GIBBS

Once the initial shock had worn off, Tony had gone back into motormouth mode. Gibbs was pretty certain it was mostly to avoid having to actually think too hard about the strangeness of what was happening, and he could somewhat sympathise. At the same time, he really wished they had Abby or Ducky or someone with them, someone who could answer Tony's incessant questions without feeling the desire to head slap him into oblivion.

He was almost surprised by how much he'd remembered about their last trip through that damn door. He hadn't done as good a job forgetting it as he'd thought, despite his best efforts, and Tony had dragged a lot of details out of him.

"So you're telling me that you ended up investigating a murder in a castle in Scotland that's also a boarding school for witches and wizards?"

Gibbs had lost count of the number of times Tony had asked that question, phrasing it in a variety of ways, presumably trying to pinpoint any inconsistencies and get to the bottom of what he obviously suspected to be some sophisticated and totally out of character practical joke. Given that the alternative was to believe something that any rational person would consider impossible, well, it was understandable, but that didn't make the repeated question less irritating.

"Yeah, DiNozzo. That's what I'm tellin' you. You can keep on askin' and askin', or you can walk for-" he glanced at his watch "-about ten more minutes, and see for yourself."

Truth to tell, if they never reached the other door and he had to turn round and go back and claim he was just kidding, he'd be pretty grateful. The last dose of weirdness had been enough to last for a lifetime.

Eventually the tunnel levelled out and then they came to a familiar set of steps with a door at the top. Gibbs noticed that this one no longer had an iris scanner, and was a solid oak door that looked at home in the thick stone of the wall. Last time round, the door had been more appropriate to an evidence garage than a castle. Presumably the Room of Requirement no longer thought he required the comfort of familiarity.

Gibbs waited till all three of them had reached the top of the short flight, then tried the door. It swung open without resistance. Looking back at his agents, he motioned for them to follow him, keeping an eye out for bogies.

It seemed unlikely they'd come across anything too dangerous - last time it had been an autopsy suite. Admittedly, one that looked like it was from some strange mediaeval fantasy game. Under the circumstances, though, he had no confidence that anything would be as he remembered. He wasn't taking any chances.

He was right to doubt. The room turned out this time to be full of old fashioned coat racks and hat stands, complete with various overcoats, boots, and hats. He paid as little attention as possible to the robes (there really wasn't another word for the flowing garments, especially one rather grand one which had galaxies and solar systems embroidered all over it). They were too peculiar for comfort.

He tried to ignore all the pointy witch and wizard hats too, concentrating on the woolly bobble hats and sturdy winter boots. A glance through the window confirmed that it was winter outside, even though back in DC it was late spring and positively balmy. Best not to think about that.

Dumbledore had claimed this room changed depending on the user's need. Assuming he had meant it literally, that meant they needed... some kind of closet? Or... Hogwarts was a school, so... a cloakroom?

It didn't make a lot of sense, but then, he hardly expected it to by now. At least there was nothing overtly hostile or threatening in here.

Tony and Ziva were looking around, bewildered.

"What is this place?"

"So you really weren't kidding, boss."

They both sounded almost fearful - not an emotion he usually associated with either of them. Probably a good sign in this situation, he supposed. If they weren't a little freaked out by this, then he should worry.

"It's Hogwarts." He shrugged. It was no explanation at all, but he'd already told them everything else he knew.

They quickly searched the room, discovering nothing more suspicious than odd socks and sweet wrappers. There was a door which evidently led into the main part of the castle. Since there was nothing of interest in here, that seemed like the next logical move.

With the ease of long practice, they formed up by the door, then stepped outside in unison, sweeping their guns and searching for danger. Then, as one, they lowered their weapons.

The corridor was full of children.

Gibbs guessed they were in their early teens, and they were inspecting the newcomers and their weapons with interest, but no fear.

Much as he liked kids, this was not what he'd expected to find. Ziva was looking at him with questioning eyes, and all he could do was shrug yet again. Your guess is as good as mine, he wanted to say.

He glanced over at Tony, who was staring wide eyed over Gibbs' shoulder.

"Tony!" His agent didn't flinch at his sharp tone - didn't appear to have even heard him. Gibbs suppressed a sigh as he turned to see what had got Tony so transfixed. Then for a second he felt like his heart might stop.

"Kate."


A/N: I know a few people who will be pretty thrilled by the second AU ;) hope this chapter works for everyone, it took me a long while to get it figured out.