the_debt_of_time

"We got caught up in a fight," Mia explained. "I wasn't paying attention, and you
pulled me out of the way."
"Did this happen in the battle?" the older Remus inquired. "Why wasn't it treated?"
"I cleaned it myself," Hermione replied. "It'll heal naturally."
"Madam Pomfrey should have some Dittany back in the infirmary."
"No. I... I need it to scar. I need to remember."
"How long does the war last?"
"Longer than I care to talk about," Mia sadly admitted, her eyes filling with tears
again. "It stops for a time, but... Let's just keep going," she insisted as the scene changed
once more.
Instead of the dark Astronomy Tower, the images bled away into a large, light-filled
drawing room.
"I need you to stay calm and remember that I'm fine now, all right?" Mia said quickly,
turning to face Remus and reaching for his hand, squeezing it tight as though he might try
to make a run for it.
"Okay, I'll try," he promised, squeezing her hand back. He wondered if she needed
him for support, or if she was holding on to him to prevent him from panicking.
"Wait! All except for the Mudblood and Sirius. Keep the blood-traitor away from Potter."
Remus's green eyes flashed gold at the sight of a familiar black dog hovering in the
air, bound with magic. The girl he had come to recognise as Hermione was being
threatened, and she looked far too skinny, wearing clothes that looked as though they had
not been washed in some time. She looked like she had been chewed up by war. Innocent
and injured, and Remus realised that this was why his Mia was who she was—she had been
tempered by fire.
"Where did you get that sword?" Before Hermione could even answer the question, Padfoot began
kicking in mid-air, paws lashing out against his restraints, barking madly and growling as loudly as
possible. His barks echoed off of the marble floors and walls, nearly drowning out the screams of Hermione's
name coming from the opposite direction.
Remus could not place the voice.
"Take him to the other room while I deal with the girl. Can't get an answer out of her with him
making all that racket!"
A tall, blond woman spoke nervously as she stared at Hermione, "Bella, the girl.. ."