In a world separate from our own, a dark-haired man snuck into a room that his companions usually tried to keep him away from. He smirked, knowing that they would be surprised at his newest idea. He bent over two books, muttering to himself every so often.
If one were to look at those two books, it would be quite the surprise that one was labeled 'Canon' and the other was labeled 'Dangerverse.'
"ALEXANDER SLYTHERIN!" shouted an angry female voice, "JUST WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE HARRY POTTER UNIVERSES!"
The man, Alex, winced at the sound. "I was just planning another, Weena," He called in hopes of deterring her from her wrath. Then, he groaned and let his head hit the books when he realized what he said. "3...2...1..." He mumbled.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME YOUNG MAN?" 'Weena' screamed, "If we weren't already dead, I'd kill you!"
"I'm sorry," Alex mumbled through the books, a hard task indeed.
"Calm down, Rowena, I want to hear his idea before you punish him," another woman inserted as they neared the room.
"At least he didn't call you Gaga, Helga!" Rowena steamed. Normally Rowena Ravenclaw did not get that angry about that nickname. After watching the final battle in the Canon universe, anyone would be on edge, however.
"Why don't you just calm down and hear what he has to say," a deep voice rumbled.
Rowena grumbled her assent. When she entered the room, she sent a glare towards Alex. He winced and slunk deeper into his chair.
Within a few minutes several people had entered the room and were looking at Alex with various expressions, ranging from amusement, to boredom, to anticipation. After all, Alex was the resident Slytherin and the one with the most cunning.
Alex glowered at the one with an amused look before smiling deviously. "How many times have you been thrown in the lake, Paul?" he asked innocently and received a glare in return. He smirked in satisfaction.
"Alex..." Rowena growled warningly, "I'm not in the mood for games!" She raised her wand threateningly.
The man nodded quickly as he pondered how to put his idea. A few wrong wordings, and not everyone would like the idea. It had to be just right.
He tapped the book labeled Canon. "I've been thinking... While they've learned a lot throughout the years, I don't like what they haven't learned. They're missing some of the essentials. Ron, Harry, and Hermione still are somewhat biased against certain things. They aren't... loose. Draco never learned that the Dark side was bad. Neville never gained confidence. Meghan Freeman was a little Slytherin no one noticed. Luna was often misunderstood, and no one cared. Ginny was over-protected by the rest of them. I'm not happy about that at all. I think we should create a new universe. We take the Pride members from Canon, stick them in a room, and make them read Dangerverse," he finished, looking around at the others.
Paul raised his eyebrows. "That's actually... reasonable." He faked shock. Alex stuck out his tongue like the mature man he was.
His father, Godric Gryffindor, rolled his eyes. "Paul," he rumbled warningly. Paul pouted and Godric turned to Alex. "That's a good idea. When do you think we should start?"
Alex tilted his head thoughtfully. "I think just before fifth year. It's the perfect time to do some interfering. They aren't innocent little children, nor are they hardened by too many trials... yet."
Paul grinned, "Maybe they can even read the Dangerverse spinoffs."
Godric exchanged looks with Rowena and Helga as their children started discussing it, though they sounded more like they were arguing.
"HARRY'S HERE!" Startled, Hermione looked up from the book she was reading before grinning. She was just about to go greet him when a sudden whoosh of air took hold of her... and she was no longer holding the book, let alone at Grimmauld Place.
Meanwhile, Ron was playing chess against his sister. At the shout, both stood up and knocked their chairs over in their hurry, but then wind came and took them away, too.
Mrs. Weasley was sobbing as she hugged Harry excitedly. He was beginning to feel squished when a rush of cold air took hold of him and he wasn't so squished anymore.
Luna was working on a painting in her room when she heard the air come. She waited for it to come patiently. And then, she, too, was no longer at her house.
Draco Malfoy chuckled to himself as he read the Daily Prophet. "Still don't believe Potter!" He was laughing too hard to notice when he was no longer in his own room.
Neville knelt on the dirt as he dug out the weeds that were ruining his precious plants. He didn't notice when the wind picked up, but he definitely noticed when the weed he was tugging disappeared.
Meghan Freeman sighed to herself. Her mum was so stubborn. She never told her daughter who her father was! Meghan crossed her arms and tried not to pout, but she ended up pouting anyways, only to look up in a completely strange room.
Malfoy sprang up suddenly. "OY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM!" he shouted, pointing at Hermione.
Harry rubbed his ears. "Um... Malfoy? I don't think you're in your room anymore."
Malfoy glared at Harry before he turned and noticed Luna regarding him with a half-smile. "Hello, Loony," he sneered.
Luna smiled wistfully. "Hello, Draco," she answered politely, to his shock. Draco stared at her, jaw dropped.
Neville stood up and brushed his jeans off before heading over to the other Gryffindors, feeling that he would be safer with them than by himself. He recognized Luna and Draco, but the other he did not. He found his eyes drawn to her.
She joined the Gryffindors. "Meghan Freeman, Slytherin, 2nd year... wait, 3rd year now."
Hermione started examining the room, unable to stand the idle chat.
Ron had choked at Slytherin but then shut up at the glare that Meghan gave him. Harry frowned. She was oddly reminiscent of someone he knew.
"My mother was a Muggleborn and I don't know who my father is," she added forcefully, trying not to laugh at the look on Draco's face. She inched closer to Neville. The poor boy was flabbergasted and confused.
Hermione was no longer paying attention; she had found a stack of books. The first was called "Living with Danger." She flipped it over.
Lone wolf. Dream-seer. Bright child. Scarred child. Singer. Prisoner. Dancer child. Dragon child. Eight semi-ordinary people. One extraordinary family, and how they became one. Pre-Hogwarts story. First of the Dangerverse.
Hermione frowned then her mouth opened in a small 'o'. "Come here!" she called, "Yes, you too, Draco," she added at the look on his face.
Ginny eagerly looked over Hermione's shoulder to see what she had. Her eyebrows shot up at the description.
Draco came but he grumbled about it at the same time. He decided to stand next to Luna. She smiled at him and ran her hand over his hair.
"Your hair should be more loose," she informed him matter-of-factly. Draco merely nodded, too shocked to come up with something mean.
Hermione was flushed with excitement. "Do you realize what's going on?" she asked, words moving out of her mouth fast.
She frowned when when she was met with shakes of the head and a case or two of eye-rolling.
The bright one huffed before continuing. "There's different universes out there. There's probably about a thousand or more surrounding Harry and us. This book is one of them. I think we're meant to change our universe with this knowledge!" she whispered.
Draco snorted. "Then tell me why I'm here!"
Neville spoke up, "W-well, maybe we're all important in the u-universe in the b-book d-describes, so w-we all n-need to hear it."
Meghan smiled brightly at him as Hermione beamed.
"Of course!" she answered proudly.
Suddenly, a note appeared in Ron's hand. He stared at it incredulously before reading it aloud.
Well done, Neenie.
He paused as Hermione turned a deep red.
Knew I could count on you to explain it so that I don't have to. Same with you, Captain... I mean Neville.
Neville blinked in surprise.
You are entirely correct. This room will provide everything you ask for. Including food. It is merely a dream after all.
Draco choked. "I'm dreaming of GRYFFINDORS?"
A very long dream. But still a dream... I should stop now shouldn't I? Oh, and Draco? Stop freaking out and just get along with them.
Meghan covered her mouth to hide her giggles.
Ginny grinned. "Well that settle's it!" She took the book. "We should all take turns reading it, and it should be boy-girl. I'll go first, Harry you can go after me."
He nodded. "Ron and Hermione after me."
Ron sighed. "Meghan can go after me."
Meghan bounced up and down in happiness. "I want Neville to go after me!"
Neville looked surprised. "I guess Luna is after me, then... Ma-Draco, and then we start over?" He looked to Ginny for confirmation. The red-head nodded.