disclaimer: i do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, story, places, or plot pertaining to the series. Those belong to J.K. Rowling. All original characters, story, places, and plot were created by me.
a/n: this story is set after the fourth book and is a revision of what happens in the rest of the series. Enjoy and please review!
Chapter 1
The double white doors opened and Dumbledore stepped in. The room reminded him of his own office back at Hogwarts. There were shelves of books all along the walls and a grand wooden desk took up the center floor of the office. Behind the desk sat a majestic leather chair that was obviously made for comfort. The desk had papers neatly stacked on one side and a giant crystal in a stand on the other. Unlike the crystals used for Divination, this one was black and hexagonal with flat surfaces.
What a strange object, he thought, wondering what its purpose was.
The morning sunlight caught his attention as it streamed in from the window that took up the entire back wall. The sun had fully risen and it was such a nice day. Through the window he could see little black figures scattered across the grounds. Perhaps they were students who were also enjoying this wonderful morning sun.
"My mistress is currently at a meeting. She will be with you as soon as she is done," said the man who had escorted Dumbledore to this room. The man looked to be in his prime. He was a well built, with long dark-brown hair braided neatly down to his knees and youthful face. But when Dumbledore looked into his eyes, there was something in those sphere of grey that told of countless horrors this man has seen. Battles and death swirled beneath the mask of warmth this man wore.
"Can I get you anything, Professor?"
"A cup of tea would be nice."
"Very well, I shall have some brought up in a minute. In the meantime, please wait patiently while my Mistress concludes her business." A comfortable-looking chair appeared next to Dumbledore.
"Thank you."
The man bowed and left, closing the door silently behind him.
Dumbledore sank rather than sat into the chair. It was like the weight of the past few months had doubled, pushing him deeper into the chair. His age was finally catching up to him, it seems. He was so tired, but there was so much that needed to be done.
The Order of the Phoenix needed allies. Voldemort was no doubt busy recruiting as well, in the shadows where the Ministry couldn't see them. The Order was trying to do the same, but the problem was, too many couldn't be trusted. If only Fudge would open his eyes and see the truth. If the Minister would listen to reason, then the Order and the Ministry could join forces to fight against the Death Eaters. But, nothing in life is ever that simple or easy, which is why Dumbledore came here, to the School where magic of a different sort still existed.
The people of Sorcery were a different branch of magic from the witches and wizards of the Wizarding world. Their magic was more ancient and raw than the wizards'. Their powers came from within their very souls and spirit. Long ago, they had existed together but one day they simply disappeared. That was nearly five hundred years ago. Few today even remember the stories of the Sorcery. None have every met one, except Dumbledore.
About fifty years ago, he had been strolling down the streets of London, on his way to Diagon Alley, when two women in cloaks ran into him. They had nearly knocked him off his feet. One of them paused to help steady him while the other hissed for her to keep moving.
Just then a man with blond hair and red eyes stepped out of the crowd with a sword in hand. This had surprised Dumbledore because he had expected the crowd of muggles to start panicking and run. But it seemed that they were cloaked in some illusion that prevented the muggles from seeing what was happening.
"Enough of this pointless running. Both of you will die here," said the man. He raised his sword and a firestorm appeared. The woman who had helped steady him raised her hand and a barrier appeared. At first it seemed to hold, but soon cracks began to form.
"Quick, cast a portal Isis," said the other woman. "He's breaking through your barrier."
Isis shook her head. "It's no use. He'll just follow us through. Besides we can't just leave this man here to die."
"Well than you better think of something quick or else we're toast."
The barrier was weakening and it looked like it was up to him to save the three of them. "Ladies, please take my arm," he said calmly.
"Why?" asked Isis.
"Just trust me."
Isis had hesitated but eventually placed her hand on his right arm.
"Isis what are you doing?"
"Just do it. There's not much time. Besides, things can't get any worse, right?"
"Oh alright."
The other woman slapped her hand on Dumbledore's left arm just as a deafening crack from the barrier sounded.
"The barrier's about to collapse!" exclaimed Isis.
Dumbledore took a deep breath and Apparated just as the barrier shattered. They reappeared in a quiet field outside a remote village leagues away from London. The two women collapsed and Dumbledore felt his knees wobbling at the close encounter with death, but he managed to stay on his feet.
"How did you do that?" asked Isis. She shakily pushed herself to her feet. "Are you one of us?"
"Us?"
"Sorcery."
"Well, if you mean a witch or wizard, than yes, I am. My name is Albus Dumbledore."
"My name is Isis, and no, I didn't mean a witch or wizard. I meant what I said, Sorcery."
Dumbledore suspected he had quite a confused looked on his face because she cocked her head to one side. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
"No, I'm sorry, but I don't."
"Amazing! A mortal who can teleport..."
"Mortal? My dear lady, are we not all mortals since we all live and die with time?"
Isis shook her head. "No, it's a term we use for humans who age."
"Do you mean to tell me you don't age?" asked Dumbledore, bewildered.
"Well, not exactly. We age and then we don't, you know?"
"Not entirely..."
"Well, thank you for saving our lives back there. We owe you one."
"Are you leaving now?"
Isis nodded. "We must before He catches up to us."
Her companion silently rose to stand by her side. From under her hood, Dumbledore sensed her eyes watching him carefully. "Let's go, Isis."
"Wait. Before you ladies depart, who are you? What are the Sorcery?" he asked.
A portal of light appeared behind them, blinding him. He covered his face as the light grew even more intense.
"I thank you for saving our lives and I would love to answer your questions, but not now. Perhaps, when this is over, we shall meet again and then we can share our worlds. Good bye Albus Dumbledore and thank you."
The light disappeared along with them.
It was some years later when Isis found him again. This time she was alone. They spent many hours in his office sharing their culture over a cup of tea. It had turned out she had been on the run from Redia, the blond man wielding the sword. She and her companion had been jumping from world to world trying to lose him and find their way home.
At that moment in time, they were in hiding in his world again. She said she had come to thank him again for saving their lives and before she left, she gave him a summoning crystal. It was to repay her dept, she said. If he ever needed a favor, all he had to do was say her name and the crystal will transport him to her. She also gave him a warning that she didn't know how long she would still be on the run so if he used the stone, she wasn't sure he would end up in a place that was entirely safe. For all she knew, he could end up on a battlefield and get killed.
On that grim note, she had vanished again through the portal of light.
Now, fifty years later, Dumbledore was in a totally different world and instead of finding Isis before him, he found a giant manor that Isis had told him was called the School. He had been about to knock when the man with the braid appeared and said they had been expecting him. The man had led him up three flights of stairs to this office where he had been waiting ever since.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Dumbledore turned to see the doors open and a girl with long blond hair and blue eyes walk in. She was wearing white robes but fashioned slight different than the ones his people wore. For one thing, the robe did not part in the middle but was rather a full-body outfit. For another, there were strange designs on her shoulders that reminded Dumbledore of the patches muggle warriors wore on their uniform. She moved with a fluid grace while carrying a silver tray with a black tea pot and a matching tea cup set on it.
"Hello, sir. I've brought you your tea," she said in a cheerful and polite voice. She set it down on a small table that appeared out of nowhere and pour him a cup.
"Thank you." He smiled and accepted the cup.
"You are very welcome. Could I interest you in some sandwiches?" A platter of small square sandwiches appeared in her hand as she offered them to him.
"Oh, thank you." He took one and took a bite. "It's delicious."
"Is there anything else I can get you, sir?"
"No thank you, Miss -?"
"Laris, sir. My name is Laris."
"Laris. What pretty name. Are you a student here?"
"No, but I was. I already graduated from the School."
"Really? At such a young age?" exclaimed Dumbledore in amazement. From what he had understood, the School was the Sorcery's version of Hogwarts. But Isis had said their divisions were slightly different than Hogwarts'.
"Yes, sir."
"How old are you Miss Laris?"
"Sixteen, sir."
Dumbledore scratched his beard. "I see."
Laris cocked her head to one side as if she was listening to something only she could hear. Then she bowed to excuse herself.
After she left, the man who was Dumbledore's escort opened the doors again and stepped aside as an imposing woman walked in. She reminded him of Minerva McGonagall, with her tight bun and brisk walk.
Strange how the years had changed Isis despite the fact that she does not age, thought Dumbledore. Fifty years ago, her silver hair would have been flowing freely around her instead of bundled up in a bun.
Dumbledore stood up as she walked past him and sat after she took her seat behind the desk. He heard the doors click shut but this time the man remained in the room. He moved to stand silently on Isis' left, behind her chair.
"It has been a while, Albus. Half a century, I believe, since we last met," said Isis.
"Yes it has."
"I see Laris brought you some refreshments. Did you enjoy them?"
"Most delightful."
Isis nodded. Though she had not changed physically, Dumbledore sensed her weariness that mirrored his own. These were troubling times for the Sorcery, it seemed, which makes things even more difficult for Dumbledore to call in the favor she owed him.
"I have come to collect the debt you owe me, Isis," said Dumbledore. "I had never planned on having you settle our debt, but times have changed for the worst, I'm afraid."
"Yes, for us as well. What is it you want of me, Albus?" ask Isis, her black eyes watching him intently.
It troubled him to know that he'll be forcing her to put the troubles here in her home world on hold, but there was no other way.
Dumbledore took a deep breath.
"I need your help in defeating the Dark Lord."
