Note: I do not own any of the characters and such, those are entirely JK Rowling's.
3. Now what?
Albus was getting tired. After they had their conversation with Stephanie in the hospital wing, and determined that she is not a threat, he had been discussing the situation with Severus and Minerva in his office for hours now.
Severus could not believe what he had explained to them and refused to believe that, to Stephanie, they were just book characters. Minerva seemed very worried over the young woman.
They still had a lot to discuss with Stephanie but they decided to let her sleep for now and continue their conversation the next morning. Severus and Minerva could not let it go.
'As I have said before Severus, I don't know the details either, but it's the only possible explanation. I don't know how or why, all I know is that this woman is from another dimension and somehow ended up here. I don't know the men that have sent her here. I don't know how she was a muggle before but is now a witch and I don't know if she can or will ever return. I want answers as well, but for now, we do not have them. They will come to us when the time is right. All we can do for now is help her settle in here, in our time and out dimension. But you both need to promise me you will not tell anyone of where she is from. If her knowledge about the future falls into the wrong hands, it could end disastrous. Agreed?' Both nodded.
Severus seemed frustrated still but did not go into further discussion. 'I still don't trust her and I will NOT be treated as some fictional character!' he said as he got up. He left Albus' office, cloak billowing behind him as he threw the door shut.
Albus and Minerva looked annoyed after Severus. 'He will accept it in the end.' Albus told her. Minerva looked worried. 'But what of Stephanie, Albus? I understand now why she was so scared. How will she deal with all this?'
'She needs to get some rest, and I will talk some more with her later. We need to help her settle in here, as I see no way how she can return home. Now, get some rest Minerva, we have a lot to do tomorrow.' With a nod Minerva got up and left the office.
Albus sighed. The wheels in his head spinning. This woman has knowledge of the future. This could be dangerous, but it could also be useful. Will she know how to defeat Voldemort? He had so many questions for her, but he knew he needed to be patient with her. He can not scare her off, she was needed on the side of the light. No, they could not scare her off.
Stephanie had not been able to sleep well. She was still scared but had calmed down a little. She had so many questions. Her world was gone, and now she was here, at Hogwarts where magic was real. Albus told her she is a witch. She didn't dare to believe it. Not yet. She would love to be a witch as she had read about in the Harry Potter books. And now she was actually in those books, so to speak.
And then there was her knowledge. She knows things the others know not. She knows their future, who lives, who dies. Oh god! These are actual people now and she knows some of them will die! Will she be able to use her knowledge to avoid these deaths?
She is a witch now but she knows nothing about magic. What could she ever do? She has no power. She can't even cast a spell. Would people even take her seriously?
All these thoughts and questions troubled her all night. It wasn't until five in the morning that she finally managed to fall asleep.
Poppy woke her up at nine with some breakfast. 'After you're done eating, you can use the bathroom over there.' she said as she pointed towards a door at the other side of the hospital wing. 'Your clothes are on the chair next to you. Albus will be here in an hour to talk with you some more.' Stephanie smiled at her appreciatively, 'thank you madam Pomfrey.' Poppy smiled back at her, 'none of that dear, call me Poppy.'
Stephanie ate her toast and eggs. It tasted amazing and she wondered if she would be able to see the kitchens sometime. The thought of house elves being real was a bit unsettling. She will need a lot of time to get used to everything and not be scared anymore.
After breakfast she went into the bathroom for a shower. She changed into her own clothes again and noticed how they were cleaned.
She felt her back pocket, and smiled. Her phone and earpods had luckily come with her. She took it out of her pocket and unlocked it with her fingerprint. Sadly she realized that it was not working properly. Probably because magic interfered with electronic devices.
She put the phone back into her pocket again and sat on her bed, waiting for Albus. It was so strange to think of this man, who she knew from a book, as just 'Albus'. Or would they expect her to call them professor? Better be polite, just to be sure.
She got up from her bed and walked towards one of the windows. She looked out and saw the Hogwarts grounds and the quidditch pitch in the distance. Flying! Now that was something she was excited to try.
She heard the door open behind her and looked around. There stood Albus Dumbledore in a lilac robe with little golden stars all over. It was even weirder to see him like this during the day.
'Ah Stephanie! I see you're already up, good. Care to join me for a walk on the grounds?' Stephanie nodded and followed him out of the hospital wing.
Of course she had read about the castle in the books, and seen some of it in the movies, but actually walking there was an entirely different thing. For starters, the castle was huge! She wondered how people managed to not get lost in it every day. After a while they came across the entrance to the great hall, where she had appeared not even a day ago. They walked past it and towards the grand door that led them outside. It was really a beautiful place.
'So, how are you doing?' Albus asked. 'Still very confused and a bit scared sir. I'm not sure what to think as it's all very surreal.' Albus smiled a little at her answer. 'I can imagine.'
'I'm sorry to say that I do not see a way for you to return home at the moment, Miss Saxton.' Stephanie responded with a sad smile, but nodded in understanding. 'So I think it's wise if we made some arrangements for you, to get you settled in and maybe even give you something to do. Do you agree?'
Stephanie nodded again. 'It's not like I have anything else to do sir.' she said. Albus chuckled, 'That's the spirit! So, there are a few things we need to arrange..' he started enthusiastically, but noticed Stephanie's sad look. 'Is there something wrong? Do you not wish to stay here?' he asked, slightly concerned.
Stephanie shook her head. 'It's not that sir, I really do appreciate you willing to make arrangements for me. But it's just a lot to take in. Magic suddenly being real is one thing, then there is the mystery of how I got here. I have nothing here! No friends, no family, not home, not even clothes or money or anything really. Life hasn't always been easy for me, and now this...it's just...a lot.' she explained.
'Forgive me Miss Saxton, I forgot how strange and hard this must be for you. I'm afraid I can't really imagine what it feels like to be in your situation. But I'm afraid there are some things we do need to discuss.'
They were now walking past the great lake and saw some students staring at them. Stephanie had become quite the topic for gossip, as the whole school had seen her appearing in the great hall. 'They are all very curious indeed Miss Saxton.' Albus said as he saw her looking at the staring students.
'Curiosity isn't a sin, sir.' Stephanie replied. At this comment Albus raised his eyebrows in surprise. After a few seconds he smiled 'I quite agree.' Stephanie looked up to him slightly shocked, as she realized she just had quoted Albus to himself. Albus seemed to have made the same conclusion. 'Not to worry Stephanie.' he told her.
'However, it might be more comfortable to have this conversation without the staring, don't you agree? No offence to your fashion sense, but you do stand out with these clothes. Allow me?' he said with a twinkle in his eyes as he took out his wand.
Stephanie automatically took a step back from him, as she was still not used to magic. And to be honest, it scared her a little. But she could see his point. Not only was she wearing muggle clothes, but her outfit was also from 30 years into the future.
She took a deep breath and found her courage as she nodded slowly to Albus. He waved his wand and her black skinny jeans, and black and green checkered blouse started to transform into a long green dress with a black cloak.
The sensation was... well, weird. Feeling the magic being used on her gave Stephanie a sort of tingling sensation that she felt through her whole body. She looked at herself and snorted. She looked ridiculous! Albus seemed to disagree with her as he just smiled at her as if she now wore the most normal outfit in the world.
'Excellent!' he said as he started walking again, past the great lake to the edge of the forest. They didn't go in, but just strolled along the edge.
'As I said, there are a few things we do need to discuss.' Albus said. Stephanie nodded in understanding. 'Your knowledge of the future can be quite dangerous. I still want to look some more into different dimensions and time traveling, but I think for now, it's better to tell no one else that you are from the future. Professor McGonagall and professor Snape already know of course, as does madam Pomfrey. But let's keep it at that for now shall we?' he suggested.
Stephanie wondered why he wanted to do so. He said her knowledge of the future was dangerous, but wouldn't it be useful as well? They could save people, and defeat Voldemort! They could prevent so much suffering. 'But sir, wouldn't my knowledge be able to help people? I could prevent …' Albus raised his hand to stop her talking. 'Please Stephanie, I insist that you do not tell me anything of importance yet. I'm sure you understand.'
Oh Stephanie understood alright, she just didn't agree with him. Albus continued: 'For now, we're not even sure yet whether this world is the same as in your books or not. Things may be different here, even though everything seems the same to you now.'
Stephanie was not a stupid woman. She could tell the great Albus Dumbledore was the same here. He wanted control and even though he meant well, he apparently still thought he knew best. So she decided to just nod and go with it. If things started to go bad, she could make her own plans, and hopefully prevent some terrible things. So she let it go for now. There are more urgent matters right now for her to worry about. Where would she stay? How would she get money? She needed clothes, toiletries and other stuff.
'I'm glad we agree.' Albus said. 'Now, I believe you agree with staying here at Hogwarts for now?' Stephanie nodded. 'Excellent. However, I do need to let the staff know who you are. I will not tell them about your time travel. But I believe it's safe to let them know that you are from a different dimension in which you were a muggle. They will understand why you are not skilled in magic yet at your age.'
Stephanie thought about the staff and how they would react. She wondered if she actually knew them all or if there was staff that was never mentioned in the books. She suddenly realized Quirrell was here, with Voldemort in the back of his head! Was this maybe why Albus didn't want to tell the rest of the staff about her time travel, because he already knew there was someone they couldn't trust?
'Sounds like a plan sir.' she told him, and Albus nodded approvingly. 'I do not wish to be of too much trouble sir, but I do need some stuff. Clothes and toiletries at the least. Of course I could pay you back later, once I have found a way to make some money!'
'Nonsense miss Saxton! We will give you everything you need for now, do not worry. No need to pay us back. Help will always be given to those at Hogwarts who ask for it.'
Stephanie nodded appreciatively and smiled inwardly at the famous Dumbledore quote. She noticed they were almost back at the grand doors. She would be fine for now but she still felt nervous.
'We actually are having a staff meeting in about five minutes. You can join us if you will? We can introduce you to the rest of the staff and let them know you will be staying with us for a while as our guest.'
Stephanie took a deep breath, to prepare herself to meet more people she already "knew". 'Alright, let's do it.' So she followed Albus through the grand door into the hallway.