, so the room was occupied.

"Godric, James," a voice they all recognized with a start said. "When did you come in? And who are the girls?"

They all looked over to see a sixteen-year-old Sirius Black hunched over an essay. He had briefly looked up at them, but had managed not to notice the fact that they'd just appeared in his room out of thin air.

"What are you on about, Padfoot?" came a voice none but Harry recognized, as James Potter himself walked in from the loo. He caught sight of Harry and froze.

"Do I know you?" he said. "You...you look just like me. Padfoot, did you let these people in here?"

"No, he didn't," came a voice from one of the beds. They all looked over to see Peter Pettigrew sitting on his bed, eating a chocolate frog. "They Apparated in here."

"I've told you a million times, Wormtail," came the exasperated voice of Remus Lupin, who was sitting cross-legged on his bed reading a thick book. "You can't apparate at Hogwarts."

"Professor Lupin?" Ginny said in astonishment, causing all the Marauders to look at her in confusion.

"Um, I'm not a professor," Remus said.

"You will be," Sirius predicted. "You'll wear sweater vests and perfect your disapproving frown whilst lecturing students on the importance of reading Hogwarts; A History at least a dozen times."

Remus shot him a glare. "I've only read it eight times, Sirius."

"Sirius," came an annoyed female voice from the other side of the door. "What did you do to Lily?"

"It wasn't me, Alice," Sirius called innocently, fooling no one. Alice walked into the dormitory, fixing her rather formidable glare on Sirius.

"It's Neville's mum!" Ron said in surprise.

Alice looked over at him and cocked an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"Um...I'm..." Ron stuttered.

"Friend of yours, cousin?" Alice said, looking back at Sirius.

"Neville's related to Sirius," Hermione said, with the air of someone who'd just realized something she should have realized before. Hermione has that air a lot.

"And that means he's related to Draco," Ginny added. "Oh, Neville's going to love this."

"No, they're not friends of mine," Sirius said. "We were just trying to figure out who they were when you traipsed in here like you own the place, Alice."

"Cripes, stop the one that looks like me," James yelled. "He's after Peter!"

Ron grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him back. "You can't mess with this, Harry," Ron said. "You don't know what can happen."

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Hermione said worriedly, glancing at Harry who was still throwing glares in Peter's direction.

"What is going on in here?" came yet another annoyed female voice, as an irate girl with green skin stomped into the room. The Marauders burst into laugher.

"I like that look on you, Evans," James commented. "Brings out your eyes."

"I'll deal with you later," Lily promised venomously. "But who are these people? Relations of yours, Potter?"

"Never seen any of them before in my life," James said, and now everyone was staring at the four time travelers.

"Don't give me that bull, Potter," Lily said. "That one looks just like you." She pointed at Harry. "What's your name?"

"Erm...Harry," Harry said. He felt it would be safe to give his first name.

"But...Lily," Alice said, advancing on Harry with confusion evident on her face. "He's got your eyes."

Lily walked over and examined him closely. "They are my eyes. Coincidence, I'm sure." She looked at James. "Unless we're related and didn't know it, because you can't tell me this kid isn't a cousin of yours or something."

"I knew this wasn't a good idea," Hermione moaned. "We had better go. Grab hold, everyone."

Harry, Ginny and Ron took hold of her again, she hastily turned a knob, and they all disappeared.

"That was weird," Peter commented. "I thought you can't apparate at Hogwarts, Moony."

"You can't," Remus said slowly. "And why did that Harry fellow look like James?"

James shrugged. "You got me. Unless I end up marrying Lily, and he's really our son in the future who's time traveling with his friends."

"Impossible," Lily said.

"Actually," Remus put in, "there are several ways a person can travel through time magically."

"No," Lily said, "I meant I'd never marry James."

*

"That was the worst plan we've ever had," Hermione groaned, sitting down on one of the beds. "Why did I let you talk me in to this, Ron?"

Ginny looked as if she'd like to answer that, but kept her mouth shut.

"I'm starving," Ron said, changing the subject. "C'mon, Harry, let's go down to the kitchens before curfew."

"We'll all go," Ginny said abruptly.

Harry was silent as they walked down the stairs and out of the common room, and the others kept throwing worried glances at him.

Their attention was diverted, however, when they ran into Lily in the hallway.

"Lily?" Ginny asked in surprise.

"Yes," she said, looking at them all in confusion. "Who are you?"

"Hermione, did you do that thing right?" Ron asked, pointing at the Time Turner that was still hanging from her neck.

"We disappeared," Hermione said. "I had to have done it right." She began examining the device, trying to see where exactly she went wrong.

"Is there something wrong?" Lily said. "Can I help?"

"You don't remember us?" Ron asked.

"No," she said. "Have I met you before?"

"I'm not sure," Ron said. He pointed at Harry. "Who does he remind you of?"

Lily looked at him thoughtfully. "He reminds me of my brother, Sirius."

"Wait a second," Ginny said. "You have a brother named Sirius? We're talking about James Potter here, that's who he looks like."

"I don't know any James Potters," Lily said. "I know a James Weasley, he's my cousin. No James Potter, unless you count my grandfather."

"I did it wrong," Hermione pronounced. "I turned this yellow knob instead of this gold one."

"Well, what exactly does that mean for us?" Ron asked.

"We're in the future," Hermione said.

"You're where?" Lily asked.

Hermione held up the Time Turner in explanation.

"Oh," Lily said with a laugh. "From the past, right? Dad told me this story!"

"What story?" asked a boy who looked exactly like Harry, but with brown eyes, walked up to stand beside Lily.

"The one where everyone got transported to the future, remember?" Lily said, elbowing her brother. "When Aunt Hermione messed up the Time Turner."

"What?" Hermione said. Being the smartest, she'd started to put together the pieces.

"That's not your mum's hair, Harry," Ginny said suddenly, looking at Lily. "It's lighter."

Ron burst out laughing. "That's Weasley hair, that is!"

As they all grasped the implications of this, Ginny and Harry looked at each other in surprise. Lily and Sirius were beaming at them.

"I wouldn't be so quick to laugh, Ron," Ginny said. "Notice they said...Aunt Hermione. Since Harry has no siblings, the only way Hermione could be their aunt is if she married one of my brothers."

Ron broke off in mid-snicker, looking at Hermione as if she'd grown an extra head.

"What's going on?" asked another boy, also with the Weasley hair, as he approached them in the hallway.

"James, you've almost missed it," Lily said excitedly. "It's the story."

"It is?" James said, turning to beam at the time travelers. "We've been expecting you."

By now, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were all practically reeling from the shock they'd received.

"You know, they're kind of normal at sixteen," Sirius mused. "Not all...old and stuff."

"I'm going to remember that," Harry warned. "You'll pay for that later. You know, when you're actually born."

"Harry," Ginny said indignantly. "Who gave you permission to punish our children?"

"Well, I am their father," Harry said, glaring at her.

"They aren't even born yet and you're already being mean to them," Ginny chastised. A very fake throat-clearing from the general direction of Ron brought them back to sense.

"You two," Ron said, grinning at them, "were just arguing about your children."

Ginny rolled her eyes heavenward. "Ron, it's a bit useless teasing us about fancying each other at this precise moment. These would be our children, in case you didn't notice."

"I'm not your child," James said indignantly. "I'm their child," he added, pointing at Ron and Hermione. "Wow, Mum, you never told me you were this pretty at sixteen."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks, James."

"So, Jimmy boy," Ginny said, throwing an arm around her future nephew. "How's your dear Aunt Ginny lately?"

"She snuck off with Uncle Fred and Uncle George the last day of summer break," James said. "Before we knew it, all of us were up to our ears in dung bombs."

"Whoo, I've still got it!" Ginny said joyfully. "Two children and I'm still the Prank Queen!"

"Four," Lily corrected. Ginny stopped her exultations and stared at her. "You've got ten year old twins at home," Lily explained.

"I'm still the Prank Queen!" Ginny yelled again. "Godric, I must be...what...thirty-seven. That's old."

"Don't forget, you're married to Harry," Hermione said, grinning evilly at Ginny.

Ginny promptly walked over to Harry and clapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me if I don't jump into your arms, Harry dear. I'd like to enjoy my youth, you know."

"Dear?" Harry echoed amusedly, looking down at her with a smile.

"Can I call you dear?" Ginny said teasingly. "Or how about shnookums? Honey bun? Sweetheart? What do you think, darling? This marriage is a partnership, after all."

"Ginny, we're not even married yet," Harry said.

"Yet," Ginny repeated. "Oh, I like the sound of that..."

"You are way too happy about all of this," Ron accused.

"Like you aren't restraining yourself from jumping for joy," Ginny said scathingly. "Everyone knows you fancy Hermione."

Hermione looked startled at this, some might even say she was surprised. "Ron, you fancy me?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Hermione, have you not been listening? We're going to get married. Of course I fancy you."

"Was that a proposal, Dad?" James asked excitedly. "Not many kids can say they got to witness the moment their parents got engaged."

"No, it was not a proposal," Ron said in a put upon voice. "And stop calling me Dad, it creeps me out."

"It's a habit, Ron," Hermione said exasperatedly. "Don't blame the kid. It's not his fault you're his father. Prat that you are."

"How can you say that?" Ron asked in mock sorrow. "After all we've been through together, I thought you loved me."

"Maybe I'll run off and marry Draco Malfoy," Hermione mused.

"Then I won't exist," James argued. "Do you want me to not exist? Come on, how can you resist this face?" He pouted at her.

"Now I'm sure that I didn't let you get away with that when you were younger," Hermione scolded. "I'm not letting you get away with it now that you're sixteen years old, James Percival Weasley."

Everyone stared at her.

"How do you know his middle name already?" Ron asked slowly.

Hermione shrugged. "I dunno, it sounded like something I would name my kid."

"Mum's always been a bit batty," James said, using his finger to trace circles in the air next to his left ear. "At least that's what you say, Dad."

"Ron," Hermione shot at him. "Have you been making fun of me to our son?"

"I don't know yet!" Ron said helplessly.

Hermione huffed a bit, but let the subject drop.

"You guys are kind of funny," Lily said. "I mean, in a weird sort of way."

"Sorry," Ginny said. "It's just...you're our children. It's kind of weird."

"I can understand," Lily said. "Oh, cripes. Here comes Malfoy."

"Hello," drawled a familiar sounding voice. The time travelers turned to see Draco Malfoy walking towards them. But that was impossible...this was the future.

"Draco?" Ginny said with a frown.

"Orien," he corrected. "Draco is my father. And you are a pretty little crumpet, darling. I didn't catch your name, what was it?"

Ginny closed her eyes in horror. "Malfoy's son is flirting with me. This must be what hell is like!"

Orien looked confused, then turned to frown at Lily. "Potter, what's going on?"

"That'd be my mother," Lily explained. "I am so never letting you live this down."

"But no one told me it was that story!" Orien protested. "If Mr. Potter has not told this story a hundred times, I'll eat my shoe."

"Wait, time out here!" Ron yelled. "You're friends with a Malfoy, James?"

"Yeah," James said, as if it should be obvious. "His dad and Aunt Ginny had an affair, of course we're friends."

Ginny sank to the ground, too far past horrified for facial expressions. "I was wrong," she said hollowly. "This is hell."

"You had an affair with Malfoy?" Ron demanded indignantly. "How could you, Ginny?"

Ginny shook her head weakly. "I...I dunno..."

"You cheated on me," Harry said in hurt tones. "I feel so used."

"I haven't even cheated on you yet," Ginny said. "How can you feel used?"

"But now I know that you did it," Harry said. "I'll never trust you. How can we get married?"

"There you are, my little snippet of cuteness," a slightly Italian accented voice said as it's owner bent down to help Ginny off the floor. Such was her shock that she didn't protest when he dropped a brief kiss on her lips.

Then he stopped, did a double take, and stared at her. "I am so sorry," he said, and sounded as if he meant it. "You're not Lily."

"Over here, Adrian," Lily said. "That's my mother."

"Hello, love," Adrian said, walking over and wrapping an arm about her waist. "You're mother is very young looking. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Potter. I'm Adrian Zabini."

"Ginevra Molly Weasley Potter," Harry said, nodding his head. "That doesn't sound half bad, Ginny."

"No, it really doesn't," Ginny said musingly.

"Except for that bit where you cheated on me with Malfoy," Harry said.

Adrian looked surprised. "What?"

"Long story, Adrian," Lily said.

"Our parents have gone forward in time from the past, and so their sixteen year old selves are here now," Sirius said. "They've just discovered that they're all going to be married."

"Apparently not that long a story," Adrian said.

Harry was glowering at Adrian. "So, you're dating my daughter, eh?"

Adrian gulped. "Yes, sir."

"What are your intentions towards her?" Harry snapped.

"Stop it, Harry," Ginny admonished. "Lily's mature enough to decide who she's going to date."

"But he's Zabini's child!" Harry protested. "Need I remind you of his father's reputation?"

"Well, you're not exactly spotless yourself," Adrian snapped. "What with that big to-do over your affair with Hermione and all."

Ron looked murderous. "You did what with Hermione, Harry?"

"I don't know!" Harry pleaded desperately.

"They had an affair," Adrian supplied helpfully. "Right under your nose, too, Mr. Weasley."

Ron advanced on Harry with Killing Curses in his eyes. "I thought you were my friend, Harry!"

"Ron, don't kill him," Ginny pleaded. "I've got to marry him and then sleep with Malfoy!"

Harry, in his turn, glared at her.

"Maybe that was the wrong thing to say," Ginny said hastily.

"Ron, come to your senses," Hermione snapped. "Would I ever have an affair with Harry? I love you!"

Ron gaped at her. "Really?"

"Well, Malfoy is really cute," Hermione said. "And Zabini's not that bad, either. But, yeah, I love you."

Ginny fainted.

*

She woke up in her own dormitories. Not knowing whether Harry was still in one piece or not, she pulled on her clothes and rushed down to the common room.

As it was a Saturday, the three people she was looking for were at one of the tables, their heads together over some project or another.

"Oh, you didn't kill Harry," Ginny said in a relieved voice. "Ron, you have to listen to Hermione, they'd never do that!"

"What are you on about?" Ron said, looking at Ginny worriedly. "Are you coming down with something?"

Ginny looked at Harry and Hermione, who were looking curious. Then it hit her.

"You...don't remember?" she asked timidly.

"Remember what?" Harry asked.

"The...the Weasley hair...and Orien...and...and Jimmy Weasley, and the twins!" she finished. "And Blaise Zabini's ridiculously good-looking son," she added.

The other three's eyebrows shot up in unison.

"Ginny, I think you had a weird dream," Hermione said carefully.

Ginny sank heavily into a chair. "Oh, thank goodness. I knew I wouldn't cheat on Harry with Malfoy!"

Harry choked on nothing, and had to be thumped on the back vigorously by Ron before he regained use of his lungs.

"You...what?" Harry asked.

Ginny shook her head. "Never mind. Hermione, you aren't using that Time Turner again, are you?"

"No," Hermione said indignantly. "I learned my lesson from third year, thank you very much."

Ginny nodded. "Good."

"So, tell us a bit about this dream," Ron said.

"You don't want to hear it," Ginny predicted.

"Sure I do," Ron said.

"You want me to sum up?" Ginny offered, a smug look on her face. "We met our children. My lovely daughter Lily kept referring to her Aunt Hermione until I put the pieces together."

Ron stared at Hermione as if she'd grown an extra head.

"And then Harry and I started arguing about proper punishments for our children," Ginny continued. "Then Zabini's son called me a 'little snippet of cuteness.' And then I had a torrid affair with Malfoy, and Harry had one with Hermione."

Harry looked vaguely disturbed.

Ron looked like he was barely restraining himself from killing Harry.

Ginny smiled, reassured that some things hold true in both worlds, dreaming and real.