Chapter 10 : Good news and bad news

"Dan!" "Emma?!" "Hey, Rupert!"

The front door of #12 had blown open and the group returning from St. Mungo's burst into the front hall, Harry, Hermione and Ron shouting for their 'twin'. While Remus and Molly stopped to cover Sirius' mother's portrait, who had added to the noise by starting to scream and rant, the young people ran into the front parlor and threw their arms around their counterparts, hugging them and trying to tell them what happened, while the twins and Ginny added to the general hubbub.

Mad-eye stomped into the room and roared, "QUIET!"

There was instant silence, as Molly and Remus joined them, shutting the door behind.

"Now, as it was too crowded at St. Mungo's and we couldn't talk in the car with Dung driving, I suggest we take a seat so all of us can hear about what happened and if your plan," his magical blue eye whirling around to look at Dan, Emma, Rupert and Tom, "worked or what."

"We'd all like to know," replied Dan. "So, did it work? Did you get that plant out of there?"

"Yes, Neville reacted just as you thought he would, the plant was removed and then I had a chat with Gran and Neville is getting his own wand at Ollivander's, as we speak!" Harry replied, with a big grin on his face.

"Wand? What's this about his wand?" asked Molly.

"Mrs. Longbottom gave Neville his father's wand to use; never got him one of his own. So Neville's never really been that good with his spells. Remember, Mr. Ollivander always says 'the wand chooses the Wizard'. Well, Neville has Frank Longbottom's wand and it won't work right for him, even if it is his Dad's. I convinced Gran to take him to get his own wand as a reward for saving Mr. Bode's life," Dan explained.

"So that's what you two were discussing over in the corner," Ron said, looking at Harry, who nodded his head. "And since when are you calling her Gran?"

"Gave me permission, thanking me for pointing out the error of her reasoning about the wand. She really has a wicked sense of humor, too, even about herself. She called herself an 'old battleaxe' and was proud of it!"

That revelation brought smiles and laughter from everyone.

"Well, I'm glad it all went well, but, unfortunately, that little test is the easiest thing you all are going to be doing, until Voldemort is gone. We've got lists of things that need to be talked about and planned, starting with getting a few more people here to join us." Ron reminded them, as he picked up a list and glanced down the page.

"First, Remus, we need you to go to Hogwarts and bring back the Headmaster, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape and Dobby."

"Right. How much should I tell them? You know Albus and Minerva will come without hesitation, but Severus might take some persuading." Remus questioned.

"Tell him the truth; it's a matter of life and death, his death in particular. Tell him that if he doesn't come and help us, all the years he's spent trying to protect Harry and risking his life spying for Albus will amount to a pile of dragon dung!" Dan told him, a smile on his face.

"Oh, he won't like that one bit, mate," Harry snickered.

"Okay, fine . . . worst case scenario; put him in a body bind and haul him here!" Dan looked at Remus and grinned wickedly. "Wing it, Remus. Have Albus insist he come . . . whatever it takes, just get him here!"

"Also, give Albus a heads up about what happened at St. Mungo's, have him get in touch with Kingsley and get that bit going about protecting Mr. Bode." Rupert reminded him.

"Right, I'll leave now." Replied Remus, patting Dan on the shoulder as he left the parlor.

"Okay, once we have those folks with us, we'll send Dobby to go and collect Draco and Narcissa."

"That'll be fun." said Sirius. "Cissa might come, but Draco will put up a fight."

"Fine, write Cissa a note, Sirius and invite her. Kreacher's already been to talk to her and Bella; she'll come, if only out of curiosity at who is here and what's going on, thinking she's helping get information for the Dark Lord and it'll make Draco a bit more important in Voldemort's opinion if he comes, too."

"Kreacher went to Malfoy Manor?" Hermione gasped. "Harry was right, then, he did leave! Oh dear, I wonder what all he's told them?" Looking around at the suddenly sober faces. "Could they get in here, attack us, if he's telling them things about us?"

"No, the 'Fidelious Charm' is binding on him, too. We're still safe." May-eye replied.

"According to the book, he just comes back and keeps an eye on all of us, spying, looking out and listening." Emma informed them, leafing through a couple pages of the copy of Book 5.

"You all don't pay any attention to House Elves, which is really careless, especially with one like Kreacher." Rupert added. "Not that they need S.P.E.W." He looked at Hermione. "Sorry, but they don't. It's just, taking them for granted isn't a good thing, either."

"Okay, here's a note for Cissa." Sirius got up from a desk in the corner and held up a folded, sealed piece of parchment. "I just invited them, as a Christmas gesture. And I think you all are wrong about Cissa; if she sees that she and Draco and even Lucius would be better off helping Harry, she'll do all she can. She's a Slytherin, through and through."

"So, did you just invite them? Isn't that breaking the 'Fidelious Charm'?" Molly asked.

"I didn't say where I was, just Christmas greeting and an invitation to join a party," Sirius shrugged.

"While she and Draco are reading it, we'll have Dobby grab their hands and they'll be here before they can say Goblin!" Ron suggested. "I'll talk with him when he gets here."

"Tricky, but effective." Tom nodded.

"Anything else, while we're waiting?" Ron asked.

"Not really, we need everyone here before we can start the next bit."

"Good! Let's go get something to eat! That little 'cuppa' at St. Mungo's wasn't very filling."

"He's a stomach on legs, isn't he?" Emma whispered to Hermione.

"It's amazing, as skinny as he is, how much he can eat. The twins are just as bad." replied Hermione, with a giggle.

"We heard that!" Fred and George threw over their shoulders, as they followed their brother out the door, heading for the kitchen.

X X X

"You wished to see me, Headmaster?"

Severus swept into Dumbledore's office, immediately aware that Professor McGonagall and Remus Lupin were also there.

"Ah, yes, Severus. Happy Christmas, by the way."

"Happy Christmas, to you, too. And you, Minerva. Lupin."

"Severus, Happy Christmas," replied Professor McGonagall.

"To what do we owe your presence, Lupin? Bringing Christmas greetings from our other furry friend?"

"As a matter of fact, Severus, this comes from more than just Sirius. We have visitors at Grimmauld place and you three are especially invited to join us, plus Dobby, the House Elf."

"Visitors? Black has nothing better to do than throw Christmas parties?" Severus sneered.

"Oh, this is way more than a party, it's more of an 'event' . . . so if you could call Dobby, Headmaster?" Remus turned to Albus.

"Certainly . . Dobby?" Albus summoned the House Elf.

'pop'

"Yes, Headmaster, sir. You is calling Dobby?" Looking around him, Dobby realized who was standing there and his eyes widened in surprise. "Is Dobby doing something wrong, Headmaster?"

"No, Dobby. It seems your presence has been requested, along with ours, at Grimmauld Place, for an 'event', as Remus calls it." Albus informed him.

"If you don't mind, Headmaster, I think I would rather skip Black's 'frivolities' . . . I have better ways to spend my holiday time . . ."

"Sorry, Severus, your attendance is mandatory, I'm afraid," Remus told him, with a smile on his face.

"Mandatory? On who's authority, might I ask?" Severus' eyebrow shot up.

"Dan Radcliffe, actually. Nice bloke. Suggested a 'body bind', if gentle persuasion didn't do the trick." Remus informed him, his smile getting wider by the moment.

"How can you resist such a desire for your company, Severus?" asked Minerva, stifling a giggle at the look on Severus' face.

"Resistance seems futile, my boy," added Albus. "Come, let us go join our friends, shall we?"

"Headmaster, I really . . . " Severus started to argue, but noticed Remus had his wand out, trained on him. "You . . . wouldn't . . . dare!"

"Try me." Remus answered, in a deadly growl. "This is going to save your life, so stop being a git and come along like a good little Slytherin."

"Save my life? With your wand pointed at me? An oxymoron, to say the least," Severus replied, starting to take a step backward, to have more room to duel.

"Another step, Severus, and I'll put you in a body bind, myself," Albus informed him.

Severus looked over at the Headmaster, disbelief evident on his face. But the look on Albus' face told him he'd better reconsider his next move. Discretion being the better part of valor, he nodded, lifting his hands to show he wasn't reaching for his wand. Then he walked over to the fireplace and took some Floo Powder from the bowl sitting on the hearth and threw it in, calling out "Grimmauld Place". As he stepped into the flames he heard Minerva say cheerfully, "Well, that went better than expected. Come along, Dobby.""

X X X

Severus emerged from the fireplace into the kitchen of #12 and by the expression on his face, those gathered around the table could see he wasn't a bit pleased about being there. Dobby came next, holding Minerva's hand, followed closely by Remus and then Headmaster Dumbledore.

As Remus pulled out chairs for the new arrivals to sit down, Dobby ran to Harry and threw himself into his arms.

"Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is most happy to see you! And you is inviting Dobby to come and visit you, too! This be a very Happy Christmas for Dobby! And Dobby is thanking Harry Potter for the gift Harry Potter is giving Dobby!" the House Elf gushed.

"Whoa! Whoa! Dobby, slow down! I'm glad to see you, too! And I'm glad you liked the socks! But I didn't invite you, Dan did."

"Dan? Who be Dan? Dobby is not understanding Harry Potter."

Turning the House elf around, Harry pointed to the approaching Muggle. "This, Dobby, is Dan Radcliffe, a new friend of mine."

Dan crouched down to be on Dobby's level and laughed at the look of utter amazement on Dobby's face. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person, Dobby," said Dan, as he shook Dobby's hand.

"But, you is looking like my Harry Potter, you is. But no glasses, like Harry Potter. Dobby is not knowing what to think." Spotting Rupert, Emma and Tom, his eyes got even bigger. "There be another Wheezy and Miss 'Mione and Master Draco be here, too!"

"Not yet, but that's why we need you here, to help us, if you would, Dobby," Dan picked Dobby up and settled him on one of the chairs, while Harry made the chair legs longer to lift Dobby to table level."

"I'm sorry, Headmaster, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape," interrupted Emma, standing. "We're being a bit rude; let me make some introductions. I'm Emma Watson and I portray Hermione in the Muggle films that will be made about Harry's life at Hogwarts. Sitting next to Ron is his film double, Rupert Grint. And standing over there by the stove is Tom Felton, who plays Draco. And Dan has already introduced himself."

"Mercy!" Minerva gasped. "Do we all have Muggle doubles?"

"Yes, and they are as close as we could get to the descriptions in Jo Rowling's books about Harry, although we did a little tweaking. For instance, the twins who play Fred and George had to dye their hair red, Tom had to dye his blond and Dan had to wear glasses, but between makeup and costumes, I think we are almost identical." Rupert explained.

"There are books about Harry?" the Headmaster asked, frowning.

"Ah, not yet. They start being released about a month after the Battle of Hogwarts, but we're getting ahead of ourselves . . . or behind . . . actually," Dan replied. "You see, in the year 2012, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco come to us and ask us to travel back in time, to now in fact, to try and save a few lives as you all go through the next two and a half years, or when Voldemort dies, whichever comes first."

"Why didn't they come themselves?" Albus persisted.

"Because of something that happens at the end of this school year. The Time Turners in the Department of Mysteries are smashed. While they are being repaired, it is discovered that there is a problem with Magical persons trying to go back any further than twenty-four hours . . . a fatal problem. So, we, as Muggles, were recruited as their emissaries, to help show you all what goes wrong and what can be 'fixed' to help make defeating Voldemort a bit easier, we hope!" Dan continued with his explanation.

Emma added, "And because we know what's going to happen and have gone through it, although only as actors, we could come back without the 'must not be seen' clause being a problem. So far, it's worked, no one has jinxed us or not believed us."

"We also have proof of who we are, as we went to Hogwarts and talked to you, Headmistress McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore." said Tom, as he wandered over and sat down next to Severus Snape. "Your Portrait was hanging opposite Albus's, Severus," he added with a grin, waiting to see what reaction that news would bring; he wasn't disappointed.

"Severus? Headmaster?!" "Albus is dead?" "You've got to be joking!" "Bloody Hell!"

Dan held up his hand. "Yes, after Albus is killed by Severus," There was an immediate outcry, forcing Dan to jump up on his chair and shout at the top of his lungs, "HE WAS SWORN TO DO IT BY ALBUS! AND AN 'UNBREAKABLE VOW'!" There was stunned silence. "Please, it'll all become clear, just let me finish." he stepped down off the chair. "Anyway, Minerva, Severus and Albus told us each something that no one but themselves would know, which we will tell you now, so that you will believe we are who we say we are."

Emma rose and walked to Professor McGonagall and whispered in her ear. Minerva's reaction was to clamp her hand over her mouth and break out in hysterical laughter.

Albus listened to what Rupert quietly told him and nodded, shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, there was a twinkle in them and a small smile on his lips, that hadn't been seen in a while.

Tom poked Severus on his arm and motioned him to lean closer. When Severus complied, Tom cupped his hand and whispered into the Potion Master's ear. Whatever he told Severus got a violent reaction; he swung around and stared at Tom, then stood and walked to the end of the room, muttering to himself, turned and started back, only to stop, his face contorted with rage and before anyone could move, he slammed his fist into the door of a cupboard, smashing the glass, splintering the wood and nearly knocking the door off its hinges. Cries erupted from the startled group watching his uncontrolled display of emotions, some of them jumping to their feet.

"Severus!" "Bloody Hell!" "Professor!" AHH!" "Blimey!" "You're bleeding!"

Molly grabbed a tea towel and approached Severus, who turned away from her, then pushed past her, heading for Tom with his wand out. Hermione shrieked a warning even as Emma threw herself in front of Tom, both hands held up to stop Snape, who hesitated for just a fraction of a second. But it was long enough for Emma to grab Severus around the waist in a furious hug. Totally startled, he tried, unsuccessfully, to pry her off of him.

"Unhand me, you silly girl!' he blustered.

"Not until you behave like a civilized human being!" She looked up at him and stuck out her tongue. Severus froze, staring at her, literally nose to nose, not believing what he'd just seen and then seemed to deflate in her embrace.

"That's better. Now, put your wand away and sit down . . . whatever it was that your portrait told Tom to say was, obviously, the correct thing to send back." She took his arm and made him sit down. Molly came over with the towel and started tending to his hand.

"I'm . . . sorry for my outburst . . . I just . . . " Severus was obviously mortified at his actions. "Thank you, Molly," he muttered.

"If it's any consolation, you made me swear, as an honorary Slytherin, to not repeat your message to anyone. And since we'll be 'Obliviated' when we go back, your secret is safe with me." Tom reassured Severus. "I'm just glad you didn't kill the messenger!"

"I don't know what to say, I'm terribly . . . ashamed at my loss of control . . . please forgive me."

"Severus, my boy, it is obvious your future self wanted to make sure, beyond a doubt, that you realize these young people are here to help us, am I correct?" Albus looked around at Dan, Rupert, Tom and Emma, who nodded.

Severus put his face in his hands for a moment and then looked around; all eyes were on him, but not with pity, but with understanding and empathy and a bit of nervousness.

"You know what this proves, Remus?" Sirius turned to his friend.

"I know I'll regret asking, but . . . what does this prove, Sirius?"

"That we were wrong about dear old Severus all these years!"

"WHAT?" Everyone had swiveled to stare at Sirius, as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yes indeed . . . all this time we thought he was a snarky old git, when all he wanted was a hug!" Getting up, he approached Severus. "Come on, Sev, old man, give us a hug!"

"Get away from me, Black, or I will hex you into next year!'" Severus growled.

"Aw, come on, just a little hug?"

"There is not the faintest possibility . . . " Severus started to protest, his hand tightening on his wand.

"Well, then you two shake hands," said Emma, who was standing next to Severus' chair, as she put her hand over his hand to calm him. "I'm Professor Snape's official hugger, and don't either of you argue the point," she directed at Severus, as he turned to her with a surprised look on his face, mouth open to protest, then turned to Sirius, eyebrow arched.

Sirius looked at Emma, grinned and stuck out his hand to his former enemy. "It appears what these youngsters are saying is the truth, which means we've got a lot to talk about and some ancient baggage to rummage around in and then get rid of, Severus. They've already called me on the carpet about several things, so we'd all better listen and learn. Otherwise, Albus, Remus, you and I are all dead within three years, me sooner than you three. Let's start out on the right foot, shall we?"

Severus looked up, first at Sirius and then at Emma, who nodded with a small smile. A glance at Tom, who winked, seemed to help him make up his mind, as he stood and extended his hand to shake Sirius'. Then he walked over to Remus and shook hands with him, too, before returning to his seat. Emma patted him on his shoulder and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Well done, Professor."

"Where's a video camera when you need one," said Rupert, throwing up his hands. "No-one will ever believe this happened!"

"We won't remember any of this, anyway, mate; so enjoy it while we can!" laughed Dan.