Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and Fate/stay night belongs to Kinoko Nasu and TYPE-MOON. Viewer discretion is advised.
For a moment, sound ceased to exist. No clinking of goblets or animal calls. Nothing. Then, as quick as it came, the moment passed. The change was subtle, and yet everyone found their gazes drawn to the two newcomers, as if they had arrived with the crash of thunder.
Two students in Hogwarts robes, one male and one female. The boy was on his knees, a hand over his mouth as if to ease his stomach. Short blond locks of hair were his only identifying feature, though some took note of the silver and green cloth wrapped around his left hand. The girl, on the other hand, was far more recognizable with her mass of brown curls. Hermione Granger stumbled to her feet, stepping protectively in front of the boy, and scanned the quietly watching crowd.
Then her gaze landed on the Gryffindor table and she stilled.
There, staring back at her, was herself. Or rather, another Hermione Granger. One flanked by a Harry Potter and a Ron Weasley, all three in open-mouthed shocked.
The, well, new Hermione stared right back, her face blank and emotionless. Then she smiled pleasantly, and only a few noticed Ron and Harry blanch at what anyone else would call a lovely expression.
She breathed deeply, the sound startling the rest of the hall from their stupor.
Then-
"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY!"
"Ohjeezemiddlename-I'm up, I'm up!"
The previously unnamed blond poped up, gazing wildly around the room.
He blinked.
"Why were we sleeping in the Great Hall?"
Hermione rounded on him, and grabed the Slytherin by his ear.
"Ow!"
"What did you do!?"
"What does that mean you barmy woman!?"
"We weren't sleeping anywhere a second ago, but now we're here! And there are four of us! What. Did. You. Do!?"
The two struggled for a moment, before Draco managed to pull away from the incensed Gryffindor.
"I didn't bloody do anything! Why do you assume this is my fault!?"
"Because crazy shite like this always happens to you!"
"Name one time!"
"How about when your future self came back to the past to murder you?!"
"A-hem!"
They stoped, and turned to a clearly amused Headmaster.
"Perhaps you two would like to continue this in my office?"
As one, Draco and Hermione flushed crimson, and dejectedly followed the grinning Professor Dumbledore out of the Great Hall.
Again, there was silence, though far more awkward.
"Well, that was weird." Luna Lovegood said before turning back to her orange and roast beef sandwich.
The abashed teens entered the Headmaster's office, followed closely by a dour Snape and flummoxed McGonagall. Suddenly Draco stopped short, staring at a cabinet in the back of Dumbledore's office.
"Is that the Sword of Gryffindor?"
"Ah, yes. One of Hogwarts' most treasured heirlooms. You have a keen eye for blades, Mr. Malfoy."
The blond flushed at Dumbledore's words, rubbing the back of his head self-consciously.
"Ah, well, I'm kind of a sword buff…"
Clearing her throat, McGonagall glared at the increasingly embarrassed teenager until he moved to stand next to Hermione.
"Now," the Deputy Headmistress said primely, "would either of you like to explain who you are and how you appeared within Hogwarts' wards?"
The newcomers glanced at each other and grimaced, as if having a very unpleasant conversation with a glance. After a moment, Hermione stepped forward.
"We're Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, though I think we might be, er, different from the people you know."
McGonagall turned red, appearing to be on the very edge of a meltdown, before the Headmaster began chuckling kindly.
"Albus?" She questioned, blinking.
"I'm sorry, Minerva. I just find this situation terribly amusing, as well as fascinating. Ms. Granger, are you suggesting that both yourself and young Mr. Malfoy are from a parallel universe?"
Four sets of eyes stared at the ancient warlock in shock, though likely for very different reasons.
"Wait, you know about-"
"Albus! Surely you don't belei-"
Dumbledore cut them both off with a gesture.
"Allow me to explain, Minerva, and I believe you will find their story just as likely as any other. The reason Ms. Granger sounds so surprised by my knowledge, knowledge you yourself do not possess, is that the theory of parallel worlds is one only muggle scientists and Unspeakables have postulated. The theory holds that there are an infinite number of universes just like this one, some identical and some wildly different. The exact details are too complex to get into at the moment, but it is safe to say that certain...classified experiments within the Department of Mysteries have all but confirmed that parallel worlds do exist. As such, there are an infinite number of Hermione Granger's and Draco Malfoy's, just as there are an infinite number of Albus Dumbledore's as well."
The witch paled, likely at the thought of an uncountable number of Dumbledore's, just waiting to make her life more difficult.
"B-but that still doesn't explain how they came to be here."
Dumbledore just chuckled again. "Doesn't it? After all, the Founders' wards were never designed to block travel between alternate dimensions. If these children were pulled into our world unexpectedly, it stands to reason that Hogwarts would have neither the time nor the inclination to stop them. In fact, I think the wards did an excellent job of minimizing the damage. By bringing our young guests straight to the Headmaster."
"I-", McGonagall began before sighing dejectedly, "I'll take your world for it, Albus."
The Headmaster smiled widely, before turning to see that Snape had been inspecting the two teens while the adults spoke. Or rather, inspecting the peculiar lack of space between them.
"Severus, perhaps you could administer Veritaserum? I would usually balk at questioning children like suspected criminals, but we do live in dangerous times…"
The Potions Professor turned sharply to look at the Headmaster, before nodding firmly.
"Dobby!"
The elf appeared with the *snap* of apparition. Draco stared in shock, but was stopped from saying anything by Hermione's grip on his arm.
"Professor Bat called for Dobby?"
Snape glared at the elf as Hermione turned her startled laugh into a cough when Draco elbowed her lightly in the side.
"Fetch the Veritaserum from my office. Do not touch anything else."
Dobby's sharp salute was ruined only by the oven mitts on his ears flopping over into his eyes. With two quick *snap*'s, he appeared again with a small bottle of transparent liquid.
"Wait," Draco said while stepping forward, "what if we refuse to take it?'
McGonagall said nothing, her lips pressed thin in displeasure that truth serum was even an option. Snape, on the other hand growled warningly. Before he could say anything, however…
"Hem, hem."
The four turned to Madam Umbridge, who had been watching the exchange silently from the shadows of the doorway.
"While, of course, the ministry will be notified of your...unexpected arrival, we will be willing to leave you in Headmaster Dumbledore's hands for the time being, out of respect for House Malfoy's support of the minister if nothing else. However, if you refuse to undergo official interrogations…"
Draco stared starred coolly at her, not a hint of emotion on his face, even at the mention of his family. Umbridge stared back in turn, still smiling but growing increasingly uncomfortable.
"F-for safety's sake only. There are children here, after all."
He stared at her a moment longer, before stepping back in line with Hermione. In fact, he made a rather unsubtle show of stepping between the ministry official and his classmate.
"I'll go first," he said, Hermione slapping his arm lightly, but allowing him to step towards Professor Snape.
"I think just a drop will suffice," the Headmaster said, "don't you agree? Severus, Professor Umbridge?"
The potions professor nodded sullenly, while Umbridge grimaced slightly but made no objection. The Veritaserum was administered, and Snape asked the first question.
"What is your name?'
"Draco Lucius Malfoy."
"Son of Lucius Abraxas Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy nèe Black?"
"Yes."
"Do you intend to harm any person in this castle in any way?"
"No."
Umbridge coughed lightly, and stepped forward to ask the next question.
"Are you from a parallel world?"
Draco frowned for a moment, before answering. "I do not know. If Hermione and Headmaster Dumbledore believe that to be the case, then I trust them."
Snape and Umbridge both raised a skeptical brow at his words.
"You trust the Headmaster and this...girl?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Umbridge asked in naked curiosity.
"Because Albus Dumbledore is one of the greatest wizards and scholars to have ever lived, and Hermione is way smarter than I am."
The girl in question giggled softly, face flushed at the praise. Umbridge glared sternly at her, before motioning her forward.
"I think Mr. Malfoy has answered enough questions. You next, girl."
McGonagall bristled at the slight, but Hermione walked to professor Snape without complaint.
"What is your name?"
"Hermione Jean Granger."
"Do you intend to harm any person in this castle in any way?"
"No."
"Are you from a parallel world?"
"That is the only explanation I can think of, unless this is all a very elaborate illusion. Though considering we were in our Hogwarts before we appeared here, I doubt that is the case."
The Hogwarts staff were satisfied, some more begrudgingly than others. Before the potion could wear off, however, Umbridge stepped forward for another question.
"Why does Mr. Malfoy place such trust in a girl who has been, on all accounts, antagonistic towards him for several years?"
"Delores!" McGonagall cried in outrage. "We do not invade the privacy of children!"
Before the rapidly reddening woman could reply, Hermione answered.
"I imagine we stopped being antagonistic around the second time we saved each other's lives. Things like that have a way of putting matters in perspective."
Umbridge turned to snarl another question, only to be stopped by the Headmaster. With the wave of his wand, both students found their systems purged of toxins. In this case, primarily Veritaserum.
"I believe that will be enough. Thank you for your contributions, Severus. Delores."
Huffing primely, Umbridge marched away in aggravation. No doubt to report to the ministry.
"I apologize for taking such drastic measures, children. I hope you can understand."
Draco was still glaring in Umbridge's general direction, but Hermione simply sighed and smiled at the Headmaster.
"We understand, Professor. Thank you for agreeing to take us in."
"Think nothing of it my dear. You two are still students of Hogwarts, and I could never turn students away. I do not know how long it will take us to find a way home for you two, if we ever do, but you are both welcome within these walls until then."
The two turned to thank Dumbledore for his kind words, only to gasp and whip around to face each other.
"Saber!" They both shouted in fear.
"Whatever is the matter?" Dumbledore asked, quite shocked by their exclamation.
Rather than answer, Hermione tugged up her right sleeve. She and Draco then huddled close to inspect a strange sword-shaped tattoo on her forearm. After a moment, they sagged in relief.
"Oh thank God, I can still feel her." Hermione sighed
"Her?"
The two jumped and turned to face the three bewildered adults.
"Oh, sorry about that. We were worried about a friend of ours, but she's fine."
Dumbledore raised a questioning brow. "This friend, you are bound to her by that mark?"
"Yes sir."
"And the connection between you two still exists, even in this universe?"
"...yes, yes it does!" Hermione lit up in delight, staring hopefully at the Headmaster. "Are you saying-?"
"That we can use your bond to locate your home universe? I believe exactly that, though it will still take some time for us to find a way to return you there. Excellent deduction, Ms. Granger. Ten points to Gryffin-"
He stopped short and began to stroke his beard. "Hmm…"
"Professor Dumbledore?"
The elderly wizard smiled mischievously at them, eyes twinkling. "Since you two will be staying here, for free, and since neither of you seem to have any money or supplies with you, perhaps I could convince you to help me with a small experiment of mine? To compensate an old man for his help?"
They looked at each other, before turning back to him.
"What kind of...experiment?"
"...and, well, that's our story. We'll be in your care until we manage to find our way home. Until then, to keep things from getting confusing, feel free to call us Draco and Hermione Alter."
The Great Hall was dead silent, its occupants once again staring in abject shock at the two newcomers. Then, Professor Dumbledore began clapping enthusiastically from his place at the high table. Slowly, everyone else joined in. When the applause died down, the Headmaster stood to address his students.
"We're cutting it a bit close to curfew, but before we head off to bed I have a special announcement to make. I have always believed that first year is too early to properly sort students. As such, I have asked our new friends Draco and Hermione Alter to be sorted a second time. Or, rather, for the first time, since they have never been a student at this Hogwarts before today. I believe this will be a valuable learning experience for all of us, and I hope we can all learn more about the house-system and ourselves. Professor McGonagall?"
At the sound of her name, the Deputy Headmistress brought forth the Sorting Hat.
"Which of you two would like to go first?"
They looked at each other, having another silent conversation, before Hermione Alter stepped forward.
"I'll do it."
McGonagall nodded in acceptance and gently set the hat on her head. The hall was silent for a minute, before the hat straightened and yelled "RAVENCLAW!".
Draco Alter snorted. "You just want access to their library."
"I have no idea what you're insinuating."
He smirked. "I'm not insinuating anything, I'm accusing you of trying to get your hands on Ravenclaw's books since first year."
She chuckled, but did not deny anything. Rather than move to join her new House, she took up a spot behind Draco Alter. He then moved to be sorted.
The hat had barely been placed on his head when it shouted "HUFFLEPUFF!" for all to hear.
"What!?"
Every head in the hall turned to stare at the Slytherin table where Draco Malfoy had practically jumped out of his seat in shock.
*Cough!* "Never mind," he said, slumping down in embarrassment.
Draco Alter continued staring at his doppelganger for a moment, before removing the hat. "Man, that's just weird." He said while shaking his head.
Hermione Alter giggled softly at his expression, before drawing her wand. "Here, let me."
She tapped the cloth wrappings on his right arm, transforming them from silver and green to black with yellow accents.
"There. Now you match again," she said, gesturing to his Hufflepuff tie. He snorted in amusement before giving her arm a light shove. "Thanks for that, wouldn't want to embarrass myself through a lack of color coordination."
She nodded. "Indubitably."
They stared at each other, before breaking out into grins. He gestured for her to lead on, she curtsied. Then they walked off to join their new houses. Once again, only Luna had any idea what to do. To the shock of her housemates, she jumped up to wave the new Hermione over to join her.
"So...anybody want to tell me what the hell just happened?"
The various members of Gryffindor House shrugged at Ron's question, lounging around their common room and trying not to stare too intently at their Hermione, who seemed to be in shock. The silence continued for several more moments before Ginny broke it.
"Was I the only one that noticed Ravenclaw Hermione checking out Hufflepuff Malfoy's bum?"
"...uuugh," Hermione groaned, sinking into her hands in despair. Harry patted her back awkwardly as everyone else turned to glare at Ginny.
"What? I'm not saying I was."
Shaking his head, Harry turned to address his friends. "What do you guys think? Are they really, well, alternate Hermione and Malfoy? Do you guys think this is some sort of plot?"
Hermione raised her head to give Harry the stink eye. "Professor Dumbledore vouched for them, so I think that, whoever they are, there isn't any plot."
Ron coughed. "You say that, but he also hired Umbridge."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure I believe they're from another universe just yet, but that seems as good an explanation for how they managed to appear within the wards as any. If you're really worried about it, just use the map to watch them."
Harry nodded, unconvinced but seeing no other option.
Up in Ravenclaw Tower, the more studious students stared inquisitively at their new peer. She sat in a large armchair with one of their exclusive tomes across her lap, nodding along as Loony Lovegood chatted animatedly about narglacks or something like that.
"U-um, excuse me?"
Hermione looked up to see a sad looking older girl addressing her. She took a moment to search her memory.
"You're...Cho Chang, right?"
The Asian witch smiled tentatively. "Yes, and you're Hermione...Alter? It's a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Ravenclaw."
"Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here." Hermione smiled warmly, before turning back to her book and Luna. Cho continued standing there awkwardly, not sure what to do. After almost a minute, she coughed pointedly. Hermione looked back up.
"Was there something else?"
"Oh, well...I actually wanted to ask you a few questions, if that's alright…"
Hermione seemed to ponder this for a moment before nodding. "That seems fair. Ask away." She said, waving dismissively and turning back to her reading.
"Um, alright then. So...Malfoy?"
"What about him?"
"Well it's just, you two seemed close, and he didn't appear as…"
Hermione raised a brow. "Dickish?"
Cho flushed, and several nearby students tittered. "...yeah, that seems right."
Hermione nodded in understanding. "I don't know what your Draco is like, but mine was a total prat until winter break last year. Some things happened, and he was forced to grow up."
On the other side of the common room, Marietta Edgecombe snorted disdainfully. "You think we could arrange something like that for ours? He's still a smarmy ferret."
In response, Hermione met her eye and glared coolly. The pure disdain held within her gaze even made Luna too uncomfortable to speak.
"Draco may be a better person for it, but I wouldn't wish what happened to him on my worst enemies. Even racist gits don't deserve to have their innocence stolen like that."
Saying this she stood up and closed her book. "Where am I sleeping?"
Luna stood with her. "I asked Professor Flitwick if we could room together. I thought it might be better for you to room with a friend instead of several strangers."
Hermione smiled. "Is that so? Thank you, Luna. That was very thoughtful. You won't mind rooming with me?"
Luna glanced at a group of girls her age. "...no, I think that sounds wonderful."
Hermione followed her gaze and frowned, but simply hooked her arm with Luna and led her to the dorms. The common room remained silent behind them.
Draco stretched and yawned as he entered the cozy Hufflepuff common room, its location near the kitchens making it comfortably toasty even in a Scottish autumn. He turned towards the crowd of Hufflepuffs behind him, who seemed unsure of what to do.
"So, who am I rooming with? Fifth years or first?" he said with a grin. Some of the older students chuckled as a group of boys stepped forward, led by a tall brunet.
"Even you don't deserve having to sleep with the firsties, names Justin Finch-Fletchley. You'll be rooming with us in the fifth-year dorms."
He extended a hand, unflinching, and a wave of relief seemed to sweep over the crowd as Draco took it without pause. The two shook each other's hands firmly, never breaking eye contact, before Justin smiled warmly. Draco felt as if he had just passed some sort of test, which judging by how he had acted towards First Generations until his fourth year (and presumably, how the other Draco still did act) he guessed he had.
"These are our roommates," Justin said with a gesture, "Ernie Macmillan, Wayne Hopkins, Roger Malone, and-"
Suddenly, a blond teen forced his way to the front of the crowd. "Me. Zacharias Smith," he said proudly while extending his own hand, not noticing as almost every one of his housemates rolled their eyes.
Draco blinked in surprise, before shaking Zacharias' hand as well. "Smith? You wouldn't happen to be related to Hepzibah Smith?"
Zacharias smiled wider, his grin taking on a smug tone. "That's right, my great aunt."
Draco whistled. "You're a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff?"
"Of course! Can't you see the family resemblance?" He said, gesturing to the portrait of Hufflepuff hanging over the fireplace.
Draco did not, in fact, see any resemblance between the two. However, he was trying to avoid acting as he had in his youth, and humoring the prideful young man was probably the 'polite' thing to do.
"Yyyyyyes. Absolutely."
Before Zacharias could puff himself up any further, a pretty girl with red hair in an elaborate braid stepped forward. "Sod off Smith, nobody wants to hear you bragging."
Zacharias flushed in outrage, but she stepped past him without a glance, causing him to stomp off in a huff.
"I'm Susan Bones," she said, reaching for Draco's third handshake in as many minutes. When he extended his hand, however, she gripped it tightly and pulled him close. "Just because you seem better than the other Malfoy, doesn't mean I trust you. No matter where you come from, you'll always be a Malfoy," she whispered threateningly in his ear.
Draco pulled away, watching her cautiously. He then turned to address the house as a whole. "My name is Draco Malfoy though, again, feel free to call me Draco Alter. I look forward to learning to be a good person with you all."
The puffs stared at his strange choice of words, Susan continuing to glare until a blonde girl her age put a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome, Draco," the blonde who he vaguely recognized as Hannah Abbott replied. As one, the others began cheering "Welcome, Draco!" as well. They then turned to the nervous first-years and began welcoming them.
"Come on," Justin said getting Draco's attention, "I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
The fifth-year boys led Draco to a dorm with all their names embossed on the door. The room was circular, with six beds arranged like the spokes on a wheel. A trunk sat at the foot of five of the beds, leaving one unoccupied for Draco. Sighing, he walked over and untied a small pouch from his belt, placing it on the bedside table with his wand.
"What's in the pouch?" One of the other boys asked.
Draco looked over his shoulder at them and smirked. "A sword."
"Yeah, right. Seriously though, what is it?"
Draco just smiled mysteriously, and collapsed into bed.
The Slytherin's pointedly did not crack any jokes at Draco Malfoy's expense. On the one hand, they weren't really sure what was happening. On the other, they were even less sure about how to use it to weaken his position in the house.
(On the third, say what you want about Draco, but he had one of the best wand arms among them. Nobody wanted to get blasted through a wall like the one-time Zabini had thought he was a girl from behind and grabbed his ass.)
"So," Dumbledore addressed his staff, "how are our new friends settling in?"
Professors Sprout and Flitwick looked at each other and grimaced before turning back to the Headmaster.
"As you recommended, we left them to get acquainted with their housemates alone. Surprisingly, it appears Draco Malfoy had an easier time of it, though we did learn more from watching Ms. Granger interact with the Ravenclaw students."
Every other professor, including Umbridge, raised a brow at this. Except for the Headmaster, of course, who was happily sucking on a lemon drop. "Really? Do tell."
"Ms. Granger was polite to her peers, but only friendly to Ms. Lovegood. I believe it was a good call on my part to accept their change to a two-person dorm room. From the way Ms. Granger spoke out in defense of Mr. Malfoy, I doubt she will be especially close to any of the others," the charms professor stated.
"Oh? How exactly did she have to defend him?"
Flitwick grimaced. "When Ms. Chang asked why Mr. Malfoy seemed so...polite, Ms. Granger insinuated that he had been through a traumatic experience which forced him to grow as a person. She then scolded Ms. Edgecombe for jesting that we force our own Draco Malfoy through a similar experience."
"Hmph, good girl," McGonagall praised, "even in Ravenclaw she continues to defend her friends like a lioness. It's such a shame we could not have two of her in Gryffindor."
Flitwick smiled self-deprecatingly. "Come now Minerva, share the wealth a bit would you? I've been saying since day one that Ms. Granger should have been in my house."
"And Mr. Malfoy was truly embraced by the Hufflepuffs?"
Professor Sprout coughed and turned to answer the Headmaster. "More or less. Ms. Bones seems to have her doubts, though considering her family's history in law enforcement I suppose it isn't unusual for her to be more suspicious than the average girl her age. The others seemed to welcome him wholeheartedly after he accepted a muggle born student's hand in friendship, though I believe they were also impressed by his rather polite handling of Mr. Smith's ego."
"Hem hem," Umbridge interrupted, "I'm sorry, but did you just say that a Malfoy accepted the friendship of a muggle-born?'
Snape snorted derisively. "Far be it for me to agree with the ministry, but I believe I must in this case."
Sprout glared poisonously at the other two professors. "Are you doubting my word? I saw it myself, Mr. Malfoy not only embraced Mr. Finch-Fletchley's olive branch, he seemed to do so over a similar offer from a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff herself! All without alienating a single one of his peers."
"Maybe that had more to do with what he thought of Hufflepuff's than muggle-borns..." Snape grumbled quietly, causing McGonagall to snort in laughter despite herself.
"Be that as it may," Dumbledore interrupted genially, "please continue to keep an eye on them. I trust we will have clothing and supplies ready for them by morning?"
"Of course, Headmaster," Flitwick nodded. "I have the house elves collecting things as we speak."
"Excellent. Any word from the ministry, Professor Umbridge?"
The undersecretary smiled saccharinely. "A report has been filed with the Department of Mysteries. Unspeakables will be here to investigate within the month."
"That seems like a long time to wait," McGonagall groused.
In response, Umbridge's obviously false smile spread even wider. "The Department of Mysteries accepts only the most qualified applicants. They have many important projects underway even now, and their time is precious. Believe me, nobody wants to get to the bottom of this more than the ministry."
McGonagall glared coolly at her, but the Headmaster clapped loudly to gather their attention before she could reply.
"Thank you all for your hard work today. Hopefully, we can all have a safe and educational year. Severus, would you mind staying behind for a moment?"
As the others filed out, Snape joined the Headmaster at his desk.
"Lemon drop?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "For the thousandth time, no, I do not want any candy."
"Your loss. Tell me, Severus. Did you notice anything strange about the young Alters?"
Snape's face twisted in a sneer. "Several, sir. For one thing, those two were suspiciously... close. In addition, I cannot think of any trauma horrible enough to change Draco so thoroughly. I've known him since he was a small boy, and cannot reconcile the Draco I know with the one I met today. But most concerning…"
Dumbledore sighed. "His occlumency, yes. I have met more skilled practitioners, but never at his age. Even Tom was not so skilled at fifteen. Certainly, his defenses are strong enough that I could not read his mind without alerting him to my actions. Something that I found truly shocking since our young Mr. Malfoy has no training whatsoever."
The two men frowned, deep in thought.
"Keep a close watch on him, Severus. Above all else, I would like to learn of their world's Voldemort."
Snape bowed his head. "It will be done, Headmaster."
A.N. No, there isn't a prequel to this written. However, if I get enough demand I'll be happy to write one. Part of the fun of this story will be filling in the blanks with what is and isn't said by the characters.