Chapter Two
Once the ground became steady under my feet I rose off the floor hoping my stomach would return to normal. My first thought was that I had to find my mother; I had to know if she was ok. My second thought was that I needed to throw up. Amy beside me looked just as green as I probably did.
"Ah, Miss Saint-Clare. Even though you are slightly late I imagine that the phrase 'Better late than never' applies here" A calm voice said from behind me. It was then that I actually looked around me to discover I was no longer in my room...What the… "You seem somewhat confused Miss Saint-Clare, and also might I add accompanied which I was not expecting but this might turn out to be an advantage" I turned round, taking in the sumptuous décor of the room around me and gasped. Sitting behind a vast ornately carved wooden desk was a bespectacled old man with bright blue dancing eyes. "Shall I introduce myself to you or not?" The man said with a smile. Amy picked herself up off the floor along with Russell and both of them looked around the room. Russell's eyes landed on the old man, he then shot me a look of confusion that I am sure I shot right back to him.
"Whatever's going on Evie I'm blaming you" Russell said sounding partly scared and partly queasy.
"How can you blame me, I have no idea what is going on!" I snapped back to Russell. The old man laughed and rose from his seat, the sunlight pouring in from the high windows catching the golden thread upon his robes. As he walked towards us I felt myself becoming more confused and slightly sick. I hoped that I was dreaming either that or I had gone completely insane. Either that or I was about the throw up.
"Miss Saint-Clare I am to assume that introductions are indeed needed. I am Albus-" the old man got that far before I felt myself faint and hit my head on the carpeted floor. What felt like being pulled out of a pool of water engulfed me. I felt myself being pulled out darkness, blinking against the light I pushed myself up into sitting position. Amy and Russell were sitting next to me looking scared and somewhat confused. I stared around the room and when someone coughed I focused onto the old man whom was motioning to three chairs sat in front of his desk. Amy helped me up and then sat me down on the centre chair. "As I was saying before, my name is Albus Percival Wulfric-"
"Brian Dumbledore" I said finishing his sentence for him. He smiled then nodded. "Is this a joke?" I asked seriously. I was hoping so seeing as my fainting spell proved this was not a dream. Maybe this was all an elaborate hoax created my mother for my birthday.
"Joke Miss Saint-Clare? Certainly not, you have been called at the right moment. We believe that Voldemort's forces are regaining and wheels are being set in motion" 'Dumbledore' said seriously. I stared at him; I really hoped that this was a joke. "I must say I am surprised, I expected your arrival some years ago but I do believe that it was this year that your mother decided to bequeath the bracelet currently around your wrist to you."
"Pardon? I really am confused as to what is going." I said. "This has to be a joke right?" I asked. Russell and Amy both nodded their heads. Dumbledore on the other hand stared at the three of us with serious expressions.
"Miss Saint-Clare let me makes this very clear, this is not a joke. Your presence in our world is very important and will change not only the present but the future. You must understand this before your mission starts. Miss Roberts and Mr Lewis I give you both a very important job, you are to guide Miss Saint-Clare in her mission-"
"And this mission would be?" I asked interrupting. Dumbledore looked at me for a moment before speaking.
"Miss Saint-Clare you have brought into our world to complete the mission that I fear will take the life of Mr Potter. You are to destroy Voldemort if Harry is to fail and also save the lives of people whom may lose the fight for their lives during the battle ahead. I have enlisted the help of our overseas friends through the pretence of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and hopefully that will be deemed successful. The recent attack at the Quidditch World Cup has scared many and the wizarding world is afraid" Dumbledore was saying. I felt my stomach retch again, Amy clearly saw this and spoke for me.
"Excuse me but this cannot be possible. Your 'world' is a work of fiction. We would know, Evie has read all the books more times than anyone else. This whole thing cannot be real, it just can't…" Amy said breathing in deeply, I could tell she was scared. "This is all a work of fiction…"
"Maybe for you Miss Robert's" Dumbledore said. "You come from a world that is entirely Muggle, you believe that this world is indeed a work of fiction but I can assure you that it is not. You have been brought to this world to save us and that is why you are in possession of very powerful magic. I will be sending you to Diagon Alley to purchase your school supplies for the coming school year; you will be in good hands until then. I have placed the three of you with people whom I trust to take care of you and assist you in adjusting to our world" Dumbledore said standing up and walking over to his fireplace. He picked up what looked like a plant pot and three bags. One of them I recognised as my own over-the-shoulder bag I had recently brought. "I understand these are yours" Dumbledore said motioning us to join him at the fireplace. Amy and Russell helped me up and the three of us walked over towards the fireplace. Hopefully I would wake up soon enough.
"Umm…ummm…" I tried to form a sensible sentence but failed.
"This would be your first time travelling by floo." Dumbledore, we nodded. There was nothing wrong in playing along was there? He handed us the plant pot. "Simple throw the powder into the fire and state where you wish to travel. It is very simple. But be very clear about your destination." Dumbledore said. "Oh and good luck" He added walking back to his desk.
"Where exactly are we going to?" Russell asked as he'd noticed me turning green again.
"A place you might already know. The Burrow" Dumbledore said without even looking back at us. We stared at his back with dubious looks. "You will perfectly safe there." Dumbledore added. "I'd hurry up, Molly is expecting you."
Russell shrugged at us and picked up some powder, he seemed to be going along with me and the whole 'Play along' plan. He threw the powder into the fire and shouted "The Burrow!" before he disappeared. Amy went next and before I knew she'd disappeared too. Shaking from head to toe I walked into the flames and copied Amy and Russell. Darkness washed over me and a horrible feeling like travel sickness but a million times worse coursed through me. I clamped my mouth shut to stop myself from screaming or throwing up. The whirling feeling around me stopped and I found myself flung onto a cold stone floor. This was one realistic dream. Someone helped me up off the floor, Amy, and dusted me off.
"Are you ok?" she asked, concern ringing in her voice. I nodded and gulped back my confusion and fear…oh and throw back. Amy smiled weakly at me and she was soon joined by Russell, behind him stood and short and slender girl of around thirteen. Her shocking red hair a contrast against her pale skin. She smiled at us and walked over to me.
"You all look pretty hungry and tired; Mum's in the kitchen, she told me to come and get you. I'm Ginny by the way" She said. "You're Evelyn right?" she asked me. I nodded and Ginny smiled. "Mum's panicking because she's worried that they're isn't going to be enough beds. Though I said that Harry and Ron could sleep in the lounge and two of you could have Ron's room. One of you can share with me and Hermione." Ginny said as she took us into a camped but cosy kitchen that reminded me of my own (must have been my subconscious to recreate a kitchen to look like my own). A small plump woman, her own red hair twisted into a French plait pinned to her head, stood preparing what looked like broth and several loaves of bread on a scrubbed table. She saw us walk in and gasped "I knew I heard you arrive! It wonderful to meet you! I'm Molly but Albus might have mentioned that already I'm not sure! You all look so hungry! Please sit down, butter on your bread?" Molly Weasley babbled as she pushed us all down into seats. We all shook our heads and she started talking instantly. "Everyone should be back soon. My husband and eldest son are at work. The others are out playing Quidditch in the orchard." Molly said.
"I was made to stay here and help" Ginny said with a pout. Molly ignored her daughter and carried on talking.
"You must have heard about the disaster at the World Cup, I must say I was so scared by it all! Arthur was there with the children, it was miracle they weren't hurt. Ginny don't just stand there! Sit down!" she said to her only daughter and made her sit down. "So you must be Evelyn!" Molly said to me with a large smile across her face. I nodded. "And you would be…"Molly asked Amy and Russell.
"This is Amy and Russell, they are…accompanying me" I said. Ok we could get away with this is you just bullshitted our way through it.
"Oh yes, Dumbledore mentioned that you might have others with you" Molly said smiling at Amy and Russell. They smiled back and started to gulp down their broth. I was too messed up to eat anything. "Oh!" Molly gasped looking over to an old clock upon the dresser. "Arthur's coming home" she said hurrying back to making more broth while Ginny rolled her eyes.
A mere five minutes later the kitchen door opened and a balding man walked in and kissed his wife on the cheek. Three lanky red headed boys followed him along with a slightly smaller but still gangly boy with shaggy black hair and startling green eyes, hurrying after them was a smaller girl, around my height, carrying a book and looking flustered. The boys were sniggering to themselves about some joke and who had won the Quidditch match, none of them noticed us. It wasn't until the smallest of the red haired boys looked over to the table to see if dinner was ready that anyone noticed us sitting there not eating the broth in front of us.
"Mum…there's random people sitting at the table" the boy said raising an eyebrow. Molly turned to us and jumped; obviously she had been caught up in all the commotion and had forgotten we were sitting there.
"Oh yes! Arthur these are the three Dumbledore have sent to us." She said to her husband. Her youngest son coughed loudly.
"Who are they Mum?" he asked rudely. The bushy haired girl glared at boy's rudeness then rolled her eyes.
"Ron!" Molly snapped. "Mind your manners! This is Evelyn Saint-Clare" Molly said nodding at me; I saw the bushy haired girl's eyebrows raise which confused me. "And these are her friends Amy Roberts and her cousin Russell Lewis if remember correctly, Dumbledore didn't mention much" Amy's cousin? What story had Dumbledore given Molly? "They will be staying with us until you all go back to Hogwarts, they will be starting there this year in your year Ron" Molly said nodding at her youngest son. As far as dreams went this was pretty bizarre.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Hermione" the bushy haired girl said waving at us. Yeah I had to be dreaming. I had to be.
"What are they doing here?" Ron asked and Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's bluntness. Molly glared at Ron and he quickly rephrased his question "Why will they be staying here, I mean" he said hurriedly. Molly eased her glare then turned to with a smile.
"They are here on Dumbledore's request and they will be staying for the summer" Molly said. Then with a glare towards her son she added "And Russell will be staying in your room while Amy and Evelyn stay in Ginny's room with Hermione." Molly said.
"Mum, seriously my room is not big enough" Ginny said suddenly sounding slightly spoilt. Heck as a character she'd always pissed me off and I still wasn't happy about her marrying Harry in the future. I was a Harry/Hermione girl. Sensing an argument starting, a sixth sense I had always possessed thanks to my Grandparents and their arguments, I quickly spoke up. I was amazed I could even speak.
"Umm…Molly…we'll sleep down here on the sofas. Its fine, it really is." I said. Amy nodded.
"Yeah, I mean whenever we stop at Ev's we have to sleep on the evil camp beds, we're used to it." Amy said. "Honestly it's fine" Amy said before Molly could protest. "But could we freshen up by any chance?" Amy then asked. Molly nodded; she turned to Ginny and Hermione and asked then to show us to the bedrooms that our stuff was currently in. Our stuff? Ginny and Hermione showed us to Ginny's room where two suitcases that did belong to Amy and me sat. She then said Russell's was in Ron's room and showed him upstairs. Ginny then said she'd leave us to get changed and 'whatnot'. She and Hermione walked downstairs leaving Amy, Russell and I alone. We looked at each other with vast looks of confusion.
"I hope this is a dream" Amy and I said in unison. Russell reached over to us and pinched us both on the arms. "Ow!" Amy snapped punching Russell in the arm. "What was that for?" she asked.
"That proves that we are not dreaming we've officially gone insane" Russell said. I groaned and walked into Ginny's room (which was too pink for my liking, heck who knew Ginny had a pink room) and sat on her bed (also pink and very girly), I reached over to my suitcase and opened it. I gasped. Inside sat the books Russell had given me for my birthday and along with a few items of clothing that I owned. Along with these items was a letter addressed to me in beautiful calligraphy. I picked up the letter and quickly read it,
Miss Saint-Clare,
You understand the reasons you have been sent here, to complete your mission. The bracelet you were given contains a powerful charm that brought you to this world and it is important that you take care of this bracelet. You are possession of very powerful magic, magic beyond your years but know that this is magic that cannot be abused. You are gifted but do not become proud of this.
Your companions are too blessed with magic beyond your years and to them I give the same warning. Do not abuse this power.
You will be starting Hogwarts this year in our fourth year and will be sorted into your houses. I have devised a story for you to use to everyone, including those who you befriend. Do not tell the of your real identities for you could come to harm.
Evelyn you will keep the name of Saint-Clare for this is a powerful name to own, you were orphaned from a young age, like many you lost parents to Voldemort, and were raised Muggle-born by Miss Amy Robert's parents, and Mr Russell Lewis's uncle and aunt. Evelyn you are to say you are half-blood. This is important. In the past four years you have been studying abroad at several schools, the names of these are not important at the time being.
Good luck and we will be seeing each other next week once you have started at Hogwarts.
Albus.
I sighed and handed the letter the Amy and Russell. "I don't think we are dreaming and I don't think we have gone insane" I said, looking down at the contents of my suitcase I concentrated on a small wash bag that held my toiletries. With what felt a surge of energy it flew into my hands to the shock of Amy, Russell and I.
"How did you do that?" Amy gasped.
"I have no idea" I said in a hoarse voice. I flexed my fingers and felt a surge of power. Ok I really was going to throw up. Amy noticed my face turning pale and rushed to my side. The feeling of nausea disappeared and I said "I'll be fine, I'll be fine"
"This cannot be happening though, it just can't. I mean this world is a work of fiction! You know, fiction!" Russell said. He pointed to the books sat in my suitcase as if to prove a point. "Fiction! As in some woman wrote them in a book, a fiction book. Movies have been made of this work of fiction! You have merchandise based on this fictional world!" Russell said. Before his voice too loudly I silenced him.
"I know! I know! You think I don't know that?" I snapped. "But whatever is going on we are here now and that is all that matters." I said, Amy stared at me.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. I picked up one of the books in my bag, it so happened to be the fourth one in the series.
"I mean we know what is going to happen, we can stop things form happening. Being here is not going to hurt us ok, so lets play along for the time being until we can figure out how to get back. Ok." I said. Amy frowned as did Russell. "What?" I asked.
"I don't like this!" Russell said. "This is all wrong! It goes against everything!" He hissed. Amy rolled her eyes.
"Not your science crap again, not everything can be defined by science" She said. Russell opened his mouth to argue his case but I silence them both.
"Look we are here and we have a 'mission' to do. I say we do that 'mission' then go. Simple as. This is not going to change our lives unless we have gone totally insane and then who knows what will happen" I said. Amy frowned again but didn't say a word. Russell groaned but also stayed silent. "Thank you" I said.
"We are never going to get away with this" Russell said. I was the one who frowned now.
"If we are going to stay here then we need to set up some rules as well." Amy said. I shot her a questioning look. She snorted. "Ev, you're a fan girl. A massive fan girl. You could screw up things in a big way." She said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I shot her a look that said 'How so?' "Well you could convince Harry not to marry Ginny and then marry Hermione or even worse make Hermione and Draco canon." Amy said rolling her eyes.
"Or even worse than that, Harry and Draco" Russell said with a snort. I rolled my eyes at both of them. "It could happen you are very persuasive and the actor who plays harry does look really gay" Russell added. The three of us snorted with laughter until there was a knock on the door. Before we could reply the door was pushed opened and three teens stood in the doorway. The Golden Trio. The wave of nausea hit me again and I really did think I was going to throw up.
"Hi, are you three ok?" the girl named Hermione asked as she stepped into the room. This really was pretty unreal. I mean I was sitting on a bed looking at the Golden Trio. Harry, Hermione and Ron. They were real…well they looked it…well you get what I mean.
"Yeah, we're fine." I said swallowing back my queasiness. "I'm Evelyn by the way, this is Amy and her cousin Russell" I added. Ron snorted loudly; God was he really that obnoxious in this world?
"We know my mum gave us the introduction. I'm Ron by the way. This is Harry and Hermione" Ron said, his chest puffing out. I held back my own snort.
"We know, Dumbledore filled us in" Amy said, her voice mimicking Ron's own obnoxiousness. Ron frowned then fell silent. Amy grinned at me, Russell and I suppressed our sniggers. "It's really good that you're parents let us stay here by the way" Amy said to Ron who still glowered at her.
"Ignore Ron, you hurt his pride slightly" Hermione said with a snort, she came and sat down next to me on Ginny's bed, before she could see the set of books in my beg and the one in my hands I threw them all together and closed my suitcase making it look like I was trying to create more room. Harry was still stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe in a casual way. I registered that he was more attractive than the actor whom played him in the films. His hair was much better in a shaggy way plus he had a more defined jaw, plus his eyes were actually green. "So Molly said you're related, is that right?" Hermione asked. Time to see if our story worked.
"Well Amy and Russell are cousins but I count them as family to me as well." I said.
"Yeah, Ev lost her parents when she was younger and ever since then she lived with me. But none of us knew about the world of magic till very recently. Russell and I are Muggle-born you see." Amy said sounding more convincing than I probably did.
"And you are?" Ron said staring at me.
"Half-Blood." I said in a clear voice, it was a lie but it felt right saying it. Ron raised an eye brow at my tone but didn't say anything. He went back to sulking.
"So you were sent here by Dumbledore right?" Hermione then asked, I nodded. "I wonder why he sent you, I mean you must powerful or really smart or-" Since when did she babble? "You must know stuff that Dumbledore thinks is useful or-"
"Mione you're babbling." Harry said speaking for the first time, in a drawling voice. He smiled at me as I shot him a look of gratitude. "She tends to do that when she'd nervous or when she's on a roll about something" Harry explained. Hermione snorted at Harry.
"Talk about me like I'm not here do!" She said laughing. This Hermione seemed much more relaxed than the one in the book and I wondered why this was. Harry flashed a grin at her while Amy shot me a 'Huh, get them' look I'd seen many times before. So" Hermione said turning her attention back to us. "Did you go to another school before now?" she asked. I nodded.
"Yeah, they were all school abroad…we liked to travel around a lot and pick up different aspects of magic" I lied. Hermione looked quite attentive while Ron just continued to look sulky.
"What was your favourite country to study in?" Hermione asked. Before I had chance to shoot Amy a pleading look she came to my aid.
"We studied in Japan for a few months which were fascinating. The culture over there is totally different from ours and it's very interesting how they combine magic and technology" Amy said. She had indeed been to Japan but for a holiday last year. She'd looked every moment of it and taken about a million photos, most of them of food.
"Wow, you must have quite a knowledge of magic then" Hermione said. Yeah sure, I thought to myself, we know all about the magic you've learnt and the magic you are going to learn. "so what was the most-"
"Do you play Quidditch?" Ron asked interrupting Hermione. All three of us shook our heads.
"No but I've played football, tennis, lacrosse, volleyball, badminton, netball and rounders since I was little and Russell was on the football, rugby and cricket teams at school." I said. Blank look from Ron.
"They're Muggle sports Ron" Harry said chuckling shaking his head at his friend. "So you went to Muggle school before you found out you were magical?" Harry asked. We nodded. At least that wasn't a lie.
"So did me and Harry" Hermione said. "Neither of us knew about the magical world till we got our letters." She smiled at us and I wondered why I had ever disliked her character. It was probably because she would go on the fancy Ron who was a total tool. Just because he was looking at me oddly I turned to Ron.
"Did you attend school before Hogwarts?" I asked. Ron shook his head. "That's a shame" I said, Amy and Russell tried to suppress their sniggers. Ron glared at me but before he could say anything Harry interrupted him.
"So will you be starting in the fourth year at Hogwarts?" He asked us.
"Yeah, hopefully we can keep up" Russell said flashing Hermione a grin. Typical. To be honest Hermione was pretty in a bookish type; her large teeth actually looked quite endearing. Hermione smiled back while Ron scowled even more. Sensing an atmosphere Harry spoke up again.
"You look pretty tired, why don't you have a rest, we can call you for dinner if you want it later." Hermione looked like she had more to ask us but Harry raised an eyebrow. " They will still be here tomorrow, I'm sure they look forward to the Spanish Inquisition." Harry said with a smile, I shot him a look of gratitude. Hermione nodded then stood up.
"Yeah I guess we should let you rest and stuff, Ginny and I will sleep on the sofas tonight ok, Molly said she squeezed another bed into Ron's room for you Russell. Well see you in the morning or later on!" Hermione said with a quick wave. She bustled Harry and Ron out the room and as they walked down the stairs I could clearly hear Ron's ask "What's the Spanish Inquisition?" I shot a look at Russell and Amy and the three of us dissolved into laughter.
"Ok…" Amy said wiping away her laughter tears. "That was surreal" With a smile I had to agree with her. It was surreal, very surreal.
Author's Note: Hopefully you like this. Please review, they equal love