Through Her Eyes

Chapter 8: The Truth Revealed

"And...you just knew it was me? That's not possible,"

"You hold yerself different then most...like you've seen somthin' terrible,"

Hermione forced her eyes away from Aberforth, squeezing her eyes shut and ignoring the screaming and explosions echoing in her mind for a brief moment,

"I...have seen things, Mr. Dumbledore. But this, me being here, it's all impossible!"

Hermione went into great length about her experience, recalling every detail of her 7 previous years at Hogwarts as well as her untimely death. Similar to a floodgate, the words kept coming out of her mouth, spilling forth to a man who had given an underage witch a shot of smuggled Firewhiskey. At the end of her tirade - which somehow ended up on one Remus Lupin - Hermione was breathing hard.
A hard stone felt as though it had been dislodged from inside her chest, allowing Hermione to really breathe for the first time since her arrival a few weeks before. Holding Crookshanks tightly, Aberforth blinked tiredly. He held a new shot of brandy in one hand, offering Hermione another which she took down in a snap of the fingers.
Technically speaking she was of age, maybe just not in this timeline.

"Well now Miss Granger,"

Hermione was slightly alarmed by the name, not realizing how normal being a Black had become since her arrival. But she said nothing, as Aberforth looked to be contemplating something deeply,
"It seems to me you cheated Death 'imself. Now you hafta understand, Hermione, yer knowledge will get your killed if you ain't careful,"

Hermione lifted an eyebrow slightly,

"Killed?"

'Not that that hasn't already happened,' Hermione thought, snickering slightly to herself as Aberforth swirled his shot of whiskey and sighed a rattling sigh,

"You's must know by now that the Wizarding Would is at war? Maybe not as...er...obvious then where you come from. But a war none the less. The information you possess brings you great power - incredible reign on the outcome,"

"So," Hermione leaned forward slightly, a frown gracing her lips as she massaged her sore head again, "if anyone else knows I'm from the future, they'll use it against me to change the outcome of the war?"

Aberforth nodded, shooting down the rest of his alcohol and sighing thickly,
"So what do I do? I've already looked for ways to get back home. But even the most powerful Time Turner can't send me back permanently,"

"I think it's best if ye stay down low fer now. Don' trust nobody with what you jus' told me. As a member of the Order of the Phoenix, I'll keep yer secret-"

"You won't tell Albus...will you?" Hermione bit her lip nervously. Albus Dumbledore was a good man; but even in her own time had been horribly manipulative and sneaky. He would turn right round and use her as a weapon. And though it would be for the greater good - whatever Albus deemed 'greater good' anyway - she wasn't fond of being used,

"Nah, ma brother gets his big nose into things he shouldn't. Besides, we don' talk no more. I won't tell nobody, honest. Jus' be safe, aye kiddo? My brother will take advantage of ye whenever the chance permits. Keep on alert, oh, and keep that scruffy beast of yers away from ma wine cellar,"

Hermiome laughed lightly as Crookshanks made a noise of displeasure, glaring at Aberforth as he stood but nearly tipped over from drinking. Laughing again, Hermione got up from where she had been laying in the bed, wincing as her head ached,

"Surry bout the knock by the way," Aberforth stated guiltily, "lucky yer little elf friend was willin' to serve me patrons down at the bar. Woulda had a riot on my hands otherwise,"

"Quitz is here?"

There was a sharp crack in the room as the elf in question appeared and bowed,

"I go where my lady goes,"

Aberforth harrumphed a bit before leaving the room, stumbling down the stairs as Hermione smiled. This Aberforth was slightly less dower then the one she had met in her time, then again, she only knew him for about 15 minutes anyway,

"Quitz, what time is it?"

"A little after the 1st hour my lady,"

"Can you go find Lily and tell her where I am? I think I need to go lay down in the dorms for a bit,"

"Certainly,"

Quitz disappeared with another snap as Hermione sighed deeply, picking up Crookshanks whom was rolling around in the warm bedsheets,
"C'mon you trouble maker," she grunted, holding him in her arms as she descended into the bar. It had a lazy feel to it, the dust on the floor picking up in little spirals as Aberforth moved behind an ancient bar. The patrons were all snoozing away at the tables, while many nursed several glasses,

"I appreciate your help, Aberforth," Hermione stated, picking up the shot the man had set before her and raising his own,

"One for the road then?"

"To house and home. Bottoms up!"

The two drank, throwing their heads back and draining the sweet alcohol before placing the glasses back down on the counter. Aberforth smiled and took them for washing,

"Yer not a bad drinker, little miss. Come back with a few galleons and we'll drink to the stars,"

"I might just take you up on that, old man. Bye for now,"

Hermione stepped from the hazy warmth of the Hogs Head, stumbling slightly (from concussion or drunkenness Hermione couldn't really tell) and and leaning up against the doorframe. Before she could take in the late Winter air however, a figure was suddenly darting towards her,

"Hermione!"

Lily Evans engulfed Hermione in a friend hug. Glancing up, James Potter stood there as well, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided Hermione's questioning gaze,
"I was so worried when you disappeared. James and I went looking and we couldn't find you-"

"You were looking for me, Potter?"  Hermione questioned jokingly, lifting an eyebrow as James kicked at the snow,

"...'mm jus' helping Lily,"

"Anyway-Hermione? Is that-" Lily took a deep inhale and her eyes widened, "is that Firewhiskey on your breath? Good god are you drunk?"

James looked up curious at this as Hermione shifted Crookshanks under her cloak and shrugged half-heartedly,

"I...kinda fell. Whiskey is the best pain reliever,"

Lily snorted at this, ducking under Hermione's arm and lifting her up onto one shoulder,

"Stupid girl. Hey, is that a cat under your robes?"

At being addressed, Crookshanks popped his orange head from Hermione's collar, mewing loudly at the readhead as she sputtered with laughter,

"Hermione Black, you never cease to amaze me. Come on, I think we'll just skip Quidditch today for a nice nap in the dorms, huh? James, a little help please?"

Hermione felt her other arm being hoisted as Crookshanks rested in her inner most pocket, his warmth causing Hermione to become drowsy. She always had a surprisingly good retention for alcohol. But she was 16 again and certainly feeling the consequences of her actions,

'Well done, Hermione Black. Well done.'