(Mercy)

My name is Mercy. Technically I am not human. I am a spirit. The Spirit of Time.

I've been through time and space. I've witnessed the lives and deaths of thousands. I formed a close bond with many across time. Over centuries. I've befriended people who are both mortal and not.

Currently I'm disguised as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'd been there under a different name many years ago. Of course, everyone thought I died in the great battle that racked the school in which Voldemort was defeated once and for all.

So now I'm here, with the next generation of students and a few extra. A few who MiM had warned me would be there.

A great evil is coming, more powerful than you have ever seen before. You must find the Four Seasons in Hogwarts and unite them. After that you will know what to do. the Tsar Lunar had told me only weeks before the term started.

So, gathering up my old spellbooks, robes, and wand, I packed up to make the journey to Hogwarts.

Making sure no one would recognize me, I changed my appearance a bit. My brown hair was a shade lighter, and my one green eye and one blue were now both a hazel color. Being a different age from when I died was also an advantage. I could change my appearance and age luckily. It was a perk of the job, to help not disrupt the time stream. If the same girl was spotted in two different times it would cause panic.

My natural form had brown hair and mismatched eyes, and I was naturally about sixteen years old. There. Done. End of story.

So I sat down on the stool, just like any other transfer student, and listened to the hat deliberate.

Hello again. If I remember correctly last time I sorted you into Ravenclaw... it trailed off.

I'd like to go somewhere different this time, if you don't mind. Ravenclaw was incredibly boring. I thought back at it. The hat seemed to chuckle.

Of course. I know!

"GRYFFINDOR!" it roared to the hall, and the table burst into applause.

By Halloween I had figured out who the seasons were. I had made a list of possible choices.

First off there was Jack Overland. He had snow-white hair and blue eyes, and was very adept at spells involving the ice and snow. He was in Slytherin, and particularly guarded, though could rival the twins as a trickster. I felt a pang in my heart. Fred's death had hit me hard.

Then there was Merida DunBroch. She had flaming red hair, blue eyes, and a personality to match her hair and the scarlet Gryffindor emblem she wore. She reminded me of Ginny, how she was fiery in temper but also sweet and caring.

Then we had Hiccup Haddock, a Ravenclaw with brown hair, green eyes, a metal leg, and a passion for drawing. He had an affinity for Care of Magical Creatures. He was so like Neville. He was awkward sometimes but sweet as well.

Last but not least was Rapunzel Corona. A Hufflepuff with golden hair that was seventy feet long and always in a braid as thick as he body with green eyes and a few freckles she was a lovely cross between Luna and Hermione- she was smart and wise, but also so innocent and childish.

I had befriended all of them, and I knew deep in my heart that they were who I was searching for. That made me feel better.

Then the announcement was made.

"A new danger is approaching our school. Two students from each house will be selected to compete for the spots of Seasonal Guardians and the Guardian of Time itself. Only five will succeed, and our judges are here. Everyone over the age of fifteen must enter their names. Hogwarts is in danger. Even if you are not chosen, or you are not of age, you may be asked to fight. This is no ordinary enemy. He will attack through nightmares. If anyone has one, please report it to your prefects immediately. We will do all we can to defend our students, but remember. Fear only holds power over you if you allow it to." Headmaster McGonagall explained. The whole school was silent. Never had anything like this happened.

I would have to compete for my role as the spirit of time. When I saw the Big Four in the Judges' seats I knew. Manny had ordered this. He knew I would win my spot no matter the odds- I was the spirit of time, after all. There was no competition in that sense.

I walked up and gave the four a slight nod as I placed my name into the Goblet that would pick the eight names. It knew who would be the seasonal Guardians. But it also would play along.

Things were about to get crazy.