===February 19 1994===
"There you are, Cheshire." Hermione says as she walks into the Runes classroom with Harry right behind her.
"We tried to find you last weekend, but had no luck." Harry says.
"I was celebrating valentine's day with Mal." Cheshire says.
"Sounds like you two are doing good."
Cheshire blushes slightly. "Very good indeed."
"That might be too much information." Harry says.
Cheshire chuckles. "Fair enough. So what made you two want to do ancient runes to begin with?"
"I want to learn as much as possible." Hermione says.
Cheshire nods. "Mister Potter?"
"First off, call me Harry." He says, "and the deciding factor is this." He summons his sword and lays it on the podium.
Cheshire gasps. "This is absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of the sword that Godric Gryffindor wielded.
"That's because I'm his descendant." Harry says.
"I know, Mal told me."
"I'm not surprised." Harry chuckles.
"Oh, that reminds me!" Cheshire says. "Mal wanted me to give this to you Hermione." She hands Hermione a small box. "It's a new collar for Loki. She should be able to short-range teleport to you with this.
"Tell him I said thank you." Hermione says as she takes the box.
'I will." Cheshire says.
===March 12 1994===
Harry pulls out the Marauders Map and activates it. Hermione was half an hour late for their date. Not that they were going anywhere thanks to the dementors. It was unlike her to be late. So he quickly scans the map and finds her in the Room of Requirement.
He sighs as he closes the map and heads to the room. He enters the room and finds her asleep at the table. He shakes his head as he conjures a blanket and puts it over her.
"Sorry I'm late." A voice says behind him.
Harry sweeps around with his sword drawn only for it to hit Mugin. Once he realizes Hermione is standing there he allows his sword to vanish. "Mione, you scared the crap out of me!"
"Sorry," Hermione says. "I honestly didn't mean to. I just woke up and saw what time it was. I used the time turner to come back and found you here.
"Mione, I know what McGonagall said at the beginning of the year about the time you gain only benefits you. Look at yourself. You fell asleep reading. I had to use the map to find you. When's the last time you got more than 4 hours of sleep?"
"I'm assuming just now doesn't count?" Hermione asks.
"Not even close."
"I'm honestly not sure." Hermione says with a blush.
"That needs to change." Harry says. "You need to get yourself on a regular sleep schedule and use that thing less.
Hermione nods. "I've already dropped down to the number of classes to where I don't actually need it anymore."
"Then stop using it!"
Hermione nods. "You're right, this isn't me." She says as she watches her past self sleep. "I'll keep it for emergencies, but I'll stop using it...as much. There are a few other things I want to research before the end of the year.
Harry sighs. "I don't know."
"One four-hour time-shift a day." Hermione says. "Just until I finish my research, please?"
"Maybe I should just take that." Harry says.
"Please Harry, I promise I will make it up to you." Hermione pleads.
Harry nods. "Okay, only because I know this is important to you."
"I love you!" Hermione says as he kisses him.
Harry kisses her back. "I love you too, now let's go before we wake you."
===May 14 1994===
"Hey Babe," Hermione says as Harry walks down the stairs.
"Hey you," Harry says as he goes to her and kisses her. "Everything okay?"
Hermione nods. "I'm done with my research, so I'm going to give the time turner to Professor McGonagall."
Harry smiles. "You sure?"
Hermione nods. "Come with me so I don't chicken out?"
"Sure." Harry says. They head to McGonagall's office and knock.
"Enter!" McGonagall calls out and they enter her office. "Mister Potter, Miss Granger, what can I do for you?"
Hermione pulls the time turner off from around her neck. "I wanted to give this back. I'm on a regular class load now and don't need to anymore."
"You dropped those classes at the end of last semester." McGonagall says. "Why wait to give me the time turner now?"
"I was still using it to finish some time-sensitive research." Hermione says.
"Might I ask what?" McGonagall asks.
"If it's all the same I'd rather not say." Hermione answers.
"I won't force you, but remember my door is always open." McGonagall says.
"Thank you." Hermione says as she and Harry leave.
About an hour later a knock comes at her door. When she opens the door she sees Hermione. "Miss Granger, that was quick."
"I've already come by and given you the time turner then?" Hermione asks.
McGonagall nods. "Indeed."
"Good, then this conversation must go well." Hermione says.
"Is this about your research?" McGonagall asks.
Hermione nods. "I think I know how Voldemort survived that fateful Halloween."
"What have you stumbled upon?"
"I believe he created at least one horcrux." Hermione says. "In fact, I think the diary that Harry destroyed last year might have been one."
McGonagall gasps. "That's very dark magic. What led you to this conclusion?
"I've been researching different types of dark magic that could have given Harry his signature scar and his rare parseltongue ability." Hermione answers. "A soul fragment would explain that."
"Of course." McGonagall says. "Didn't he say he was getting headaches during your first year around Quirrel?" Hermione nods... "The presence of the primary soul could cause issues with the fragments."
"I believe that Voldemort accidentally left a fragment inside Harry." Hermione says.
"Aye, that would make sense."
"Do you know of a way to remove a piece of soul from something?" Hermione asks.
"Not without destroying the vessel." McGonagall says. "But this is a first, Harry's a living being and the fragment was put into him unwillingly."
"So something akin to an exorcism?" Hermione asks.
"Perhaps, but I fear it wouldn't be enough." McGonagall says sadly.
"So Harry's going to have to die so we can defeat Voldemort?" Hermione asks with tears in her eyes.
McGonagall hugs Hermione. "Not if I have anything to say about it, come on. I have an idea." She leads Hermione to the library.
Madam Pince sees them as soon as they walk in. "Professor, how can I help you?"
"We'll be accessing the restricted section." McGonagall answers and they all go into the roped-off section. She quickly goes over to one of the stacks and grabs a book. "Here's the one!"
"Professor!" Madam Pince exclaims. "I don't think that's appropriate for a third-year student."
"I think it is, she's getting married in July." McGonagall says as she puts the book down on the table.
Hermione blushes as she looks at the book titled: 'The Art and Practice of Sex Magic.' Featuring a naked man and women on the cover. "Sex Magic?" She squeaks.
McGonagall nods as she flips through the book. "Here it is, you can bind your soul to Harry's using this ritual. Doing so should force the piece of Voldemort's soul out."
"Will that destroy the soul fragment?" Hermione asks.
"I'd have a phylactery ready to contain it." McGonagall says. "Otherwise who knows what will happen."