"Dillgrout," whispered the seventh year Gryffindor prefect as the painting of the fat lady opened up like a door, revealing the Gryffindor common room. Walking through the corridors and up to the well-known painting of the fat lady, memories of previous years were brought back for each returning student. From youngest to oldest, they entered, looking about the room, their eyes marveling at new sights to see. Being exposed to everything Hogwarts had to offer for the sixth time, Hermione Granger was reminded of all the adventures she has endured in this school.

With a smile on her face, Hermione followed her three best friends into the Gryffindor common room, peering her eyes over the small heads of the new underclassmen. Her eyes met the golden walls and red couches that had been there since her first year, and a warm feeling filled her heart.

Making her way through the crowd of Gryffindors new and old, Hermione slowly walked up the stairs with her trunk in hand, parting ways with best friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, and on her way to the girl's sixth-year dormitory.

A smile rose to her face; she was truly happy to be safe and well educated inside the fantastic castle that is Hogwarts.

Accompanying Hermione to the dorms were fellow sixth years Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil. Although Hermione would never be as close with the girls as she was with the boys, she was still overjoyed to see them after the long summer holiday, and couldn't wait to share a room with them for the sixth year in a row. She gave each girl a hug, as the three of them were beaming with excitement to be back at Hogwarts.

While head of Gryffindor house Professor McGonagall corralled the first years, Lavender led the way to the dorm, equipped with four beds and more than enough room in the closets and cupboards for them to fill with whatever they pleased.

"Oh, it's so much bigger than last year's dorm!" Pavarti beamed with excitement.

"I know! Now I have enough room to store all of my extra textbooks and parchment," Hermione said proudly, happy as ever to be taking a handful of new, challenging classes this year. In response, Lavender and Pavarti gave a sarcastic yet funny eye-roll in her direction. But Hermione didn't mind. She did, however, keep the snarky comment about her being significantly smarter than the both of them to herself, for today, at least.

The three of them spent the next hour unpacking their belongings, talking about the summer holiday, and catching up with one another. Within the hour, Hermione, Pavarti, and Lavendar were called down to the common room with the rest of the Gryffindor house, where the same seventh-year prefect who had unlocked the painting announced that the opening dinner would be held now in the Great Hall.

The first years huddled together and shuffled through the halls closely behind the prefect, clueless as to where the Great Hall was located. Meanwhile, Hermione met up with Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and the group of four walked together, trailing behind the rest of the Gryffindors walking to the Great Hall.

Dinner was scrumptious. Harry and Ron couldn't stop shoving food into their mouths, while Ginny and Hermione politely ate their portions as usual. A slow tap on a wine glass got the attention of most of the students, as Albus Dumbledore was ready to give his annual pre-term speech.

"Very best of evenings to you all," Dumbledore started. Soon, the shouts became whispers, and the students drew their attention towards their well-respected headmaster.

He continued, "First off, Let me introduce the newest member of our staff: Horace Slughorn." Professor Slughorn then stood, and most of the students applauded as he waved to them. He didn't hold the same confidence that professors like McGonnogall did. Something about his timid wave led Hermione to think he wouldn't be the best teacher for such a talented witch as herself.

"Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post as Potions Master. Meanwhile, the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape," Dumbledore spoke. Scattered applause followed his comment, for obvious reasons. Anyone who wasn't a member of the Slytherin House was not generally liked by Snape, leading him to a reputation of being Hogwarts' most-hated teacher.

But Headmaster Dumbledore was unphased by this reaction and continued his speech, giving information about the darkness that is headed in Hogwarts' direction. Naturally, everyone remained quiet following his speech, until he gave the motion for the student body to go off to bed.

Soon, the Golden Trio, plus Ginny, walked out of the Great Hall together. Hermione was just minding her own business, until Filch grabbed her by the robes, and said in a dark voice, "The Headmaster wants to speak with you dear."

She gulped nervously, as anyone would, and slowly made her way over to where Dumbledore was sitting, across from his spot at the staff dinner table.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?" she asked in the most nervous of voices. Hermione couldn't possibly be in trouble. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet, at least.

"Ah yes, it's very important, Ms. Granger. Follow me to my office right away and we'll talk," he said in his calming, wise voice. Hopefully, it wasn't anything too serious. But that didn't stop Hermione from breaking a sweat.

After walking for what seemed like hours to Hermione, Dumbledore spoke, "Sherbet Lemon," and instantly, the stone door in front of them opened, revealing a moving circular staircase guarded by a stunning bronze Griffin.

Hermione followed Dumbledore and hopped onto the staircase, and soon, they were led to his office area. Dumbledore took his seat at his desk, and Hermione sat in a chair facing him.

"So what is it you wanted me for?" she asked with great suspicion, hoping it wasn't anything too serious.

"Yes, Hermione, I've chosen you out of all people to perform this task, as I take it you are the top of your class academically and have greatly demonstrated your bravery over the past six years at this school."

"Why, thank you, sir." Hermione nodded back in confusion; she didn't even know what she was chosen for yet.

Dumbledore got up from his desk chair and paced around the room for a quick minute or two. During his pacing, Dumbledore muttered paragraphs to himself, sounding rather cautious as to what he was about to say, leading Hermione to stay silent for a moment before questioning him.

"I hate to disrupt you sir, but what exactly did you choose me for?" she squeaked, hoping for a response without annoying the headmaster.

"Well, you still have that time turner I presume. From your third year?" he asked, with a hopeful look on his face.

"Why, yes," she answered in higher pitch, as if she were asking a question, not answering it.

Even though Hermione was top of her class, she stood with a baffled look on her face until Dumbledore spoke the sentence that would alter the rest of her sixth year:

"I need you to go back in time."

Hermione stared blankly at him, clueless and oblivious as to why he wanted Hermione to go back in time. She did her best to remain calm, even though the task of time-travel was neither specific, nor light.

"And why is that, sir?" Hermione gulped one last time.

"I need you to help prevent the deaths of Lily and James Potter."

Hermione nearly lost her breath. "I'm not sure if I heard you correctly, you want me to stop the deaths of Harry's parents?" she nearly yelled back at Dumbledore.

She had no idea how on earth she would going to be able to accomplish such a mission. Sure, Hermione had risked her life with Harry and Ron by her side, but completing a task of that severity, alone, would require a level of mental strength that Hermione didn't think she had. Dazed, Hermione almost tuned out Dumbledore's next statement.

"Oh, you heard correctly Granger. That's exactly what I want you to do," he so firmly replied.

A/N: thanks so much for reading through this first chapter! also, remember to vote if you enjoyed it! seeing the votes gives me the motivation to keep writing. anyways, have a great rest of your day, and swipe up for chapter 2! thanks y'all.

A/N UPDATE (6/9/20): guess who's actually editing for real this time?? me! just so you know, ive unpublished all of the unedited chapters, so you don't do a double-take as soon as my writing gets bad. thank you for 121K wowzy, that's a lot. i remember when i thought 500 reads was a lot. oh how the turn tables. also, i know time travel doesn't rly work like this but there would be no story without it, so just play along and pretend!! you'll like it. it gets good, i promise. -callahan