Five minutes later, everyone was assembled in Madame Maxime's office. Each individual had reacted differently to the news of Death Eaters in France. Hermione was biting her nails nervously as she and a very calm Flamel poured over parchments of runes and incantations. Lupin was pacing nervously back and forth, and Leila was sitting very still in her chair, her eyes wide with fear. Snape and the Headmistress were arguing.
"You said we'd be safe here!" the former Potions master accused.
"I didn't think they'd guess where you were," she cried, wringing her hands. "Someone on your end must 'ave informed ze Death Eaters where you were, because I certainly did not!"
"The only person who knew on our end was Minerva McGonagall, and I would trust her with my life," Snape growled.
"Zat was obviously an unwise decision on your part," Madame Maxime snapped. "I have granted hospitality to you at the risk of my students' lives, and this is 'ow you repay me? By accusing me of not doing everything in my power to 'elp and protect you?"
"You told us that Beauxbatons was the safest place in Europe!"
"If you don't feel safe 'ere, zen you can just leave!"
"And go where?" Snape scoffed. "The anti-portkey and anti-apparation wards are already in place. The Floo network has been cut off. We are trapped, and it's your fault…"
"The wards are as strong as I can make them without help," Madame Maxime said angrily, glancing over at Flamel.
Lupin stopped his pacing and threw up his hands. "Please! Maxime, Severus, we are adults! No matter how much you two fight it still doesn't change the fact that the Death Eaters are here, and unless the wards are strengthened, we're going to be fighting for our lives against unbeatable odds in a few hours. And we still don't know how the Death Eaters found us…"
"It's evident, isn't it?" Madame Maxime huffed.
"Yes, it's evident that you were the leak!" Snape spat.
Suddenly Harry was struck with an idea. "There's only one way to find out for sure," he interjected quickly. Both Snape and Madame Maxime turned to look at him.
"Hermione," Harry called, and she looked up with from the intricate plans she and Flamel were engrossed in. "How did the Death Eaters find out where we were?"
Confusion fleeted across her face. "It's obvious, isn't it?" Hermione said, brushing a stray piece of hair away from her face. "They must have suspected that you'd try to leave the country. They must have been watching all the outgoing international Portkeys through the Ministry of Magic."
There was a moment of shocked silence. Then Lupin sank into the nearest chair. "The girl's right. Dear god, what have we done? Maxime, we've practically put the death sentence on you and your students!" Lupin buried his face in his hands.
Madame Maxime's demeanor instantly softened. "Oh, Remus, do not blame yourself! 'Ow could you 'ave known?"
"But we've doomed you all."
The Headmistress placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Not necessarily. We'll get through zis somehow, don't you worry. Zere are only about twenty students remaining 'ere over Christmas holidays, and we 'ave safe rooms under the castle zat ze students can stay in. Ze Détenteurs—zey are the French Aurors—will help defend ze school, but ze Death Eaters outnumber them and us. Of course, it'd be easier if…" She trailed off and glanced over at Flamel, and Harry followed her gaze, curious. Flamel and Hermione were back at work, arguing over a certain incantation. Maxime lowered her voice. "It'd be easier if Nicholas would help, but 'e insists on remaining completely neutral. Claims it isn't fair for 'im to take sides, especially when he 'as six hundred years more experience than them."
"What?" Harry exclaimed. Lupin's mouth was moving angrily, but no words were coming out.
Madame Maxime looked surprised. "You didn't know? I thought everyone knew."
"You'll have to forgive us, but in our world Flamel wasn't even alive," Lupin said tightly. "Now what is this about him not taking sides?"
The Headmistress glanced once more in Flamel's direction. "Nicholas is a wonderful old man, but 'e refuses to take sides—ever. 'E is a marvelous dueller and has a much more powerful magical core than anyone else alive today. 'Eis more powerful than Dumbledore ever was, and more powerful than Voldemort will ever become. 'E has spent his whole life gaining more knowledge; hence, 'e knows about every spell ever invented and also 'as an endless supply of spells 'e created himself. Because of zis, 'e feels that it is wrong for him to pick a side when wars like the current one come up. He will train anyone who comes to him for knowledge, 'e will support the light wizards and witches in their fight, but 'e will not join in active combat or defense."
Lupin was sputtering angrily. Harry looked over at Leila, but she didn't look surprised. "You knew?"
She shrugged. "Everyone knows, Harry. It's common knowledge back at home."
Harry turned back to the Headmistress. "So he will sit here and reverse our Aperio, but won't even help you defend the castle from the Death Eaters outside."
Madame Maxime's shoulders slumped. "Actually, I still don't know why 'e agreed to 'elp you reverse your Aperio. Maybe 'e felt that 'e was paying his final respects to Dumbledore by 'elping you. Maybe he feels guilty that Dumbledore died confronting the man he would not face himself. I do not know. What I do know is zat if 'e wanted, 'e could keep my school safe, but 'e will not."
Lupin rose from his chair, his face a mask of fury. "Flamel!"
The white-bearded man looked up from his parchments. "Yes?"
"I must speak with you now, sir. It is urgent."
A knowing expression spread across the older man's face, but he dipped his head in compliance and followed Lupin out the door into the corridor.
Madame Maxime sank wearily into the chair and rubbed her temples. "It will do no good," she sighed.
Snape looked at her sharply. "What makes you say that?"
The large woman signed disparingly. "Do you think zat in six hundred years people 'ave not tried? I 'ave begged Nicholas to see reason, but 'e is set in his ways. He would not even help Dumbledore defeat Grindewald."
"Your Mr. Flamel hasn't yet encountered Remus Lupin," Snape muttered.
Harry silently agreed. Remus Lupin could be very convincing—especially the Lupin from the other world.
Suddenly Maxime burst into tears. "It is no use! It will take ze Death Eaters no more than four hours to enter ze school, and there is nothing more I can do!"
"Where are your students now?" Snape inquired.
"My staff have taken them to the safe rooms under the school," Maxime said, "but if the school falls, it will only be a matter of time before the safe rooms are taken as well."
She would have continued, but Snape cut in. "What kind of wards do you have around the school?"
The Headmistress told him, using a lot of terms Harry had never heard before. "But even those wards are no good," Maxime finished, tears welling up in her eyes again. "'Ogwarts's wards were better than Beauxbatons's, and ze Death Eaters broke through those easily!"
Snape was scowling at the ground, but by now Harry knew that this meant the Potions Master was simply thinking. "Have you thought of using Inhibitory Blockade Spells?" Snape asked.
Madame Maxime shook her head. "What is zat?"
"I may be able to help you with the wards," Snape growled. "In the other reality, I helped Dumbledore with the wards at Hogwarts, and we might have used spells that the Death Eaters don't know about in this world."
The Headmistress's face brightened. "Really? Do you think zat would work?"
"Right now, you don't have any other choice, do you?" Snape said sarcastically.
She frowned. "I suppose you're right. It's worth a try, anyway! Come, I'll take you to ze central ward core."
Snape wordlessly followed her out the door, but he wore a slightly smug look. As the door swung open, Harry caught a strain of Lupin's raised voice. "…a coward, Nicholas! That's all you are…" Then the door slammed, and there was silence in the room.
Harry looked over at Leila. She was twisting her hair anxiously and biting her lip. "Are you alright?" he said in a low voice.
She nodded, not meeting his eyes.
Hermione suddenly laid down her quill and began blowing on a piece of parchment. "I think I've got the spell," she announced, then glanced up and seemed to realize that the room was mostly empty. "Where'd they all go?" Hermione asked, looking confused.
"Lupin is trying to convince Flamel that he should join in the fight, and Snape is helping the Headmistress strengthen the wards."
"Oh," Hermione said, looking a little put out. "Well, I'll have to have Professor Flamel look over my work when he returns, but I'm pretty sure I've got the right incantations and rituals."
"How long will it take?"
She thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. It could be a half an hour, it could be two days. We've got quite a few spells to do."
"So," Leila said, sitting up. "So they could be gone…forever…in less than an hour."
Hermione nodded sympathetically. "Yes, they could."
Leila swallowed hard. "Then I'd better say my goodbyes, huh?"
The older girl nodded once again, then went back to the desk and thoughtfully buried her face a large dusty book.
Leila turned to Harry. He watched her carefully, afraid that if he let it sink in that he would never see her again, he might loose control. Merlin, that girl means a lot to me.
"Harry," Leila said softly, her voice only quivering slightly. "I…I really don't know what to say. I just…Oh gosh, this really sucks."
"I know," Harry muttered, and a moment later, his sister had thrown her arms around him.
Harry hugged her back, closing his eyes and willing the tears to remain unshed. "Leila, I'm sorry for being such a prat…you know, about Theodore."
She pulled away and looked up at him. "You don't have to apologize."
"But I do," Harry said, pressing on. "I was a right git. And…and I'm sorry about Mum and Dad. If I hadn't…"
"No!" Leila cried. "No, I will not allow you to blame yourself about them!"
"But it's my fault! If I hadn't told the Order about the Horcruxes…"
"Harry, it is not your fault!" Leila said fiercely. "If you blame yourself one more time, I swear on Merlin's grave I'll hex you."
Harry managed a half grin. "Playing dirty, huh?"
She leaned back in her chair, a small smile tugging at the corners of her face. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too."
"Most girls would pay half the galleons in Grinotts to be rid of their older brothers."
"Most girls aren't lucky like you," Harry said, keeping a straight face.
She gave him a stern glance. "A year ago, I might have considered the offer. You know, paying the galleons to be rid of you."
"Was I that bad?" Harry asked, alarmed.
Leila giggled. "Gottcha."
Harry swatted at her, but she slid away. "Now, now. Is that the last impression you want me to have of you? Beating on me like any normal brother?"
Harry looked down. "Maybe if I hadn't been so nice, you wouldn't miss me so much when I leave."
"No, Harry." Leila reached over and turned his face towards her. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
Harry met her eyes. "Thanks," he whispered.
The door opened, and Harry and Leila both turned to see who had entered. It was Madame Maxime and Snape. Harry could still hear Lupin's voice filtering in from the hallway. "….Dumbledore…do you really think…"
The door shut, and Madame Maxime plopped down in a chair. "Lupin will never convince him."
Snape said nothing.
Hermione cleared her throat nervously. "Um, I think I've created the right incantation."
Both instantly stiffened. "You 'ave?" Madame Maxime said skeptically. "Are you sure…"
"I'm sure," Hermione said firmly, her jaw set.
The Headmistress opened her mouth, probably to protest, but Harry jumped in first. "So, how are the wards, Madame Maxime?"
Hermione shot him a grateful glance. "Oh, ze wards are very strong now. Severus 'ere is simply marvelous with ze wand!" Maxime gushed.
Snape scowled even harder at the praise. "I told you, Maxime, the spells were ones Dumbledore taught me!"
"But you remembered them," Maxime said happily, as if that made all the difference.
"How long will the wards last now against the Death Eaters?" Leila inquired.
Maxime and Snape exchanged glances. "I'm guessing about forty-eight hours," she said. "Long enough for us to reverse ze Aperio, anyway. Of course, it will take less time if you really do have the right spell," she finished skeptically.
Hermione flushed red. "I assure you, Madame Maxime, that my spell is…"
The doors opened, and Hermione stopped mid-sentence. Lupin strode in, a satisfied expression on his face; Flamel followed, looking subdued.
No one spoke for the longest time. Harry was dying to know whether Lupin had made any headway with the stubborn old man, but didn't dare to ask the question that everyone was thinking.
"Professor?" Hermione said timidly, finally breaking the silence. "Professor, would you come and look at this? I think I've completed the incantation."
Flamel seemed to wake from a trance. "Certainly, my dear," he said, and quickly joined Hermione at the desk.
Lupin sank into the chair next to Harry. Madame Maxime was staring open-mouthed at the werewolf. Lupin met her gaze, then gave a pronounced nod. Across the room, Snape was smirking.
"What did you say to him?" Harry hissed, unable to suppress his curiosity any longer.
"What we discussed is confidential," Lupin said quietly. "But I do not doubt that now he will have no qualms in joining our side."
Harry exchanged incredulous glances with Leila, who let out a sigh of relief. "Maybe we'll have a chance at winning the war now," she said.
Madame Maxime's mouth was still open. She shook her head angrily. "Nicholas! Does this mean you will help me keep ze students safe now? You will fight against ze Death Eaters?"
Flamel turned slowly from the desk to meet her gaze. There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence. Then he nodded. "Yes, I will help."
If possible, the Headmistress's mouth opened even wider. Then she sank into a chair as tears filled her eyes. "Good lord," she whispered, and then began to murmur things in French, all the while dabbing at the tears with an enormous handkerchief. Harry caught a few words—he had picked up a little French while at Beaubaxtons, after all. The Headmistress was saying, "Mes étudiants… mes étudiants seront sûrs…" My students, my students will be safe.
Flamel turned back to the desk, but a moment later he was facing the little group. "The spell is completed," he said. "But as I am not sure exactly how long it will take to complete the different components, we should start immediately. Right now."
Snape, Harry, and Lupin all looked at each other. "Tell us what to do," Lupin said quietly.
And Flamel did. They first had to undergo spells that truly completed the partial Aperio bonds between the three participants. "Put aside your differences in your minds," Flamel said as Hermione muttered long strings of incantations under her breath. "One in mind, body, and spirit."
As Hermione finished the last incantation, Harry felt a warm glow spread throughout his body. Opening his eyes, he saw the last thread of golden light connecting him and Lupin and Snape disappear into thin air.
Flamel sighed. "The first step completed, we must now move into the second and most complex step. The triqueta rune is important because it is the very core of the magic of the Aperio. The rune must be drawn on the floor, painted with a special potion made of eighty-seven separate ingredients. Then we can begin the last part of the reversal—the Sending Stage. You each will stand in one of the triqueta's triangles, and touch wands over the middle ground as Hermione and I create a magical field around you with layers of complex spells. These spells will hopefully eventually become so strong that you will literally be pulled out of this world and into your own."
Harry nodded nervously, and Leila squeezed his arm. "It will be OK, I promise," she whispered. "Flamel and Hermione know what they're doing."
"No, they don't," Harry argued. "They don't know what they're doing, and that's what worries me! They've never reversed an Aperio before. How do they know they're not going to kill us in the last step?"
"You'll just have to trust them. Think, Harry. Has Hermione ever been wrong?"
"Uh…." He could only think of one time off the top of his mind—the time in the Shrieking Shack when Hermione had guessed that Lupin was letting Sirius into the castle and Sirius wanted Harry dead. But everyone had thought that. That time didn't really count. He shook his head shamefacedly.
"See? Trust them, Harry."
It took three hours for Flamel, Hermione, and Snape to brew the potion. Both Flamel and Hermione were quite impressed with Snape's potions skills, and by the way the Potions Master was scowling, Harry was sure Snape was a bit embarrassed by their praise. Finally, the solution was done, and the wooden floor had been cleared.
"Are you sure we should do it here?" Hermione said nervously. Flamel looked up.
"Why not, Miss Granger?"
Hermione bit her lip. "I think the spells would work better if the rune was drawn on a marble floor, Professor."
Flamel frowned. "But wood has more magical properties," he said.
"True," Hermione admitted, looking very shy. "But…sir… I read somewhere that in complex spells, wood has more of a tendency to absorb some of the magic. In this particular set of incantations, we need all the magic to stay in the triqueta field, since the threshold is high for activating a reversal of an Aperio. Marble doesn't absorb magic nearly as much as wood, so I was thinking it might be better."
Flamel looked at her for a very long time. "You are correct," he finally said, looking a little taken aback that a seventeen-year-old Muggleborn witch had just bested him. "We will move to the ball room."
Leila disappeared for a few minutes as they were making their way down to the ball room. When she finally reappeared in the marble-floored room, she was panting slightly and clutching something in her hands. "Here, Harry," she said, thrusting a small bundle of something at him. "Take these."
"What is it?" Harry asked. He looked down and found himself looking at a dozen of the best pictures from the photo album Leila had shown him when they'd first arrived at Beauxbatons. There were family pictures, single shots, and even the most recent picture of everyone smiling at his seventeenth birthday party.
Harry looked up at his sister. "Leila…"
"I want you to have them," she said, swallowing hard. "So…so you don't forget."
Harry pocketed the pictures. "I won't forget, ever," he promised softly.
Flamel and Hermione had finished drawing a perfect triqueta on the marble floor. "We are ready," Flamel called, and Harry went to stand next to Lupin on the perimeter of the rune. "Each of you step into a triangle," Flamel instructed. "Then hold your wands out over the center portion."
Harry held out his wand and felt a little jolt of electricity as it touched the ends of Snape's and Lupin's wands. "Remember what you were wishing on the night the Aperio took place," Flamel said softly. "It is that wish that binds you three together; it is that thought that can return you to your world." He pulled out his wand and begun to mutter spells under his breath.
Harry looked over at his sister one last time. It felt as if a piece of his heart was being ripped out and kept here in this world—he had been given a family, and now the last remaining member was being taken away from him.
Leila had seemed so calm about the whole situation, but when Harry looked at her now, she seemed to be fighting an internal battle. "Concentrate on the reversal process," Flamel said sharply, and Harry turned back to the center of the triqueta.
But a second later, he was being crushed in a hug. Harry pulled out of the connection and turned to find Leila sobbing uncontrollably into his chest.
"Leila?"
She wasn't stopping. If anything, her sobs were becoming louder. Harry fought to suppress the tears in his own eyes. "Leila!"
Leila finally looked up, tears streaming down her face and dripping off her chin. "Oh god, Harry. I thought I could do it. I thought I could let you leave like this, but I can't! I just can't do it. You're….you're all I've got left." She buried her head in his chest once again.
"Oh Leila," Harry whispered, holding her close and stroking her hair.
Over her shoulder, he could see the shocked and frustrated faces of Lupin, Snape, and Madame Maxime. Flamel was watching the scene with a stoic face, but Hermione looked as if she was fighting back tears.
And suddenly, Harry didn't care any more. He didn't care what they thought; he didn't care that the Death Eaters were surrounding the school, or that they couldn't stay in this world for much longer. All he cared about was finding a way to stay with Leila.
He met Hermione's eyes over Leila's head. "Is there a way?" he asked quietly.
Hermione bit her lip. "It's never been done before…Oh, what am I saying? Reversing an Aperio has only been done once. Harry, I don't know… Nothing I've read has come out and stated that it was completely impossible. It would be risky, though."
"I'll take any risks."
"What are you talking about?" Madame Maxime interjected angrily. "We 'ave no time for this! You must leave now."
"Harry, she's right…" Lupin began.
"No," Harry said.
"No?" Lupin repeated, looking confused.
"No," Harry said again. "No, I'm not going. Not if it means leaving Leila here alone."
Lupin's jaw dropped, and he began to sputter incomprehensibly. "But…but…you…the Aperio..."
"Stupid, idiotic boy," Snape spat, shooting daggers at Harry with his eyes. "You will put your silly family ties before the fate of both worlds? How very noble of you."
"Surely you do not mean what you 'ave said," Maxime said, wringing her hands. "Harry, I implore you to listen to reason!"
"No," Harry said again. Suddenly his mind felt very clear. He glared at the three adults surrounding him. Leila had untangled herself from the embrace, but Harry still kept one protective arm around her shoulder. "No, I can't go. Not if it means leaving Leila. Do you want to know why? Here's why. If I have to leave the only family I've ever really known behind in this godforsaken world, I won't even have the desire to reverse the Aperio, and none of your silly spells and runes and incantations will work after all."
There was a moment of shocked silence.
"The boy's right," Flamel said quietly. "None of our spells will be able to pull him back into his own world if he is unwilling to go."
After another stunned moment, Snape began to swear under his breath. Lupin's face turned very red, and Madame Maxime began to ramble in long strings of French.
Harry didn't care. He turned back to Hermione. "How?" he said.
She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "If…if Leila were to go back with you, she would of course encounter problems because there is no 'Leila' in your world. If we were to send her along with you normally, she would die the instant she arrived in the other reality. But that can be remedied. There is an ancient spell that binds two people's life forces together. If you were willing, the spell could bind you and your sister together. In your world, she would be living off of your life force."
"Wait," Harry said, frowning. "She'd be living off of my life force? What does that mean?"
Hermione sighed. "You would feel no side effects or magical draining because of the binding, but were you ever to die, she would instantly die too."
"Absolutely not," Harry said, horrified.
"Finally a rational decision," Maxime said loudly. "Now, if we can continue…"
"I'll do it," Leila said suddenly.
"Leila!"
"Harry," she said, her voice dangerously low. "Don't you get it? I don't want to live without you. I'll do anything—even if that means being dependant on your life force." She sighed dramatically. "Of course, that would make for some excellent bribery on your side of things…"
Harry managed a small smile. "Leila, you don't understand. I've got to go up against Voldemort. I can't even promise you I'll live to be eighteen!"
Her eyes flashed dangerously. "How many times must I say it? Harry, I DON'T CARE. I don't think I'll ever be happy without you and Mum and Dad. A month in your world is better than the rest of my life here."
"Leila…"
"How many times must I say it, Harry?" she said, exasperated. "I have nothing left here. Nothing."
Harry met her eyes. "You're sure?" he said softly.
Leila nodded. "I'm sure."
He turned back to Hermione. "What do we do?"
"Harry," Lupin began, but one look silenced the werewolf.
"First I should warn you that cross-reality travel is extremely hard, even for people who have lived in both realities at one point of time. Leila, I don't know what will happen to you when the Aperio is reversed, only that it will most likely be unpleasant. When you arrive, you will most likely need a few weeks to regain your strength. Is that clear?"
Leila nodded.
Hermione pulled a large dusty book from the stack of books she'd brought from Flamel's office. "The ancient spell in here," she said. "Conjure up two small knives and a small silver bowl."
Harry quickly conjured up the required items while Hermione flipped through the book. The others watched, but no one tried to interfere.
Hermione read the instructions to herself. "OK," she said, biting her lip. "You've got to put a little of your blood in the basin."
Harry quickly sliced his forearm and let the blood drain into the bowl. Leila took a little more time, obviously uncomfortable with the whole cutting part. "Just don't think about it," Harry encouraged her, and finally she was able to make a small slice in her right forearm.
"Now press your forearms together," Hermione instructed, and they did. Harry tried not to think about the excess blood running down his arm and soaking into his sleeve.
Hermione closed her eyes and began chanting a spell. The silver bowl began to smoke, and the red smoke surrounded the brother and sister. It was the strangest sensation Harry had ever experienced. It was almost as if a part of him had floated up to the ceiling and was observing the ritual from above. Then another part of him was still standing there, ignoring the searing pain in his arm, and trying not to cough from the red smoke. As Hermione finished her incantation, a red light shot out of the end of her wand and wound its way around the siblings. Harry suddenly felt as if something was pulling in his chest. He gasped and held his stomach with his free hand. Leila was gasping as well, looking as if she'd just been socked in the stomach.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the pain was gone. He could breath again, and his forearm didn't hurt any more. Harry examined it, and to his surprise, the cut was healed, with only a thin white line showing where the dagger had cut his skin.
"Are you alright?"
Leila looked up from examining her own arm. "I'm fine," she said. "What just happened?"
"You are now dependent on Harry's life force," Hermione said.
"Yeah, so don't ever try to murder me. It might not be good for your health," Harry joked, and Leila smiled.
The three teenagers turned back to the adults.
"If you're finished, we have an Aperio to reverse," Lupin said tightly.
Harry was in his position again, except that this time, Leila was standing in his triangle as well. "Hold on tight," he muttered, and she wrapped her arms securely around his waist.
Harry touched wands with Lupin and Snape again, and then turned to look at Hermione one last time. "Thank you," he said. "You don't know what this means to me."
She smiled sadly. "It was nice meeting you, Harry. I hope all goes well for you in your world."
Flamel lightly touched her shoulder. "Are you ready?"
Hermione took one last long look at Harry and Leila, then nodded.
"Then let's not put this off any longer," Flamel said.
He and Hermione began to erect the layers of magic again. As each set of incantations was completed, a new color of light would surround the four in the triqueta. The magic swirled around them, giving him a lightheaded feeling. The light pulsed and moved, forming a sphere nearly twelve feet high. Finally, when Harry was sure that no more magical walls would fit around them, Hermione and Flamel raised their wands and said at the same time, "Priori novo fatumetas!"
Instantly, Harry's world was plunged into darkness as he felt a burning, squeezing, spinning sensation. He felt as if he was trying to Apparate, take a Portkey, and Floo at the same time. Leila's arms tightened around him, and she uttered a soft scream.
"Hang on tight," Lupin shouted from the other side of the circle. "The wands are keeping us together! The connection must not break!"
Harry gritted his teeth and pushed. He could feel the magic trying to tear him away from Lupin and Snape, but he resisted, and forced the connection to stay strong.
The spinning sensation was replaced with a jolting, bumpy feeling. Harry tried to imagine that he was just on the Knight Bus, and that the feeling would go away soon, but it didn't help.
Then there was a huge pressure, kind of like being run over by the Knight Bus. He could hardly breathe—and what was worse, Leila's arms were relaxing—she was loosing her grip…
Harry tightened his hold on her and pulled with all his might. Please help this to end quickly!
The darkness disappeared, and now they were spinning through a world with bright flashes. It was almost like being in a cloud during a lightning storm.
"One more jolt," Lupin yelled. "Hang on…"
Harry held on with all his might. There was a mighty bump, and then he was falling…falling…falling…
"Umph." He hit the ground with a mighty impact that knocked the breath out of him. Harry was vaguely aware of the fact that there was something soft and cold falling on his face as he gasped for air. The world was spinning, but soon the rotations got slower and slower.
He sat up and looked around. Everything was dark, and Harry fumbled around for his wand, and he finally found it next to him buried in a large pile of cold fluffy stuff. "Lumos," Harry whispered, and instantly the scene around him was lit by the eerie yellow glow of his wand.
He seemed to have landed in a small snow drift. A few feet away, Snape was slowly getting to his feet, brushing snow off his robes. Lupin seemed to be having a harder time of it. Harry quickly turned back to Leila. She was lying still in the snow.
"Oh Merlin," Harry muttered. He quickly bent over her, but she seemed to be breathing. "Leila? Leila, can you hear me?"
There was no response. "She's unconscious," Snape said from behind him.
"I can see that," Harry snapped. "How do I do a Feather-Light charm?"
"I can see you're even duller than I gave you credit for," Snape muttered, but he cast the spell on Leila, and Harry quickly picked her up.
Lupin was finally standing. He shivered in the cold night air. "Where are we?"
"No idea," Harry said, looking around. From the wand-light and the sliver of moon, he could see a wide field that ended at a dark line of trees. "Oh, look," Harry said, pointing to the right of the field. "I see lights in the distance. Do you think it's a village?"
"It's worth a try," Lupin said doubtfully. "But how do we know we're really back? What if we were just transported to Britain? Or even worse, if we've ended up in another reality?"
They all looked at each other. "There's the predicament," Snape muttered. "How to find out whether we're in our own world or not."
Suddenly Harry had to clap his hand over his mouth to keep from crying out. A sharp, burning pain had just shot through his forehead—a pain he hadn't felt in months.
"Harry?" Lupin's pale face was illuminated in the darkness. "Harry? What's wrong?"
"We're back," Harry said, gritting his teeth against the pain in his scar. "We're back—and Voldemort knows."
Author's Note: Well, here it is. Forgive any errors—it's two-thirty in the morning and I've been up since seven yesterday morning. But I'm sure all you writers out there can understand that sometimes you just get this urge—this inspiration—and you have to write or it will go away. Yeah, that's what I got tonight. This chapter's the longest yet. I thought of splitting it up, but I really couldn't find a good splitting place, so I'll post it all at once.
So there you go. Hope you were happy with the final decision—I always planned for Harry to reverse the Aperio and take his sister with him. As for Sirius and Ginny—Sirius will be happier in the other world with his brother. He likes a dangerous life, and in the other world, he'd have to go into hiding for a crime he didn't commit in either world. Ginny will be where she needs to be—with her family. When they move to America, she'll be able to reconnect with her parents and siblings, which is exactly what she needs to really get over her Azkaban experience. Leila—well, obviously, I couldn't leave her in the other world all alone, could I? That'd just be cruel.
At the end of the story I will post an epilogue that tells what became of all the characters I left in the Aperio reality, including Sirius, Regulus, Jeremy, Ginny, the Weasleys, Hermione, Flamel, Beauxbatons, Voldemort, the Death Eaters…etc. Don't worry too much… I don't plan on killing any one else off (except for some evil people we don't really care about). Lily and James were enough. And you guys don't know how lucky you are that I ended up keeping Sirius around—originally I was going to kill him off at the Battle of Hogwarts to eliminate another of Harry's reasons for staying in that world, but I decided that I just couldn't do it—not after shedding so many tears over Lily and James (even after they were dead in the original world!).
Sorry about this atrociously long author's note, but I have one more thing I'd like to say. If any of you have SIYE accounts, head over there and vote for The World as We Knew It in the September Dumbledore's Silver Trinket Award Polls. Just log in, go to home page, and click on VOTE HERE. Oh, and my username over there is the same as here—GinnyP0tter.
The next chapter will be a few weeks away. I'll probably have to wait for break before I can post again here. I'm SOOOOO busy here at college. Anyway, if you're bored, I've got eight chapters posted of "All That Remains," a new story I've started. Go check it out!
