Disclaimer: We own only Laruëalas, Jupiter, Jiana, and the twisted effigy of a plotline.
Chapter 35 – Laurëalas Heero
Jiana passed me and joined the conversation upstairs. I could hear Spike complaining that I'd stolen his lighter and Ji not being terribly concerned over it. But still, I felt a need to distance myself from them – or maybe just from my sister. I made my way through the (quickly growing restless) crowd in the front room and outside. I hugged a nearby tree and wandered aimlessly, ending up following the sound of voices to the backyard.
"I am."
"Am what?" I asked before stopping to think about it.
"Luna. Luna Lovegood," the tiny blond answered earnestly.
"Wha-oh." I frowned. "Jupiter, aren't you supposed to be helping out in the kitchen?"
"Oh yeah. I forgot."
"Well, go." He left, but would probably 'forget' the chore again as soon as he was out of sight. Either way, I could now deal with the problem at hand. More people. From a book we already had characters from, nonetheless.
"All right then. The deal is, you're in an alternate dimension or reality. Here your lives are recorded in a book, but only so much as they effect the main character. I'm Laurëalas Heero. You are Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, and Luna Lovegood. You already know Harry, Ron, and Hermione, I'm sure. Also in residence from your reality are Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black."
"Black?" Luna asked curiously. She and Neville exchanged a glance. "But didn't he…" My eyes went wide as I realized what she was about to say.
"Erk! Wait. Damage prevention. Draco, Neville, what year are you two in?"
"Don't speak to me as if you know me," Draco sneered.
"Listen, poof. I've been having about the worst day of my life. My perception of reality has been shattered and my house is full of people who aren't supposed to exist. This is pertinent information and you will answer me."
"I really don't see why I should."
"Because I will find out how to turn you into a little white ferret, keep you as a pet, and name you Princess Fluffy Puffkins if you do not answer me!" He turned slightly pale, but everyone else seemed to enjoy his discomfort to a certain degree.
"Fifth!" he finally squeaked out. "We just finished fifth year!"
"And you three?"
"Fourth," Hermione answered. "Is that a problem?"
"Yes, most definitely – especially considering the contents of book five. Or I guess from your perspective the events of that year. Dang it. I should just separate the lot of you and not let any of you talk to each other. That probably won't work though. Follow me. No magic in the house."
"What makes you think that you can just order me around like that?" Draco demanded, outraged. Not 'us,' but 'me.' Self-centered prat.
"Fluffy Puffkins," I answered, opening the door. There were some snickers and the sound of scrambling behind me and everyone had miraculously caught up by the time I reached the kitchen. Jupiter and Trunks were working on sandwiches to meet the demand of the Hobbits and children, and I spared them only a glance to make sure they stayed that way. Then, trailing six children I led them upstairs.
"They're from different books," I stated as soon as I reached the top landing.
"What?"
"Draco, Luna, and Neville. They're from book five. Prime Directive type problems loom on the horizon, Ji."
"What?"
"Star Trek. That whole not changing the past thing. Jupe was talking to Draco, Luna, and Neville in the backyard. They're from a year later than everyone else is. What do we do?" Draco, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had crowded onto the landing behind me. Luna looked over the half-wall between the upstairs room and the stairs, only her eyes visible. Neville was behind her on the stairs and therefore out of sight.
"Er… try to get everyone home?" She sounded surprised and uncertain. When fictional characters started showing up, this wasn't something we'd even maybe dreamed would happen.
"Yes, long-term goal. What about between now and then?"
"Leave them up here," Buffy suggested. "We can try to run interference and keep them from communicating."
"I dunno if that'll work."
"What, ya don't think a couple vamps and a Slayer can keep baby-Tara and mini-me from blabin' to their friends about the future?"
"Er, no. Not really. I was kinda thinking Sirius, Remus, and Severus might be able to. But they might not realize what's being said until it's already out. And I'm not entirely certain changing the last year would be bad. Except that tampering with reality's usually a bad thing all around."
"Yeah. Like with Anya's necklace," Xander mused.
"Yeah. Like that. So I thought I'd leave them up here and either Ji or I stick around to run interference as long as we can. Jupiter's no good for that kind of thing at all."
"So move and let them up the stairs already, Laur."
"Oh, oops." I sheepishly moved the rest of the way into the room and allowing the golden Gryffindor trio, the boy who often tagged along, a crazy Ravenclaw, and a silvery Slytherin to join the upstairs crowd.
"Ooo. Blondie there really does resemble Spike."
"Spike?" Draco asked, curious in spite of himself. When Xander nodded toward the lounging, black clad vampire, Draco simply sneered. "I do not."