the_debt_of_time

Remus had literally thrown her into an impossible situation. Just a few hours ago,
she had been home, celebrating her birthday with the most important people in her life.
Harry, Sirius, Ron, Remus, Tonks, Teddy, and the Weasleys. God, she would even be happy
to see Malfoy at this point! How was she supposed to follow Remus's instructions and live
her life? This was not her life.
Damn you, Remus.
"Do it. I don't have any other options."
"Very well," Madam Pomfrey agreed with a frown. "Have a seat on any bed. The
headmaster insists that you get some rest, and if you are serious about taking this potion,
you'll need to be lying down regardless. It can be a bit unsettling as it takes effect."
Hermione smiled kindly. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. It's nice to see a familia―"
She faltered, suddenly realising she was about to reveal the fact that she had known the
mediwitch in the future. Her brows furrowed. It was clearly going to take her some time
to adjust to everything.
"I understand, dear." Madam Pomfrey nodded with a wave of the parchment.
"Dumbledore explained in his letter. Not in much detail, mind you—he does like his
secrets—but I won't be asking questions. I know better than most not to go about
meddling with unfamiliar magic." She set down Dumbledore's note on the side table and
turned her full attention to Hermione. "Now, how old are you, dear?"
"Nineteen; just turned, actually," Hermione said as she sat on the edge of the bed,
taking a deep breath to steady her fraying nerves. She had planned to spend the rest of her
birthday reading her new books and then maybe having a late cup of tea before going to
bed. Now, she was here, planning to erase not only her most recent birthday but the seven
that came before it.
"All right, you'll need to drink this." Madam Pomfrey measured out a large portion
from the phial, pouring it into a small cup and handing it over to Hermione. "Take it
quickly; it tastes fairly awful, and the adjustments won't be comfortable by any standard,
but you can take a Sleeping Draught if you like, and you'll drift off before you feel a thing,"
she said, reaching for another small phial in the nearby cupboard.
Hermione worried her bottom lip between her teeth before hesitantly asking, "May
I... May I request the Dreamless Sleep Potion?"
"Are you familiar with it?"