Chapter 4
Lily was running across the Hogwarts grounds, Scorpius, James, Albus and Claire chasing her with water balloons that exploded in showers of confetti. She glanced back over her shoulder and tripped, falling forward into a dark expanse of nothingness. Lily found herself looking upon a scene familiar from her father's old photo album.
It was the photograph of the original Order of the Phoenix. She saw her grandparents and their friends, nearly all of them dead to her. The Dumbledores, Mad-eye Moody and so many others whom she would never meet. They all stared blankly, waving mechanically at her before she fell once more into the darkness.
I woke up to bright sunshine streaming onto my face. I blinked and saw that I was still in the Hospital Wing. For a split-second I thought that I had just bumped my head after being chased by Al, but then Madam Pomfery came out of the office that, in my time, belonged to Madam Trichley.
In my time.
I dropped my head into my hands, holding back tears. I had gone back in time. And there was no denying it. Teddy's father and my... my grandfather had been waiting for my to wake up. They had been worried about me. It boggled my mind to say the least. What was I supposed to do? Staying in the past meant the possibility of changing the future, not that I had any way of getting back. I felt lost.
And then it sunk in.
I was stuck in the past.
My parents hadn't been born yet.
I had no way to get home.
I couldn't let my relations know who I was.
I had almost no chance of seeing my family again.
I was separated from Rose, Hugo, Dad, Mum, Al, James and the rest of my close and extended family.
I was utterly and completely alone.
Despair swelled in my chest, clawing at my insides. I didn't know whether I should cry or suck it up, whether to scream at the world or find a corner and curl up in the fetal position. Instead I just sat on the pristine-looking bed in shock, staring unseeing out of the high windows I thought I knew so well.
Madam Pomfery must have seen that I was awake because a moment later she came bustling over, fussing over my head and making sure I was alright. Normally I would have tried to brush her away, but my toughness from growing up with two older brothers was one that could not be explained away. I let her fuss away, nodding when she asked if I felt any better and shaking my head when she asked if my head hurt anymore.
I was lost in thought, but vaguely heard her say something about seeing the headmaster. There was a silence and when I snapped back to attention and looked up at her I realized she was waiting for an answer of some kind.
"Sorry- what did you say?"
She looked down at me disapprovingly. "I asked if you would be able to eat some lunch before going to see the headmaster. I believe he wants to speak with you."
I nodded once again, realizing my stomach was growling with hunger. "Yeah, that'd be nice."
I sank back onto my bed, sighing heavily, as she walked away. My brain was racing-Who was headmaster? Dumbledore? He'd know what to do. A sudden realization crossed my mind.
Voldemort was alive in this time.
My blood seemed to freeze in shock. Death Eaters were running rampant, even inside the school. Voldemort was at the height of his power. I had heard countless tales of the terrors of the Second Wizarding War and had no desire to relive the First. My only hope was Dumbledore. Surely the greatest wizard in history would know of a way for me to get back.
I relaxed a bit, thinking of Dumbledore. I'd heard a lot about him as well. The greatest and wisest wizard who ever lived. Definetly. I thought. Dumbledore will know what to do.
Madam Pomfery came back with a bowl of chicken soup, some bread and pumpkin juice. She left me to feed myself while she attended to other patients and I ate hungrily, scarfing down the food. I hadn't eaten for at least twenty-four hours if not more.
The brown-haired matron came back and, satisfied that I had finished my meal, gave me a final once-over with a spell and announced that I was perfectly healthy. I had already known that, but pretended to look happy all the same.
"Alright then dearie, I'll just call Miss Evans to come and escort you to the headmaster's office." I had given her my confirmation and she had walked away before I realized that 'Miss Evans' must be Lily Evans.
My grandmother.
Confused emotions flew through my head. Wonder at meeting my dead (in my time at least) relatives, worry about how I was supposed to react to meeting these people and a surprising sadness for not bringing along my father with me. He would have loved to meet his parents when they were in school, even if it would be dangerous.
While I was thinking the doors to the Hospital Wing opened, revealing a young fifteen year old girl with long auburn hair that fell past her shoulders in soft waves, her brilliant emerald eyes scanning the the room and falling on me.
Her eyes widened involuntarily and I knew mine had the same reaction. Our red tresses were nearly identical in color, with mine perhaps a shade lighter. Her face was the same shape as mine, but my lips were thinner and I could tell that there was something about Lily Evans that made you feel like you could trust her. There was a depth in her green eyes, so like my fathers', that created a calming sensation and soothed my fears. We just stared at each other for a few seconds, taking in each other, before Lily broke the awkwardness.
"Well, uh, hi. I'm Lily. Lily Evans." she said brightly, holding out a hand for me to shake, an inviting smile stretching over her face.
"Li-Luna. Luna P-Thomas." I said, improvising wildly and cringing internally as I nearly slipped out my real name. A name like Lily Potter would be sure to cause problems in this time. It would raise too many questions, only fueled by the likenesses between us. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice my hesitation.
"Nice to meet you Luna. I'm a prefect for Gryffindor House and Professor McGonagall asked me to show a new student - that's you - to Professor Dumbledore's office. The other prefect is Remus Lupin, he said he was here when you woke up at first?"
I nodded blankly, not looking forward to seeing the boys again. I'd heard so many stories about the Marauders, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter back in my time - hang on... Peter. I wished I could do something to change the future. If only Pettigrew hadn't betrayed my grandparents, the girl standing in front of me no less, and escaped Voldemort might not have risen and I would have real grandparents - on both sides of my family.
"Are you okay?" Lily asked, jolting me out of my thoughts. She looked concerned, but I brushed it off.
"I'm fine. Just thinking." she nodded, not looking completely sure.
"Madam Pomfery?" I called. She looked up from where she was checking some potions in tiny vials. "Am I allowed to leave now?" She just nodded and went back to her work and I allowed Lily to lead me out of the Hospital Wing.
As we entered the rest of the school I looked around, truly interested in the place. I obviously hadn't seen it before the Battle of Hogwarts when it had been destroyed and wanted to see if there was anything different about the castle. As I looked around I couldn't see much that had changed, maybe a few details here and there, but no major differences between the Hogwarts that I knew and the Howarts that was nearly fifty years older.
We approached the familiar stone gargoyle that guarded the head's office in my time as well. "Acid Pops." Lily whispered. Of course, being a prefect she knew the password. I stepped onto the spiraling staircase and pretended to look amazed. It was harder than I expected, but she gave a smile at my expression.
We stepped onto the stone landing and Lily knocked the gold griffin knocker against the polished oak door. "Come in." said a soft voice, and the door swung open on silent hinges.
I looked around the headmaster's office as I stepped in and felt once again like I was back in my own time. The numerous shelves of books and magical instruments were still scattered around the office and the many portraits of previous heads set around the walls. The only difference was the absence of two familiar portraits- one of a hook-nosed, black-haired man with dark eyes and another of an extremely old wizard with half-moon spectacles. Nearly identical to the man sitting behind the desk.
Albus Dumbledore.
My brother's namesake, my father's mentor, the greatest headmaster Hagwarts ever had. His sparkling blue eyes shone and it calmed me more than anything ever could. There was a depth to his cerulean eyes that portrayed express concern and understanding. For the first time since arriving in the past I relaxed a bit and felt completely calm.
His fingers were steepled in front of him on the desk as though he had been thinking hard about something moments before.
"Good afternoon Miss Evans- is this the new student?" he asked, looking at me. I saw a slight flicker in the blue eyes as he took in my appearance, but it had disappeared a moment later.
"Yes, headmaster." Lily said, her green eyes sparkling as he gave her an approving smile. "This is Luna Thomas."
"Good afternoon, Miss Thomas." Professor Dumbledore said, nodding to me. I greeted him as well and he turned back to Lily.
"Thank you Miss Evans. Could you please wait outside the gargoyle for Miss Thomas? I would like a private word with her."
"Of course sir!" Lily said, waving to me as she went out the door. "See you in a little bit Lily!" I waved back, not trusting my voice to speak calmly and turned back to face Dumbledore.
The wizened old man conjured a wooden chair out of nothing and motioned for me to take a seat. "Sit, make yourself comfortable." he said kindly, his eyes twinkling. I heard a noise coming from behind Dumbledore and jumped.
"Don't worry yourself dear, that's just Fawkes." Dumbledore said, motioning to a beautiful red-and-gold-feathered bird who was looking at me with two beady black eyes. He trilled once again and the melody seemed to reverberate through the room.
"He's beautiful." I breathed as I took in the sight of the bird.
"Indeed he is." Dumbledore agreed, running his fingers through Fawkes' feathers. "But now to business." He turned back to me and I noticed that his eyes had dimmed considerably, leaving them colder and more calculating.
"Yes sir?" I asked, trying to sound polite. On the inside I felt terribly nervous.
"Something tells me your real name isn't Luna Thomas. "
I looked down at my lap, twirling a strand of my long hair around my finger.
"Who are you truly?"
I looked up and met his eyes. The blue orbs were piercing through me.
"Alright... My name is Lily." I noticed his eyes widen slightly in surprise, but pressed on. "Lily Luna Potter."
A/N:
So now Dumbledore knows! What happens now?
Hope you enjoy this! :D Thanks so much for reading! :D
~Megan
