Chapter 28 – So Good They Named It Twice

A giddy Romana flicked and pulled on numerous levers on the console, eager to return to Hogwarts as quickly as possible. The Time Lady couldn't believe that she hadn't thought about the medical facility in New New York before. The Doctor had even mentioned the city in passing but nothing had mentally clicked until a few minutes ago. Unloading some of her burdens regarding her human life had allowed her to think clearly and efficiently. If the doctors and medical researchers at the most advanced human hospital in all creation couldn't help Fred, no one could.

Unfortunately Fred's youngest brother wasn't sharing her enthusiasm, mainly because she hadn't filled him in on the complete plan, "Can you slow down", the red head cried, "I don't want to get lost in time or something".

"Sorry Ronald but we haven't got a moment to spare", Romana stated, pulling back on the flight lever, "no time for politeness either, I'm landing the TARDIS in the Hospital Wing". There was a small groan from the Time Rotor as the TARDIS struggled to keep up with her pilot's commands. The noise sounded very familiar to Romana, "Don't you start that", she sniffed towards her ship, "I haven't left the brakes on".

"Could you at least explain to me what you're planning?" Ron grasped for a railing as the time ship lurched slightly.

Romana hit another couple of buttons, landing inside the castle was proving difficult due to the ambient magic in the place, "I'd rather explain it to everyone, saves time that way". She felt the ship come to a gentle halt and she applied the parking brakes carefully, "I'd better go first, the Matron is not going to be happy with me". Sure enough Madam Pomphrey wasn't impressed with Romana landing the TARDIS in her hospital but Romana quickly deflected her annoyance with news of a possible solution to save Fred.

Fortunately most of the Weasley's were in attendance, the only exception being Percy who was dealing with the reconstruction of the Ministry. That was good for Romana who would only have to explain this once, "Mr and Mrs Weasley", she began, "with your permission I'd like to take Fred to the most advanced hospital in the known universe". The Weasley's stiffened slightly, clearly there were uncertain about allowing their son to leave the Hospital Wing, "I promise he will have the best care available and I will protect him with my life".

"I don't doubt that Romana", Mr Weasley stated in response, "but your doctor friend seemed to be certain there was nothing we could do to help him".

"And she was correct", Romana replied, "but Martha only has medical knowledge up to the twenty first century. The hospital where I propose to take Fred has a lot more knowledge and experience at their disposal".

"So you're taking him to a future hospital", Harry was part of the group, his arm resting on the shoulder of a pale faced Ginny, "doesn't that contravene some kind of rules regarding time travel".

Romana couldn't disagree with Harry on that point, technically she was taking Fred out of his natural timeline to receive treatment. If Gallifrey and the High Council were still around they would be furious with the suggestion but they weren't, "What's the point of being one of the few remaining Time Lords if you can't bend the rules on occasions?"

Her grim statement was met with a couple of disapproving looks from the assembled redheads, "Time is continually in flux", the Time Lady continued, "the only events I can't touch are fixed points, things that are so important to the time stream that even being there could have catastrophic implications for the universe".

"Is that your way of saying that Fred isn't important?" George asked bitterly.

The Time Lady winced slightly, she hadn't met to imply that but after revisiting her words it probably did sound like that. "Everyone is important George", Romana said carefully, "but not everyone in existence is critical to the space time continuum. Taking Fred from this time period to New New York won't have any drastic consequences for us". The group seemed placated but the Weasley's still looked apprehensive, "I'm not going to take him by myself, a few of you can come along".

"You still haven't told us where you're going", Bill answered, "perhaps if you started with that we can decide on the best course of action for Fred".

Nodding in acknowledgement of the oldest Weasley sibling, Romana began explaining her idea, "During my time at the Academy, I learned about the most advanced human hospital in existence. It was during the great human renaissance approximately five billion years into the future". She paused her monologue to allow the gasps of surprise to die down from the gathered witches and wizards, "This Earth was gone but humanity found a similar planet and established a colony there, giving it the imaginative name of New Earth".

Ron slowly raised his hand but Romana anticipated his question, "Like any star the Sun has a finite lifespan, around ten billion years give or take a decade. The Sun is roughly in the middle of its life and in five billion years time it will die in a massive supernova, taking Earth and most of the Solar System with it".

"Can't you do anything to stop it?" Harry asked.

"Remember what I said about a fixed point Harry", Romana stated, "the end of the Solar System is one of them. Don't be too disheartened though, humans will have colonised other planets and galaxies by this stage. The planet will have been safely evacuated so there's no danger to anyone on the surface".

Romana could feel the unease from the assembled magic wielders. She was discussing the eventual death of their planet in such matter of fact terms but to her, all these events had been established long ago. Humans thought in such a linear fashion when it came to time, to Romana some events of the future were no more malleable than those in the past. They weren't here to discuss the end of Earth though, this was about Fred's well being, "Getting us back on track, the finest medical doctors, nurses and researchers established themselves on New Earth, setting up a hospital in New New York".

"And you think they'll be able to help my Freddie?" Mrs Weasley asked with hope in her voice.

"I don't know", Romana sighed, "but they're probably your best chance". She watched the group pass each other a few nervous glances, this wouldn't be an easy decision for them to take, "Talk it over amongst yourselves, I'll wait in the TARDIS for your answer. Please don't rush your decision though". Leaving the contemplative Weasley's behind, Romana stepped back into her TARDIS and began preparing it for flight. She didn't want to waste any potential flight time calculating the correct trajectory. Fred could do with all the minutes she could spare.

Whilst she made the inputs Romana wondered if was doing the correct thing. After the Battle of Hogwarts, Kingsley asked her to be a special liaison between the magical and muggle world. If word got out that she had taken Fred to the distant future to get treated for his injuries, could that open the floodgates for others to ask for similar treatment? It was one of the reasons that the magical community kept themselves hidden away, fear of ordinary human bombarding them with requests to make their lives easier.

That was an interesting moral dilemma though, muggle and magical were all human and although some diseases were unique to wizards, some were shared across both. Scientists had been searching for a cancer care for decades but could the solution lie with the magical community? During her time as a human, Romana remembered Madam Pomphrey stating that healing potions wouldn't work as well on muggles because they're designed to feed and replenish an individual's magical core. There must be a point where magic and technology cross over though and Romana resolved to research the past, present and future of the wizarding world in greater depth.

Several minutes past before the TARDIS door opened, revealing Bill and Fleur Weasley, "Hope you don't mind but I'm bring Fleur along with me", the eldest Weasley stated.

"More like I wouldn't let him go alone", the French witch smiled at her husband, "who knows what trouble he would get into by himself".

Romana nodded at the couple just as George arrived with Fred's body on a stretcher. The co-owner of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes had levitated the piece of hospital equipment and was in the process of navigating it through the door, "Just head that way", Romana pointed towards the rear door of the console room, "the TARDIS will direct you straight to the med bay". George barely flickered an acknowledgement, choosing to calmly and mutely follow the instructions, "I do hope this works", the Time Lady sighed once George was out of earshot.

"You're not alone", Bill agreed, "he hasn't been the same since the Battle", he quietly took hold of Fleur's hand, "none of us have really".

"War does that to you", Romana murmured, trying to push the dark thoughts of the Time War to the back of her mind. She was semi successful, something she was claiming as a victory. It soon became apparent to her that no one else was following George into her ship, "Is this everyone?" she asked.

Bill nodded, "Mum and Dad didn't want to come, they're not convinced that travelling through time and space is particularly safe". Romana raised an eyebrow but tried not to take too much offense, "Harry chose to spend some time with Ginny and Ron opted to stay behind too, said something about having enough adventure for one lifetime".

"Fair enough", Romana stated and quickly pulled down on the flight lever for her ship. It would feel a little strange, going on a adventure without Harry and Ron but it was bound to happen at some point.

For a couple of pureblood wizards, Bill and Fleur didn't seem too alarmed by the general noises and vibrations generated by the time ship. If anything they seemed to be fascinated by the whole experience, "How does this work?" Fleur asked as she inspected the console, "travelling through time and space in this machine?"

"Ah now that is a very good question", Romana began with smile, "unfortunately the science involved is too complex to express in any known human language. I would have to invent several new words, sounds, expressions and even new letters just to cover the basics". She watched carefully as a mixture of shock and disappointment flashed across the blonde's face, "Put simply it harnesses the energy of a collapsing star to disappear in one place and reappear in another".

"Sounds simple", Bill nodded.

"It is, so simple that technically that explanation is incorrect", Romana replied with a small shrug, "would it be easier if I said it was magic", she added with a mischievous smile. Turning back to the console she noticed that they were approaching their destination. Making a couple of adjustments to the controls, she pulled back on the brakes to land the TARDIS safely, "There we are, billions of years into the future and a new planet to boot".

"We've arrived?" Fleur stated in shock, "but that hardly took anytime at all".

Romana smiled, "Like I said magic", she unlocked the doors with a flick of a switch, "do you want to take a look outside?"

The married couple looked at each other, "Is it safe out there?" Bill asked.

"Oh perfectly safe", Romana quickly checked the readout from the scanner, "might want to take an umbrella, rain's forecast for later in the day".

With a look of trepidation Bill and Fleur stepped towards the door and out into the new world. Romana counted to twenty in her head to give the couple plenty of time to take in their new surroundings. She quickly checked that her screwdriver was in her jacket pocket before following them outside. Instantly Romana's nostrils were hit with the smell of apples from the grass. She took a deep breath through her nose, these first few steps onto a new planet were always her favourite part of any trip. Judging by the neon green symbol above a nearby door, the TARDIS had landed directly opposite the entrance to the main hospital in New New York.

Romana should've been happy that help was nearly at hand for Fred but something was tugging on her time sense. Something was about to happen but she couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't an impending fixed point, the sensation wasn't strong enough. Deciding it wasn't worth worrying about for now Romana stepped in between Bill and Fleur and stated, "Welcome to New Earth Weasley's, shall we get Fred booked in?" With a small smile towards the pair, they stepped through the door.