Something beside his dresser caused it to rattle and make a noise.

Teddy's eyes shot open, but his body froze in fear. That was too big to be one of the cats. The window was open. Teddy didn't dare move his head yet he could tell from the fact that he could hear the wind and the bugs in the garden making noise, loud enough that meant it had to be open. He hardly ever opened it and he certainly would ahve closed it if he did. His wand was still in his bag, currently still sitting at the foot of his bead. He would have to sit up, dig through his bag to grab it, stand up and turn around the face the wall the head of his bed was up against... by that time whoever was in here, would have their weapon drawn and an ample amount of time to attack. If he laid still long enough, perhaps the person would think that he didn't hear them. But what if they both knew that wasn't true? Any second now, the intruder could jump out from behind the corner with a knife aimed directly at his chest.

Teddy knew he at least had the advantage of being between them and the door. They could dash out the window, but he wasn't entirely stuck here with them. Teddy could roll off his side of the bed and already be out the door before they could even move. Bu that would leave them there with his wand. What if there was more than one intruder in there? What if there was someone underneath his bed with a knife to slash his ankle if he stepped out? Teddy's heart was pounding in his chest, blood rushing in his ears. He managed to kick his bag up the bed towards his hand just enough to slip his fingers inside and feel his wand. Neither of them moved. He had enough time, he could run to the door. But then what? He could get his grandmother to help him, but what if that just gave them time to run away or put her in needless danger? He could run at them. He could wait for them to attack.

What kind of person would climb up the side of a two story house? Who would do something like this? A muggle? A homeless person? Who burgles a house in the middle of the morning?

"That makes me think that either someone is on the run right now, or they're about to be."

Perhaps a fugitive that followed him home from work? Were that true, this person hiding behind his dresser was extremely dangerous. And if that were true, he was about to do something extremely stupid.

Carefully, Teddy leaned over the side of his bed and looked underneath it. There was no one hiding there. Maybe there was someone in his closet, but he wasn't going to worry about them yet. He slowly stood up, his bed giving away what was happening, but the intruder didn't react. He brandished his wand and in one quick step, looked at whatever was on the other side of the dresser. A person was squeezed in the corner, their hands over their mouth. It looked like a girl, but Teddy couldn't judge their exact age, but definitely a teenager. She had long brown curls and wide blue eyes that stared up at him in fear. She was wearing rather nice clothes, a tan pencil skirt with tights, a white shirt, and a matching jacket. She did not appear to be armed with anything. She looked familiar in the same way that you could recognize someone inside of dream; he couldn't place where he knew her from, but felt as if he had met her on more than one occasion

"Who are you, and why are you in here?" Teddy asked sternly. She didn't have a lot of room to move, but she slowly raised her hands defensively, her mouth handing open in shock.

"I'm... I'm not here to hurt you." She said quietly. The girl cleared her throat. "I can't move. I'm stuck. Can you let me stand up? I won't attack you, I promise."

"Are you alone?" Teddy, without hesitation, took a step back to give her room to move. She slowly stood up with a struggle. How did she even manage to climb up the wall in a skirt? "Now tell me who you are."

The girl rubbed her arm where there was a big red mark from the furniture. "My name is Edith."

"Edith what?"

"I... You wouldn't understand." She said, holding up her hands. Teddy noticed she had been sitting on top of something.

"What were you sitting on? Kick it over here." He insisted.

Edith grimaced and did as he said. "Don't touch anything in there, it-"

It was a worn, Minstry-issued messenger bag from the eighties. It was a dark green and as he looked at it, Teddy saw a purple pin on the strap: a Weird Sister's button. "This is my bag. It was my mum's!" He said bluntly, turning to look at his bed where the exact same bag was laying. "This is my stuff. Where did you get this?"

"I can explain." She begged. "You'll think I'm crazy, but I'm not crazy. I just don't know if you'll understand."

"I can try." Teddy carefully opened it, the girl wincing as he did. There were few contents inside: a wand, some small almost-empty vials, a small notebook and pencil, a folded piece of paper, and a folded up blue sweater. He picked up her wand to examine it before putting it back inside the bag and setting in down at his feet.

"You never told me your name. It's Edward, isn't it?"

"How did you know that?"

"You're named after your late maternal grandfather, right? What do they call you? Ed? Eddy?" She paused, staring at him. "They call you Teddy, don't they?"

"Are you inside of my head right now?"

"Edward... did they make your middle name Lyall? Or did they make it Remus? Edward Remus Lupin, right? You're making a face, I think I'm right."

"Shut up, how do you know all of this?" Teddy demanded, still pointing his wand at her.

The girl was looking around the room. "Your mum grew up here. Nymphadora. A metamorphmagus. Then during the second war, they came back with your dad and lived here for a bit with your grandmother, Andromeda. Then you were born, weren't you?" Edith pressed. "What happened next?"

"My parents are dead. How do you know all of this? Where are you getting your information from?"

The girl let out a defeated sigh. "Yeah. Right. You were six when they died, right?"

"No, I was two weeks old." Teddy corrected.

Edith's face immediately changed into shock. "They died on May second, didn't they? The Battle of Hogwarts. Your birthday is the fourteenth of April?"

"You're off, the fifteenth."

"...because your mum went into labor really late that night. You must've been born really early on the fifteenth."

"What are you even talking about? You haven't told me who you are, you haven't explained anything to me yet!"

"You... You were born on April fifteenth, 1998. Your parents died two weeks later in the Battle of Hogwarts, and when they never came home, you lived here with your grandmother in hiding during the war. Is that correct?"

"What? No, the war's been over for nineteen years. The war ended that night, we killed Voldemort." Edith visibly winced as he said the name. "How-"

She cut him off. "Teddy, do you believe in aliens?"

Teddy stared at her in disbelief. "What?"

"Do you believe in aliens? Do you believe that we are not the only planet out there with intelligent life on it?"

"I don't know!" He exclaimed. "What, are you going to tell me that you're an alien?!"

"No, I'm asking if you believe in the possibility that we are not alone in the universe. That there are people out there just like us, living normal lives just like us, with families and jobs and stuff."

Teddy sighed. "Sure. Let's say for the sake of the argument, let's say I believe in aliens. What are you going on about?"

"So... there's a possibility that because the universe is so big there are planets super far away from us with people living on them, yes? And what do we know about the universe? It's infinite. There is no end to the universe. There could be aliens everywhere. There could be a planet out there than looks exactly like this planet that is exactly the same as ours in every single way, expect maybe... I dunno, let's say on this planet that orange juice tastes different."

"Okay, again-"

"This is all related!" Edith defended. "If there is a planet where everything is exactly the same except the orange juice tastes different, that means that there is a Teddy Remus Lupin on that planet that was born on April fifteenth to Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin, who both died on May second, who lives with his grandmother and works for the Ministry of Magic, except orange juice tastes different. Are you following?"

"I don't understand what orange juice has to do with this?"

"The orange juice on his planet is different that the orange juice on your planet. Okay, so what if that Teddy Lupin, the alien Teddy Lupin, knew how to do magic and figured out how to create a portal to get to this planet because he wanted to know what your orange juice tastes like. His orange juice is real, and completely possible, but it's different. And he wants to know what your orange juice tastes like because he really wants to like orange juice but he can't because he doesn't like the orange juice on his planet. Does that make sense?"

"Why would someone travel to an alien planet just for orange juice?"

"It's a metaphor! Just follow along for a second." She exclaimed. "Now imagine that there are an infinite amount of planets the exact same as this one except on every single one, orange juice tastes different. So Alien Teddy Lupin is traveling to all the different planet to find the perfect orange juice, but he's made a stop on your planet to find out what your orange juice tastes like."

Teddy stared blankly at her. "I think... I think maybe you should sit down. I'm a bit concerned about this metaphor and how literal you're taking it."

"My name is Edith Lupin." She blurted out. The following silence was deafening. "My middle name is Hope. I was born on April fourteenth, 1998, and my parents died in September of 2004. And I live with my grandmother, Andromeda. And I knew your name was Edward because my parents told me that's what they would've named me if I was a boy."

The two stared at each other. "You're... from another planet?" Teddy finally asked hesitantly.

"No. I don't know. I don't think so." Edith folded her arms. "I'm you. I'm the Teddy Lupin from an alternate timeline. All These things we have different, that's orange juice."

"But... why? How? How did you-" She nodded over to her bag and Teddy picked it up. "I mean, that explains why we own the same things, but how do I know you're telling me the truth?"

"I can show you how I got here, if you'll let me. I need my bag though. And we'll have to be quick. We should lock your door just to be safe. I'll close the window, if you promise not to stun me." Edith offered.

Teddy locked the door as she said but still held onto her bag. "If you aren't lying to me right now, I've got a lot of questions."

"Don't expect a lot of answers. You're the first timeline I came to. You can just dump my stuff out, it doesn't matter." He did, and she began going through her things. She carefully unwrapped her sweater. Inside, was a small wooden brown box, with carvings on it. It looked like a jewelry box, or maybe a box to put ashes into. She set it aside and repacked her things.

"You didn't bring a lot."

"I broke into the Ministry of Magic, I couldn't exactly bring a suitcase." She snapped. "Plus where I'm going, I don't need anything."

"Where are you going exactly?"

Edith chuckled, not looking up at him. "Home, I think. It's like I said, if there's an infinite amount of realities just like this one, I've got to be able to find one that I'll fit in."

"But why? What was so bad about your home timeline?"

She got quiet for a moment and continued to avoid eye contact, her thumb swiping quickly across her cheek as she refolded the sweater. "I haven't seen my parents in thirteen years. We're in the middle of a war that isn't letting up. You have no idea what it's like. I'm not allowed to have... things. Like when I was a kid, I wasn't allowed to play with things outside of a closet upstairs. I... never even existed; I don't have a birth certificate, I have to hide when the Ministry comes knocking because my grandmother was lucky enough that she didn't get caught as a 'blood-traitor'. No one could know that I existed because if they did they would've tortured me, if not killed me." Teddy wasn't sure what to say. "I left because I had to. I learned about this through... listen, it doesn't matter, but I have a lot riding on this. I'm already wanted in two timelines. I just want this to be over as fast as possible."

"I understand." Teddy replied. "What's... what's inside that box?"

Edith held out the the box and walked to the other side of the bed. "I need to you listen to me carefully. We're going to teleport somewhere. I need to stand exactly where I tell you to. Just trust me, and don't... don't freak out, okay?"

Teddy nodded nervously. She set the box down on the floor and opened the lid. A bright white light came shining out of the inside. Edith grabbed ahold of his arm and pulled him along as she stepped down into the light. Surely the box wasn't big enough to hold her weight, yet as she did, Teddy felt a strong pull and he was quickly blinded by the bright light. Their perspectives changed as the floor where the box was placed became a wall, the lid becoming a door. They stepped through into a bright white hallway.

"I'm going to be sick." Teddy collapsed against the doorframe.

"It's alright." Edith coaxed. "Look. We're here."

The hallway appeared to go both ways from the point they were standing in, both walls lined with an infinite number of white doors. Teddy noticed that one of them diagonally from where they were standing looked like it had been torn apart, as if the door were an object sitting on top of the wall instead of inside it. The pile of wood looked shredding, like tearing up a piece of paper with your hands.

"What happened there?" He asked, straightening up.

"It's... don't worry about that. Just don't leave that spot." She explained, stepping over a pile of splinters.

"What'll happen if I leave this spot?"

"You'll forget what door you came out of. That's your reality, that door will lead back to your bedroom. If I had to guess, every single one of these doors will lead to the Ministry Of Magic, The Department of Mysteries."

"Wait, so this place is capable of altering memories?" Teddy leaned forward to look down each hallway better. "Oh, you meant because everything looks the same. Right. So you... you came out of one of these doors? You took the box from your reality and came here?"

"No... yes. All of the boxes lead here. You leave the box behind when you leave, which is why I had you lock the door and the window. Each reality's box is a portal here... which means anyone could come here at any time if they could access the box."

"Do you think people come through here often?"

"No, it's under so much security. It's pointless, really!" Edith cackled. "An infinity of realities and we don't even use them because we're too selfish and want to keep them to ourselves!"

"Right, right." Teddy looked around again.

"Actually, you know what? Come over here." Edith walked to the door in front of his bedroom door. "Come peak your head inside. You can see what I mean."

Teddy did so hesitantly, trying very hard to not forget which door was his. She cracked the door open and he was able to see through to what looked like the inside of a silver vault, surrounded by a forcefield of protective magic. His stomach was churning at the thought of being outside of his bedroom any longer. "Can I go home? Can we talk more there?"

"Oh! Yeah, I'm sure that would be better." She ducked past him back through the door. Teddy followed behind her, immediately being caught up in the whirlwind again and being flung out into his bedroom. He came flying out of the box, tripping over the carpet in his room, and stumbling into his bed. "Oop, sorry, are you okay?" Edith went over to to comfort him.

"Yeah...yeah..." He sighed, slumping into the floor and leaning his head back against his mattress. "So... you're running away to find a new reality? What kind of reality are you looking for?"

"Specifically, one where my-our-parents are alive. Seems like this one is not what I was looking for." Edith sat down beside him. "I am sorry, by the way. I didn't mean to break into your bedroom. I mean, my bedroom is almost exactly identical. I've snuck out behind my Nan's back more times than I can count. I could climb that wall in my sleep, I think." She mused.

"How did you break into the Department of Mysteries anyways?" Teddy asked. "No offense or anything, but you're... you got caught by an auror trainee because you broke into my house. You got through the Ministry of Magic?"

"I... well... I am pretty good at disguises. I um, I never had a formal education, so my Nan taught me pretty much everything I know. So I'm not great with a lot of spells, but I am pretty good at potions."

"Good for you, I'm shit at potions." He remarked sarcastically. "So what happens when you leave? To the box, I mean. I'm guess you're not taking it back to the Ministry and if I keep it, I'll probably be framed as a terrorist or something. I guess I could bury it somewhere if you'd like."

"Oh you don't need to, I'll-I'll figure something out." Edith said optimistically.

"What did you do with the last box? Where did you put it?"

The girl didn't say anything. She pulled her legs up closer to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees. She started speaking as if she was about to cry. "This is... this is the first other reality I've been to, but I did some experimenting before I stepped through a door. I had to, erm, destroy the box from the inside out in order to... prevent anyone from following me from my reality here. I didn't know if, you know, if in any realities the war would have ended, but the people from my world... they were so dangerous, Teddy, the whole Ministry was run by death eaters!"

"Was that... was that why you tore down the door?" Edith nodded. "What does that mean?"

"It means I can't go back. Even if I wanted to. It's just me, and I don't have a home." Real tears were spilling out down her face.

"And that means... You left everything behind, didn't you? Your grandmother, your house-"

"Do you have clothes I can wear?" She quickly changed the subject. "I had to wear these to disguise myself. I'll keep them for when I go back, but I'd kind of like something comfortable to wear."

"Wait, but does that mean you'll destroy the door to this reality? What happens to the box here?" Teddy asked. She was already up, throwing open his closet door.

"When the box is destroyed, the door is destroyed. When the door is destroyed, the box is destroyed."

"But then that would mean you would leave and never be able to come back. I... I've never thought about this before but that would mean that no one else could leave this reality." He mumbled.

"What, you aren't wanting to come with me are you?" Edith grabbed a pair of Teddy's jeans, walking back over to dig around in his dresser.

"No. No! Not at all, I was just asking." With the closet still open, Teddy reached inside and pulled out a jacket. "Take this with you too."

Edith hesitantly took it from him. "I won't forget your kindness."

"How could you? You're me." Teddy laughed ever so lightly. "I can't even imagine the pressure you're under right now, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that."

"Yeah." Edith choked, taking off her jacket and starting to unbutton her blouse. Teddy politely turned around, though, this raised a good question. That was his body, but it wasn't his body, and it certainly didn't look anything like him. He had taken up presenting as a woman before, for both business and pleasure, wasn't that literally the same thing? He probably wouldn't have minded if she saw him change clothes. But then again, she may have had nearly the exact same body, there was still a different consciousness in her head. It was polite to not watch someone change.

"Have you eaten? Do you want anything? Nan made some food downstairs if you'd like to stay a little longer."

"No, no. The fewer people that see me the better. I'll just leave through the window again." She reassured, turning her back to him.

"You could just morph and I could tell her that Victoire came over." He suggested. "You know who Victoire is, right? My girlfriend?"

"Ha! I know her all too well. She, um, well she was one of my only friends back in my timeline. She's... nice."

"Nice? I thought you were supposed to be me."

Edith whipped her head around to glare at him. "You and I may be exactly alike, but that doesn't mean we were raised the same. Nature versus nurture. It's not like I could throw away my only friendship because I liked her. Then what? I'd go crazy talking to myself."

"So what does that make you?"

"What does that make you?" She furiously stuffed her clothes back in her bag.

"Doesn't this mean that we know everything about each other? Like, if we're the same, does that mean we have the same favorite color? The same music tastes? The same favorite foods?"

"I dunno. Probably." She huffed. "Maybe it would be best to say our goodbyes here."

"No, please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you." Teddy turned to her. "Just morph and come downstairs with me. Please?"

"Why do you even want me here? I thought I was a terrorist." Edith had one foot out the window.

Teddy's heart was racing. He was trying to think of something to say quickly. Other than his grandmother, Edith was the only person alive that had the same name as him, the same blood as him. She was probably the only person that could truly ever understand the way he felt. "Because... because I never got to have a sibling."

Edith stared at him. "A sibling?"

"You said you got six years with our parents, right? I only had two weeks, I didn't have parents there for me, just people who played pretend with me like it was the same thing, and it's not." He found himself holding back tears now. "Please don't leave me yet. We just met, can we at least be siblings? For a few hours? You can disguise yourself! We can go out somewhere, I'm sure there's loads of things you never got to do with the war."

She slowly pulled her leg back into the room. "You just want to see Mum and Dad. You're lying so that I won't destroy the box."

"I'm not." Teddy shook his head earnestly. "Come one, you're me, why would I lie to you? And wouldn't you know anyways?"

Edith had to ponder the proposition for a minute or so. "Fine. But I don't want Andromeda to see me."