Hermione Granger's mind was never silent. Even in her dreams her mind continued to work. For her it was not unusual to work out more complex problems in regards to her schoolwork as she slept. This night, as the storm struck, she was deep within the Hogwarts world of her dreams.

Thunder drummed deeply within the earth and lightning lit the sky as heavy, dark clouds broke and allowed the rain to come down. Down in the dungeons of castle Hogwarts, the orange-yellow glow of torches aided in drawing the dampness that did its best to creep in.

Hermione had taken out her winter cloak, and she walked quickly and with a single minded purpose down the corridors to the Potions classroom. Taking the last turn, she stepped through the open doorway and paused to look around. Snape was a glowering, shadowy figure in this classroom, but Hermione had never seen the classroom as dark and sinister and something to be afraid of. Her view of the Potions classroom was warm and busy. The work table Snape taught from was neatly laid out with colorful ingredients being processed through a dazzling construct of glass, silver, copper and iron. A small cauldron sat over a fire and something bubbled steadily within. In her version of this classroom, there were more books available to her than there actually were in the real class. She went and selected a book and then took it to her customary seat.

"Good evening, Miss Granger." Hermione looked up and was surprised to see the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore." She smiled brightly and relaxed visibly. "I wasn't expecting you." Hermione was very glad to see the adult Dumbledore. She realized for the first time how much she'd missed him.

Dumbledore looked around before conjuring a chair for himself. "I believe Professor Snape could do with some decorating hints from you, Miss Granger. Quite a bit more inviting than I remember." He sat down across from her. "We've missed you, my dear. How are the boys?"

"They're doing rather well," she replied. "It's strange to see Draco getting along with Ron and Harry, though."

Dumbledore smiled. "I hold out the hope that those three will someday come to realize that they're not all that different from each other." Hermione nodded in agreement. "Tell me, my dear, how would you say our beloved Potions instructor is doing so far out of his element?"

"I think he's doing all right, sir, but he's frustrated. Partly with us, of course, but also with the lack of progress in our research. As am I." She leaned forward and stared down at the floor. "I had little hope in the wild portal on the third floor and Professor Snape has proved, to his own injury, that it is dangerous."

Dumbledore nodded and sighed. "The forbidden corridor was the subject of many stories when I was a student here at Hogwarts. I remember visiting the corridor after I became an instructor and discovered then that it was dying. I wonder now, do you think that Professor Snape's reveal spell is what began the decline of the corridor's wild magic?"

Hermione shrugged. "I suppose it's possible." She was silent for a long moment, so long that Dumbledore stood up and went to sit beside her.

"Tell me what is on your mind, my dear child."

"I'm afraid we'll never get back home and it will have been because I used a badly referenced Dispercio spell." Tears began to course down Hermione's cheeks. "It's all my fault!"

Dumbledore took a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed gently at her tears. "My dear child, of course it was not your fault!" He took one of her hands into his. "We are human and do our best to control the world around us, but there are times when we are unable to avoid our destiny. This was one time none of you had any control over what Destiny had decided long before you were born. All that you did was play your part."

Hermione leaned against the old man's side and he placed a comforting arm over her shoulder. "I wish I could believe that, Professor."

"Tis small comfort, I know, my dear girl."

A few more sniffles and tears passed, but soon Hermione put her fears to the side. She didn't leave the comfort of the headmaster's embrace, though. As grown up as she sometimes liked to think herself to be, she needed the comfort only an adult could bestow upon a child. "Have you any idea how we can get back, Professor?" Or if we'll get back, she didn't voice.

"I'm very glad you asked that, Hermione. I cannot tell you the precise solution, but a key component is here, in this time."

Hermione shifted slightly and looked up into the twinkling eyes of Dumbledore. "Can you tell me what the key is, then, sir?"

He chuckled softly. "Why myself, of course!"

"I don't understand, Professor." She frowned and glanced up into his eyes that were twinkling. She stared and slowly her mind bloomed connecting the dots. Hermione withdrew from Dumbledore's embrace. "You DO remember us then, don't you?"

"Yes I do and it's a good thing I do." Dumbledore could see Hermione's growing excitement and before she could launch into a dozen or more questions, he rose to his feet, pulled her to her feet and guided her to the middle of the classroom with him. "I know you'd love to spend the rest of the night solving this puzzle, my dear girl, but you really do need your rest." Taking out his wand, he flicked it lightly and clear sparks drifted outward causing the Potions classroom to fade away until the walls of her bedroom were back in place. Hermione climbed back into the soft bed and Dumbledore tucked her in. "Have patience, Miss Granger, you'll be home with us soon."

Hermione closed her eyes and the gears of her mind began to slow down until she was finally wrapped in the gentle arms of Somnus.