Prologue

"It must be done, Severus."

Professor Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape stood on either side of the Pensieve, trying to persuade the other to reason.

"It's foolish, Albus," Snape retorted vehemently. "Sending students off into the delicate flow of time into a century that is farther than we have ever before attempted."

Dumbledore shook his head. "I have confidence that this will all turn out according to plan."

Severus rolled his eyes. "What plan?"

"That, I cannot tell you."

"But you can entrust it to a handful of students?!"

Dumbledore smiled, "I shall only entrust it to eight."

Snape sighed and shook his head, "I wonder which ones." He stated flatly.

Dumbledore walked around the Pensieve to place a firm hand on Snape's shoulder. ""I know what I'm doing, Severus. Voldemort has hidden something within the flow of time; something that will enable his downfall."

Severus turned his head away, "but you cannot tell me what it is."

"You will find out soon enough…when Harry discovers it." Then Dumbledore chuckled merrily, "No don't worry, I'm just being humorous. All shall be explained to you as well, Severus."

Severus felt frustration brew within his chest as he turned to stare into the 'wise' eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

"Albus please, I beg of you to see reason."

Dumbledore smiled, "This is within reason, Severus. I assure you."

Snape shook his head, "No, Albus, no. Sending adolescents through time, unaccompanied, to retrieve one of the Dark Lord's most valued possessions is not reasonable."

"I won't be sending them alone." Dumbledore defended.

"What?"

"You will go with them."

Severus Snape sighed, "of course I am." He said with bitter humor.

Dumbledore smiled and then walked over to his desk. "Good. It's all settled then."

Snape rolled his eyes then walked over to stand across from the elated Headmaster. "Which students are going?"

"Well…" started Dumbledore as he sat in his chair, "the eight students whom have proved most fit to embark upon such a journey, will be the ones to go."

Silence ensued as Dumbledore simply stared down at his wrinkled hands and Snape gazed down upon his aged form expectantly.

After several long moments Snape's expectancy faded into annoyance, "…and who are they?"

As if awoken from a deep slumber, Dumbledore drifted back into the conscious world. "Oh! Yes. Uhm…the ones who will go are as follows…" he took from hi desk a list and began to read the destined names of the chosen few.

"Harry Potter, for his apparent leadership skills; Hermione Granger, for her keen intelligence; Neville Longbottom, for his firm loyalty; Ginny Weasely, for her mastery of spells and jinxes-"

He was suddenly cut off by the exasperated remark of Snape. "All Gryffindors then is it? How astonish-"

"Severus, please, I haven't finished."

Snape rolled his eyes and Dumbledore cleared his throat thoroughly before reading the remaining three names.

"Luna Lovegood, for her excellent resourcefulness; Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Draco Malfoy."

He smiled up at Severus, who shook his head, then folded th piece of parchment and placed it in his desk.

"Do they know yet?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "No. I plan to tell them tomorrow morning. I shall call them in to explain it."

Severus nodded. "Alright then, I suppose it's settled. Although I still think that it is a ridiculous idea."

Dumbledore only smiled, "I know what it is you feel, Severus, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would not continue to bother expressing it, for I will not be swayed."

Snape nodded, "I know."

"I will go into fuller details with you tomorrow, Severus."

Snape nodded, and then turned to leave the room. "Goodnight, Albus."