Chapter 1: Another Name, Another Life
The alarm blared throughout the room with a loud, annoying BEEP! A.J. lifted her head while slamming her hand down to turn off the clock. Her eyes began to refocus until she observed her surroundings. The place was white, barren (with only a chair, lamp, nightstand, and the cot she was on), and sterile. Black marble pillars stood on every corner. Grey granite bricks in a block pattern made the room intimidating. Giant glass windows in front of her gave an eerie vibe to the hospital room along with the moonlight seeping through the room. It felt comfortable but a creepy presence so palpable you could cut it with a knife.
"Good evening, Miss Hernandez." A.J. looked around to locate where the mysterious voice came from. Out of her peripherals, a figure stepped out from the shadows to show himself. A man with a long, white beard and hair, silver robes and matching hat, half-moon spectacles, and warm, grey eyes came out of the shadows to introduce himself. But everyone in the entire world knows about Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
She smiled in giddiness and interest. "Hello, Professor. It's nice to meet you." His blue eyes twinkled with mischief and curiosity about her knowledge of this world, and it's people.
"Ahhh. I see you already know who I am." All A.J. could do was nod her head while gaping at the most powerful wizard in the world, standing in front of her. He got closer and continued with his clarification. "Let me explain. Your presence here is…unusual to say the least, but a necessary one either way."
"What do you mean by that?" A.J. rasped out.
"It has come to my attention that you more prominent what is to happen and why correct?" She gave a hum of acceptance to his question. "Why you woke in a strange world in a different time? Why are you here and for what purpose to help? Or are you afraid that changing the future might have a negative impact on YOUR future?" All A.J. could do at this point was nod her head. "Your arrival was already pre-ordained long ago, Miss Hernandez. Probably during the era of the Hogwarts Founders."
"Everything that happened: the package, the watch, the letter saying this is my destiny to change the world…was prophesized since the beginning?" A.J. asked. He nodded his head in reply. "Why now? Why not before or when I was thirteen or fourteen?" She questioned.
"Because you were not ready to handle the immense power that comes with the watch and the duty of being a powerful witch…much more powerful than Lord Voldemort."
"That answers my first question. Second, WHY DO I LOOK LIKE LILY POTTER?!" she screeched. A.J. took a peek at her attention and saw her face was - or is - Lily Potter's face when she was a teenager.
"The universe decided you were a perfect candidate to become Lily Potter's reincarnation. To finish the life she never got to have as well as getting a second chance to fix things Lily didn't get the opportunity to finish. Also, to fulfill the prophecy bestowed upon you," Dumbledore explained.
"People are going to stare at me just for my face. Might as well get used to it," A.J. resigned to her appearance. Freaky and painful (to some people she'll meet), but can understand the logic behind it. "So, what exactly am I?"
"I'm afraid that you need to solve this on your own. There are things I can't say to you yet. But one day, when you are ready, I will answer all of your questions."
"You promise?"
"I give you my word." A.J. hesitated. She knew him to be a little manipulative, but still a good man.
"Okay." They both shook hands in agreement. Professor Dumbledore left with a POP! And she was all alone again. Tomorrow, they would head to Diagon Alley to pick up her school supplies for the new school year. With that, she closed her eyes while she drifted off to sleep.
One of the hospital nurses woke her up the next morning, gave her an evaluation, and cleared her to leave St. Mungo's. She took a shower, put on her clothes she grabbed from the chair, picked up her backpack, and headed downstairs where Professor Dumbledore stood patiently in the front entrance. She held tight while he apparated straight to Diagon Alley. Everywhere she looked was filled with life. Shops were overflowing with people coming and going, animals sold to new First Year students, and school supplies sold to new and returning students for the upcoming school year.
"Sir, I don't have any money to pay for all the things I need," she admitted, albeit embarrassedly. In the real world, she was wealthy beyond anyone's imagination, but here, in the Wizarding World is an entirely different thing.
"Which is why we are headed to Gringotts for your money," he stated.
Her brain couldn't comprehend this. However, one word flew out of her mouth that summed up everything she was thinking of. "What?"
"There's an account already made for you some time ago." Again, A.J. tried to process the information, but couldn't accept it since it's her first time in the Wizarding World.
"Huh?" Dumbledore sighed but continued with telling her about her heritage and legacy.
"Your parents concealed various truths about your heritage and life they felt you were not ready to accept yet." A.J. stared in disbelief. She shook her head in denial; her brain filled to the brim with new information about her parents she never knew before…or ever.
"Sir, my parents were Muggles. How did they get a bank account for me if they weren't wizards?"
"Miss Hernandez, your parents, were of magical descent," Dumbledore explained. "Your father and mother were powerful people; skilled in Potions and Spells, but also descendants of Hogwarts' founders. On your mother's side, she derives from Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin - distant cousins - for those two while on your father's side is the legacy of Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff," he finished. A.J.'s mouth dropped open to the entire news of this: her parents were a witch and warlock couple...which explained so much. How she heard them muttering something in Latin, taking some herbs for a 'cleansing,' and even levitating feathers. All the signs were there; she just didn't see them. After the loss of her parents, Marcel Gerard helped her understand it when she made fire appear from thin air. With his help, she found witches in the Quarter, and they taught her magic; every kind there was - minus Expression - she absorbed and retained like a sponge. Within a few months, she became legendary and built up a reputation for being a force to be reckoned with. Then, the Originals came to town and sought out their help. With Kol's knowledge of spells, potions, making dark objects, etc., her power increased, and her value became indispensable.
"And as to your second inquiry, this account was made before your parents birth. Since the beginning of the Wizarding World itself," he informed Miss Hernandez. Dumbledore enjoyed the look of revelation when he told her this; It amused him. In the recesses of his mind, Dumbledore knew that Miss Hernandez's presence in Hogwarts would raise some eyebrows and bring up questions she doesn't want to be answered …mostly towards her appearance. As they headed in, the whole room was ornate, marble on every part of the walls, and goblins were writing down records. Dumbledore kept going straight until she found herself in front of the Head Goblin of Gringotts.
"Miss Hernandez would like to make a withdrawal." The Head Goblin looked up from his paperwork and saw the Headmaster and 'Miss Hernandez' waiting for his permission.
"Of course, right this way." A door was opened for the both of us where there was a cart waiting for us. Dumbledore went in first and then helped A.J. up to her seat. The cart began moving at rocket speed down the cavern, even further than humanly possible. It wasn't long until they reached a pair of doors. Simple, plain, titanium doors stood immense and foreboding to anyone.
"So, how do we get in?" she asked. "I mean…there must be a key that opens the door…isn't there?"
The Head Goblin grinned at her inquisitive mind but answered her question. "Yes, there is a key, but it is unorthodox, to say the least." A.J.'s head tilts in confusion.
"How 'unorthodox' are we talking here?" Her voice was turning suspicious and skeptical of the new information she acquired.
"Only you know the answer if you have the Time for it." Dumbledore stared at the girl treading carefully to the entrance of the vault.
"How long has this door been closed?" The burning question in her mind the moment she saw those doors.
"About twenty-three years ago." He stepped back and stood near Dumbledore, allowing her to pace back and forth in front of her vault while listening to her talking to herself.
"Time…Time…Time. What could be a good example of Time? Something I already know?" A.J. muttered under her breath. Pacing back and forth, she threw out any obvious answers to this riddle, until one popped into her head. Nervous, she thought back to a scene where fits the idea of 'Time.'
"In Alamut rests the beating heart of all life on Earth: the Sand Glass of the Gods. Long ago, the Gods looked down on man and saw nothing but greed and treachery. And so, they sent a great sandstorm to remove all, wipe clean the face of the Earth. But one young girl begged the Gods to give mankind another chance, offering her life in exchange. Seeing the purity within, the Gods were reminded of man's potential for Good. So, they swept the sands into the Sand Glass, and a dagger was given to the girl who saved Man, making her the first Guardian," A.J. whispered. Her voice was hoarse and raspy, but both Head Goblin and Headmaster heard her clear as day.
The doors began the unlocking mechanism inside the vault, ready to be opened once again. A.J. pushed the doors apart and saw a vault that terrified her. An entire room, bigger than anyone can imagine – probably the size of an entire city or country– filled to the brim with gold Galleons, bronze Knuts, and Silver Sickles. Along gold and silver bars as well as Muggle money from every country in the world, A.J. did not have the right words to say.
Valuable jewels and gems littered the piles of coins surrounding the area. Diamonds of all colors, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, topazes, garnets, pearls, jades, jaspers, ambers, moonstones, onyx, opals, lapis lazuli, and much more decorated one-third of the room, turning it more vibrant instead of a cold, empty vault.
Different tableware was present inside: plates, goblets, chalices, pitchers, cutlery in silver and gold, bowls, cups, trays, pots, tea sets, pans, and kettles were all adorned with precious gems or made entirely of metal. Works of art lined the walls; weapons of all kinds – swords, Sais, shields, batons, bows, arrows, crossbows, staffs, knives, daggers, and spears – arranged in three, organized, separate rows on the other side of the vault. Jewelry of various items and value – crowns, tiaras, necklaces, brooches, rings, earrings, amulets, staffs, orbs, arm cuffs, lockets, cameos, pendants, and hairpins – helped fill up the vault in giant piles alongside everything else.
The Head Goblin gave her a velvet pouch and gestured for her to take as much money as she needed. Hesitantly, A.J. strolled inside the vault and grabbed the first things her hands touched. A generous pile of Sickles, Galleons, Knuts, a pair of broadswords and Sais, a Goblin-forged silver snake whip and staff, some jewels, Muggle money from every country, and a box filled with pieces of jewelry, entered her bag with the Undetectable Extension Charm. However, there was one thing that caught the girl's attention. A simple letter accompanied with a simple, blue-covered book on a small, Mahogany table. A.J. took the letter and book but placed it in her bag to read later. She headed out and smiled gratefully at the goblin. The doors closed once more, never to be opened until necessary.
Their trek out of the bank was with relief and calm. For the next hour and a half, Dumbledore took A.J. to Flourish & Blotts for textbooks, Scribbulus for her parchment, quills, and ink…and maybe some art supplies as well. Then, they headed to Eeylop's Owl Emporium to buy her barn owl, Sanvi (and a phoenix that happened to land on her head named Agni), Potage's Cauldron Shop for her cauldron, Slug & Jiggers for scales, Potions, and Potion ingredients. The last two things necessary was the school uniform and a wand. Wandering around smiling at how incredible everything is in Diagon Alley, A.J. spotted Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions just up ahead. Professor Dumbledore opened the door and held it open for her to pass through.
"Good morning, Headmaster. How can I help you today?" Madame Malkin greeted the Headmaster and the red-headed girl standing next to him.
"This young lady needs some school uniforms for the upcoming term," Dumbledore informed her.
"Of course, Headmaster. Step right up, miss." Dumbledore saw Miss Hernandez did as she was told, but her eyes held a small amount of fear of wearing the school uniform. Madame Malkin finished measuring Miss Hernandez and proceeded to buy some uniforms.
"Sir, um…if-if it's okay with you, I-uh…"
"Yes?"
"Can I get a specific choice of uniform?" The hesitancy in her voice got his attention.
"What are you trying to say, Miss Hernandez?"
"I was wondering if I could have just the button up shirts, vests, ties, and robes, but only seven skirts?"
"Are you alright?"
"It's just that-umm-uh…I don't feel comfortable wearing a skirt to school. Bad memory." He smiled.
"I'm sure that whatever embarrassing thing happened, it's nothing to worry yourself about." His new student shook her head rapidly. Confusion appeared on his face why she is hesitant about the uniform.
"If I tell you something, promise me you won't say a word to anyone unless it is necessary." Nodded his agreement, she came closer to his ear, whispering why she doesn't like skirts. He scowled and understood completely.
"Is it possible that I can wear pants for the remainder of my education at Hogwarts?" She asked. Her voice was small and nervous. She knew he was a kind, understanding man, but the power A.J felt he emanated still terrified her. An adult petrified at the fact Dumbledore is the scariest person in the room. Dumbledore gave this moment's deliberation in his head where he turned to her and gave a nod of approval.
"Now, the only thing left for me to get is…a wand," she informed.
"Well, Ollivander's is the best place to get your wand." Dumbledore offered his arm like a gentleman, which A.J. took gladly. Both Headmaster and student opened the door to be greeted by dust, dust, and more dust. Shelves of wands that never have been touched in years await the day where one student will come and find a perfect match.
"Excuse me? Is someone here?" Footsteps came from the back of the shop. A man with crazy white hair, sharp silver eyes, ragged fancy robes, inverted triangle-shaped face, straight nose, and a kind smile stood in front of the two new visitors in his shop.
"Ahhh, Headmaster, a pleasure to see you again. How may I help you today?" He asked. Dumbledore headed over to the front desk, looking at Ollivander - directly - in the eye.
"A new student will be transferring to Hogwarts, and she seemed to have broken her wand." The lie flows out of his mouth like honey: smooth, sweet, and silky.
"I completely understand. May I meet this girl?" He nodded. The girl in question was staring at all the shelves in one part of the shop until Dumbledore beckoned her over to them.
"Miss Hernandez, can you come over here please?" Hearing the Headmaster's voice, A.J. turns around, and Mr. Ollivander gasps in disbelief. The very image of the late Lily Potter stands before him.
"Sure," she replied. A.J. heads over to the two elderly gentlemen where - internally - she enjoyed the flabbergasted expression on Olivander's face.
"Lily?" She knew what Mr. Olivander was talking about: the memory of Lily Potter. However, she didn't show it. So, A.J. tilted her head in confusion on who is this 'Lily' person. Dumbledore gave a tiny smirk at her recognizable appearance until he corrects Mr. Olivander for his mistake.
"This is A.J. Hernandez." Coming out from his stupor, he proceeded to find a wand for this new student while smiling. The shelves were full with boxes of wands, waiting to be picked by someone worthy.
"You remind me so much of Lily Potter. Willow, swishy, long, 10 ¾ inches, unicorn hair. Good for Charms." A.J. smiled in that aspect.
"Why don't you try this wand? Oak, pliable, 11 inches, Unicorn hair." She waved it around, and shelves began falling apart. This went on for a good five minutes while A.J. tried over thirty wands in total.
"Do not worry, my dear. There will be a wand perfect for you. I just -" He stopped and went in the backroom to get something. Mr. Ollivander came out with a wand box. "I remember every wand I've sold here. However, this is something I will never forget as long as I live." As he opened the box, Dumbledore sensed the magic from that wand: raw, powerful, and untamed. Mr. Ollivander held it out for A.J. to grasp. When she did so with a wave, the entire shop cleaned itself and returned the mayhem to their proper places.
Garrick Ollivander stares at the room from a critical standpoint; his eyes were roaming over everywhere in his shop. He said, "Curious. Very curious." A.J. recognized what he said. These were the same words he told Harry that day he came in for a wand.
"Sorry, but what do you mean 'curious?'" A.J. became hesitant in asking the best wandmaker in the world this question. He plucked the wand from her hand and analyzed it while he divulged the strange nature of the wand.
"This wand I created recently although never figured out why. Pieces of woods that were left over from my craft, all combined to form that one wand in your hand. However, I never imagined it would finally choose an owner. 13 ½ inches, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather, very rigid, and many pieces of woods."
A.J. and Dumbledore stare at him, thinking they misheard him. "I'm sorry, we must have heard you wrong. Did you say 'woods'? As in plural?" A.J. questioned.
"Yes." Dumbledore gave a confused look to Mr. Ollivander. "Large pieces from Mahogany, Pine, Red Cedar, Bloodwood, Paduak, Maple, Canary, Alder, Kou, Ebony, and Italian Olive. The middle-sized pieces are from Monterillo, Hornbeam, Cocobolo, Acacia Koa, Oak, Holly, Vermelha, Aspen, Makore, Rowan, Black Laurel, and Redwood."
"Those are all Firewoods," A.J. stated. They stared at her in wonder and impressive knowledge towards that aspect.
"Correct. These pieces will only bind with someone who has a passionate, driven, and fiery personality to handle. You, Miss Hernandez, demonstrate the different qualities of those wood selections, which it chose you. An extremely powerful wand for an extremely powerful person." She smiled and paid thirteen Galleons for her wand. A.J. gleamed at her very new wand that seemed so right in her hands.
"Tomorrow, I will escort you to Platform 9 ¾, but you have to get to the Platform on your own. After the feast, I would like to speak with you about your 'watch.'"
"Sure thing, but how did you know I had it?" The headmaster smiled at this question.
"I remember when your mother had it. Very smart and independent like you. Had an immense capacity for love to others and courage to fight for what she believed in…something that she passed on to you," he spoke fondly. He led A.J. to the Leaky Cauldron from the back alley and escorted her to a room.
"I will be here at 8:30 am to pick you up."
"I'll be ready sir." Dumbledore disapparated away from the Leaky Cauldron leaving A.J. in the room. She placed all her stuff in trunks, set her Phoenix and owl near the window, put on her pajamas, and fell to sleep.